Jack is deeply concerned by Martha’s downward spiral. Ric’s first day in prison comes with a shocking discovery. Alf & Sally learn the reasons behind Martha’s erratic behaviour.
Extended Summary
At Summer Bay House, all are reeling in the wake of the trial. Mattie is devastated and Morag wishes she could’ve done more to help. Sally promises that they’ll visit him tomorrow, but that doesn’t comfort Matilda, who is still blaming herself for the outcome of the case. Alf is talking to Macca, Tony and Brad about how hard prison was for him – but it’s nothing compared to what Ric would be experiencing in maximum security – they can be brutal. Matilda is nearby and is stricken to hear this. All rally to comfort Mattie as she continues to berate herself for Ric’s predicament. Belle, Lucas and Drew head into the Surf Club for a game of pool – all subdued with the latest news on Ric. Lucas comforts Belle, which kills Drew. He wish it was him, but knows he has to bury these feelings in front of Luc. The game continues, when Belle spills Drew’s drink everywhere – he cleans up the mess – but Belle realises with all that’s transpired today, she just can’t deal with her feelings for Drew as well. She decides to leave, Lucas follows. Belle and Drew share a look, but she reminds herself that Lucas is the one she should be turning to.
Martha can’t handle it all – she heads off for a walk, alone, her own problems consuming her mind, and heads for the Surf Club. She pours herself a long shot of vodka to ease her pain. Sam drops by to see Martha drinking and asks how she’s doing? Martha doesn’t say much and Sam shows her support, moving off, concerned. Sam later catches up with Jack and mentions she saw Martha drinking at the bar. Jack is concerned to hear this, thinking about the baby. Does Sam mind if he goes to see her? Not at all. Jack finds her, still at the bar. He asks if she’s okay – obviously she isn’t, what about drinking with the baby? Martha makes it clear that she doesn’t want to talk – she might’ve confided in him about the pregnancy, but that doesn’t give him the right to tell her what to do. He keeps pushing about the baby until Martha finally cracks and tells him that there is no more baby. She’s had an abortion. Jack is stunned! That was a rush decision. Martha defends herself – there was no way she could have Ash’s baby. On top of everything else in her life, she just needs a break from it all – how’s a drink going to hurt? She tells him to back off. Jack can’t stop worrying about Martha and is distracted with Sam, wishing he could tell her what’s happening with Martha. Sam urges him to go and see Martha, knowing it’s on his mind. She smiles as he heads off – but can’t help but feel uneasy about her boyfriend running off to see his ex-wife, not knowing why. Jack talks to Martha – she snaps – if he wants to help her, then get out there and find the person who killed Rocco so Ric can get out of that prison! Jack knows there’s more to this than Ric and tries to take the bottle of alcohol from her. She tells him to let her lead her own life – she wasn’t ready to have a baby and did the right thing by getting rid of it! Martha is stunned when she turns to see that Alf and Sally have come down the stairs at the ruckus and heard what she’s just revealed.
Ric is lead down a long dark corridor of prison cells by a guard. His expression inscrutable. He can’t help but feel intimidated, but he’s not going to let anyone see that he’s scared. The voice of the judge’s verdict echos in his head – eighteen years in maximum security for the wilful murder of Rocco Cooper… The guard takes him to the prison yards – grey as far as the eye can see, concrete, uniforms, barbed wire. On his own, he can feel himself being watched and is horrified when he hears his name being called to then turn and see Johnny Cooper! He’s just been transferred to the same prison. Suddenly Ric’s nightmare has become sheer hell. Johnny and his gang corner Ric – he’s not going to let Ric go after what he did to Rocco and starts a scuffle. The Warden breaks it up as he makes an announcement about drugs within the prison – a stash has been found and it won’t be tolerated. He’s looking directly at Johnny and his gang, which Ric notes. Is Johnny embroiled in drugs in prison just like he was on the outside? Ric watches later as he sees Johnny doing a drug deal, taking it in with great interest. As he’s watching, Johnny suddenly turns and catches Ric watching on. He’s not happy about it at all. He lets Ric know that there are new rules in here and things going on that are none of his business – if anyone finds out what you saw today, there’s going to be big trouble and you’ll find out how many friends I’ve got in here. Later that day, the Warden does a search only to find a stash in one of Johnny’s mates shoes. He’s dragged off and Johnny glares at Ric, convinced he set up his mate. That night, Ric wakes in his cell to see Johnny standing over him. He lets Ric know that he made a big mistake, dobbing Johnny into the Warden today. He advances menacingly towards Ric who has no way out.
