Cassie manages to free Lily from her troubled family. Amanda’s relationship with Belle and Ryan begins to crumble.
Extended Summary
Sally comes downstairs and shocked to find Cassie and Lily bailed up in the kitchen by Kyle. Kyle demands Sally give him her car keys but he becomes increasingly agitated as Sally tries to reason with him. Ric and Brad appear at the door and Sally throws the keys which slide onto the floor the distraction is enough for guys to race over and grab a hold of him while they wait for the police to arrive. Kyle pleads to Lily as the police drag him away but she insists she doesn’t deserve the abuse and turns her back on him and walks away. As Lily breaks down in Cassie’s arms, Sally promises Lily they will take care of her. Dan arrives and gives Cassie the news that she breached the rules of the Help-line and can no longer be involved. Cassie is disappointed but rewarded also with the knowledge she saved Lily from her troubled family.
Belle is frustrated when she finds Amanda on lounge about to indulge in another bottle of wine. Belle makes a heart felt plea for her mother to stop drowning her sorrows and that she needs to stay strong to take care of her and Ryan. Belle moves off, leaving Amanda with plenty of food for thought. The next morning, Belle comes downstairs to find Amanda and Kelli packing a picnic and clocks the bottle of wine unopened. Amanda thanks Belle for making her see some sense and will make and effort from now on to stop drinking. Belle agrees to meet them later down at the beach. Kelli finishes packing the picnic and unbeknown to Amanda, she puts the wine back in the basket… what is she up to now?
The picnic is underway. In the distance, Ryan spots Peter arriving on the beach with Fitzgerald. He runs up to say hello but Amanda is not impressed and calls him back. Kelli heads up to the Diner to collect a juice. Ryan heads off to have a swim in the whitewash as Amanda watches Peter and Fitzy enjoying each other’s company (as mates). She discovers the bottle of wine Kelli has packed and can’t resist any longer. She takes out the bottle and pours a glass.
Having taken her eyes off Ryan, she looks out to the ocean and begins to panic – Ryan is nowhere to be seen! Amanda races over to Peter and Fitzy and the search begins. Amanda’s heart sinks – what has she done? After some frantic searching, finally Belle appears with Ryan by her side. Ryan is shaken after being rescued by one of lifeguards up the other end of the beach. Belle helps to pack up the picnic and is not impressed when she discovers the half drunk bottle of wine.
When they return home, Amanda is promising the world to Ryan to make up for his accident. Belle takes Amanda aside and admits she saw the wine – she knows Amanda took her eyes of Ryan because she was too occupied having a drink. Amanda remembers she has to go to her drink driving course and once again lets Ryan down. Once his mother is out of sight, Ryan begs Belle to take him to Dan’s place. Belle reluctantly agrees.
Amanda returns home and instantly fires up when Belle reveals she took Ryan to his father’s. Amanda starts accusing Belle of being a traitor but Belle bites back insisting she should start being a better Mum – especially after she has done nothing but stick up for her. Belle tells Amanda she’s moving out and in the heat of the moment, Amanda says that’s just fine! Fighting back the tears, Belle rushes out. Slowly, Amanda’s world is falling down around her.