Episode 4435

Extended Summary

A shaken and injured Jules takes in the sight of Alex’s ruined motorbike. Realising he’s in deep trouble, he limps home. Meanwhile Jack questions Alex, who unhappily points out that the bike belongs to his brother Chris. Jack promises to have a word to Drew and Jules in case they saw anyone suspicious hanging around outside Amanda’s house before the motorbike was stolen. But it’s Alex who sees Drew first, and he breaks the news of the theft. Drew is stunned – and quickly guesses that his buddy is the likely thief.

Drew heads home to confront Jules, and is concerned by the extent of his injuries, telling him they need to get him to hospital. Jules, however, is scared of getting busted by the police and insists on staying home – and his face falls when there’s a knock at the door and Jack and Constable Hanna enter to ask questions about Alex’s motorbike. Drew unhappily covers for Jules, but he’s furious about being forced into lying to the police. Jules is relieved that Jack buys their cover story, but is all too aware that his friendship with Drew is in serious trouble.

Alex is no happier when he learns from Jack that while the motorbike has been located, the damage is extensive. The thought of further money worries only makes Alex more on edge, and he tells Sally that he can’t pay the rent on his van until he’s got the bike repaired. Sally’s happy to wait, and Cassie works hard to calm him down. Alex can’t help responding to her warm concern, leaving Cassie wondering if there’s a chance for something more between them.

Belle, meanwhile, cottons on to the fact that Jules stole the bike – and she urges Drew to stop protecting his mate. Surely he can see that he’s not doing Jules any favours by constantly covering for him? Even though the couple end up mending their relationship, Drew’s reluctant to admit she’s right. But finally he’s forced to tell Dan and Leah the truth about Jules’s theft – leaving Jules furious at what he sees as the ultimate betrayal.

Meanwhile, Sally has been quietly concerned that Brad is taking the Education Department’s investigation into his handling of the Naomi Preston affair a little too casually. Brad assures her that the meeting he’s having with the Department’s representative, Dr Lang, is a formality only. But Brad realises he’s wrong when he’s brought before a full panel and faces aggressive questioning from Dr Lang. And that night he breaks the news to Sally and Alf: he’s suspended from his position as school principal, pending further investigation into his conduct.