Episode 4499

Extended Summary

While heartbreak and despair abounds, one person, Lucas, has a piece of good news. He’s just received word from a publisher that they’re interested in publishing his book. They cement there interest by offering him an advance. The celebrations are kept low key in deference to the tragedies of the day. No one however is prouder of Lucas than his father, Tony.

While most people in Summer Bay are still talking about Sally and Brad’s “wedding,” Sam is focused on her own up-coming marriage to Jack. But unbeknown to her, Jack is in no position to get married again having recently learnt that Martha failed to lodge their divorce papers, and they are therefore still legally married. Jack’s been at pains to keep this information from Sam and has finally arranged a meeting with a solicitor to get the divorce completed.

He arrives to pick up Martha to take her to the meeting only to find her very hung-over. While she wants to postpone the meeting, Jack is adamant that they’re going. While on a break from work Sam dashes into Yabbie Creek to collect the wedding rings she’s selected, and sees Jack and Martha there to see the lawyer. Sam’s suspicious though, as Jack had earlier said he had been called into the police station. On his way home from the meeting Jack calls in to see Sam at the hospital. She’s a bit cool with him, especially after he lies to her again about a text message he gets while he’s there. Jack says it’s about work but Sam suspects it’s from Martha and she’s right!

Martha urgently needs to see Jack, and when he goes around to the Diner, Martha tells him that the solicitor phoned to say that, seeing as they’d been married for less than two years they had to undergo compulsory marriage counselling before the divorce can be completed. Jack’s furious at the delays this pointless exercise will cause. He decides he’ll have to tell Sam, only to find that she already knows having walked into the end of Jack and Martha’s discussion.

Sam’s upset, especially with Jack’s lies, and isn’t placated even after Jack tries to explain to her that he only kept quiet about the divorce to save Sam from further worry. Sam isn’t impressed and stews over the situation. She’s so preoccupied that she doesn’t wait for a security escort to her car when she finishes work after dark, and is deeply unsettled when she thinks she’s being followed. Just when Sam thinks she has to make a run for her car, Security appears on the scene and she’s able to safely get there. Sam’s left unsure whether she really was being followed, or her imagination just got the better of her.

Tony decides it’s time to celebrate Lucas’ success in finding a publisher for his book, and suggests a day out on the Blaxland. Tony invites Geoff to join them, and Lucas invites Drew and Belle, while Jazz, who for her own secret reasons wants to spend the day with Drew, invites herself. It turns into an unforgettable day – a golden day for all on board the boat. Lucas has fun for the first time since Lisa died.

Geoff is allowed to be a teenager for once, and he and Lucas melt some of the ice between them. Tony and Jazz put their break-up behind them, and Belle and Drew become even cosier. But it’s Jazz who’s the biggest winner, as she and Drew seem to find a closer bond and really enjoy each other’s company for once. The only disconcerting thing is – we know Jazz is running a secret agenda, but we have no idea what it is yet.