UK Air Date: 15th January 2008
Cat No: HAW5-657
Tam helps Matilda make a decision about her HSC exams. Martha is confused about her relationship with Michael. Brad tries to get Sally to forgive Alf.
Extended Summary
When Annie tells Geoff that she saw Martha and Michael lying together in the barn in the aftermath of making love, Geoff is furious. He finds it disrespectful of his Pop’s memory and immediately confronts Michael who can’t deny it. Geoff’s disgusted and kicks Michael off the property – trustee of the estate or not. Then to Martha’s horror Geoff sets about telling everyone in the Bay what’s happened. Alf and Irene find it difficult to believe, but Martha doesn’t deny it. She does however resent the way everyone has found out, preferring to have broken news of the relationship in her own way and timing.
Martha doesn’t think she can take the backlash the revelation produces and Michael, not wishing to cause her any pain, tells her that if she wants him to, then he’ll leave town and not disturb her again. He gives her the night to make her decision. While Martha wrestles briefly with her decision she decides that with Michael, there’s nothing she can’t conquer, even the doubt and scorn of family and friends. Michael is both surprised and delighted by her decision.
Matilda walked out on her opening HSC exam without writing a word and she’s the talk of the Bay. Ric’s especially upset as he spoke to her just before she went in for it and she seemed okay. Matilda takes herself down to the boat wharf to think and is interrupted by Tam. When Tam finally goes on her way Matilda notices she’s dropped a roll of cash. Thinking it’s stolen, Matilda goes to Brad, who reunites Tam with the money – he’d given it to her to buy some clothes. Embarrassed that she’d thought the worst of Tam, Matilda offers to take Tam on her very first shopping spree.
When it’s over Matilda goes back to Brad’s place with Tam, who then tries everything she’s purchased on. The distraction is just what Matilda needed and she eventually stays the night. Next morning, feeling much better, Matilda informs Sally and Dan that she’s dropping out of the HSC exams and intends repeating year 12 next year.
Brad has agreed not to force Tam to go back to school for the short time until her mother gets back and Brad’s asks Alf to keep an eye on Tam during school hours. Alf agrees. Hating that Alf is still punishing himself by living on the boat Brad offers to have him stay with Tam and him in the townhouse.
Alf is tempted but eventually, to Brad’s dismay, turns the offer down. Meanwhile Pippa continues to improve in hospital and is about ready to come home, but Sally confides to Brad, that she won’t be able to put the whole sorry saga of the accident behind her until she has Pippa safely inside the front door. Brad chides Sally – he believes that she really won’t ever be fully over it until she forgives Alf. Sally fights that idea – forgiving Alf is something that Sally still can’t do.