Episode 4861

Extended Summary

Hugo is a mix of emotions after telling Martha that he has to keep his distance due to his growing feelings for her. He heads straight to Noah’s bar for a stiff drink. Alf discusses his idea of a shark hunt with Hugo – if a few of them go out and kill the shark, then maybe they can convince people that it is gone and business will get back to usual. Hugo thinks its the dumbest idea he’s ever heard – he heads home and when Xavier asks, states that Martha is staying at the farm tonight. This leaves Xavier wondering what is going on. The next day, Martha heads down to the boat to talk to Hugo about his feelings for her – she points out that Hugo can’t keep avoiding her forever – they live together, they’ll have to talk about it at some point – but he shuts the conversation down. Meanwhile, Xavier has been on the receiving end of Hugo’s moodiness, and can’t understand why the old ‘aggro’ Hugo is back. In the Diner, Martha overhears Leah talking about the shark hunt, and is shocked to realise that Hugo is leading the expedition. She confronts him, and though he insists it’s just about clearing his name and putting an end to the fear of sharks in the Bay, Martha doesn’t believe him. She tells him it’s not fair to leave her hanging for days with no resolution. What can she do to help him not feel this way about her? A frustrated Hugo says nothing unless she’s going to stop being who she is. He’s tried, but he can’t get her out of his head. Martha is shocked and wonders if he’s saying he’s in love with her? But Hugo’s not willing to go there, and quickly exits, leaving Martha torn and confused about what this all means.

Ruby is up in arms about the prospect of the shark hunt. However, a newspaper article in which John Palmer claims that Hugo’s shark attack was a hoax only strengthens Xavier’s opinion that the shark hunt is the only way to absolve any doubt about Hugo and prove John Palmer is a liar. Bookings at the caravan park are also suffering, and Alf and Miles agree that the sooner they can prove the shark is gone, the better for business. The only problem is the council – due to the negative publicity it could cause with animal rights groups, they have refused to give any funding towards it. So when Hugo turns up offering to take them out on his boat to hunt for the shark (as a means of getting away from Martha and his feelings for her), they are quick take up his offer. As the men prepare to set off, Ollie and Kirsty arrive at the wharf, and Ollie takes Miles through his checklist. In spite of Ruby and Jai’s protests, the three men head out on their big adventure, with their loved ones waving them off.

Roman tells a frustrated Leah that in spite of having his sight back, he’s still not ready to return to work. Nicole is relieved that they’ve seen the last of Gardy (particularly since it means she doesn’t have to tell Roman about Gardy’s sleazy flirting with her) and is supportive of Roman’s need for more time to recuperate. She also reveals that her and Trey have had an argument and now he’s not returning her calls. Later, Roman has a change of heart and tells Leah she was right, it is time for him to start pulling his weight again. However, when Gardy turns up all over again, all plans are thrown out the window, and Nicole is back to feeling creeped out and troubled. She escapes to the Surf Club, where Trey, off the back of hearing from Ruby that Nicole is already over him, makes a heart-felt apology. But still fired up about Gardy’s return, Nicole is in no mood to be forgiving, and Trey is left feeling like he’s stuffed things up for good.

Meanwhile, after an evening of cards and heavy drinking with Gardy, Roman wakes up on the floor of a van, a black ski mask and shotgun at his side, and Gardy’s true reason for being back is revealed – he wants Roman to assist him in the armed robbery of a bottle shop. And Gardy’s not taking no for an answer!

Scenes cut from Episode:
Ollie presents Miles with a good-luck gift – a little waterproof torch.
Hugo’s smile quickly fades as his thoughts return to Martha.