Episode 3690

Australian Air Date: 5th March 2004

Hayley gives Noah the ultimate test – will he finally admit the truth? The school erupts with applause as Jade is honoured at assembly. Norman introduces the ‘other woman’ to a startled Colleen.

NORMAN SHADBOLT (DAVID WHITFORD)
Seventh appearance, last seen in Episode #3685. Introduced Colleen to his elderly mother.
MRS. SHADBOLT (JULIE HERBERT)
Norman’s elderly mother who suffered from alzheimers.
ANDREW HILTON (JAMES CAMDEN)
Second appearance, last seen in Episode #3550. Arrogant contender for the School Captainship.
CARLA (SEANAN FAUST)
First appearance. Feminist contender for the School Captainship.

Extended Summary

Norman insists to Colleen that he isn’t married, but she refuses to be taken in by his ‘lies’.
Rhys brags to Kane, delighted that Kirsty has been given back to them, and happy that it’ll be eating Kane up.
Noah tells Hayley that the doctor has told them not to assist the recovery of her memory. Hayley reckons it’s a ‘cop out’, wondering what he isn’t telling her.
Jade tells Sally that the only reason she isn’t running for school captain is Seb – she didn’t want him to feel how she did when Nick got into the Dorm and she didn’t. Seb overhears.

***

SCHOOL
Seb is impressed by the speech that Jade has written for him. Hyde voices surprise that Jade didn’t decide to run herself, before wishing Seb good luck, which only serves to make Seb more anxious and even less enthusiastic about the election.

GYM
Kane tells Jesse what happened with Kirsty, and how close he came to hitting her. He is scared and ashamed for losing it and getting so angry, telling Jesse that the argument was about some “crazy stuff” Kirsty was saying about the baby. Jesse looks for positives – at least he didn’t hit her, but Kane won’t listen – as far as he’s concerned there are no positives. His wife is so scared of him that she has taken out an AVO, and Rhys wants to kill him. He reenforces that he would do nothing to harm Kirsty or the baby – they’re his life. Jesse’s advice is somewhat questionable, as he reckons Kane should break the AVO if it means enough to him – they’ve fought so hard to be together that it shouldn’t stop now. Clever.

DINER
Colleen is mightily unimpressed that Jesse has been standing up for Kane, and manages to offend Leah when she likens Kane and Jesse – neither of them have long fuses. Leah protests that Jesse would never do “what Kane did”
Norman arrives to talk to Colleen – there is someone that he would like her to meet. Leah excuses Colleen from work, and Norman takes her out to meet what she assumes is his ‘older woman’ – Mrs Shadbolt. Norman introduces Colleen to his confused mother, who wonders if Colleen is in the same class as Norman at school. Colleen’s mood does a complete turnaround as she warmly greets Mrs Shadbolt.

KIOSK
Jade is handing out pamphlets for Seb with every order, shoving pro-Seb propaganda down people’s throats along with their burgers. Kane turns up out of the blue to buy a drink, and Jade wonders whether he actually hit her. He denies it, but tells her that he came close during an argument “about the baby”. He asks Jade to tell Kirsty he’s sorry, he’s getting help and that he loves her. Jade tells him she will – IF she’s talking to Kirsty. Kane leaves, and Jade and Seb admit to feeling sorry for him. But Jade is worried – if he reacted like this over a mere argument, how will he react to finding out there isn’t a baby?

DINER
Mrs Shadbolt and Colleen are deep in conversation… about what Norman will be doing when he leaves school, and what Colleen is planning to do. Colleen smiles, and announces that she wants to find a nice man and settle down, which gets Mrs Shadbolt wondering where her husband, Harry, has got to. Norman has to remind his mother that his Dad died a few years ago. Colleen apologises to Norman about how she reacted upon hearing about the ‘other woman’ in his life, and he tells her that not many people know ‘about his mother’ – only the people that mean something to him. He professes his love for her.

HOSPITAL
Hayley is desperate to be allowed to stay in hospital, as she feels safe and doesn’t want to have to deal with things at home. Flynn, however, is adamant that they need the bed, and that she needs some proper rest at home.

THE PALACE
Flynn tells Noah of what Hayley has been saying, and they ponder what she could have meant when she mentioned being safer in the hospital, suggeting that perhaps it is simply nerves. Noah still wants to tell her the truth, as his is sick of the lying, but Flynn sticks to the professional opinion – even if it’s going to be hard on Noah.

BEACH
Jesse and Flynn talk about the surrogacy whilst on their daily jog, both relieved that there is no longer anything to worry about. Flynn quits the jog to talk to Kane, who he spies sitting along on some rocks.

GYM
The baby has been kicking a lot during the gym session, and Sally reckons that it must take after Flynn – it can never keep still! Sally is wondering whether leah will decide on a caesarian, and Leah hasn’t given it a thought, being shocked at the idea, despite the birth being made easier on her. Sally assures her that it is HER decision to make, and goes back to being excited about the birth. Leah states that she will be there for them for “every step of it” and Sally’s smile fades.

BEACH
Kane confides in Flynn details of his childhood – how his Dad beat he, Scott and their Mum, and his mother’s rejection when he tried to talk to her about his feelings. He recalls the time he tried to stand up for himself against his Dad and put up a fight, and the way he was laughed at. He remembers it being the first time he got any of the scars, and after that he stopped caring, the abuse becoming simply routine. He mentions that Kirsty’s face after he raised his hand reminded him of his mother, and Flynn insists that he is NOT his Dad. Kane states that he loves Kirsty- she and the baby are his life, and he wants to be a Dad, but the thinks he has stuffed things up for good. However, he agrees to Flynn’s earlier suggestion – he will attend the support group, so that he will be able to tell Kirsty it will NEVER happen again.

BREAK

SCHOOL
Jade and Seb pass a massive “Vote Andrew Hilton” poster, and despite Seb’s lack of eye-catching propaganda she is confident about his speech. Seb, however, is having doubts and thinks that SHE should be running – “I’m a fraud”. He admits to having overheard she and Sally talking, but Jade insists that it doesn’t make a difference who is elected – as long as they live up to their promises, and she is confident that Seb will do so. She’s doing it because she loves him. Sally wishes him luck before being called aside by Hyde. The overbearing principal has lost his son – Kim didn’t return home the previous night, but Sally hasn’t got a clue as to his whereabouts. Hyde is irritated, but confident that Kim will show up when it suits him.

DINER
Leah admires her large belly, and Colleen reminices about pregnancies gone by – Maureen was small, but carrying Lance was like a giraffe. Norman takes Colleen aside to present her with his mother’s engagement ring. He tells her that his mother knows they’re in love, and he wants everyone to know that, one day, she’ll be his wife.

HOSPITAL
Hayley’s bandages are removed, and although the damage is healing, Hayley still feels that she looks like “a freak” and retains that she wants to stay at the hospital. Noah promises to take care of her, and once again must lie that nothing at home has changed from what she remembers.]

SCHOOL
It’s the election speeches and the first boy receives a great reception as he makes a powerful speech prromising sports equipment and fun, not wanting the school captain to be “a dork who sucks up to the principal”. He is followed by a girl donning a red ‘Captain’ netball bib, who speaks out in favour of women getting some representation in school.

DINER
Alf, Leah and Jesse are happy for Colleen, wishing Norman luck (he’s going to need it). Leah tells Jesse of the caesarian idea, but Jesse thinks it’s a good option. Leah wants to do things properly, and go through it all – she is determined not to be a ‘thing on the operating table’. It’ll be hard, but she’s sure that she will cope.

THE PALACE
Noah and Hayley arrive home, and things seem to be exactly as she remembers them – with the exception of just one picture. Noah goes to put the kettle on as Hayley gazes around her.

SCHOOL
Seb has a bad start to his speech as the microphone squeaks at him and people in the audience mumble comments at him. He launches into the speech uncertainly before breaking off, announcing himself as a fraud and promoting Jade – the mastermind of his campaign – for captain.

THE PALACE
Hayley refuses food, and doesn’t want Noah fussing over her, but he is just so glad to finally have her back. She claims to be tired, unwilling to go out, and wants her to go to bed with her – after all, apart from a few bruises there’s nothing else wrong, so there’s no reason why they shouldn’t…