Episode 4558

Australian Air Date: 28th November 2007

Cassie receives some unexpected support. Michael cuts his road trip short with Martha. Jack and Sam’s pre-wedding BBQ doubles as a farewell for a Summer Bay favourite.

Extended Summary

Henk has turned up unexpectedly. Cassie is pleased to see him, but Sally can only see trouble brewing. Henk says he’s come back after learning Cassie was facing a court case. Cassie reports that it’s over and she came out of it okay. Henk then professes his undying love for Cassie and she reciprocates. They want to be together. Cassie wants Henk to stay in a van, but Sally refuses and Cassie and Henk take off to stay at the Sands together. The next morning before Sally has had time to warn Rachel that Henk is back; Rachel stumbles across him on the beach and is horrified to see him. With her recent miscarriage, the unnerving notes being left for her, and now Henk being in town, Rachel feels she’s losing control of her life. Sally warns Henk and Cassie not to come to the BBQ and is relieved when they don’t show. When she gets home that evening Cassie and Henk are still there and Sally tosses a key on the table – they can stay in a van together after all. Sally’s playing peacemaker only because she wants Cassie where she can keep an eye on her.

Michael and Martha have been on the road for three days and have stopped off at a small coastal town. Michael finds out that there’s work and accommodation available and suggests they stay, but Martha want to keep moving – she doesn’t think they are far enough away from Summer Bay yet. Michael agrees to head to another town along the coastal strip. When they arrive Martha pretends that this is a good place to drop anchor, but the locals tell Michael that there’s little work available and rents are expensive. When Michael wants to go back to the previous town, Martha says no and Michael realises what he’s been trying to deny – that Martha is unhappy and is really preoccupied with Jack and his upcoming wedding. After a heated argument Martha curls up in the car and goes to sleep. She awakens to find herself back in Summer Bay. Martha is furious with Michael, but he tells her that they have no future together until she deals with her unfinished business with Jack.

Preparations are in full swing for a pre wedding BBQ hosted by Sam and Jack. It’ll also double as a farewell for Dan, as he is off to America for work. It’s a happy gathering, except for some residual fallout from Henk’s return, with Rachel hardly being in a party mood. The BBQ is a huge success. Roman plies his trade cooking steaks, and Rory and Annie even arrange to play some kids games, but it’s during a three-legged race that Jack and Sam take a tumble and Sam ends up with a bleeding nose. Fortunately it’s not broken, and after ice treatment from Rachel, the bruising is contained and hopefully it won’t be too noticeable at the wedding tomorrow. At the end of the BBQ final good byes are said to Dan, and after a touching, teary, farewell from Leah, he’s finally on his way to America. Despite her injury Jack hasn’t seen Sam so happy and after the clean up has been completed he and Sam relax by themselves as they reflect on their wedding tomorrow. Unbeknown to them, Martha is watching on – and we’re left very unsettled about what her plans are for the next day!