Episode 6238

Extended Summary

Ash and Kyle come face to face for the first time since Kyle learned that Phoebe and Ash have feelings for each other. Ash is just in to collect his phone but tells Kyle that they should talk. Kyle puts up a wall, saying that he doesn’t care, they can do what they want. Ash’s phone beeps with missed calls and he rushes off after realising that Billie is in hospital. Ash charges into the hospital, and Nate has to tell him how serious Billie’s condition is.

Kat asks Leah and Zac who might have wanted to set the fire. Zac reluctantly suggests Billie after she asked them whether they knew what it was like to lose everything. Matt chimes in saying that it wouldn’t make sense for her to light the fire and then run in to it. Matt then goes and confronts Charlotte, accusing her of having motive to light the fire, knowing that he had copies of the photos of her. Charlotte thinks he’s being ridiculous.

Leah and Zac apologise for being in the way but Alf tells them they can stay as long as they need to. After Alf and Roo leave Zac and Leah talk about what they need to get done and how important they are to each other. Down at the diner there’s discussion about how to help Leah and Zac. Chris suggests a charity drive, which everyone thinks this is a great idea and as John leaves to call up some contacts Phoebe walks in. Irene has to break the news to her about the fire, and Billie still being in hospital. Phoebe rushes to the hospital and tries to support Ash as they prepare to turn off the machines which are helping Billie to breathe, hoping she’s able to do it without help. Phoebe gives Ash a big hug, just as Kyle walks in and he’s not happy. Alarms sound, Ash and Phoebe are left fearing that Billie is in danger. Ash is close to losing it when Nate comes out and tells them that Billie is making good progress despite a hiccup when they initially turned the machines off. Ash goes in to see Billie who is now conscious.

Down at the diner donations are rolling in and Leah walks in to discover what everyone’s doing. She’s touched and tells them that they’re looking for the person who started the fire. Everyone is shocked as they realise that it was lit deliberately. Back at the house, Zac finds out the terrible news that they are not insured. Just as he’s about to tell Leah who’s returned home, Charlotte walks in with some supplies for them. They thank her and she asks if they’ve found out who started the fire.

Kyle answers the door to urgent knocking, to find Kat and another police officer with a warrant to search Billie’s room. Ash is in Billie’s hospital room and she’s more like her usual self when Kat arrives to arrest her. Billie tries to convince Ash that she didn’t light the fire. Ash wants to believe her but thinks he’d be a idiot to do so after all the other lies. Billie protests that she’s been framed but Ash hardens his heart and walks away.

Matt still can’t believe that Billie would light the fire. Zac says she must have issues, Leah remains puzzled about why Billie would want to hurt them. Matt leaves in a hurry and taking the opportunity while they’re alone, Zac tells Leah that the house insurance lapsed while she was in the coma. Leah looks stunned and they both try to control their fear, knowing how bad this could be. Meanwhile Matt finds Charlotte coming out of the water after a swim and apologises for accusing her of lighting the fire. He says he was angry and needed someone to blame. Charlotte softens and admits she could have handled things between them better. She asks if they could put everything behind them, which Matt says he’d really like. There’s a palpable thawing between them and Matt says the photos are gone too, which brings relief to Charlotte.

Phoebe and Ash walk and talk, Ash is annoyed with himself for believing in Billie, Phoebe tells him that he shouldn’t be upset about caring for his sister. She’s up close and they lean in… before pulling away. Ash asks Phoebe whether she’s had time to think about what she wants to happen between them, that he’s really been given some perspective about who’s important in his life, and that’s Phoebe. As Ash continues to reason through the situation Phoebe reaches up and they kiss.

Zac comes back from the remains of their house with Leah’s teapot, which he’s fixed up despite hating it himself. Leah becomes tearful as she talks about her home and losing all that she’s worked for. Zac gently reassures her that they can build a new future together.

Ash goes to Angelo’s and tells Kyle that he and Phoebe are together, not wanting him to hear it from someone else. Kyle doesn’t take it well, and Ash leaves. Kyle can’t resist walking out onto the balcony, to see Ash and Phoebe embracing and as they walk off hand in hand he’s is left feeling crushed.