Episode 6433

Extended Summary

Following Billie’s pregnancy bombshell, Ash goes on the rampage, looking for VJ at the Caravan Park. Full of protective instincts towards his sister, he inadvertently breaks the news of the pregnancy to VJ and Leah when he confronts VJ over the baby. Horrified, Leah gets rid of Ash and focuses on the shocked VJ – berating him for ruining his life until, afraid of the situation himself, he loses his temper and tells his mother to shut up! When Zac learns the news, he’s less explosive, putting it into perspective against the recent deaths of Hannah and Oscar – and Leah calms down. While Zac finds a scared VJ on the beach and counsels him over fears of this new responsibility.

Meanwhile, Billie is upset with Ash for telling VJ before she could – and nervously wonders if he has blown her hopes of becoming part of a real family. Billie’s plans are further unsettled when Phoebe learns about the baby and calls her on the timing…how can she be sure VJ’s the father and not the man who assaulted her? Explaining she got her period after the assault, Billie sends Phoebe on her way, terrified of her lies being unravelled. Finally after Leah and VJ reconcile, Leah takes VJ to the hospital so he can talk to Billie. After they agree that they’re still together, Leah joins them. Leah sends VJ off and Billie assures Leah she doesn’t expect VJ to be involved if he doesn’t want to be. After asking whether Billie is sure that VJ is the father, Leah steps up and promises Billie she is now part of the family…as Billie had hoped.

Roo is being haunted by horrible memories of the accident – especially the memory of Oscar’s hand sticking out of the rubble. Unable to sleep or rest, she is distraught – and worried sick about coping with Maddy coming home from hospital the next day. When Alf notices how badly she’s coping – forgetting their arrangement and putting her clothes on inside-out – he calls her on her behaviour and Roo finally confesses she hasn’t slept in days. No matter what anyone says, she can’t help but feel responsible for the deaths.

Roo discusses her situation with Dr Chung, who suggests counselling for her on-going feelings of guilt and trauma. She also prescribes diazepam for the short term, assuring Roo that a good night’s sleep is essential for getting her thoughts and feelings back into perspective. Though Roo is reluctant to take the pills – she does as advised and gets the prescription filled. When she gets home, she decides she made a mistake and shoves the pills at the back of the pantry…but later, when she is once again haunted by visions of Oscar’s hand, she weakens and takes them. Is she on a slippery downhill slope to addiction?

Josh finds himself growing increasingly uneasy, as Evelyn clearly expects him to side with her in vengeance against Andy – as the slightest reference to him has her vowing to never forgive Andy for what he’s done. Going home, Josh becomes aware of Andy’s bitter, dark mood – which hasn’t been lifted by attempts to connect from either Ash or Phoebe – but Josh manages to break through Andy’s defences, denying that he’s on Evelyn’s side… Andy is his brother and always will be. When it dawns on Evelyn later that Josh has forgiven Andy, she’s upset – but Josh is able to plead his case with her, pointing out that him losing his brother is no compensation for her losing Oscar. In tears, Evelyn concedes she knows it’s not fair but she misses her loved ones so much.