Shane and Damian’s attempt to assemble Alf’s waterbed ends in disaster. Haydn realises he can’t get gambling out of his system.
HAYDN ROSS (ANDREW HILL)
Final episode. Fled the Bay after realising his attempts to conquer gambling were futile.
Extended Summary
Haydn calls the bookies to place a $200 bet. Haydn is feeling high and very confident about the horse. He suggests organising a party to celebrate the win. He goes on about the things they could do together and Fin starts feeling uneasy; she tells him she is not making any arrangements until the race is over. She points out that she cannot believe everyone’s lives would change over a horse crossing the loan, and he promises that the horse will win.
Alf is very grumpy and Nick does not get a nice treatment from him. Nick has a terrible headache and wants some aspirin. Alf tries to show Nick where they are, but he does not find them. Alf shouts at him, asking him is he blind. Nick gets frustrated and tells him to stop shouting and warns him that he’d lose customers if they got the same treatment.
Ailsa calls into Alf’s shop to pick him up to take him to the chiropractor’s. He complains that Roxy is late, and she is to work all day. Ailsa suggests taking a whole day off. She tells Nick that they have to get a new bed and he suggests a futon bed. Alf says no as he slept on one at Roo’s and hated it.
Alf and Ailsa are back and are at the Diner, talking about the bed: he has bought a water bed. She does not like it and does not wish to sleep on it. She tells Irene that they were asked for $80 for delivery and she says it is daylight robbery. Shane overhears the conversation and nudges Damian. Shane tells Alf they’ll deliver and set it up. Alf says OK and sets the amount to $25. Shane says $50, but Alf sticks with $25. Shane haggles and then Damian says $20! Damian gets hit from Shane’s elbow for saying this!
At the Stewarts, the bed is brought in with Shane and Damian carrying it. The boys drop a box and Alf gives out. Shane tells him that there is a ding on his car. Alf worries until Shane tells him it’s a joke! Alf tells him that he’ll pull more than his leg if there is really a ding on his car! They go into the bedroom and are told what to do. Ailsa takes the vase and says that it was a wedding present; Alf grabs it off her and tells the boys they know who to answer to if they break the vase.
Ailsa takes Alf out of the room and the boys set about working. It’s all plain sailing until Shane has some trouble with a screw. He has made a hole in the bed and Damian is not too pleased with him. They are worrying about Alf and try to think what they could do.
Shane and Damian return from school and Shane suggests watching some cartoons. Nick tells him he should do homework. Shane wants to watch TV first, but Nick shouts at him, demanding that he go to the table and do some homework now. Shane says there is little point if he is leaving school soon and Nick reminds him that he should not slack until he gets a job, as the deal was earlier. Shane tells him there’s no need to snap, and Nick goes out for a jog.
Alf is back at work and goes through some paperwork. He is worried the boys would wreck the bed and wants to call them. Irene tells him he should leave them alone and let them show him what a top job they have done. He thinks he should ring them to ask how they are doing. She tries to convince him not to, and he decides to go over to check on them. She gives up.
Alf arrives home and calls out to the boys. They ask him what is he doing home and are immediately shown an envelope with a reply of “I live here”! He asks them about the bed. They try to keep him away, but he wants to go to his room. Once in the room, Shane says it’s very hot and takes his top off, and chucks it over the hole. Damian also thinks it’s hot and Alf smells a rat. Alf demands to know what is going on. Damian wants to explain to him, but Shane tries to stop him. Damian explains how they are nervous with him there, and that they are scared they’d make a mistake. Alf is asked to leave, and mentions that he is not impressed when Ailsa looks over his shoulder while he does some DIY.
Fin goes into the kitchen and takes the radio out of her bag. She listens to the race. Meanwhile, Haydn is at home and listens to the radio, encouraging Hellhound to go on. The commentary continues and ends with the result that Hellhound has lost. He is shocked, and Fin is disappointed. She asks Ailsa would she mind if she left early, and Ailsa tells her to enjoy the family lunch. Fin returns home and looks for Haydn. On the mantelpiece are two envelopes addressed to Michael and Fin, and she does not see them. She goes up to the bedroom and discovers he may have left…