Matilda’s worried by Hyde’s strange behaviour. Alf makes a difficult decision about Dalby. Is Beth sleeping with the enemy?
BARRY HYDE (IVAR KANTS)
Return appearance, last seen in Episode #3855. Continued pursuing his apparent affections towards Beth, much to the kids’ frustration.
TODD PERVERIK (NOT CREDITED)
Schoolboy asked politely by Hyde to stop mucking around.
DELIVERY MAN (NOT CREDITED)
Delivered some flowers to a chuffed Beth.
MORAG BELLINGHAM (CORNELIA FRANCES)
Extended Summary
Alf’s life has been turned upside and he has been catapulted back towards the depths of his depression. He finally opens up to Morag and tells her the truth about Dalby being his grandson. Alf is convinced there is a Stewart family curse – after all, his kids have all turned out rotten. From what he’s heard of his dead son, it seems he was a loathsome human being as well, Young Eric Dalby doesn’t seem much better.
Hyde drops by the Hunters’ house to check on Beth after the drama of the day. She invites him to stay for dinner and the kids are horrified. They’re worried that since they’ve inherited Kim, the might also have inherited Hyde. But Matilda thinks it could be even worse. After watching Beth and Hyde’s interaction she is convinced that Hyde might be romantically interested in her mother. This is surely a fate worse than death! She tries to convince Robbie and Henry that something must be done to keep them apart. However, the others are preoccupied with other things – Robbie with his studies and Henry with his get-rich-quick scheme. Later Beth tells Henry and Matilda that she had a very pleasant night with Mr Hyde – he’s much nicer that she initially gave him credit for. The kids’ fears are growing!
The following day at school Hyde is floating around in an uncharacteristically good mood. He’s being way too pleasant – something’s go to be up. Could he be flying high because he’s falling for Beth? Robbie raises the concern with Kim. But Kim totally dismisses the idea. However, when the Hunter kids discover Hyde has sent Beth flowers thanking her for the lovely evening, they decide something must be done. It’s time to start drawing up a list of eligible bachelors for their mother – anyone would be better than Jekyll!
Alf is desperate to find some glimmer of goodness in Dalby. Without giving anything away, he asks Hyde of his opinion of the boy. But Hyde’s attitude is that Dalby is no good. Alf makes his way down to the beach, devastated. Hyde was his last hope. He has all the grief and rage inside of him. Seeing a fish gasping for life makes Alf realise that perhaps he shouldn’t give up on Dalby just yet. Alf may be all the boy has left. Dan finally gives Alf the glimmer of hope he was searching for. He says that although his initial impression of Dalby was extremely negative, there’s much more to the boy than meets the eye. Dan’s convinced that although Dalby has his problems, he’s definitely not all bad.
Alf is re-energised by this news and later tells Morag that he’s now committed to turning Dalby around. It might be too late for his son, but it’s not too late for his grandson. It’s the least he can do for his darling Vivvy.