Episode 4091

Australian Air Date: 14th November 2005
UK Air Date: 1st May 2006
Writer: Phil Lloyd
Director: Geoffrey Nottage

Kim’s downward spiral continues to alarm his loved ones. Dan’s gambling debts place Ryan in grave danger.

Extended Summary

Kim’s asleep on the beach following his night of partying. He looks an absolute mess. After a time, he’s awoken by his phone ringing. He rouses enough to check the call ID – it’s Kylie. But he ignores the call, ashamed with himself. Meanwhile, Dan’s preparing some breakfast as Leah comes in with the mail – she lets out an excited squeal when she discovers a cheque from her brothers for $750. Now have enough money to give IVF another shot! Dan’s face falls as he’s already used some of the money from the IVF account to pay Dudley!

Irene finds Kim moaning in a deal of discomfort and takes in his pathetic look, increasingly worried. Back at home, the sound of violent vomiting can be heard from behind the closed bathroom door. Hyde arrives – he can’t understand why Kim would have gone out drinking so soon after the operation. Who knows what damage he’s done to his (healing) liver now…

Dan is clearly anxious as a bubbly Leah comes off the phone and excitedly reports that a there’s been a cancellation for this morning! Leah is bouncing with happiness as she tells Dan she’ll go and bank the cheque… But Dan knows if Leah goes to the bank, she’ll discover the truth, so he quickly jumps in and offers to bank it for her. He finds Amanda and asks her whether she’ll lend him $1500. Amanda, enjoying the moral high ground here, gives it to him. It’s sad, really. Dan and Leah return home after the second implantation. Leah’s a bubble of excitement – but Dan wants her to go and rest. Once she’s gone, Dan notices a message on the answering machine. He hits play – and he’s stunned to hear that it’s one of Dudley’s thugs. Dudley wants his cash – the lot this time – all $18,000 – by this afternoon. No extensions or excuses! But how is hell is Dan going to come up with $18,000 by this afternoon? Dan tries the bank for loan – but with no success. He calls Dudley to beg for an extension – but no go there either. In the end he goes to Amanda – can she lend him $18, 000. Amanda’s astounded – she hasn’t got that kind of money!

Kim pulls out his keys to open the gym…but as he goes to do so, he realises the door is already unlocked. That’s odd… He tentatively opens the door to see…Hayley and Scott in quiet conference. Meanwhile, Hyde’s turning Kim’s wet jeans inside out in preparation for washing them – and something falls out of the pocket. Hyde picks it up a small plastic zip-lock bag from the table, curious – and inside it he sees a pill. His face falls as the realisation dawns on him… Hyde confronts Kim and does his best to offer sage advice about the dangers of trying to block out problems instead of dealing with them. Kim is left thoughtful, affected by the words.

Kim comes home to find Hayley and Scott there. They explain they are selling Noah’s share of the gym. Kim erupts as he tells them that they both know Tasha intended that share of the gym to be his – the only reason it was bought in Noah’s name was he was too proud to accept Tasha’s money outright… Hayley feels awful, telling Kim he can keep it if he likes… But Kim doesn’t want her pity… Having said his piece, he storms out. Worked up, upset, angry, nearly boiling over, Kim pulls his phone from his pocket and dials a number. After a time, the person at the other end answers. ‘Kylie, it’s me. Want to party…?’ Hyde sees Kim on his way to meet Kylie. He tries to stop him, but Kim pushes him aside, leaving Hyde worried for his son.

Meanwhile, Amanda arrives to see Dan, flustered. It’s Ryan – he wasn’t at play group when she arrived to pick him up. Dan’s face falls as the realisation hits home, but before they have a chance to do anything, the phone rings. It’s Dudley’s thug. Dudley wanted to give Dan a reminder of just how important it is that Dudley gets his money. The thug just hangs up and Dan is left staring at Amanda, fearful…