Tony’s the bearer of heartbreaking news from ground zero. Rachel finally cracks as her grief overwhelms her. Alf suffers a heart attack.
Extended Summary
Tony and the rescuers arrive back from the search looking worse for wear. Nothing was found by any of the search teams – but Alf’s refusing to give up hope. Leah and Irene are heading up the hospital to check on the others – they don’t really want to head home and be alone for the night. They all agree to stay at the Surf Club (to support each other and be together). Amanda comes in, still fuming from her confrontation with Kitty. She fills in Dan about what happened – how her mum even faked an asthma attack to win her over. But Amanda’s not falling for that stuff! She’s sick of her mother’s games. Dan mentions that they’re all staying here tonight – to support each other and stay by the radios – does she want to stay with them as well? Amanda looks across to the others in the group – she doesn’t really feel like she can be a part of it – and tells Dan she’ll head home instead. As she heads out, her mobile rings. Amanda sees Kitty’s name in the caller ID. She shakes her head and turns off her phone – enough is enough!
Everyone is gathered around Tasha’s bed. The feeling in the room is quiet grim and Irene suggests a prayer for their loved ones. Irene leads a heartfelt prayer…and in the middle of it, Rachel arrives, propping to listen… Leah sees Rachel standing by the door, before Rachel moves into the room. She thinks it’s time Jack got back to his room. It’s getting late. But Tasha wants Jack to stay with her. Rachel will see what she can do about getting them in the same room to share. As Rachel heads out, Leah follows and asks how she’s holding up? Leah’s concerned about how much she’s working again. Rachel doesn’t want to get into it. Leah understands. It goes quiet and Leah mentions Irene’s prayer – Rachel should have joined them. Rachel doesn’t think praying is going to make any difference. Why are they praying to the ‘God’ who made this tragedy happen? The most logical outcome of the crash is that they’re all dead!
Joan approaches and Amanda recognises her immediately as Kitty’s housekeeper. Joan tells her Kitty suffered a severe asthma attack last night. She’s back at home now but Joan’s worried about her and wants Amanda to go to her. Sort out their differences. But Amanda doesn’t believe a word of it. She thinks this is another one of Kitty’s pathetic attempts to win her over -Joan assures her that’s not the case. Kitty is really ill. She needs you Amanda. But Amanda tells Joan to stop wasting her breath. She’s not falling for her mother’s tricks anymore. Amanda’s mask slips a little. Has Joan made any impact? Kitty is in bed, still recovering. Joan comes in with some food and Kitty learns that Joan has been down to Summer Bay to talk to Amanda. Kitty is not pleased – doesn’t want Joan sticking her nose into her affairs. It’s none of her business. But Joan knows Kitty how upset this entire situation has made Kitty – to the point of affecting her health. Kitty asks how Amanda reacted when she told her? Joan: not very well. She thought it was another lie. Kitty is crushed and deflated. Kitty sobs to herself. This isn’t a performance, no one is around as an audience this time…it’s genuine. Dan convinces Amanda that life is too short and he wishes he didn’t argue with Peter so much before he died, now it’s too late. This in mind, Amanda heads to Kitty. And Amanda is stunned by the sight as she appears in the doorway: “Mum…?” Kitty is stunned as she looks up through her tears to see Amanda standing there… Amanda softens as she lets her Mum open up to her – their first steps to reconciliation…
Tony notices Alf rubbing his arm and wonders if everything is alright? Alf covers, saying he’s fine (but once again, he’s getting pins and needles in his arm). Meanwhile, Leah’s filled Irene in about Rachel’s reaction last night – and it only makes Leah more worried about her state of mind. Meanwhile at hospital, Tasha and Jack are now sharing the same room. Neither have had much sleep however, their thoughts with their loved ones. However, Tasha’s glad to have Jack with her. Jack is too. Rachel comes in to see how they’re both doing and talk soon turns to the chopper crash. Rachel hasn’t heard anything – and thinks it’s unlikely they will hear anything. Rachel’s attitude puzzles Tasha – ands she wants to know how Rachel can be so sure that they’re gone? How can she accept it so easily? Rachel talks about the logical reality of the crash – they fell out of the sky into dense scrub, no one knows where they are, the chances of find anything are so slight – it’s been three days, how could they survive? She doesn’t mean to be harsh – but it’s all about the reality for Rachel – the science of what happened.
Alf sits manning the radio, working away. He’s trying to find some maps and starts getting cranky and experiences a sharp pain in his chest. Morag sees him slump. They call for help… Rachel’s checking Alf after his chest pains. Is it a heart attack? Rachel shakes her head – no, but it was a warning that you better start taking it easy. Rachel gives him some medication and tells him he’s free to go, but take it easy! Alf admits he feels like a fool. He should have taken more notice of her heart – but he just couldn’t let himself rest. He was hell-bent on doing everything he could to find Martha. The grief is too much for Alf and Morag…. Poor Alf. Tony reveals that the general consensus was that now it’s been four days, and no sign of them, they can’t justify the continued search. Tony baulks before revealing that they’re now treating it as a body recovery mission… Everyone is gutted.