Episode 4233

Australian Air Date: 19th July 2006

Leah, Dan and Drew are surprised by the contents of Peter’s Will. Lee’s school teacher makes one last desperate attempt to keep her from revealing the truth about her baby.

Extended Summary

Dan is relieved to find Drew safe and sound – he’s been worried sick. Dan introduces Drew to Leah for the first time as Drew begins to shed some light on why he packed up and left boarding school. Drew cuts to the chase and much to Dan’s disappointment, reveals the only reason for his return is because he wants what is rightfully his from Peter’s Will. Drew is doing his best to maintain his emotionless façade and is not happy when he discovers the Will won’t be read until tomorrow. Dan offers a place for him to stay the night. Drew reluctantly accepts and moves inside. Dan watches on bemused – this nut is a hard one to crack.

Dan goes to every effort to break the ice but Drew is going out of his way to be a complete pain in the arse. There’s a moment of tense silence as each struggles to know what to say next. Thankfully, Leah arrives with VJ and Ryan and much to Leah and Dan’s surprise, Drew makes a real effort with the boys. Morag later arrives for the reading of the Will and she too, receives Drew’s frosty reception. They get down to business and Morag produces a letter written by Peter. Dan is touched by the contents of Peter’s heartfelt letter. He and Leah are then surprised to discover Peter has left $20 000 to Drew. Drew can’t help but smile but his elation is short lived when Morag reveals he must not have access to the money for another 6 months when he turns 18! Drew rips in to Leah and Dan, demanding he be given the money now! Oh what a brat! Realising that Drew has no one else to turn to, Dan offers to look after Drew and support him until he can have the money. He begrudgingly accepts – what choice does he have? Leah tries to buoy Dan’s confidence with the suggestion that Drew will eventually get used to his new home and lose the attitude. Dan and Leah leave the house to drop the boys off at Madge’s place and decide it be best if Drew had some space. But once home alone, Drew starts snooping around and finds Peter’s belongings in a box. As he starts rifling through it, his eyes light up at the sight of Peter’s car keys. A smile breaks across his face…he’s definitely up to no good! Leah and Dan arrive home and call out to Drew but are concerned when they are greeted by silence. Drew is nowhere to be seen. Dan enters the living room and notices the box with Peter’s belongings has been opened. Uh-oh there’s something missing! Dan races out the front to check and delivers the bad news to Leah. Drew has stolen Peter’s car!

Tony is keen to have a man-to-man chat with Lucas about his imminent new life as a father. Lucas tries every way possible to avoid any conversations about Lee and the baby. Lucas is saved by the arrival of Matilda, who is still tense about the whole situation with Lucas and Lee. He wants so badly to tell Matilda what’s going on but as he moves out to visit Lee, Matilda breaks down in tears. Lucas approaches Lee on the beach. Mindful of his conversation with Tony, Lucas insists he can’t keep lying to his family. Lee pleads with Lucas to keep the secret safe. At that moment, Steve Braeburn appears and reiterates they must keep the secret or else! He moves off but unbeknownst to the group, Sally has been watching on from the distance, curious as to why Steve is having a heated discussion with Lucas and Lee. Later, Matilda comes face to face with Lee. Lee does her best to smooth things over with Matilda, insisting she should go easy on Lucas because there’s more to the situation than meets the eye. Lee realises she’s got little hope of calming Matilda down and turns to walk away. Matilda grabs Lee’s bag to pull her back but in doing so, a photo of Lee and Steve falls from her bag. Matilda is shocked. Suddenly the puzzle fits together – Lee is having Steve’s baby! Matilda bolts out of the Diner, leaving a devastated Lee – her secret is out! Matilda is on her way home to fill Tony in on the latest discovery when she spots Steve. Matilda lets it be known she’s aware of Steve’s disgusting secret. Steve lashes out in fear and desperation but Matilda breaks free from his grip and races home to spill the beans to Tony.

Lee and Lucas are stressing over what to do now that Matilda knows their secret. Suddenly, Steve pulls up beside them in his car and warns them they are going to pay the price! Lucas yells at Steve to back off, but he persists by grabbing Lee and attempting to drag her in to his car. Out of nowhere, Tony comes to the rescue and levers Steve off Lee before dragging him away. Lucas grabs Lee in a comforting embrace – it’s finally over! Back at the Hunter House, Lee’s parents are coming to terms with their daughter’s ordeal but offer her support. Matilda approaches Lucas with an apology and stresses how relieved she is that Lucas isn’t going to be a Dad. Lucas is stunned – he can’t believe she is so selfish to suggest it’s all been about her. It’s the final straw for Lucas leaving Matilda in misery.