Episode 4240

Australian Air Date: 28th July 2006

Rachel and Kim’s relationship is on the line because of his affair. Tasha and Jack acknowledge their adulterous feelings for one another. A second fire leads the police to realise there’s a pyromaniac in town.

Extended Summary

Kim reveals he’s overwhelmed by guilt and just wants it all to go back to how it was with Rachel – Kit tells Kim he’ll have to let go of the guilt or it will eat at the relationship. Shocked, Rachel is still holding the phone, reeling from the conversation she’s overheard! Meanwhile, the counselling session ends and Kim tells Kit he’s heading off to buy Rachel her engagement ring and move on. She smiles – glad to hear it. Kim thanks her for being such a good friend. Kim arrives home, calling out for Rachel, but she’s not there. Kim smiles to himself as he looks at the sparkling engagement ring he’s bought for her. At the Holden House, Kit has arrived home and is shocked to see Rachel waiting for her. Kit’s immediately on edge and Rachel wants to talk… Rachel calmly listens to Kit explain what happened between her and Kim and quickly launches into a sincere apology – this only happened because we thought we were going to die out there… Rachel is silent, with no expression on her face as she moves off, leaving Kit feeling awful. Kit races to Kim’s and as soon as he opens the door, expecting Rachel, and sees Kit’s face, he knows there’s a serious problem… Kim finds Rachel at the beach and tentatively approaches. He launches into a heart felt apology. Rachel can’t believe he’s had a week to tell her, but nothing. She tells him that she needs space and walks away.

Robbie has joined a distraught Kit. She reveals the anger she’s feeling towards herself – she reckons she has a knack for stuffing up other people’s relationships etc. Robbie can see she’s really down on herself and insists she’s not at fault – but his assurances wash over here. She still feels terrible at how things have turned out. Kim appears, and Kit’s full of questions. Did you find her? What happened? Kim sadly reveals that Rachel didn’t say much – but she was clearly pretty upset about the fact they’ve been lying to her this whole time. Kim’s a mess as he struggles against frustration and self loathing. Kit and Robbie watch on in sympathy. Kim shakes his head in disbelief: What the hell have I done?

Kit collapses into the lounge, exhausted after the events of the day. Then Rachel suddenly appears at the door and demands to know if Kit still has feelings for Kim? Kit assures Rachel that she doesn’t at all. Then Rachel thanks her and moves off, leaving a bemused Kit. Rachel arrives home to Kim – he’s not sure what to expect. She gets in first and explains that while she’s deeply upset, she can understand why it happened, but is aware how destructive deceit can be and never wants to be in this situation again. Kim explains that he was trying to protect her and promises it will never happen again. They pull each other into a hug – she’s simply glad that he’s alive. Kim hesitates and takes the engagement ring from his pocket. Rachel is surprised, but pleased and puts it on her finger before they share a tender kiss – reunited again.

Jack and Tasha cross paths on the beach – it’s the first time they’ve seen each other since Martha’s return home. It’s initially awkward. Tasha mentions how it’s been weird having spent a month with him 24/7, now nothing. Jack agrees and they share a long moment of eye contact. Jack has to head back to work and moves off – leaving Tasha wondering why she feels so weird when she’s around him. She heads to the Diner and Martha comes over to greet her. She asks if Tasha’s okay, she hasn’t seen her properly all week – Tasha assures that she’s fine. Martha comments that she’s glad she and Jack had each other while she was missing. Tasha gets flustered at hearing this and hurries off, leaving a bemused Martha. Arriving home, Irene asks Tasha what’s wrong. She finally manages to tell Irene she’s worried about her feelings for Jack. She loves Robbie, but is confused by wanting to spend time with Jack. Irene points out that they’ve been through a lot together in the last month – it’ll take a while to get back to normal. It’s up to Tasha to decide how she really feels about Jack – she’s so confused. Robbie arrives home and his closeness makes Tasha feel uncomfortable. Tasha rushes to her room and makes a call to Jack insisting that they need to talk.

Jack leads Tasha in to the office, closing the door behind them. Tasha thanks Jack for taking the time to see her, and opens up about the confusion she’s feeling, and Jack reveals he feels exactly the same way… the guilt’s been eating away at him. Then out of this openness comes the honest realisation comes for both of them that they’re just really good mates, the stress of the last month just clouded things. Jack hopes this won’t make things weird for us? Tasha’s confident it won’t. The pair share a hug, both relieved. Then Tasha goes. As she does so, Jack moves to Fitzgerald who reports that they’ve just found a can of petrol near the burnt out Picnic area (or awning). Jack points out that it’s the same thing found at the school fire the other day. Fitzgerald nods – and forensics report just came back on the burnt out car last week – it was the same accelerant used. Jack: Looks like we’ve got a pyromaniac on our hands… Who is it?!