Episode 4357

Australian Air Date: 20th February 2007

Ric accepts a life line in prison – but there are huge strings attached. Sam catches Jack in a compromising position. Martha continues to struggle with her decision.

Extended Summary

Johnny throws Ric across the room – terrified, all Ric can do is plead. The sound of a whistle sends Johnny running. Guard Jones runs in and asks if it was Johnny and his gang who did this to him, but Ric doesn’t admit this, not wanting any more trouble. Jones lets Ric know that if he’s willing to help nail Johnny for his drug dealing, he’ll make it worth Ric’s time. He could get him transferred to another section of the prison. Ric can’t believe it – Jones is keen to stomp on Johnny, but needs some proof. He considers it, but declines – he wants to get out of here alive, so he won’t be able to help Jones – who understands – but if he changes his mind, he knows where to find him… At Summer Bay House – it’s been a bad night’s sleep for all – their minds on Ric. Matilda has put together a package of his favourite things to give him. Mattie, Sally and Cassie arrive at the prison – as soon as she sees Ric, Matilda rushes to him and clutches his hands over the table. They all try to remain upbeat for him. It’s not easy. Sally asks if he’s had any trouble, Ric looks away and Sally gently presses – what is it Ric? He quietly admits that Johnny is in here too. The girls are outraged! Ric assures them that he’s been keeping his distance and that there aren’t any issues. A guard says they have one more minute left – Sal and Cass leave the couple to say their goodbyes, they’ll come back again this afternoon with Alf. Now alone, Mattie tells Ric that she wants to track down Mick to help get him out of here – Ric is dead against the idea – those guys are too dangerous, he doesn’t want to see her getting hurt and makes her promise she won’t go near them. There time is up – Matilda leans across the table to kiss him, breaking the rules and the Guard swiftly pulls Ric toward the door. Matilda calls out that she loves him. At lunch, Ric is angered to find a shard of glass in his meal. Johnny and the gang laugh at his ‘discovery’. Ric then makes a decision. He finds Guard Jones, alone, and approaches. Tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it. Jones smiles. Ric has just made a deal with Johnny’s enemy. In the prison yard, Ric nods to Jones when he sees Johnny being handed a small package. Jones asks Johnny to show him what it is – turns out it’s a piece of gum – the sting has backfired! Johnny stares Ric down …

Sally and Alf are still processing the shock news of Martha’s pregnancy and abortion – they can’t believe she didn’t open up to them during such a momentous development in her life. Jack fills them in, feeling guilty for his part of exposing it all and not having told them before she rushed into her decision. Sally thanks Jack for everything and sends him home to Sam. He sneaks into bed, but Sam is not completely asleep, worrying about Jack and Martha. The next morning, she wakes Jack with a kiss and good news. They have the place to themselves – Tony’s taken Rory to the Surf Club for the morning. Just as they begin to snuggle, Jack’s mobile rings. It’s Alf – Martha didn’t come home last night, has he seen her? Jack hasn’t, but he’ll go to look for her now. He jumps out of bed, explaining to Sam – does he want her to help look too? Jack says that’s okay – he won’t be long, which only increases Sam’s concern about this situation.

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Jack is walking the beach, in search for Martha, when he sees a figure at the bottom of the dunes. He rushes over – Martha’s passed out beside a half empty bottle of whisky. He rouses her and they go to his house to be greeted by Sam. Alf will be there soon to pick up the very hung over Martha. Sam steps out to give them space as Jack tells Martha how much he cares for her and is worried to see her like this. She feels alone after everything ended with Ash and Jack reminds her that she hasn’t lost him – he’ll always be there for her. In her vulnerable state, Martha kisses him just as Sam walks back in and promptly turns and rushes out. Sam wait!

He leaves an urgent message on Sam’s phone as Martha apologises – she’s just confused, really. She can talk to Sam to explain the mess she’s made as Alf arrives to pick her up. Jack will handle it. He finds Sam, apologises and explains Martha’s situation, all of it, and that the kiss was an awkward mistake from her. Sam asks if Martha did come to him and wanted to make another go of it – how would you feel about it? Jack makes it clear that the only place he wants to be at is right here, right now, with you. You’ve got nothing to worry about. Sam smiles and gives him a kiss. They’re somehow stronger for this. Meanwhile, Sally and Alf tell Martha they wish she had come to them during this whole situation. Martha assures them that she dealt with it properly – it was the right decision. She promises no more late nights and drinking. Anyway – the focus should be on Ric, he’s the one who needs our help. But despite her assurances, that night, Martha wakes from a nightmare – a baby crying, louder and louder – her baby. As she reaches it, it disappears…she’s really not dealing with this. In the prison, Ric is stunned when he’s busted for a massive stash of drugs under his mattress! He’s been set up – one guess who?! Guard Jones is not impressed – keep your head down and your mouth shut son! Ric is reeling – what else can go wrong?! We then see Johnny and Guard Jones talking – thanks, I owe you one – no way – Guard Jones is accepting a bribe from Johnny! It’s all been a set up!