Tony is furious when he learns that Matilda didn’t come home last night. Brad, Sally, Ric and Matilda are all found in a compromising position! Belle becomes suspicious of Kelli – something just isn’t adding up…
Extended Summary
Ric & Matilda lie in each others arms, in the afterglow of their first time together – both are blissfully happy – but the reality of having to be back home by early morning prompts Ric to set the alarm for 5am so Matilda isn’t busted by Tony. She hopes Sally doesn’t know about them. Ric is confident that she hasn’t got a clue, as we cut to Sally & Brad having a cuppa downstairs. She’s emotional about Martha’s situation, he comforts her as they move off to bed. Matilda wants something to eat – Ric moves to the door, coast is clear, then sees Sal coming up the stairs. Mattie hides in the room as Brad hides behind the lounge. All are on guard to not get caught out. Early next morning, Tony is up making breakfast. He calls out to Matilda, no answer. She’s not in her room. He grabs his keys and heads out with purpose, as Mattie wakes and freaks at the time! She dresses quickly and climbs out the window, while Sally is frantically ushering Brad toward the back door. As they share a last kiss, Tony appears with a guilty Matilda. Ric then appears and sees Brad – did he stay last night? Yes. And it appears so did Matilda. They’re all well and truly busted! Matilda apologises, Sally assures Tony they had no idea – Ric should’ve discussed this with her. Ric points out she didn’t discuss Brad staying over – Sal points out she’s an adult – Ric asks why she’s sneaking her boyfriend over then? Matilda broaches the topic maturely – they were their age once – they want to be trusted, not to be sneaking around. Tony tells Mattie it’s up to her mum. And they can’t stay together on school nights. Ric and Mattie share a grin – this isn’t turning out half bad after all!
Early next morning Belle meets with Drew – he wants to go to the beach with her. Belle’s paranoid about bumping into Lucas, so they stay in and share brekkie together. Belle is dreading going to the wedding fittings at Amanda’s – she doesn’t want to hang around Kelli all day – she just doesn’t trust her. Belle arrives at Amanda’s as Dan and Peter head out to organise cars, band and booze for the wedding. Kelli is over the top lovely to Belle and apologises for snapping at her recently. She doesn’t buy it. And notices her slipping an envelope from the mail stack into her handbag. There’s some talk of kelli being single and not having a date for the wedding as she heads off to try on her bridesmaids dress. Belle asks Amanda why she doesn’t have a boyfriend? Amanda explains that Kelli’s been through a lot in her life – and fills her in on the car accident and all that followed. Belle’s stunned, she had no idea. Amanda then panics, realising she has to call the shoe designer. She grabs Kelli’s mobile, as Kelli descends the stairs and quickly snatches the phone, freaking that her cover will be blown. Belle clocks this – it’s all a bit weird. Belle mentions it to Amanda – she tells her not to be so hard on her. Her life’s been tough. Belle doesn’t buy it for a second. In the kitchen, Belle notices the letter popping out of Kelli’s bag and can’t resist looking at it. It’s a card “Call me, Babe. I miss you like crazy. Love me xxx” – why did Kelli deny having a partner earlier? Belle calls her on it later and mentions the card that ‘fell out of her bag’. Kelli is fuming – but invents a story to cover saying she was briefly engaged once, then he left her and she was devastated. He still writes to her, regretting leaving Kelli – Amanda can’t believe her sister never told her about this. All the wedding plans must’ve been devastating for her. Kelli says it’s given her hope that one day she’ll too be as happy as Amanda. Belle still has her doubts about Kelli and her ‘stories’. It doesn’t add up.
Later that day, Kelli calls Ethan – she fills him in on the story she’s invented to cover for his love letter and asks him to not send anymore, or calls – they can’t afford to take the risks okay? If Belle’s going to be a problem, then Kelli may just have to do something about her. Kelli stares darkly at the wedding dress in front of her. There’s trouble brewing. Meanwhile, Belle fills Drew in on all that has transpired that day. Drew thinks she’s reading into all of it. But Belle can’t shake the feeling she has in her gut – something just doesn’t sit right and she’s determined to find out what it is…