Episode 4456

Australian Air Date: 9th July 2007

The return of an old flame turns Luc’s world upside down. Brad is put under pressure by his blackmailer. Sally’s efforts to help a student backfire.

Extended Summary

Jane Wallis, from the Department of Education, has arrived to investigate Brad’s handling of the Naomi Preston affair. Brad is beside himself with nerves, for he knows Jane’s report will ultimately determine his future at Summer Bay High. If this wasn’t enough, Brad discovers Naomi has returned to the Bay to take part in the investigation. She reminds him of her ultimatum – if he doesn’t support her version of events, she’ll reveal the real reason he left his last job!

Despite Naomi’s blackmail threat, Brad tells Jane the truth about how Naomi tried to keep her history with Lucas a secret. In response, Naomi follows through with her threat, leaving Sally shocked by the revelation Brad was caught with drugs at this last school. Sally bites back on her disappointment in Brad and staunchly defends him to Jane.

Meanwhile, Lucas confronts Naomi and tells her he’s finally over her. However, once alone his bravado falls away and we see he’s still very affected by her. Her return to the Bay has stirred up all his old feelings for her… leaving him very confused.

Bruce tries to pressure Sally and Tony into discouraging Geoff from playing football. Bruce is unsuccessful and so tries to stir up trouble for Sally at the P & C Meeting. He tries to convince the crowd that Sally and Brad are setting a bad example for the students by living in sin. While Alf and Tony leap to Sally and Brad’s defence, Sally can see the shocked expression on Jane’s face – she had no idea Sally and Brad were in a relationship. Sally’s left worried that the glowing report she gave Jane about Brad will now seem somewhat duplicitous. Has all her hard work just been undone?