UK Air Date: 31st May 2010
Alf gives Hugo a surprise ultimatum. Romeo is let down by his mother yet again. Jill thwarts John’s attempts to reconcile with Gina.
ELIJAH JOHNSON (JAY LAGA’AIA)
VJ PATTERSON (FELIX DEAN)
JOHN PALMER (SHANE WITHINGTON)
JILL CARPENTER (JOSEPHINE MITCHELL)
HUGO AUSTIN (BERNARD CURRY)
Written by Fiona Bozic
Directed by Geoffrey Nottage
Extended Summary
Leah and Elijah bask in the glow of their happiness after becoming engaged. They tell the news to VJ who is happy with the development, and the next morning he is eager to know the technicalities of marriage and Elijah’s position as a Reverend. Alf is delighted for them also, and Miles’ doubts about their hasty decision vanish when it’s clear just how right Leah and Elijah are together.
Hugo continues to hide out at the Farm House with Martha but when Martha discovers a small fire on the property, started by cigarettes, Hugo can’t help but worry that his pursuers have been lurking and that they won’t stop hunting him down. For the sake of Martha and everyone else concerned, Hugo makes the decision to take off. Martha is devastated and finally confides in Alf that Hugo is hiding out with her and Alf confronts Hugo. Alf surprises both Hugo and Martha, however, when he implores Hugo not to run – instead of taking off and worrying Martha half to death again, Hugo should find a way to deal with his issues while staying put.
While Romeo waits at home for his mother to arrive, Jill is at the Surf Club, trying to psyche herself up for the visit. She seeks John’s advice and he reluctantly agrees to stay for a drink and discuss her issues with Romeo. One drink obviously turns to several because when Jill finally does show up at the Summer Bay House, she’s plastered and passes out on the sofa again. Romeo is let down, yet again, and Nicole is supportive, trying to make him appreciate the fact that at least his mother does keep coming back and trying to make their relationship work. Romeo wishes his mum didn’t always come back drunk, but he’s used to forgiving her and this is no exception. However, when Jill turns up drunk at the school, Romeo is deeply affected – his mother is becoming harder and harder to forgive.
Despite their differences, John asks Tony to put in a good word for him with Gina. Tony, who disapproves of the way John treats his sister, refuses, but he does mention John’s request to Gina and can’t help but add that he seemed genuine. Although still angry that he kissed Jill, Gina agrees to meet John to talk things through. But when she arrives, and finds John with Jill again, Gina dismisses John’s genuine explanation that Jill was uninvited – she simply can’t be bothered with John and she walks away.