Episode 5188

Australian Air Date: 20th October 2010
UK Air Date: 1st December 2010

Robertson’s investigation continues. Irene is concerned for Lily and Will. Xavier tries to get Gina and John back together.

JOHN PALMER (SHANE WITHINGTON)
SHANDI AYRES (SAMANTHA TOLJ)
WILL SMITH (ZAC DRAYSON)
LILY SMITH (CHARLIE-ROSE MACLENNAN)
ROBERT ROBERTSON (SOCRATIS OTTO)
DETECTIVE GRAVES (ERYN-JEAN NORVILL )

Written by Alison Boadle
Directed by David Gould

Extended Summary

Robertson is still questioning Alf and he is uneasy – and quick to point out that Robertson has no body. Nicole arrives home and is perplexed by the detective’s presence. She is immediately drawn into the questioning, with Robertson bringing up the needle incident, and Alf steps in to put a stop to it. However this only proves Robertson’s point that Alf would do anything to protect those under his charge. Alf pays Charlie a visit and tells her about his worry that Nicole is being pegged as a suspect. He then confesses the truth about Tulip and the reason there was so much tension between him and Penn – but asks Charlie to keep quiet. She is unhappy at being asked to withhold evidence.

Charlie takes this information to Robertson and reveals that she has a duty as a police officer to confide in him – but it’s not easy for her, Alf is a friend. Nicole confides in April and Xavier that she doesn’t have an alibi – she was at home studying all night. Alf is summoned to the police station and it’s clear to him that Charlie has broken his confidence. When Robertson shows Alf a picture of Tulip he denies knowing her, and Robertson tells him the interview will last as long as it takes to get a search warrant – but it’s not necessarily anything to do with Alf. Robertson talks to John about his thoughts on Penn but they are interrupted by Xavier, who finds himself being asked about Hugo – but he knows nothing about him.

Later, Alf and Charlie discuss the situation and his initial anger over her betrayal softens to an understanding – Charlie knows Alf didn’t murder Penn, but the fact he lied about Tulip has only made him look guilty. Robertson turns up at Summer Bay House – he has a warrant to search Nicole’s room, he’s convinced the sequins in the hotel room belonged to her.

Irene is worried about the affect Will’s relationship with Shandi is having on Lily, and chastises Will for taking off for two days. She makes her feelings known and Will is defensive, telling Irene to drop it. He does apologise for taking off, but Irene points out she’s not the one he should be apologising too. Frustrated by Will’s lack of insight into the real Shandi, things only get worse when she stays the night and upsets Lily further – Irene has had enough.

She gives Will a serve but it’s interrupted by Shandi and the two head off to the beach. There, Will expresses his want to put an end to things with Shandi, it can’t go on, given everything that’s happened. But Shandi charms him and turns him around with a kiss and a promise of good times to come. Shandi talks to John who establishes she and Miles were only casual. John asks her outright – what’s she doing there given that neither seem that bothered about getting to know one another? She confesses she needs some cash.

Xavier is worried about Gina and John, he’s really feeling the pressure of their separation and thinks it’s up to him to get them back on track. He’s got used to John, and can see how happy he made Gina. He seeks out April’s help and when they stumble upon Gina alone at lunch, Xavier thinks it’s a perfect time for her to chat to John. He heads off to find John, instructing April to keep Gina busy until he gets back. John reluctantly agrees, fearing any conversation will be futile – and he’s right. Gina promptly quells any idea of romance or a relationship, telling John they have no future. She has to distance herself from him or she won’t be able to move on. John is adamant he’ll change her mind, but his confidence has taken a hit. Meanwhile, Xavier and April watch on in the distance, oblivious to the fact the two are well and truly a long way from any kind of reconciliation.