UK Air Date: 12th October 2015
Writer: Nicky Arnall
Director: Geoff Bennett
Cat No: HAAW08-034
Chris remains upset with John’s comments. Evie pulls off a peacemaking family lunch, despite VJ and Hunter’s issues with each other. Leah and Evie have a near miss when the car brakes fail, but was it sabotage?
Extended Summary
Zac is pushing himself hard, running along the beach. When he arrives home he and Leah act as though there’s nothing wrong but Matt noticed that Zac slept on the couch and as soon as he covertly points out Leah and Zac’s over exaggerated effort to act normally, all the teens find it odd and want to know what’s wrong. As they leave the house and walk VJ is sure it’s something to do with Hunter. Matt tells everyone that they should make more of an effort with Hunter and Evie speculates that if they did, it might ease things for Leah and Zac. Back home, Zac confronts the issue telling Leah that he’s prepared to get the paternity test done if it will make her feel better, which she appreciates. Evie bursts in suggesting they invite Hunter and Charlotte over for lunch, they can ask Denny too and it’ll be a peacemaking meal. Leah’s not convinced but Evie’s enthusiasm and Zac’s support of the idea overrule.
Chris tells Irene that he’s sick but she thinks it’s because John upset him with his blundering comments about Chris being a clown, and that he couldn’t get Hannah if he tried. Down at the diner Irene chides John for his treatment of Chris and Marilyn and Alf join in. John protests that he was joking but he’s firmly told to go and make it up to Chris. As they talk, Hunter has entered and rudely asks if anyone works there. As Marilyn rushes to serve him Alf pulls him up on his lack of manners but it has no effect.
Zac talks to Charlotte about getting the paternity test. She’s not happy about it. Zac then invites her and Hunter to lunch. Charlotte says she can’t imagine Hunter going but Zac tells her it shouldn’t be up to him. Charlotte goes down to the beach and tells Hunter that they’re going. He laughs at her, and gives her attitude.
Evie rushes around making sure everything is ready for the lunch, while Matt fools around and Oscar makes jokes. Denny arrives with a salad and Evie’s really happy to see her. Leah and Zac come in and say how lovely everything looks, as VJ makes surly remarks, then Hunter and Charlotte arrive and introductions are made. As they eat the twins and Denny make an effort to connect with Hunter lightening the mood and Matt joins in. VJ continues to sulk and when the adults talk about Hunter starting at Summer Bay High, suggesting that VJ could show him around, VJ makes trouble and sparks fly. Hunter walks out. Zac has a go at VJ and Leah goes after Hunter. Hunter tries to walk off but Leah stops him and tries to make peace, saying that VJ may be jealous, he never got the chance to know his father. Hunter softens and Leah says she wants to make the crazy family work. Back at the house VJ apologises to Zac and he accepts it saying he hopes they’re not back to square one. Leah returns with Hunter and VJ says sorry to him which Hunter accepts. Rather than staying for dessert though Charlotte hustles out with Hunter saying he needs to get ready to start school tomorrow. At home the mood is good and they decide to watch a movie after Charlotte has showered. While she’s out of the room Hunter finds the paperwork for the paternity test… He pushes Charlotte to tell him who asked for the test, finding out that it was Leah. He goes and confronts Leah accusing her of wanting to rip him and Zac apart, grabbing her arm roughly and making threats. As Leah escapes his grasp and he walks off, he stops and looks back at her car…
John apologises to Chris who isn’t having any of it, he pushes John out of the house and shuts the door on him. Back at the diner John tells Marilyn and Irene what happened and that he’s worried about Chris. At home Irene tries to talk to Chris but he just wants to be left alone.
Charlotte finds Hunter out near the water and apologises for him seeing the paternity test. He says he couldn’t care less about Leah now, she could die and it wouldn’t bother him.
Leah has told Zac what happened with Hunter, he really scared her and she’s concerned about his behaviour. Zac placates her saying he’ll talk to Hunter. Leah leaves to go shopping with Evie, puzzled to find the car open thinking she locked it, but shrugs it off. In the car Evie shrewdly observes that Leah is relieved to be away from the tension at home for a while. As they drive along Leah realises the brakes aren’t working. As she desperately pumps the pedal Evie realises something’s wrong and they both start to panic. As the car hurtles unchecked down the road Leah yanks up the handbrake in the hope that it will stop the car, causing it to swerve and both scream as the car flies towards a tree. Will they survive?