Episode 6341

Extended Summary

Roo returns home to find that everyone has been out searching for Oscar, who’s been missing since the previous night. Maddy admits that they broke up and that she said some harsh things to him. Maddy follows Evie outside, she’s worried sick about her twin, saying she can feel that he’s in trouble. Maddy reassures her and Evie sobs in Maddy’s arms. Later on Maddy sits pensive, as Roo and Leah try to battle leaks as the storm rages on. They leave the room and Matt comes in to find Maddy preparing to go out and search for Oscar. He tells her how futile that will be but when he can’t persuade her out of it he tells her she’s not going alone and goes with her. Driving in the dark and pouring rain Matt loses control for a moment and the car gets stuck. They try to dig the mud out but it just keeps pouring back in. Matt tells Maddy to get in the car while he goes to a petrol station that they passed on their way. As Maddy watches him go, he’s struck by a falling tree branch and Maddy rushes out to revive him, desperately worried. Matt comes to and Maddy helps him to the car, wishing they could get to a hospital as his head is bleeding. As Maddy tends to Matt’s wound they joke around and there’s electricity between them. Maddy tries to break the moment saying the rain’s easing and that she’ll go for help but there’s a huge clap of thunder and she’s forced to stay.

Nate comes home drenched and Ricky tells him to have a warm shower otherwise he’ll be no help to anyone. After Nate strips off and goes to the bathroom, Ricky picks up his clothes and discovers the engagement ring in his pocket… When Nate comes back out of the shower he realises that Ricky’s moved his clothes but she plays innocent and Nate buys it, surreptitiously transferring the ring to his pocket. Nate leaves Ricky in turmoil, what should she do about that ring? Phoebe arrives with ice cream wanting company to comfort eat. She only tells Ricky that she’s upset with Ash for lying, not that it’s about Brax being alive. Ricky tells Phoebe about finding the engagement ring and realises that Phoebe already knew Nate was going to propose. Phoebe asks if Ricky’s excited but she doesn’t know how she feels. Ricky goes on to say how marriage was never on the cards for her and Brax, she didn’t feel the need for it. Phoebe is stuck trying not to think about Brax being alive… They talk through how things are different with Nate and how much Ricky loves him. When Phoebe asks, Ricky realises that she wants to say yes when Nate proposes.

Irene’s struggling to resist having a drink when Hunter and Olivia arrive. Seeing the bottle of vodka Olivia asks if Irene’s planning a big night, not knowing her history of alcoholism. Irene quickly excuses herself saying she’s off to bed with her book, leaving Olivia and Hunter alone. As they sit on the couch together, the mood shifts and they lean in to kiss. As Hunter puts his hand on Olivia’s thigh he touches her scars and suddenly pulls back, becoming awkward. Hunter stands saying he should go home and disappears back out into the storm, leaving Olivia hurt and confused. Irene comes back downstairs to find Olivia alone and soon gets what happened out of her. Olivia decides to go and speak to Hunter face to face and despite Irene’s protests goes out into the storm. When Olivia bursts in to see Hunter she innocently mentions the vodka to Roo and Leah, who exchange a worried look. Outside, Olivia asks Hunter whether he’s not into her now that he knows about her scars. He explains that he didn’t want to make her uncomfortable and that nothing about her is ugly and they finally blissfully kiss. Leah offers to take Olivia home, partly to cover for going to check up on Irene. Olivia and Hunter say a mushy goodbye and Zac comes in to find a worried Evie. As he gathers supplies he tries to reassure her that Oscar will be fine. Meanwhile Irene sits at home trying to resist the temptation to drink. Just as she gives in and grabs the bottle Leah and Olivia burst in. Irene quickly hides the bottle and covers. When Olivia goes upstairs Leah asks Irene how she is and Irene continues to lie about her desire to drink. She convinces Leah that the vodka is for her hens party and Leah goes home. Roo asks her how Irene is and Leah says she thinks she’s okay. Meanwhile, a tormented Irene sits in the dark clutching the baby blanket. Soon, she gives in and heads to the kitchen where she opens the bottle of vodka. She pours a large glass and downs it, pouring another, sliding quickly down the slippery slope…