Episode 6423

Extended Summary

Summer Bay remains in mourning following the accident from last week. Andy has admitted his involvement to the police and is charged with two counts of manslaughter. He’s released on bail. Kat assures Andy he did the right thing in coming forward, but his confession does nothing to ease his guilt.

Meanwhile, Chris is enveloped with grief. He won’t eat, won’t speak and won’t get off the couch. Since Irene’s sudden departure, Olivia’s been left to care for Chris on her own. But she’s struggling to cope with the depth of his grief. Despite countless phone calls to Irene, she’s heard nothing back from her. With Skye’s encouragement Olivia turns to Phoebe for help. Phoebe’s at a loss as well. But thinks she knows someone who may be able to reach Chris… John arrives at the Beach House. Using his own experience with Gina he slowly convinces Chris of the importance of getting on with life, one step at a time. With a lot of encouragement Chris finally agrees to help John at the Surf Club.

Andy, who has returned home, is desperate to appease his guilt. He wants people to know the truth about what he’s done. Despite Ash’s attempts to stop him, he pushes out the door. Chris is on patrol when he sees Andy approaching. Andy’s the last person he want to speak to and he tries to escape. But Andy begs Chris to hear him out. He painfully admits to Chris he caused the explosion. The accident was his fault. He killed Hannah.

Kat informs Leah, Alf and Roo of Andy’s involvement in the accident. They’re all shocked. Although they know Andy couldn’t have foreseen the outcome, it doesn’t change the fact he caused Hannah and Oscar’s deaths. Worried how Evelyn and Zac will react, the trio make a pact to keep Andy’s involvement from them – and Chris and Maddy too – until they’ve had time to heal.

Leah approaches Andy at the beach to tell him what they’ve decided when Chris, on his patrol, walks straight up and punches Andy. Andy stands there, not even trying to defend himself, as the punches and verbal abuse keep coming. John rushes over and he & Leah manage to pull Chris back. Chris storms off and John & Leah follow, leaving Andy on the ground, alone, with a cut lip. Looking ashamed, he clearly thinks he got what he deserved.

Back at the Beach House Leah speaks to Chris about not telling Evelyn and Zac about Andy’s involvement. Chris agrees with a silent nod, and Leah leaves John and Chris to talk. John tells Chris beating up Andy won’t bring Hannah back and it won’t make Chris feel any better. The only way Chris can start to move forward is by saying a proper goodbye to Hannah. Chris, who avoided Hannah’s funeral, can’t bring himself to do this. But with gentle encouragement and support from John, Chris finds himself at Hannah’s grave. He gives a heartfelt goodbye to his soulmate and love of his life. Andy, however, remains tormented. Hannah was the love of his life too and he killed her. As he looks through photos of her on Facecloud, he can’t take it. He smashes the laptop in despair and crumbles to the ground, broken.

Phoebe has spent the past week supporting others in their grief. It’s not until she sees Dom, that she’s able to talk about her loss. Dom keeps her company after Phoebe mentions the house feels quiet at the moment. Phoebe cooks him lunch and he makes her smile with his jokes. Dom’s comic critique of her ‘not so’ great cooking, leads to a kiss. Dom admits he’s been wanting to kiss her ever since they met and the pair agree to stick together to see where things lead. Meanwhile at the diner, Kat & Ash are catching up over everything that’s happened. Ash comforts Kat and she brings up that they keep getting closer – so much for nothing’s going to happen between them. Ash’s admits he likes Kat, and wants to see where this could go. But Kat points out they’re kidding themselves if they don’t recognise how complicated it would be. The last thing she wants to do is hurt Phoebe.

Back at the farm house as things heat up between Dom and Phoebe, Dom gets a call – he has to take this. As Dom moves away and speaks quietly to the caller, Phoebe overhears Dom telling the caller he loves her. Phoebe’s heart crashes, immediately thinking he has a girlfriend. After, Dom realises Phoebe’s gone cold on him and calls her on it – what’s up? Phoebe goes off at him about deceiving her. Dom quickly sets her straight. He doesn’t have a girlfriend, but there is another lady in his life… he has a daughter.