Episode 6469

Extended Summary

Ash watches helplessly as Kat conducts her official search of the garage. As she goes through the businesses’ paperwork, she decides she needs copies of their invoices and moves closer to the printer which hides Andy’s fifty thousand dollars – Ash’s fate appears sealed. But to his surprise, when Kat opens the printer it’s empty and Kat continues on none the wiser. Ash is left relieved but confused about where the money has gone. His relief is short lived though when, after Kat leaves empty handed, he turns to find Matt holding the cash and demanding answers. Ash reveals all to Matt including that he can’t use the money. Matt gets it but is still pissed now he’s involved after hiding it from the cops.

Marilyn and John are shocked when they discover that Jordan’s bed hasn’t been slept in and his backpack is missing. Panicked, Marilyn assumes he’s run away and after a quick search bears no fruit, she insists on phoning the police. Kat arrives and assures both John and Marilyn that Jordan will most likely turn up when he’s ready, as teenagers do, but she’ll check with his most recent carers before the Palmers as well. Sure enough, just as she’s about to leave, Jordan himself returns home, oblivious to the fuss he’s caused. His nonchalant attitude is enough for both John and Marilyn to decide that it’s finally time to set some firm boundaries.

Meanwhile Evelyn has had a much more positive start to her day. Deciding it’s time she took steps to get her life back on track, she re-enrols at uni and convinces Zac to let her do her teaching prac at the high school. But her determination to move forward is dealt a blow when she discovers that she is the sole beneficiary of Hannah’s half million-dollar life insurance policy. The money is a reminder of what Evelyn has lost and she’s crippled by the devastating truth that Hannah had to die in order for her to receive it.

Ash is also tormented when he’s forced to lie to Kat’s face about the dodgy dealings at the garage. Matt tries to point out that none of what has happened is his fault; and he’s not lying to cover his own tracks but to protect everyone involved until they find a fix. Ash says it doesn’t change the fact that the business is still in a massive hole and there’s no way out. What’s eating at him more than anything though is if, as he suspects, there is no fix then he’s lied to those he cares about most for nothing.

Zac counsels Evelyn to take her time in deciding what to do with Hannah’s insurance money. But when Evelyn runs into Matt at the pier, he starts complaining about how he needs money for the garage. Without asking questions, Evelyn immediately tells him about the insurance and offers him however much he needs. Matt’s taken aback and refuses, saying she can’t just give it away. But Evelyn can’t shake the awful thought of how she came to get it – she doesn’t want it and if Matt won’t help her get rid of it, she’ll find someone who will. Back at home, Evelyn offers the money to Zac, who refuses too, urging her to consider what Hannah would want her to do. Evelyn is left dejected and it’s not until Alf offers some timely advice about letting go of regrets that she seems finally ready to move forward. But what will she do with the money? Alf is also swayed by their talk of regrets to look for Duncan’s number to call him – but just as he’s about to dial, Alf gets cold feet, and we wonder if he’ll ever get the courage to reach out.

At the Palmer house, John’s tough stance seems to work and Jordan agrees to let them know where he is from now on. John and Marilyn are pleased with their efforts until Marilyn finds a knife in Jordan’s room. It’s the last straw but when they confront Jordan, he reacts defensive and grabs the knife – all of a sudden Marilyn and John could be in danger. But John stands firm and after a tense stand off, Jordan backs down, leaving John and Marilyn shaken. Later as they talk outside, John tries to calm Marilyn but she is insistent – This is too much. She doesn’t know how to handle Jordan and thinks maybe they’re not the right family for him, and should consider letting him go. As John tries to comfort her, we see Jordan has overheard Marilyn’s doubts…