UK Air Date: 8th February 2017
Writer: Nick King
Director: Andrew Prowse
Cat No: HAAW09-101
Has Phoebe blown it with Justin? Evelyn learns the truth about Josh, whilst struggling with her feelings for Matt. VJ finally gives Billie an answer.
Extended Summary
Phoebe is beating herself up for dropping the L bomb on Justin. Kat and Evelyn rally around her, trying to find the positives. Phoebe is convinced things are over with Justin. The girls’ take her out for lunch to cheer her up. Meanwhile, Justin has been in a weird mood at work. Ash and Matt call him on it. He reluctantly admits Phoebe told him she loves him. The boys rib him. Ash assumes Justin isn’t quite there yet and tells him to forget about it for now. All appears fine until Justin loses his cool with a customer, who has grifted a freebie before. Justin throws him out. Ash and Matt realise this Phoebe thing has got to him… is Justin starting to feel the same way back? The boys decide early beers are called for.
They enter Salt, awkwardly sitting across from Evelyn, Kat and Phoebe. Justin doesn’t want to make it into a big deal, so ignores Phoebe. Kat and Ash exchange words. She pleads with him to get Justin talking to Phoebe. Justin holds firm – he’ll speak to her when he’s ready. Matt thinks upsetting the sisterhood is a bold move. Justin admits he has never said ‘I love you’ to a woman before. Matt and Ash are incredulous. Ash encourages him to break his duck. Justin explains he is trying to slow things down with Phoebe, not speed them up. Matt finds Evelyn outside and they banter like the old days…before Zoe shows up. Zoe insists she join them. Evelyn is left to swallow unwelcome jealousy. Phoebe tries to offer Justin a small window but he essentially blanks her. Kat is appalled and offers Justin a serve. Irritated, he snaps that Phoebe knows exactly how he feels, but when they look back to her she’s gone.
Kat receives a phone call from a colleague, which throws her. She pulls Evelyn aside, reveals the news…Josh and Andy have been caught and arrested. Evelyn is left reeling. Justin apologies to Phoebe, aware he has not handled this well. He does love her too…but they cannot start anything – it’s too dangerous. A moment of realisation for her – he’s scared and he’s using the drug syndicate as an excuse. She understands that he’s been hurt and he needs to protect himself, but she can’t do this anymore – she needs to protect herself too, from him. Matt finds Evelyn staring out over the water. She explains about Josh and Andy. Evelyn encourages Matt to go back inside to Zoe but he stays to support her instead.
A subdued Billie finishes her last shift at the Gym before maternity leave. Alf and John are conducting the yearly Surf Club inventory. They offer warm words, before she heads off. Alf admits VJ hasn’t made any contact since he took off to the city with Leah. Zac learns Billie has another ultrasound and insists upon taking her. It is all routine but she grows defensive when Zac is keen to let VJ and Leah know the good news. She eventually concedes but Zac is left with the sense there might be more to the wedding abandonment. Suspecting Billie is not coping as well as she says, Zac asks Ash to go see her.
Billie is taken aback when VJ returns home early, admitting he has come to a decision. She fears the worst. However, VJ explains he wants to stay with her and raise the baby as his own. She is hugely relieved but anxious too – needs reassurance he has thought all of this through. VJ is adamant it isn’t a decision he’s taken lightly. Billie cannot believe how lucky she is to have him. She apologises about lying for so long. He tells her to stop – it wasn’t her fault she was raped. The door flies open. Ash stands there, dark – what did he just say?