Sally Fletcher Tribute
2006
Flynn recovered from his electrocution at the end of 2005 and Cassie and Ric both managed to escape unharmed from the caravan thanks to his intervention. Flynn though was getting progressively weaker and after being knocked down the stairs accidentally by belle, he was given just hours to live. Sally sat with him and said a tearful goodbye. They had a final dance to their wedding song and Flynn passed away quietly in sally's arms.
Flynn's funeral saw Pippa and Flynn's father and sister return to say their goodbyes and support Sally but like Pippa before her, Sally completely shut down following flynn's death. She went into obsessive cleaning mode abut a video from Flynn, left with Alf caused her to break down sobbing and confide in Alf just how much she missed him.
Flynn's death then led to the union of two of home and Away's oldest characters with Alf honouring his promise to Flynn and moving into the Caravan Park house to take care of Sally.
When Cassie got together with Martha's brother Macca, Sally was initially supportive even when Cassie moved out but when Matilda confided her fears that Macca was hitting Casse, we saw Sally's inner strength come through. Storming round to Macca's she warned him never to touch her daughter again and managed to convince Cassie to move home with her and supported her as she dealt with her abuse.
Sally was terrified to find a red lightbulb in her house with the words 'tick tock' on it and demanded the truth from Peter who confessed that they suspected Zoe McAllister was alive after all. A terrified Sally spent months in fear as Zoe played out a series of mind games with Peter before eventually blowing up Martha and Jack's wedding reception. With Martha missing and Mr Stewart suffering from heart problems Sally had to go into full support mode in the aftermath and she very strongly outlined her objections when Cassie began growing close to Macca again.
things did pick up for Sally though as Rachel's mother's death at the hands of Zoe and her fiance Kim being missing caused Rachel to break down and allowed Sally to meet her brother Brad, who turned up to support her. There seemed to be an instant attraction between Sally and Brad but he continued to act strangely around her, giving her mixed signals and jumping when she mentioned Flynn. She was angered when, after convincing her to go for the Principal's job, he was offered it and was left surprised when he introduced his fiance Emily.
When Emily revealed to Sally that she had terminal leukaemia, Sally put aside her own memories of Flynn to support Brad and Emily and when Emily finally passed away she comforted Brad as they grew closer. Rocco Cooper's arrival in town had caused troubles between Sally and Brad when Sally wanted to give ex-gang member Rocco a chance and offered him a room in her house. Brad, however was convinced that Rocco couldn't change and when his brother and gang leader, Johnny Cooper arrived in the Bay and instantly began terrorising Brad, it seemed he was right. Brad backed down though when Rocco turned up, seemingly beaten by Johnny and Sally asked him to move in with them. Johnny meanwhile continued to terrorise Brad eventually running him off the road and as Sally tended to his injuries they shared a 'moment' and finally admitted they had feelings for each other. Whilst agreeing that they'd always love Flynn and Emily, Sally and Brad decided to give their relationship a go.
Unknown to Sally and Brad though Rocco was still very much under his brother's influence, despite his attempts to get out and on Johnny's orders, had begun stealing from the Caravan Park Bank Account and was helping Johnny carry out a spate of robberies in the Bay. Under influence from PC Ash Nader and with the realisation he'd never be free, Rocco betrayed his brother to help the police catch Johnny but Johnny overheard and changed the plans. At this point though Sally had become suspicious of Rocco and after some snooping, unearthed the gang's plan and went to the Police, which led to Johnny's arrest.
Johnny though, wasn't prepared to let Sally get away with having him arrested and in an ultimatum to his brother, told Rocco he had to kill Sally or be killed himself. Having shared her first kiss under the mistletoe with Brad, in the gripping Australian season finale a sobbing Rocco appeared to hug Sally before stabbing her and leaving her to die in the car park of the School.
