4224: Matilda's out of control

Sally and Leah are preparing food for Peter’s memorial ceremony when Dan arrives, laden with boxes filled with Peter’s belongings. Sally and Leah watch on sympathetically as Dan begins fossicking through the bits and pieces, overwhelmed by the rush of memories of Peter. Leah confides in Sally how tough things have been for Dan, despite the brave face. Dan emerges to show the girls a bank statement he discovered amongst Peter’s belongings. Dan is curious why Peter has such little money in his account, considering his decent wage. Dan is slightly concerned – something isn’t quite adding up. As they begin sorting through other documents they realise money was being transferred each month to an alternate mystery account. Dan calls the bank to investigate further but is even more miffed when he discovers the money is being transferred to ‘Andrew Curtis’ – who on earth is Andrew Curtis and what connection does he have with Peter? Sally then discovers a letter to Peter, dated a few years back, from Andrew. Listed on the letterhead is the name and address of a private boarding school. Maybe this is clue they need to get to the bottom of this mystery.

Dan arrives at the boarding school. He moves inside and requests to see Andrew. The secretary realises Dan is of the impression that Andrew is a teacher at the school and quickly corrects Dan that Andrew Curtis is a student. Dan is utterly confused. He reveals that Peter has passed away and is unsure what connection Andrew has with Peter. Dan is stunned to the core when secretary finally reveals that Andrew is Peter’s son!!

Meanwhile, Ric is on the lounge, thinking of his friends lost in the bush. Cassie arrives, determined to help boost his spirits but before she has a chance to do so, Colleen waltzes in the door. Yoo hoo! Colleen is explaining she needs volunteers for her lamington drive to raise money for Peter’s memorial plaque. Before Ric and Cassie can say ‘no’, Colleen has roped them in. Cassie and Ric visit Matilda to see if she wants to get involved in the fundraiser. Unbeknownst to them, she has been bawling her eyes out over Lee and Lucas. Matilda tries her best to hold it together but the tears begin to flow again and Cassie moves to offer her support. Ric and Cassie are alarmed by Matilda’s talk of Lucas rejecting her because of her hideous appearance. She just wants to be left alone. Ric and Cassie move off, alarmed by Matilda’s attitude. Once alone, Matilda stares in the mirror, hating what she sees. Filled with self-loathing, she removes her dressing and presses hard in to her burn until she is overcome by the pain – uh-oh, Matilda is in trouble.

Colleen arrives at the Summer Bay House, laden with an abundance of lamington ingredients. They are lost for words as Colleen thanks them for volunteering to make 500 lamingtons! She tottles off, leaving Cassie and Ric to wonder what on earth they’ve got themselves into. In no time, the kitchen is in complete chaos as Ric and Cassie struggle with the mounds of cake ingredients. A food fight erupts and Cassie and Ric are in fits of laughter, covered in chocolate and coconut! Suddenly, Ric’s expression darkens as he is overwhelmed by guilt that he is having fun when his mates are lost out in the bush. Cassie recognises he needs some time alone and moves off to visit Matilda.

Cassie arrives with some lamingtons and does her best to boost Matilda’s spirits. Matilda is convinced there is something wrong with herself and Cassie can’t help but be disturbed by Mattie’s attitude. Once alone, Mattie sets her eyes on the lamingtons. She takes a piece and puts it in her mouth, followed by another piece and soon she begins to gorge by shoving the whole lamington in her mouth. Suddenly she is disgusted by her actions and races to the sink to spit it out – uh-oh Matilda is out of control!