Alf and Rick bring Matilda home from the party,Matilda assures Beth that it ’s not as bad as it looks – Ric tries to explain that his drinks were spiked and things got out of control ,but Beth doesn ’t want to hear it now and Alf sees it ’s time to get him out of there as he continues to plead to her to be trusted.The next morning,Ric appears to apologise for last night.Beth isn ’t impressed – whoever ’s fault it was – it still ended in Mattie getting hit and that was meant to be the night Ric was trying to prove things could work.Ric gets his back up – Beth ’s not willing to listen,she ’s already made up her mind.He lets her know that it ’s up to Matilda,not her,whether they continue to see each other and with that,he leaves.Tony is taking this all in with concern – there ’s more to this,he ’s sure.Beth lets Matilda know that she can ’t see Ric anymore – not until she ’s 18 and ready.Matilda is stunned – no way,,you can ’t rule my life!Tony tries to calm things down,but to no avail – Beth tells her the subject is closed and she storms off,fuming.Beth later discovers that Matilda ’s gone missing – no second guesses where to … Matilda tells Ric about the latest development and Ric is just as angry about it.Beth soon turns up to take her home – but Matilda won ’t give in,then Ric defends her and it gets ugly.Alf hurries in having heard the ruckus and Beth explains the situation.Matilda has no choice but to go home with her mum, leaving a fuming Ric.Beth and Matilda are still at each others throats when they arrive home – so Beth grounds her as she stomps off.Tony talks to Beth and manages to discover that the reason she feels so against this relationship is because is reminds her so much of what she had at Matilda ’s age with her first husband Jack.She doesn ’t want Matilda to lose her life too quickly to a serious relationship and to end up where Beth feels she is – lost – she never travelled the world – married and started having kids young..Tony reminds her that she has to let Matilda make her own choices and live her own life – no matter where they may lead her..She accepts this sadly with a nod.She invites Ric over and talks to him and Matilda – curious as to what ’s going on.Beth lets them know that she doesn ’t want them rushing into something before they ’re ready – they ’re too young – she has her reservations,,but is willing to put her trust in both of them as long as they don ’t take it for granted.Matilda and Ric are thrilled as they rush out together,leaving Beth with thoughts of her life and what might ’ve been.Colleen is excited as she talks to Leah,Irene,Dan and Martha about the Christmas pageant. Peter is finding it hard to keep up and decides to make his exit.Dan asks if he ’s okay – Peter says he ’s just tired and quickly heads off.They ’re all worried about his readjustment since being in hiding for so long.Dan ’s convinced that something else is going on,he just doesn ’t know what.Peter returns home and races to his tablets,downing a couple – he knows he ’s in trouble and it disgusts him.Meanwhile at the Diner,Colleen continues to secure people for the pageant meeting and is finding it hard to encourage the troops,including Belle and Drew.He tries to be friendly,but she ’s still not giving him anything to work with,keeping up the abrupt act.He heads home to find Peter – edgy and preoccupied as he searches desperately through pockets of his clothes in the laundry basket.A piece of paper falls out – Drew sees it and Peter picks it up,,its his prescription.Drew doesn ’t realise this – but Peter is relieved..Drew moves off and Peter calls Amanda and admits he ’s losing it and needs her to help him.On her way home to meet Peter, Amanda bumps into Belle – she tentatively asks her daughter if there ’s a chance they can be friends – she ’s really changed and wants to be a good mum to Belle.She doesn ’t buy it and tells Amanda that as far as she ’s concerned she ’s dead to her and storms off leaving Amanda gutted.

Peter arrives at Amanda ’ s door – he opens up to her about his addiction,,how ’s it ’s running his life and he can ’t take it anymore.Amanda offers to help him detox at her place – he ’ll have to make up a story so he can hide out there for a few days.What will Peter decide? At the Surf Club,the Christmas Pageant meeting is underway – Colleen asks them to pair up and brainstorm ideas.Drew and Belle are paired up and she ’s still being prickly toward him – he doesn ’t know how to deal with her and she doesn ’t want to show a spec of vulnerability.

Colleen casts a reluctant Alf as Santa as Belle tells Drew how Amanda tried to suck up to her today and she told her to stick it.Drew wonders why she hasn ’t said the same to him?Belle doesn ’t know what to say – Drew says Amanda ’s the one they should be angry at – not each other.A day doesn ’t go by when he doesn ’t regret what he did to Belle.She thanks him – in a crazy way he helped her to see what Amanda ’s really like.The ice between them begins to melt.

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