Here’s a piece of advice. If you ever happen to get a part in an Aussie soap, and you find yourself in an empty room face to face with a bag belonging to someone you’ve got beef with…just turn and leave. Whatever you do, don’t stick your hand in. If you do, you know the owner of the bag will walk in and you’ll end up looking like Kim does when James and Kit catch him on the snoop. And that’s not pretty. James is stung – “You immediately assume the worst!” He assures Kim that what he saw earlier was him telling the dealer to lose his number. The tension at the dinner table that night doesn’t go unnoticed by Rachel. She grills Kim afterwards, accusing him of being jealous of James. Kim’s not having that. He takes a deep breath and announces, “James is a heavy pot smoker.” Rachel nearly topples off the sofa in shock. High-abilityThe next morning, Rachel confronts James. “Are you smoking marijuana?” she hisses. This is serious. James works in her hospital and lord knows what kind of mistakes he could have made when he’s been off his head. It could explain his near miss at work last week. James denies he was smoking that day, and Kit backs him up; he was just tired from staying up all night with her. Rachel’s now got to decide whether or not to report him to the hospital board. He’s admitted to his problem, he swears he’s given up – maybe she should cut him some slack. Kim thinks that’s irresponsible – what if he causes more accidents at work? James thanks Rachel for her leniency and promises that he’ll never touch the goofy grass again. Kit lets Kim know she’s not impressed with his behaviour, and issues him with a warning. “If you keep making trouble for us, I don’t want you anywhere near me or the baby.” Kit’s just making a stand for her man, but she needn’t bother. As she speaks, her beloved is holed up in his car, sucking on a great big joint.In-tents storyRic and Mattie are on a mission to cheer up Lucas. Mattie tries to rouse him by mentioning the winners of the short story competition are being announced soon; Luc admits he didn’t enter after all. After some coaxing, he does agree to let them take him camping. Belle and Drew walk in, and Luc gets up to leave. Not much has changed, then. “He’s gonna hate me for the rest of his life!” Belle wails.

Drew suggests a trip to the coast to take her mind off it. Well, you’ll never guess what – all five young’uns are heading for the same spot. No sooner have Luc, Ric and Mattie cosied up around their barbecue, than Belle and Drew rock up. Luc resigns himself to their presence, and begins to enjoy the show – Belle and Drew squabbling and tentless. Suddenly there’s a clap of thunder and the heavens open.

Belle and Drew have no choice but to seek shelter in the tent. It’s squishy and awkward; Luc finds himself trapped between two bickering couples. Belle stupidly reveals that she entered the story Lucas wrote about her into the short story competition, and he’s furious. How dare she? In tears, Belle dashes out into the storm. Drew chases her but she manages to slip down the side of a cliff. Doh. Is this the end for li’l Belle?

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