On her way with Geoff to her final tutoring session, Annie finds herself playing third wheel as Tam, still rocking around town on the scooter she’s managed to pass off as her own, stops them in their tracks. It’s immediately clear that, having apologised for standing him up last week, the Bay’s troubled teen du jour has really made an impression on Geoff; he even finds himself agreeing to a date when she later defends him against some school bullies – until, that is, a less than impressed Annie, having heard about Tam’s numerous exploits, warns him off. Never one to accept rejection, Tam seeks revenge – and, having overheard Irene talking about Annie’s crush on Lucas, she knows just how she’s going to get. Having cornered Annie for a chat, she offers her the reason behind Luc’s recent decision to stop tutoring her: rather than it being anything to do with the HSC, as he claims, it’s because he can’t stand to be with her without telling her how he feels.It's a done deal

Meanwhile, Sally has tracked down the phone number for the retreat where Heather is staying. Although the rules prohibit visitors, she manages to pulls some strings so that Tam can phone her mother once a week – on condition that she agrees to temper her behaviour and abide by the house rules. While convincing her proves more difficult than expected, Brad and Sally are delighted when she eventually accepts the deal. Of course, neither of them are aware of just how much damage Tam’s conversation with Annie is about to do.Courage under fire

With a surge of courage, Annie declares her feelings to Lucas and seals her confession with a kiss. Totally thrown, he gently pushes her away and explains he doesn't feel the same way about her, leaving a hurt and humiliated Annie to flee the scene – and to run away back to the farm. Devastated when Bruce, too, rejects her, Annie turns on her heel and runs back the way she came. Sobbing uncontrollably, and on the brink of emotional exhaustion, she collapses in one of the paddocks, where, alone in the darkness and curled into a ball, she rocks herself backwards and forwards, sobbing in misery. Aww.

Tagged in