Elliott questions Connie about ‘signals’ and ‘nice accidents’ happening. She realises he is talking about his kiss with Lady Byrne, and tells him to ask himself if it was really an accident at all.
Abra earlier thought he recognised Mr Knox, but wasn’t sure why and when his son Tommy asks him if they can talk he wants to know more. As they go off, Michael gets the lowdown on Abra from Donna and asks her to keep an eye on him. Michael later discovers that Abra still hasn’t sent Mr Washburn home and is curious as to what Abra is playing at. He gets Donna to investigate Mr Knox’s history and discovers that Mr Knox was jailed for 15 years after murdering his wife. This explains Tommy’s cruel behaviour towards his father, and Michael now thinks this is why Abra is putting off Mr Knox having the operation. Abra tells Michael that Mr Knox is actually Hep B positive, so just needs more tests before having the transplant done, but Michael is not convinced.
Max’s foster mum Lindsey eventually arrives and breaks down in the toilets. It is clear she is hung over and Andrew is not impressed that she has left him to deal with the situation. Connie explains that Max needs either a valve repair, which he will take a few months to recover from, but which will need replacing again in the future; or a replacement, which will take about a year to recover from. Connie advises that the replacement is the better option, but Max’s foster parents aren’t entirely sure. This causes friction, as Kyla wants what Connie suggests, but it is not her decision. After some thought, Lindsey agrees to the valve replacement, explaining to Kyla that she does love Max and just wants what’s best for him.
Michael finds Tommy getting angry with Abra over the fact that his dad is still having the operation. He questions what’s going on and Tommy tears open his shirt, revealing his chest covered with cigarette burns. He doesn’t understand why they are still operating, but Michael tells him he deserves a second chance. Michael does however now realise why Abra had held back on telling the Washburn’s to go home, as he had clearly bonded with Tommy, after feeling his anger towards his father for abusing him and murdering his mother.
Elliott doesn’t make it to Lady Byrne’s meeting after seeing her getting on so well with Dominic and not wanting to intrude. He apologises to Lady Byrne, who is upset by his lack of commitment. She doesn’t want the Foundation work to be too much of an imposition so explains she can find a replacement. He agrees he should step down, although neither seems too happy by the decision. Jayne later calls Elliott in to find out why he has resigned from the Byrne Foundation. Jayne thinks this has upset Lady Byrne and that he shouldn’t step down.
After tests come back clear, it is decided that Mr Knox will have the liver. Michael tells Ric he doesn’t completely trust Abra, although he is going to have to operate on Mr Knox on his own as Michael has a private patient and Ric has a colisterechtomy. In theatre Abra totally loses it, reeling out African words and phrases. Michael is called away from his patient to help with the emergency, but Mr Knox ends up in intensive care. Jayne is angry that she now has a patient in intensive care, a patient who has woken up without being operated on, and a very angry patient who has waited 6 hours before being told there isn’t a liver transplant for him. Michael covers for Abra about the situation in surgery and Donna tries to make the situation better by taking the rap for Michael. She gets herself out of trouble by giving Jayne the birthday cake she’d intended for Michael.
Max is on the mend and Kyla decides she wants him back. She speaks to his carer but he tells her that this can’t happen as she voluntarily surrendered care for Max. She insists he needs better care and that Lindsey is an alcoholic – but this doesn’t convince the carer who believes Max is happy with both foster parents.
Michael realises that they have a big problem with Abra and he has no sympathy for Abra’s dented confidence. However, they have to get on, and now that Mr Knox has gone into intensive care without his transplant, it does mean that the liver is now available for Mr Washburn after all. Jayne questions Michael about anaesthetising a patient but failing to operate and he explains that he had to prioritise and help Abra in an emergency operation. Ric is relived that Michael covered for Abra.
Elliott goes to apologise to Lady Byrne and explains he doesn’t really want to resign. He was just jealous of her relationship with Dominic. They decide to go and have coffee, just the two of them and Lady Byrne is delighted. Meanwhile, Max’s operation went really well and Andrew is delighted. He offers to help Lindsey more with the children, taking time off work and maybe taking them all away. Lindsey however wants him to leave saying she doesn’t know what she wants any more. She clearly is in no state to be looking after five children. They leave and Kyla is left by Max’s bedside.