Those pesky drugheads, they think the world revolves around them, don’t they? Did James spare a thought for the poor clear-headed, generous-hearted citizens of Summer Bay when he decided to go AWOL? Did he heck. He swore he’d never hurt Kit again, but there he goes, making her panic all over again. Rachel assures her the chances of James having another psychotic episode are minimal, but Kit blames herself. There’s actually no need to fret; Kim arrives home from a surf to find James mooching around the house. He’s remarkably calm, and it turns out he is, in fact, doing the noble thing and getting out of Kit’s hair. James assures Kim that Rachel approved his departure, and apologises to Kim for the lies, the smoking and the general beef he’s caused. He asks Kim for one last favour before he goes – that he takes care of Kit. Oh, and a lift to the bus station. In return, James promises he’ll get counseling and medication. Kit’s still leaving frantic messages on James’ mobile. Rachel decides it’s time to call the police.Never be lonelyKim is surprised to find Kit and Rachel flapping so. It seems Rachel didn’t know about his check-out after all. Rachel is outraged. He believed the druggy? Kim assures her James seemed fine, but she thinks he was just eager to get shot of his bear-faced nemesis. Kim storms out, doubly outraged by that accusation. Men! Rachel screams inwardly. Kim explains to a concerned Hugh that he’s just trying to put Kit and the sprog first, and all Rachel can do is give him grief for it. Hugh reckons he should be speaking to Rach about this. Meanwhile, Kit’s feeling lost and lonely. Kim tells her she’ll never be alone – he’ll always be here to support her. Hugh goes to check on Rachel and finds his buddy in floods of tears. Once again, she’s stuck dealing with the fallout of Kit’s baby-dramas.

Lily's pad

When Sal asks Cassie if she’s heard from Lily, the phone line’s one and only customer, Cassie bats her lashes and lies. She hasn’t heard a peep from her. Apart from that text she just got from Lily asking if she can meet her. She’s forced to sit though a boring homework session with Matilda, feeling torn, finally leaving with a mumbled excuse about having to see Bryan at the helpline.

She legs it to the beach where Lily is waiting. She tells Lily there’s a great counselor in Summer Bay – she should go and see him. Lily’s hesitant; she doesn’t want to get Kyle into trouble, or herself into trouble with Kyle. Cassie promises the police won’t be involved, so Lily agrees to see the counselor. Mattie’s watching the whole thing from the bushes, and she’s not impressed.

Who is this girl Cassie ditched her for? She confronts Cassie back at the diner. Cassie explains everything then dashes out to meet Lily again. When Lily doesn’t show, Cassie’s frantic. It doesn’t help when Kyle rings Cassie’s mobile, telling her to mind her own business. Lily could be in danger now – Cassie and Mattie want to go and get her. Lily answers the door, shocked to see Cassie with a stranger. She tells the girls to scram before Kyle comes back and finds them. Clocking the bruises on Lily’s arm, Cassie refuses to leave her. Suddenly, the infamous Kyle shows up. Lily blanches; Mattie and Cassie duck behind the door. Will he find them?

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