With Annie mortified over being caught shoplifting, and Geoff far too interested in playing the role of preacher to really be of any help to her (“Have you said a prayer and asked for forgiveness yet?”), Irene realises that there’s something she can bring to the mix to ease the tension: a motherly influence. Geoff initially knocks back the suggestion, annoyed that Irene would want Annie to move in without him – not that his previous attempt at living there went down too well, of course – but a chat with Don is enough to make him see things differently. “If anyone can be trusted to look after your little sister, it’s her,” he offers, prompting Geoff to at least broach the subject with Annie and see how she feels. Although it's incredibly hard for her to leave Geoff, Annie knows there’s only really one possible answer: with the promise of both Irene’s maternal advice and Belle as a sister figure, it’s time for her to move on.The odd coupleMeanwhile, Luc and Lisa are getting cosy on the beach, despite his earlier convictions that seeing someone who’s still involved with a guy like Denni may not be a particularly bright or life-lengthening idea. “I cannot get you out of my head,” Luc says, before the pair creep back home together under cover of darkness. The morning after the night before, however, brings with it a bit of shock. Lucas conveniently having forgotten that the house has recently welcomed a couple of new residents, Annie springs the two of them in the kitchen, ensuring that any illusions she may have had about her romantic hero are well and truly shattered. And it’s not just Annie who’s left reeling. Lisa’s convinced that there’s now no doubt of word getting back to Denni about her betrayal. Of course, we know that Annie (even the slightly prickly version) would never be that indiscrete, but that doesn’t stop the dastardly one from finding out. Yes, that’s right; surprisingly, Denni’s smart enough to work it all out for himself, and it gives him just the ammunition he needs when it comes to paying Drew a typically threatening visit. “I will take down every single one of your friends one by one,” he warns, naming one Lucas “Goldilocks” Holden as his prime target. But it’s someone else who’s about to pay the ultimate price… Chasing love “If she’s so bad, then why would she have helped you out?” Luc asks, as Ric, Drew and Belle hang out in the diner, standing firm against Denni’s demands. Desperate to find Lisa, and knowing that she’s gone to the race site, Luc’s quick to take his chances when the details come through to Drew’s phone; he waits until the others are away from the table before checking the message and taking off with Ric’s keys. (Why both these things would be left with someone who’s known to be a flight risk is a question for another day.) The guys are quick to realise what’s happened and are hot on Luc’s heels, getting to the race site just in time to save him from Denni’s violent outburst. The trio jump into Drew’s car and make their escape, but Denni’s not about to let go. “They’re not getting way, not this time,” he warns, as a terrified Lisa, whom he’s bundled into his car, desperately tries to get him to give up the chase. But as the two of them grapple over control of the steering wheel, things take a dramatic turn. Denni fails to take a corner and sends the car rolling down a bank at high speed…


Tagged in