Ric’s really stuffed things up now, flinging his handsome fists around in front of Lily. He was only trying to protect her from sleazy Jules, but he managed to put her pipe-cleaner hair on end. She’s scampered back to the women’s hostel, and Cassie’s fuming. Lairy men are the last thing Lily needs to be around right now. She and Sally head to the hostel to convince Lily that Ric’s not a nutter, just a very, very attractive young man, but she’s having none of it. Personally, we wouldn’t mind a bit of rough and tumble with Ric but that’s beside the point. Going on his volatile past, the ladies can’t really guarantee Ric won’t lose his temper again. Cassie stomps home, crosses her arms and pouts. “Face it, Ric, you’ve got no self-restraint.” She wants him to face his problem and do something about it. Ric sureRic slips out, all thoughtful and brooding. He gingerly approaches Lily at the hostel and begs her to hear him out. He arrives at the hostel and urges Lily to hear him out. Ric explains how his dad used to beat him when he was a little Riclett; he knows how it feels to live in fear. Lily says she felt like it was her fault when Ric punched Jules, just like it was her fault when Coil battered her. Ric points out that he’d never, ever hurt someone who couldn’t defend themselves. He promises to get counseling. Ric returns home to an even crosser Cassie, but her frown turns around when Lily tiptoes in. She’s back.Lily looks back at Ric before heading upstairs with a coquettish twinkle in her eye. “For the record, you’re nothing like Coil.”Match point

Kit’s feeling a bit down having discovered that a home birth is too risky with her high blood pressure, but team baby rallies around. Kim’s mongoosing about, doing safety checks on the cot and generally getting under Kit’s feet, while Rachel finds herself a distraction – matchmaking Hugh and nurse Julie.

She invites them both out for lunch the following day. When Colleen twigs what’s going on, Rachel advises her to keep her sticky beak to herself. “You know me, I’m a soul of indiscretion!” Colleen crows. She recommends the “aphrodisical” oyster sauce which Julie sups suspiciously, while Hugh and Rachel swap hilarious banter from their intern days. Suddenly the phone goes; Kit’s having contractions.

Kim and Rachel dash off, leaving Hugh and Julie alone to share an embarrassed chuckle. With a tortured look, Julie says she’s not surprised he’s not interested in her – he’s obviously smitten by Rachel. He denies it but when Rach winkingly enquires how lunch went, he snaps. “Just leave it. The last thing I need is to complicate things by getting involved with another colleague.” Touchy…

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