Recap
- Susan and Karl get lost on their way to Carrington Bend and the car breaks down.
- Anne tells Billy that Libby is fine and his parents will probably be back tomorrow morning or even later tonight.
- Susan and Karl spend the night in Karl's car.
Country Road
Susan criticises Karl's car. He admits that it has broken down once before, he guesses it was the fuel line as there had been a strong smell of petrol. Susan thinks Karl doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. Karl suggests they get some sleep. Susan yells that it is impossible to sleep in this thing, but he can try to sleep if he can. Karl apologises. Susan apologises too, she knows she's being unreasonable, she can hear herself. She's so worried about Libby. Karl says she'll be fine.
Number 28
Billy finishes making a call. He's managed to call two hotels and one pub in Carrington Bend to ask them to call if his parents turn up. Libby walks in. Billy wonders what she's doing home, giving her a hug. Libby shows off her bruise, saying she got lost and two SES guys had to find her. Billy tells her that Susan has gone to Carrington Bend to look for her. Libby says Mike spoke to Susan but as she wasn't there when Libby left, she assumed she didn't come. She and Karl went together, Billy's tried calling but they're out of range. Libby's worried as they should have been in touch by now. Billy calls Libby a dipstick for going off without giving them any details, and asks about Libby's uni friends. He heard she only went up with one friend, Mike Healey, who is one of her lecturers. Libby says it isn't like that. She goes to call Mike to see if they're there.
Country Road
Susan finds it impossible to sleep in the car. She gets out of the car, telling Karl she'll never forgive him for getting her into this mess.
KARL: Whatever you're trying to say, just say it.
SUSAN: I'm not trying to say anything, I'm saying it. This car is the biggest waste of money I've ever seen in my life.
KARL: Forget the car, what are you trying to say to me?
SUSAN: You know exactly what I'm trying to say to you.
KARL: Well I want to hear it. Ok we know about the last few weeks, but you cannot write off 24 years of marriage like it never happened. Susan. Come on, we're going to have to deal with this or we'll never get on with our lives.
SUSAN: I do not want to talk about it, I am not ready to discuss it and frankly Karl, there is nothing between us, it's as simple as that!
KARL: You are so wrong, Susan. What was the first thing you did when you found out about Libby? You rang me, didn't you? If there was nothing between us, we've still got that, we've got the kids Susan! We've got the kids, they're tying us together.
Susan worries if Libby is lost, what if she's out there. What if she's fallen or unconscious or dead? She says she should be there for Libby, not stuck here having stupid pointless arguments with Karl. Karl knows that.
Number 28
Billy overhears Libby's phone call to her lecturer. She says there's no news, they haven't arrived in Carrington Bend. Billy thinks something has happened. They try the mobile one more time but still no answer. Anne thinks something has held them up, that's all. Libby wonders when they should call the SES for them.
Country Road
Karl and Susan are sleeping, but as Karl moves in his sleep he accidentally presses the car horn and it wakes them both up. Karl apologises. Susan tells him not to do it again or she'll kill him.
Number 24
Harold tells Madge that Lolly is almost asleep. Lou dropped her round and then took off. They wonder what to make of Lou's speech, is he leaving or not? Madge isn't sure, he doesn't want to go but business is business. He has a buyer interested in the pub, a bit of an oddball according to Phil. Lou is taking this potential buyer out to dinner right now. Madge is reminded about how much she misses her grandkids, she sees them so rarely these days. Harold jokes about Madge sounding like Lou and thinking about moving back to the sunshine coast. Madge shrugs, she says she's thinking about it. Harold suggests she needs a holiday, and asks if something is wrong. Lolly runs out from the bedroom and asks if she can have another story.
Country Road
Karl and Susan wake up and decide to walk to find someone. Karl is worried about leaving the car.
SUSAN: One, if someone did happen to wander by, they can't start the engine.
KARL: I do know that.
SUSAN: And two, if they did manage to start the engine, who in their right mind would want it?
KARL: Okay, you've made your point.
SUSAN: And three, if they did steal it, they would in fact be doing us a huge favour!
KARL: At what number do you stop at?
Number 24
Harold is joking around with Lolly while eating breakfast, Madge tells him Lolly's quite capable of feeding herself. Harold says he was right, she does need a holiday. He's going to pick in some brochures from the travel agent on his way to work. Madge says they can't afford a holiday. If they had as much money as Lou has, they'd be on the Gold Coast right now, playing with their granddaughter.
Country Road
Susan stumbles as she walks, but as Karl puts his hand out to help, she pushes it away saying she's alright. Karl suggests they climb up the ridge beside them and see what they can find. After climbing the hill, they get a view of some buildings. Susan thought Carrington Bend would be bigger, but Karl says it probably isn't Carrington Bend.
Willow Tree Garage
Karl and Susan arrive at the building and call out. The mechanic, Felix, introduces himself, and Susan asks him to use his phone. Karl explains the car broke down, and learns he's in Willow Tree which is nowhere near Carrington Bend. Felix is impressed to learn Karl has a thunderbird car. He's quite keen to see it and goes to get the truck.
Number 28/Willow Tree Garage
Billy and Libby race to the phone when it rings, Libby grabbing it first. Susan is pleased to hear that Libby is home and that she's alright. Susan explains where they are and that they've been stuck on a dirt road all night. Billy is desperate to speak to them on the phone, but Susan says they can't stay and talk, she's exhausted. Libby says goodbye, and then fills Billy and Anne in. Anne is pleased they're okay.
Willow Tree Garage
Felix has looked at the engine of Karl's car, he thinks some parts will need replacing, he'll have to track down the parts he needs. He says it would be tomorrow at the earliest if they're lucky. When Susan asks where the best hotel in town is, Felix says there is only one hotel in town and she shouldn't get her hopes up about a vacancy.
Willow Tree Hotel
The receptionist, tells Susan and Karl they are in luck as there is one room left. She shows them the honeymoon suite. Susan doesn't look pleased, and goes to ring the kids.
(Later)
Susan says she feels human again after their meal. She says she's been horrible to him all weekend, she's sorry. She got them lost and that rough road probably broke the engine. Karl understands, they were both worried about Libby. He's been thinking about that pub they stayed at just after they got married, when the river flooded. Susan had just been thinking about it. Karl said that pub was filthy, and they had to push the single beds together. He reminisces about the place, Susan lies down smiling as she listens to him. He remembers falling down the crack in the beds and was embarrassed, thinking she'd reconsider once she knew what a klutz he was. As he turned to Susan he realises she's fallen asleep. He puts the duvet over her, and sleeps on top of the duvet beside her.
Number 24
Harold tells Madge he's always wanted to go to Malta. Madge doesn't want to go to Malta, or any other holiday destination. She just has this awful feeling of discontentment. Harold says he feels that way too sometimes, even if he does seem cheerful a lot of the time. Madge knows she's being unreasonable, maybe it's the weather that's making her dream of Queensland. Harold suggests he gets on his knees and begs her not to go like they did for Lou in the pub. Madge thinks the feelings will pass, and asks why the grass always seems greener somewhere else. Harold says sometimes it is. He hugs her.
Willow Tree Hotel
Susan wakes up to see Karl sitting up, thinking. Karl says he can't sleep. She turns a light on.
KARL: I know I hurt you and I can't forgive myself for that, but I am hurting too you know. More so because I know I caused it. I love you Susan, I love you so much and I don't think I can live without you.
SUSAN: You're exhausted Karl, you need to sleep.
KARL: The last few weeks have been a complete nightmare. Couldn't you just give me another chance? You're all I live for, you and the kids. If anything had happened to Libby...
Susan looks thoughtfully at Karl.
Willow Tree (The next morning)
Karl and Susan leave the Hotel to see Felix standing beside the car. He says he's been able to repair it. Karl pays him. Felix says it's a beautiful thing and he should take care of it. Karl and Susan get into the car and drive away.