Penny narrowly survives the car crash but is forced to stay at the hospital to recuperate. When Jarrod gets a job offer out of town, Penny must decide whether or not to leave Whyhope — and Hugh — for good.

Hugh's friends try to help him after his embarrassing outburst at his birthday party, while Meryl's health suffers after losing all her allies. Hayley continues her pole-dancing classes, despite Ajax's wishes, but tensions explode when she starts working at the new bar.

It's Hugh's birthday, but when Tara doesn't show up for work, Hugh finds her unconscious in her home. As the hospital team races to save her life, Tara's parents arrive and raise awkward questions about their daughter's party antics.

Hugh agrees to help Tara with a random drug test, but an indiscretion puts their relationship out into the open. With April gone, Charlie offers to help out at the brewery, and Betty raises suspicions to Penny about Jarrod's dodgy dealings.

April is pregnant, and not everyone is as supportive as Matt had hoped, but the netball game between the hospital and mining company takes all the focus.

While Penny is away, Hugh and Tara come out to play, and with a little help from Charlie their night takes a dramatic turn as Hugh loses more than his sobriety.

Hugh finally gets the courage to declare his love to Penny; Hayley is torn between love and duty when Ajax and Meryl compete in the council election; April gives Charlie an ultimatum to leave Whyhope and forget about Matt.

Hugh and Jarrod lock horns over Penny, with painful results for Jarrod. Ajax vows revenge after Meryl humiliates him in a council election scam. Matt risks his relationship with April when he asks Charlie to help to run the brewery.

Hugh reaches crisis point when Penny fires him from the hospital; Hayley is inspired to perk up her sex life after reading Charlie's erotic sci-fi novel.

Hugh becomes distracted from his new daughter Eliza and his Cardiac Unit by the arrival of sexy new doctor, Tara.