Episode 6484

Extended Summary

A weary Justin and Phoebe are searching boxes for the book Spike so desperately wants, when they finally make a breakthrough, finding a receipt to a storage unit. Suspecting the book is there, they head off to find it. After convincing the storage facility attendant to give them access to the unit, they discover an address book, containing all the contact details of everyone in the drug smuggling network. Realising its significance, Phoebe pleads with Justin to turn the book over to the police. But Justin refuses, fearing what Spike might do to his family. After telling Phoebe he’ll handle the situation, they head back to the Bay.

Meanwhile, Duncan finally reveals his birthday surprise to Tori – he’s flying her with her friends and family to a winery for an overnight stay. Although she’s initially thrown, Tori remembers her pledge to Leah – to go with the flow – and shelves her concerns. Duncan asks if he can invite Alf along and Tori agrees, thinking it’s a good way for the men to fix their issues. But when Duncan raises the subject with Alf, he’s dismissive. A concerned Roo suggests to Duncan that grandstanding won’t get their father’s respect, but a frustrated Duncan doesn’t know what else he can do to prove he’s a changed man. When Duncan later discovers Alf has paid his child support and angrily confronts him, Alf again puts Duncan down. This time, Duncan snaps, saying if Alf is unhappy with the man he’s become, it’s only because he was such a terrible father when Ailsa died. Duncan storms off to the airport, leaving Alf badly rattled.

At Salt, when Tori comes in looking for Brody, she invites Phoebe on the winery trip, but Phoebe says she has to work. She then unsubtly tries to persuade Tori to invite Justin, wanting to convince Tori to give him another chance. Later, Tori drives past Justin, who’s waiting to meet Spike. She approaches to ask him to come along on her birthday flight, but to her surprise Justin declines. Tori persists, wanting to bury the hatchet and refusing to budge when he tells her he’s busy. Desperate to keep her out of harm’s way, Justin tersely sends her packing, leaving her hurt and him feeling terrible.

At school, Tabitha is gushing to Olivia about passing her test with flying colours and thanking her for help studying. Seeing Olivia’s own exam nerves, Tabitha offers to return the favour, which Olivia gratefully accepts. As they head off, Hunter gives them a wave but they give him the cold shoulder. Hunter’s bemused, telling Zac he has no idea what he’s done to warrant the treatment. Zac advises him to wait until Olivia’s alone, and ask. That night, Hunter tracks Olivia down to the Diner, where Olivia reveals that Tabitha said he thought her cutting scars were disgusting. Hunter’s aghast, denying that he’d ever say anything negative about her. When a shaken Olivia confronts Tabitha, she admits to the lie but claims she only did it to protect a vulnerable Olivia from Hunter. Olivia soon forgives Tabitha, angering Hunter. Realising she’s been a bit hard on Hunter, Olivia tells Tabitha she wants to make amends, but Tabitha stops her, convincing her that Hunter is bad for her and will never change.

Meanwhile, Leah’s nervously awaiting the results of Zac’s job interview for Principal of Summer Bay High. But when she asks Zac about it, he admits he doesn’t think it went well, and that he felt like the School Board was preparing him for disappointment. Leah puts on a brave face, suggesting Tori’s winery trip might help take his mind off things. Zac agrees to go, but later, when the Board rings to tell him he’s got the job, it’s clear he’s having second thoughts. He meets Leah for lunch, telling her he has to start the job straight away and has to cancel their trip. Leah’s disappointed but supportive, telling Duncan that she’s not going to go either. Later though, Leah sees the email from the school board telling Zac he starts in three weeks… Why did he lie to her?