Episode 6682

Extended Summary

Both VJ and Ash are horrified at the idea of Mick getting near Luc, with Leah trying to play peacemaker. Irene says she agrees with them but adds that Mick wants to get a paternity test to prove that he’s Luc’s father. The argument is interrupted by the sound of Luc crying; they all rush into her room where Tori confirms she’s woken up. At the police station, Kat gets a call that Luc’s all right and shares the news with Murray. She runs into Brody, who’s there for his bail check-in and says Justin is in the car. She asks if he’s apologised to Alf. He says he hasn’t but says he went to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, which he describes as unexpected.

Ziggy arrives home but finds the doors are locked and she doesn’t have a key. She eventually crawls in a window…to find Ben, who turns out to be her father, standing over her. Ziggy insists she didn’t steal Mr Henderson’s car. Ben says he told the police she was with him but realises from her reaction that she and Jarrod took it for a joyride. He chides her, saying she’s 19, isn’t at uni and got fired from the bar for hitting a customer, who Ziggy says groped her. He is interrupted by a call from his wife Maggie who soon arrives with their other daughter Coco…who has been suspended from school for online bullying. Coco says she only wrote one message after other girls started it and is upset that Maggie didn’t defend her. Ziggy is amused at them having another problem child and Ben tells Maggie about her latest misdemeanour. Ziggy wants to know what Coco wrote and tries to take her phone off her, with Maggie also joining in. Ben ends up grabbing the phone and throwing it in the garbage disposal.

Ash, Leah and VJ all coo over Luc while Tori gives them an update. Kat turns up and Ash takes her into the corridor to tell her about Mick. VJ joins them. Kat says if Mick can prove he’s Luc’s father, he will have rights. VJ protests that he attacked Billie. Kat says she never pressed charges. Ash points out that he’s dangerous anyway. Kat says it’s unlikely he’d get access but it is possible, and thinks they need to get advice from a solicitor. That evening, Alf has taken Leah and VJ out to Salt to celebrate Luc’s recovery but VJ is distracted as they head downstairs. Alf goes to check on the water tank and VJ admits to Leah that it should be a great day but all he can think about is Mick. Leah says they have to help Ash and get a solicitor. VJ says he only had trouble with Luc because she was sick and could handle it now. Leah says a custody battle won’t help but VJ wants Luc back.

Ben is cleaning himself in the bathroom. Maggie joins him and says Coco has calmed down. As they head to bed, they reflect that they’re losing both their daughters: They’ve tried being strict, understanding and their friends and nothing’s worked. Maggie thinks they need to go away for a while, and wants to stay with her mother. Ben is less than keen, expecting her to try and give them money because his business isn’t doing well. Next morning, the family load up the car. Ziggy complains that Maggie packed for her since she refused to do it and Maggie says she packed all the tops Ziggy got for Christmas and says she’d never wear. She also stops Coco using her phone. Ben claims he’s fine with the trip. Ziggy insists she’s staying behind, but Ben says if she doesn’t come, he’ll tell Mr Henderson what she did to his car. Looking at the burly man glowering at her from across the road, Ziggy gives in.

Kat has cooked Ash breakfast and tells him that they won’t get many more chances to sleep in now Luc is coming home. Ash thinks things will be better with her now. Kat gives him a list of family lawyers that she’s printed off. Leah turns up and says that she needs Ash’s help. Ash tracks down VJ at the surf club and suggests that he wants Luc back out of guilt. VJ is worried about Mick but Ash says it won’t make a difference who Luc’s living with and thinks they should stick together.

The Astonis are driving, with Coco saying that she’s not sleeping in the rooms with the creepy dolls; Maggie protests that their grandmother is a collector. Ben suddenly turns off and pulls up near the beach, saying he wants to go for a surf. Maggie suspects he’s delaying seeing her mother. Ziggy comments that she’ll probably be lectured about her behaviour around men. Coco says that was because Ziggy hit on their grandmother’s gardener and Ziggy retorts that Coco’s never been kissed and doesn’t have any real friends. Later, Maggie and Coco are sat on the beach. Ziggy comes back from a swim, deliberately or otherwise getting water on Coco. They notice Ben arguing with VJ: Ben thinks VJ dropped in on him and VJ thinks Ben waited too long. Ziggy heads off for a coffee. Maggie notices Coco looking at VJ.

Tori comes home and finds Brody there on his own, listening to music. She asks him about the meeting. Brody says it was a bunch of losers and he didn’t say anything, being more interested in telling her about the girl he met. Tori is upset that he didn’t take it seriously but Brody says it was the first time he’s felt normal in a while. At the surf club, Leah runs into VJ who confirms Ash got to him first and he’s not going for custody. He’s surprised that Leah is on Ash’s side since she said he’d regret giving up Luc. Leah says Ash has stepped up and VJ was doing it for the wrong reasons. Brody goes to see Alf in the office and says he was out of line and knows he needs help. Alf tells him he’s lucky to have his family. Brody heads towards Salt and bumps into Ziggy coming down the stairs. She explains that the man after her was her dad. Brody explains that he lives in the town and says he was in the city for work. Ziggy says her family are just passing through.

Brody finds Tori running things at Salt. He admits he’s not up to working but says he’s trying to get better. Tori isn’t convinced, saying he only went to one meeting and the “losers” there are trying. Back at the hall, another meeting is going on. The group leader is about to close things up when Brody stands up, introduces himself and says that he’s an addict. At the beach, the Astonis head back to their car; Maggie’s bosiness causes Ziggy and Coco to comment on her always acting like a schoolteacher. Ben tries to start the car but all his attempts are unsuccessful.

Ash and VJ find Irene at the hospital. They tell her they’re working together and understand Irene’s position. Ash says there’s something he’s been thinking of for some time and it’ll help if he has both their support. Later, at the Diner flat, Ash finishes a phone call and tells Kat he was talking to the family solicitor she mentioned…but not about Mick. He thinks they should adopt Luc. Kat’s reply is an abrupt but definite no.