Episode 6988

Extended Summary

Dean tells Colby that they’ve still got a lot to clear so may have to spend the night there. Colby tries to talk to him about the letter but Dean sends him to get beer and pizza. Dean picks up the letter from the mantelpiece then replaces it. Colby phones Chelsea and tells her about staying the night there. Chelsea is outside the surf club with Willow, who has brought coffees. Chelsea reflects on how crazy her life has become since meeting Colby and that she’s not sure how to react to what he’s told her. Willow concludes they need something stronger than coffee but has to get to work so suggests they meet up for dinner after her shift.

Leah and Roo welcome Ryder home from work. He asks about visiting Raffy but Roo tells him the Morgans are only letting family visit. She reluctantly tells him that Raffy’s been diagnosed with epilepsy as a result of the accident. Ryder goes up to his room, saying he’s tired. Once there, he starts crying. He takes one of the beer bottles from under his bed and takes a swig from it. Back at Karen’s house, Dean stops his clearing and takes the letter: A baby photo falls out. He reads the letter and, when Colby returns, hands it to him without speaking. Colby sees that the guy was married and bought the house, which Karen said was from Dean’s grandparents, to keep her quiet. They conclude he was a jerk who didn’t take responsibility and returned the photo. Colby wonders if Dean will get in contact but Dean says he’s managed this far without him.

Roo comes off the phone and tells Leah that Ryder didn’t answer any of the questions on his exam. She heads upstairs where Ryder pretends to be studying. Ryder tries to say the exam went okay, then realises she knows. He says he didn’t want to worry her but didn’t see the point in a stupid pointless exam when Raffy’s in hospital. Roo tells him to stop using Raffy as an excuse and he storms out. He stops Willow outside Salt and, on learning Dean’s out of town, asks her help buying a bottle of wine, supposedly as a present for Roo. Willow tells him Salt could get in trouble and she’s there meeting a police officer, sending him on his way. Willow joins Chelsea who wonders what Colby and Dean are doing. Willow thinks they’re just having beer and pizza and talking about surfing. Chelsea asks about the River Boys. Willow says they weren’t a biker gang with guns, just directionless kids. Chelsea says that sounds like every gang she’s come across but Willow insists joining them saved Colby and Dean.

Colby and Dean have retired for the night (the lights are still out) but Dean hears someone breaking in. They catch the intruder, who says he and Karen were “sort of dating” and he was after some money he lent her. They ask why he didn’t come round when she was in and he says he heard the “crazy cow” was in the nuthouse. Dean angrily calls him one in a long line of men who used her and Colby has to pull Dean off the man, who leaves. Back at Salt, on the balcony, Willow tells Chelsea that Colby did well to get out of Mangrove River: He has a new life and a career. Even though she’s not planning to turn him in, Chelsea has trouble dealing with him leaving a fatal accident. She says Colby is inclined to turn a blind eye to things and she’s worried that being with him is making her do the same. Willow points out her options are to take a risk on someone she loves or, if she can’t accept who Colby is, walk away.

Ryder returns home; his attention is immediately drawn to an opened bottle of wine on the table. He goes over to Roo and apologises for his earlier behaviour. He says he knows he needs to study but has been too busy thinking about Raffy. Roo says she wouldn’t want him to fall behind. Ryder encourages her to go to bed, saying he’ll clear up. Next morning, Colby and Dean load up the ute. Dean says he’s going to make sure Karen never comes back to Mangrove River. As they drive out of town, Dean gets Colby to pull up near the town sign. He gets a spray can and says he and Karen aren’t setting foot in town again, so sprays -2 next to the Population (2800). Colby says he’d better make it -3: Dean obliges.

Colby and Dean walk towards the Diner; Colby thinks the lack of calls from Chelsea is telling and Dean suggests you shouldn’t let one woman make you unhappy when you can have a whole string of them. They find Chelsea outside the flat and Dean makes himself scarce, joining Willow nearby. Colby and Chelsea walk out onto the wharf. Chelsea gives Colby the ring back…and tells him to ask her properly. Colby says he’s made mistakes and could make them again but wants to make her happy. He asks her to marry him. She says yes and they kiss; Dean and Willow applaud. Later, at Salt, the four of them celebrate. Dean claims it’s the first time someone’s chosen Colby over him and Chelsea thanks Willow for her advice. Willow comments on now having two cops as friends and Dean is told he needs a suit for the wedding. He wonders how long he’s got and Colby and Chelsea conclude there’s no reason to wait.

Roo tells Leah how things went with Ryder. Alf turns up and is welcomed back: He says Duncan and Bryce are doing as well as can be expected and understand why Roo had to leave quickly. Leah leaves for work; Alf asks about Ryder and Roo says he’s having a lie-in. Later, Alf runs into Roo on the landing and she confirms Ryder hasn’t surfaced. Alf finds him passed out on the bed and says he’s wasting the day. Ryder wakes up sharply and knocks the empty wine bottle on the floor. Alf demands to know what’s going on.