Episode 7235

Extended Summary

Leah runs into Robbo near the Diner and has a quick look at Grace. She confirms they’ve just got back from the city and there’s no change with Tori. She asks about Jasmine and Robbo says she’s gone back to work and he’s taking Grace to the gym. At the caravan park, Ryder greets John, who thanks him for calling him then goes to check on Marilyn. She says there was no need to come, since he had work at the surf club, but he insists it can wait. Marilyn isn’t sure what’s wrong but seems affected by a family laughing at a nearby table so John suggests they go for a walk.

At the garage, Ziggy and Dean are looking somewhat ruffled and Ziggy asks what prompted it. Dean explains about the loan from Mackenzie, meaning he doesn’t need to work at Salt anymore, so can keep doing surf lessons and help out at the board shop. Ziggy says Ben could use his help now but he offers to help her finish at the garage first. Meanwhile, Ben is putting the Ben’s Boards sign back up while Ryder carries in boards and boxes. Ryder tries to wrangle a staff discount before heading up to Salt to work. Maggie also checks in before going to the gym. Once he’s alone, Ben looks nervous.

John and Marilyn arrive home. Marilyn is still having trouble articulating her problem. She looks at the photo again and says it seems like a long time ago, before explaining that Tori having the baby and then everything going wrong has shown her how fragile a family can be. John points out that that’s not what’s happened with Raffy: She’s where she needs to be. He admits he misses her too. Outside the surf club, Robbo approaches as Justin finishes a phone call with Brody. He tells Robbo he was updating Brody and Raffy, and that Robbo was next. Robbo says he spoke to Leah. He reminds Justin what he said about dropping round any time and offers to let him hold Grace. Justin takes a step back and says he needs to get back to Mason and Ava.

Dean and Ziggy are working on the car when Justin arrives. He queries Dean helping out, saying he can’t work on the car because he’s not insured if anything goes wrong. They explain about the charges against Ben being dropped and Justin is pleased for him. He tells them to go home early and he’ll finish off. Once alone, he knocks the contents of a surface onto the floor in frustration. Meanwhile, John and Marilyn are walking. Dean and Ziggy come past them with Dean complaining about the way Justin spoke to her. John and Marilyn question them and they explain. Marilyn notes other people have bigger problems and decide to head into work.

Marilyn arrives at the Diner and apologises for being late but Leah says she’s probably earned the right. Marilyn tells her what Dean and Ziggy said. Leah is surprised since he was meant to be spending time with Mason and Ava. She asks Marilyn to cover the Diner while she goes to check on him. At the garage, Justin is working on the car with items still scattered on the floor. Leah arrives and wonders what’s going on. After trying to come up with excuses, Justin admits he can’t be around Ava asking questions he can’t answer and says he just needs some time alone at the moment.

Robbo is in the office at the gym, looking through the files. Maggie comes in and is introduced to Grace. She offers to take her for a walk but Robbo insists everything is fine. Out in the surf club, John thanks Ryder for looking out for Marilyn and Ryder notes that seeing her sad was like seeing a puppy crying. Ziggy asks John if he’s seen Ben, who has left everything unattended at the counter. Maggie appears and Dean comes down from upstairs, saying Ben isn’t there but his ute’s outside. Maggie tells Dean and Ziggy to finish setting up while she goes to find him.

Ben is sitting on the beach when Maggie approaches. He admits he started to panic and think about everything that could go wrong, such as not being able to win clients back. He tried the exercises he learned in counselling but they didn’t help. He worries that he can’t be the person who set up the board shop anymore yet thinks he can’t afford to fail. Maggie says there’s no quick fix but she’ll help him find that person. Ben cuddles up to her. Up at the surf club, Ryder checks out Dean and Ziggy’s work and says he might be their first customer. He examines a board but Dean indicates it’s for more experienced surfers and he’ll find him something more suitable. Maggie arrives and tells them she’s found Ben but she’s taking him home so they’ll have to finish on their own.

Leah is closing up at the Diner. Justin arrives and apologises for being short with her earlier, although she tells him he doesn’t need to. He admits that everything with Tori is hitting him. Upstairs, Robbo is on the phone to Jasmine, saying that everything’s fine and she should finish her shift. After he’s hung up, he tells Grace he’ll give her $100 to go to sleep.

Dean and Ziggy are finishing up at the surf club. Ziggy notes getting the board shop back was meant to help Ben, not cause him more stress. Dean reminds her what happened when Karen tried working at Salt and says setbacks are part of it. They head back to the farm house to report to Ben and Maggie. Dean reminds Ben that he wanted to do surf lessons when he first started working for him, so suggests he run his business out of the board shop, meaning he’ll be there more and Ben can help him. Ben says it’s a great idea. Dean heads home. Later, Ben tells Maggie he’s decided to go back on medication. Maggie is surprised, since he was focusing on counselling, but he says he can’t have another day today. Maggie asks about the side effects and he says he’ll get a different pill and dosage.

Justin and Leah are in bed. Justin admits that when he sees Grace he just sees Tori. He recalls how growing up the way they did, with no parents, meant he and Tori had to take the lead and it’s like losing a partner. Leah says that it might not be the same but he’s got her.