Episode 7295

Extended Summary

Ryder and Nikau sit on the pier. Ryder jokingly suggests that having got kicked out of the surf club and the flat they try the Diner next. Nikau asks about Dean. Ryder says he, Bella and her brother grew up together and come as a package. Nikau says he knows about odd family units since he lives with his mum and uncle; Ryder replies that he lives with his grandad and aunt. Nikau asks if Bella goes to school and Ryder says sometimes. Seeing her on the balcony, he adds that she’s actually smart and creative. They wave at her and beckon her to come down. Meanwhile, Ari approaches Alex in a park area and asks if she can sign him off to return to work. Alex says he should really see the same doctor. Ari says the doctor’s a casual that he can’t get an appointment with and points out Alex saw him first. Alex says she’s going to the hospital now so she can see him there.

In his office at the surf club, John calls Marilyn’s phone. At the Diner, Gemma draws Marilyn’s attention to the call but Marilyn lets it go to voicemail. John tries again and Marilyn reluctantly answers. John tells her she needs to come to him and it’s important. Marilyn says she can’t leave the Diner and unless he’s sick or in danger of dying it’ll have to wait. John says it’s about their house guests and Marilyn says it can definitely wait. At the hospital, Ari tries to hide the pain when he moves his arm. Alex comes in with his notes and says that he was told to wait another week. Ari insists he’s fine. Alex says the other doctor he saw was Dr Stafford, a long-standing member of staff, so either he’s confused or lying. She says the arm needs time to heal. Ari suggests it might have healed sooner if he’d been seen straightaway instead of being caught up in the hostage situation and leaves unhappy.

John comes into the Diner, telling Marilyn that since she hung up on him he’s come to her. Marilyn tries to put him off but John insists she needs to come with him. Marilyn gives in and asks Gemma to hold the fort. Once back at the house, John lays out the articles he’s printed on the table. The headline of one refers to a criminal being killed in a standoff with the police. John says it’s Gemma’s husband, Nikau’s father, Ari’s brother. He shows her another article about the death of a beloved resident, saying an innocent woman was caught in the crossfire. Marilyn is upset that he did this but John says the Paratas aren’t the nice family she thinks they are and they know nothing about them.

Ryder, Bella and Nikau go into the Diner. Ryder offers to buy the others smoothies and, together, they agree. Gemma tries to reassure Ari that things aren’t so bad. Alex comes in and asks to talk to Ari outside. He reluctantly agrees. Gemma goes over to Bella and Nikau’s table and ends up sitting down and telling Bella that she’s Nikau’s mum before reminding Nikau it would be polite to introduce her. Outside, Alex tells Ari that both the hospital and his employers would be in trouble if he hurt himself again and it could result in him being out of action for longer. Ari tells her he’s struggling financially and it’s only because of Marilyn’s kindness that his family have a roof over their heads.

Marilyn continues to be upset about John’s digging, not wanting to know. John shows her an article about Ari, revealing he spent time in jail for robbery and car theft. Marilyn insists it’s old news and says Ari’s a good person who saved her life. She also says there’s nothing about Gemma and Nikau in the article. She refuses to discuss it and tells John she doesn’t want Gemma and Nikau to see what he’s found. John tries to insist they can’t stay but Marilyn ignores him. Soon after, Marilyn finds Roo outside the bait shop and she notes Nikau’s been a help there. Marilyn tells her John found out that Ari’s brother was killed committing an armed robbery, along with an innocent woman, and Ari’s been in jail. She thinks she was foolish to invite the Paratas to live with her. Roo says John’s trying to look out for her but she should trust her own instincts.

Bella, Nikau and Ryder go back up to the flat with Bella insisting Dean isn’t there. Nikau says he’s used to not being welcome since his father didn’t always do the right thing. Bella asks what happened to him and he explains he was killed while committing a robbery, along with an innocent woman. Bella says her father did similar and Nikau says he was a good dad but would do the wrong thing. Seeming awkward, Ryder decides to go; Bella assumes it’s because he’s scared of Dean. She asks Nikau about Gemma and he says she’s strong and he doesn’t know how he’d cope without her. Bella says Colby’s the same. Later, Nikau reminisces about stealing the wheels from the principal’s car and selling them while Bella recalls setting off the fire alarm. Nikau says he put the year’s bags in a classroom and glued it shut, but the fact his own bag wasn’t there made it obvious. He wonders why she’s going to school and Bella says she feels like she owes Colby. Nikau understands but suggests she needs to do what makes her happy.

Alex meets Ari at the caravan park and gives him a doctor’s certificate saying he’s fit to return to work. She warns him to take it easy because if he gets injured again he’s on his own: It’s her last day at the hospital. At the Diner, Bella and Nikau approach Roo and Maggie. Bella says with Nikau’s help she’s decided what she’s going to do: Go to Tafe and take a diploma in photography and photo imaging. Ryder, sat at the next table, says he thought she was going to say visit an endangered tribe in the Amazon. Gemma, who has been listening, calls Nikau over and asks if it was his doing. He says he helped and Gemma seems proud of him. Roo agrees it’s a good idea and Maggie says Bella has their full support, although she’s not sure how Colby will take it. Bella asks them not to tell him yet.

Marilyn arrives home and tells John that Gemma and Nikau are staying. John says armed robbery is not shoplifting but Marilyn says it’s not arson either and he was given a second chance. John is frustrated that she’s the one making all the decisions and insists the Paratas can’t live there. Marilyn suggests giving them a chance to explain but John says either they leave or he does. At the hospital, Alex has hugs goodbye from a couple of staffmembers, then backs up her things, including a photo of her and Willow, and leaves. At the caravan park, John walks along with a pillow and a bag. A sympathetic-looking Roo shows him to a van. Ari, in the next van, sees him and awkwardly greets him. John pulls a face halfway between a smile and a grimace and sits in the van on his own, looking forlorn.