Episode 7393

Extended Summary

Ziggy meets up with Colby and Dean after their surf. They mention that Willow’s at the police station and Colby goes to find Bella. Ziggy notes it must be hard on her and asks who leaves a person in a shallow grave. In the Paratas’ garden, Nikau is trying to work out why Bella is so upset. Bella says that she knew all along that her father was dead. She hesitates and Nikau presses for information, promising to keep quiet. Bella says Colby did it to protect her and it was him that shot Ross.

Leah and Justin are with Tori and Grace at the Morgan house, having just returned from their trip to the city. Justin gives Grace a cuddly bunny that Ava made and takes a photo of her with it. He asks about Jasmine and Tori says the photo album was a concern but they’re rebuilding their trust. Justin half-jokingly calls her deluded. Tori asks about his headaches and Justin says there were none while he was away. At the surf club, Ziggy finds Dean and notes he’s obviously worried about Colby and Bella but thinks they should go to the surf comp, having checked out the breaks at the weekend. Dean isn’t sure but agrees.

At the Diner, Irene thanks Tori for what she did with Jasmine yesterday, saying she seems a lot happier. Colby comes in looking for Bella. He chats with Alf, Roo and Marilyn about Angelo grilling them all and wanting to talk to Bella. Alf and Roo are sympathetic but think once it’s done Angelo can get on with catching the killer. Colby meets up with Dean near the beach; Colby has spoken to Willow who said she stuck to the story. Ziggy comes along and they fudge what they were talking about a bit. Colby asks if they’ve seen Bella and leaves her a phone message.

Nikau is furious about what Colby’s done to his family when he isn’t as innocent as he pretends but Bella says Ross was a bad man who killed her mum and hurt Colby, and that he’d have kept coming after them if Colby hadn’t killed him. Nikau says Colby’s a cop and knows how to cover for himself but Bella says Angelo has him rattled. She worries that if she says the wrong thing Colby, Dean and Willow will all go to jail. Later, the two of them are by the beach and Nikau is trying to convince Bella she’ll hold things together in the interview. However, she tells him she’s going to leave town so as not to drop Colby in it, saying she learned how to live off the grid with Ross. She admits he might never see her again and tells him she loves him. Ziggy comes over and tells Bella that Colby was looking for her, adding that if she talks to the police they’ll catch Ross’ killer. This settles it for Bella and she says her goodbyes to Nikau.

At the Morgan house, Tori tells Justin and Leah what Irene said about Jasmine. Justin isn’t convinced but says he’ll give it a try. He has trouble getting up, saying his back’s stiff but apparently hiding pain. He has to check on Ziggy about the garage. Tori asks him to look after Grace later. Leah goes to the Diner and is reunited with Marilyn and Irene. Marilyn confirms she’s enjoying living with Alf and Roo now she’s got over her doubts. Alf tells Roo and Marilyn that he’s going to go and see Martha and hopefully bring her back. He doesn’t think the bait shop will be a problem since Nikau can look after it.

Bella is packing a bag in her room. Colby comes home and Bella convinces him she wants to go to the police station on her own. Colby accepts it and tells her that whatever happens is on him. Meanwhile, Nikau takes a wad of Tane’s money from the shed. At Salt, Colby and Dean are sharing a beer. Dean encourages Colby to think that Bella can cope with the interview but Colby doesn’t think she can handle Angelo. Back at the flat, Bella is nearly packed when Nikau arrives and announces that he’s going with her, showing that he’s got the cash. Bella protests that his uncles are here but Nikau says he loves her and doesn’t want to lose her.

Ziggy arrives at the surf club to find the board shop closed. Justin also appears and says she did a good job at the garage. Ziggy says she had to leave the rust job for him and Justin needs reminding which car she’s talking about. Ziggy asks for time off for the surf comp and Justin agrees. He gets a text from Tori asking where he is and leaves. Dean appears and tells Ziggy he’s thinking about the comp. Outside the bait shop, Alf tells Tori that Nikau’s late for his shift when he wanted to see Martha, while Tori notes she’s nearly late for her shift since Justin isn’t there to look after Grace. Justin arrives: He seems to have forgotten he was meant to be minding Grace but Tori thinks he’s joking. Alf says Nikau had better turn up.

Bella and Nikau are walking by the town sign, attempting to hitch-hike. A car stops for them and they run towards it. At the surf club, Dean and Ziggy discuss where to stay for the comp and decide to get a place at a camp ground near the surf. Colby comes downstairs and says Bella never showed up for the police interview. He and Dean race to the flat and find her bag and camera gone and a note saying that she can’t do it and it’s better this way. Colby realises she’s gone.