Episode 7514

Extended Summary

Alf, Roo and Ryder are heading through the caravan park to the van Martha’s been using. Alf explains Martha disappeared about an hour ago after a group therapy session, with Roo noting she’s a voluntary patient so the hospital can’t stop her leaving. Marilyn joins them and says there was no sign of Martha on her way from the Diner. Alf unlocks the van and goes inside, finding not the art studio they were expecting but the clothes laid out for Kieran. Ryder wonders how worried they should be and Roo says very. Meanwhile, Irene is about to leave the beach house when she encounters Martha, who bundles her way in. Irene notices Martha is barefoot and asks if she’s walked from the hospital like that. Martha says she needs Irene’s help. Irene says she’ll put the kettle on.

John and Susie are walking up from the beach. John is having to cover for a cleaner at the surf club. Susie says the women’s changing room has broken tiles and John says the men’s has mould and wonky plumbing. Although John was elected on a promise to change, there’s no cash for it. Susie suggests a fundraiser. John is keen but isn’t sure the committee will agree. Leah and Justin appear and admit they haven’t been able to get the money together. They all head inside where Leah shows Susie the latest rejection. Susie asks if they’ve considered a private lender. Leah is worried about the higher fees and interest rates but agrees to consider it. John lets Susie use the office. She calls someone, saying she had to keep her head down after their last deal and now needs some help with a couple she has “on the hook”.

Irene brings Martha some tea. Martha thinks the hospital is a waste of time because the doctor’s got it wrong. She wants Irene to call Roo and explain that she saw Kieran, then she’ll tell Alf and the doctors. Outside the caravan park house, Alf is making plans for him, Roo and Ryder to split up and search. He wonders if Martha’s gone to Merimbula but Ryder says she wouldn’t have time. Alf gets a call from Irene, who pretends she’s talking to Roo and says that Martha’s there. Alf says they’re on their way and fills in the others. He insists on going with Roo, leaving Ryder and Marilyn behind.

At Salt, John and Susie have met with Leah and Justin. Susie says her broker has arranged a loan. Leah asks to see the paperwork and John notes Susie’s used the surf club letterhead. Leah is worried about the repayments. Susie tells them that there’s been another offer on the house and they have twenty-four hours to get the money together, Leah and Justin asks for more time. Meanwhile, Roo arrives at the beach house but Martha isn’t impressed when Alf follows her in, even after he says he just wanted to say hello. Irene tries to leave them and Roo tries to get Martha to come back to the hospital but Martha presses Irene to say that she saw Kieran. Instead, Irene admits that Martha was talking to herself and she only said she’d seen Kieran because she didn’t want to contradict her. Roo holds Alf back and comforts Martha, who is upset that Kieran didn’t come back after all.

Irene goes to the Diner and fills in Marilyn and Ryder. They express confidence that Alf or Roo will sort it out. Ryder decides to head into work and see if Mackenzie wants help. Irene admits to Marilyn that she should have told the truth to Martha sooner. Marilyn tries to reassure her. Later at Salt, Leah is examining the finances closely but Justin is keen to go ahead with the loan. Ryder briefly checks on them.

Martha is still reluctant to go back to the hospital, saying she was lonely surrounded by strangers, and asks Alf and Roo if she can stay with them. Alf and Roo retreat into the kitchen. They both think Martha needs to go back but don’t want to force her. Alf brings Martha a glass of water and notes he will be with her if she goes back, asking her to trust him again. Up at Salt, Ryder chats to Leah about the mortgage plans. Leah notes it’s a financial risk but it’s their dream. Justin returns and Leah says they’ll struggle to make repayments but she’s prepared to do it.

Alf and Roo chat about Martha’s decision. Roo is keen to support Alf and he promises he’ll tell her if he needs anything. Martha wants to see Irene before she goes in order to apologise, so they take her to the Diner. Irene is fine and assures Martha they’re friends and she’s getting the help she needs. Marilyn chimes in that she’s not alone. Alf and Martha leave, with Roo saying she’ll get the car and meet them at the hospital. Roo admits she’s not sure Alf is coping.

Leah and Justin tell John and Susie they want to accept the loan. Susie says she’ll sort out the paperwork in the morning and give the money to the agency, who’ll keep it in a trust fund until the settlement date. John asks Ryder for a bottle of the best bubbles. Roo turns up and beckons Ryder over, asking if he can get off work. The two of them head to the hospital and find Alf sat in the corridor, with Martha in with the doctor. Roo checks with Alf that they’re doing the right thing.

John, Susie, Leah and Justin come down from the surf club with Justin noting Susie has changed their lives. Leah and Justin leave. John comes up with the idea of a surfing competition to raise funds, including semi-pro events for locals. Susie says she’ll help sort out sponsorship. Meanwhile, Alf, Roo and Ryder are now in with Martha but have to go soon. Roo and Ryder say their goodbyes but Alf lingers behind. He and Martha reflect on the fact she didn’t get to speak to Kieran. Alf doesn’t think she should be alone. He says she should see the doctor tomorrow to sort out her medication and counselling, then he’ll take her home.