Episode 8435

Extended Summary

Tane is finishing off a class on the beach as Harper arrives. She comments on how she seems to have got bigger overnight and how it’s only seven weeks away. Tane has been looking up a hot springs retreat for their honeymoon. Harper says she needs to talk him to him about something and Tane suggests they meet at Salt in half an hour.

Roo tries to get Eliza involved in some home schooling textbooks. Eliza shows no interest in English or Maths so Roo gives her a History book. Eliza’s attention is caught by a page on field medicine. Alf says his grandfather fought in World War I and survived the Somme. Roo adds that Alf was a soldier in Vietnam. Eliza asks what it was like to see people die and Alf says it’s not something he wants to dwell on. He suggests she come to the surf club to do some jobs for him and she agrees. Roo thanks him but he says not to thank him yet.

At the garage, Justin looks over the part, saying the seals are old and the bearing’s sticking, calling it a waste of money. Leah checks the paperwork and notices there’s no business address. Theo arrives and is unhappy that they opened something addressed to him. Justin says it was delivered to his garage. Theo says he listened to Justin but made his own decision.

Alf takes Eliza to the surf club and gives her a brief tour. John appears and Alf introduces Eliza. John reflects on fostering and then adopting Jett before asking if she’s into pool. Eliza says she doesn’t see the point of it. Alf says Eliza will be changing the batteries on the walkie talkies. John quietly comments on Eliza not being friendly and Alf admits she keeps to herself.

Tane joins Harper up in Salt. She explain that her supervisor reminded her she needs to do a handover with her maternity leave replacement. However, since he’s based in the city, she’ll have to commute back and forth to brief him on her cases. Tane isn’t happy about her spending hours on the road each day. Downstairs, Alf briefs Eliza on how to check off each radio. Eliza says he doesn’t need to watch over her but Alf says he thought they should get along. Roo arrives and Alf walks aside with her, telling her not to check up on him when he’s trying to break the ice. Tane and Harper come down; Harper tells Tane she’s not asking permission and he leaves. Eliza walks over and places her hands on Harper’s bump, asking what it’s like. Harper looks uncomfortable and a bit unnerved. Roo steps in.

Justin tries to dissuade Theo from using the part. Leah isn’t really following the conversation and leaves them to it. Theo says he understands that it was Justin’s passion project as well to start with but he’s the one that put all the money into it so he’s the one making the decisions and it’s up to Justin whether he helps him or not.

Alf and Roo do their best to reassure Harper, explaining about Eliza. Roo tries to get Eliza to apologise but she doesn’t respond. Harper insists it’s not a big deal and she has to go and meet John anyway. Roo wants to take Eliza home but Alf convinces her to let her stay, saying Eliza needs to learn how to behave in public and they can’t keep locking her away at home.

Tane has gone to see Levi to see how he feels about Harper driving. Levi says she’s been cleared to drive and suggests Tane talks to Dr Shaw but Tane says Harper’s going to start tomorrow. Levi can’t say there’s nothing to be worried about. At the Diner, Harper is telling John about her handover. John says she can just e-mail him any ideas she has but expresses concerns about her driving. Marilyn interjects that Harper knows her own body. Levi and Tane arrive and John leaves them to it. Levi suggests they talk through Harper’s options but Harper says she didn’t ask for his opinion.

Theo is celebrating getting the car engine going and wants to go back to the site for more parts. Justin draws his attention to the fact the engine is smoking and gets him to turn it off, before saying he’s not saying a word. Meanwhile, Alf and Eliza arrive back at the caravan park. Alf tries to have a word with Eliza about what happened with Harper, saying you can’t touch people like that without asking. He notices some of the rentals have been brought back at the bait shop and convinces Eliza to help him rinse them off. She seems to get a bit fixated on a leaf in the bucket as she fills it. She notes she think about babies and how some get born and others don’t.

Harper is sticking to her guns with Tane and Levi. Levi suggests they come up with some sort of a compromise, saying that Harper could stay in the city during the handover. Tane agrees her employer should find her accommodation. Harper says she can ask and has a friend she can stay with if they don’t. Tane agrees on condition he drives her in tomorrow.

Justin and Theo join Leah at the coffee cart. Theo admits the pump is busted. Justin says it blew the head gasket and Theo agrees that will take more time and money but says he took a risk, and even though it didn’t pay off, next time it might. After Theo’s gone, Leah reminds Justin he told her to let Theo make his own decisions. Justin admits he’s nearly eating his words since Theo messed up and doesn’t seem to have learned anything from it, but agrees to back off.

Eliza joins Alf inside the bait shop and comments on being used as free labour. Alf says he’s just getting everything ready to go fishing tomorrow. Eliza wonders why he has so many knives and Alf says some are for cutting bait, some for slicing, boning or filleting. He suggests Eliza come with him. She agrees and he goes to get her a rod.

That evening, Alf, Marilyn, Roo and Eliza are having dinner together. Alf comments on Eliza helping him out and says there might be a real job in it for her. Eliza asks to go to her room and Alf reminds her to set her alarm for tomorrow. Roo thanks Alf for his help. Upstairs, Eliza gets out her music box, takes out a knife she’s hidden in her sock and adds it to her collection.