Episode 8465

Extended Summary

Harper arrives at the surf club and nearly walks out on seeing Tane there. Tane asks how she’s been and she says she’s fine but doesn’t want to get into it. A passing John checks they’re okay and Tane irritably says they’re focusing on what’s best for the baby. John gets a call from Alf (who he refers to as “his majesty”). Harper says someone needs to eat and Tane apologises for holding her up. Harper seems to change her mind about going to Salt and heads out.

At the caravan park house, Alf is apologising to John on the phone. Eliza listens in from the stairs as Alf says she won’t shirk her responsibilities. On ending the call, he calls out asking if she got all that before heading into the hall. Eliza asks how he knew and he says he’s had a lifetime listening to those stairs creak. Eliza reminds him she’s with Harper tomorrow but Alf expects her at the bait shop afterwards. Eliza says that’s up to Roo and it’s not her fault he’s old. Alf says he’ll teach her respect over his dead body. Eliza asks if he’s done. After a few seconds of them staring at each other in silence, she heads back upstairs.

Harper arrives back at the beach house and tells Marilyn about running into Tane. Marilyn offers to make her dinner and says they’ll get used to it, pointing to herself and John, who she has to see every day. Harper says she didn’t know they were together and Marilyn tells her they were married and raised a foster son.

At Salt, Gage refers to himself and Theo as true revheads and seems to accept him wanting to hold onto his car. He goes to get another round in. Lacey warns Theo that no-one says no to Gage but Theo says he’s not worried. They are interrupted by Sonny, who wants a word with Theo alone. He asks Lacey how many guys she’s seeing right now and Lacey asks if he’s jealous he’s not one of them. Theo tells them to keep it down.

Theo accompanies Sonny downstairs. Sonny tries to insist it’s madness to hang around Gage and Lacey. Theo tells him about Gage offering him 25K for the car. Sonny thinks he should take it, then he’d clear his debts, have some left over and get rid of Gage. Theo starts to walk away before agreeing to buy Sonny breakfast tomorrow. Next morning, John meets Tane in the street and apologises if he put his foot in it last night. He suggests it will take time but Tane says he doesn’t have that, since he’ll be a dad in a few days and isn’t allowed to be at the birth. John thinks he’ll find a way.

Marilyn brings Harper a snack to keep her strength up. Harper notes she has her social worker hat on today. At that moment, Eliza turns up and says she was invited. Harper explains Roo asked her to spend time with Eliza. Marilyn wants to talk to Roo but is told she’s at a fostering seminar, with Eliza adding that she’s learning to be a better parent because she cares. Eliza comments on how big Harper has got and notes that it’s the day after tomorrow they’ll slice her open and she’ll be awake throughout.

At the Diner, Leah serves Theo and Sonny and comments on them spending time together again. Sonny thanks her for letting him stay. After Leah’s gone, Sonny gets back to trying to convince Theo to sell the car to Gage. Theo gets a text which he claims was from Justin but Sonny guesses was Lacey or Gage. Theo says Lacey is too busy to spend time with him today and Gage will let him know when he’s ready to race.

Eliza heads to the bathroom. Marilyn takes the opportunity to sidle up to Harper and call Eliza manipulative. Harper suggests all fourteen-year-olds do those things. Marilyn comments on being there because she’s scared to be around Eliza. Harper says she’s trying to work out why Eliza does those things. Eliza returns and says she thought it would just be the two of them, suggesting they go for a walk. Harper brushes aside Marilyn’s stammered objections, saying Eliza will look after her if she gets tired.

At the surf club, John offers Tane the benefit of some advice, saying that Harper will change her mind in time and the kid will need him for ten, twenty, thirty, fifty years. He notices Sonny hanging around and notes he hasn’t seen him in a while. Sonny confirms he’s moved out of the Lyrik house but says he’s waiting for someone. Gage turns up and Sonny offers him a chance to make money. Gage agrees to a beer with him.

Eliza says she likes to keep things, comparing it to the Ancient Egyptians being buried with their trophies. She says she didn’t get to keep a lot of things moving around while kids at school had loads of stuff and didn’t appreciate it. She says Harper and Roo get it but Alf is mean, old and stupid. They see Tane approaching and Harper admits they’re not engaged anymore. She approaches Tane who wonders why she’s alone with Eliza, insisting there’s something seriously wrong with her. Harper says it’s none of his business.

On the balcony at Salt, Sonny tells Gage that he’s got racing experience in Colombia and Peru and tries to get him to let him race instead of Theo. Gage isn’t keen on the proposition, saying he doesn’t know, like or trust Sonny, whereas he does trust Theo. Sonny says Theo’s aunt and uncle are friends with a local cop and Gage realises he means Cash. Sonny offers to race twice for free and Gage agrees to think about it.

Theo is waiting by his car outside as Lacey approaches. She notes she suddenly became free because Gage had to deal with a business thing. She stops Theo kissing her in public and warns him that he doesn’t know how scary Gage can be. Theo thinks Gage respects him and Lacey suggests it’s the same way Theo respects that Gage has a girlfriend. They drive off.

Inside, Harper brings Eliza a drink. Eliza thanks her for defending her to Tane. John comes over and comments on Eliza leaving without finishing her jobs before withdrawing. Eliza comments on everyone sticking their nose in and Harper says it’s the price of living in a small town. Eliza comments on her toxic ex and Harper says Tane isn’t toxic. Eliza wonders who’ll help her with the baby now and Harper says she has her sister and her friends. Eliza offers to help and Harper says she wishes more people saw this side of her.

At the Diner, Marilyn complains to Leah that Harper just thinks Eliza’s misunderstood. Leah suggests Harper’s had experience dealing with troubled teens but Marilyn thinks Eliza’s more than troubled. Tane turns up, looking for Roo and unhappy about her palming Eliza off on Harper. Marilyn offers to go home and keep an eye on them.

In Harper’s room, Eliza is helping Harper sort through baby clothes and comments on how small and fragile the baby is. Harper says she’s only told a select few about the baby being a boy. Eliza asks why she’s not having a natural birth and Harper says her recent surgery makes it dangerous for them both. Eliza asks to see her scar afterwards. Marilyn turns up and Eliza bluntly says they don’t need help. Marilyn heads upstairs after a quick call to Tane updating him. Harper suggests she and Eliza go for a drive. Marilyn comes downstairs just too late to catch them.

Theo and Lacey pull up outside the surf club again and Theo hopes that Gage bails on her again soon. Lacey offers to send him some cheeky pics later. Gage comes out of the surf club and sees them kissing in the car. He ducks out of sight, looking like he’s struggling to control himself.