Episode 8558

Extended Summary

John runs into Justin on the beach and asks if he and Leah are coming to his dinner, explaining he put the invite on their group chat (which he set up this morning). Justin agrees but is slightly puzzled by it, saying John’s never done anything like this before. John brushes aside his comments. At the hospital, Dana is on the phone to Sonny, saying she’s about to leave work and describing her scrubs. Bree and Jo, who are in earshot, are cringing somewhat. Dana starts telling Sonny he needs to hang up first, until Bree takes the phone, says goodbye to Sonny and hangs up. Dana and Jo go to leave but Bree says she still has work to do.

Lacey tells Theo to stop talking about her family. Sonny turns up and says he’s going to meet Dana, inviting them to join him. Theo agrees, in a slightly muted fashion. Outside the surf club, Dana tells Jo that Bree’s always at work and she’s barely seen her since she moved in. She says her and Sonny living together has gone well. Jo asks about Tane and Harper, and Dana says she hasn’t heard anything so assume it’s going well. They run into John, and Dana chats to him briefly before going to meet Sonny. John realises who Jo is and introduces himself; he assumes she’s heard of him but she hasn’t. He offers to show her around the surf club but she says she’s already been there plus David’s approaching. David tells Jo he went to see Lacey.

Dana joins Sonny, Theo and Lacey inside. Dana is texting Harper, since she hasn’t seen her lately. Sonny wonders how come Bree’s been working 24 hours straight. Dana thinks she’s avoiding them. Lacey points out she’s going through a break-up and living with two couples. Dana starts to say it’s more complicated than that…then realises it actually is that. Sonny says to leave it to him. At the hospital, Bree tries to buy a bag of crisps from a vending machine but it won’t co-operate. Sonny arrives and says he’s there to save her from herself and the machine from her, and make her an offer she can’t refuse.

Down in the Diner, both Marilyn and Alf tell Leah they don’t want to go to John’s dinner. Justin arrives and says he said they’re going. Leah thinks John needs cheering up, since his best friend just left for good. Alf decides he and Marilyn should go after all. Upstairs, Dana arrives home and tells Sonny that Theo got his message to bring booze. Sonny tells her to clear space for a bar and ice, explaining his plan to throw a party and show Bree she doesn’t have to keep her distance. Dana says that’s sweet and kisses him…just as Bree arrives back. Bree offers to go but Dana drags her off to get ready.

David and Jo have turned up at the Diner. Jo thinks David should give up on trying to talk to Lacey. David says it’s part of being a parent but Jo says it just hurts when he gets rejected. David explains about seeing Cohen reunited with his father and recalls how Lacey used to be the first to run up to him and talk about her day when he arrived home. He offers to buy Jo anything she wants for dinner.

Upstairs, Sonny has explained his idea to Theo and Lacey. Bree and Dana appear, having got dressed up, and Dana calls Bree the guest of honour. She and Sonny explain the party is to celebrate her, since she’s been a fifth wheel lately. Bree says they’re two couples and her but Dana says they’re five friends. Sonny leads them over to “Water or vodka”, a set of shot glasses that may be one or the other. It’s only after they’ve all downed one that he admits they’re all vodka.

John greets Alf and Marilyn as they join him, Leah and Justin at Salt. He says he’s turning over a new leaf and they should catch up over a chat. He shows them photos Irene’s sent him from Cyprus and Leah says it’s good she gets to see Luc. He tells them he’s going to see Irene in Paris in six weeks before offering a round of drinks.

Bree, Dana and Lacey are all dancing in the flat. Downstairs, David and Jo discuss the decorating. Jo is sorry Lacey isn’t joining them but thinks they should just hope she changes her mind. The noise from the party can be heard. David gets a call from Cash saying there’s been a noise complaint. Jo warns him about poking the bear and suggests sending one of his minions but David insists on going himself.

Bree, Dana and Lacey continue their dancing as Sonny and Theo arrive with pizza. David arrives and tells them about the noise complaints and that he can’t say who they’re from. Lacey protests that it’s still early but Theo turns the music off. David thanks him and leaves. He returns to the Diner and advises Jo to get out of there since Lacey’s bound to be right behind him. Sure enough, Lacey comes in and slams the key down. David says he couldn’t make an exception for her. Lacey retorts that he does for Jo and tells him to stay away from her.

John is at the bar getting drinks while Justin worries he’s not as happy as he seems. Alf goes over to John, who insists he’s fine. Alf recalls John was depressed not too long ago but John says he found Irene inspiring. Rejoining the others, he tells them that Irene’s letter reminded him that they should all look out for each other. He thinks they should meet up and check in on each other regularly. Leah agrees and they drink a toast to Irene.

Back at the flat, Theo leaves Lacey in her room. Sonny says it’s not a good party unless the cops arrive. Dana compliments Sonny then backs off. Bree says she won’t rush off back to the hospital if Dana kisses her boyfriend. Theo says she’s handling it better than Remi. Bree decides to go for a walk and invites Theo to come with her. After they’ve gone, Dana notes Sonny’s plan has worked but wishes she’d invited Harper and misses her. Sonny suggests she spends some time with her tomorrow.

The party at Salt finish eating; Alf has fishing in the morning and Marilyn suggests they get the bill. Leah suggests splitting it but John says he’ll pay since it’s his meal. It takes Alf and Marilyn a while to realise he isn’t joking. Justin quietly tells Leah that something’s definitely wrong. Later, Leah and Justin return to the Diner. Leah thinks Justin is making a mountain out of a molehill and John doesn’t seem to be missing Irene. Justin, however, thinks he’s behaving strangely and is going to keep an eye on him.

Back at Salt, John is now on his own. He heads out onto the balcony with a drink and sits looking miserable.