Episode 6452

Extended Summary

Roo asks Nate the odds of Alf making a full recovery from his paralysis. He can’t give her any, it’s too soon to tell, but at least they caught the stroke early.

Kat continues trying to coordinate search efforts for Irene, while growing fed up with Chris and Olivia demanding to help out. The more time they talk, the less time she has. They can help by going back to town and waiting. An anxious Chris and Olivia stalk off.

Tori runs into Justin outside the Pier Diner, letting him know Alf isn’t doing too badly all things considered. He was lucky Justin was there to save him on the boat. She suggests Justin could go and visit Alf in hospital but he is set against it, figuring it’s just a family thing. But Tori thinks Alf wouldn’t mind seeing the guy that saved his life. Justin arrives at the hospital looking for Alf’s room. Nate offers to show him the way, commending Justin on saving Alf, and on him and his family sticking together after their parents’ deaths. Justin is a little taken aback that Tori would tell Nate about their parents, but lets it slide. Roo is thrilled to meet Justin. Alf shakes his hand with his non-paralysed arm. Justin quickly grows awkward and goes to leave. Roo tries to ask him to mind the Bait Shop, but Alf shoots it down – they’re not opening right now.

John downloads to Marilyn about Skye – she reassures him that he did the best for her. She’s just a bit sad that she never got to meet Skye herself. Marilyn busily searches for a coffee grinder, surprising John – she doesn’t drink coffee! But it turns out her trip around the world has changed her tastes, in fact, she admits it has changed her in lots of ways. John looks on a little unsettled at this news. Marilyn and John share coffee together, until some beans are spilt. Marilyn learns that John has rearranged the house slightly, including the location of the dustpan and brush. It quickly becomes clear they are going through a bit of a readjustment period to each other’s company.

Irene pleads with Mick as he continues pulling her through bushland via a rope. She’s sorry that terrible things happened to him growing up, but it’s not her fault, she’s not his mother. She’ll help him anyway she can but he has to let her go. Mick isn’t having any of it – if Irene wants to do something, she can stop lying! He’s determined never to let her leave him again. Irene grabs a large rock while he talks and smashes him across the head, fleeing in fear. Chris and Olivia pull up in the bush, debating whether to go back into town or not, when out of now where, Irene comes running across the road, emotionally and physically exhausted. Chris and Olivia rush to hold her, and the three break down, overwhelmed by it all. They take her straight to hospital, where a surprised Nate finds out about the kidnapping. He puts her on some IV’s and begins checking her over. Kat arrives and hands Nate some forensically sealed documents discovered at the crime scene, asking him to check them out for her. He nods, a clear understanding passing between the two. Nate is writing Irene a referral to a psychologist when Mick is wheeled through the hospital corridor by ambulance and Police. Olivia charges over, grabbing Mick by the shirt, demanding to know why he did this. Mick stares, dumbstruck – while a visibly shaken Irene asks if she can go home now. Kat says she can get a statement from her whenever she’s ready at the station, but Irene would rather do it today, at her place.

Roo downloads to Leah who’s back from looking after her brother. Leah’s sorry to hear about Alf’s situation, assuming the Bait Shop won’t be open any time soon – having already heard complaints about it being shut. This prompts Roo to check with Justin again. Will he run the Bait Shop? She lies saying Alf has come round after all. Justin’s up for it. Tori later finds Justin outside the Bait Shop, and is impressed to learn that he is the new manager – hallelujah he has a job!
Nearby, Nate is thrown as he receives a picture message. Tori cottons on to his devastation and they get to chatting. He’s been receiving texts from Ricky of Casey. He knows they’re coming from a good place, but they’re clearly tearing him up. Justin later pulls Tori up on giving away too much information about their family to Nate. He demands she cut him off before she gets them in any more danger… Nate later tries to have a beer with Tori and discuss what to do about these photos. But she shuts it down, saying it’s not appropriate for them to hang out. She’s his boss not his friend.

An emotional Irene gives her statement about the events of the kidnapping on the night of the explosion. She was locked away by herself in a room all this time. There was never any violence – but he kept saying he wanted to punish her, certain that he was her son. Chris and Olivia are adamant that this guy was off his rocker. They try to look after Irene, but all she wants to do is sleep – lying down. Kat has some background on Mick, he’s got a rap sheet for grievous bodily harm, and even sexual assault. Irene maintains that never happened. Kat understands, it seems this was about something else – he was right. Irene is devastated all over again to learn that she is, in fact, his mother.

After a conversation with Leah, Marilyn realises she’s being silly to worry about being a little out of sync with John. They’ve been apart so long, of course it’s going to feel a little odd at first. She arrives home to find John preparing a big meal for her, but she’s already eaten. It’s all put on hold however, as they learn about Irene’s kidnapping. Leah, John, and Marilyn are all there to check on Irene, but she assures them that she just needs a lie down. The moment they leave she breaks down. Chris tries to tell her this isn’t her fault, the guy Mick has turned into has nothing to do with her. But Irene is too distraught and overwhelmed with guilt.