Episode 6618

Extended Summary

Leah is furious that Irene wants to take Luc permanently and unleashes a torrent of anger on her old friend, who just wants to help. Leah feels attacked and lashes out. Irene argues she’s living with the guilt of Mick’s actions every day and wants to look after her grandchild to make up for it. Leah pointedly tells Irene that Luc is VJ’s child and ends the conversation. Irene is shaken by this huge rift her longtime friend. When Irene casually drops news of her offer to the Pattersons to Ash, he’s angry. Irene doesn’t get to make decisions about Luc without him! Kat rescues Irene, who doesn’t need to be yelled at again. VJ comes home from school and Leah lets him know Irene filled her in on how he lost his temper with Luc yesterday and VJ promises it won’t happen again, but maybe it would be a good idea for Luc to stay at Irene’s one night a week, as part of her normal routine. Leah has news for VJ. Later, VJ storms into the Diner and tells Irene to shove her ideas about taking Luc permanently. Irene insists she just wants what’s best for VJ, she’s worried about him and Luc. VJ won’t ever give Luc up. Irene has no rights to Luc, just like her son Mick. She only sees Luc because the Pattersons let her. Irene’s copping a verbal beating today! At home, Leah’s scolding VJ for arguing with Irene when Irene rocks up. VJ apologises for being rude but he’s not backing down about Luc. Irene apologises too. They all mean the world to her. Leah wants to put it all behind them. Irene thinks the best thing for Luc is if they all work together and stop fighting. Leah checks, we’re all on the same page though, right? Irene hesitantly agrees, yes, they are. Irene suggests a reconciliatory cuppa, but a still not quite forgiving Leah puts her off, maybe another time. Clearly hurt, Irene backs out the door and Leah watches her go, torn.

In the morning, Kat finds Patrick at the beach. Ash hasn’t returned any of Patrick’s calls and he wonders if he’s wasting his time. Kat heads over to the caravan park and finds a brooding Ash who isn’t ready to work things out with Patrick. Kat begs Ash to talk to his brother but Ash has his mind set. Entering Salt in a rage after almost running into John, Kat tries to placate him but he runs straight into Patrick. Kat’s organised a meet up between the brothers. Ash doesn’t understand how they can be family when Patrick won’t even use his real name. . Patrick tries to open up, he’s been jackerooing up north, he needed the space and quiet to get his head together. Of course he wishes he’d gotten it together earlier to see Billie. Ash feels Patrick let them both down. Patrick argues he’s here now and wants to be Ash’s brother if he’ll let him.

A happy Nate and Tori are heading in for a shower but are interrupted by Raffy, who lets them know Mason and Brody are also still around. The lovebirds head over to the Beach House and things start to heat up before they’re interrupted again, this time by a smirking Irene. Irene’s had a change table shipped to the house and Nate offers to build it. The three check out the beautiful nursery Irene has set up. Nate thinks Luc couldn’t ask for a better grandma, but Irene is obviously still reeling from her argument with Leah last night. While Nate builds the table in the nursery, Irene tells Tori how happy she is for the rekindled couple over tea. When she mentions how great Nate is with kids Tori puts the brakes on, reminding Irene they’ve only just got back together. Irene urges Tori to think of her biological clock ticking and to make sure they’re on the same page on the kids front before they get too serious again, Nate’s the cluckiest guy Irene knows. Rattled, Tori makes an excuse to get out of there quick smart. Arriving home, Raffy comments that Tori’s mood has clearly changed from earlier. Tori worries to her younger sister about Nate maybe thinking about having kids. Raffy tells her she’s freaking out about nothing. Raffy clears it up for Tori: she and Nate both want kids sometime in the future, so what’s the problem? Tori pauses, huh, maybe there is no problem. Later, Irene apologises, she knows she spooked Tori with the baby talk earlier. Tori hadn’t thought about kids before, it hadn’t been an option in witness protection. Irene thinks Tori would be a great mother and now she’s free it is an option. Irene thinks Nate would be a great dad, a stable father is just what a kid needs. Tori is left with her thoughts. On the beach, Tori runs into Nate and admits Irene’s idea that Nate might want kids soon threw her a bit, but she’s all for having them in the future. Nate wonders why they’re talking about kids, he doesn’t want them. Ever. Tori’s thrown.

At Palmer House, John is staunchly opting out of a beach walk with Marilyn, he hasn’t left the house for a week to avoid being harassed by locals. Marilyn’s sure everyone would have calmed down by now but John’s in complete disagreement. Luckily Alf arrives with good news. He’s convinced the Surf Club Board to meet about reinstating John. John peps up. John and Marilyn go out for their walk and run into Ash and Kat. Kat tries to prevent Ash from confronting John, but John seems keen to clear the air. Marilyn begs John not to. The women successfully prevent the men from speaking to one another. While Alf and the Board meet, Marilyn admires John’s handiwork on the exterior of the Surf Club. Alf exits the meeting and informs them both that John’s been reinstated. Marilyn and John are thrilled, finally a second chance for John! Ash overhears and confronts John about Billie’s death, grabbing John and shoving him against a pylon with a murderous look in his eyes. Marilyn shrieks, Alf crows and Patrick tries to pull Ash away.