Episode 6698

Extended Summary

Leah returns to the Summer Bay House, in her activewear, after a run and is greeted by Alf and Roo who are sitting outside with a cuppa. Alf informs her that the Yabbie Creek marathon isn’t for another year, but Leah says she just needs the endorphins. Roo asks whether she’s still annoyed about missing out on getting the Pier. Leah asks how she guessed, and Alf concurs – it’s just a missed opportunity. Leah just hopes that the new owners don’t up the rent.

At the Farm House, Ben and Maggie sit Ziggy down and tell her that they don’t want her hanging around with Brody – he’s an ice addict. Ziggy refuses to believe it. Ben tells her that Justin says he’s clean … and that’s enough reason for Ziggy. Maggie says that his dealer tried to poison Brody’s family. Ziggy tries to pull the adult card, but her parents assure her that it’s non-negotiable. After Ziggy storms off, Coco enters and asks what’s going on, but Ben dismisses her. Later, Ziggy receives a text from Brody and tells Coco that Brody is on her mind, but their parents don’t want her with him. Coco overhears Ben and Maggie talking about looking at their new empire and about how Maggie doesn’t want to go because of Ziggy, however she presses and learns of Brody’s addiction.

In the Diner, Hunter tells Peggy to look at the menu after he clocks John. Hunter asks after Marilyn, and John assures that he’s off the hook. Hunter presses – if there’s anything he can do. John tells him he has a delivery due and his back’s playing up. Hunter informs him that he’s with his grandmother now, and with that, John heads over and introduces himself to Peggy – you don’t look old enough to be a grandmother. John assures Peggy that it’s important, it’s surf lifesaving equipment. Hunter attempts to protest, but John assures that he’ll look after Peggy.

Ben and Maggie head to the Diner to examine the Pier. Ben tells her that he’s been thinking and, with some careful planning, they might be able to open a new shop. Then, Ben, making sure there’s no one around, pulls Maggie into the kitchen to show her how it could walk as Leah walks in and asks what they are doing. Ben, trapped, is forced to tell Leah that he and Maggie now own the Pier. In the Bait Shop, Leah informs Alf of the news she’s just been told and he tries to calm her down, stating that maybe Ben can fix the pylon issue, but Leah thinks they’re up to something. Alf tells her to calm down and suggests that she invites Ben and Maggie around for lunch – to do what’s right for the business.

In the Farm House, Ben and Maggie tell Coco that they’re going to a business lunch and ask her to keep an eye on Ziggy. Coco tells her parents that she’ll call if there’s a problem with her. After Ben and Maggie leave, Ziggy goes into the living room and is chided by Coco – you must know about how bad ice is. It’s all over the internet. Ziggy rebuts, claiming that not everything on the internet is fact. They two argue and Ziggy tells Coco to stay out of her life, before heading back to her room and slamming the door. In the Living Area, Ziggy puts her shoes on, all dressed up and Coco asks where she’s going, urging her to be honest. Ziggy says that it’s none of her business. Coco says she’ll call their parents, but Ziggy doesn’t care and walks out.

Back at the Summer Bay House, Leah tells Irene and Leah that she’s not sure about lunch with the Astonis. Irene and Roo attempt to reassure her as Ben and Maggie arrive. Small talk ensues and Maggie says that the girls are adjusting, but adds that Ben saw Brody getting arrested. Roo assures that that is unusual for the Bay and Irene acts as a character witness for Brody – he’s a great guy, and addiction is a battle. Maggie changes the topic and tells Leah that the Greek recipes at the Diner are amazing. Later, Maggie is congratulated on her new role at the school and Roo divulges that she’s doing her DipEd. Onto business, the Astonis assure that they’ll be honouring their leases. Then, Ben reveals his plans to make a new shop – a beachwear boutique, which is met with hostility and after Leah says I told you so, the Astonis decide to leave. After their departure, Roo tries to calm Alf, Leah and Irene down, but Alf tells them that if they try to change their businesses, he’ll have to call in a few favours at the council.

Back home, Ben and Maggie agree that sometimes things have to change. Coco comes out and she tells her parents that she had a fight with Ziggy – she isn’t going to stay away from Brody. Ben heads out to find her and Coco asks Maggie why Ziggy hates her. Ben finds Ziggy down at the Pier. She tells her father that she would never get involved with Brody if he was on drugs still – he and Maggie always think that she’ll screw up. Ben asks whether she really wants to be with Brody and she says that when she found out, she knew she’d have to take a step back. That night, Maggie questions their decision to move to the Bay – did we make a mistake? Ben assures her that they need relax, everything will be fine.

Overlooking the beach, John informs Peggy that he’s the surf lifesaving supervisor. Hunter retorts – wasn’t that Mason? John brushes it aside, but continues to talk to Peggy about his life – he was in the navy. Peggy tells him that her husband, Ernest was in the Navy too, but he passed away a few years earlier and she’s now lonely. Later, at Salt, John has lunch with Peggy, Hunter and Olivia, and Olivia clocks that Peggy is flirting with John. After Hunter insults John and Olivia mimics Peggy, John realises and heads off, leaving $15 for his share of lunch. Peggy tells Hunter that John reminds her so much of Ernest – especially with his friend, Wally. Hunter doesn’t remember him, and Peggy tells him that Wally moved away the year Hunter was born. Realisation registers on Peggy’s face and she makes a hasty exit from Salt, leaving Hunter and Olivia confused. That night, Peggy rushes into the Beach House and she tells Hunter that she thinks she knows who his father is.