Episode 6867

Extended Summary

Ash is alone in the bush, sitting by a camp fire and looking somewhat worse for wear. He calls someone and asks them for a favour. Meanwhile, at the Morgan house, Justin gets Nina a water but she is keen to leave as soon as possible Justin tries to dissuade her and Tori interjects that Ava is due to see a counsellor, suggesting they stay for that. Willow turns up with breakfast and a “toy thing” for Ava, prompting Nina to go and check on her. Justin explains before Tori and Willow leave. Nina returns with Ava, and she and Justin convince Nina to stay for breakfast so she can say goodbye to the rest of the family.

Robbo finds Tori on the beach and guesses she is looking to see if Ash has come back. Tori apologises for blaming him but wonders why he’s come back to Summer Bay. Robbo says it’s the only place he feels close to Kat and he said he’d stay out of Ash’s way. He offers to help look for Ash but Tori points out that’s not a good idea. She gets a text and hurries off. At Salt, Raffy and Ava are worrying that they won’t see each other again. Justin asks Nina what she knows about Hazel and starts to say that she thought Willow owed her. Nina jumps on it and tells Ava they’re going. At that moment, Willow comes in and she and Ava greet each other affectionately. Tori also arrives and Justin convinces Nina to let her take Ava down the beach so they can talk.

Downstairs, John and Willow try to reassure Raffy that things will work out with Ava. After she’s out of earshot, Mason reflects that if Nina really does want to keep Justin away from Ava, she’s got enough ammunition to do it. Meanwhile, Justin, Tori, Nina and Ava are walking near the beach and Justin convinces Nina to let Tori take Ava back to the house so they can talk. He tells her that Willow’s trying to change her life. Nina is unimpressed but Justin points out Ava wants to stay and says they need to move forward. Nina says she needs time to think.

Dean drives up to Ash’s campsite and says he got a hard time from the nurses for leaving hospital early. They make small talk and Dean wonders why Ash dragged him out there. Ash tells him the feds let Robbo go. Dean offers to get the boys together again but Ash thinks there’s no point. Later, they share a drink which Dean notes tastes like old socks. Ash asks if he’s made things up with Colby and Dean says he hasn’t seen him. He offers to call Tori, saying he’s no good at discussing feelings. Ash tells him not to put himself down, saying he’s the only person he’s been able to count on.

John talks to Marilyn at the Diner about how worried Raffy was about Ava. Marilyn thinks Raffy shouldn’t be worrying about everything that’s going on with her family and needs stability. Later, they meet Raffy at Salt. She wonders why they’re eating there instead of home and John is somewhat evasive, discussing the prices. Raffy pushes them and they tell her they think she needs to concentrate on her schoolwork instead of worrying about her family’s problems. They invite her to move in with them permanently but assure her it’s her choice. She looks torn.

Nina is on the wharf, on the phone to Brian and seeming uncertain how things will play out. She hangs up as Willow approaches. Willow says what happened was her fault, not Justin’s. She says he’s a good dad and Ava’s lucky to have two families that love her. Nina says she’s going to leave it up to Nina: Ava won’t be a part of Justin’s life so long as she is. She adds that she knows Willow will make the right choice for Justin. Back in the bush, Ash has filled Dean in. Dean suggests it might be a lie but Ash points out the feds took him out of court and he’s got away with everything. Ash thinks he’s losing his mind but Dean suggests he’s grieving. Ash says Dean was right in the first place and tells him to go.

Marilyn serves Tori at the Diner and asks if she’s spoken to Raffy since lunch. Tori hasn’t. She goes over to Robbo’s table. Robbo assumes the text she got before was about Ash but Tori says for once it was family stuff. Robbo suggests she concentrate on that since he and Ash don’t need her to save them anymore. Tori heads home where Mason tells her Nina took Ava. Justin is confused, since Nina said she was going to think about it then just took her. She’s said that he might be able to see her in the city but she won’t won’t be able to come to Summer Bay. Justin then gets a text from Raffy asking to meet him.

John sits with Raffy at Salt until Justin arrives. Justin tells her about Ava. Raffy tells him she wants to stay with John and Marilyn. Justin says she can stay there as long as she wants. Raffy explains she wants to stay there permanently, saying she needs stability. Justin is disappointed but accepts it. Later, Willow finds him on the beach. He tells her about Raffy and Ava, adding that at least Raffy has choices. Willow tells him she’s ending their relationship: She’s brought his family nothing but trouble. Justin insists it’s not what he wants but Willow says it’s what she wants.

Ash finds Dean back at the campsite; he has cooked some beans and brought some beer. Ash still refuses his advice, saying grieving was carrying his son’s coffin. He says if Dean isn’t going then he is. Dean accuses him of always running away. Ash heads down to the riverside where he breaks down in tears. Dean watches from the trees as Ash collapses to his knees, sobbing.