Episode 7026

Extended Summary

Colby and Bella pull up in Summer Bay; Colby tells Bella to stay in the car because he won’t be long. He chats to Dean and tells him that it’s hard to read Bella: He spent all night up talking with her at the motel because he was worried if he fell asleep she’d disappear. Dean tells him the police are looking for Bella and that Chelsea told them she was with Colby. He also mentions they found Michelle’s body. Colby thinks it’s too early for Bella to talk to the police and she could say anything. Bella gets out of the car, knowing they’re talking about her, so Colby leaves her with Dean while he makes a call. At the police station, Chelsea hides the call from McCarthy, saying she hasn’t heard from Colby. When she answers, Colby tries to say Bella needs to stay with him but Chelsea insists she needs to come in and make a statement. Colby hangs up on her.

At the Diner, Ryder and Raffy make a big show of offering to let the other one order first in front of Marilyn until Marilyn announces she’ll just get them what they usually have. She asks Irene if she thinks anything’s going on with the pair but Irene is more keen on getting orders out. At the surf club, Alf congratulates Ben on getting the board shop working and makes pointed comments to John about how much custom it’s getting. John calls it a novelty but does acknowledge that if it’s a success it’ll be good for the surf club. Ben needs to get a board from the trailer for a client but Dean’s been gone an hour. He asks John to keep an eye on the shop but John says he has the surf club and juice bar to look after so Ben has to close up for five minutes.

Dean, Colby and Bella turn up at the police station where Colby addresses Chelsea in a formal and distant manner. Chelsea takes him aside and insists she had no choice and didn’t tell McCarthy anything other than that Bella was with him. Colby is still unhappy with her. McCarthy emerges and meets Bella, saying she can have an adult in with her. Colby volunteers. McCarthy says since Bella is sixteen it’s up to her but Bella is fine with it. McCarthy gets Chelsea to accompany them in also. He asks Bella how she met up with Colby again. Colby starts to answer but McCarthy stops him. After a pause, Bella says Ross went out and she called Colby to come and get her. McCarthy asks how she found Colby’s number and she says she saw one of his social media posts. Colby backs up the story.

At the Diner, Alf confirms to Marilyn that Roo got off okay but doesn’t think they’ll be seeing much of her given she has a long road journey after her flight. He also notices Ryder with Raffy and notes he has work to do at home, which Ryder responds nervously to. As the teens leave, Marilyn asks Alf if they seem different but he doesn’t think so. On the beach, Raffy asks Ryder about him insisting on paying. Ryder thinks it’s what a boyfriend should do. Raffy asks if that’s what he is and after a bit of debate they eventually agree.

Dean is fiddling with a stapler in the police station reception. Chelsea tells him to stop. Dean is still unhappy about her involving the police with Bella, despite Chelsea pointing out that Ross is still out there and will probably come after Bella. He also asks about her transfer. Dean gets a phone call from Ben, who wonders where he is. Dean says he had a family emergency and now has community service later. Ben reluctantly accepts he’s not coming back and says he’ll see him tomorrow. John is quick to comment.

McCarthy asks Bella when she last saw Michelle. Bella says it was five years ago. Ross and Michelle were arguing and, when Ross was out, Michelle suddenly started packing and told Bella they had to leave: She wanted Bella to go to bed as normal and then she’d get her during the night. Instead, Bella told Ross who dismissed it as a joke. Michelle never came for Bella and next morning she was gone and Ross said she left because she didn’t love them. McCarthy shows her a necklace while she confirms is Michelle’s: Colby bought it for her for Mother’s Day and she always wore it. Colby turns off the recording; McCarthy says they can take a break but Colby says it’s over, escorting Bella out past Chelsea and collecting Dean. McCarthy protests but Colby says he’ll have to arrest him to stop them leaving.

Ryder suggests he and Raffy go on a first date that evening, suggesting a fancy meal. Raffy reminds him he’s working at the juice bar so he suggests she come and keep him company. Alf comes along: He isn’t interested in what they’re doing but reminds Ryder he has work to do at home. After he’s gone, Raffy and Ryder wonder if they should tell people they’re together but decide to keep it to themselves for now. At the surf club, Ben serves a customer and John notes he’s doing okay. John says a delivery’s late and wonders if Ben could keep an eye out for it. Ben pointedly notes he couldn’t do John’s job. John takes the point, agreeing they should look out for each other.

Colby, Dean and Bella arrive back at the Diner flat. Bella has realised that Ross killed Michelle because she gave away the plan but Colby says it’s on Ross, not her. Chelsea turns up asking to speak to Colby. Dean offers to watch Bella and the pair go onto the wharf. Colby reiterates that he won’t let Bella go back to the police station. Chelsea says McCarthy isn’t happy but has all he needed. She asks about Bella. Dean and Bella watch from the balcony and Dean explains Chelsea is Colby’s ex-fiance. Bella guesses they broke up because of her but Dean denies it. Colby says Bella lying to the police reminded him of Ross. He says she found out about their mother’s death in a police interview rather than him being able to break it to her gently and blames Chelsea. Chelsea apologises and leaves.

Marilyn takes Raffy to the Diner and asks about her day. Alf finds Ryder daydreaming while working at the caravan park and wonders what’s going on. Raffy tells Marilyn Ryder’s her boyfriend and wonders about the timing. Ryder is raving to an uncomfortable Alf about the relationship. Raffy wonders if it will go wrong like with Ty and Marilyn tells her to be honest. Raffy asks her not to tell anyone. Alf promises to keep quiet.

Dean leaves Colby and Bella alone. Colby asks if she wants to go back to the motel or stay there. Bella asks him about Chelsea. Colby says it wasn’t her fault but his and Chelsea’s, mostly his. Bella doesn’t seem convinced and thinks Colby still loves her. Colby refuses to discuss it.