Episode 7134

Extended Summary

Irene and Bella are finishing off the washing up. Irene asks Bella’s plans for the day and Bella says she has a few assignments, including a photography one due in a few weeks. She says she won’t be able to do too many photographs stuck inside. After jokingly asking if her house is good enough, Irene says she’s free for the day. Meanwhile, at the garage, Justin’s phone shows several missed calls from Leah. Leah comes in, calling out and eventually turning the music off. Justin emerges from under the car and Leah says there’s a problem with Mason.

Mason is waiting in his car near a park area. He gets a text asking if he’s ready. John pulls up alongside him and asks if he’s broken down; Mason says he’s waiting for a friend. John gets out of the car, looking like he’s going to be there for a long time, and starts asking Mason about how things are going at the surf club. Wanting rid of him, Mason tells him about Raffy’s seizure and how she’s staying at his. John hurries off and Mason texts back saying he’s ready. John heads home where he is greeted by Marilyn and Raffy. He checks Raffy’s okay and says Jett’s fine before explaining Alf called him back to do some paperwork at the surf club. Marilyn is somewhat disappointed he didn’t come back for her and says he’d better get on. John gives them an awkward hug goodbye, saying he’ll be back later.

At the Diner, Ryder tries to get Alf to give him a driving lesson but Alf says he has the surf club to look after on top of the bait shop and caravan park. Roo worries he’s doing too much and has no time to see Martha. Bella comes in and Ryder is surprised she’s out of the house; she jokingly notes that her overlord has let her out (Irene is within earshot). Ryder tells her about Raffy’s seizure and how she needs time alone. They head off and Irene tells Roo about the assignment. Roo says Bella has an English assignment due on Monday which Irene didn’t know about. At the caravan park, Bella sets up a few items suspended on strings, explaining they had to draw out a word as the theme for their photographs and hers was disappointment. Roo comes over to check Bella knows about the English assignment and if she wants any help; Bella says she’s fine. After Roo has gone, Bella admits to Ryder that she’s read it but not started the writing. Despite it being due first, she carries on with the photographs with Ryder as a model.

Mason gets several texts from Justin asking what he’s doing and also a phone call which he ignores. A dodgy looking type approaches and shows Mason he has a brown bag. Mason rejects another call from Justin but then drives off, leaving his contact somewhat confused. Leah and Justin are walking on the beach and see Mason. Justin approaches him while Leah hangs back. Justin tells Mason to give him the stuff and he’ll dispose of it. Mason says he was too gutless to get it. Justin says he did the right thing. Mason is frustrated, saying getting it will help Raffy, but Justin says getting led away in handcuffs won’t. Mason thinks he’s the only one trying to help Raffy and storms off. Justin thinks he didn’t handle it well and Leah sends him after Mason.

Ryder is posing for Bella, who notes he looks constipated rather than disappointed, and they banter about her using an analogue camera. Ryder gets a phone call from John and agrees to work the afternoon despite it being his day off. Bella says that’s what disappointed looks like and takes a snap. Later, at the beach house, Bella tries to get Irene to take her to Yabbie Creek to develop the photos, even though she can do it at school. Irene asks about the English assignment, which she knows Bella hasn’t done, and suggests she get Willow’s computer and make a start. To her surprise, Bella agrees.

Ryder is at the Diner where he complains to Leah and Marilyn about John calling him in and then sending him to get fruit because he messed up the order. Raffy comes in and says she’s heard she’s been accepted to the trial. Leah suggests she goes to Salt to tell Justin and Mason. Ryder says he can’t celebrate properly because he has to work but will walk her there. They head towards the surf club where they kiss. John, sat outside, complains about Ryder not being at the juice bar. Raffy tells him her news, which softens him slightly but he still won’t give Ryder time off. Alf tells John to do his own job instead of telling off Ryder. John protests that he’s doing the paperwork. Alf also isn’t happy about him not spending time with Marilyn.

Justin and Mason are having a drink at Salt, Justin understands that Mason wants to help Raffy but isn’t convinced by his way of doing it. Raffy comes rushing in and tells them she got into the trial before rushing out again. Justin points out to Mason that the problem has solved itself and says he’ll take him to the police himself if he tries the same thing again. Meanwhile, Roo goes round to see John. He admits he was hard on Alf and Ryder, while Roo thinks Alf can’t handle the extra work because of his absence. She says she understands and they support him but he needs to work out his priorities because what he’s doing now isn’t working.

Bella reads over her assignment topic, to write a diary from the perspective of a character from Stasiland. She complains to Irene that she’s not got a clue how to do it; Roo told her she’d relate to it but it’s about old people in Germany. She says she did the photography first because she can do it and isn’t going to write essays when she grows up. At the Diner, Raffy tells Marilyn that Justin and Mason are taking her for a pre-trial check-up. John arrives as Raffy worries about Marilyn being on her own again but Marilyn says it’s fine. John suggests Marilyn’s free to do what she wants now and Marilyn says she wanted to help Raffy. John goes over to Alf and suggests Alf e-mail him the urgent work. Alf says that’s more work for him: They need the surf club manager to be there and if John isn’t then he’ll be replaced.

Later, Irene suggests to Roo that structured learning might not be the best thing for Bella and that she doesn’t relate to a book about Germany and the Cold War. Roo says there are parallels in Bella’s own life and she needs to be stretched. Irene thinks they’re flogging a dead horse but Roo refuses to give up. Back at home, John complains to Marilyn that Alf has given him an ultimatum: Jett or his job. Marilyn says everyone’s struggling to make it work and his actions are more about him than Jett. She says he can’t expect everyone to pick up the pieces and needs to think about someone other than himself.