Episode 7140

Extended Summary

Colby chats to Maggie near the Diner, noting that Bella’s coming home tomorrow. Maggie notes she’s doing well at school but says she and Roo will keep an eye on her anyway. Irene and Bella join them. Colby checks things are fine with Bella, noting with Robbo away they have the flat to themselves, and asks about restocking the fridge. Bella says she’s been spoiled at Irene’s since she got proper food: Roast, risotto, rice pudding and cakes from the Diner. Meanwhile, Marilyn gives Raffy breakfast and comments on having her back, with Raffy updating her on school and the medical trial. They are surprised when John arrives but it’s an unscheduled flying visit; he has to take Jett to an appointment in the morning. The board called him back for an emergency meeting, and he has to deal with Ryder not being able to work and a polaris needing fixing. He registers that Raffy stayed the night and is pleased to have her back but is soon hurrying off. Raffy decides to text Ryder and warn him.

Roo and Ryder are chatting about his assignment. Ryder tries to get her to give an extension to her “favourite nephew” but Roo reiterates that he’ll lose 10% of the mark if he hands in today and 20% if he hands in tomorrow. Ryder admits he hasn’t actually read the text he’s meant to be writing an essay on (Pride and Prejudice). Ryder gets the text from Raffy but it’s too late as he gets accosted by an angry John. They head back to the surf club where Ryder explains about needing to meet Raffy and then do his schoolwork and also that he needs to pull out of the weekend shifts. John is annoyed that Ryder didn’t get someone to cover himself and says he’ll replace him with someone more reliable.

At the Diner, Irene checks with Marilyn that she’s okay with the extra shifts while she’s away. Justin stops by Raffy and Bella’s table and checks Raffy had a good night. Raffy, smiling, says she’s not having second thoughts and gets an update on Tori. Ryder joins the girls, complaining about John and the essay. Raffy is shocked since he told her it was nearly finished; he says it will be once he starts it. Bella tries to talk to him about the forum but Raffy says he needs to do the essay and get on with his life. Outside the surf club, Justin is working on the polaris while John makes phone calls trying to organise cover at the juice bar. John stops Roo to ask about Ryder. Roo reminds him he told Alf everything was in hand and says Ryder’s focus is on the HSC, not making juices for minimum wage.

Outside the Diner, Roo approaches both Irene and Colby and tells them Bella got a B- in her assignment. Irene notes she did the research on Willow’s laptop and should have one of her own. Inside, Ryder laments the book he doesn’t understand. Bella hasn’t read it either but suggest finding a character you relate to. Raffy doesn’t put him at ease by describing it as a romcom before chatting about the relationship between Elizabeth Bennett and Mr Darcy (she thinks he’s arrogant but he’s actually hot) and how it’s about not judging on first impressions. Maggie chips in to give Ryder some polite but firm encouragement. Marilyn gives Raffy some lunch to give to John. Roo tells Marilyn she needs to talk to her about him.

Raffy and Bella walk towards the surf club commenting on how Ryder’s the one struggling at school now while Bella’s on top of it. Bella mentions the forum and Raffy says some epilepsy ones have helped her. They part and Raffy gives John the lunch; he accepts it without enthusiasm and asks Raffy if she can do a shift at the juice bar. Raffy notes the clinical trial’s meant to be starting so John tells her to forget it and not tell Marilyn he asked her. At the beach house, Bella jokingly asks if Irene’s suitcase is big enough for her presents and Irene suggests getting her some tea towels. She asks if Bella has looked up her mark; Bella does and is delighted. She says she has to thank people and messages three people on the forum (including Tommy) saying she got 81%. She gets messages of congratulations in return.

Justin stops by the Diner and asks Marilyn if everything’s okay with Raffy staying; he noticed John seemed stressed out while he was working on the engine. Marilyn assures him everything is fine but does go to see John at the surf club. She tells him Roo wasn’t happy about him putting pressure on Ryder. John is running the juice bar himself, since he doesn’t want to close it, lose a day’s takings and get in trouble with the board. He also insists he needs to get back for Jett; it’s an appointment with a specialist arranged weeks ago.

Raffy finds Ryder at the Diner: He has downloaded the audiobook and only has two hours eight minutes of it to go. Raffy tells him he reminds her of Mr Darcy, who gets the girl in the end. Later, Marilyn and Raffy are watching a movie at home. John arrives but he’s not stopping since he needs to get some paperwork done. Marilyn eventually convinces him to let her make him some food before he gets on with it and he agrees to watch some of the movie with them. He sits with Raffy, who drapes the blanket over him.

At the Diner flat, Colby has wrapped a present (possibly a laptop judging by the shape) and leaves it on Bella’s bed. Back at the beach house, Irene tells Bella she’ll say goodbye to her now, since the taxi’s coming to pick her up in the early hours. They both agree that, despite the rocky start, they’ve liked her living there. After Irene has gone to bed, Bella resumes a conversation with Tommy, mentioning moving back in with Colby. Tommy asks if that’s a good idea when they were fighting.

Next morning, Bella is at home alone. She picks up the laptop, which is displaying the remainder of her conversation with Tommy where he points out living with Colby didn’t work before. She asks if he’s there and he responds. Soon after, she meets Colby near the surf club. Colby is surprised she’s up so early and suggests they go and get her things. However, Bella has decided she’s not moving back in with him, saying them living together doesn’t work.

John is asleep on the sofa and is woken by Marilyn. John is horrified to realise how late it is, saying if he’s not gone in five minutes he’ll get caught in rush hour traffic and miss picking up Jett. Marilyn tries to insist that he stay and make other arrangements for Jett. John looks uncomfortable but leaves anyway. Soon after, he is driving down a country road but is barely awake, constantly nodding off and swerving. He takes a shot of coffee, winds the window down and turns music on loud but it seems to make little difference as he continues to drift in and out of consciousness and veer wildly around the road…