Episode 7174

Extended Summary

Bella joins Leah and Willow at the beach house and tells them Colby’s been called into work but it’s good news. She calls out to Irene, who comes downstairs, and tells her about Tommy’s charges being upgraded and that it means he’s definitely going to jail. Again however, Irene shows little interest in the news and simply says that she will join them for dinner after all.

John notices Ryder propping up the juice bar and asks him about the assignment. Ryder is about to leave to do it when Roo turns up and asks what happened between him and Raffy. Ryder claims they had a disagreement about her interview with Alf but is shocked when Roo tells him that Raffy wanted to switch partners. She tells him that after he failed the previous assignment he can’t afford to fail another one. At the Diner, Raffy asks Mason’s opinion on two local articles. She insists to him and Marilyn that she can do Ryder’s side of things, eventually wondering if she could just submit a hard copy. Ryder arrives and convinces Raffy to talk to him in private. He tells her sorry but also protests that he could fail English if the assignment goes wrong. He reminds her they were meant to be friends but Raffy says she’s changed her mind and can do without him.

During the night, Irene is sitting on the back patio drinking tea. Bella comes out to join her, asking if she’s okay. She says she knows what would have happened if Irene hadn’t stopped Tommy, and that something good’s come out of it if it stopped him doing it to another girl. Irene isn’t really encouraged however, telling her to go back to bed. Bella says she wants to keep her company but Irene just wants peace and quiet. Bella goes to Willow’s room and Willow lets her into bed with her. She was watching a movie on her laptop but Bella says Colby told her people can watch you with the webcam so she closes it. Bella wonders if Irene doesn’t want her there and Willow says it’s not that. She asks about Bella spending time with Colby and Bella says they went to an action movie sequel and made fun of it. She says she had a good time with him but feels like she needs to stay with Irene.

Next morning, Roo and Ryder are walking on the beach. Ryder admits things went south when he wouldn’t let Raffy kiss him. He says he had the right to say no and can do the assignment without her. At the Diner, Alf, Leah, John and Marilyn have all read the article about the coma patient grooming and assaulting a teenager. John says he can’t believe he felt sorry for him and Leah says he’s a monster who deserved it, hastily adding that that’s what it sounds like from the article. Ryder comes in and asks to interview Alf and Leah; they’ve already spoken to Raffy but he’s flying solo, although he’s not sure what to ask them about. After the trio have gone, Marilyn asks John if he thought that was strange. John agrees: Why didn’t Ryder ask him? Marilyn explains she meant Leah’s reaction to the article.

Raffy is working in the gym office, trying to form a collage with scraps of writing and a card backing, but ends up tearfully telling Mason she can’t do it. She’s reluctant to give him details of what happened with Ryder but does say she only agreed to be friends because she was scared of losing him. Mason points out that by pushing him away she’s doing exactly that. Raffy says she can’t be around him when she wants more than he’ll give. Roo has arrived in time to overhear. At the beach house, Willow chats to Irene about her staying up. Bella comes downstairs and tries to talk to Irene, but she just wishes her a good day at school before disappearing into the bathroom. Bella protests that it’s the holidays. Willow suggests they go for a walk.

Willow and Bella walk along the beach. Bella reflects that Irene keeps saying she’s fine but then either changes the subject or leaves the room. She wants to help her but Willow suggests she’s not the right person and needs to put herself first. She suggests they do something fun together. At the Diner, Marilyn tries to quiz Leah. Willow and Bella arrive and Bella asks for a BLT and vanilla milkshake. Willow gives Leah an update on Irene. Marilyn overhears and again asks Leah what’s going on. Leah says she can’t tell her so Marilyn insists on going to see Irene.

Roo and Raffy walk along the beach. Raffy doesn’t see why she needs to back down but Roo points out that refusing to do the assignment together is hurting both her and Ryder. She says that the HSC result is more important than her anger and her feelings will change. At the surf club, Ryder approaches John desperately asking for an interview about smoothies. Raffy appears and says he doesn’t need to do that: She’ll do the assignment with him. However, she makes it clear that they’re not friends and once it’s over they’ll go their separate ways. Roo and Mason both watch from a distance.

Willow and Bella are sat on the wharf. Bella is frustrated that she can’t go and see Colby at the flat while the business with Robbo and Jasmine is going on. Willow seems to think she should move back in with Colby but Bella doesn’t want to desert Irene. After Bella has walked away, Willow calls Colby and says that Bella needs his help. Meanwhile, Irene is reading the article when both Marilyn and Leah turn up. Irene asks what Leah’s said; both say she hasn’t said anything but Marilyn is certain something is going on and wonders if it’s to do with the article. Irene snaps at her to stop meddling and orders them both out. After they’ve gone, she takes a bottle of vodka out of her shopping bag.

At the Diner, Alf, John and Roo talk about Raffy and Ryder’s break-up. Alf thinks they’ll move on sooner or later. Marilyn comes in and tells John about her run-in with Irene. Back at the beach house, Irene continues to stare at the bottle but hides it when someone knocks on the door. It’s Leah, who’s come back to check on her. Irene admits that she’s scared of what she’s done and of what she might do: She’s never been closer to drinking.