Episode 7175

Extended Summary

Outside the Diner, Colby tells Robbo that the files are classified so he will have to view them at the police station. He adds that the guards (one of whom is nearby) will look after Jasmine. As they leave, Bella approaches and asks Colby if he’s finished work. Colby hasn’t but suggests she come in with him. The trio head to the station where Robbo goes on ahead into the office while Colby sets Bella up at his desk, joking that there’s some crayons in the drawer. He joins Robbo, who is surrounded by boxes of evidence, one of which is marked with his family’s murder, and Robbo says he’s hoping one of them will jog his memory. Colby says to call if he needs anything.

Leah is waiting as Irene comes back from the bathroom. Irene is feeling a bit better but feels bad about what she said to Marilyn. Leah suggests she tell people what’s going on but Irene isn’t sure. She meets Marilyn on the wharf and apologises for snapping, with them reflecting on how long they’ve been friends. Marilyn asks what’s wrong and Irene says she nearly killed a man. Marilyn realises it’s the man in the paper and asks if he hurt her. Irene says he hurt Bella: Irene came home to find he had her pinned to the bed and hit him. Marilyn says she had no choice but Irene says she should have stopped there and it wasn’t because of what he did…then she abruptly clams up and walks away.

John approaches Ben on the beach with Ben noting the feds have let him keep his stock. John tells him that the surf club committee are sticking to their original decision and want him out. He adds that he and Alf tried to talk them round but didn’t have as much clout as they thought. Ben is angry, especially on hearing they want him out today, and points out the surf club wasn’t even using the space before he took it over. He refuses John’s offer of help. Meanwhile, Leah rejoins Irene at the beach house. Irene says she couldn’t tell Marilyn the whole story, meaning she knows she hurt Tommy but not why. Leah suggests Irene reports it to the police for closure.

Colby and Bella are confused when Irene and Leah turn up at the station. Colby asks if they’re there about Tommy but Irene says it’s about another crime, one where she was the victim. She and Bella lock eyes. Shortly after, Bella is looking through the window to the interview room. Colby sees her and closes the blinds. Irene says it happened when she was only a teenager. Colby asks if she knew the man; Irene says he was married to her aunt and is now dead. Colby says there’s no time limit on reporting abuse but… Irene completes the thought for him: They can’t punish him. She just wants it on record.

At the Diner, Marilyn and Roo reflect on the fact they can’t get hold of either Irene or Leah. Alf gets a phone call from John. At the surf club, John and Justin look on as Ben packs up his things in a rather aggressive manner, threatening to damage them. Alf arrives and tells Ben he’s got some idea what he’s going through since he’s lost a business and you can rebuild. Ben refuses offers to help him, saying he needs to do it himself, but does agree to be more careful.

Irene, Leah and Colby exit the interview room. Colby says the statement could help Irene’s case. Irene says that’s not why she did it. Bella asks if Irene’s okay. Irene says she isn’t but she will be. After they’ve gone, Bella gets confirmation from Colby that he can’t tell her what it’s about. He suggests she make tea and ask Robbo if he wants one. Bella goes in to see Robbo who declines the offer. She notices his family’s names on the box and Robbo shouts at her to leave it alone. Bella runs out; Robbo follows and apologises and she goes to get the tea. Robbo tells Colby he overreacted, explaining he didn’t want her to see the photos in the box. Colby tells him not to take things out on Bella.

Back at the beach house, Leah comments to Irene that while she made the statement to Colby she couldn’t tell Bella. Irene says she wants to tell her and Marilyn and everyone but can’t face going over it again and again. Leah says maybe she can help. At the police station, Colby tells Bella they can go but Bella isn’t keen on leaving, saying it’s the only place she and Colby can hang out. Colby gets a text from Irene wanting them to see something.

At the Diner, Leah sets up the laptop which Alf, Marilyn, Roo and Justin crowd around. It starts playing a video of Irene. Colby and Bella also watch at the police station; at the same time, Robbo is looking through files and Ben is looking around at his empty board shop with John handing him the “Gone Surfing” sign. Irene tells them all that when she was young a man hurt her, several times, and that she’s been holding onto it ever since. She says that’s why she attacked Thomas O’Reilly but it’s not an excuse and she’s ashamed of it. She says she’s speaking out to help anyone else it’s happened to and to stop it happening again.

Irene nervously approaches the Diner; Marilyn sees her and waves for her to come in, then hugs her and says she’s brave. Alf seconds it. They decide to have a cup of tea together and Justin quietly tells Leah she did well. Colby and Bella arrive. Bella hugs Irene and says she had no idea. Irene takes Colby aside and tells him not to let Bella bottle things up as she did. As John also arrives, Bella retreats to the doorway. She tells Colby she can’t stop thinking that it could have happened to her. Colby comforts her. He goes to the police station where Robbo admits he’s found nothing. Colby says he wants Bella to move back in with him but it’s not safe if Robbo and Jasmine are there. Robbo accepts they have to move out, saying to give him until tomorrow.