Episode 7185

Extended Summary

Ziggy apologises to Maggie; she thought using tough love on Ben would work but it just made things worse and she wonders if she should have tread gently like Maggie did. Maggie doesn’t think anything helps. She worries about where Ben’s gone and Ziggy advises to give him space. Later, Ben returns home and is surprised to find Maggie waiting up. He apologises for losing it and says he knows they’re just trying to help him: From tomorrow, things are going to be different.

Raffy is with Justin, Mason and Leah at the Morgan house, lamenting her French trial tomorrow. They check she’s okay taking the trials on her own. Raffy worries she won’t have any CBD in her system when the exam comes. Justin says she could be back on the trial by then; Mason, more guarded, says it’s possible. Leah produces some leaflets she’s done discussing Raffy’s situation and checks Raffy is okay with them distributing them. Raffy gets a call from Ryder but ignores it. Ryder is at the Diner and leaves a message. (Irene and Marilyn can be seen behind the counter.) Ryder goes over to Bella, who is waiting while Colby and Mackenzie prepare dinner. He asks if she knows anything about Raffy but Bella hasn’t heard from her in a while. Seemingly keen to cut the conversation short, she convinces him to go home and study.

Next morning, Leah, Justin and Raffy are at the surf club explaining to John and Roo that the pamphlets give details of how to promote the use of medicinal cannabis even if it’s just signing the online petition. John happily agrees to distribute them and Roo takes one to put the details in the school newsletter. Irene and Bella arrive as the trio are leaving and Bella and Raffy exchange a few words in passing. Bella tells Roo she’s going to do her schoolwork at the Diner and accepts a smoothie from John. Irene and Roo note she seems to be back to her old self. Meanwhile, Ziggy and Maggie are pleased that Ben has made a big breakfast. Ben says that he’s going to do some jobs at the pier to help with the sale. He accepts their suggestion of having a coffee together beforehand. While he’s loading the ute, Ziggy and Maggie reflect that it’s good to have him back.

Alf and John greet the Astonis as they pull up near the pier. Ben explains he’s doing maintenance jobs, notably putting a rail up on the pier. Ziggy volunteers to miss TAFE in order to help and Alf and John also offer their services. Maggie can see Ben is uncomfortable and convinces them all to let him handle it alone. Ben thanks her. Alf and John head to the surf club, chatting about how Ben seems okay now. Alf checks in with Ryder about his exam, Digital Media. John talks to Mason about the pamphlet; Mason doesn’t seem too enthusiastic but does say he’s trying to get Raffy into another trial. Ryder overhears and is filled in on her trial being cancelled.

Justin is staring at posters in the school corridor and Raffy convinces him to leave instead of waiting with her until Maggie gets there. Raffy sits outside the office. Ryder appears and asks why she didn’t tell him about the trial. Raffy is frustrated that he’s doing this now, saying they’re not friends anymore so she doesn’t tell him things. Maggie arrives to take Raffy into the office and Ryder realises that’s where she’s doing exams. Near the pier, Alf is surprised to find Ben has finished the work already and invites him to lunch. Ben is reluctant but agrees when Alf says there’s work in it for him.

Maggie is supervising Raffy who seems slightly agitated by the paper. In the main exam room, Ryder seems confident as he writes. Raffy tells Maggie she can’t do the next section so Maggie tells her to concentrate on what she can do and then go back to it. Ryder finishes his paper with time to spare. Maggie tells Raffy that time’s up, even the extra time. In the corridor, Ryder tells Roo he did well. Maggie and Raffy come past; Raffy thinks she got everything wrong and now has to redo Biology. Ryder asks Roo if she knew about Raffy. Roo says she did but it was private, reminding Ryder they’re not together anymore. Ryder reflects that even before they were together she talked to him about her epilepsy. Roo suggests they do something with him to celebrate the end of trials.

Alf explains to Ben that he needs some storage units for his life vests. Maggie and Ziggy arrive and are pleased Ben’s keeping busy. After the two men have gone, Ziggy says Dean wants to go surfing up the coast and Maggie tells her to go. Irene chats with Bella, who has finished her work. She then gets a phone call which doesn’t seem to go well. She tells Marilyn it was her lawyer: Her court appearances is in four weeks and the judge isn’t known for being lenient on GBH cases. She tries to tell Bella not to worry but Bella runs off. Irene notes all the progress has gone. She follows Bella up to the flat with her bag. Bella is worried she’ll have to testify, since Colby said it was important, but Irene says a written statement might be enough. Ryder arrives and Bella says she and Irene have finished. Ryder explains he wants a party at the caravan park to celebrate and, with Raffy out of the picture, he’s short of friends. Bella clearly isn’t keen but agrees to go. Ryder says he’ll text her the details.

Downstairs, Irene and Marilyn chat about Bella getting a setback, with Ben listening in. Alf and Roo enter, chatting about Ryder missing Raffy. Roo suggests the three of them have a meal at Salt and decides to book it. Alf joins Ben and John. Ben seems increasingly uncomfortable as the others chat about his work and suggest another poker night, eventually heading back outside. At the Morgan house, Justin finishes a phone call with Raffy, who isn’t confident about the trials. Leah tells him and Mason she has an e-mail from the health minister but it simply tells them to contact their local member. They try not to be dispirited but decide not to tell Raffy.

Alf and John exit the Diner but find the tools still on and Ben nowhere to be seen. Alf goes to check the surf club while John searches the beach. Soon after, Alf and Roo join John at the Diner; there’s no sign of Ben. Maggie arrives, wondering where he is. As Ben runs through a park area, Maggie is filled in. Alf says it might not be as simple as Ben needing space: It might be a mental health issue. Maggie realises he means depression. Ben leans against a tree and cries.