Episode 7240

Extended Summary

Colby and Mackenzie bring Bella into the hospital and are met by Alex. Bella is taken to an examining bed as Colby explains he thought she just had flu. He isn’t sure if she has medical records or has been in hospital before, admitting they were out of contact, but doesn’t think she has any allergies or is on any medication. Alex orders a blood test and notices Bella’s stiffness seems to stem from the hand she cut. Colby wonders if it’s infected and has no idea about what vaccinations she’s had. Alex tells a nurse to check the register. Meanwhile, Ben and Maggie are having a picnic but Maggie can tell Ben’s thinking about work. Ben worries he made a mistake starting the board shop up again. Maggie suggests it’s good that things are quiet while he’s dealing with his depression and predicts things will pick up.

Leah meets Alf and Martha at the Diner. She tells them that Roo’s busy doing HSC marking and mentions living with Justin since Ava’s been in town. She realises they have a lot to catch up on. Back at the hospital, Alex notes there’s no record of Bella’s immunisations. Colby says she had a bunch as a baby but he doesn’t know what. Alex says tests suggest she has tetanus, contracted from bacteria getting into the cut. She asks if Bella had a tetanus injection in Year 7 and Colby explains she didn’t go to school. Alex explains that it affects the muscles and can cause a person to stop breathing. There’s an anti-toxin, but it will only work if the bacteria hasn’t attached itself to the nerve system. Bella will be taken to ICU. Colby feels guilty for not listening to Bella about being sick.

At Salt, Leah has filled Alf and Martha in on some of the goings-on: Tori being in a coma and baby Grace being with Robbo. Alf moves to go see Justin but Leah explains he’s out of town, although he was meant to be back today and hasn’t called. She adds that Ava’s been a ray of sunshine and she’s not sure how Justin would cope without her. At that moment, Justin is arriving home alone. He calls out for Leah, then sadly picks up Ava’s cap.

Colby and Mackenzie are in the corridor at the hospital. Colby looks up statistics and learn one in ten people die. Mackenzie tells him that’s not helping but he is feeling guilty that he didn’t do more when Bella said she was ill. He also criticises Mackenzie for insisting she was faking and bluntly tells her she can’t take it back. Later, Mackenzie joins him in the waiting room with a drink. Colby says he’s not angry with her but at himself since he also thought Bella was faking. The anti-toxin had to be brought from Reefton Lakes because it’s rare. Alex appears and tells them they’ve given Bella the anti-toxin and a muscle relaxant. They go into Bella’s room; Colby sits with her while Mackenzie hangs back. Colby quips that she really didn’t want to go on the excursion and Bella sadly notes that she did.

Leah is about to leave but Martha stops her and prompts Alf to tell her their news: They’ve decided to give living together a go. Leah is pleased and suggests she could stay at Justin’s permanently. Alf and Martha don’t want to force her out but she tells them it’s what she wants anyway. She heads to the Morgan house, where a morose Justin is with Buddy in the back garden. She tells him she missed him and learns there’s no change with Tori. She asks where Ava is and Justin admits she’s gone back to live with Nina.

Alf and Martha run into Ben in the surf club and ask him how things are going. Ben notes it’s a bit slow but Alf points out his phone is ringing. Ben goes to answer it and assures the person on the other end that they’ve got the right place. Back at the farm house, Maggie rings Ziggy to ask if she’s coming home and considers the response “too much information”. Ben comes home and Maggie tells him she’s making chicken and pancetta. Ben tells her he got his first order: Just one board but he thinks things are turning around. They kiss, which becomes more intense, with Maggie turning the oven off as they go to the bedroom.

Justin tells Leah that Nina asked to see them on hearing they were seeing Tori; she has a new place and thought she was helping by having Ava back. He couldn’t say no because Ava was excited, and because it’s near her old school and friends. Later, while Leah gets pizzas, Justin talks to Ava on the phone and learns they’re going to get a kitten, which they couldn’t before because Brian was allergic. He suggests he come up at the weekend so they can brainstorm names. Leah suggests they have an evening on the couch watching a movie but Justin wants to take Buddy for a walk on his own, saying he wouldn’t be much company. When he returns, Leah meets him outside and suggests she move out. Justin however tells her that he considered staying in the city and she’s the reason he came back. He asks her to move in permanently and she agrees. They tell each other they love each other and hug.

Alex does a check on Bella and notes she’s getting better: They’ll monitor her overnight and then sort out an immunisation plan. Colby goes with her to sign forms. Mackenzie tells Bella she gave them a scare and apologises for getting it wrong but Bella accuses her of trying to turn Colby against her and says she forgives him but will never forgive her. Colby finds Mackenzie in the corridor. She offers to go and get some food but he just wants to be with Bella and says he’ll call her. Mackenzie watches the siblings through the door for a moment then heads to Salt, telling the staff she’ll close up and then grabbing a bottle. Colby and Bella play cards until she falls asleep, while Mackenzie sits drinking alone.