Episode 7246

Extended Summary

Alex is sat in Willow’s bed with Willow sat next to her, giving her lessons in Sinhalese. Alex asks if Willow’s mum taught her; Willow says she did before she walked out on her, but she often thinks of going to Sri Lanka to see her mum’s family. Irene, Colby and Bella come home and Bella tries to get Colby to stay for a movie night. Willow offers Alex a drink but as she goes to the door she hears the others. Alex is amused at hiding like teenagers. The others hear a noise and guess Willow’s home. Bella goes to ask her to join them and finds Willow and Alex kissing. They ask her to get rid of the others so Bella tells Colby to go, with Irene also going to bed. Alex has quickly dressed and Willow ushers her out. She finds Bella in her room wanting details but sends her on her way.

At Salt, Ryder is propping up the bar. Jade wonders why he hasn’t gone home to sleep and he indicates kissing her made him feel better. Both Jade and Mackenzie convince him to go. Ryder says he’ll see Jade later, then makes a flustered attempt to clarify he isn’t expecting to see her later tonight before Jade amends it to “See you tomorrow.” Colby comes in. Mackenzie says she’s busy with customers so he tries to order something. Mackenzie sarcastically notes they’re off pause and wonders how long it’ll last this time, saying that no calls or texts in four days means it’s over.

Alf, Martha and Roo have finished eating. Martha offers to clear up but Roo says she’ll do it. Martha looks a bit put out but says she’s heading up to bed. Alf says he’ll join her in a bit and chats to Roo about Martha finding it difficult to let go of her old home. Ryder arrives and Roo comments on him staying on for two hours after his shift ended, guessing it was to do with Jade. Ryder says he doesn’t kiss and tell, giving away the fact they kissed. Next morning, Willow and Bella walk on the beach. Bella tries to quiz her about Alex and jokingly threatens to ask Colby. Willow menacingly tells her not to say anything to him. Colby comes over; Bella asks what he got up to and he says he just had an early night.

Willow heads to the gym and finds Alex there. Alex jokes about liking the staff before asking what Willow said to Bella. Willow says she wouldn’t discuss it with her. Alex looks disappointed. Willow wonders if she said the wrong thing and Alex says she didn’t say anything. Willow follows her out to near the beach and wonders why she’s upset. Alex says she knows it’s new to Willow but she’s worried she’s ashamed of her. Willow insists she isn’t and that last night was amazing. Alex says Bella’s going to want answers. Willow admits Bella would probably be okay with it but she’s not sure how she’d cope if Colby and Dean weren’t. Alex suggests separating Bella from them.

Alf has come down for breakfast to find Martha already there. She presents him with a vegetable smoothie which Ryder and Roo suspect he won’t drink; he does, although he grimaces doing it. Ryder heads off hoping to see Jade and the others comment on him being keen. Later, Alf takes Martha’s dishes away and asks about her plans, suggesting they go for a walk or out on the boat. He explains he’s taken the day off to mark her first day there. Martha says she was just going to paint so Alf goes to get her things. Roo says she’s going and Martha admits she’d like it if she took Alf.

Willow and Bella walk on the wharf. Willow apologises for what she said earlier. Bella doesn’t recall Willow being with anyone since Dean and wonders if she’s switched from boys to girls. Willow says so far she’s just switched to Alex and admits that last night was the first time. Bella says she feels even worse about interrupting (although Willow says better her than Irene or Colby) and wonders if Colby and Dean know. Willow says no, and only the three of them know how far it’s gone. Bella promises to keep quiet. At the caravan park house, Alf tries to talk to Martha about the paper, offers her a cup of tea and tries to move her easel to a better position, none of which go down well. Roo arrives and suggests she and Martha go to an art exhibition in Yabbie Creek. Alf tries to go too but Roo says he’s not invited and warns him he’s smothering Martha.

Colby paces in his flat before finally taking out the phone and leaving a message for Mackenzie, suggesting they have dinner that evening. Meanwhile, Ryder and Jade arrive back at the caravan park. Jade notes she’s working mornings and Ryder says he’s working afternoons. Jade points out they both have nights free. Ryder suggests going out for dinner or to a movie. Jade says she knows better ways to spend a couple of hours, her tone suggesting they could go to her van. Ryder looks like a bit like a rabbit caught in the headlights and quickly makes his excuses.

Mackenzie listens to Colby’s message, then goes over to Alex, who has been picking at her meal. She asks about Bella, with Alex remembering there being tension between them at the hospital. Alex says Bella’s almost fully recovered and will be able to move back home next week; Mackenzie didn’t even know she was staying with Willow. At the beach house, Bella tells Willow she’s spending the afternoon with Colby and Irene’s at work, so Willow could have Alex over. Colby turns up and warns Bella that Roo sent him some schoolwork for her. He then gets a text from Mackenzie saying she’s not interested but claims he has to go into work. Bella still tries to get Willow to call Alex, saying she’ll be laying down upstairs. At that point, Alex arrives; Bella says Willow was about to call her and leaves them alone. Alex apologises for what she said before and Willow decides she’s going to tell Colby and Dean.

Colby goes to see Mackenzie at Salt. Mackenzie says that he only wants to spend time with her because Bella’s better and he’ll be off again as soon as there’s another problem with her: It’s right that he puts his family first but she’s not going to hang around on stand by.