Episode 7296

Extended Summary

Willow is packing up after a class on the beach and runs into Jasmine, who has just been for a swim. Willow says she’s going to see Colby and suggests Jasmine come along. Jasmine initially claims she has paperwork to do at the gym, then admits she hasn’t been back to the hospital since Robbo died, meaning she isn’t going to work. Willow gets a text from Alex suggesting they catch up but ignores it. At the Morgan house, Justin tells Leah that Tori is stressing about going back to work and has taken Grace for a check-up. He suggests they go out, for a drive or a walk on the beach, but Leah says she’d rather stay at home and goes for a shower.

In the caravan park, Ari makes a phone call to his boss saying he’s got clearance to come back to work. He sees John and questions him being there. John accuses Ari of enjoying it and insists it’s only temporary. Roo also approaches John and asks what’s going on. John says Marilyn’s kicked him out and he was only trying to protect her. Back at the Palmer house, Gemma asks Marilyn where John is. Marilyn tries to avoid the question, saying he’s busy. Ari arrives and tells them about returning to work, asking Gemma for his work shirt: She retrieves it and he realises it hasn’t been washed since the siege. He asks about John staying at the caravan park. Marilyn again avoids the issue, taking the shirt to wash it.

Willow is visiting Colby who says he’ll be in at least a few more days and will know more after his physio assessment. She keeps looking out the window and admits she doesn’t want to see Alex. Colby tells her that Alex finished work yesterday and is leaving town soon. Willow realises that’s why Alex is texting her but thinks it’s best to leave it. Outside the surf club, Alex asks Jasmine if Willow’s at work and Jasmine explains she’s at the hospital. Alex says she’s leaving town at three that afternoon and wanted to see her first. She knows Willow’s avoiding her calls and explains she’s staying the night at a motel in Coffs Harbour to break up the journey. Jasmine suggests they meet for lunch in Salt at two to say goodbye.

Irene calls round to the Morgan house and asks Leah how Justin is. Justin says she has barely said anything and not spoken about the kidnapping. Irene suggests getting her counselling; Justin says the hospital psychologist keeps phoning but she won’t talk to them. Douglas is in remand but Leah won’t make a statement. Both of them think he needs to be locked up but Leah enters and says she won’t talk to the police. Irene recalls Leah giving her strength during the business with Tommy and says they can’t let him do it to anyone else but Leah won’t budge. At the Palmers’, Gemma is worried about John and Marilyn splitting up. Ari is less concerned, saying Gemma would have kicked his brother out if he’d acted like John has. Gemma worries they’ve caused trouble but Ari thinks they must have had problems anyway. Gemma insists she’s going to go and talk to Marilyn at work.

Roo approaches Marilyn near the Diner and asks about John staying at the caravan park, saying he says she kicked him out. Marilyn says John gave her an ultimatum and she doesn’t have to put up with that, before quickly heading off to work. Roo goes to the surf club to find John and asks what happened. John explains about the ultimatum but insists the Paratas are taking advantage of Marilyn. Roo says he can’t keep an eye on things from the caravan park and tries to get him to talk to Marilyn but John refuses to make the first move.

Justin tells Irene that Leah’s getting dressed with the door closed. Irene recalls how long it took to admit what had happened to her and Leah’s only had a week. Justin still thinks Leah needs to make a statement but Irene thinks Leah won’t talk to the police. Justin wonders if she’d talk to Colby. Irene tells him Colby’s in hospital. At that moment, Colby is asking Willow to get him some clothes for the physio and also some decent coffee and food. Justin arrives and gives Willow a brief update on Leah as she leaves. He apologises for not visiting Colby sooner. Colby says Douglas will be charged with assaulting a police officer occasioning grievous bodily harm, but Justin will have to talk to McCarthy about anything else. Justin wonders if Douglas was forcing Leah to do anything. Colby says she had a separate room with a lock on it but everything was set up for a wedding, which explains the dress. Justin notes that would have meant a wedding night and feels guilty for letting it happen. Colby says Justin got her out and apologises that the police didn’t help more.

Irene and Leah are walking near the beach, with Irene having persuaded Leah to come to the Diner with her. Roo approaches and greets Leah in a friendly manner, as does Jasmine, with them both offering to join her. However, Leah feels overwhelmed and asks Irene to take her home. Shortly after, in the Diner, Roo tells Marilyn it was horrible to see Leah like that. Marilyn says she has Justin and Roo comments on the importance of having a partner’s support, although the none-too-subtle reference to John doesn’t move Marilyn. Willow comes in to pick up an order and Jasmine tells her about Alex leaving and how they’re meeting for lunch. Willow says she has to get back to Colby.

Justin comes home and Irene tells him about their trip out. Justin tells Leah that he spoke to Colby about the place where she was kept and no-one will make her talk about it, but she survived, Douglas won’t hurt her again and it’s over. Back at the hospital, Colby is tucking into the burger Willow brought him. Willow tells him about Alex wanting to meet up but doesn’t see the point. Colby sarcastically notes she’s not going to regret that.

Gemma prepares to go off to see Marilyn and tells Ari to clear the meal things up. John arrives as she’s leaving and she tells him Marilyn’s at work. John tells Ari to stay away from Marilyn and the house, saying he knows about everything: His crooked brother, his time in jail and the woman who died. Ari says he wasn’t involved in the robbery and just wants a fresh start but John says he’s not going to let him take advantage of Marilyn. At the Diner, Gemma tries to quiz Marilyn. At first, Marilyn just says John will get over it but reluctantly she admits he knows their family history, although she says they can stay as long as they like.

Outside the surf club, Alex and Jasmine are saying their goodbyes when Willow appears. Jasmine leaves the pair alone but Willow says she’s not there to say goodbye: She wants to go with Alex. Outside the Diner, Ari and Gemma discuss what they’ve both learned. Ari says only two people know but Gemma isn’t convinced John will keep quiet and anticipates people talking about them again. She wonders who told him.