Episode 7300

Extended Summary

Justin and Ben have just finished a surf. Ben comments on things getting back to normal and asks about Leah. Justin says she’s been better since giving her statement but it’s still a long road. Ben says he and Maggie will do anything they can to help and mentions the “shindig” for his birthday, adding that he’s getting into it now he’s agreed to it. Justin goes home and finds Leah looking nervous; he tells her about running into Ben and she explains Tori is dropping Grace off with Marilyn. Justin wonders what’s wrong and Leah explains she went to get herself breakfast and found herself waiting to be told what to eat. Justin suggests they try going out again, thinking it’s the only way to get back to normal, perhaps going for a coffee at the Diner. Leah tentatively suggests going there for breakfast and Justin agrees.

At the wharf, Ryder continues to talk around the subject with Nikau, saying that Bella’s had a hard time. Nikau says that he knows. Ryder says she hasn’t told him this, but stops himself, just saying the relationship won’t last if he doesn’t listen. Nikau says they’re not like that but Ryder points out that Nikau was interested in seeing her and they were joined at the hip. Nikau thinks Ryder is warning him off someone he likes, like he did with Jade. Ryder says he doesn’t like Bella like that and was right about Jade. Nikau gets a text from Bella wanting to hang and leaves, saying it’ll be more fun than this. In the Diner, Roo tells Irene that she got a postcard from Alf and Martha on their honeymoon from the Riviera and notes they’re doing what they love, Alf fishing and Martha painting. Leah and Justin arrive and are greeted warmly. Roo says her goodbyes and Irene shows the pair to a table.

Back at the farm house, Maggie asks Ben what he thinks of balloons. He thinks they’re for if you’re five and, when she suggests “adult balloons”, asks if they’re going to put their keys in a bowl. Maggie suggests a marquee and lights around the gazebo like at Ziggy’s party. Ben tells her about inviting Justin and Leah; Maggie hopes Leah can come. She says Ziggy is inviting Dean and suggests, with Coco not coming, they invite Diana. Ben looks horrified until Maggie says she would love to come to criticise and undermine, and realises she’s joking. Ben flirts with Maggie a bit before going to mow the lawn. At the Diner, Justin asks Leah if she’s okay. Leah seems on edge and eventually explains he asked for wholemeal and was given wholegrain. Although he says it’s okay, she convinces him to let her go and change it. Irene comes over to the table and Justin admits he still hasn’t told Leah about Mason and is waiting for it to come up.

Roo arrives back at the caravan park and finds Ryder sitting on a swing, noting that’s not a happy face. Ryder admits it’s about Bella and wonders how you can give up someone’s secret without betraying their trust. Later, as the two of them walk through the park, Ryder explains Bella jumped down his throat when he tried to ask her about Nikau. He adds that Nikau says he’s not interested in her but thinks it doesn’t matter if Bella becomes fixated. Roo realises he’s talking about Tommy and Ryder wonders how Nikau will know if no-one tells him. Realising he’s thinking of doing so, Roo says it’s not his place. Ryder says Nikau only knows Bella’s bold front, not how vulnerable she is. Roo says he could destroy their friendship.

Justin and Leah arrive at the garage with Justin explaining about the party. He says the town needs something to cheer them up, although he is vague when Leah asks why. Leah thinks they should go, saying if she can handle strangers at the Diner then she can handle a party with friends, but Justin suggests seeing how she feels tomorrow. Leah asks what she can do to help. Justin jokingly suggests she put on some overalls and do an oil change, before suggesting she do the books. Later, as Justin works on a car, Leah finds a photo of him and Mason among a selection of family shots and wonders why she hasn’t seen Mason, asking if he’s moved away or is giving her space. Realising the time has come, Justin tells her he died.

Ben comes back in saying the lawn’s mown, the gazebo’s clean and he’s chased away the snake. (He won’t say whether or not the last one was a joke.) Maggie is doing baking and Ben hints they should go to the bedroom. Maggie initially says she hasn’t got time but eventually agrees to fifteen minutes. After they emerge, Ben tries to dive into the food she’s making, saying he’s worked up an appetite. Maggie takes a phone call and realises the party supplies shop closes in half an hour. Ben says he’ll go; Maggie gives him a list and Ben notes that he’ll get some food while he’s out.

Justin has filled Leah in. She is sad, saying Mason was a beautiful person and it’s wrong. Justin apologises for not telling her straightaway but Leah understands and says she’s sorry that she wasn’t there for him. Justin says she’s there now and takes her hand; Leah places her other hand over his. At the Palmer house, Ryder turns up and asks Nikau if he’s alone. Nikau is but doesn’t want to talk about Bella. Ryder says that Bella met a guy online last year and he groomed her and tried to take advantage. He doesn’t give any more details but Nikau understands where Ryder’s coming from and appreciates him telling him.

Irene finds Leah on the pier; Justin is at the Diner getting a takeaway. Irene notes it must have been a shock to hear about Mason and says he died helping other people. Leah is upset that she wasn’t there for Justin. Irene says he’s just glad to have her back. Leah says while she was with Douglas she just wanted to be back home, and he’s taken so much from her, making her afraid all the time. She wants to get better for Justin. Irene hugs her. Later, back at the house, Justin closes the door to Tori’s room and tells Leah she’s falling asleep with Grace. He asks Leah if she wants to watch a movie or go to bed. Leah says she just wants to be with him. Justin goes to put his arm around her but Leah flinches away. She apologises. After sitting in uncomfortable silence for a few moments, Justin turns the telly on.

Maggie is just putting the baking away when she hears a knocking on the door and opens it to reveal a man, who she identifies as Marco. He greets her in a friendly manner but, in a less pleased tone of voice, she asks why he’s here. Later, Ben arrives home and finds Maggie sitting with Marco. Marco greets his brother and says it’s been a while. After a long pause and an exchange of glances with Maggie, Ben tells him to get out.