Episode 7348

Extended Summary

Colby and Willow are on the beach with Colby preparing for his first surf since his surgery. Willow warns him not to drown while Colby reflects on wishing Bella was back. Dean comes along and asks Colby when he’s going in, goading him into the water. Once he’s gone, Dean tells Willow that Bella rang and wants him to pick her up and not tell Colby. Willow says she’ll go with him, which is what Dean was hoping for. At the hospital, John apologises for getting upset and Marilyn says they were told he could be more emotional. John notes he told her to stay away to protect her but just made things harder on her. He asks her to stay for a meeting with his team about rehab options. Marilyn says she’s not going anywhere.

Tori is on the phone to Justin, giving him advice on how to handle Grace’s teething. She also chats to Jasmine about how hard it is seeing her in pain. After Tori has gone, Jasmine signs into the mums’ forum and starts a thread saying her little girl’s teething and asking for advice. Meanwhile, Tori sends John for a brain scan and John says Marilyn’s staying for the meeting. Marilyn asks Tori about John’s improvement. Tori wonders if Marilyn is sure about being John’s carer when they’re separated. Marilyn says John would do the same for her. Tori suggests chatting about it on her break.

Colby runs into Leah outside the Diner and tells her about his first surf back. He notes he’s missing Bella, even her criticising his music choice. Meanwhile, Bella is driving back towards town with Dean and Willow. She says that she misses Bullet, who reminded her of Dean. She suddenly asks to pull over just before they get into town. She initially says she needs air but then admits she doesn’t want to go home yet.

The three of them go to the gym, since Bella doesn’t want to go to Salt and risk seeing Ryder or Mackenzie. She explains that she’s changed and feels able to control her reactions but is worried that if she sees Colby she’ll slip back into old patterns. Willow suggests they stay there for a while and catch up. Dean goes to the Diner flat and asks Colby not to freak out, explaining that Bella’s back in town and is with Willow.

Tori and Marilyn come back from their chat and Marilyn joins John and Jasmine in John’s room. She asks John if he’s thought any more about talking to Jett. John wants to wait until after the meeting in case they have positive news. Marilyn thinks Jett and Raffy need to know. John sharply says no, then apologises. Jasmine lets Marilyn help roll John onto his side: He looks uncomfortable. Later, after showing the team out, Tori asks John if he has any questions. John says no-one’s saying when he can go home. Tori says it depends on how he responds to rehab. She recalls she had a stroke not too long ago but everyone’s recovery is different. John picks up on the hint he might not go back to how he was before. Tori says they’ve every reason to stay positive.

Colby isn’t happy with the centre, saying Bella’s vulnerable and they were supposed to help her. Dean doesn’t think it’s their fault. Colby tries to get Dean to tell him where Bella is but Dean says it’s not about him and thinks he should wait for her to come to him. Later, Colby finishes a call with the centre and tells Dean they’re under no obligation to tell him Bella’s released if she doesn’t want them to, but they also say she responded well to activities and he should wait for her to come to him. Dean points out that’s what he said. Colby thinks the real reason Bella doesn’t want to see him is that he signed her up to the centre and left her there. Dean thinks she just needs breathing space.

Jasmine signs onto the forum again. There is a reply from someone suggesting a chilled teething ring. Jasmine types that she’s tried that but will again. In his room, John comments to Marilyn that he wasn’t ready to hear what Tori said. Marilyn is optimistic but John says their marriage was already in trouble and she doesn’t have to stick around. Marilyn says that she’s his wife and wants to help him.

Colby and Dean arrive at the surf club. Colby wants to say hi to Bella but Dean convinces him they should go to Salt for a beer. Before they can, however, Bella and Willow emerge from the gym. Colby offers to leave but Bella says she wants to go home. Soon after, Dean and Willow are back in the gym. Willow gives Dean some leftover pizza and he says he’s going to give Colby and Bella some space. Jasmine comes past them into the office and uses a laptop, telling Willow she’s asking the forum for help with Grace. Willow is a bit bemused but accepts it. Jasmine sees a tip about getting the baby to chew on raw carrot and thanks the poster, saying mums have to stick together.

Colby and Bella arrive back at the flat and Bella notes she could have carried her own bags. She asks about his leg and says she knows they have to talk but wants to catch her breath first. She goes to her room and sits on the bed, taking three letters from her bag addressed to Colby, Irene and Nikau.