Episode 7416

Extended Summary

Amber approaches Willow outside the surf club and asks if she needs any help. Willow quickly deduces that Amber wants something. Amber says Willow was right that she should have told Dean about Jai before but wonders what he’s hiding. Willow says she can’t say. They see Dean snap at a surfer. Willow chats to him apart from Amber and he tells her that he told Ziggy everything. He heads inside and Amber follows, wondering what’s wrong. Willow stops Amber, who declares them as bad as each other. Willow tries to stop Dean going drinking in Salt and making things worse, but Dean doesn’t think things can get any worse.

Justin is lying on the operating table, surrounded by theatre staff. Christian enters and he and Justin exchange banter which is somewhat nervous on Justin’s behalf. He doesn’t want to pull out of the operation though and is anaesthetised. Out in the waiting area, Leah comments on Tori pacing. Jasmine brings them some coffee and says she knows Tori won’t go home but suggests Leah does. Leah wants to be there if anything goes wrong. Jasmine says she’ll be back later and Tori tries to reassure Leah.

Willow is standing at the door of the farm house, calling out to Ziggy, saying she knows she’s there because her car’s outside. Ziggy eventually gives up sitting in the living room and comes through as Willow enters. Willow admits she knows what’s going on. Ziggy realises that’s why Willow has been taking Dean away for private chats and sending her away and feels a fool. Willow asks if that’s what’s bothering her. Ziggy says it’s that the man she loves was involved in a murder. Meanwhile, Amber approaches Dean on the balcony. He tells her to go but she says he didn’t scare her away last time and that’s how they ended up with Jai. She says she doesn’t care what’s going on, she just wants to help.

Christian has opened Justin up but quickly discovers the tumour is both larger and closer to more vital systems than the scan suggested: It’s a wonder he didn’t have more symptoms and it’s going to take a lot more time to remove. Back in the waiting area, Tori has been researching the surgery but admits to Leah that it’s not making her feel better. Jasmine brings them some sandwiches but doesn’t have any update. Leah worries about how long it’s taking but Tori assures her that that means it’s on track. Leah wants someone to check on the operation but Tori convinces her it’s best not to interrupt.

Willow tells Ziggy that Ross was out of control: He tortured Colby and nearly killed Willow herself. Ziggy understands that but it doesn’t excuse murder. Willow says Dean tried to stop Colby but Ziggy says he still kept quiet, both with her and with the police. Willow asks if she’s going to tell the police. Ziggy doesn’t know but says it changes everything. At the Diner flat, Amber brings Dean a coffee, saying she wants him sober to explain. She knows something is going on and wonders if it’s why he bailed on Jai. Dean says he had things to sort out and reminds her she stopped him seeing Jai. Willow arrives and tells Amber to go. Amber reluctantly says Dean is all Willow’s. Willow tells Dean she spoke to Ziggy.

Christian removes a section of the tumour and says to send it to pathology. He notes that there’s bleeding inside the cavernoma. The anaesthetist says Justin’s blood pressure is fluctuating and Christian will have to make a decision soon. Christian says to get Justin’s next of kin in there. Jasmine passes on the message to Leah and Tori, and Tori heads off to theatre. Leah and Jasmine discuss things with Leah noting she never expected to find love again after Zac. She realises she’s being insensitive but Jasmine says she understands. Tori joins Christian who explains the situation: He’s removed as much of the cavernoma as he safely can, but it’s adhered to the spinal cord. If he tries to remove the rest, Justin could be paralysed, but if he leaves it then it could grow back with the same result. He needs Tori to decide what Justin would want. The anaesthetist warns BP is dropping.

Willow and Dean walk near the beach. Willow wonders why Dean told Ziggy. Dean says he couldn’t keep lying to her. He thinks things are over between them. Willow says he still has a chance but warns him to give Ziggy space or she’ll see it as pressuring her. Instead, Dean goes round to see Ziggy. He says Colby is his best mate and Ross wasn’t dad of the year but Ziggy says they don’t get to decide who lives and dies. She realises that it happened after Colby’s wedding, meaning that while he was picking her up from Brody, when they fell in love during the car rally and during their whole relationship he knew this could crop up and she could lose him. Dean doesn’t think she’d have given him a chance if she’d known but Ziggy says he took the choice away from her and he admits if Ross’ body hadn’t been found he’d probably never have told her. Ziggy says he’s not the same person to her and tells him to leave: They’re done.

Christian and the anaesthetist press Tori for a decision. Tori asks Christian what he’d do if it was his brother. Christian says he’d take as much of the tumour as possible but Tori tells him to close up: She’s not going to be the one to put Justin in a wheelchair. Meanwhile, Amber is on the balcony at Salt. Dean appears and she notes he looks even worse than before. Without saying a word, he goes over and kisses her.