Episode 7424

Extended Summary

At the surf club, John reluctantly tells Amber that he’s made such good progress that he doesn’t require her services any longer. He notes that he’ll give her a glowing reference and the agency should quickly find her another job, although Amber notes it might not be in Summer Bay. John sees Ziggy and again accosts her about Dean, saying the board shop’s been closed for a week. Amber is shocked to hear that Dean has left town and seemingly abandoned Jai. Ziggy again insists it’s nothing to do with her any more. At that moment, Dean is arriving back at his flat, on the phone to Willow. He notes that Colby isn’t there, then looks at the photo of Jai on the fridge.

At the Diner, Jasmine has filled Irene in on being left alone with Grace; Irene points out that Justin okayed it, but Jasmine says Tori needed to and with Leah’s reaction she’s worried about being back to square one. Irene assures her she did nothing wrong. Alf and Ryder come in chatting, with Alf talking about grief. Irene comes over and Alf explains about it being Evan’s birthday. Irene and Jasmine reassure Ryder. At the hospital, Tori goes to the lift and finds Christian already inside it. He comments on them being in a lift together again as they ride together up to Justin’s floor. Christian goes to get the scans and Tori heads to Justin’s room, muttering to herself to use the stairs. Leah prompts Justin to tell her about letting Jasmine look after Grace. Tori is infuriated given he was the one that wanted the AVO in the first place, but the argument is interrupted by Christian. He says the MRI looked fine but he needs to test Justin’s reflexes.

In the surf club office, John is writing up a “Closed” sign for the board shop while remarking to Amber that Dean isn’t reliable. Amber wonders how she’s going to tell Jai he’s gone. However, Dean is actually just entering the surf club and runs into Ziggy. She warns him about John but also chides him for abandoning the business Ben gave him, as well as mentioning Colby’s visit. She isn’t keen on talking to him about anything else. John tries to have a go at him but Dean’s sharp response is enough to make him back off. Ziggy leaves and Amber tells Dean he can’t just bail on being a parent. She follows him up to Salt; Dean is reluctant to talk but apologises for leaving and tells her to get the drinks in.

Alf and Ryder are standing by a fence at the caravan park. Ryder says it feels like everyone else has done things with their lives. Alf points out Ryder is still only nineteen but has had more things happen to him than some people Alf’s age. Ryder says he doesn’t want his biggest achievement to be designing a new cocktail for Salt. Alf says the important thing is to do more harm than good and help people when you can. At the Diner, Irene and Jasmine chat about Ryder. Tori comes in and Jasmine starts to talk to her but Tori interrupts to tell them about Justin’s MRI results. Jasmine quickly leaves and Irene explains she’s worried about Grace.

Ziggy is at home and gets a text from Dean asking to speak to her. Instead, she calls Maggie, having apparently forgotten the time difference, and asks to be put on speaker so she can hear Ben too. She says that she misses them and being an adult sucks. At Salt, Dean checks his phone as Amber returns with the drinks. He says he’s not in the mood for talking or listening but Amber says she needs to make major decisions with looking for a new job and to know how he factors into them. She says Jai has been asking after him. Dean is interested to hear about him but lukewarm about the idea of seeing him again. He is surprised when Amber says she was considering letting Dean have him overnight.

Irene explains to Tori that Jasmine is worried about not being able to see Grace again. She wonders if the AVO could be lifted. Before Tori can answer, Leah arrives and tells them Justin passed all the tests and is being allowed home. She adds that Justin told Christian he could kiss him and Christian said it ran in the family. Tori quickly leaves. Later, at the surf club, John accosts Jasmine with the surf club meeting minutes and says there are things he wants to discuss. Tori interrupts, taking Jasmine aside. She tells her she knows about Jasmine looking after Grace but she’s lifted the AVO: Jasmine can look after Grace on her own, starting with tonight if she wants. Jasmine is grateful, not least because it saves her from John.

Dean is at the flat when Amber brings Jai round with his overnight things. Dean brings up what happened the other week and Amber says she knows he only wants to be friends. Ziggy approaches but, seeing Dean with his new family, leaves without them seeing her. Outside the caravan park house, Alf and Roo reflect on Ryder keeping things to himself. Ryder arrives and thanks Alf for the talk earlier. He says he wants to do something that will make a difference to people. Alf and Roo indicate he already has, for them and for Evan.

Dean finds Jai isn’t interested in card games or eating. After they have watched sport together, Dean notes it’s Jai’s bed time. Jai doesn’t respond at first, then says he wants Amber. Dean goes to call her but notices Jai is burning up. Jai says it hurts. At Salt, Tori fills Ziggy in on Justin’s recovery and thanks her for looking after the garage. Ziggy notes she doesn’t have anything else in her life. Ziggy leaves and Christian takes her place at Tori’s side. He asks about Grace, who Tori explains is with Jasmine, and offers to buy her a drink. Tori tries to stammer a refusal but ends up letting him get her a dry white wine.