Episode 7439

Extended Summary

Dean runs into Colby outside the Diner and is pleased that Colby spent the night at work rather than with Taylor. He is quick to check a text and explains that he’s hoping to hear from Amber: She’s ignoring him, whilst Karen won’t stop calling. Colby awkwardly says he can talk to him if he needs to. Meanwhile, Bella and Nikau are walking on the beach. Bella says they don’t have beaches like this in New Zealand. Nikau says that actually they do, although Summer Bay is unique. She asks if a part of him wants to stay with her. Nikau says yes, so Bella says there’s no decision to make then. Nikau heads off to work, passing Ryder. Bella says Nikau’s confused and shouldn’t be, before explaining about Gemma missing him.

Willow approaches Dean as he arrives at the surf club, saying she heard from Amber. Dean gets a call from Karen and answers it, assuring her that everything’s fine. John complains about Willow leaving her gym bag on the floor. Karen hears his voice and gets Dean to hand him the phone: Dean quietly tells John not to mention Jai. John listens to Karen’s diatribe and suggests it’s illegal to say that. Later, he returns the phone to Dean and warns him Karen had a million questions. Amber comes in and Dean pretends they were discussing surf club business. Amber admits Jai’s with Francesca and accuses Dean of being full-on. She reminds him they had a deal. Dean says he’ll keep Karen away from Jai if she keeps Francesca away. Amber tells him to choose between Jai and Karen.

Colby and Taylor are both in the Diner, shooting looks at each other. Angelo watches them through the window before entering and cheerily invites Colby to join him and Taylor for lunch. Colby says he just wants to eat his takeaway and then sleep. Angelo presses and Colby now claims he has to help Bella with work. He hurries out. Angelo asks Taylor if Colby seemed strange, then notes she hardly knows him. At Salt, Bella is ranting to Ryder as he does his shift and says she’s never felt like this about anyone. Ryder says Nikau doesn’t have to do what Gemma says, but Bella reminds him he said they were close. Ryder says both that Nikau wouldn’t want to leave his friends and that family is everything to the Paratas, before finally calming her by pointing out Nikau couldn’t leave the country last time. At that moment, Nikau goes to see Colby at his flat and asks what he needs to do to get the travel ban lifted.

Arriving at the surf club, Colby briefly chats to Willow before approaching Bella and telling her about Nikau’s visit. He says he’s going to help him, since there’s no need for the travel ban to be in place. Bella says she should never have thought Nikau would choose her. Colby says Nikau’s still making up his mind but that Bella’s options are either to fight it and make it harder on him or not put pressure on him. At the police station, Taylor visits Angelo for dinner. Angelo says he’s had a breakthrough: A witness has come forward and confirmed that Colby killed Ross. Taylor tries to get details but Angelo just says it was good police work. Taylor says she’ll leave him to get on and see him in the morning.

At the flat, Dean complains to Willow about Amber constantly threatening to take Jai away from him. Willow says she does it because Dean always give in and notes he made a promise about Karen that he couldn’t keep. Colby comes back and is surprised Dean is still talking about Amber. He explains what’s going on with Bella. He gets a text and hurries out, saying he has something to do at work. Dean notes Amber has him backed into a corner. Meanwhile, Taylor is waiting in the park for Colby and angrily says he promised her. She tells him what Angelo said about a witness statement. Colby insists Angelo has it wrong and he’s not a murderer. He kisses her. Angelo is watching from behind a tree and photographs them.

Willow tells Dean that Amber is actually pleased to have him in Jai’s life and he should do something other than panic. Colby comes home and distractedly asks them if they’ve spoken to Angelo recently; both say no. Next morning, Taylor meets Angelo at Salt. Ryder brings a coffee that Angelo ordered for her and Taylor claims she had an early night. Angelo gives her a necklace; he helps her put it on and says to never take it off. He leaves and Ryder approaches Taylor to ask if she wants anything else. On the stairs, Angelo listens in via an earpiece.

Bella turns up at Nikau’s place and says she heard about him seeing Colby. Nikau says getting the ban lifted doesn’t necessarily mean he’s going to New Zealand but he doesn’t need to hear a list of reasons why he shouldn’t go. Bella says she’ll support him whatever he decides. Meanwhile, Dean meets Amber on the pier. He says they had a son together. Amber says she raised him but Dean says his family have a right to know Jai; it was Amber’s decision that he wasn’t there before. Amber still refuses to consider it so Dean says he’s going to go to court and get access she can’t take away.

Shortly after, Amber is at the surf club on the phone to Francesca, trying to calm her down and saying to meet her at Salt. She asks John if Dean has a lawyer and notes she wanted Jai to have a dad, explaining the situation. John says he’s had his run-ins with Karen but she’s changed, and asks Amber if she really wants to go to court. Meanwhile, Francesca turns up at the flat and is furious to see Colby there; he tries to apologise but she tells him not to say anything. Colby leaves her and Dean alone. Francesca isn’t happy Dean is friends with Colby again and say he can’t threaten them into changing their minds. Dean says it only involves him and Amber and thinks the court won’t care he wasn’t there for Jai before, just that he’s his dad. Francesca says she’ll make sure he never sees Jai again.