Episode 7445

Extended Summary

Bella and Nikau head up to the flat. Nikau says he didn’t mean to freak her out. Bella says it’s a big thing to think about. Nikau notes New Zealand’s not far and she’d make loads of friends, asking her to think about it. He heads down from the flat and runs into Ryder. He notes he either made things a bit better or a lot worse and suggests a game of pool. Nearby, Irene is agreeing to Leah having the day off so she can accompany Justin to hospital.

Marilyn is surprised when Irene comes back into the Diner, since she thought she was going home. Irene explains that she’s covering for Leah. At a nearby table, Taylor asks Angelo how the investigation’s going and wonders if he’ll be working late. At the Morgan house, Leah arrives home with juices. Justin realises she asked for the day off and tells her she didn’t need to. Leah repeatedly says he’s going through radiotherapy. Justin points out it’ll last eight weeks. He says he wants a glass of water and Leah tries to get it for him despite his protests. Justin says he’s not an invalid that needs nursing and heads out for some air.

Bella runs into Angelo near the Diner. He asks where Colby is and Bella says he’s out surfing. Angelo asks for a chat. After checking she won’t get into trouble if she doesn’t, Bella declines. At the surf club, Ryder is starting the game of pool but Nikau doesn’t feel like playing, despite it being his idea. He says he’s asked Bella a question and is waiting for the answer. Ryder wonders if he asked her to marry him and Nikau says he asked her to come to New Zealand. Ryder looks less than delighted and Nikau says he’s going for a walk.

Later, Ryder is playing pool on his own. John makes a joke about his lack of friends and Ryder says he has awesome friends…for the moment. Bella comes in and asks to talk to him. Ryder tries to ignore her, then walks out. Bella follows him through a park area asking why he’s being so weird. Ryder says he wants her to be happy but is going to miss her and Nikau, explaining he knows about the New Zealand move. Bella says she hasn’t decided yet but Ryder thinks she should go.

At the police station, Angelo highlights the name Andrew Smith which appears several times on the list of motel customers. He rings the motel and learns the bill was paid by credit card. He asks the name on the card. Taylor turns up, having brought afternoon tea since she won’t see him later. While she’s getting plates, Angelo writes down Colby’s name and tells the motel to ring him if the name comes up again.

Justin arrives at the surf club and tells John he just blew up at Leah. John understands that Leah fussing over him made him feel worse. Justin is worried Leah only sees him as a patient. John advises him to talk to her quickly. Leah chooses that moment to walk in. They go for a walk and Justin apologises but says Leah rearranging her life just makes the situation seem bigger. He tells her to live her life and he’ll let her know when he needs her.

Taylor tells Angelo she’s going to have an early night. Angelo gets a phone call, apparently the motel telling him Colby’s booked a room for tonight. He suggests to Taylor that he finishes off and goes home with her. Taylor hastily encourages him to stay back and work on the case. Angelo agrees. Meanwhile, near the bait shop, Nikau is on the phone to Tane saying he’s making plans. Bella arrives and suggests they go to the Diner together. Nikau tells her to go on and he’ll text her when he finishes work.

Irene and Marilyn are surprised when Leah returns to the Diner and she explains Justin sent her back. Marilyn notes John didn’t like losing his independence and Irene suggests that’s not the best example, before telling Leah it’s good Justin’s talking about his feelings. That evening, Leah arrives home to find the table laid out for a romantic dinner. Justin appears, saying Grace is asleep, champagne’s on ice and dinner’s ready. Leah asks how it went at the hospital and Justin says he’ll tell her later: For now, they have the house to themselves. He drags her towards the bedroom, explaining that dinner is sushi so it’s meant to be served cold.

Nikau meets Bella at the Diner, apologising that he took so long. Bella says she loves him but can’t go with him, explaining that she can’t leave Colby. Nikau says he’ll skip dinner. No sooner has he gone than Angelo approaches Bella. Bella says she’s got nothing for him. Angelo says he needs to tell her something about Colby. Meanwhile, Nikau goes to Salt and tells Ryder that Bella said no. Ryder is surprised but realises it was about Colby. He gets Nikau a beer and asks if he’s still going. Nikau says he has to rethink some things.

Angelo and Bella walk on the pier. Angelo tells her that Colby’s in a motel room with Taylor at the moment. He notes that he thinks Bella’s innocent, and when innocent people protect liars, they can get burned. He walks away, leaving her to think about it.