Episode 7531

Extended Summary

In the loading bay of the surf club, Dean is telling Alf that he’s rung round the Boys and arranged some more sponsors, including bottle shops, a tattoo parlour and a panel beater. Although appreciative, Alf doesn’t think it will be enough but Dean is determined to keep trying. Willow comes over to Alf and they discuss Dean’s determination not to let Jai down. Later, Willow is pacing in the surf club looking at her phone. She is just bringing up Alex’s details when Dean calls her over and asks her help with the surf comp organisation, explaining he’s arranged more entrants. Willow says Dean will know more than her about what’s needed. Dean thinks of judges and marshals but can’t think of anything else except sausages.

Tori is wishing Christian luck before his first day back at work but both are worried how Lewis will take it. Christian resolves to try and focus on the work and bite his tongue. Tori suggests one of them needs to be the bigger man. At the Diner, Lewis is staring into space. After getting his attention, Jasmine asks how he’s feeling about Christian coming back to work. Lewis complains about him getting away with things. Jasmine suggests he takes the day off but Lewis insists he’s not being forced out and someone needs to keep an eye on Christian. After he’s gone, Jasmine admits to Irene that she’s worried.

Outside the bait shop, Alf is reading the paper, which has a front page story about a con woman fleecing the surf club. Roo tells him not to read it. Alf says he’s been looking at the accounts and there’s no funds even with Dean’s help, plus he doesn’t have any money himself. Roo suggests he delegate to the committee and Dean. Alf notes the paper makes them sound as bad as Susie. Roo says it’s only one side of the story and has an idea. Later, she finishes a phone call. She and Alf explain to Irene that they’re going to give the paper their version of events. Alf is unsure about airing all the surf club’s problems but Roo thinks it will make people want to help. Irene says she would; Alf retorts that she didn’t last time and Irene says that’s because Susie asked. Roo convinces Alf to take part.

At the hospital, Jasmine tells Lewis that Mrs Collins is prepped for surgery. Tori and Christian arrive and Lewis calls Christian the Teflon doctor. Christian takes him aside and tries to suggest they work together for the sake of the patients but Lewis refuses to consider it, saying he’s not going to let anyone else die because of Christian. Christian tells Tori and Jasmine that he tried. Later, Jasmine tells Lewis that Christian was making an effort and he could lose his job if he doesn’t find a way to end it. Lewis asks her to cover for him. Jasmine thinks it’s good he’s taking time off but he says he’s not: He’s going to the police to report Christian for assault.

Alf and Roo have met with the journalist, Leila, and tell her that the surf club needs money for basic things like equipment, otherwise the beach won’t be as safely patrolled as it usually is. Irene chimes in by saying it helps local businesses to have them there. Leila asks about the other people involved, mentioning John. Roo says he was vulnerable and Susie took advantage of him. Leila seems interested. Down on the beach, Dean gets off the phone and tells Willow that Taz can’t help out: He is trying to get people to man the tents. Willow suggests he ask some of the surf club members. Dean thinks Willow would be better at that than him, reminding her she talked Bella round. Willow gets a call from Alex and walks away to take it, saying it’s good to hear her voice.

Tori asks Jasmine where Lewis is, since she wants to talk to him about earlier. Jasmine says she doesn’t know. Tori notes she and Jasmine will always be good friends. Later, Tori and Christian are checking a scan and Christian asks Jasmine for some tests. Lewis appears and politely says he’ll do it. Moments later, Murray arrives with another police officer and tells Christian he’s under arrest for assault. Christian protests he has a patient waiting to be operated on. Tori says she’ll page the registrar to cover. At the surf club, Dean gives Alf an update on his progress. Willow appears and tells Dean she was speaking to Alex and hoped she’d invite her to Queensland for another go. Dean looks uncomfortable with the fact she’d have gone if asked.

Christian arrives home and tells Tori he’ll be up in front of the magistrate later in the week: Best case scenario is a fine and good behaviour bond, worst is two years in jail. He says she was right and he shouldn’t have hit Lewis, but Lewis has it in for him and if he’s convicted it would mean a medical tribunal and possibly losing his job. Tori says they’ll get a good lawyer but Christian wants to be alone. Meanwhile, Jasmine and Lewis are walking on the beach. Lewis knows Jasmine thinks he shouldn’t have gone to the police. Jasmine says Christian shouldn’t have hit him but wonders whether Lewis is after justice or revenge. Lewis says he wants Christian held to account for his actions.

At the Diner, Willow complains to Irene, saying she’s never forgotten Alex but Alex doesn’t seem interested in getting back together. She did however say there hadn’t been anyone since they broke up. Irene encourages Willow to try again. Willow says she can’t just back her bags and head up to Queensland but Irene says that’s what she did when she came back to Summer Bay and managed to win her family over. Willow notes that’s the second time someone’s reminded her of that. Irene says they’ll be there for her if things don’t work out. At the surf club, Alf complains to Roo about phoning Gerald who’s phoning the lawyers. Roo says Leila told her they’ve got the front page. Alf isn’t convinced it will solve everything but appreciates it might get people to help.

Willow goes up to Dean in Salt and says he’s going to need a new secretary because she’s going to make a grand gesture with Alex. Dean is aghast at her moving to Queensland, asking what about her mates and her job. Willow hopes her mates will be happy for her and says the job was only ever temporary. Dean asks about Bella and Russell. Willow says Bella has Dean and if things work out she can move Russell to a care home up north. Dean says he’s not going to give her a high five and walks away.