Episode 8021

Extended Summary

Xander is walking up from the beach with Mali following him. Xander insists that he’s all right. Mali wants to call an ambulance but Xander says he won’t get in it if one comes. He nearly falls again, having to grab hold of a railing to steady himself, and agrees to Mali helping him. They arrive back at the flat where Mali tells Rose that Xander collapsed. Xander tries to deny it and Mali says he keeled over and passed out. Xander says he just overdid it and took painkillers on an empty stomach. He suggests that Rose (who is only wearing a towel) should get dressed. Rose and Mali exchange an awkward look before Rose tells Xander not to change the subject. Mali offers to keep an eye on him while she gets changed.

Bree is sitting in a park area. Cash comes up and asks if she’s heard from Remi. Bree says she got a call from him after last night’s gig. Cash says he got a drunken call from Eden at three in the morning. He suggests he’s there if Bree needs someone to talk to. Bree says she has a counsellor for that. Meanwhile, Justin arrives back outside the house where he did his community service. He has a bag and a drink bottle with him. He checks the note and goes to the house indicated. After knocking on the door and not getting a response, he looks through a window and sees someone collapsed. He tries to rouse them by knocking on the window, then calls an ambulance.

Rose and Mali discuss Xander’s condition with Rose explaining about him going surfing. They stop talking when Xander comes in. He notes he’s glad to give them something to talk about. He admits that he shouldn’t have gone surfing but says he’s a paramedic and knows whether he needs to go to hospital or not. Rose replies that he’s not a paramedic anymore, telling Mali about him quitting. Later, Xander declares he’s going down to the Diner for something to eat, despite Mali and Rose’s protests. Mali takes charge of the situation, declaring that he’s going to cook for all of them.

Paramedic Aaron brings a teenage boy into hospital with Justin following. The boy is panicking and saying he can’t be there. Aaron gives Bree his details but the boy flinches away whenever anyone tries to touch him. Justin ends up stepping in, reminding the boy of the note he left him and saying Bree’s a friend of his. Bree carries out a basic examination and gives instructions to a nurse. She talks to Justin who explains about his community service, the note and finding him. The boy is reluctant to agree to tests or respond to questions. Justin steps in again and he gives his name as Andrew.

Justin offers Andrew a sandwich from the bag if he does as Bree says. He lets Bree cannulate him. He says that he’s seventeen but doesn’t know when his birthday is. The nurse calls Bree away. Alone, Andrew tells Justin he’s not supposed to go outside but clams up again when Bree returns. Justin leaves Andrew with the sandwich. Bree says there aren’t any medical records attached to the address and wants to call the police.

Rose, Xander and Mali finish off the meal and Rose compliments Mali on his cooking. Xander and Rose throw serviettes at each other and Xander winces. Keen to change the subject, Xander asks Mali about the board shop launch. Mali says he’s booked up for a week. Xander says Rose has been following Mali’s socials. Rose walks out and Mali warns Xander that wasn’t cool. He goes after Rose and admits to her that he’s been checking out her socials as well, although she’s a hard person to pin down. Rose says cops don’t like to advertise themselves much online.

Andrew has finished the sandwich. Justin asks him about the note. Andrew says he was hungry and Justin seemed like a nice person, adding that it’s his house. Justin tries to ask who else lives there. Bree arrives back with Cash and Andrew is upset that Justin called the police. Later, Cash asks Justin why he didn’t tell him about the note. Justin says he thought it might be a prank. He suggests Cash get a warrant to search the house but Cash wants to check records first.

Rose and Mali chat at Salt and discuss the board shop launch. Rose says she’s happy for him. Mali tells her about moving in with Mackenzie. Rose notes things have fallen into place for him. He offers to go and talk to Xander. Rose agrees. Mali heads back to the flat. Xander is feeling a bit bad about Rose and admits he’s all over the place. Mali recalls how it took him a while to figure out the Bay was the best fit for him.

Cash tells Justin there’s nothing in the database so he’s going to apply for the search warrant. Bree reports that Andrew’s doing well. Cash tries to remind Andrew that he saw Cash with him the previous day but Andrew doesn’t answer or look at him. Meanwhile, Xander and Mali are watching surf videos when Rose arrives back. Xander apologises to her and they hug, which causes him to wince in pain. He accepts that he might need to get checked out at the hospital. Mali leaves them to it after a few words with Rose.

Justin is sitting in silence by Andrew’s bed. Bree calls him over and says there’s nothing wrong with Andrew apart from the malnourishment and dehydration, but that means there’s no reason to keep him there. She says she’s called the hospital social worker to check for mental health or welfare issues but they need more information. Justin tries to ask Andrew about his family. Andrew asks for another sandwich.