Episode 8148

Extended Summary

Roo approaches Mali outside the surf club and asks him to take a photo of Alf by the plaque, claiming it’s for the surf club newsletter: She thinks Alf is more likely to say yes to Mali than her. Rose comes along and Mali senses she’s still preoccupied about a case, suggesting she hang around and have a coffee. At the Diner, Leah is saying her goodbyes to Marilyn before going to pick up Justin. Theo arrives and Leah insists on dragging him off before he can have a coffee. Roo arrives and tells Marilyn she’s sent the answers to the paper and they’ll print as soon as they get the photo. Marilyn again expresses reservations about what she’s doing.

At the surf club, Alf is refusing pointblank Mali’s proposal, saying the newsletter isn’t about pictures of him. As Rose watches from a distance, Mali suggests John will put his own photo in, with an article about how the award was his idea. Alf poses for the photo (but doesn’t smile), then disappears into his office. Mali explains to Rose that it’s a favour for Roo.

By the coffee cart, Roo receives the photo from Mali and then tells Marilyn what she told him about it being for the newsletter. Marilyn suggests that, if Roo’s lying to Mali about it, she knows deep down that it’s wrong. Alf appears and wonders what they’re gossiping about. They tell him it’s about the charges against Irene and Harper being dropped. Alf is suspicious that they’re not still trying to talk him into doing the interview. Marilyn says she respects his decision, and Roo says he doesn’t have to do the interview.

Leah and Theo help Justin into the house. Leah settles Justin on the sofa and he convinces her to sit with him. He shoots a look at Theo, then kisses her anyway. Leah says she thought she’d lost him. Theo says he gets it’s great Justin’s home and they’re engaged, but asks them to cut out the PDAs. They don’t listen. Later, Justin notices Leah yawning and wonders what she was doing last night. She says she was excited to have him home and goes to get her laptop for wedding planning. Theo appears, intending to go to band practice and give them alone time, but Justin wants him to go to the jeweller in Yabbie Creek and pick out a wedding ring for Leah: He wants Theo to send him photos. Theo tries to protest but gives in when Justin asks him if he loves Leah or not.

Rose is sitting looking pensive and Mali realises she’s worried about her case, which she has admitted involves a friend. Alf comes past and Rose mentions the article to him, showing him it on her phone. Mali realises it’s the photo he took and Alf realises Roo’s behind it. Meanwhile, at the Morgan house, Leah has sorted out the overseas guest list of VJ, Luc, Tori, Christian and Grace. Justin is distracted looking at the photos of engagement rings, at one point suggesting having the wedding at the surf club. Leah starts trying to discuss dates. Justin makes his choice of rings and gives her his full attention.

Alf tells Rose and Mali that Roo went behind his back and pretended she was him, and accuses Mali of tricking him over the photo. At the Diner, Roo and Marilyn are looking over the article. Roo reads a quote, supposedly from Alf, about encouraging everyone to volunteer and be part of something bigger than them. Alf appears and announces he’s going to throttle his daughter.

Mali is despondent about Alf being upset with him, and Rose tries to reassure him. Theo comes downstairs, looking at his phone, and nearly collides with them. He explains he’s now Justin’s errand boy: After sorting out the engagement ring, he’s also had to arrange a special dinner for them upstairs. Rose asks to go back with him to check on Justin.

At the house, Justin is looking at a list of things to think about for a wedding online. Theo arrives with Rose. Justin tells her they’re glad Vita Nova are finished, then calls Theo into the bedroom for a private chat. Theo admits he told the jeweller he was buying the ring for his aunt, which was hard to come back from. He hands over the ring and Justin smiles. Meanwhile, Rose tries to talk to Leah about last night but Leah snaps that she’s fine.

That evening, Justin shows Leah to a table on the balcony at Salt, explaining he wanted their first proper evening as an engaged couple to be a special one. He produces the ring, saying he wanted it to make her happy. He places the ring on her finger and asks her to marry him. She fortunately says yes. At the Diner, Alf is still annoyed about Roo going behind his back. Mali and Rose come in and Alf apologises for thinking Mali was involved, also inviting him to blame Roo. Marilyn says she always thought it was a terrible idea and Alf points out she didn’t do much to stop it. Marilyn and Roo try to tell him the article will bring people to the club. Alf wants the article retracted. Roo says she’ll do her best. Alf looks suspicious.

Up in the flat, Mali tells Rose he’s glad things are sorted with Alf. He asks her about the case and she admits it’s Leah she’s worried about and that’s why she went to Justin’s. She’s worried Leah isn’t coping. Meanwhile, Leah is in bed but has nightmares about Justin trying to break out of the factory, injuring himself and deteriorating in hospital. She wakes up and slips out of bed, waking Justin, who sees the ring by her bedside. He follows her out of the room and she assures him she’s fine.

Next morning, Alf arrives at the Diner to challenge Roo and Marilyn about leaving early. Roo claims she rang the Coastal News but the print edition had already gone out, then draws his attention to Leah and Justin arriving. Rose arrives and tries to apologise to Leah but Leah cuts her short, even when she tries to admire her ring, which Justin sees from where he and Alf are sitting.

Justin and Alf go back to the Morgan house where Justin tells Alf about giving Leah the ring. He is worried he put too much pressure on her and she’s having second thoughts.