Episode 8208

Extended Summary

Harper and Dana are packing away after an exercise session on the beach. Dana asks Harper if she has any more Smouldr dates lined up and Harper says she deleted the app. Dana suggests she ask Irene to get a pet so she can be a cat lady. Harper retorts that Dana doesn’t go on dates either. Xander appears and asks how they manage to stay fit while talking throughout their workout. Harper asks him about cats and Xander says he’s more of a dog person, since they’re friendly and excitable and actually pleased to see you. Harper says she thought being a cat lady sounded sad.

Leah is surprised to find Justin in the house when she emerges from the bedroom. She notices the wine and chocolates he brought home and he says he was hoping they could celebrate, calling it a dumb idea. He admits he overheard her on the phone to the clinic and wonders if the engagement brought it on. Leah says she could feel tension and wanted to deal with it early: She has an online consult in the morning.

Xander, Harper and Dana walk up from the beach. Dana asks about the paint and sip night. Xander hopes to have it at the weekend. He asks if the pair are coming to Salt later. Harper says she’s tired. Dana makes an awkward noise that sounds like an affirmative. After Xander has gone, Harper thinks Dana’s being weird, which Dana turns back on her before saying she’ll get them some food from the Diner. Harper points out she’s just said she’ll go to Salt. Dana argues they get a discount at the Diner.

At Salt, Cash veers between reflecting he’s lucky to have a job and admitting the most exciting thing was a shopkeeper forgetting their keys. He gets a phone call from his boss and tells Felicity his night off has gone since someone’s called in sick. As he leaves, Xander turns up and starts asking Felicity about the paint and sip night. Felicity admits there’s something she has to tell him.

Irene gives a moping Dana her takeaway at the Diner and wonders if her mood is about her crush. Dana calls her nosy but eventually accepts she could do with some advice. She says the person in question is a good friend and she finds it uncomfortable being around them. Irene tells her to either settle on the friendship or take the chance on a relationship, because if she ghosts him then she loses both.

Next morning, Leah finishes a conversation on the laptop in her bedroom, then joins Justin. She tells him she spoke to the head of her care team and talked about whether the engagement was the right thing for her. They didn’t come up with an answer, but since Leah’s been thinking about it, it’s suggested she should go back to the clinic for a week.

Dana heads down to the beach and sees Xander coming the other way. She nearly turns back but ends up going over to him. He tells her the paint and sip night is off since Mackenzie and Felicity didn’t like the ideas. Dana protests and eventually tells him that he’ll come up with another idea just as good. On a bench near the beach, Leah and Justin discuss the possibility of her going back to the clinic. Justin says he just wants her to be happy and Leah says what makes her happiest is being with her fiance. Justin says that’s all he needed to hear. Leah decides to go to the clinic and Justin says he’ll be there when she gets back.

Cash comes home and Felicity comments on them being ships that pass in the night…or morning. Cash says there was a special moment at work: He tried to usher away some teenagers drinking in the car park but had to call the police, who recognised him. Felicity reminds him he works for an agency and suggests he talk to them. Later, Felicity finds Cash on the phone to the agency. He tells them he’s hoping for a position that makes better use of his skill set.

Dana joins Xander at the coffee cart and offers to help him come up with other ideas, reminding him he organised two successful events. Xander agrees but tells her not to suggest silent disco again. Dana jokingly mimes listening to music. Irene watches them and, when Harper approaches her, tells her she’s worked out that Xander is Dana’s crush. Harper is utterly bewildered and Irene realises she’s put her foot in it.

Xander goes to see Felicity on the balcony at Salt and tells her he’s got another idea: A craft beer event. He’s already got in touch with local breweries about it. Felicity asks him not to and awkwardly admits that Mackenzie is reconsidering him being events manager. Meanwhile, Leah and Justin are packing her case. Justin says he’s proud of her, then produces the engagement ring. He tells her she doesn’t have to wear it if she doesn’t want to but Leah happily accepts it. Justin says it’s a reminder that he’s with her.

At Salt, Xander is in a testy mood. Felicity tries to apologise for the way she told him, before telling him they’re not reducing his pay. She takes some coffee over to Cash, who says the agency don’t have anything else so he’s quit, although he’s still got a few more shifts to do. Harper comes in and talks to Xander about how hard dating is and how guys fall over themselves for Dana. Xander notes Dana’s awesome, and very outgoing which is really attractive.

Harper joins Irene and Dana at the Diner and declares Dana has to tell Xander how she feels. Dana realises Irene worked it out and told Harper. Harper says she spoke to Xander and he gave the green light. Dana is reluctant but Harper says it’s a long time since Olly, Xander is a great guy she can trust, and she can either be brave or become a cat lady like her.

Cash goes home and starts looking up jobs on his laptop. Alf turns up, having just got back to town. Cash realises it’s about Alf’s donation and apologises for not being able to put John and Roo off. Alf understands it wasn’t an easy job and says he’ll deal with them.

Dana arrives at Salt and approaches Xander, saying they’ve become good friends but she feels they could be more than that so wonders if they should go for a drink some time. Xander says he’s sorry but he doesn’t feel the same way. After a few awkward moments, Dana says to forget she said anything and walks out.