Episode 8434

Extended Summary

Roo and Eliza arrive at the coffee cart where Roo introduces Eliza to Leah and Justin. They attempt to make small talk with her, with Roo explaining she’s showing Eliza the sights, but after Marilyn has arrived with a coffee for Roo and hot chocolate for Eliza, Eliza asks if she can go. Roo sends her to wait for her down by the beach and notes that, according to her reports, Eliza is very bright despite all the disruption. After they have gone, Leah and Justin comment on Eliza being reserved.

At the Diner flat, Rose comments on the embarrassment of breaking down in tears in front of her ex. Mali pretends to agree before offering to help her take the boxes to the freight centre. Rose ends up agreeing they should do it tomorrow. Mali suggests they go and get dinner together. Meanwhile, Abigail is busying herself around the farm house and making a lot of noise while doing it, annoying Levi while he’s trying to work. Abigail tries unsuccessfully to get him to go out with her but he eventually agrees to food and a movie.

Down on the beach, Roo tries to interest Eliza in hiring out a kayak or a walk to the lighthouse. She points out the direction of the high school, which Eliza doesn’t seem keen about. She says the other kids picked on her at her last school and the teachers considered her disruptive. Roo suggests she was bored and offers to home school her so she can work at her own pace. Eliza says it’s up to Roo, while Roo says it’s Eliza’s choice and she’ll support her.

Alf and Marilyn are chatting about Eliza at the house. Roo and Eliza arrive back and Eliza immediately heads upstairs. Roo explains her plan to home school her. Alf isn’t convinced, saying she won’t make friends, and Marilyn says Eliza eats in her room every night. Roo is determned to engage her. Later, Marilyn has set the table for dinner. Eliza comes downstairs and asks which is hers. Roo suggests she eat with them tonight. Eliza is reluctant but Alf pushes the matter and she reluctantly sits down.

Abigail is trying to interest Levi in ice cream and a superhero movie. Levi tries to get her to go and help Eden close up. Abigail suddenly remembers that she promised to do a board order and hurries out. Meanwhile, Rose and Mali are exiting the surf club. Rose reflects on how she’s spent all this time supporting Xander only for him to move on. Mali suggests now she can do something for herself. They hug, which is seen by Abigail.

Abigail arrives home in a mood and tells Levi that Mali wasn’t with a mate, he was with his ex and they were all over each other. Levi tries to ask exactly what she saw but Abigail walks off. Ironically, at the Diner flat, Mali is telling Rose about how well things are going with Abby. Rose says she’s decided to go for something she’s been interested in since she was a kid. Mali realises she’s talking about making detective and encourages her to go for it.

Eliza seems to be just looking at her food as the others make conversation. She asks why Marilyn has something different and Marilyn says she’s a vegetarian, which Eliza says tracks. Alf asks about her arm and Roo offers to get the doctor to look at it. Alf and Marilyn try to talk to Eliza about her card and the home schooling but she ends up getting up and walking out.

Roo follows Eliza out into the caravan park. Mali comes along and Roo does introductions but he leaves when Eliza doesn’t say anything. Eliza says she’s heard this plenty of times before, people saying she’s got a home and pretending to like her, and they always get sick of her. Roo insists that won’t happen.

Next morning, Marilyn and Leah serve Rose at the coffee cart and note she’s looking happier. Justin comes over and says he’s late on his taxes, asking Leah to help and promising to make it worth her while. Marilyn agrees to cover, then goes over to Alf and wonders what he thinks about Eliza. Alf says maybe they should be concerned. Meanwhile, Levi bangs on Mali’s caravan door and asks why he lied to Abigail. Mali insists he was hanging out with a mate, but admits he didn’t tell her it was Rose and agrees to talk to her. Roo accosts Levi, asking for his help.

Mali goes round to Abigail and assures her there’s nothing going on with Rose and she was just upset about Xander going. Abigail says there’s a difference between a mate and an ex. Mali accepts that and says he didn’t want to worry her. Abigail says she was worried because he kept it a secret. Mali assures her it’s her he’s into but admits he has agreed to help Rose. Abigail agrees.

Levi is changing Eliza’s dressing as Alf and Marilyn arrive home. He tells Roo to go to the GP if it gets more red or swollen, explaining to Eliza that he’s a heart surgeon. Roo tells Eliza he operated on a baby in the womb. Eliza asks what it’s like cutting into people. Levi says it is what it is and he does his best to make people better.

Justin checks on Leah’s progress at the garage and they flirt about how he’s going to pay her. A courier drops off a package. Justin is annoyed, realising Theo ordered the part online against his advice. Meanwhile, Roo meets Alf outside the bait shop. Alf feels it’s not going to work out with Eliza: She’s only had dinner with them once and walked out. Roo argues they’re strangers to her. Alf thinks the questions she asked Levi weren’t right. Roo says he and Marilyn promised to support her and she and Eliza could both use his help.