Episode 8438

Extended Summary

John and Dana are setting up flags on the beach. John wonders how Dana is coping without Xander. Dana says she’s cursing him and his offspring for a hundred years, before admitting that she misses him and wishes it hadn’t ended the way it did. John congratulates her on being grown-up about it before wondering about Harper and her planning the wedding remotely. Dana says she’s left Tane to handle it and she thinks that he needs someone to keep him in line…namely her.

At the Newman/Parata house, Tane continues to try and persuade Cash that he doesn’t want anyone else as his best man. Cash reiterates that he’s happy to stand by Tane but won’t make a speech. Tane says he’s committed to Harper and the baby and being a family. Cash says Tane has everything except being in love with the woman he’s marrying and he won’t be offended if he chooses another best man. After Cash has gone, Tane gets a call from Harper with news that shocks him.

Rose is finishing off a phone call as Cash arrives at the station and tells him the River Boys have expanded to street car racing. Cash notes that with no station at Mangrove River, there’s no-one to monitor them. Rose suggests Cash go and check it out, before saying she’s kidding and she’ll send someone else so as not to inflame the situation. Cash wonders why she’s so cheery.

At the coffee cart, Alf talks to Justin and Leah about Roo getting Eliza’s schooling sorted and getting a hug. Theo sits with Alf and Justin and, in a roundabout way, asks Alf if there’s any work going at the bait shop or surf club, explaining he’s trying to get ahead of his loan repayments. Alf agrees to look out for him.

Rose offers to buy everyone coffee which makes Cash even more suspicious since she never does that. Rose takes him into the back room and explains she’s applied for the Advanced Diploma of Police Investigations in order to become a detective. She thinks moving to the city for something new is what she needs and notes that if she’s successful, Cash could be promoted back to his old rank when she leaves.

At the surf club, John and Dana find Tane with a notice on his youth programme. Dana attempts to interrogate him about the wedding arrangements, asking if he’s sorted everything on the list. Tane says if she does want to help, she can find out why Irene’s not coming, since she’s RSVP’d no. John and Dana are surprised but Tane says Harper called, upset.

At the Diner, John fills in Leah and Justin. Leah and John are both surprised, since Irene seemed to be recovering well whenever they’ve visited her. Justin asks them if she’s ever talked about coming home and they admit she hasn’t, but since she’s there voluntarily she can leave whenever she wants. Leah concludes there’s only one way to find out. Outside the surf club, Tane is trying to arrange a photographer. Dana comes over and says Harper has asked her to do a maid of honour speech. She thinks she needs to co-ordinate with Cash. Tane admits he’s wavering over being best man.

Rose wonders why Cash seems subdued. Cash admits that he’s not sure if he wants to be senior constable again. Dana suddenly turns up demanding to talk to Cash. He asks if a crime’s been committed and she says that depends on the next few minutes. The two of them go into the back room. Dana takes Cash to task for pulling out of being best man. Cash says work is intense and Dana nods towards where everyone’s standing drinking coffee. Cash says he doesn’t want to make a speech and it’s not the typical romance. Dana says it’s not either of their idea of a perfect marriage but it’s about Tane and Harper and they are going to stand by them and makes speeches.

Leah and John arrive at rehab. John is concerned they didn’t call ahead. They run into Irene, who greets them cheerfully but says she forgot they were coming. They explain they just popped in. Irene says she has her tai chi class but they’re happy to wait so she says she’ll meet them in an hour. Later, Irene joins them and they ask her about going to the wedding. Irene says she’s learned not to make plans and to take each day as it comes. Leah argues that it’s five weeks away and she might feel different then.

Tane and Dana meet up on the beach. Dana says she spoke to Cash and she thinks he’ll do it. Justin and Theo come over and Theo asks Tane if he needs any help at the gym. Tane says there’s nothing at the moment. Back at rehab, Irene insists Tane and Harper don’t need her. John and Leah wonder if she’s had a setback. Irene says she’s happy for them to stick around and chat but she’s not going to discuss the wedding any longer.

Cash and Rose arrive at the surf club. Rose decides to go upstairs and do reading for her course. Theo is putting up a notice advertising his services as a handyman. Cash approaches Tane and suggest they go shopping for wedding suits tomorrow…as part of his duties as best man. Meanwhile, Leah makes small talk about Justin and Theo to Irene before Irene announces she has group therapy. John asks if there’s any plan for her coming home, causing Irene to lose her temper and say they don’t know where her recovery’s at.

John comes up to Salt for a takeaway. Rose is looking at her laptop and gives a cheer before telling John she’s going to be a detective. John congratulates her and heads down to his office, where he looks up Irene’s contact details. Irene is sitting alone at rehab while most other people seem to be sitting in groups. She gets the call from John and hesitates before answering it. John apologises but says he doesn’t understand why she’s not home. Irene says she’s scared before ringing off.