Episode 8442

Extended Summary

Kirby is finishing off a class on the beach. Not too far away, John is looking at a number of unanswered texts to Irene and contemplating sending another one. Kirby reminds him he’s told Dana not to use her phone on duty. John suggests he could be using it for work but refuses to say what he is using it for. They comment on Mali not being around, with Kirby grateful for not being in the middle of a lovers’ tiff. John stops Justin and tells him that Leah told him Irene is all right but she isn’t answering his texts. Justin doesn’t know any more than him, having been at the garage, but suggests he wait for her to reach out. John deletes the text.

At the beach house, Irene says Dana should have left for work. Dana wants to know why Irene wants to keep John out of things, saying he picked her up from rehab and bought her flowers and obviously cares about her. Irene says it’s not about that but won’t give an explanation beyond him not needing to know. She tells Dana she has to get ready for her walk and convinces Dana to go.

At Salt, Eden is surprised that Cash isn’t keen to get his old rank back. Cash says he likes his life the way it is. Abigail reappears and Cash leaves. Abigail then tells Eden she’s quit the board shop so can do anything she needs. At the police station, Rose is telling a man he’s been suspended from driving for six months and it’ll be jail time if he’s caught behind the wheel. The man says he won’t get caught. Cash comes in and recognises the man as a River Boy. The River Boy recognises him too and Cash shows him the door. Rose explains she booked him for speeding and suspects he’s involved in the street racing too but he wouldn’t say anything. She admits she recommended Cash to Sarge for the promotion.

Abigail (now in Salt uniform) expresses surprise that Cash wouldn’t want a better paid job. Eden says the pay doesn’t matter to him but it’s the rank he used to have. Abigail calls him trustworthy and dedicated. Kirby comes up for coffee and wonders if Mali called her in because Abigail’s helping out there again. Abigail explains she works there now and fired herself, to try and stop being so insecure about Mali. Downstairs, Dana hurries in and offers to move the flags but John wants to know if there’s any news of Irene. Dana tries to avoid the questions but John says if there’s something going on he needs to know.

Irene is waiting anxiously as Leah meets her in a park, apologising for being late. Irene says she should have told her. Leah insists that she just got held up at the Diner but Irene accuses her of disrespecting the schedule. Leah reminds her that biting her head off isn’t meant to be part of it. Irene admits she’s still getting used to life outside rehab. They set off on their walk.

At the surf club, Abigail asks Kirby how she’s handling working on her own. Kirby says she’s writing a song about not working with couples. Abigail tries to ask where Mali is before accepting Kirby’s offer of a drink. Dana is trying to get away from John nearby and eventually says she promised not to tell him anything. John is stung that Irene specifically told her not to tell him but sends her on her way.

Rose is on the phone to someone about the street racing, saying to call any time. Cash notes hiding away isn’t like the River Boys and they usually don’t care who sees them, wondering if someone new’s calling the shots. Rose says this is why they need him in charge. Eden comes in wanting to talk to Cash. He tries to say he’s going out on patrol but Rose says she can send someone else.

A short time later, Cash joins Eden in the back room and she asks him why he won’t apply. Cash initially says he doesn’t want the paperwork but eventually says he wants to focus on their relationship. Eden tells him not to sacrifice his career for her and that he’s a leader.

At the Diner, Leah tells Justin about Irene’s reaction to her being late. John comes in and asks if Irene’s avoiding him. Leah admits he’s in the firing line but doesn’t know why. Some time later, John is sitting in the park area, looking at Irene’s contact details. Dana appears and notes it would be a good view if it wasn’t dark. John says he’s been trying to think of what’s prompted this: Whether he said something stupid in rehab or put too much pressure on her or was just being a bit too much himself. Dana tells him not to think like that. He tells her to let Irene know she can call him if she wants anything.

Kirby is bemused that she’s drinking while Abigail’s working and decides to get something to eat, with Abigail getting the menu. Rose turns up and is slightly surprised to find Abigail working there, hoping it’s not because of something she said. She apologises for trashing Mali, saying she loves him and not like that. Abigail says Mali’s promised to work on his honesty. They discuss Cash turning down the promotion. At the Newman house, Eden joins Cash, who says he thought about what she said and also called Gary. After speaking to both of them, he’s accepted that this is the last piece in getting his life back on track so he’s going to apply.

Irene looks at the flowers John bought her and bins them. Dana arrives back and they make slightly awkward small talk about their days before Irene asks about John. Dana says he’s upset he hasn’t heard from her and passes on his message. The silence that follows is interrupted by Irene’s alarm and she heads up to bed.

Next morning, Kirby and Rose run into John near the surf club and ask about Irene, saying to give her their love. As they walk on, Rose gets a text from Cash saying he’s applying for the job. She worries that it makes it more real and wonders what will happen if she fails as a detective. Kirby tries to reassure her. Dana appears and insists that John needs to come with her now.

Irene is looking at her schedule when Dana turns up with John in tow. John realises Irene knew nothing about this and says he only came because Dana said it was urgent. Dana says John’s message obviously affected Irene so they should sort this out. She leaves them to it. John says he doesn’t want to make her uncomfortable and will leave if she says but would like to talk to her.