Episode 8477

Extended Summary

Irene and Marilyn are cooing over Archie with Tane at the Diner. Harper is standing a few paces away, on the phone to the department. Tane explains about Eliza hiding Alf’s pills. Harper says she’s spoken to Eliza’s caseworker who wasn’t surprised. She answers a call from Roo, who says Eliza’s there. Harper wants to come over but Roo doesn’t think that’s a good idea and isn’t keen on leaving Alf alone with Eliza to meet her. Alf says he can handle a fourteen-year-old and Marilyn decides to go over and join him.

Levi meets up with Mackenzie outside the surf club, saying her favourite surgeon got off work early and wondering if her boss would let him spend time with her. They continue to chat in the third person as Mackenzie agrees if Levi sticks around until she finishes work. At the Diner, Harper agrees to Tane taking Archie home. He briefly chats to Irene as he goes. Roo arrives and Harper tells her that the department are going to take Eliza away. Roo says she didn’t want that and asks what will happen to her.

Theo is looking up Lacey’s contact details. Remi arrives and Theo says he missed Justin and Leah. Remi says that’s probably a good thing. Theo says they think he’s having physio but he doesn’t care about that. He’s worried about what’s happening to Lacey, having not heard about her since her visit. Remi says he understands, since Bree was in the same situation when he met her.

Roo and Harper walk by the beach. Roo asks if they can call the department and say this isn’t the outcome she wanted. Harper says that’s not how it works: Eliza needs to be assessed and get psychiatric help. Roo asks if she’ll be institutionalised and Harper says in the short term. Roo wants to be the one to tell her.

Alf and Marilyn are chatting about Roo. Eliza listens in as they discuss Roo going to see Harper. Roo comes back and is told Eliza hasn’t come downstairs. Roo says she has to go up and tell Eliza she can’t stay there anymore. Eliza slips away. Roo follows her up and Eliza asks if she’s getting rid of her. Roo says it’s not her choice but Eliza needs help she can’t give her. Eliza says she knows she’s different but doesn’t want to go. Roo repeats that it’s not her choice. Eliza says Roo can go now.

At Salt, Tane and Archie have joined Mackenzie and Levi for their meal, which Mackenzie isn’t complaining about: Her only regret is that Archie is asleep and she wonders if she can drop a glass and wake him so she can have a cuddle. Harper returns and Levi checks that Mackenzie is okay. Meanwhile, Roo comes downstairs and, when Marilyn tries to offer her sympathy, accuses her of wanting this before apologising. She tells Alf that she feels she’s failed Eliza. Alf thinks she did the best she could have done.

Next morning, Remi and Bree exit the Lyrik house and notice the River Boy vehicle. They approach Cash who is casual about his shadows, saying at least he knows where they are. Bree heads off to work and Remi asks Cash why he hasn’t gone near Eden. Cash admits he doesn’t want her involved in this and says the River Boys are hoping he’ll lead them to Lacey, who’s gone to ground since Gage’s legal team found out about her statement. Remi wonders if Theo and Sonny are in danger. Cash admits they might be once Theo’s well enough to make a statement. He drives off, waving to the River Boys as they follow him.

Leah and Justin attempt to stress to Theo that his physio is important. Justin realises he’s thinking about Lacey. Theo doesn’t understand why she took a risk to visit him and then never came back. Leah wants him to forget about her but Theo worries about the River Boys going after her. At the police station, Cash arrives and enters the back room where Lacey is, bringing her breakfast. She asks about Theo but he doesn’t have any updates. She asks about the safe house. Cash is trying to arrange it but reminds her she left police protection so he has to get permission again.

At the coffee cart, Irene, Marilyn and Tane discuss that Roo must be devastated but agree it’s the right outcome. Harper arrives with Archie, who she is leaving with Tane while she helps Roo take Eliza to the city to get her settled. Tane accepts it’s what she needs to do and says she doesn’t need to thank him for looking after Archie. Meanwhile, Mackenzie serves Levi on the Salt balcony. Even though he’s on call, Levi suggests they go for a swim or spend time together another way. Mackenzie says she’s too busy. Tane turns up with Archie, and Mackenzie quickly is free to spend time with them.

Alf and Roo greet Harper on her arrival; Eliza is getting things from her room. Eliza appears and apologises to Alf for the pills, then asks if she can stay now. Harper says it doesn’t work like that. Roo tries to tell Eliza things can be better for her. Eliza says Roo’s not as bad as the other carers…she’s worse. She walks out with Harper, and Roo follows after a moment.

Mackenzie joins Tane, Levi and Archie. Tane suggests taking Archie for a walk but goes to change Archie’s nappy first, turning down Mackenzie’s offer of help. Levi worries that Mackenzie spending time with Archie didn’t end well last time but Mackenzie thinks she can cope now. Levi gets a call about Theo refusing treatment and says he has to go in.

Levi joins Leah and Justin in trying to convince Theo. Justin thinks it’s because of the pain and Leah thinks it’s his mood. Levi asks the pair to leave them alone. Out in the corridor, Justin asks Leah to go easy on Lacey. Leah thinks she’s the reason Theo’s in this mess. Justin says Theo perked up after her visit and hopes she comes again. Meanwhile, Alf joins Marilyn at the coffee cart. He says Roo’s gutted about Eliza going and she thinks she’s a complete failure.

Cash brings Lacey a snack and says the safe house will be one more day, two at most. Lacey wonders if she should take her chances. Cash says she’s free to go, since she’s a witness not a prisoner, but the River Boys are outside, so she can accept his help or deal with it on her own.