H&Alover

Just a reminder Dean told Coby to go after the crash as he knew how important it was that Colby find Bella and his mum. Dean and Willow and anyone else who knew Ross knew what a monster he was and what would be the guarantee he wouldn't break out of prison? Bella did love Ross but you can both love and hate someone at the same time. Angelo can't give up now, I'm wondering if he's not getting side tracked by the affair rather than the case he's trying to build against Colby? He did love throwing little tidbit of information in Bella's lap that Colby and Taylor are still seeing each other. Methinks she'll be changing her mind about going to NZ as as she told Nikau she was only staying in the bay because Colby needed her. He'll no doubt throw a hissy fit and blame Nik but she is an adult now so he can't stop her going. If she hasn't already got a passport and I can't see Ross having got her one, would there be any reason why she wouldn't be allowed one? Ryder is a lovely guy, he's possibly about to lose his only friends yet is big enough to wish them well. His face when he was teasing Nik about asking Bella to marry him being the big question, then finding out he meant asking her to go to NZ with him. Come on everyone it's only three hours away not the other side of the world, and if things went wrong she can come home. It would get Bella away from Colby which is a bonus. Leah was going into Marilyn mode there with her overreaction to Justin's first radiotherapy treatment the way she was fussing over him, not even allowing him to get a glass of water for himself. I know she meant well, but did she learn nothing from the John/Marilyn experience? Down the line when he has had more treatments Justin may need help, radiotherapy affects different people in different ways, but Leah don't 'do' things for him without asking if he needs it. John understood what Justin was going through, he was just as guilty as he did the same with Jett, and good for Justin telling Leah that when he needed her help he'd ask for it, and she got it and backed off. Lovely touch that that dinner, he might as well enjoy a good meal while he can still appreciate it. Roo is back this week - but no Owen.?

Christian's early reappearance threw Tori, was she thinking his prior 'arrangement' had been brought forward? To her and his credit they can still be professional when they need to be. Made me blink when she dragged him into her office and pounced on him! Whatever happened with Jasmine and Christian's off screen talk straightened things out and Tori didn't seem too bothered she had been discussed it did result in Tori and Christian agreeing to taking things slowly. Maybe there was/is something about Christian that jars with Jasmine. More embarrassing talk for Justin having to listen to. ? The first chemo session would take it out of him. I get Tane couldn't admit the truth to Ari, stolen goods is one thing, drugs totally another. No wonder he is so keen to get hold of Ziggy. God knows how she, Willow and Nugget will react when they find out. What does he think Nik can do though? Was that a warning for Nik to go the New Zealand as soon as he could so he would be safe? It was good to see Nik, Bella and Ryder again. We can't always have what 'we' want in regards to pairings between couples in soaps. I personally like Bella and Nikau together, I think they have more in common than Ryder and Bella do so understand each other better. Ryder and Bella are great as friends. Nikau has asked Bella to go with him but does she have a passport? Breaking that news to Colby will be fun though he can't stop her.

Crazy Jasmine? Anyway it was more like suspicious Jasmine, when Christian turned up at ND he acted as if he had only just arrived that day, not the day before when Jasmine saw him at the Diner. He wasn't due back for two more days so was he hiding from Tori and if so why? Justine never had the chance to tell Tori as the drama with Tane was unfolding. Loved seeing Justin squirming when Tori was talking about her waxing and hinting, nudge, nudge, wink, wink why she had had it done. Christian planning the night together does take the spontaneity out of it, hope he lives up to expectations!? I did like his quip about him and Tori being in their favourite place, though perhaps not the most appropriate time as Tane was groaning away on the trolley between them. Of course Tane being a macho guy he had to get out of bed to get his phone to make a very urgent call thus causing him to collapse and cause even more damage to his liver. ? Btw how did Tane get in at Ziggy's did he have a key and how did he manage to drive all the way back from the city in his condition? If you call letting your wife continuing to sleep with a guy you believe killed a man dedication I despair. That device must have a pretty good range, he was listening in on them at the station in Yabbie Creek while they were in the bay. Anything he hears would be inadmissible in court but certainly grounds for divorce. He reckons he has a 'witness' which is doubtful but even if he had Colby, as a cop, should know Angelo wouldn't give out the name. Colby does himself no favours by taunting Angelo, just makes him all the more determined. Angelo still has no proof, but ever since he arrived decided right away Colby did it. Neither Taylor or Colby were being that discreet at Salt, yet later she was fretting about Bella finding out they were back together, as for Colby assuring her she wouldn't - yeh good luck with that.

Yeh, I was thinking that, she and her boyfriend at the time had nicked a neighbours car.

Oops sorry Nugget! He must be the go to guy as Willow has requested his help twice now. To second Ziggy's question is he still a River Boy or a retired one? OK so Thelma & Louise - had the same thought Red - are off to leave the van and its contents somewhere for Nugget to collect which means the garage is going to be closed again!? Just keep your fingers crossed, they aren't involved in an accident. Liked the admission from Ziggy that she had stolen a few cars in her time back when she was a a bit of a wild child. There are two ways to see the Amber/Dean story. She knows Dean wouldn't hurt Jai or put him danger at least intentionally, but she also knows - or knew - him well enough to know he could go off half cocked and do things without thinking them through, like his plan to to got Queensland. Were those his true feelings when he made that remark about the board shop? Colby was doing his best but it was Jai saying that mummy would miss him if he and Dean went away together that melted his heart and changed his mind. Dean did what he did, rightly or wrongly because he was worried about Jai being left alone, what if he hadn't turned up when he did? He could have wandered off and got run over or worse. Not the person you would have naturally thought of to try and diffuse the situation but John's talk with Amber was well done. Well done to him too for not revealing to Marilyn what was going on. John has a soft sot for both of them. Colby and Dean made it back by the skin of their teeth. Amber's tirade at Dean was understandable but I also hope it was a knee jerk reaction about him not seeing Jai again, how is she going that explain it to Jai? Another blow up between Colby and Dean with Dean blaming Colby for everything that had gone wrong in his life with the added 'bonus' he may have lost his son just as he had him in his life. I dare say they will get over it again.

Happy New Year everyone - good to be back! Hope everyone and their families have managed to keep well. This year things will get better. ? I'm with you Red, Francesca totally deserved all she got and boy did Amber gave it to her with both barrels, handy she had Dean's phone message as proof. Even if she, Francesca, had been responding to an emergency no way should she have left Jai alone. Turned out she was busy posting Dean's rap sheet under the door - how did she get hold of it? She said a neighbour had reported seeing Jai go off in a red car so why didn't she leave him with them??May have been a knee jerk reaction by Dean but he'd been where Jai was so would hit home more. The 'family' in the shape of Willow and Colby got back together to try and track down Dean but it was Willow who got the lead. Colby was right the old gang would be unlikely to talk to him - but that is the old Colby we came to know and even love, caring about and helping an old friend. Methinks he could have been bluffing but was stalling for time, as he does know the complaint and I guess the arrest warrant is due at 1pm. I did have the feeling that as usually happens in soaps he would have arrived just after Dean and Jai had left. I had the same feeling about Dean's "Goodbye Ziggy". Ziggy had to do some pretty fast thinking as to why Tane is still in the city, have to keep remembering while it's only been a few days H&A wise, for us it's been over a month. Ari's not totally convinced Tane is doing a job for Ziggy with good reason this time. At least Ziggy, after hearing the altercation in the background during her call with Tane, had the good sense in the end to confide in Willow who had a contact in the city - Maggot?!?

Hi again - H&A is back Monday 4th Jan. ?

I'd like to wish you all a MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR. Take care everyone. See you in the New Year.

Marilyn, like a lot of people before her, thought the person she was talking to knew what was going on - in this case Nik getting his passport ban lifted so he can go to New Zealand. He covered it well though. Ari fretting again about Tane being in the city and what he could be up to. So maybe just as well Mac rang Ziggy, she would have been a lot more subtle about finding out. But from the trailer of the episode we won't be seeing till next year, it's not going as originally planned. I've asked before but what is it about Mac that rubs Amber up the wrong way so much? It's not Mac's fault she was born on the 'right side of the tracks' and had a better upbringing than Dean, she didn't know he existed until recently. They just couldn't resist getting into another who can shove who the hardest contest. Then mama Francesca rocks up. John did a great job diffusing the situation, effectively throwing Amber and Francesca out so they could 'talk' on the beach. He does seem to have a soft spot for Amber but not so much he's biased against Dean, he's seen how far he's come. Liked that little shrug and wave he gave when Amber mouthed 'thank you' to him. Lovely offer - via Willow - that if Dean wanted daddy advice he could talk to him. We did found a bit more about their background - how Amber had decided not to have an abortion against Francesca's advice once she found out who the daddy was and she didn't want him to know. Fair enough Francesca supported Amber for the last five years but she can't keep dictating how she runs her life and her decision to introduce Dean to his son. That's why I'm still up and down with Amber We did find out Dean is 27, oops just seen it's on his profile page on BttB website, which would have made him 21 when Jai was born which for some is a mature age, for others not. I agree Dean's proposal of getting legal advice and having a written agreement in place is very reasonable but Amber turned it down flat. Was that because of what she talked to Willow about ages ago the more Dean would want to be involved the more controlling he'd be? But getting a legal agreement would be beneficial to both sides, not forgetting Jai. We'll see them in court then. Of course another explanation could be - and I hope I'm wrong - is that a solicitor would advise Dean to get a DNA test done to prove paternity. Mind you so would a court. OK who posted those charge sheets of Dean's under the door with the ominous message 'you won't win' on the post-it-note? If either Amber or Francesca - how did they get hold of them? I thought just the police or prison service would have them and wouldn't give them to just anyone? Dean could ask Colby about that. Whoever did it must have moved like the wind to get down those stairs to get away before Dean opened the door. I'll let Amber off with leaving Jai alone, that was down to Francesca who Amber had left him with. Karen had a reason, she was mentally unstable, Francesca doesn't have any reason to do that, anything could have happened to Jai as Dean well knows. I think that was a gut reaction from Dean, but unfortunately we won't find out what the fall out is until next year. That was a bit of a boob at the end with James telling us to check out 5Star which is fair enough, but then adding see next Monday's episode at 1.15pm. Of course it could be when it was filmed the decision hadn't been made that would be 'our' last episode of the year, but it could have been cut.

Angelo is ahead, for the moment but how long? Seeing as he now knows, or suspected at that time, there was something going on between Taylor and Colby he took a chance telling Taylor there was a witness, if such a thing exists, which I do doubt myself, on the off chance she'll tell Colby about it. But then doubt there was was blown away when he caught them on camera, of course he was too far away to hear anything that was being said. Colby was again denying killing Ross or having anything to do with it so like you Red if Angelo planted that, illegal, bug on Taylor hoping to hear Colby have a sudden attack of conscience and say "Oh by the way I did kill Ross and Dean helped me bury him, Willow and Bella also know" wouldn't do any good, any information gathered that way would be inadmissible in court, it would also lose him Taylor. I know she's been the one cheating but having your own husband plant a bug on you to catch out your killer boyfriend is another. One moment Angelo is apologising to Taylor about leaving her alone all the time, the next he's apologising as he's going off to work again, so does strike to ring untrue, he's as sorry as he says. I'm wondering if Colby had forgotten all about the passport ban, I had, will he get it lifted for Tane and Ari too? Surprisingly good advice from Colby about not pressurising Nik to decide between her and his mum and she listened. As I thought Amber hadn't told Francesca Colby was in the bay, the look of shock on both their faces said it all, Colby's first reaction was to try and apologise but naturally she didn't give him the chance, she was far more interested in tracking down Dean. I can understand she'd be concerned about Jai, but Amber is a fully grown adult and any decision she makes about her and Jai is up to her. She's obviously got negative feelings towards Karen as she knew her back in the old days. Just when we thought it was settled, more or less, with Dean and Amber she's playing the keep him dangling game. To me, at least, it seems Dean has been very patient and he's seeing the taking it to court to get access as a last resort. Of course this could mean him being advised to having a DNA test done to ascertain he is Jai's dad. I had to laugh at the look on John's face when Dean foisted Karen onto him when she rang Dean.? Although things were always tense between John and Karen, she tried to run him over first time they met, even he was batting for her when he spoke to Amber saying she had changed a lot. We all know the simplest thing would be for Amber just to meet with Karen and see for herself, but what would be the reason after all these years? "I just happened to be in the area, so thought I'd catch up"?

I ignore the 'crazy' label, only said to wind people up. Would upset people who are going through what Jasmine went through in real life though. Although Leah found the 'booking a night together' thing funny Justin was just plain embarrassed. Maybe that is just the way Christian is? Why did he drag up the whole IVF thing up, it's over, it's done - move on. True most people normally have it when they are in a proper stable relationship not because the woman's time to have a child is running out due to a medical condition and she doesn't know any good, decent men who she'd like to be the dad. I also thought he overreacted when Tori mentioned Jasmine's comments, Jas was quite calm about it, just mentioned it surprised her seeing Christian holding Grace. She'd already voiced her worries to Irene and it seemed she was going to talk to her counsellor. They both had a good talk about it and as I thought there is no way Tori would let Grace forget about her daddy. Of course that is another subject that Tori will need to have whoever she does get together with - if she does - how Grace came about. Colby finished with Taylor so why was he hanging around her oh so casually - was he just winding her up, he shut her down later when she was, it seemed, asking to see him again. If Angelo is any good at reading body language he would have picked up something when Colby came to the station when Taylor was there and it seems he is because that is when he asked his boss if he could access Coby's phone messages so he could trace any calls about Ross's murder, he was quite rightly denied that as he had no proof. Instead he used Colby's name to access his own wife's message on the pretext she was the woman getting stalker messages. Is that even legal? Then he used that info to ring Colby's mobile. I'm guessing he didn't know Colby's mobile number, unless it was another phone Colby has just for calls between him and Taylor? I may be wrong but it seemed to me Angelo had it in for Colby the moment he arrived. Shane Gemma won't be back - I liked her. Big ask that Nik go home and live with her, he's made a life for himself in the bay, he's got a job, girlfriend, keeps Tane and Ari in check. On the other hand he does miss her. We did see him in the trailer ask Colby to have the ban on his passport lifted so he must be thinking about it or maybe it's just so he can visit her?

Ziggy did have the reputation of being a rebel and bad girl but she has reformed and she respects Justin and she now has a responsibility in the garage from being a grunt to being a qualified mechanic backed by Justin, he even took her back when her career as a race track crew member didn't work out. She has come a long way from that wild child we first met getting Brody to hide her from Ben. I hope Tane did a good job hiding the van, now all he has to do is drive it the city and dump it without being nicked.? I think he was a tiny bit scared of Ziggy, she wasn't going to stand any sort of waffle from him and he took being bossed about by her very well. It's not been that long since Tane was in the dodgy dealings world, but seems it's been long enough that he is now out of the loop. All his old 'mates' who he helped out back in the day, can't or won't help him now. Hopefully he'll get back and no-one will notice his absence too much. I did wonder what Justin made of Ziggy and Tane rocking up together. ? I'm glad Justin confided in her, just her and Irene in on the secret then, at least she knows where she stands, who knows maybe Tane will go down the getting a mechanics qualification himself. He probably can fix cars fine, Ziggy did, and he seems good at paperwork, not Ziggy's forte, so should find it pretty easy. Tori, love, I'm sure both Justin and Leah have read all about the possible side effects of the radiotherapy so knows what he could be putting himself through and every case is different. He's Christian's patient so butt out, though that is easier said than done, which Christian does recognises and understands, her being a doctor and the patients sister is a double whammy. Yes Tori can be a control freak. I do like Tori and Christian together, she is so funny and he just responds with a smile on his face, but not in a nasty or patronising way. I like we found out a bit more about him, he'd been in Doctors without Frontiers which sounds quite a serious thing to get involved with, he'd been married, his friends with his ex and her new hubby, not a serial dater.? Be interesting to hear how Tori explains the whole Robbo and Grace story if the relationship progresses that far she feels comfortable with telling him about it. It's a wonder his ears weren't burning when he walked into the Diner and saw Irene, Tori and Jasmine talking and swiftly left. Shot yourself in the foot a bit there the night before, Tori, when you said you were a feminist and insisted you paid for the meal so therefore what was stopping you kissing him? Did seem odd him booking a night to sleep with Tori, where's the spontaneity in that? Did he say he's going to Reefton Lakes, isn't that where Karen is? Did I miss the hook up with Ryder and Jasmine? She seemed really happy that Tori had found someone and knowing he was an OK type of guy. Then she saw Tori, Grace and Christian and how Christian was with Grace, he's just got the knack with babies, but it would get her thinking about what would happen when Tori did meet a guy, doesn't have to be Christian, they did become a proper couple, maybe even marry, he'd be Grace's step daddy. No way though would Tori let Grace forget about her daddy. We don't see it but I'm sure she shows Grace his pictures all the time and talks about him too as much as Grace would understand and as she gets older she'll keep telling her. Robbo would have been just as concerned about letting just any man into his daughter's life. Good to see Jasmine talking to Irene about it and not bottling it up, I think Irene would reassure her that Tori wouldn't let Robbo be forgotten.

I missed the male to female switch. Tane was quite cool with Mac having staying over so Mac was panicking about nothing. ? I like the teasing between Ari and Mac, very light hearted and I think they make a good couple. Tane fretting about the guy not turning up for the van obviously got him all twitchy again which is why he grumped about it being Ari checking up on him again. As it turned out it wasn't Ari, he'd just made that up, but it got Ziggy suspicious enough she went back to the garage and bam, Tane is busted. Something Justin needs to think about very carefully, neither is absolutely guaranteed to get rid of it completely, it's more of a case of which has the most chance of doing the job better. It would be quite draining having an op every few weeks or so but radiography isn't a walk in the park either, though some people get through it better than others with less side effects, but that you wouldn't know until you'd started it. Is Justin going to be telling Ava about the latest diagnosis/prognosis? She'll be expecting him to be getting better and coming to see her. He can talk it over with Tori and Leah all he likes but ultimately it's his decision. Which ever choice he makes it looks like Tane, if Ziggy doesn't fire him, will be helping out at the garage for the foreseeable. Irene is in on the secret it's come back then - but no-one else? Once again Tori opens the door to Christian looking a right mess - Tori that is.? Christian looked his usual hot self. She was a bit taken aback when he told her it was Justin he'd come to see. Leah chucking them out, sorry, asking them to leave so she and Justin could talk, was a good move, they also got to talk. Christian did make reference it was tricky when he was addressing a fellow medic when his patient was their brother. Funny how Tori was whinging earlier Christian hadn't followed up on his hint he'd 'see' her when he came back, then she completely missed his actually asking her out. He did have other things on his mind to be fair. It has been a long while since she went on a date so understandable she was nervous. Just as well it was white wine she knocked over, the date would have ended right there and then. He did enjoy winding her up. I hope Jasmine isn't getting ahead in her thinking when she saw Christian holding Grace, he and Tori have only been on one date and it is up to Tori if she lets him get to know Grace and by how much, Grace must be a year now so will be aware of the people around her. Our last week of H&A until January.?

I suppose from Tane's point of view Ari turning up with the pizzas on his first day it would feel like Ari was checking up on him when it was quite innocent. Tane was reluctant to go and pick them up as he knew Mac would be on shift so he is doing his best to keep out of her way. Loved it when Ziggy told Tane to SIT. Tane was a bit cagey when Ziggy asked about his life before he came to the bay, it did come across that he missed it, being the go to guy, having his mates around him, having money. Now he's doing regular, legal work. But what on earth was he thinking of, keeping a van load of stolen goods in the garage overnight, that has so got something going wrong written all over it. Ziggy, who doesn't know his history, has entrusted him with the keys and that is the first thing he does?? It hasn't been the first time the garage has been used to do dodgy business though. That plan of Jasmine and Ryder's could have gone so wrong, as they don't know why she dumped him, but thankfully it worked and it was fun to see them together, they made a good team. Bella loves Nik enough not to want him more involved than he already is, but as he told her it is his decision to make. Irene and Marilyn were making the right noises about how Bella must be feeling about the investigation into her dad's murder, but of course they don't know she already knows who killed him. Angelo isn't as good a detective as he thinks he is then is he? ? Bella always handles herself a lot better around Angelo than either Colby or Dean does.

You's pays your money and takes your pick. ? I did feel sorry for Nik, he was trying to be sympathetic to Bella - with no strings attached - and one moment she's accepting of his ready ear, then the next sending him off with a flea in it. Although Bella's tirade at Taylor - not for the first time - about her stopping seeing Colby didn't work Jasmine's calm talk to Colby did appear to bring him to his senses. She doesn't know he's turned to the dark side and still thinks he's the decent guy she knew when she first came to the bay. The one who was a good cop and was looking for his sister and mum. The one she had a brief fling with until she let slip he had been a River Boy. He did send Taylor away and tell her it was over, though whether that is the end we'll have to wait and see. I love it when Bella fights back, something she wouldn't have been able to do with Ross btw. I may be way, way off here but did it look like Tane was having trouble filling in that application form? I don't see why he was so defensive about telling Ari he had a job at the garage. Interesting talk between Ari and Mac re her reluctance to spend the night at his, seemed reasonable enough, but is it for her sake or Tane's. Orphaned koala's sanctuary or teaching. What would suit Ryder best? I liked how he was there for both Nik and Bella.

Dean nearly had a football career, he suffered a knee injury in the crash which put paid to it. Of course back then he didn't know who his dad was and he had been a big footie star. Amber did calm down enough for her and Dean to have a civilised talk about Karen where he had to admit he couldn't guarantee she'd always be OK if she and Jai did meet. It would put pressure on her even if she was taking her meds. the last time we saw her she was struggling to cope which is why she later checked herself back into hospital. She did give Ben some good advice, this was when he was struggling with his depression. Colby echoed what Willow said about Amber not knowing the new Karen, but could also see where Amber was coming from. There will, of course, come a time when Jai will want to meet his other nan and Amber won't be able to fob him off. I'm guessing Amber hasn't told Francesca that not only is Colby in the bay but a cop to boot. I think, maybe Tori wouldn't have said anything to Justin, but she caught him rubbing his hand when he was sitting in the Diner and decided to grab the bull by it's horns and ask straight out why he was at the hospital. At least now it is out there so no more keeping secrets or playing hide and seek. Justin was able to reassure Tori he didn't blame her for her decision to leave some of the tumour which as he rightly guessed she would do. She would know better than Christian how to handle her brother, the direct route being the best option. It does seem, like Justin said that it's returned very quickly. Now as well Tori and Christian can work at finding a solution together even if she can't get too directly involved. Also it seems a date is on the menu. Angelo 'knowing' Colby did it is one thing, but he needs proof, especially after his last **** up and that was an innocent man. Hearsay isn't enough. Didn't Taylor say she read about the other witnesses in the paper which would be true, more so as two cops were involved and we may not have seen Colby tell her the whole story. Angelo and Colby just seem to enjoy pushing the other's buttons. When they first met Angelo didn't have any reason to suspect Colby, his and Bella's reaction to the fact they had found Ross' body was as it should be. But suddenly Colby was on the top of his list, excluding anyone else and there were plenty. Colby was only being 'friendly' as he had just spent the night with Taylor and was secretly gloating. Tane seems to be mainly pronounced as Tarnay. ?

I saw Dean and Willow gave up trying to wrap up Jai's bike, the paper have been off in two seconds flat anyway. ? To be kind of fair to Francesca she has been in Jai's life since in her words 'before he was born' and helped raised him. Didn't like Fran's jibe when she added that she was there when Dean wasn't. Excuse me but wasn't it Amber's decision not to tell Dean? Karen, through no fault of her own, hasn't. She was a psycho when Amber first knew her, but her plain stubbornness not to even talk to her is wearing thin. We don't know what kind of life Francesca herself has had but I imagine it may have a tough one, she did lose her son in a tragic accident, her daughter fell pregnant and in her eyes the dad did a bunk, she had a swipe at Willow about that, blaming her for the fact Dean had slept with Amber after being dumped by her. Amber had said before she had been a rebound resulting in Jai. The way she was talking about it it did seem she blamed Dean, but he didn't get off lightly, he was badly injured wrecking his football career and ended up in prison. Amber knows Colby was involved, has she not told her mum? Willow, Colby, Dean were all part of the same 'gang' so maybe Jai and Amber were too but not as close. John who quite innocently mentioned threw the other adults into quickly changing the subject. It seemed, to me, Francesca is losing her power over Amber and not liking it, Amber overruled her in taking Jai for his cake at the Diner. Despite all the adults sniping at each other Jai had a lovely time. Justin, Leah and Christian did do a good job in keeping Tori out of the way, mainly thanks to Leah and nearly worked. It would have been good for us to know that Justin and Leah did know about not all the tumour had been removed. I was surprised Tori demanded Christian tell her about Justin's results, as a doctor she'd know he couldn't without Justin's OK, she's been in that position herself. Just do as Christian said and ask Justin. That 'advice' is rather odd.

Willow also told Amber Karen wasn't the woman she was when she last knew her. The least Amber could do would be to visit her and see for herself and then decide. But then again we don't know how Karen felt about Amber back in the day. Karen has come a long way and recognises when she is going to have an episode. Wasn't the main reason why Dean said he didn't want kids was because he was afraid Karen's condition could be heredity? He doesn't seem that concerned about Jai may be affected, he hasn't had any symptoms himself but they could skip a generation. It seems sad that Jai won't know his other nan. From the brief glimpse we saw of Amber's mum she doesn't come across as particularly warm and cuddly. So sweet Dean working so hard to build Jai's bike. I did wonder what John was going to ask when he spoke to Amber, but he was just angling for an invite to the party. ? Dean had a whinge about the fact Karen never told Dean who his dad was but that was for a good reason - he didn't want anything to do with Dean and still didn't all those years alter. I was glad Justin didn't go all macho and crack on everything was OK and told Leah his symptoms were back which is damn quick, hasn't it only been a couple of weeks? Are we meant to infer from that he was told they didn't get all of the tumour out? Best laid schemes of mice and men, did smile at Justin and Christian playing hide and seek from Tori. Seems the same in all soaps a local soon gets him/herself another job and close by too so they won't have to travel too far. From not being especially bothered about working Tane's suddenly in demand. Not being sexist, I'm a woman, and not saying Ziggy couldn't manage it perfectly well, but Tane will come in handy for any heavy lifting. Why, oh why was everyone assuming Tane and Ziggy were on a date just because they had a couple of drinks together. Toi made the same wild assumption herself about Jasmine and Christian. ? Bit of an awkward conversation between Ziggy and Dean earlier and I'm guessing it's because he knows Tane's rep is why he's bothered about him and Ziggy working together. A really, really small quibble but it just niggles me the way Amber carries her handbag with the strap across her body. ?

Well hush my mouth!? After Alf doing his stubborn act, he did decide to go and see Martha. We knew his "her friend needs her more than me"! speech was a load of toffee. For all he and we knew Martha was waiting for him to ask when she was coming home as he missed her. Justin did offer to get someone in to help Ziggy and there would be no shame in her accepting his offer despite her protests she's coping. She can only do so much in a day - though there did used to be days, weeks even when no-one seemed to be working there. ?May be boring but there is also the H&S factor too. Tane seems to have grown up since his arrival, he's gone from the fun guy about town to becoming a responsible adult, though still with that little bit of naughtiness. Nice to get some sort of contact albeit from the other end of a phone from Gemma, no mention though if she was coming back. Still bossing her brother-in-laws about though. I think Tane has made the right decision to quit, he's a resourceful guy, he'll find something.? The working different shifts arrangement is still in place then with Mac's "You're not due in yet" remark. Is it OK that you just quit like that so Mac will have to rewrite the rota, get someone I to cover Tane's shift? She did realise she had overreacted with Tane the day before, but of course her getting back with Ari may have had something to do with it, hence her apology to Tane and I thought it was sincere. It's not only gong to be Tane being on his own, it's going to be Ziggy too now Mac and Ari are back together. Ari did seem impressed with the Farm House, and he listened to Mac's 'argument' for why she said the things she did. To use a well worn cliché, they are now singing from the same song sheet and he knows when she tell him she loves him, she will mean it. Poor Ziggy, where is that hole you need to drop in when you need it.?? Can understand Amber's reaction to Dean's suggestion Jai meet Karen, she only remembers the 'old' Karen and all the problems she had and what she put Dean through, she doesn't know the new Karen. Not suggesting he's left alone with her, but OK as a family group. Leah is kind of busy at the moment and no that didn't look good at the end.?

All PTB chose to play the dramatic licence card with storylines at times, speeds things up I suppose and why drag one character in for no real purpose as in Jasmine getting told off by Alex. Maybe if it was something more serious he/she would be. Christian did say he'd be back. Where does it say John and Jasmine are completely cured? ? Just because John has regained the use of his right arm and leg now, it will always be his weaker side and be apparent should he get over tired or stressed. Jasmine isn't cured either, she's still attending her sessions. Tori hasn't been in a relationship for ages, Ash was her last serious one I think so out of practice. Plus what does Roo's looks have to do with anything?? Tane may have initially stirred things up with Mac and Ari but when he saw how serious Ari was he did back off and tried to keep out of the way as much as he could when she moved in. Ari is wanting things to be more serious between him and Mac, but she's not at that point in her life yet and their different backgrounds have nothing to do with it in my eyes. She does want to be with him but still have some independence, her moving in was only meant to be temporary. It's good she has Ziggy to talk to about it. I thought the same Red about Tane and Mac not working the same shifts, unless it was just a cross over thing? Methinks the reason she blew up at him was because of her own guilty feelings about how she behaved when he first rocked up. She did say to Ziggy she didn't want to tell Ari she loved unless she was sure which is fair enough in my opinion. I remember Justin saying the same thing long ago. I can see why Roo was so confused about Owen's U-turn so I'm glad he explained himself better after Alf had a go at him, it wasn't anything to do with her or them, just he needed to find out more about himself and what he wanted to do with his life. After all she had put the idea into his mind. Roo had a quick decision to make and liked how it was Ryder who realised she had already decided what to do. She's got a good job where she can just drop everything like that and leave someone to pick up the slack. Must have left Ryder feeling unsure of how he felt - the last time he saw Roo off was with his dad who he knew wasn't coming back and now she's going off with his dad's brother. He was a good friend to Nik though and although he couldn't be told the whole truth as to why Bella had dumped him was there for him. Totally off subject but in the promotion ad where the Gala Bingo lady is drinking through that incredibly long straw - how is that possible for her to breathe in for that long - I always think she needs to have an A and N between the n and the z and she'd have the title of another TV series. You need to be quite old to know the one I mean.?

OK Lila_Q - I'll give you that, but as Head of ED I suppose while he is there he does come under Tori work wise. I suppose you mean someone like Jacob in our drama series Casualty, he's Clinical Nurse Manager, any nursing decisions/complaints is dealt with by them. Have we ever seen a Clinical Nurses Manager at NDH? Bells seems to be spouting the same lines Colby does - doing it for 'the family'. But if/when he does get sent down, it will affect the rest of them even if he keeps them out of it. Maybe Angelo hasn't come right out and said to Taylor Colby is his number one suspect but his attitude towards him must have given her some sort of clue. While I know Colby is making all the moves, to start with for his own nefarious reasons, but now it's got more personal, if Taylor's marriage was really that steady she wouldn't be so easily tempted. It's a shame poor Nikau has been dumped by Bella just because he wouldn't go along with her plan. Looks like there are going to be two miserable Parata men going by the trailer. Again Colby's and this time Taylor's protest that no-one, apart from the four who already do, knows, Bella did point out it's a small town so what do Colby and Taylor do later have a heart to heart on a bench in full view of passers by! True nobody we know, just a couple of extras, but even so, still a risk. I'm glad Amber is thinking of Jai and has had a change of heart regarding Dean helping her when he can, she did choose to tell him Jai was his son so should have expected he'd want to be involved with him. Maybe the two of them should get something in writing sorted so they both know where they stand. Willow made a valid point to Amber about how Dean knows how difficult it was growing up with a single mum, not knowing who his dad was, though it could easily been his dad was dead but same thing. Quite a good compromise/start with her telling Dean Jai would like a bike for his birthday, what could be more normal than a dad buying his son a bike for his birthday as long as he doesn't go too far over the top and buys him something really fancy. Cracking idea that Red Amber and Jai staying with John.

Amber does have her bad side, clubbing, getting slaughtered, sleeping with random guys and winding people up but she does love Jai and we can see she's done a good job of bringing him up on her own, he's a happy, well cared for boy. It was a cack handed way with Dean trying to give her that money and from what she said/says she's scared he'll want to take over Jai, when all he wanted to do was to help her get over this cash flow problem she has. It was a bit awkward and sad when Dean asked Jai what he was getting for his birthday and he looked at Amber and she gave him a look and he said he didn't need anything. She's never hinted that Dean should pay any back maintenance for him, hasn't asked for any money to buy Jai essential items, like shoes, clothes. It is sweet the way John is with Jai. The little actor - River Jarvis - who plays Jai is terrific and it looks like he's been given free rein regards his lines. Both Colby and Bella have now met Jai, though it seemed before Dean wasn't keen on Colby knowing him. If Amber doesn't get another local patient it would mean her going wherever the next one is. Going by what Colby found out Angelo's mistake happened after he re-joined the force and was a detective not a uniformed cop like he was when he was last in the bay. That was one fast track promotion btw, seeing as it was only nine years ago when he had to leave the force, due to letting Martha and Hugo escape. I knew there had to be a reason why he is so gung ho on getting his man this time. All cops make mistakes but it seemed his was a biggie. Thing is with being so tunnel visioned like he is about Colby it can backfire if he hasn't got solid proof and it can seem like it is harassment. How is he so sure Colby is the one? Was it Colby's attitude from the beginning, because if I remember right when Angelo first told Colby and Bella both their reactions seemed totally normal. His using Taylor the way he did was awful. No s-ding going on with their hug btw and Bella caught him on a lie again! Had to smile when both Taylor and Dean asked Angelo and Colby respectively "what the hell was going on?" Only light relief was the Tori/Christian/Jasmine story. From what I saw it looked like Tori is Christian's boss - he was deferring to her when she was issuing her orders. She, Tori, was really sniffy with Jasmine and Christian and she left Jasmine totally confused with her "be careful who you trust" talk. Maybe he shouldn't have but I'm glad Justin blabbed, at least Jasmine wasn't left thinking Tori had changed her mind about the AVO and explained everything. Jas' matchmaking didn't quite come off the way she planned right away. Really chuckled? when Tori burst through the doors at home ranting on and made the remark about the 'hot doc' only to find him sitting there.? Leah dragging Justin out to feed poor Buddy - who's' been abandoned in the garden again - so Christian and Tori could talk. Hs admission that the only person he was interested was her was sweet and him saying he called her the 'hot doc' as he left made her day.

I'm with you Red, why this 'Jai isn't Dean's kid' theme - we've had this storyline twice already, let it be third time lucky. In answer to your question Nephlim, in case you missed it, Amber didn't tell Dean when she found out she was pregnant because her and Dean had already split and they weren't a proper couple, she said herself Jai was a result of her being a rebound bonk. Not sure Dean would have been ready to be a daddy back then anyway. Her coming to the bay, seeing Dean and announcing "hello again Dean, how are you, btw you're a dad" would not have been a good way of reuniting. The reason why she didn't want to introduce Dean to Jai as his dad right away was for a very good reason, Dean may not have connected with Jai or vice versa, it would have saved both of them pain, especially Jai. She hadn't bad mouthed Dean as Jai was happy to talk about his dad, telling Dean he liked footie. She has had sole care of Jai for five years, her choice, so of course she has a say and he doesn't seem neglected in any way, maybe it's only recently she's got back into the clubbing routine? Long story short - sort of - Ben used to make his own boards but wanted to expand so Dean rang an old mate to place a large order to get Ben started and loaned him £20,000 from the £50,000 he got from his dad as hush money to get him started. There is another story involved there, but the upshot is when Ben left he gave Dean the board shop for having faith in him. So Dean does owe Ben something as Ben had faith in him when no-one else did. Yes we all know Colby is as guilty as sin but Angelo really does himself no favours as coming across as so smug, that would get anyone's back up. I had to admire Dean acting so cool when Angelo was trying to prise some sort of admission Colby was guilty out of him. That tilt of the head he gave Colby when he saw him was just arrogant. Oh there is dirt on Angelo alright and a reason he left the police.. ?? But was for a good reason. It happened again another very heated discussion about YKW and YKW with all the doors to the flat open. All Angelo needs to do is hang around when Willow, Dean and Colby are there and he'd get all he needed. Tori does so fancy Christian, despite her protests, and I think it's reciprocated. I believed Jasmine when she said her and Christian happened to in Salt at the same time and were just having a drink as colleagues. Tori and Christian did work together very well as a professional team, which brings me to your point Red, why is he still there? Is it as you suggest to see Justin's through Justin's post op care or has he been taken on full time?

Yeh, I know it was Alf and John Angelo quizzed. That'll teach them to have a conversation like that in a pubic place, though people will still do it. Does Angelo 'know' or is he just fishing hoping someone will slip up? Although it was because of a scary experience it was nice to see Ziggy be there for Dean. Amber, after her initial panic, seemed rather ambivalent about Dean rushing Jai to hospital when it wasn't him anyway it was Tori who decided it was serious enough. Dean did the right thing in his stopping Amber taking Jai home if she was still smelling of booze. One thing lying to Dean that Jai is his, but lying to Jai is another thing altogether, unless she really believes Jai is his. I know Amber has mentioned her mum looking after Jai in the past. Delicate way of putting it Red - sleepovers. ? It may have Ben's business but it's now his. Ben hasn't done anything to him and I don't believe Dean is that petty. Tori and Christian, her revealing to Christian about Robbo was nice without going into too much detail. She has been out of practice again regards the dating scene. Do they not have a GP surgery/medical centre anywhere near the bay, like in Yabby Creek, it's always the hospital people get taken to whatever is wrong with them.

Dean couldn't stay away for ever and it's not just his business he deserted it's Ben's which he entrusted to him. Though the mood he was in when he took off he would have been useless anyway. Dean can't tell Amber what his problem is, not the real one anyway, that would definitely put an end to him seeing Jai. I don't know how she would react if she was on her own but she is a mum and has to think about her son. Jai seemed very lively when Amber dropped him off and I reckon if she thought he was in any way not well she wouldn't have left him. I'm sure Dean kept him well fed and watered so I hope he doesn't get the blame for whatever is wrong with him. Little kids his age can develop fevers vey quickly. He did the right thing by getting him into hospital. Wonder if Maggie or Ben asked after Dean off screen and what if anything Ziggy told them? No point Tori reminding Justin, rather forcefully, that he urged her to get out the AVO, of course he remembered, it was the fact he didn't have a lot of choice but to leave Grace alone with Jasmine. Did the AVO have a time set on it? Glad Tori has felt she can now trust Jasmine enough to spend time alone with Grace so has lifted it. Though as D.B has suggested she should continue with her therapy sessions. Had to chuckle when Leah said she was confused when she said that in response to Justin saying he wanted to kiss Christian when he got his good news Christian replied that it must run in the family, I think Irene had an idea from the way she looked at Tori. Christian re-payed the 'favour' when he kissed Tori. Going by the trailer it looked like Angelo was questioning Alf and Roo about the relationship between Colby, Dean and Willow - what was that all about and why was her asking them? They were heart warming scenes between Alf, Ryder and Roo. Hope Ryder finds his answers.