H&Alover

Yes, Tane is Ari's and the late Mikaera's younger brother, do keep up pembie.

I do feel so sorry for Jasmine as she is fixating on Grace as she is the only reminder of Robbo she has, but she is risking not actually 'losing' her, but Tori and Justin being very wary of letting her look after her in the future. Marilyn took Jasmine at her word that Tori was in surgery, but she could have left a message and it would possibly been a lot sooner that the Morgan's found out. Marilyn did consider ringing Tori but changed her mind so some part of her doubted Jas' story, it was only after talking it over with Irene and Roo she took the plunge and rung her, she in turn rang Justin who dashed off to the Diner. On one hand they all know Jas would never hurt her but it was the fact Jas was devious about the way she took Grace and where she was. I think it was Irene who said Marilyn would lay down her life for Grace rather than let her be hurt. I noticed Irene was defending Jasmine when all the accusations were going on saying there had to be an explanation, there must have been a misunderstanding until Jasmine had that outburst right in front of her about how ungrateful the Morgan's were after all she had done for them. She had also lied to Colby and Irene - I think - correct me if I got that wrong - about getting her shift wrong. The scene that showed her mind really wasn't in the present was when she said to Colby "That's the deal" and when he looked confused said it was the deal between her and Robbo one fed Grace the other made the drinks. Sam is playing the role so well, she really knows how to wring the emotions. Jasmine does need help, she's not mourned the baby that wasn't but instead shifted all her emotions onto Grace. She like many others is using that well worn lie "I'm fine". Totally out there but did Grace's hat change from her lovely little red one to that grey one from scene to the next? I feel the opposite I think Justin had to be firm and tell Jasmine Tori needed time with her daughter, he wasn't banning her forever. Even Colby didn't agree with the way she was acting over Grace. Talking of whom - do they really get Divorce Certificates in Australia? All we, in Blighty, get is a decree nisi followed by a decree absolute. What are the recipients meant to do with it hang it on the wall? In Colby's case this would be alongside his firearms and passing out as a cop certificates. No, 'oops I'm sorry, I got it all wrong' from Irene when Leah admitted her shame of rejecting Justin's non proposal. Leah is actually way behind in the number of times she's got married in the soap world if not the real. Her comment made me chuckle too ter06. It was total embarrassment as to why she was avoiding him. It is a wonder the garage is still doing any business let alone him thinking of expanding it. There's just him and Ziggy who isn't fully qualified yet and another one who is hardly there. All I can say is he has very patient customers.

Wouldn't blame Gemma at all if she just told them all to just get on with it and walked away! They are all adults, supposedly, so should act it. Is Nik in his 20's. Ari didn't have any business telling Tane to stay away from Mac, they're not an item anymore unless it's because of Tane's rep with women, he has to have one and he doesn't want Mac hurt. I thought differently Red I thought when Mac came across Tane and Ari on the beach there was a bit of flirting going on and she did seem to be doing a bit of wriggling when she walked up the beach. As stroppy as the Parata men are they are certainly well fit! Maz was pressured into letting Tane stay over, he could have stayed at the caravan park and have been well away from Ar, but Marilyn being the soft touch she is gave in. Didn't stop her checking him out when he was lying there barechested though. Nik may enjoy having him around as he is coming across as the fun uncle but I think that is just a front he's putting on to get him onside. We know it wasn't Ari's fault he wasn't able to provide for them all as he was off work due to his injury. Jasmine is in danger of interfering too much, she didn't let Tori get a look in when she got home, insisting on bathing Grace so Tori missed Grace saying mama, if she did, poor little girl is going to be so confused as to who mum is. She totally overstepped the line when she decided from her overhearing the conversation between Marilyn and Irene about Tane staying one night Grace wasn't safe as if Marilyn would put Grace in any danger. She then took upon herself to remove Grace from Marilyn's care, her words may have rung true but her body language was screaming she was lying. Did she say Tori had sent her to collect Grace? Oh, another thing she told Frances her name was Jasmine Delaney, I would have thought she would have taken Robbo's name seeing how much she loved him. That was an either cruel or just unthinking remark about Tori's miscarriage, though Tori's option of going behind Robbo's has resulted in Grace. Leah was going on Irene's assumption Justin was going to propose hence her "I'm not marrying you". Maybe she was wanting to save him from himself, two dead husbands and one ex would make you wary of going there again. True he does have track record of inappropriate proposals but they have only just got back to where they were before Douglas, even he wouldn't be that rash. Two of the things that you suggested Red didn't sound serious enough he wanted to talk to Leah about it. They've visited Ava before, a holiday isn't a biggie, could be he wants to meet VJ as his mums new boyfriend, but wouldn't VJ have gathered that when Justin contacted him when Leah went missing?

Although Summer Bay is a smallish place it doesn't follow Zac and Justin would have known each other that well. Not meant in a snobby way but they may have just moved in different circles. Good looking and charming as Tane is I don't trust him, he seems the opposite of Ari who I think is the eldest, then Mikaera, then Tane. Certainly very different life styles, Ari being the one with a good work ethic, Tane being the idler and involved in dodgy dealings, we'd already got a hint of that when we first saw him. I have to say I was surprised Gemma didn't defend Ari more when Tane was making his sarky comments, she knew the reason there wasn't any money coming in was because Ari had been laid off due to his accident yet was still looking for anything he could do. Well the family get together where they could air their differences went well didn't it Gemma! It did appear all the brothers had been close at one time but their lifestyles changed all that. Dare say we will find out more in due course. You could even feel sorry for Nik, he's just a young man who lost his dad in bad circumstances, Ari is trying to help but of course he would resent it, he loves his mum and wants to the right thing by her. He admires his younger(?) uncle as he seems so cool and thinks understands him more. Tane's 'teasing' or taunting of Ryder didn't fit well with me. Not sure if Tane's charm offensive worked that well on Marilyn and no offer from her or any suggestion by him he stay there with Gemma and Nik which would not be a good idea. Good thinking on Roo's part to ring Gemma to alert her as to what was going down, essentially Tane after being hit by Ari. Gemma isn't exactly Tane's number one fan either. John wisely, for him didn't bang on too much about Ari to Marilyn his admonishment to Ari if things kicked off outside the surf club is was his business was nicely put. Another emergency hospital dash, another patient at death's door with the medics no clue as why it's happened, then thankfully Ben comes round long enough to tell Tori what he'd been doing so they are able to save him. So another miracle performed by NDH, seems every soap has it's own miracle hospital. Maggie only knew he'd been taking the headache tablets, she didn't know about him over dosing on his anti depressant meds which didn't mix well with the headache tablets which any layman/woman could have told him. Did all that with Ben take part over a certain time, because Ziggy is taking her time getting there?

There was nearly a thing between Bianca and Zak she tried it on with him but he didn't tell Leah about it, but of course she found out about it, but there was the thing with Sam. I've said it before but for an intelligent woman Maggie isn't showing much evidence of it, please leave well alone, let Ben have his lunch in please, he made it clear he didn't want to make small talk. Waste of a good meal. Not wanting to gloat but he was overdosing on his anti depressant meds and pain killers which is never a good idea and the fact he was not well was spotted by Dean and John was sympathetic without pushing it. Now Alex has gone Tori is again the go to doctor at NDH, ushering Maggie out, she will of course get the blame for what's happened from Ziggy. Nik does need to grow up, he ,as Tane said, can't keep running away when things get tough. Ari is overbearing towards him but he feels responsible for him, though if I was Ari I'd just let him be. Tane from what has been implied is bad news so that is why Ari is so against them having anything to do with each other. Tane did persuade Nik to ring Gemma even if he lied about where he actually was and he bring Nik back which does go in his favour but ended up in an eyeball to eyeball confrontation. Ryder found himself in the middle of a war when he was only trying to help a friend. I liked how John stood up to Ari when he verbally attacked Ryder. Ryder did fill Tane in how things had been for Nik with Ari. Marilyn did realise she'd taken John's remark the wrong way and John accepted it rather than take umbridge and accepted her apology. He discreetly walked away when she was talking to Ari and took it for what it appeared.

It took me a bit to remember why Mac hadn't seen Gemma's previous CV, then I remembered Jade took it upon herself to take it and hide it and just dismissed Gemma as a nobody, when Nik pointed out Gemma was his mum she turned on the waterworks and did her poor little me act. Daft question but no news on her I suppose - no of course not silly me. Gemma certainly does seem to have had quite a bit of bar/restaurant experience and I'm sure she meant it in the best possible way that the Diner was a bit on the quite side to what she is normally used to. Gemma is one hard grafter, but I imagine she always has been. Ari lad I know you think you are doing what you feel you should by looking out for out for your brothers family but Nik does have a job, not a regular one true, who knows what Alf will decide when he gets back, but it's a job, he's getting paid for it, he seems to enjoy it, let him alone oh a bit of praise for sticking to it wouldn't go amiss. Not surprising Nik decides to persuade Ryder - congrats for getting your P's - to take him to see his uncle Tane in the city. Can't say I was that impressed by Tane's attitude towards Ryder and he dissed his motor. I hope that beer wasn't too alcoholic or Ryder's just having the one. Didn't Tane tell Nik he can't keep running to him and he needs to sort out his own problems the other day? Marilyn did take John's comment completely the wrong way, for once he didn't mean anything by it. Ben finally got through to Ziggy. The problem is between him and Maggie and how it affects them as husband and wife, Maggie is still Ziggy's mum, nothing will change that. Ziggy saying Maggie was first in line to stone Simone making her now sound hypocritical but it was two completely different situations. Maggie and Marco were, that rare thing, a one off, Brody and Simone were a full blown affair. Ziggy did give Maggie a hug, but she didn't look totally on board. Ziggy also apologised to Dean and so she should have, she's lucky he's a lot more patient than he used to be. Not looking good for Ben tonight.

I found Colby chucking Dean and Ziggy's stuff over the balcony funny, it was necessary and nothing else was getting through to them and they found it funny and they got the point he was trying to make. I when Ziggy put the empty milk bottle back in the fridge, she would never have dared to do that at home!. Ben, has then, according to the phone calls taken himself off up the coast to do some surfing. Rein it in Ziggy, Dean has been nothing but supportive of you so no need to bite his head off when he made the completely genuine suggestion she talk to Maggie instead of just ignoring her calls. Though Maggie should back off and let Ziggy wonder why you've stopped calling, texting, sending carrier pigeons. I think that is where the problem over Grace will arise Jasmine had looked after her from when she was practically a new born through no fault of Tori's of course. She found it hard to hand Grace back to Tori once she was ready but then she had Robbo for support and would see her with him. But now that part of the link has gone so understandable she'd want to be a lot closer now she's 'lost' Robbo's baby. Plus of course she kept coming out with "I'm fine" lie, she in no way could have got over what she's just been through that quick. Jasmine was very quick to offer to look after Grace longer and seemed disappointed when Justin and Leah turned her down. Just as Gemma was looking to the future she gets another kick back, she did know her shifts may be cut back once Leah came back, she didn't think it would be that soon. As she was the last one to be taken on it was inevitable she'd be the one to lose out, that is the way a business like Irene and Leah's work. Bad luck she overheard Marilyn offer to give her her shifts, would sound like charity even pity because of her situation. I think the news Gemma was looking for a place for her, Ari and Nik came as a shock to Marilyn as it would mean she'd be on her own with no-one to look after which is Marilyn's thing after all. Leah and Justin really do seem to getting it on with gusto. Her stretching out like a femme fatale was amusing as was the look on Justin's face.

Oh Irene, you are awful but we like you. From high horse to back on the horse. Was Irene implying Justin is a bit of an Italian stallion. I think his parents were of Italian extraction. Wonderful that Leah and Justin are back to where they were and what great timing by Grace and for being so considerate by waking up after their reunion. Loved her little fisherman's/woman's hat she was wearing, Alf would be very jealous, but then it was back to her woolly one. Wouldn't that make her rather hot? NO NO please no Lustin! Ditto Red and baywatcher - not just me then missing Jas actually taking a test but Irene seeing the result, only explanation is it happened off screen! I must have misheard Jasmine saying she hadn't had any of the downside stuff of being pregnant as in sore boobs, morning sickness etc. only the good stuff because she had suffered, if that isn't the wrong word, morning sickness and sore boobs. But those scenes were heart breaking Wendy not helping at all by suggesting Jasmine had made it up about being pregnant. Thank goodness Tori was able to explain it all to Irene and Wendy who to her credit once she realised what it involved was quick to sympathise with and apologise to Jasmine. Tori did a good job there in putting the condition of a phantom pregnancy across in a way Irene and Wendy could take in without being patronising and summed up why Jasmine's body was so convinced she was pregnant. I know it's rare but did Irene and Wendy really never hear of it before? Now it may be just me but I'm sure I saw in the trailer that Tori actually went into the sea to bring Jasmine back but in last nights episode all we saw was Willow watch jasmine walk into the sea and Tori calling out to her, Willow looking up then next shot of them Willow and Tori are walking Jasmine up the beach. It was good that Wendy and Jasmine parted like they did, May do Jasmine a lot of good to go and visit them and get away from the bay. I suppose for now the cot will go back to the Morgan's. Justin and Leah know as does Colby so he won't be putting his foot in it. Good acting by all concerned with that storyline, not that it's finished yet. I'm with you English Invader I can see Jasmine getting obsessed with Grace, quitting her job and taking over from Marilyn on babysitting duties that won't be healthy for either of them. Her words to Irene that she wouldn't want another child if she wasn't able to have Robbo's was a worry. I understand Colby would be worried about Bella but as Mac and Willow said if anything untoward had happened like her running away Steve or someone would have let him know. It made me wonder who is the more dependant on whom. It did put his mind at ease when he did talk to Steve and heard Bella, who will refusing to join in the group talks. was doing well with Bullet.

Maggie is trying too hard, she needs to step back and give Ben some space, she's lucky he's still living at the farm. I shouldn't stereotype but Ben is Italian and their sense of family and pride is very ingrained into their culture. Ben's collapse - he doesn't od his depression pills does he, either accidentally or maybe subconsciously deliberately? I gave a sigh of relief when Roo just made tentative enquiries about things when she spoke to Ben and hen walked away. Just as well Leah didn't get the full story about Ben/Maggie/Marco. I thought she would have been more understanding, being a woman and all that, it hadn't been a deliberate act and was a one off. Justin did seem to be defending Maggie when, again stereotyping, I thought he'd be on Ben's side and slagging her off too. As usually happens Justin just happened to the one there when she was letting off steam, but it proved she felt comfortable enough with him to do that. There was no comparison between Ben and Maggie and what happened or rather didn't between Zac and Bianca. There were other problems with them anyway. Justin was actually chuffed that the old feisty Leah was still there. Leah took a few more steps, well one big one actually. Asking Justin if he wanted to go for a walk- to the bedroom. It looked like it went well too and Grace stayed asleep - good girl. I went right off Wendy during that episode, OK she was overjoyed to see Grace and she would have grown a lot since she last saw her so I'll let her off commandeering Grace. Then she started getting bossy, questioning Tori's decision to go back to work so soon , especially as Robbo/Ryan wasn't there to be there when she was working, snide comment about Grace being left with strangers. The little digs about the lack of photos, which to be fair wouldn't take long to take and send, much easier nowadays. Her trying to leave Tori out of attending the scan backfired when Jas put her foot down, because as she said Tori is family. There hadn't been any mention of Jasmine taking a pregnancy test home type or otherwise, confirmation by a doctor to get dates. All that hype and bon homie and good feeling over Jasmine's pregnancy, Justin bringing the cot Robbo had made over, Grace's baby clothes, did she want a girl of boy, had to inevitably lead to very bad news. Tori was the first to realise, you could tell by her face and I think then Jasmine did too. I wondered how it was 12 weeks already, how long between her reading she was 47 days overdue and now, assuming Jas had regular periods, she would have thought, then later convinced herself she was pregnant as she had missed a couple. I suppose there were clues there if you looked for them, she hadn't had any adverse affects, no tender boobs, sickness, or is that too early. She so wanted there to be something good in her life her mind totally fooled her body into thinking she was pregnant because she wanted it so much. It's not an unknown condition and yes baywatcher even someone in the medical profession can get it wrong. She is going to be heart broken and I hope Wendy goes easy on her, though it didn't look she does initially.

For an intelligent woman Maggie was very naïve thinking now it's established Ziggy is Ben's they can just carry on as if nothing had happened. OK, it was unplanned, she would never have contemplated it had she been sober, but it did. It wasn't/isn't Maggie's fault Marco has been in love with her all these years and couldn't have easy for him seeing her after twenty years. She wasn't particularly nasty to him but made it plain he stood no chance whatever happened between her and Ben. Good point about the business Red, it does seem very important to Ben and Marco's mum and dad. Doesn't look good for Ben as he collapses next eek, but at least he wasn't on his own so Maggie can get help quickly. Not knowing how Australian law considers how serious what Douglas did can't really comment on his sentence and he did plead guilty, it is a hefty sentence, 15 years before is eligible for parole too. Seems Leah's statement was read on her behalf. There will be still tough tines ahead for Leah but Justin is a patient guy and will let her dictate the pace. Loved seeing them playing footsie in bed. Nice to see the rest of the photos though it is unclear as to who is in the top left one. Grace was such a cutie and funny watching Tori doing her exercises. Jasmine being so upbeat about her coming 12 week scan does have warning bells ringing loudly. Which, and not a spoiler as we saw her having it, appears not to be what she was wanting to see or hear.

Colby has been very remiss at times over Bella but when counselling was offered to her she refused to go and you can't force someone to go. Always easier to deal with these type of issues when it isn't your family. Colby has pointed out several times he's just an ordinary cop, don't know how much psych training they would have had. There did seem to be a hiccup between Colby saying he was done with Bella, because of her lying about seeing Patricia, then they were back to normal, well normal for them.

I thought last nights scenes were very well played, especially Sophie's, aka Ziggy, I looked very closely at her face when she was reading the results and there was no clue, not even when she met Ben on the beach and he said the same thing he did the day before when she saw he hadn't opened his letter and then told him the good news. Come did anyone have any real doubt she is so like Ben. Maggie hadn't opened hers either and only Marco bursting in with "I've brought a McGuigans, good news" got her jittery. But he did have the decency to tell her Ben was the dad, but then reasoning Ben or Ziggy don't want a bar of her she can run away with him as he's always loved her. Ben may well still love Maggie, but forgiving her keeping that secret for 20 odd years is another matter. She did ask a pertinent question about what would he have done if she had admitted it back then, he quite honestly said he didn't know, he was only a teenager so like a teenager would I suppose. DNA was in it's infancy 20 years ago so finding out who the dad was may not have been so easy as it is now. I think Ben's main problem is it was his brother she slept with not a mate or a random bloke but his brother and Marco, drunk or not, must have known on some level what he was doing when she came onto him. Bad choice of words om Maggie's part when she said she had made a "silly mistake". Dean was so supportive of Ziggy, didn't say anything but was just there for her. Right what you said though Red, Maggie made one mistake but that has to be balanced against all the years they have been together and how they have each supported each other through the years. I was wondering about Coco, has she been left out of the loop until the result was known? It was good that Ben confided in Justin, he needed someone to talk to outside of the family. A lighter mood, which we needed, was struck by Tori trying to sneak a look at Grace's nursery and Justin springing her. That mint green was a right choice, was cooling rather than cold and the photos were a beautiful touch. Amongst the photos we didn't see I guess there are ones of Brody, Raffy and her grandparents. Amusing how Marilyn, Roo, Tori and Irene were 'fighting' over who should accompany Jasmine to her scan. Jasmine admitting she hadn't yet told Wendy or Ian was a bit odd, is she afraid they'll try and take over? Good to see Leah getting back to her old self when she had a go at the photographers, then rather tender scenes between her and Justin with her making the moves and him just accepting them and taking them as they were meant. Her asking if she could just share a bed with him was a brave move on her part. I did wonder what happen if he turned over in bed and touched her when she wasn't ready, he couldn't sleep in one position all night, it's not possible.

All Ryder told Nik about Bella was she had been groomed by Tommy I don't think he mentioned Tommy had tried to rape her which is why Nik was so rattled and scared he'd done something wrong when Bella yelled at him to get out. Wouldn't have been easy for him to go to Colby and ask him to pass a message onto her. Not surprising he won't listen to anything Ari says their relationship isn't your usual uncle/nephew one, maybe that's why John as an outsider, could get through to him. Lovely summing up of John by Ryder Good John and Grumpy John and he wasn't doing it to score Brownie points with Marilyn. Maybe Maz should be more of an emotional support to Gemma but John understands more about losing a spouse. Pleased Nik apologised to his mum and agreed to go back to working at the bait shop. Had to chuckle when John frogged marched Ryder out to talk to Nik, thankfully it worked and they are friends again. It does appear that Tane is the bad brother, likely to lead Nik astray, hence Ari facing him down but what he doesn't know is Tane told Nik to stay where he was and not run away from his actions. Colby doesn't know what to about Bella, he feels responsible for her because of what he did to Ross, but as Willow pointed out he can't do that for the rest of their lives. Harsh as it sounded he had to be cruel to ne kind. She may never be completely cured I doubt if anyone would be but she has youth on her side. The sight of her sitting in the driveway was so sad. Not wanting to be mercenary but Colby told Bella her TAFE place was being deferred so what about the money Dean put up for it? Oh Mac did you forget you more or less told Ari you were looking forward to seeing him later then when Ryder told her part of what had gone on with Bella and went to see Colby instead? She'll say it's just as a friend- oh yeah right. It's not fair on Colby or Ari.

Wonder where the idea of the equine therapy came from, wherever it was, it could work once Bella gets over being 'abandoned' by Colby. Bullet, psychological choice there on Bella's part methinks and I don't think it was lost on Colby either, isn't going to be spilling any of her secrets. Her initial reluctance to work with Bullet, he's a gorgeous boy, changed once she'd touched him and felt his gentle power, lovely scene, Steven is going to need a lot of patience. Can't wait to see Bella mucking out! She's going to feel even more isolated now she's had to give up her phone. Ryder was rough on Nik, but he feels somewhat guilty himself as he introduced them, encouraged them to get together, but as been said it was Nik doing a runner when Ryder said he was calling Colby. Bik was thinking of Colby as a cop not Bella's brother, seeing what his family has been through you can't really blame him. Very touching scene between Ryder and Bella, she easily let him hug her. I felt she was avoiding Nik as she was embarrassed about what happened and not about him personally. Hope Nik and Ryder can make their peace. Ryder kept quiet and John tried but was ganged up on by Marilyn and Irene a tough couple to keep a secret from. Once again embarrassment on Bella's part, not wanting Nik to think she was even more of a freak than he already thought she was which he doesn't. Nik chucking his job in is not the answer, but currently he's in no mood to listen. Uncle Tane echoed what Gemma said, he can't keep running away, he needs to take responsibility for things he does. OK what have they done with the John of a few weeks ago and who replaced him with a more insightful, thoughtful one which is the one I like. He 'knew' he needed to talk to Gemma about Nik and even calmed them both down when they had their row in the juice bar. Although completely different circumstances they both lost their spouses very suddenly and had a teenage son to take care of. Jett had let's not forget had been a bit of a rebel, took John and Gina both a while to get him on their side. Doesn't help that Nik doesn't like Ari so Gemma doesn't have him as back up as Nik won't listen to anything he says.

Poor Bella, she was so sure she was ready, she'd made the first move when she kissed Nik and was fine and relaxed when he kissed her, she even went as far as giving her hair a good brush and put on some lip gloss. Even when they went into her room and laid on her bed and started getting comfortable, but then she remembered Tommy. Just as well Nik knew what had happened and backed off right away otherwise he may have thought Bella was teasing him. He did the right thing calling Ryder even if he did get the wrong end of the stick initially. Ryder didn't have much choice in the end but to call Colby and Willow who luckily put two and two together and realised that Bella meant she was wanting to lose her virginity that very afternoon. Would have been a reasonable assumption to make seeing the scissors and blood that Nik had tussled with Bella over them. It was just as well Willow managed to explain all that to Colby before Nik turned up at the hospital so was able to tell Nik it wasn't it his fault. Agree baywatcher Courtney does play her very well, one moment we're shouting at her for being a brat, then laughing along with her then feeling her pain, that is good acting from anyone that we, the viewers, can have such a range of emotions over them, not just booing or hissing them or loving them all the time. Taking pills was bad enough but cutting herself is something else. Colby reluctantly accepted just seeing a counsellor is not enough, not that Bella was seeing her anyway, but that Bella needs more specialist help. Will he need to pay for it? Not surprising Nik panicked - don't know how many other girls he's been with but to have one freak out like Bella did would have spooked any young man. Thank goodness Gemma talked sense into him and although he couldn't see her he cared enough to ask Colby to tell her he called and that he was sorry and hoped she'd be OK. They were nice little scenes between John and Ryder, John showing his caring and wise side after showing his stubborn side with Marilyn. Very thoughtful of him and Ryder cleaning up the bedroom so Colby wouldn't have to face it. If anyone could understand how Bella is feeling right now it's Leah although Douglas hadn't tried anything sexual with her.

Mac says its casual, but does Ari think that or does he think it could lead to something more serious. After the Ari/Colby standoff although she went back to his, she was in a hurry to leave next day citing she had to go to work. I think Colby's casual attitude when she picked up his wallet threw her, mayhap she was expecting him to go all gooey again. It was an innocent chat but Ari clocked it and her reaction to it, he's nor dumb. Never mind worrying about Ari and Mac Gemma, Ari is seeing the cops ex and they are fully grown adults, whereas Nik has just started seeing the cops baby sister and he may be an adult but Bella isn't, that's far more of a worry. I felt a bit sorry for Ryder the day before when Nik and Bella went off together and he was left alone but it was good to see Bella and Ryder back on such easy terms the next day his gentle teasing about her and Nik and him saying he was the one to thank for getting them together. I liked that Bella asked Willow's advice and she'd remembered the talk she'd had with her and Ziggy about her real first kiss and that it was different. If I recall it right she kissed Nik. Seemingly at the same time Colby was talking about Bella and Nik with Dean and how it feel from a big brother's point of view and that she wouldn't be asking him any questions. Willow listened and did give good advice but Woaw Bella you have only just met Nik, you been on what one proper date, it's not a competition, no-ones keeping score. So she's behind on having/giving her first kiss, well second or third by now, savour them. Willow could have tried harder to discourage Bella but gently because we all know Bella doesn't take kindly to being told point blank no, but what advice she did give was good, make absolutely sure you are ready, if you feel you're not OK with it stop. Of course make sure there is protection - namely Nik is wearing a condom. Mixed up scenes aside, it was typical Bella the way Bella got rid of Colby, hope Willow was either in on it or twigs why Colby has come to cheer her up. For all his brashness with others Nik came across as quite sensitive when Bella made her reason for inviting him to the flat plain. He asked her a couple of times if she was sure and seemed touched he was her first choice. There will be a point of no return for Nik though that will be not of his control. That must have been so hard for both Leah and Justin when she was giving her victim statement, for her it would have brought it all back and Justin was hearing for the first time what Douglas subjected her to. saying it all out loud made it made it all real again and that it did happen. The relatively small things like making sure all the cutlery was in the right place, what to wear, being careful not to say or do the wrong thing in case it set him off. Poor Justin when she said his touch made her skin crawl, it wasn't anything to do with him personally, but the memories. The fact she reached over to give him a kiss in the Diner must have given him hope they could get back to where they were and they had told each other they loved each other the other night.

I didn't recognise it was Blake, though I kind of thought his face seemed familiar, no names were mentioned! What sort of punishment did he get - good behaviour bond, has his dad set him adrift? It makes sense now then that comment of Bella. That was brilliant her and Nik hustling Blake and his mate. Her wide eyed innocent look and cracking on she was rubbish at pool drawing them both in. "Oh does that mean we won?" Then still pretending she was a novice while knocking them for six. "Oh does that mean we lost?" Handy Willow was handy to lend them the $50. That's the Bella I like to see. Wise words there Dean that they should make a quick exit. The meet up with Nik and Bella wasn't made any easier as Colby just happened to be there not being an embarrassment in anyway. Guessing, even if John wasn't there, Bella and Nik are unbarred. His little face when he saw Mac coming up the beach smiling in what looked like his direction but it was Ari she was actually looking at and meeting. Dean did look surprised when Mac admitted she and Ari had been, um, seeing each other so did his big brother thing about 'warning' her but she already knew everything, including the part about him and Ari had been cell mates - off screen that bit. Did Colby really use John's "We don't know anything about him" line? Ah but Dean did and Dean had few little digs at Colby - he wouldn't have been in prison if it hadn't been for Colby, a mate doesn't ask you to help bury a body and keep quite about it. Giving Ari credit for him being there now, as Ari looked out for him inside. The first death was to give Colby some credit an accident whereas Ross' was murder. A stand off with Ari and Colby which didn't win him any favours from Mac. Leah was OK helping back in the kitchen, it was when she had to step up to the counter she started to struggle as she was face to face with customers which included unknown men. The poor bloke who innocently used the wrong word when he addressed her. It did serve to make her realise she had been wrong to think she could just forget about it all and she had to face her demons - well demon in her case in the form of Douglas. I meant to say the other day when Ziggy said to him if Marco was her dad it would mean Coco would only be her half sister and Dean said he had a half sister, he actually has another one plus a half brother. It wasn't made clear when Dean said to Colby he had to see Ziggy if Colby knows anything about what's occurring with the Astoni's.

Did Maggie really say she'd only slept with Marco once so he couldn't be the dad, when being an intelligent woman she should know that is all it can take, were her and Ben being 'careful' before her one off with Marco? Ziggy was a wild child herself but I can see why she's so surprised at Maggie being so irresponsible she sees her as she is now, her mum, the steady one, not a teenager, you tend not to think of your parents having a youth of their own. The whole 'whose the daddy' thing comes down to timing. Glad Dean arrived back in time to be there for Ziggy and he dealt with it very well, wisely leaving Ben and Ziggy to talk it over, he ca be very sensitive when he needs to be. Marco may be Ziggy's biological father but Ben has been her dad through the good and the bad, and there were plenty of those, times. They've had almighty rows but that's because they are so alike, another pointer to her being his daughter in every way. Loved Ben saying it didn't matter to him if she was or wasn't. There's no clues in their colouring because all of the Astoni's are dark apart from Ziggy who is fair which could come from further back in the Astoni family tree or from Maggie's side. It appears Marco did have his suspicions and his contacting Ben was genuine. Where would soaps be without the whole 'real' dad or mum turning up? Simone and Brody were a full blown affair and they weren't silly teenagers. As happens just as a character is getting over a traumatic event, something comes along to throw them off course, this time Leah being asked to give a victim impact statement. It will reopen it all for her but could help the healing process Thought it sweet when she took Justin's hand when they were standing on the wharf. It's got to be her decision in the end, it helped Irene, I don't recall if her actually seeing a counsellor was mentioned either. As much of a scumbag Douglas is he did plead guilty so spared Leah the agony of the trial. I thought Willow was harsh on Stella too, but then Willow hasn't had any experience of being in charge of anything or anyone before and maybe her still fretting over Alex wasn't helping her to think clearly. I hope it doesn't rebound and Stella claims unfair dismissal.

One marriage being slowly healed another imploding. Marilyn also apologised to John for not consulting him about her looking after Grace. It was mentioned briefly when Tori said she was going back to work, then it all went quiet, he was concerned about her losing her wage from the Diner. But Tori said she'd pay Marilyn for her time. It did seem they had reached an agreement and he's going to accept her need for space, he's still feeling guilty at not being there, but will be there at a distance and lovely he's roped in Roo to keep a discreet eye on Marilyn. That is the John I like to see. Just how far is the Farmhouse from the beach - I thought it was normally a car drive or bus ride yet it appeared Maggie and Ben walked back. He did restrain himself from smashing up the living room and took himself off - back to the beach. We got a bit more background, Ben had dumped her, then a few weeks later(?) she went to a party where she saw Ben chatting up another girl, she got drunk, very drunk, Marco was also there and he saw how upset she was and comforted her. Did he take advantage of her being drunk and upset, how drunk was she, she did know what she was doing. She avoided Marco after that night - imagine the uproar if a bloke had done that to a woman. Her and Ben got back together Marco was seen by Ben arguing with Maggie and that is when he hit him. Was Marco pressing charges against Ben part revenge against Maggie? Ben and Marco did have a quieter talk later and still no blows exchanged. As we then found out at the end Ben & Maggie got back together, they marry and nine months later Ziggy is born. That was one hell of a leap by Ziggy that a one night stand could potentially mean Marco is her dad. Technically not a lie - more lying by omission. More nit picking but Ben and Maggie weren't together when it happened, for all we know Ben could have slept with someone during that time, but as Ben pointed out Marco is his brother and his sleeping with his, admittedly ex, isn't something brothers (or sisters) do, too close to home. It's a tight time line and maybe just me but the look on Maggie's face does indicate, she's never been sure herself. While Marco hasn't been on the scene, only occasionally, she's been able to forget it but now he's there in her face not so easy - Ziggy is very like Ben in character, hot headed, love of surfing, her blonde colouring comes from someone else back in the family though. Wonder if it's ever crossed Marco's mind? Totally irrelevant really but who is the older brother? I'm actually worried about Jasmine and whether or not she is pregnant. No mention has been made if she has seen a doctor to confirm the pregnancy and to find out her likely birth date. I was waiting for Tori, who as a doctor would ask, to ask those very questions but zilch. Has Jas convinced herself she's pregnant and it's a false one? She is so upbeat and was overjoyed when Tori offered to give Grace's crib, it will be heart breaking if that turns out to be the case. The mind is tricky like that - can play games with your body.

Ryder, meddling again, but this time it worked out and he was just getting two rather embarrassed(?), shy even, people together so they could have a proper talk. Roo approved and then she and Ryder just left them to it. May have been TMI for Roo to tell Bella the real reason why she threw up. It probably just helped Bella to know that the confident Roo she knows now wasn't always like that. Loved Bella's 'tell me what he said, no don't tell me, yes tell me' to Ryder. Bella is so lovely when she smiles shame she doesn't often enough. Agree, Red, that first kiss was so sweet and it was Bella that instigated it. Ryder will be there for her, but let's hope Colby doesn't overdo the big brother cum cop duty and trust Bella to know what she is doing and doesn't follow them to make sure everything is OK and that Nik behaves himself. Gemma has kept herself out of Marilyn and John's trouble so far, but she's realised enough is enough and John needed to hear it from her and her families side. Surprisingly John told Gemma about him losing Gina and how he felt as it happened so suddenly. Not quite the same way as Gemma losing Mikaere but still sudden. She must have done something right as she convinced Marilyn to ring him and invitation from Maz to John to take Grace for a walk together looked promising. If Nik can learn to behave himself and not treat the Palmer's hose as a doss house there could be hope. Gemma wasn't happy about Ari seeing Mac, the cop's ex, so wonder how she will feel about Nik dating the cops sister. Has John died then 630si if he's met his maker? Maggie has decided to bit the bullet and tell Ben what occurred during their separation - hate the word break when it applies to a couple splitting up for a short time - hope she makes it clear to him that is when it happened. She wisely took him out of the juice bar/surf shop so he won't be able to smash it up. as of course as we see Ben takes it well! Bet he accuses Marco of taking advantage of Maggie when she was vulnerable, well that's partly true. While Marco was safely keeping his distance she could forget about it, but him being back has revived it all. It may do a lot of damage to her family but living with a secret like that would have torn her apart waiting for Marco to either turn the screw even more or tell Ben himself anyway. Seems Leah is in for a rocky week. That bloke calling her sweetheart which in normal times could just be seen as sexist, was, unfortunately for him, the wrong term to use.

It was nice to see Colby and Bella have some proper brother and sister time together. He quickly spotted her eying up Nik and he didn't buy her "I'm not interested in him in that way" comments. It would have taken a lot for her to tell him, or rather blurt out she liked him before doing a runner, leaving him looking very bemused. He likes her but knowing her history will, I hope, take it slowly and move at her pace. Ryder, this time round kept his own counsel when he saw Mac and Ari together and just told Colby she was at the caravan park and left it at that. Looked like Bella and Colby spent all afternoon and evening at Salt waiting for Mac to turn up. He seemed to manage the stairs OK. John wasn't spreading gossip when he told Marilyn about Mac and Ari, he saw it with his own eyes and Mac wasn't exactly being coy about leaving Ari's van. The fact Ari had been inside didn't faze Mac though he didn't mention he was in there the same time as Dean, but that's down to Dean to tell her. I hope Mac does really wants to be with Ari and isn't using him to get over Colby. Ari does have a good bod on him comes with being a construction worker I suppose. Is that what John been so worried about - he thought Marilyn liked Ari more than as a friend? Is there more to it that it appears when Gemma was telling Nik about Ari and Mac, I got the feeling something happened back in their old place that went wrong which is another reason they had to leave. She did mention he was seeing a cops ex girlfriend. Mac did put Colby in his place when she finally told him they were over for good. Better to tell him face to face than by phone or a text. Bet your bottom Australian $ when he does find out, he'll be checking Ari out.

Mint walls Red! Leah and Justin do know Jasmine's news, Tori told them the day before - well our day before - unless my memory is playing tricks with me. I remember the paint argument that was going on before when the nursery was being planned - wasn't it Raffy's room back then? Then of course everything got turned upside down. That was so how it should be - Colby, Dean and Willow together - nobody knows them like they do, have jibes at each other, but have each others backs too. Colby joked about himself as being the first divorcee amongst them, good question from him when he asked Willow if she was still gay after this encounter? Echoes of Charlie who turned gay then turned back again. As I said before Willow has never opened herself up like that before even with a bloke. Good idea for him to take her away for a few days - OK'd it with Jasmine I take it? Colby is not getting the hint is he, Mac is not returning his calls or texts, but she then could tell him either way to stop trying to contact her, this way he is not going to stop and could end up getting a real shock if he sees her and Ari together. Dean is doing his best, especially now he's realises Mac has got the hots for Ari, he does know more about Ari's past than she does, to keep Mac and Colby apart. Ari isn't dumb and was OK with Mac flirting with him but he didn't realise she was into him. He did beat a hasty retreat when she started asking questions about his past. Dean is only doing what Ari would do if some guy was a potential love interest for Gemma and Dean did say to Mac he hoped she wasn't just using Ari to get over Colby. Unfortunately Ari not turning up at his usual time had only piqued her interest and she pitched up at his van. John spots her coming out the next morning. It was quite late when Willow, Colby and Dean met up at the flat - how late do they keep students at TAFE - but Bella is back tonight making a declaration! As a quick aside Willow was worried about Colby climbing the stairs to Salt to see Mac, which she was trying to stop him from doing, they are a lot safer looking than the stairs to the flat which he manages all by himself, up and down, but hey what do I know! Leah was comfortable enough to kiss Justin the day before but after their playing around and he went to kiss her she drew back, I'm guessing it was because the time before she was in control. Lovely though they both told each other they loved the other. Also I noticed she wasn't so keen to Irene's suggestion she do a couple of shifts the following week when only the day before she said she was up for doing some.

I'm supposing maybe it was decided not to mark their parents graves they would be left alone and so any bad guys wouldn't disturb them. I'd forgotten what a beautiful spot they were in. If a sister or brother couldn't have a go at a brother (or sister) no-one can, and it was done with love. If you believe in it at least he is now reunited with Beth. Not doing Justin down but Mason was an adult so allowed to make his own mistakes and it's not humanly possible for anyone to be there for someone else 24/7. He needs to forgive himself, very touching and telling Leah stepped up to hug Justin when he broke down in the bathroom. Tori sharing Jasmine's news gave them all hope for the future, let's just hope she is pregnant, no confirmation she has had a test yet. Now Roo and Marilyn know so be quite a few people she may have to tell different news to. Is it just me or has Ada had something done to her lips, they seem a lot fuller than they used to. That's what Maggie is debating whether to or not, does she tell Ben. Had to be Diana that caused the row, bit difficult trying to work out the time scale between Ben dumping her, her sleeping with Marco and her and Ben getting back together, matter of weeks? Has she ever had any doubts about who Ziggy's dad is? Was Ziggy full term, premature? She does need to take back control but to do that she has to tell Ben. Marco has worked his charm on Ziggy. Maybe a bit of both with Marco and why now, he hasn't had a need to before now as papa was in charge but now he is and has new ideas which need money. If I was Ben I'd check, double check and check again the terms of the contract. Willow has never been in this situation before, Alex has been the first person she has really fallen in love with so wouldn't know how to deal with the fall out. She's being a Mango River Girl and pretending she's handling it the way she would have done, keeping busy and pushing people away. Dean was the right person to tackle her about it, he's known her long enough and she's been supportive to him in the past, just the right amount of sympathy but not overdoing it. I know Jasmine is new at this running a business lark and Willow wouldn't be doing her down in any way but she should have read those papers before she signed them.

I'm worried Jasmine may not be pregnant but is just hoping she is, so she has something to look forward to, stop faffing girl and have the test already, you know it doesn't take long. Hope she is and it's not anything serious, that would be so unfair. She's never been insensitive and was immediately supportive of Tori and Justin but took her leave to when it felt right to do so so they could take it in, it really was over for Mason. Good point made by Justin that whoever sent them could have written or emailed them to warn them so they would have been prepared - well as much as you can be. The not being there role has been reversed with Leah feeling guilty she wasn't there for Justin when he needed her. Lovely suggestion by Tori that they scatter Mason's ashes in between their parents graves so he'd always feel safe. Why did you refer to them as the graves of unknown murder victims Red? It was very quickly arranged though there was time for the cross to be made. More of the 'ceremony' tonight. Leah is only going back part time so Gemma won't be pushed out yet, does Leah know about her yet? Marco really showed his true colours and feelings last night, he's never forgiven Maggie for 'using' him all those years ago, not that she denied the accusation and told him to get over it. We don't know how it came about, plainly her and Ben had a fight, she finished with him/he finished with her or they both flounced off in opposite directions. She turned to Marco, he comforted her, gave her a shoulder to cry on which turned to more, cough, cough. But Marco could also be accused of taking advantage of her being upset so he's not an innocent. As to the elephant in the room, she was either (a) already pregnant with Ziggy, (b) her one night fling with Marco resulted in Ziggy or (c) she quickly made up with Ben in the best way possible. She said she was 19 and Ben is a couple of years older, is Marco older than Ben? She's also told Marco about Ben's breakdown and depression. Marco was making some could call obtuse remarks about Ziggy and how she takes after Ben, then the 'it's in the genes' comment. He's got to be thinking 'is she mine'. I'd be very, very careful about what is involved in investing however much money in the business, family or not, sometimes it's family you have to watch more closely. How much is needed what are the conditions of the investment, is there a get out clause, a cooling off period, what would you be responsible or liable for. Marco said Ben would be a silent partner but that could cover a multitude of sins an may not help if anything goes wrong. Sorry to keep banging on about it but WHY does Grace have to wear a woolly hat indoors - it's Summer Bay in the summer - it's hot. Even outside they could put the hood on her buggy up to keep the sun off her head.

Leah had recovered enough from being with Douglas to fight back against what she thought of Justin's controlling her, the old Leah there, though it took Justin by surprise. Luckily he did recognise what he was doing could be seen as that. To be honest, though not controlling more helicopter behaviour, look how he was when Raffy was first diagnosed with epilepsy, always asking how she was, wouldn't let her out of his sight when she was staying with them, even when she had it more under control, If I remember right he was the same with Mason after his accident, being reluctant for him to do things himself, Tori and Brody too underwent the Justin 'caring' treatment. Great he and Leah sorted things out and they are back on track. Now we know the real reason Marco wanted to build fences with Ben - he wants Ben to invest in the family, well his now, business - do we know what that is btw? Their dad had been the head of it now Marco is in charge. Ben, luckily, didn't say anything about his breakdown to Marco, that would have been something he would likely to use to his advantage. Lovely that Jasmine has discovered she could be pregnant - hopefully being a nurse she will have a proper test. Her realising she's missed a period could have been put down to the grief and stress she's been under since losing Robbo. It was Tori saying she'd make a lovely mum that got her thinking. I do remember they did have a last night of love before he went off on his last mission. It will be bitter sweet for her and like Tori she'll be a single mum but she'll have Tori, Irene and others to support her.