H&Alover

Justin is doing what he is doing from a good place as it's based on love, but from Leah's point of view it is another form of control. Some control freaks, unlike Douglas, he was about control from the outset, do start off that way convincing the victim they are doing what they are doing because they love them and don't want them to get hurt. It was her decision not to go to the party as she didn't feel ready to see so many people in one hit so she knows her own limits. Him suggesting she go home when after they bumped into Jasmine and Leah wanted to go to the Diner with Grace didn't go down well as was seen on the look on her face and sound of her voice. It was good to see her hug Irene, more relief I think, and Justin agreed to got to work which would have focused her mind and helped her, until Justin insisted she go home with him as she was doing too much. She wasn't happy about that either and I guess it's good in a way she felt confident enough to tell Justin enough was enough. She was having flashbacks again and the two - Justin and Douglas - were merging into one, maybe have been harsh her comparing him to Douglas but hopefully it's woken him up as to how it must seem from her point of view. Maybe her staying with Irene and talking it through with her will be a good for them both, Irene can tell her how what he really went through and he can let her have as much space as she needs but still be there for her when she needs him to be. It was under two years ago Colby and Chelsea married and split, they married in the 2018 finale, 13th December, their time to be exact, but in Australia you have to wait until you have been married for at least a year before applying for a divorce. Seeing as he had only just come home that day that would have been the first time h'e'd seen his mail and OK he did what so many do and left important/private correspondence lying around but what business was it of Mac reading on and then to say to Willow he hadn't signed them yet! Maybe he wanted to speak to Chelsea to say he wasn't ignoring them as he'd only just got them as he'd been in hospital and perhaps ask how she is. Mac wants Colby out of her head - again! so obviously the first thing she does is go into full throttle flirt mode with Ari, what has he done to deserve that? Totally not right to use him to get herself over Colby. To quote John - sorry - but "we don't know much about him". He seems to keep to himself, normally a quiet, decent man, though he does have a temper. Did he have a love life before he came to the Bay and before he took on responsibility for Gemma and Nikau? Mac and Ari didn't have much to do with each other at the hospital, he was looking after Marilyn and she was looking after Bella. Much as I like Mac on her own or with others it's when she's with Colby that drives me mad, they are just not suited. Liked that talk between Colby and Jasmine about Robbo and how and bad she felt about not having thought about him. She did give the drinks do a go but her heart wasn't in it.

Dean soon cooled down thanks to Bella's intervention saying it was her idea Nik 'borrowed' his car and absolutely nothing had happened between them. A small niggle, again, but how did Dean get to and back from the Astoni's if he didn't have his car. Dean's panicking about how is he meant to look for Bella and pick up Colby, till Mac steps in and volunteers, what did she tell Colby as to why it wasn't Dean. Ryder fesses' up Bella may have gone off with Nik because of their row just in time for Bella and Nik to drive up. Naturally Bella, Willow and Dean having their row happened just as Colby limps up the stairs. So he gave her a grilling about what she'd been doing and how trustworthy was Nik. Despite his other faults, Nik looked after Bella well without going into over protective mode. Fair enough Bella is 17 plenty old enough to be on her own but Dean knows what she's been through and Colby wouldn't have liked it which he didn't. Was a nice reminisce and good to see Willow again, but I had the feeling Mac felt out of it. I'm glad Bella, obviously after having thought it through, forgave Ryder and admitted he was right she does like Nik. Gemma didn't deserve the way Nik spoke to her, partly guilt on his part as he knows she wouldn't have liked knowing where he had been. OK he's an adult but he could have least texted her so say he'd be out all night. Talking of Willow she's avoiding discussing Alex which will rebound on her when she's another one who urges others to resolve things. Appears she hasn't even rung her to see if she's settled in. Mac isn't much better being evasive about her feelings for Colby. What did Bella expect from Colby they had made a deal - he lets her go to TAFE and she continues with her counselling - which is another promise she's broken. Although they had made another way earlier regarding Nik, she just keeps him updated. Marilyn really does seem to believe her marriage is over. They have been through tough times before as Roo pointed out but maybe this time it can't be fixed. Colby has received his divorce papers which has certainly thrown him and as we saw Mac sees them because as usual people do tend to leave private stuff lying around for all to see. Seeing as they had only been married a matter of weeks Chelsea wouldn't be able submit the application until now.

Maybe Grace snuck in while no-one was looking. I thought Marco did threaten Maggie the day before when he said he'd rather not tell Ben about them sleeping together? So far Maggie has got away with avoiding Marco as much as she can, the party helped in that respect. Marco is a real charmer isn't he, certainly has the gift of the gab, reeled in Roo pretty quick and had her all weak at the knees. Trouble thought with charmers like him they do tend to have a dark side. I have the feeling back in the day, Ben was the quiet one, which he still is, and just got on with the more practical side of things and Marco was talker but maybe couldn't always follow up on what he promised. They did mention the family business, do we know what that is? Ziggy almost revealed all about Ben's trouble with the drugs and his breakdown, but thankfully she just said the business had been in trouble. Maybe some instinct told her to keep quiet about it, it's up to Ben if he wants to tell Marco. Roo asked Marilyn a loaded question about if she had feelings for Ari, I don't think she has any romantic feelings for him, think it's more she feels grateful to him for being there for her and although John wants to be the one to comfort her now, Marilyn was right, he wasn't there through no fault of his own and only someone who was could understand. It could have been anyone else plenty of people there just it's Ari who's drawn the short straw. I partly see John's argument Gemma and Ari are adults and can look after themselves so don't need 'nursing'. But equally I can see Marilyn's argument asking them to the party was a good way of introducing them to more of the bay folk. Wonder if Ari has any feelings towards Marilyn? Nikau did deserve the slagging off he got from John, Ari and Gemma, the place was a tip, you don't treat someone else's home like that, he's old enough to have done what Gemma asked him to do. Trouble is he let himself get distracted by Bella who was bugging him about why he was avoiding her. Like most young guys I dare say he hasn't come across the problem Bella has had so would be at a loss as what to do. I could see why Bella was cross with Ryder Nik was treating her as normal, now he sees her as the girl who nearly got raped, though that word wasn't mentioned. I still think Ryder did what he did with the best intentions, just didn't think it all the way through. When though would Bella have told Nik when he made a pass, went to kiss her and she freaked out and it left him wondering what he had done wrong? Wasn't it Bella who suggested to Nik they get out of there and do 'something'? Just how far away was Tane's - it was Tane wasn't it - place from the bay, Nik knew where he lived. Give Tane his due he did try and make Nik see things from Ari's point of view, he's looking out for his sister and Nik is her son, his nephew, it's what families do. From what we saw which wasn't much nothing off happened and the last we saw of Bella she was asleep in bed. Like to think Nik would have kept her safe. Seeing as Dean's car can't have been at the Astoni's how did he get there, he did say he needed to get back for Bella but Ziggy persuaded him to stay, guessing he rang/texted Bella to say he wasn't coming home. All that explodes the next morning - with Dean threatening Nik. Plus Colby, as was to be expected, finds out Bella hadn't been making her counselling appointments. Whether he called Patricia asking how they're going or she called him asking how he is as Bella hadn't been attending her sessions as he was ill and she, Bella, didn't want to leave him - either way oops Bella.

Good job someone is on the ball. Not unusual for someone who has been through what Leah has been through to still have mixed feelings - the sensible Leah part of her knows she's safe but the emotional side doesn't know that. The normally innocent action of him reaching across her unnerved her. I saw the subject of a counsellor was mentioned for when she was ready, hopefully she will take her own advice - persuading Irene to see one. I had the same thought that the party would be too much, too many people in one hit. Wasn't sure if her dithering about what dress to wear was part of the old Leah or Douglas' influence again. The putting on her make up bought back memories of her 'wedding day'. Did you mean when Marilyn came back with Grace and he put her in her bedroom? Leah did look uncomfortable when Justin said he'd be there every step of the way for her, maybe he needs to step back and give her some space. Has Roo let Alf and Martha know Leah is back in the bay? Good advice from Roo that one of them as in John and Marilyn make the first step and give John his due he did, I thought he overreacted when he saw Ari walk by and Marilyn looked round assuming she'd rather be talking to him. Was Marilyn asking all the Parata's along to the party a cover so it didn't look like she was making it all about Ari? I missed Ari's brother name actually being named. Knew you'd know what I meant Red. Seeing as that assault on Marco was over 20 years ago why did it result in Ben being banged up when he hit Brody? Oh, now we know why Maggie is so on edge, her and Marco had a one night stand after her and Ben had split up briefly. Then they got back together and maybe Marco not knowing that - he did say he thought they were over - tried it on with her. It does seems such a shame they were, despite their various ups and downs, the most stable couple in the bay. Would Ben forgive such a betrayal even if they weren't a couple when it happened? Of course it does now raise an ugly question to me at least. The way Maggie was talking I was expecting Mama and Papa Astoni to turn up seeing as it appears it was it was them who told Marco about the party.

Justin was back into when to tell Tori about Robbo territory here with him not having told Leah about Mason, he'd been lucky no-one else had accidentally let it slip. There was no way he could avoid it after she asked him outright where Mason was, although we didn't see him telling her the whole story it would have brought it all up again for him. Maybe he thought telling her about Robbo would have been too much in all one go. Leah is getting there in stages, she's up for holding Justin's hand and hugging Irene, but not up to Justin putting his arm around her. Also revealing gradually what happened during her time with Douglas, taking back Justin's roast as it wasn't what he asked for. Just as she was fretting about not being there for Justin when they lost Mason, he'd been fretting about not being there for when she needed him. Nice scene in the garage when he decided yes she could help sort out the accounts. Justin's a bloke, probably hasn't even given that photo of him and Willow a second thought, he hasn't been there a lot has he. Shame Willow is off screen at the moment she would have been the right person to talk to Bella about not to let Nik get the wrong idea, even if her actions are unintentional on her part. Do we believe Nik when he says he's not interested in Bella that way, just likes her as a friend. We'll have to hope Nik is intelligent enough to be careful round Bella without her wondering why he appears to have backed off. Marco's name was brought up when Ben thumped Brody which is why Ben was detained on remand. Of course once people start talking about things going right for a change you can be sure that has the kiss of death on it. I've found out who Marco used to be but I won't spoil it for anyone else, but I'm sure you know Red. Must mention the make up department haven't got rid of Leah's cuts and bruises. We're back to five episodes this coming week too.

Thanks for the reminder Red, I guess it's because we've never seen the new owners is the reason I'd forgotten it had been sold. I love how Ryder is looking out for Bella, but he's in a very difficult position - naturally he doesn't want to betray Bella's confidence but equally he doesn't want her and Nik's friendship to be ruined if he moves in for an innocent kiss because of course Nik has no idea of what she went through with Tommy. If Ryder was a young woman she'd have the same dilemma whether to say anything or not. If Bella was in an enough of a receptive mood he could talk to her and alert her as to what guys Nik's age are like but she gets too defensive. Nik wouldn't be doing anything wrong but Bella would freak and Dean would want a piece of him. The same dilemma Nik clearly likes Bella he suddenly become very animated when Ryder said Bella was coming over. Ryder was very ambiguous with Nik about how Bella is not like other girls - the only thing I think he could have said is she hadn't had much experience with boys without making her sound like a geek. I'm glad he talked it over with Roo who to be honest wasn't much help. In one way it's good Bella feels so comfortable around Nik and she did admit to Ryder she was flirting with him but I don't think she realises where that could lead and that it's giving Nik the wrong message. I'm guessing as you say Red it's because Nik is new in town and has had a similar life to her and being older and more worldly makes her drawn to him. Clever of Ryder to work out she hadn't been for her counselling session. Seeing that John wasn't in the Surf Club is the reason both Nik and Bella - who was also banned - were. Btw did Bella and Nik spend nearly all day at Salt and the Surf Club? I'm surmising it might be a significant Birthday if Maggie wants to make such a deal out of it. It appeared him overhearing Ziggy and Maggie talking is the reason why he changed his mind about a party but you're right Red, he's only doing it to make them happy of course it'll backfire - this is soapland. While in the main and business wise he's back on the right road an evening of him being in the spotlight maybe too much. Of course the Astoni's have a surprise visitor and not a good one by the look on Maggie's face.

Colby kept insisting he only wanted the best for Bella, but what worked for him wouldn't necessarily work for Bella, she's not him. He also said he just wanted her to be happy and if going to TAFE is going to make her happy problem sorted - simples. Normal, for want of a better word, school isn't for everyone, she won't be the first pupil to discover that. Ziggy if I remember from what has been said between Ben and Maggie was never pupil of the year, any year. Bella really had done her homework - no pun intended - about her subject and once he had calmed down and read the prospectus from cover Colby was convinced she was serious. Ziggy had nothing to reproach herself for, she did give good advice, Bella didn't have to take it. Impressed she listened to Mac who informed her Colby had tried to follow her and persuaded her to go back and give him another go. Dean is going to pay for her to go, wondered if he had any money left. Although she looked guilty about cancelling her appointment with Patricia she didn't feel that guilty. She will only be able to bluff her way round it for so long, Ryder's already worked it out, unless she confessed to him. Besides, it will only take Patricia ringing Colby to ask how he is doing and mentioning Bella cancelled another appointment as he needed her to blow her lie out of the water. Jasmine and Tori were making a good team, laughed at Tori throwing Bella's Dr. Obvious back at her. All going well until that guy was brought in reminding Jas of when Robbo was brought in. Poignant mention of Mas and Tori saying she kept expecting to see him about, it's little throw away comments like that that bring it home more rather than big declarations. Interesting girly chat between Marilyn and Grace with Marilyn confiding in Grace about her problems with John. Rather sweet Jasmine ringing Marilyn as Tori didn't want to appear too clingy a mum. Lovely little scene of the four girls at the Diner and Tori saying Robbo would be proud of how they are doing. Mac definitely flirting with Colby which Dean picked up on, not sure Colby was aware of it though. From what we saw Bella and Nik are getting close. I don't know if it has been forgotten or I've missed it but did the pier complex ever get sold and if it did do we know who the new owner(s) is/are? Good to see Ben really getting back on track (or surf board) but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to know something is going to awry with the plans Maggie is making for his birthday. Anyone who remembers the 'coming up' trailers will get what I mean. 6pm screening of H&A back next week.

Willex - Leah has had other things on her mind than wonder where Mason is and if she has maybe she's thinking he's staying out of the way to give her room. Justin will need to tell her, gently, pretty soon in case she asks Tori where he is and also asks Jas about Robbo. Typical Leah that when she heard all the police could charge Douglas with was his assault on Colby, that she didn't know about, that she decided to give her statement. Justin saying all they could hope for was for Douglas to confess, yeh of course he is. In his eyes and other guys like him he's done nothing wrong. Rather a lot more than disdain Slade I would have said, more like scorn or deep rooted hate. His old fashioned belief that a woman was a second class citizen and her place was in the home, was his childhood like that, mum stayed home, dad went to work and he expected it to be like that when he married? Leah must have recognised the name of Douglas' ex not as if she'd dash off on hearing an unknown name. He collared her before she made it into the hospital and she soon learnt not to disobey him. McCarthy didn't ask, but Justin did if there had been any sexual assault which Leah confirmed there hadn't been but she knew once their marriage had happened it would which why she made her bid for freedom. I hope she follows her own advice and gets counselling when she's ready of course. EPG has got itself sorted now. Who died and made John sheriff?? He's entitled to have his opinion on Ari but he can't order him out of town. Ari hasn't done anything illegal since he's been in the bay, he's gone face to face with John a couple of times and now he's got rough with Dean again, but Dean can look after himself and Ari believed him when he said he hadn't said anything, especially to John. Did I hear Ari say he wasn't even at the shoot out? It's certainly not going get Maz back on side. He said to Marilyn he was the same guy he'd always been and he was a bully and a know it all when he first arrived in the bay. I remember he even bullied Gina's son Brendon who has autism, but had mellowed over the years thanks to Gina and Marilyn. Can't believe the only reason is because he's jealous of Ari and the fact he helped Marilyn when he wasn't able to. He's taking it out on Gemma and Nik too. He can't keep using the same argument "We know nothing about them". Wonder he hasn't revealed all to everyone by plastering posters all over town. Not that he would, he just wants a quite life, but Ari could go and report John for harassment. His stance is just making Marilyn dig her heels in even more. The number of times Willow changed her mind was making me dizzy. At least this way Willow hasn't torn herself from her friends and all she knows only for it not to work out, Alex may not have known her long but long enough to recognise Willow wasn't as ready as she thought she was. Did Alex leave the conventional way or sneak out the window? Big return for both Tori and Jasmine, Tori may not have been there when Mason died but Jasmine was there when Robbo died so more dramatic for her. Still odd that ED is not on the ground floor. Wasn't Jas going to be one of Grace's babysitters when Tori was at work? Talking of Grace is there reason why she wears a woolly hat indoors?

I think it was the last time when she took Pippa abroad for treatment. The Holden/Palmer house. Didn't Gina live in the house next door at one time and was rented by the Braxtons's when Roo was landlady? I guess we are expected to accept it became John's after Gina died and she'd taken over ownership when Tony left. Now, without it being said, we are supposed to take it both John and Marilyn own it. He didn't come out with the "It's my house" comment. John was rather economical with the truth "She threw me out" er actually, she called your bluff on the 'it's them or me' ultimatum so you left. Knowing Marilyn she would have gone with Gemma and Nik. Roo did know John's van was next to Ari's then. Roo has got the story from both of them, did call John out on his claim he was thrown out, but now she should step back and let them sort it out between them. Both of them can be stubborn and we have been here before. Ari blew her cover story of John going to work early by mentioning John was staying at the caravan park. Ari isn't even staying at the Palmer's so he isn't responsible for the row. John is tarring Gemma and Nik with the same brush, assuming because Ari is 'bad' so are Gemma and Nik by association but that is John's default. I'm glad Gemma managed to pin down Maz long enough to ask her why John left. Now Gemma knows John has found about their history but I didn't get how she wondered John found out, she has heard of the internet hasn't she? Anyone can find out about most things/peope nowadays. It was a big news story so public knowledge so accessible to all who wanted to find out. Ari, as we saw, didn't see it that way though and blames Dean. A week has passed then since Leah's return as mentioned by Irene and Leah did seem more at home and not so jittery around Justin, he is doing great even if he doesn't think so. Is it me or is she having more showers than normal, maybe to wash the smell of that place out of her skin and hair? That was odd about him only finding out just now about Colby, he would have called round just as a friend if not in cop mode. Irene, obviously, knows the damage of keeping things like this to yourself because you just want to forget about it, but she should also know you can't be pushed into getting help or making a statement to the cops. That was a good idea her suggesting Justin ask the therapist how he can help until Leah is ready to talk to them herself. At least Colby was able to fill in Justin what it was like at the house and what it looked like the situation was - Leah having her own room - even if she was locked in. We know, as he surmised, it looked like Douglas didn't touch her sexually which is a small blessing. Saw in the trailer Leah has changed her mind after hearing about Colby, surprised there wasn't a woman cop there though. Leah was doing OK on her walk, did think a visit to the Diner would be too much as her just running into Roo and Jas proved. As an aside it doesn't seem Jasmine is going back to NDH. Colby is sitting up and taking notice then, not bad considering a week ago he may have died, another miracle soap hospital. He knows Willow so well and she was surprised Alex had stopped working there the day before. After persuasion from both him and Jas she made it just in time to say goodbye to Alex or not, we'll see. The Freeview programme pages seem to have got their twickers in a nist on their guide pages. The synopsis for some days for H&A have repeated themselves, both for Channel 5 and 5Star, bit mind boggling.

I think Sally signed it back over to him when she left.

I can see both sides too with Maz and John who can be very blinkered and keeps bringing up that old argument of "We know nothing about them" he's said that too many times about other newcomers that didn't tell everyone about their past lives the moment they arrived in town. He said the same about the Morgan's. May have been a bit low Marilyn bringing up the arson as he wasn't aware of what he was doing but everyone knew him and after baying for his bloody gave him a second chance . We don't know what happened after Mason was shot but Marilyn may have told him to go and he left the scene outside as the press were hanging about, ,he did reassure John Maz was OK. Dean's been given one and he was/is a River Boy. Marilyn has got good instincts about people and Roo didn't tell her to ignore John, she even suggested she see it from John's side. I will give John this he did say he'd always be grateful to Ari for helping Marilyn and the way Marilyn sees it he did save her life. Not a wise move on John's part throwing down that ultimatum he should know Marilyn better than that. Either there were no other vans available or Roo didn't check as to whom had what van. Did I see John taking his own pillow in with him? Ari is really trying to put his life back together, he's got himself a job which wouldn't have been easy to get as a ex con. He has got a short fuse like most ex cons, Dean can still blow up at a moments notice, John does seem to hit the right buttons with him. But he's trying to provide not just for himself but for his late brothers widow and son as somehow I think he feels responsible for what happened. Did I understand it right this woman bystander was shot by the police in the crossfire between Ari's brother Mikaera which ended in his death too? I think he'll obey Alex's orders, he had already asked his boss for light duties and been turned down so he'll respect the trust she's placed in him. This may calm him down now he's able to earn a honest crust again so people, well OK John, will stop thinking he's swinging the lead. Funnily I saw it as Bella and Nik having quite bit in common, despite their differences, btw Dean soon took off after having a rant at Bella, as the next moment she's back chatting to Ryder and Nik and inviting them back to the flat. I liked that chat between Ryder and Nik, first mate he's had his own age since Ty. Loved him filling in Nik about Dean and how he fits in with Bella and Colby and Dean was like another brother to Bella so he'd better watch his step. So sweet Ryder at seeing how well Nik and Bella were getting on made a discreet exit. May have been the only one she had but no way was Ross a good dad to Bella, was she happy, looked after, he kept her isolated at that house, stopped her going to school, making any friends, almost like living in a cave as she herself said, no medical check ups for 10 years. Nik's account of his dad however was completely different criminal or not he seemed to love his wife and son. Nik can at least talk about his dad as he is dead, but Bella has to watch what she says OK to use the word was as he is in the past, as he's 'disappeared.' She does seem very relaxed around him, even laughing, the swapping stories of bad behaviour at school did lead to him suggesting what she could do next. I guess Nik knows what he's talking about and didn't just pluck it out of the air. Is it possible for her to do that, go to TAFE without doing her HSC's. Apparently she can, if the info is still up to date. It does make sense, she'll be doing something she loves, photography, and the other course which I missed. Colby I think will be OK about as long as she is happy and will buckle down to doing the work. Without giving anything away, seems Ryder has a big decision to make and I think - not a spoiler - it's to do with Bella and Tommy and if he gives Nik the heads up on what nearly happened or not as he can see they are getting closer and wouldn't want to see Nik make a move on Bella by trying to hug or even kiss her and have her freak out on him. We know what happened but she does seem as I said before very relaxed with him so he wouldn't see any harm in wanting to give her a hug. And the Astoni's have a not so welcome visitor.

Not that it will absolve him of anything, but like you Slade, I'd like to find out why Douglas chose to kidnap Leah, other ways of getting his revenge if that is what he was after, he'd obviously had it all planned out. He seemed a very uptight guy, had he always been like that or only after whatever it was happened to his wife? I guess the scissors were the nearest thing to hand, he was hiding in the wardrobe in 'his' bedroom, struck with enough force, they'd do a hell of a lot of damage and did. Not that we'd moved onto much lighter storylines, but we needed the break if no-one else did. Everyone else has tried to get through to Bella so why not Dean and he didn't hold back, just how did she think her extra tuition and counselling was being paid for? Maybe time has run out on getting enough home schooling for her to catch up and not have to repeat? It was stated Bella didn't qualify for long distance tutoring and now school has restarted Maggie and Roo have less time to home tutor her. There is no shame in resitting any year, plenty of kids have before her and there will be plenty after her. Now of course she's fretting over Colby, but surely the one way to help his recovery is for him to know she is going back to school - think on that Bella. One thing has occurred to m, when he finally comes out of hospital, wil he go to rehab, noway could he manage those stairs up the flat. The John, Marilyn and the Parata's situation isn't getting any better, though neither John or Nik is helping any. It wouldn't have hurt Nik to pick up his dish and put it in the sink or on the draining board. Maz should let Gemma contribute some money just so Gemma feels she is paying her way and not relying on charity. John totally overreacted in the surf club, it was an accident on Bella's part, anyone could have shot the cue ball off the table but he took it as a personal affront to his authority. Ryder was the most adult of the lot of them. I still think a lot of it is to do with John being jealous of Ari and the fact it was him Marilyn turned to rather than him. Now of course he's done some digging into the Parata's past, but John being John only read what he wants to read and it's likely not the whole story. Awkward conversation between Dean and Ari, Dean telling Ari that he'd be there for him while agreeing not to acknowledge them knowing each other beforehand. John's continuing sniping at Ari for not working is not needed, he's trying to get back to his job, and asking if anyone needs any jobs doing. Dean doing his stand in big brother act didn't go down well though, but he doesn't know Nik and may have been tarring him with the same brush people did with him. When did Ziggy and Dean turn into the Agony Aunt and Uncle of the bay, was good advice even so. Mac was in danger of getting too involved with Colby again when the same problems that tore them apart are still there. What was it Colby said, he's just a small town cop where nothing happens. DOH. Irene handled Gemma's question about where she stood regarding her shifts very well, without going into details she said she had shifts for as long as she needed them or at least until Leah came back which won't be for a while if TPTB treat the storyline honestly. Maz had to ease herself back in after the siege. Ziggy, I must say, has been a great support to Dean with the Colby situation.

Thanks Dan F.

Six weeks she'd been with Douglas, longer than I thought, but more than enough time for him to as you say brainwash her into doing what he wanted or else. The place was isolated so no-one near she could go to for help unlike Yasmeen in Corrie, even if they had believed her and I'm guessing Leah did try and get away at least once before that last time but undoubtedly paid for it. Double lock on that door to her cell - sorry room. Leah is in absolutely no state at the moment to give any kind of coherent statement. Irene did have the presence of mind not to say anything to Justin as what Bella's urgent phone call was about, just gave him a look, would not have been the right time to say Colby's been stabbed by that guy and is in hospital about to be operated on. Leah setting the table just so must have been the way Douglas liked it set out and it appeared she was waiting for permission to eat her meal and she was scoffing it down rather quickly, another punishment, she didn't get fed it she didn't obey 'orders'? I think Irene meant well with her offer, but right then Leah needed to stay in one place and try and get some sleep. Creepy the way she called Justin sweetheart in the same way she did Douglas. I think Leah would have jumped if Justin had come up behind her in the dark before this I would have. That would have been another of her 'jobs' according to Douglas, she broke the glass she cleaned it up. Ada is portraying Leah's torment so well, she doesn't have to say anything it's all in her face and eyes. Only good news they could let her in on is Tori coming out of her coma and Alf and Martha's wedding. She doesn't need to be told about Robbo or Mason or the siege but if she should ask though maybe a different matter. Warning should go round letting people know she's not to be told. Oh Roo's back. I do hope TPTB at H&A don't decide that all it will take is a couple of weeks and Leah will be back to her usual self as if nothing had happened that would be an insult to all the women and men that to this has happened in real life. Now Colby's no wimp so that injury must have really done some damage if all that morphine couldn't ease it at all. Did I get it right the knife had hit something which had damaged a nerve/blood vessel which is why he couldn't move his leg? Alex had no option but to do all she could with all she had to hand, unforeseen moments like that happen even in the best run hospitals, you can't afford to wait, luckily Alex does know what she is dong and he'd already been given enough morphine to knock out a horse or two. Obvious they would have it on record but good that Dean mentioned Colby's allergy to a certain anaesthetic. Would have been scary for even Dean let alone Bella and Mac seeing Colby in so much pain. I don't think Bella was in the right state of mind to text that many words, she could hardly talk coherently in real words to Irene so texting would have been out of the question. It was good, despite the circumstances, to see them all there for each other, though Dean did fall into the "Everything's going to be OK" cliché, Bella, Willow and Mac were being more realistic. Tough as it might have been to hear Alex told them the truth, he may still not make it. I thought the last time Colby and Mac broke up was the last time when she decided to move on which admittedly didn't work out well. Her head needs to tell her heart though. Colby would have known on some level he hadn't been alone during the night. Little side note, nice that Dean sympathised with Willow when she told him she and Alex had broken up. On one hand Belle was acting responsibly by letting Patricia know she couldn't keep their appointment but then the next having a strop because she couldn't be with Colby right at that moment, Dean was trying to tell her he'd be having tests even if he was awake so she would be unable to be with him, but it wasn't going in. Now, from what we saw, Maggie was on at her to get back to her studies, as if they will be the first thing on her list of priorities.

TPTB couldn't resist throwing in a soap amazing coincidence moment when Justin just happened to be driving down that part of the road when Leah burst out of the undergrowth in front of his car. She could have easily just missed him or it could have been one of Douglas' friends. I was right about the place being in the middle of nowhere. She did well not to trip over in that dress and she was wearing the right shoes for running in. Footnote Leah had a separate room from him which she mentioned "this is your room" and said once they were married it'd be 'their' room. He seemed to imply that it was because of her (meaning wife no1)? and he'd been very patient. Her initial collapsing into Justin's arms in relief was short lived as she became very withdrawn later and not just from him, everyone. I think we're all hoping - not just us, but her friends and the police - to find out how she got deceived by Douglas, he must have been, as I said before, very convincing. He's an intelligent bloke but totally unhinged. I was wondering about wife no.1 - is she dead or did she leave him accusing him of physical and emotional abuse which of course he is absolutely innocent of. Douglas Maynard hadn't, according to the file Colby didn't show Justin, hadn't done anything bad like wife beating, just info on his background. It obviously didn't occur to Justin to record Leah's message, if that can be done, he was too shocked by what she was saying. Colby knows Justin well enough to have realised he wasn't overreacting to the call and acknowledged Justin would know the difference sound of Leah's voice. I'm not convinced Leah was playing along with Douglas, she had a couple of rebellious moments, tearing the dress and then whacking him over the head with that torch, but the rest of the time she was genuinely terrified of him. He'd done one hell of a job on her, only been three/four weeks and he's got her scared of her own shadow. Roo and Maggie disappear and Irene reappears and like Justin said curtesy of Tori refused to believe Leah would just up sticks and leave without a word to anyone. Leah didn't just seem to be in shock she was nearly catatonic, the brain's way of dealing with such a traumatic ordeal. Surprised they let her out of hospital seeing the state she was in. Superficial cuts and bruises, some from when she fell in the road, but it'd the mental wounds that will take a while to heal. It is so sad to see the normally bright, strong and upbeat Leah so hollow. She flinched from everyone not just Justin, who don't grasp, understandably, the full extent of what she is going through. May only have been Irene, Tori and Jasmine, but too many people too soon. The way she asked tentatively if it was OK if she could have a bath and her collapse into tears in the bathroom. From we saw in the trailer the conditioning to lay the table in a certain way has still got a hold and will do. Despite Colby, Murray and the rest all going in armed to the teeth Douglas still sprung a surprise, touch Psycho in fact, on Colby and it's looking pretty serious, they know his medical history. Despite him being busy great to see Colby was still able to take time to listen to Willow. She'll understand when she finds out why he was distracted. Makes Willow and Alex's storyline seem trivial in comparison. Jas mentioned what I did her and Robbo were on and off a few times before they reached a decision which suited them both and she didn't want Willow and Alex to go through the same thing and waste what may be valuable time together. Irene was right though she couldn't project her feelings on someone else. I third that about Grace's smile when she sees Jasmine, is there a reason why she's always wearing that little woolly hat even indoors? Grace I mean not Tori or Jasmine. Tori hasn't been back to NDH yet so may not hit her until she does. Tis a relief we won't have to wait until Friday.

That would be my number one question Red, what did he say, assuming it was him, when Leah got that call, that got her to dash off without saying a word to anyone? My feeling is it may have been family related, she if I remember correctly, did ask who it was and must have been convinced enough to believe what they were saying. Or another thought was she convinced it was something to do with Tori, does seem a bit of a stretch this all happened when Justin was caught up in Tori's coming round from her coma. Am I allowed to reveal his name, even if it hasn't been spoken, she just called him sweetheart, but has been on credits? Leah is a strong woman, but he has soon got her cowered after three weeks, he's obviously very good at psychological abuse with the physical kind thrown in too. When I saw that table laid out I thought I bet everything has to be a certain distance apart and positioned just so, coffee has to be the right temperature etc. Do you reckon she is faking it Red, he seems very astute and I think he'd pick up on it if he suspected she was. He must have some strong hold over her to keep her there. Does he go out to work and lock Leah in her room, dare I suggest he lives in an isolated spot? The police told everyone not to respond to the posts so he doesn't know people care for and miss her. Would make sense he let her keep her phone, but he dictates when she uses it as in the call to Justin. Funny how even though it was Irene who first raised the alarm we haven't seen her for the last couple of episodes, it's just been Roo, Maggie and Justin. Yes the cops handling this, not our Yabby Creek lot, but experts in this type of thing don't seem to have got it right. But saying that they don't know Leah like Justin (or anyone else would) they wouldn't know from the tone or sound of her voice she wasn't herself, he did as soon as she spoke to him, reading from that 'statement' in front of her. Even Colby would have sensed something wrong, but of course he knows her. Looks like, and not giving anything away, it was in the trailer, Colby 'helps' Justin. Like Tommy, this guy, looks quite normal as most, not all, psychos do. He, the actor, must have made an impression last time for TPTB to consider him this role. Willow and Alex seem to be going round and round in circles, where have we have seen that before (?) Robbo sort of finished with Jas, she sort of finished with him. I do have a suggestion, why doesn't Alex, I can't think who she reminds me of, go to Queensland and Willow can work out just how much she misses her and if she is more than happy to follow her. Jasmine did make the most valid argument about it not being unfixable unless Alex was dead!

I think but wiling to admit I'm wrong, but haven't we seen various names on her lap top? I can see your point Red but Leah was reported as a missing person but now she has been contacted by the police, so they know where she is having traced her somehow through the posts, I'm guessing, so therefore she isn't 'missing' anymore. The dictionary definition being 'absent from a place, especially their home, and of unknown whereabouts'. The cops involved aren't our usual crew but specialists in using internet. The cops investigating don't know Leah like her friends do or even the Yabby Creek cops, but sadly people do suddenly up sticks even if they seemed perfectly happy. Obviously, though, as we saw all is not well. My mind may be going but is Irene au faix with the latest? What hold has he got over her, has he threatened her family? That was a lovely scene with Justin and Grace, she managed to calm him down, sadly he ruined it later by shouting at Tori which woke her up. Willow's about 26/27 and Alex 10 years older? Alex has had a different life style as well, studying, practising as doctor, whereas Willow has only recently knuckled down to a serious job. Alex has moved around a lot more than Willow who has only known Mango River and the bay. It was a big jump from Willow being OK with renting a place and accepting it may not be for long before moving somewhere else. Then Alex throws in them actually buying a place nearby, getting a mortgage and settling down, based on what she overheard Jasmine and Irene talking about, thinking Willow needs to stay where they are or somewhere close. Alex's argument she told Willow from the beginning she wants a stable relationship was fair enough, and wanted Willow to be sure but it may be Alex may meets someone when they move and she dumps Willow? I thought Ziggy gave Willow good advice without imposing her own experience on her. She did decide it was worth the risk but then Alex tells her she is going to Queensland alone, I don't think she is really seeing from Willow's side. Whatever happens we won't know until Friday.

Would have been hard for Jasmine to see Grace but she couldn't ignore her forever and it did help her and Tori, Grace looked happy to see her and it was nice to hear Robbo had set up a trust fund for Grace, typical Robbo, in his line of work it'd be something that would have been thought of by all AFP's. Lovely to see a proper smile and she got her appetite back and as she said she hasn't completely lost Robbo Grace is part of him. Looking round the gym, hearing Robbo's voice has made her decide to keep it, it was her idea and with her encouragement he bought it after all. Of course there will be still be sad times, but Jasmine has realised there can be happy ones without having to feel guilty about them. Agreed with Willow who would have thought she'd be the one thinking of the practical aspects of her and Alex moving! Where are they going to live, near the hospital, near town where a gym may be. You would have thought with all the moving about Alex did she'd know the routine off pat. The thought of a mortgage did spook Willow though even if she was trying to put a positive face on for Alex. Tori hasn't said a definite no to Marilyn and now she can afford to she'll pay Marilyn for any time she does help out easing John's worry about Marilyn doing less hours at the Diner. Baywatcher - I wouldn't say Tori is keen to got back to work at NDH - she wants to get back to work and NDH is the nearest. Hasn't Leah's surname fluctuated over the years - sometimes just Patterson - sometimes Patterson-Baker?

Oops many apologies there Dan F. Nik's a good looking lad when he smiles. Roo's also grateful to him for helping Ryder.

Sorry - didn't read the C5 Transmisson thread - didn't know it was there to tell the truth. But thanks for the info, I'll know here to look now.

I think it's going to be very hit and miss as to when episodes are going to be on. Looking at the schedules no sign of it on 5 next week unless you know different? Oh I've found it, they're on 5Star all over the place though. Monday 15.30 and 18.30, Friday 15.30 and 18.30. Will it be posted on the forum anywhere of the times as they become known so we can keep up? I liked how kind without being patronising Marilyn was to the Parata's. I agree John was acting jealous because of the closeness there is between Marilyn and Ari. He is usually the same about new comers who seem to him to be dodgy, Robbo, Ben and Dean until they prove themselves to him. Ari does have a short fuse but John does ask for it sometimes. I'll keep an ear open for Gemma when she says Ari. At last Ryder has his car, even if he can't drive it. Justin did absolutely the right thing is asking to see Nik's licence, he doesn't know him from Adam, In fact I think that was the first time he had met him. It does make him 18 at least, we must have missed Ryder turning 19 and isn't it time Bella was 17? The Parata's we have been led to believe from what Gemma and Ari have both said have been on the move a lot so Nik hasn't had a chance to knuckle down to anything, steady job, Tafe so not his fault. Justin really appreciated everyone pitching in and hopefully he will take Ben's advice on board. Great he is pushing through Ziggy's apprenticeship. Gave her and Dean a reason to, um, celebrate. No apology from Mac for taking Jade's word over his which I was disappointed about, she seemed more concerned about finding herself a date. Dissent between Alex and Willow. Shock news from Leah!

Leah did get ranty but from what Tori and Justin have said about the posts they are really anti women and full of hate. Justin feels he still has to be the big brother and be able to fix everything, which is not humanly possible. Leah is an adult so he is NOT responsible for her or her actions. Is Tori in need of propping up or just Justin thinking she needs it? Surprised the garage is actually still open, no wonder Justin had trouble finding the keys, there's only Justin and Ziggy running it, she's been missing for a few weeks as has Justin, even before that they never seemed to be there. I'm glad he opened up to Ziggy and didn't do the usual macho thing of shrugging her off. Good to see how many got involved with Ben and Ziggy's idea, he's just got to learn to accept help as Ben was advising him to do, he knows from recent past experience how easy it is to slip into a very black hole. Yes Tori you can't second guess everything to do with Grace's upbringing, talking about schools and what type of music she'll like. Robbo went through something similar when Tori was in her coma. They sadly never got a proper chance to talk about it. Just let her grow up, she'll pick up likes, dislikes from both of you, sometimes it's inherent, not what dad or mum would try and influence you with if they were there. Three weeks is short noice for a creche to work to, of course if things had gone as they should have she would have had plenty of time to sort that out. That did get alarm bells ringing with me too about Marilyn looking after Grace, she hasn't even suggested it to Tori, John wasn't overjoyed but that maybe because looking after a young baby is a lot different to looking after a teenager. Tori hasn't worked out all the little quirks that come with a new baby yet. Dean said more or less the same thing to Willow that he said to Ziggy about it not being down to him what they decided. I guess he was as before not wanting to impose his will by saying they shouldn't go but also not wanting them to think they should stay. Technically Willow isn't a long term Bay resident, like Dean she grew up in Mango River. It'll be a wrench for Willow but like Ziggy going for her 'dream job' which didn't work out if Willow does go with Alex and if that doesn't work out like Ziggy she can come back otherwise she'll always wonder "What if?" Though of course Ziggy did have a job to go to whereas Willow is assuming she'll easily get one.

Alf's sisters - are we just talking about Morag, seeing as we still don't know if she is alive or not and Celia or including Barbara and Colleen? But Leah had closed the site down and only she had the password for it as Irene explained to Colby. Was it only two months? it's a matter of medical record Bella took those pills it was Alex who recommended Bella to the counsellor wasn't it? Colby was only offering background information. Looks like Colby will be saving himself some money with this distance schooling thing Maggie has found. He may not be everyone's favourite cop, but he did make some very valid points to Justin, he is most certainly not the person to join the vlog/blog page to draw whoever this is bloke is out. He's too wound up and too close, he could, and seeing his state of mind would, as Colby said say the wrong thing and spook him. It needs someone who is used to doing this kind of thing and while that is going on the tech team will try and trace where the site is being run from. However long it has been Leah, apparently, is still alive, well it needs to be thought she is. Irene was assuming so as she said Leah would never tell anyone her password but supposing she didn't have a choice and was tortured and then killed? Whoever he is he's articulate even if he has trouble with his spelling, funny the things you focus on. Tori is knocking her head against a brick wall in telling Justin he shouldn't blame himself for Leah going missing, he was with Tori who was just coming round from her coma, the hospital could have collapsed around them and he wouldn't have noticed. You can't be with someone 24/7 and Leah is an independent woman quite used to looking after herself. May just be me it sounded odd to, but it was still referred to as being at Brody and Raffy's. Tori hasn't had much of a maternity leave has she, spent part of it in protective custody and the other part in a coma. She seemed ready to go back mentally but is she medically? I think they kept switching from funeral to service before which got me confused then. Have Willow and Alex just come back or is it just now we've seen them? Willow would have had her classes and Alex would have shifts at NDH. Talking of Alex her new gig is Queensland which although just the next state is a very big so not a short drive/flight away. Willow mentioned she couldn't just leave her dad so Alex obviously knows about him - have they met? Be a big wrench for Willow, though Alex has checked out if there will be work for her. Now the gym, Willow should ask Jasmine about it, may give her something to think about, the customers have been pretty patient thorough change of owners, staff shortages, getting chucked out at short notice when a drama arose. Seems we are going to be cut back on episodes from next week due to the corona virus so be very little to discuss. No mention from Channel 5 if they will be showing old episodes to fill the gap.