Episode 7223
UK airdate: Wednesday 20 November 2019 at 13:15 and 18:00 on Channel 5
Australian airdate: Monday 30 September 2019 at 19:00 on Channel 7
Ava's phone rings and Justin sees it's her stepdad Brian calling. Ava declines the call, saying she'll get back to him later. However, Leah soon draws Justin aside – she found Ava's phone outside in Buddy's kennel and there are 15 missed calls from Brian. Justin shows the phone to Ava, who's disinterested. That's why she put the phone there – she got sick of it ringing all the time.
Determined to work out why Ava has been ignoring Brian, Justin calls him and is stunned to learn that Brian didn't even know Ava was with Justin. Nina didn't tell him and she hasn't been answering his calls. That's why Brian was calling Ava – to find out what's going on. After following up with Nina, Justin tells Leah that Nina reckons she simply forgot to tell Brian that Ava was in the Bay.
As Leah and Justin muse on whether they buy that, suddenly Ava gets upset and apologetic as her mother is clearly grilling her over the phone. Justin swoops in and confronts Nina over the phone, pointing out that she is supposed to be protecting Ava from her marriage dramas, not dragging her into them. He hangs up, prioritising Ava and assuring her that none of this is her fault. He's determined to do whatever he can to make Ava feel safe and secure – he just has to work out how.
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Meanwhile, Bella is unrepentant as she explains she was getting revenge on Mac for hurting Colby and storms off, refusing to help clean up her mess. Willow talks Dean into waiting until morning to challenge Bella, letting her cool off. However, when Dean meets with Bella the next day, she's defensive – she's looking out for her brother while Dean is only siding with Mac because she's his sister.
Dean's frustration boils over and their arguing escalates until Irene appears, telling them to cool it. While Dean reports to Willow that he's done with trying to reason with Bella, Irene tries to get to the bottom of why Bella's being so tough on Mac. Bella doesn't answer directly but when Willow arrives, Bella inadvertently reveals how Mac has deserted them when she said she'd always be there.
Later, Willow realises that Bella is feeling rejected too. Willow passes this new insight on to Dean and they confront Bella again, taking a softer approach, reminding her that Mackenzie breaking up with Colby won't affect Bella and Mac's relationship. But Bella couldn't care less, insisting that she hates Mac. Dean and Willow realise they probably need to keep an eye on Bella from now on – as much for Mac's sake as Bella's.
Elsewhere, Mason is nervous on his first day of work, but Alex reminds him that he knows his way around the ED. The only reason he got the job was because he was the best applicant. When a critical patient is brought in by ambulance, Alex throws Mason in the deep end and he rises to the challenge. Mason is exactly where he should be.
Ben is far less sure of himself when he comes to the hospital to see Alex. He has thought about her treatment suggestions and decided he will see a psychologist and try the anti-depressant medication. Alex knows this is a big step for Ben, offering all the support she can. Ben makes an appointment with a psychologist and then begins on the medication. This was never the plan, but he knows it's got to be done.
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