Episode 7324

Extended Summary

Marilyn brings Gemma her order at the Diner and makes a fumbling attempt to offer her something else. Roo wonders what that was about and Marilyn says it’s the Paratas’ business. Roo leaves, passing Ari and Nikau. Gemma tells them about her shifts being cut, noting they nearly had enough for a rental bond. Nikau isn’t keen on staying at Marilyn’s with incense and lentils. Ari says he should be grateful for somewhere to stay. Gemma understands Nikau’s viewpoint and notes they’re back to square one. Meanwhile, Maggie does some marking and then sits watching TV. She is surprised when Ben arrives back, noting he couldn’t afford to take more time off. Maggie offers him leftover lasagne but he says he ate on the way back and declines to talk about his trip, saying he’ll just shower and then crash.

Next morning, Nikau is setting up at the bait shop. Ryder draws up in his car, having passed his test, and invites Nikau to come for a drive with him. Ari and Gemma arrive and point out Nikau’s supposed to be opening up. Ryder says they’re just going round the block but doesn’t convince that Alf would be fine with it. Things get heated between Ari and Nikau, with Gemma ending up leading Ari away and letting Nikau go. Ari wonders if he should get a second job but Gemma says she’ll find something else. Later, Ari approaches Nikau at work and Nikau admits he’s not sure if he’ll still have a job when Alf comes back. Ari suggests getting him a job on the construction site, so he won’t be able to sneak off with his mates. Nikau comments that nothing’s good enough for Ari and says he and Gemma can manage without him.

Ben finds Ziggy sat on the beach. She is pleased to see him and asks to talk. At Salt, Mackenzie notices Dean is quiet. Dean asks if she’s seen Ziggy today. Mackenzie points out she lives with Dean and Dean explains that she didn’t come home last night and didn’t call. He explains about trying to get her to sort things out with Maggie and how the Astonis have always been the perfect family. Mackenzie suggests Ziggy was just venting but Dean is sick of being a punchbag.

Ben and Ziggy get a drink at the surf club as Ben mans the board shop. He says surfing helped but his problems were still there when he got back to shore. Dean comes down and sarcastically notes Ziggy’s alive. She says she stayed at a motel. Dean welcomes Ben back before heading out to do surf lessons. Ben asks what’s going on. At the Diner, Gemma tells Ari not to be too hard on Nikau, since at least he’s working. Ari thinks Nikau’s acting like a child but Gemma thinks Ari treats him like one. She tells him he’s not Nikau’s father and putting pressure on him doesn’t help.

At Salt, Ziggy admits to Ben that going to the motel was taking things too far but says she couldn’t go home without him there and Dean was pushing her to make up with Maggie. Ben again says it’s his fight, not hers, and he doesn’t want her falling out with Maggie: She’s still the same person. Ziggy goes to the farm house. Maggie thinks she’s there to see Ben but Ziggy says she wants to talk to her: She says she’s not there to make things easy for her but they need to sort it out.

Outside the Diner, Nikau makes a phone call. At his house, Tane leaves another female companion in bed and takes a swig of what appears to be the previous night’s beer. He hears the phone ringing but on checking it doesn’t answer. A short time after, Ryder is driving with Nikau in the passenger seat. Ryder isn’t sure where they’re going and Nikau just says he’ll tell him where to turn.

Gemma accosts Mackenzie at the surf club, asking if she has any jobs going. Mackenzie asks if she has a resume and Gemma says she left one at Salt before. Mackenzie says she didn’t get it so Gemma says she’ll go and get one. John has overheard and asks Gemma about her job at the Diner. Gemma says it was only ever temporary. John goes to the Diner and asks Marilyn about Gemma leaving. Marilyn explains about her losing her shifts and how Marilyn offered her some of hers. She notes the Paratas don’t seem to need her help anymore. John asks if they’re moving out. Marilyn accuses him of wanting that and storms into the kitchen. Both John and Roo are confused.

Ziggy tells Maggie that she and Ben are the only good relationship she knows. She points out Maggie condemned Brody when he cheated on her. Maggie says she was young and made a stupid mistake when she was hurting. She says she couldn’t imagine her life without Ben and still can’t. Ziggy says Ben wants them to make up: She doesn’t forgive Maggie but will try not to be angry. Her next stop is the Diner flat. Dean asks if the minibar ran out. Ziggy apologises and says he is part of the family if it still exists. Dean points out it’s Ben and Maggie but Ziggy says that’s the thing: If they can’t make it, no-one else stands a chance. Dean is convinced they will all make it.

At Salt, Mackenzie is impressed by Gemma’s CV and offers her a job. Gemma hugs her. Ari comes in and they both make it clear Gemma has the job because she deserves it. Gemma notices Ari looking at Mackenzie and suggests he tell Nikau about the job and apologise at the same time. At that moment, Ryder and Nikau pull up in front of Tane’s house. Ryder wonders if he’s in. They see the woman from earlier leaving and Nikau, smiling, says he is. Tane comes out and wonders why Nikau’s there. Nikau says he’s there to see him. Tane hugs him but looks uncomfortable.

Maggie finds Ben at the surf club and thanks him for convincing Ziggy to come see her. Ben is pleased they’ve made up but doesn’t show much emotion. Maggie suggests they talk as well. Ben isn’t sure what there is to say. Maggie suggests they just sit down together and see what happens. Outside Tane’s house, Ryder seems uncomfortable but relaxes a bit when Tane gives him and Nikau beers; he and Tane introduce themselves although he’s a bit put out when Tane wonders if his car was given to Nikau by Ari for a joke. Tane guesses Ari doesn’t know they’re there. Nikau says he’s done with Ari and wants to come live with Tane, and if he says no then he’ll just go somewhere else.