Episode 7378

Extended Summary

Ryder joins Bella and Nikau outside the surf club, calling them Summer Bay’s cutest couple. Bella says they had their first official date last night and, seeing Tane nearby, notes that he interrupted them. Tane apologises and jokes that Gemma’s kumara soup went down well. Ryder is bewildered that Nikau made soup for their first official date. Tane heads back up to Salt with the delivery and makes a joke about Mackenzie’s internet shopping but she isn’t impressed. Ari arrives, saying he wants a coffee before admitting he’s checking on Tane. Mackenzie sends Tane to clear tables and says she’s handling it. Ari invites her to lunch but she says she’s busy.

Ari heads downstairs and runs into Bella, Nikau and Ryder. He jokes about the soup going down well. Bella insists she loved it and goes to get some money from Willow. Nikau asks Ryder for help planning the perfect date, thinking the previous night was a failure. Ryder points out his track record isn’t good but Nikau says he’s desperate. They act innocent as Bella rejoins them. Soon after, the two lads are at the bar upstairs. Nikau isn’t sure about Ryder’s idea but Ryder says he’s known Bella longer than him. Mackenzie is also bemused at Nikau taking advice from Ryder and Nikau panics at the idea of Bella holding what happened with Tane against him. They join Bella at their table. Tane tells Mackenzie he’s rearranged the store room so heavier stuff is at the bottom but she tells him to change it back.

Leah and Justin run into Irene outside the Diner. Irene is still worried about Jasmine but hasn’t called Wendy again even though neither she nor Willow have heard from her. Justin suggests she’s safe and Leah says she’s still got a job but Irene says they don’t know that. They ask Justin if Tori could find out but Justin doesn’t want to involve her and tells Leah they should respect that Jasmine wants to be alone. Back at Salt, Ryder tells Nikau they can get everything from Leah. Tane pours their water and Nikau manages to get $50 off him. They tell Bella they have to go to the bait shop. Mackenzie is annoyed that Tane takes a drink order; he says he got the two women to upgrade from juice to mocktails but Mackenzie says he’s not there to flirt and sends him to clear the balcony. Bella wonders why she’s being so hard on Tane when he’s not really doing anything wrong and Mackenzie invites her outside to talk.

Mackenzie complains to Bella about Tane leaving work to hook up with Amber. Bella says that’s just him and jokingly asks Mackenzie if she’s jealous, then realises from her reaction that she actually is. Mackenzie tries to deny it and Bella warns her not to mess Nikau’s family about. Mackenzie watches Tane up on the balcony. At the Diner, Leah gives Ryder and Nikau a hamper and Nikau complains that doing it right just seems to mean fancier food. Irene comes in, finishing a phone conversation with Wendy. She nearly phones her back to tell her what’s going on but Leah stops her. After Irene has gone, she calls Justin and convinces him to talk to Tori.

Ryder has set up the hamper food on the wharf and sprinkles something over a rowing boat, assuring Nikau that Bella will love it. Bella arrives and Ryder shows off the picnic, and the boat to take a romantic cruise, before leaving them to it. Bella and Nikau awkwardly sit down. Later, they admit neither of them know what the food is and Bella isn’t keen on going out into the boat and staring into each other’s eyes. She notes this clearly isn’t either of their thing. Nikau says he wanted to make up for last night so went to Ryder for advice. Bella says she didn’t mind and doesn’t think he’s like Tane. She is intrigued when Nikau says Ryder thought he knew Bella better than him.

Tane tells Mackenzie he won’t mess about anymore: He appreciates the job and will just do what she tells him. Mackenzie tells him to take his break, but when he suggests she has lunch with him, she says she has plans with Ari and he ends up not taking his break after all as she heads out. Ari is surprised as he and Mackenzie arrive back at the Parata house, noting she said she didn’t have time. Mackenzie says she just wants to spend time with him and they head to the bedroom.

Later, Ari is lying in bed while Mackenzie sits half-dressed. She notes that he’s a really nice guy who looks out for everyone. Ari walks her back to Salt where Tane sees them together. Mackenzie tells Tane that Ari makes her happy and Tane notes that she seems to make Ari happy too. Mackenzie sends Tane on his break.

At the Diner, Ryder tells Leah about organising the date for Bella and Nikau. She asks about Evan and Ryder notes he hasn’t thought about him all afternoon and will have something to tell him when he speaks to him. Justin arrives and tells Irene and Leah that he spoke to Tori: Jasmine hasn’t resigned but has taken indefinite compassionate leave. Irene isn’t cheered. Justin tells Leah people need to stop making excuses for Jasmine. Ryder finds Bella looking upset on the wharf: She says the date was a disaster and Nikau has no idea what she likes. Ryder claims he tried to talk Nikau out of it…and Nikau emerges from hiding in the boat and pushes Ryder in the water. Bella laughingly notes she didn’t mean that to happen as Ryder splashes them.

Roo arrives back at the caravan park house and calls out for Ryder: She has Evan’s guitar with her. Down on the beach, Irene leaves a somewhat frantic voicemail for Jasmine insisting she needs to call her back. Ryder comes home and takes in Roo’s bag on the table and the guitar. Roo comes in and says she’s sorry, hugging him.