Episode 7539

Extended Summary

Dean is finishing off a phone call as he runs into Amber outside the surf club, saying he’s just organised another judge. He insists he’s doing it for Jai. Ziggy comes along and Dean wonders why she isn’t with Mackenzie. Ziggy says she’s getting some food to take back. Amber suggests Dean collect Jai from school with her, since Jai loves that, but Dean has a meeting with Roo up in Salt. He and Ziggy go up together, leaving Anber looking left out. Roo is waiting as Dean tries to get Ziggy to sign up, saying she’s the best female surfer around. (Ziggy insists she’s the best surfer full stop.) Dean joins Roo who ticks off the judges. She asks if he has a schedule sorted and Dean hands her a rather crumpled sheet of paper. Roo says she’ll use it as a basis and get back to him. Dean’s attention is distracted by saying goodbye to Ziggy.

Ziggy arrives home and asks Mackenzie if she’s been on the couch all day. Mackenzie says Dean walked her around the yard and makes it clear she knows the pair are babysitting her, musing she should be grateful. Mackenzie asks about whether Ari was at Tane’s and Ziggy notes it took her a long time to ask. She says Ari’s fine but refuses to be a messenger, saying to ask him herself if she wants to know. Later, as they finish a meal, Ziggy suggests that Mackenzie’s behaviour isn’t helpful and wonders why she still cares about Ari. Mackenzie is aggrieved that Ari gets to be happy with Mia while she’s alone in hell. Ziggy agrees that it’s not fair but says she needs to deal with it and move on.

Ryder and Chloe are kissing outside the bait shop, to Alf’s frustration. Roo comes along and reminds Ryder to sign up for the surf competition. Chloe didn’t know he was good. Ryder tries to make out he is, before admitting he’s just a beginner. They start kissing again and Alf sends them on their way. Roo says Alf was young once. Alf retorts that he still is but never carried on like that. Ryder and Chloe arrive at Salt and check the rosters but find there’s nothing beyond next week. They wonder if Ryder’s meant to do them and Chloe suggests he roster them on together all the time. Ryder is surprised she wants to spend all her time with him. Chloe gets him to join her in the store room and they kiss.

Dean arrives back at the flat and tells Amber that he was working back late at the board shop, since people are ordering extra lessons. Jai runs to his room and comes back with a merit certificate for reading. Dean is impressed and pins it up on the fridge, having to make room for it. Down in the Diner, Roo is telling John about the number of sign-ups and that she needs to invite the sponsors. They discuss Irene hiring Mia; John says she seems nice but you can’t always trust that. Marilyn comes over and asks John about the real estate agent. He explains to Roo that he’s selling the house because he needs a clean slate.

Mackenzie is doing the drying up. Ziggy apologises if she was harsh but Mackenzie says Ziggy was right and is grateful she and Dean have been helping out. Ziggy says Mackenzie’s sounding more like her old self but wonders how she’s going to cope with seeing the Paratas, suggesting she be prepared. Meanwhile, Ryder and Chloe are having a lengthy kiss goodbye outside the Paratas’. Chloe tries to invite Ryder in but he doesn’t seem keen to see Ari again, while Chloe admits she finds Alf intimidating. She notes Salt’s the only job she’s ever liked, even aside from working with Ryder. Ryder gets a text from Mackenzie asking to meet in the morning.

Dean joins Amber on the balcony, having put Jai to sleep with a surfing story. He gets a text from Ziggy about Mackenzie and notes he feels bad about her having to deal with everything while he’s there happy. He tries to take Amber’s beer: She initially resists but hands it over when he starts telling a surfing story. Next morning, Roo sees John outside the Diner and says she’s put him down for the sausage sizzle. Marilyn gives him some words of encouragement and Roo questions him about the house sale. John is determined to go ahead, even though he admits he doesn’t know where he’s going to live.

Ryder goes round to see Mackenzie and wonders where she’s been. Mackenzie dodges the question, saying it’s not why he’s there. Ryder wonders if it’s about the store room, but manages to avoid giving details. Mackenzie says she wants to make him her second in charge. Ryder is happy until Mackenzie says she wants him to sack someone: Chloe. Ryder protests she’s a good worker. Mackenzie recalls that he hated her and tried to stop her being hired, and explains she doesn’t want Ari’s stepdaughter under her feet. Ryder still isn’t keen but Mackenzie says if he doesn’t do it she’ll find a second-in-charge who will. Ryder leaves, passing Ziggy. Mackenzie tells her she’s moving forward now and has a plan for a fresh start.

Amber is getting Jai ready for school. Dean says he doesn’t have to be with Mackenzie since Ziggy’s texted to say she’s fine. Amber isn’t happy that he spoke to Ziggy instead of Mackenzie. She says she’ll be back before he goes to work. Dean kisses her goodbye. Meanwhile, Ryder is chatting to Alf on the pier. He says Mackenzie wants Chloe sacked for personal reasons and he wouldn’t be happy doing that to anyone. Alf says Mackenzie can’t force him to do something he isn’t comfortable with, but he’d have to accept the consequences.

Ryder arrives at Salt, where Chloe is already at work. She also wonders if Mackenzie knew about the store room but Ryder says he was given a promotion. He asks her to go for a walk with him. As they wander near the beach, Chloe wonders if he’s concerned about her inviting him in the previous night, saying she didn’t mean for him to stay over, just for them to hang out on the couch for a bit. She says she’s happy to take things slow. Ryder pretends that’s what it was and they head back.

Dean is finishing a phone call with Mackenzie as Amber arrives back. He considers doing something for Jai to mark the merit awards. Amber says Dean’s the best thing that’s happened to both of them and that’s why she loves him. Dean freezes up, but before they can talk further, Roo bursts in saying she needs the judge’s criteria in writing. Amber takes the opportunity to leave.