Episode 7779

Extended Summary

Tane approaches Mia on the beach and startles her. He suggests she take a PT class instead of him but Mia says she’s going to see what Chloe’s up to. Felicity approaches Tane and asks how Mia’s doing. Tane isn’t sure. Back at the Parata house, Bella and Nikau are having breakfast while Chloe is getting ready for work. Nikau finds her phone for her. Mia arrives and learns Chloe has taken an extra shift. Nikau offers to make Mia some eggs but she decides to walk Chloe to work instead.

Dean has set up camp in Salt and asks Mackenzie how she’s planning to pay her rent. Mackenzie admits she gave the money to Nathan, which gets Ryder and Felicity gaping in shock. Mackenzie says Felicity trusts him and Felicity admits he’s never given her a reason not to, with Ryder adding that he’s a good player. Dean asks if Nathan threatened her, then realises he was the one being threatened, which he says is exactly what he warned Mackenzie about. Mackenzie shuts the conversation down and tells Ryder and Felicity to get back to work. Meanwhile, Chloe and Mia are walking along the beach, with Chloe suggesting Mia go for a walk to the lighthouse or go shopping. They find Marilyn with a coffee cart, which Irene and Leah have set up while the renovations are going on. Marilyn invites Mia inside for morning tea.

In the Diner, Irene tells Alf she was sorry to hear about Martha. Alf gets a call from John. Marilyn, Chloe and Mia come in. Mia takes a seat and Chloe offers to sit with her but Mia tells her to get on with her day. Chloe thanks Marilyn for her advice. At Salt, Felicity is messing about with Tane while he waits for his order, even though customers are waiting. Felicity protests that it’s Ryder’s station they’re at. Mackenzie gives Tane his order and tells Felicity to find Ryder. He’s in the store room, practising shuffling cards, and Felicity calls him back out. Alf enters and tells Mackenzie that John told him about her being behind on rent. Mackenzie claims it’s under control but Alf isn’t convinced.

Marilyn and Chloe comment on the fact that Mia has been sat at a table with a single cup of coffee for over an hour. Chloe goes over to her and Mia realises they might need the table. Chloe asks if she’s all right and Mia claims she is. Bella and Nikau come in and Chloe admits it’s hard having Mia rely on her all the time but thinks she can’t say anything since Mia stayed for her. At the surf club, Justin has filled Ziggy in on what happened with Theo. Dean takes Ziggy aside and says Mackenzie needs the money back. Ziggy says she already offered it and Mackenzie said no (glossing over the fact that she already knew there was a problem) and says they need to find a way for her to accept it.

At Salt, Mackenzie admits to Alf that she let her personal issues affect the business and then the pesticide attack caused her to lose custom. Alf understands but says the surf club has bills to pay as well. He asks if there’s a rough idea he can give to the committee. Mackenzie asks for another week and Alf agrees. Downstairs, Mia is standing staring at the gym. Tane appears and she says she thought she could do it before hurrying away. Dean wonders if he should ask and Tane tells him not to. Dean tells Alf he’ll give John the money for the rent. Alf tells him Mackenzie said she’ll have it in a week.

Mackenzie compliments Felicity on the good job she’s doing, prompting Felicity to realise she wants something. Mackenzie asks her to organise another poker night, telling her about Nathan being beaten up. Felicity doesn’t think she’ll ever get the money back and agrees to make some calls. Ryder has been listening in and tells Felicity he wants to be a dealer. Felicity says to get back to her when he’s got experience and calls Jack. Outside, Dean asks Ryder if Mackenzie’s planning another poker night. Ryder confirms she is but thinks Dean should do what she wants and stay out of it. Bella and Nikau appear looking for Tane and Ryder says he’s taking a class. Nikau heads off and Bella explains they’re trying to give Chloe a break. Ryder says he has an idea.

Nikau joins Tane on the beach and tells him he’s worried about Chloe and Mia: They’re spending all their time together and scared of hurting each other. Ryder and Bella appear and Ryder says if they can get Chloe to hang out with them, they’ll have fun. At the surf club, Mackenzie and Felicity are making plans. Dean pulls Mackenzie aside and offers her the money back but Mackenzie refuses to take it, committed to the poker night. Dean says he’s not going to help her if she won’t help herself. Justin and Ziggy appear and note Dean’s mood. Justin heads upstairs and Ziggy realises Mackenzie refused the money. Ziggy doesn’t think Dean will be able to stop helping her but Dean insists he’s staying out of it.

Nikau and Tane arrive home. Mia is setting up for a family dinner. Nikau says he has plans with Ryder and Bella and they were hoping Chloe would join them. Mia looks disappointed but says it’s up to Chloe. At the Diner, Chloe says goodbye to Marilyn at the end of her shift. Ryder, Bella and Nikau turn up and tell her they’ve got plans for her and Mia was fine with it. Ryder won’t tell them what his surprise is but insists it’ll be fun. Chloe says she’ll go home and get changed.

Mia notes that she’s making too much for the two of them. Tane tries to ask how she’s managing but she gets defensive and says she doesn’t need him there: He should go and see Felicity and let her have some space. Tane says he’ll have a shower and go. Chloe comes home and sees Mia sitting on her own looking sad. She goes to a quiet corner and calls Nikau, saying she doesn’t think she can come.