Episode 6785

Extended Summary

Olivia is sunbathing on the beach when Hunter comes out of the water and makes a point of getting her wet. They discuss VJ and Luc’s departure. Mason comes over and joins them as Olivia gets a text from Axel. Even though she’d promised to go off grid for the day, he’s organised an interview for her at the last minute. Hunter convinces her to let him come along. Mason heads home where Brody is clearly disappointed not to have the house to himself. He explains Ziggy is coming over so he can teach her to cook. Ziggy arrives and quickly invites Mason to join them.

A blonde woman turns up at the caravan park house. Roo asks if she’s there to rent a van but Ryder comes in and identifies her as “Mum”. He introduces sisters Roo and Quinn to each other. Later, they’re sharing a tea and Quinn explains her ship docked in the city and she got a hire car there. Ryder isn’t particular pleased to see her and Quinn isn’t exactly pleased at having to follow him there either. Alf and Leah arrive home and Alf is stunned to see Quinn, noting it’s been a long time. He introduces Leah and Quinn to each other, momentarily forgetting that VJ doesn’t live there anymore. Quinn wants to get going but Roo suggests they go for a coffee at the Diner first. Leah declines but Ryder convinces Quinn to go.

Hunter and Olivia turn up at Salt, which Axel has booked for the afternoon. He initially assumes Hunter is just dropping Olivia off but Hunter explains he’s staying. Although Olivia has spent time choosing her outfit, Axel has had a playsuit she designed made up and wants her to wear it for the photos. Hunter tries to tell her to wear what she feels comfortable with but Axel sends her into the store room to change. When she emerges, Axel helps her adjust her outfit and quietly tells her she shouldn’t worry about what Hunter’s thinking. Olivia doesn’t want to tell him to go but Axel has no such concerns, and when Hunter tries to query it Olivia says she needs to focus.

Alf, Roo, Quinn and Ryder arrive at the Diner with Alf commenting on the different location but same menu. Roo tells Marilyn, who didn’t initially recognise Quinn, that the conversation isn’t exactly flowing. Alf and Roo ask Quinn about her life and she says she met Ryder’s dad on a cruise ship and they settled together on the Gold Coast but he decided to settle somewhere else without them. She describes her job as singing to drunken tourists while Ryder sullenly notes she keeps complaining. They ask her what she’s planning to do now: She’s been offered a long cruise but since Ryder can’t be trusted to stay put she’ll have to get something closer. Ryder continues to complain about being made to leave with her and Alf tries suggesting that neither of them need to go. Ryder storms out.

Brody is giving cooking instructions to Ziggy, Mason and Raffy. He pays special attention to helping Ziggy roll pastry and Raffy notes he’s blushing. Hunter joins them and complains to Mason about Axel monopolising Olivia. However, after a bit of prompting from Mason, he admits she’s doing well. Back at Salt, Axel tells Olivia she looks like she needs the bathroom. Olivia says she was trying for sexy. A bit of teasing from Axel has her laughing and smiling. The photographer manages to get the shot and Olivia goes to sit with the interviewer.

Quinn notes that she thought Ryder would be back by now and Alf says he’ll go and look for him. Roo tries to big Ryder up to Quinn. Quinn says he’s a handful and she’s tried everything: A study plan, a tutor, tough love. Roo says their experience with him has been positive but Quinn thinks he simply knows how to turn on the charm. Roo suggests he might have learning difficulties or a behavioural issue but Quinn thinks he’s just hard work. Outside, Alf tells Ryder that Quinn cares about him. Ryder says they just make each other miserable but Alf says that’s what families do but they work through it. Ryder points out Alf and Quinn didn’t. He wants to stay but Alf says it’s not up to him.

Inside, Quinn is getting fed up of Roo questioning her parenting technique while Roo says Quinn hasn’t said one positive thing about Ryder. Alf and Ryder come back in and Quinn says they’re going. Back at the house, Leah is checking through VJ’s room and finds a post-it note he left asking if she misses him yet. Ryder comes in and Leah notes he could have had the room if he was staying. Downstairs, Alf suggests Quinn stay and give them a chance to get reacquainted, since he never thought they’d see each other again. Quinn says there’s a reason they didn’t stay in touch. Ryder is telling Leah that he and Quinn don’t have a good relationship but she encourages him. Roo comes up to fetch Ryder, reminding him to stay in touch. However, Alf and Quinn tell them that the pair are staying for the weekend.

Brody, Ziggy, Mason and Hunter finish the meal they’ve cooked and Hunter says his goodbyes. Ziggy says she has to go as well and Brody gives her a tub full of pasta, saying Ben will love it if he doesn’t know where it came from. After Ziggy leaves, Brody sees Mason smirking. Later, Mason comes back through to get some more pasta and finds Brody writing a new recipe. He notes Brody is happy and suggests it’s because of Ziggy. Brody says he can’t do anything because of Ben. Mason points out nothing has ever been easy for them.

Olivia and Axel are drinking champagne on the balcony at Salt. She thanks him for the opportunity and he talks about her going to Paris, Milan and London. Olivia says she used to live in London and Axel says he didn’t think she’d come from a backwater like Summer Bay. Although Olivia defends the town, she enjoys reminiscing. Despite her earlier saying she’d drunk enough, Axel tells her she’s the most talented designer he’s ever met and puts a hand on her leg, before going to get more drinks. When he returns, he says he posted the photo of her in the outfit and sales have gone up. He suggests they go back to his hotel to celebrate. Olivia says she has to get back to Hunter, who’ll be down about VJ going, but Axel persists, saying there’s a rooftop pool. He slowly leans over and kisses her: While she doesn’t respond, she doesn’t stop him either.