Episode 7146

Extended Summary

Colby and Dean meet up on the beach and chat about the surf. Colby asks Dean if he’s heard from Mackenzie recently. Willow, who had been clearing up after a class nearby, joins them. Colby sees he has a missed call from Mackenzie and leaves. Willow also asks Dean about Mackenzie. He says things have settled since she stopped going on about Rick but they have no plans to hang out.

Near the pier, Marilyn chats to Roo about how good it is to have John back. Roo says Ryder will be doing less hours at the juice bar now. She explains about shutting down his plans to work at Salt and just wants him to get his HSC, even if he has to hate her.

At the surf club, Mackenzie is confused by John’s news, saying she thought he was always the surf club manager. John stresses he’s back full-time now. Mackenzie stops by Ryder, who says he’s signed up to do his RSA online and wonders how many shifts he’d get. Mackenzie says she’d have to check the roster. She goes outside to take a call, arranging to meet someone. Willow overhears and isn’t pleased when Mackenzie says she was talking to Colby.

Willow turns up at the Diner flat, where Colby is looking thoughtfully at his ringless finger. Colby insists it’s not a date and he just wants Mackenzie to understand he wasn’t trying to hide anything from her. He tells her to stop worrying about it. Meanwhile, Dean finds Mackenzie outside the surf club. Mackenzie shows him an article that portrays Rick as a family man. Dean tells her to stop reading it. Mackenzie says she still has a plan but won’t involve him. Dean wishes her luck.

Later, John is giving his spiel about being back full-time to an equally confused Dean. Colby enters, heading towards Salt, and Dean offers to join him for a drink. Colby tries to claim he won’t be there for long and Dean guesses he has a date. Willow join them; Dean is pleased Colby is moving on from Chelsea but also wants to go up and have a look. Willow steers him to come and eat with her at the Diner.

Colby heads upstairs, where he sees Mackenzie sat at the bar and gives himself a muttered pep-talk. Later, he brings them drinks on the balcony. Mackenzie notes the lack of wedding ring. Colby says his marriage didn’t fall apart gradually because they didn’t love each other but suddenly because of circumstances. Mackenzie points out he’s basically just said he still loves her, which doesn’t suggest he’s moved on. She leaves the table to take a call from her mum.

Dean is mildly frustrated at Willow eating slowly in order to keep him at the Diner and gets Ryder to take some of her food. Willow tries asking him about Ziggy but Dean puts her off by giving her too many details. However, Willow ends up telling Marilyn she wants to order dessert. Meanwhile, Mackenzie rejoins Colby and says her mum is upset by the amount of publicity over Rick and still has a soft spot for him. She tells Colby that, with her complicated life and him not being over his marriage, they shouldn’t see each other. She agrees not to tell Dean about the drink.

Willow finally finishes her meal just in time for Colby to turn up. Dean guesses that he crashed and burned but suggests they get drinks. Marilyn checks on Ryder, who is working at his laptop, and says they close in ten minutes. Ryder says he’ll study at home. John turns up to walk Marilyn home and they discuss how much Ryder was studying. Back at Salt, Mackenzie calls Rick, saying she’s met Dean and wondering what the press would make of Rick abandoning a pregnant woman. She asks for $100,000 to keep quiet. Dean turns up looking for a six pack and Mackenzie agrees to him putting it on the family tab.

Next morning, John walks Marilyn into the Diner and they arrange lunch together. Marilyn chats with Roo about having a nice dinner with John and Raffy. Roo is also pleased at how much Ryder is studying. Approaching Ryder at a table, she offers him a lift and he says he’ll just finish the chapter he’s on…but he’s actually doing an RSA module test.

Colby meets Mackenzie on the beach. She apologises if she was rude but Colby says it’s good to have a friend to keep you honest. Mackenzie is surprised at being called that but accepts it. Willow appears as Makenzie walks away and doesn’t really hide being pleased things didn’t work out between Colby and Mackenzie, although she does say it’s good he put himself out there.

As Mackenzie heads up from the beach, she runs into Roo and says she’s looking forward to having Ryder on staff. Roo says Ryder’s concentrating on his HSC. Mackenzie asks why he’s getting his RSA then. Meanwhile, Dean is putting out a sign outside the surf club and is surprised when Rick appears. Rick accuses Dean of being in on Mackenzie blackmailing him. Dean says he doesn’t want anything to do with Rick and is happy with the money he gave him, not knowing anything about what Mackenzie’s done.

Dean heads up to Salt and asks Mackenzie what she was thinking, asking how many times she mentioned him to Rick and what she’s pulled him into. Rick appears behind him, saying that’s a good question. Mackenzie sarcastically comments on the family reunion. Meanwhile, Roo confronts Ryder at the Diner, having realised he’s been studying for his RSA instead of the HSC. Ryder says he’s still getting the HSC but is doing the RSA for himself. Roo reminds him his English assignment didn’t go so well. Ryder says it’s up to him. Alf comes in (prompting Roo to wonder when he got back) and halts the argument, with Ryder walking out. Alf asks Roo what’s going on.

Mackenzie brings Dean into the store room for a chat, leaving Rick at the bar. Dean is annoyed that she’s brought Rick there and tells her to fix it, storming out. Mackenzie asks Rick how he found her. He reminds her he pays for her car, so got the parking fines. Mackenzie says the $100,000 will cover it. Rick mentions her stealing money from him. Mackenzie says she thinks of it as a gift, implying she invested it in Salt. Rick says she’s out of her league. Mackenzie says they’ll see.