Episode 7147

Extended Summary

Ryder, Raffy and Bella are hanging out on the beach near the Diner. Colby approaches and Bella tells him she got 89% on her photographic assignment. Colby offers lunch to celebrate but Bella says she has to start work on her next assignment. Raffy asks what the topic is and Bella says a visual representation of the differences between perception and reality. Colby asks like Dean thinking he’s a better surfer than him. Ryder, who has been stood with his back to them throwing stones into the water, abruptly says they should go.

Inside the Diner, Alf and Roo reflect on the amount of effort it took to get Ryder into Year 12. Alf asks how bad Ryder’s essay was. Roo says it was really good and he only failed because it was late. She remembers to ask Alf about his trip and Martha. Alf says it was quiet and drama-free. He promises to take care of Ryder.

Ziggy finds Dean on the beach and he tells her about Mackenzie blackmailing Rick. Ziggy thought Dean didn’t care what happened to Rick but Dean cares about being used by Mackenzie and also that it led to him encountering Rick again. He sees Colby approaching and tells Ziggy not to tell him about the blackmail, reminding her that he’s a cop.

Up in Salt, Mackenzie gives instructions to staff. Rick says she’s a natural but also says that he bought her a car and paid to put her through uni, saying he’s paid his dues. He says she’s twenty-five and should stand on her own two feet. Mackenzie accuses him of only being interested in his perfect new family. She starts to walk away but runs into Ziggy, who says she should be ashamed of herself and she’s abused Dean’s trust. Rick smirks.

Bella is exchanging messages with Tommy at the beach house. He says he’s proud of her. Bella says her next assignment is harder, explaining the topic and admitting she hasn’t come up with any good ideas. Tommy suggests using self portraits to show the difference between how the world sees her and how she really is. Bella isn’t keen but Tommy tells her to take the pictures and send them to him for feedback. Meanwhile, Rick comes down to the surf club and encounters Dean, Ziggy and Colby. He convinces Dean to come for a walk.

Rick tells Dean he regrets the way he reacted when Dean turned up and the way he’s treated him and Karen. He says he wants to stay in touch and also reveals he knows Karen’s in hospital, since she moved out of the house. He offers to find her a place to live when she comes out and gives Dean his card. Meanwhile, Alf finds Ryder at the surf club. He guesses Ryder isn’t doing schoolwork and Ryder confirms it’s his next RSA module. Alf says Ryder will have more options if he gets his HSC and goes to uni. Ryder thinks uni isn’t for him and says he wants to stand on his own two feet when he leaves school.

Ziggy and Colby are walking through a park area. Ziggy tries to call Dean and suggests they split up to search for him. Colby instead runs into Bella, who tells him about the self portrait idea but says she’ll need a digital camera, tripod and lighting equipment. She’s not sure if she can borrow them from school, since Year 12s have priority. Colby offers to drive her. At the Diner, Alf tells Roo that Ryder’s becoming a man. Roo isn’t convinced but Alf says Ryder’s setting himself goals: Uni isn’t for everyone and if Roo pushes Ryder hard, he’ll go the other way like she did. Roo says she wanted more for Ryder.

Ziggy finds Dean by the beach. He tells her about Rick’s offer, both to get to know him and to help out Karen. He isn’t sure about Rick’s motives, thinking he’s just working on his image, and worries Rick might end up hurting Karen if he’s not genuine. Meanwhile, Rick goes back to Salt. He tells Mackenzie she’s shown him what his flaws are and explains his offer to Dean. Mackenzie doesn’t think Dean will go for it but Rick thinks Karen is Dean’s weak spot and last time he was able to shut them up for twenty-five years. He thus thinks Mackenzie can’t make him look bad.

Mackenzie follows Rick outside and says that, even if he can spin it with the press, he won’t want his new wife and children to know about Dean. Rick comments on her referring to his “new family” when he’s been with Elaine for nearly twenty years. He says this is why she’s hard to love, which seems to cut deep. He adds that he’s not going to pay the parking fines and will have the car repossessed if she doesn’t. He drives off as Colby appears, wondering what’s going on.

Mackenzie and Colby head inside where Mackenzie tells Dean and Ziggy that Rick is just using Dean as a pawn. Dean says he can handle Rick and all Mackenzie cares about is revenge: He doesn’t trust her. Mackenzie heads back up to Salt, a smile plastered on her face, then goes to the store room and cries.

On the Diner veranda, Ryder announces to Raffy that he’s done and she notes she’s never seen him committed. Alf and Roo appear and Roo apologises. Ryder thinks it’s reverse psychology. Roo says she missed out on options and Ryder accepts the apology. Roo says she supports him working at Salt as long as he keeps his grades up. Meanwhile, Bella messages Tommy to say she can’t do the self-portraits. Tommy says he has an idea but it’s a surprise and she’ll find out tomorrow. He asks for her address and Bella hesitantly gives it: 12 Pacific Road.

Next morning, Colby, Dean and Ziggy chat near the Diner. Dean thinks Rick would help out in order to improve his image and is done with Mackenzie. He decides to go see Karen, who’s probably noticed Rick on the news. Colby has to get back to the station. Ziggy offers to go with Dean and meet Karen. Dean says it’s best if it’s just him.

Bella messages Tommy, asking about her surprise. After taking a short while to answer, he tells her to go to the back door. When she hesitates, he tells her to go look. Bella cautiously looks out the back window before opening the door and finding a box on the doorstep. She opens it and is delighted to find a digital camera. She thinks nothing of the camera on her laptop…through which Tommy is currently watching her on his own screen. Bella finds a note saying “Can’t wait to see the results.”