Episode 7239

Extended Summary

Mackenzie is on the phone at Salt, arranging cover for the weekend. Colby checks that she isn’t working because he has big plans for them: Bella is going to be away on a school trip, leaving first thing in the morning. Ryder comes over and introduces Jade to Mackenzie, explaining she’s done some bar work. Jade elaborates: She’s worked in them on and off since she was sixteen, has done bar courses and her RSA, and can give numbers for references. Back at the farm house, Ziggy and Dean finish off their pizza and Ziggy dreams of Jade leaving. Ben and Maggie arrive: They have been to the lawyer and their bank accounts have been unfrozen. Ben’s first order of business is to pay Dean back his loan.

Colby notes Bella hasn’t eaten much and checks she will be okay on the trip, since she’s never been on one before, and there’ll be people from other schools, not just her photography class. Bella suspects Colby wants rid of her to spend time with Mackenzie and says he should be more picky. Colby sends her off to bed. Next morning, Ziggy is the last one up. Dean comments that she’s not playing supervisor today as he and Ben head off to work. Ziggy tells Maggie about Jade and how it reminded her of Brody and Simone. Maggie understands but agrees Ziggy shouldn’t let it put her off.

Ben is making positive affirmations at the surf club, saying today he will make a big sale and delivering a bon mot about how a half-full glass can be refilled, to Dean’s bemusement. Ryder and Jade come downstairs, both in uniform. Ryder tries to make out he runs the bar (even though they’re taking the rubbish out) and claims he introduced the staff discount. Jade sees Dean (who had been under the counter when they came down) and tells him about the job; Dean looks worried. Outside, Mackenzie runs into Colby and asks if Bella’s gone yet. Colby says he’s about to take her to the bus. Mackenzie hurries him along by suggesting they could make up for lost time.

Colby finds Bella sat outside the Diner and wonders where her bag is. She has a headache and taking painkillers hasn’t helped: She’s not sure if she can go. Colby takes her into the Diner, hoping some food will help. Bella slumps over the table and Colby takes Marilyn aside, asking how you can tell if a teenager’s faking illness. Marilyn suggests it’s best to err on the side of caution, while Colby thinks she’d enjoy the trip if she went. He gives Bella a glass of water but she spills some of it. Colby steps away from the table to phone Mackenzie.

Mackenzie takes the call at Salt and is disappointed, even though Colby is still hopeful he can get Bella to go. Dean comes in and asks Mackenzie to do him a favour: He wants her to sack Jade. He suggests she might not be up for the job before explaining Ziggy thinks she’s interested in him and it’d help if she left town. Mackenzie says she needs Jade to cover Dean’s old shifts and jokes that he shouldn’t be so irresistible. Jade comes through and says she’s spending her first pay cheque on another surf lesson. Downstairs, Ben is killing time by stacking boxes of wax on the counter. Maggie and Ziggy come in and suggest he do a promotion. Dean comes down and tries to talk to Ziggy but she points out he has clients waiting and says they’ll talk later.

At the Diner, Colby and Marilyn try to get Bella to eat but she recoils when Colby touches her hand, saying her whole body aches and she just needs to go to bed. After asking if she’s putting it on, Colby gives in. Mackenzie gets the news at Salt and is disappointed again. Nearby, Ryder is giving Jade tips on how to make cocktails. However, Jade is only interested in Dean, asking Ryder how well he knows him and what his favourite drink is.

Ryder approaches Dean outside and complains about Jade liking him and practically asking what he has for breakfast. Dean notes it’s causing trouble for him. They see Jade on the balcony of Salt…and so does Ziggy, who has just come along. Ryder retreats a bit as Dean notes he was going to tell her. Ziggy accepts it and says she’ll meet him at hers later. Ryder suggests Dean talk to Jade. Dean goes upstairs where Jade offers him a beer, saying she knows it’s his favourite drink. Dean says Ziggy’s his girlfriend and it’s not Jade’s business what his favourite drink or breakfast is. Jade asks if she can still have surf lessons and Dean says they’re booked up forever.

Maggie emerges from the gym to find Ben still making patterns and decides to take him for lunch. Ben protests he hasn’t done enough to need a break but Maggie reminds him about getting into routine. Nearby, Mackenzie comments to Dean on his handling of Jade then explains about Bella. She wonders if Bella would fake illness to stop her spending time with Colby. Dean admits that’d actually be low-key for Bella. Back at the farm house, Ziggy dithers over texting Dean to ask where he is but is saved the trouble when he turns up. She shows him the unsent text and he tells her he shut Jade down. Ziggy thanks him for not treating her like a fool as Brody did.

Mackenzie goes to the Diner flat and asks Colby if he’s sure Bella’s ill, complaining that keeping her and Bella apart means she never sees him. Bella emerges from her room and accuses Mackenzie of being the reason Colby thinks she’s faking. She calls Mackenzie crazy while Mackenzie accuses her of having Colby wrapped around her finger. Down in the Diner, Ryder asks Marilyn for a protein-rich salad. Alf and Martha enter, having just got back without telling anyone they were returning, and congratulate Ryder on finishing exams. Jade appears and asks Ryder to walk her home, which he quickly agrees to. Alf wonders if he should be worried and Marilyn admits it’s a mystery to her too. After she’s gone, Martha asks Alf when they’re going to share their news. Alf thinks people will be pleased whenever they tell them.

Bella is walking away from the Diner, with Colby following her, while Mackenzie keeps pace at a distance and doesn’t say anything. Bella says she’ll go if Colby doesn’t want her around. Colby says the bus has gone and Bella says she’ll catch a cab. She then collapses and Colby cradles her.