Episode 7254

Extended Summary

Willow runs up to Colby and Dean on the beach. Noting she looks happy, they guess she’s met someone and ask who he is. Willow tells them she’s got a promotion and a pay rise. Colby is momentarily distracted by seeing Mackenzie nearby. Willow suggests celebratory drinks at Salt that evening, telling Dean he should invite Ziggy, who arrives back today. At the farm, Ben and Maggie give Ziggy crushing welcome back hugs. Ziggy says it was the best week of her life: She’ll hear about the job in the next couple of days and thinks she has a shot. Ben produces her surf board which she is delighted by. She asks if Dean saw it, before admitting she really wanted to know how he is. Ben and Maggie suggest she goes see him.

Ziggy meets Dean outside his caravan and he jokes about smelling petrol. He asks how it went and Ziggy asks if he really wants to talk about that now, leading him into the van. At the Diner, Leah comments to Mason on his hasty exit and says she doesn’t like seeing him and Justin fighting. She asks him to talk to Justin and Mason asks if Justin’s going to apologise. Telling from her reaction that he isn’t, he says he’s done being his punching bag. Mason exits, passing Justin without acknowledging him.

Alex comes to see Willow at the gym and congratulates her on the manager’s job, having got her message when she finished her shift. She gives Willow a sign saying “Willow Harris Manager” as a present and suggests they celebrate later. Willow tells her she’s already arranged drinks but invites Alex along, saying she wants her there. Meanwhile, Ziggy and Dean are in bed. Ziggy apologises for the reception she gave him at the race track and Dean acknowledges it was bad timing. He asks about the job and Ziggy says she doesn’t know if she’s got it. Dean says it would be awesome if she did and she should take it if offered.

Colby and Bella arrive back at the Diner flat; Bella is moving back in but sarcastically asks if Robbo would be okay with it and comments on it being a day care place. Colby quips that it’s been one since she got there. He’s about to go and get a takeaway when Maggie appears and asks to talk. She explains about Bella’s low marks: It’s partly down to the lack of schooling but she was improving until a couple of months ago when everything was derailed. Bella has already missed a lot of Year 12 so it might be worth repeating Year 11. Colby tells Bella it’s not her fault.

Ziggy and Dean arrive at the surf club and greet Ben. Willow and Alex say their goodbyes and Willow asks Ziggy about drinks; Dean says he forgot to tell her and Ziggy says they’ll be happy to come. Seeing Mackenzie, Willow goes over to her and asks to book a booth for the evening. Mackenzie agrees but looks apprehensive. Outside, Alex finds Mason and tells him about Willow’s promotion. She invites him to the drinks but he’s not in the mood. Alex asks about Tori. Mason explains about Justin not wanting to move her to the brain injury unit. Alex asks if there have been attempts to bring her round and Mason says not since the second bleed. Alex suggests transferring her to Northern Districts so they can wean her off the ventilator there.

At the Diner, Justin finishes a frustrating phone call. He tells Leah that he’s trying to get hold of one of Tori’s doctors and wishes she was closer so he could go in person. Leah suggests asking Mason for help. Justin isn’t keen, saying both he and Tori need a brother, not a doctor. Leah says Mason cares about Tori and is trying to hold things together. Up in the flat, Colby tries to cheer Bella up, suggesting maybe they can get her through it without having to repeat. Bella is disappointed that he’s going to Willow’s party, since she wanted them to watch a movie together. Colby suggests he could not stay long, but on hearing it’s at Salt, Bella decides to go with him.

Willow and Alex are already at Salt; Alex is happy to hide the fact they’re a couple since it’s Willow’s night. Ziggy, Dean, Colby and Bella all turn up and they take a seat in the booth. Colby goes to order drinks but Mackenzie says she’s busy and asks another staff member to serve him, retreating into the store room. Later, Alex enthuses about Ziggy’s job possibility while Ziggy thanks Alex for helping Ben. On the balcony, Willow asks Dean’s opinion of Alex. Dean doesn’t understand why Willow invited her but Willow says she’s a friend. Bella complains about the amount of time they’ve been there and Colby says another hour. At the bar, Mackenzie, who seems somewhat the worse for wear, asks Dean about the job, noting he’ll be a sad sack if Ziggy gets it. Bella asks Mackenzie what she’s looking at and Mackenzie tells her to stop being a brat because she’s won. Alex proposes a toast to Willow. Mackenzie helps herself to another drink. At the Diner, Mason joins Justin, who apologises for snapping at him. Mason tells him about Alex’s suggestion to move Tori to Northern Districts. Justin looks pleased and claps him on the shoulder.

Colby wonders why Robbo’s promoted Willow and Alex explains about him and Jasmine moving away. Colby is shocked and wonders how she knows; Alex says Jasmine handed in her notice. Bella says she won’t miss the crying baby, or Grace. Ziggy gets a call from Kurt and moves away to take it, with Dean following. She says they gave the job to someone else. Dean tries to commiserate with her but Mackenzie scoffs, saying not to pretend he isn’t pleased. Ziggy leaves and Dean follows. Colby tries to take Mackenzie to task but she says she’s not there to please him. At the farm house, Dean explains to Ziggy that he doesn’t want her to leave but understands why she’s disappointed about the job. They kiss.

Colby tries to stop Mackenzie drinking but she says it’s nothing to do with him. Willow and Alex make a quiet exit as Mackenzie calls Colby a hypocrite. Bella says they should go and Mackenzie agrees. Outside, Willow tries to tell Alex they’re not usually like that, before admitting they are. Alex understands family gatherings and Willow says the celebration should have just been the two of them. They kiss, just as Colby and Bella come out. Bella casually remarks that that’s a thing now as everyone else looks awkward.