Episode 7258

Extended Summary

Ryder approaches Jade’s caravan with some flowers, but as he is laying them on the steps, she abruptly opens the door. Somewhat dismissive, she stands on them and throws them into her van before announcing she’s going to the beach. Alf comes past as Ryder is left standing alone and wryly notes it’s getting serious. Ryder claims to be a born romantic. At Salt, Mackenzie is serving a customer. Dean comes in and asks for a whisky. Ryder follows, loudly proclaiming that it’s an awesome day, but is met with glares so goes to put his apron on. Dean explains that Ziggy left town. Mackenzie pours him the drink.

At the Diner, Ben and Maggie chat to Marilyn and Justin about Ziggy’s departure and thank Justin for letting her leave without giving notice. Leah comments on both their girls being away. Marilyn asks about Dean and Ben and Maggie admit the couple broke up. Justin gets a phone call and goes outside to take it. Leah explains he’s waiting for news about Tori and follows him out. Justin ends the phone call and tells Leah that the city hospital agrees Tori is stable enough to be moved but Northern Districts don’t have an ICU bed for her. Frustrated, and saying Tori’s given her life to the hospital, he decides to go and talk to the doctors in person.

Ryder and Mackenzie both make attempts to chat to Dean. Mackenzie suggests he has some wedges to soak up the alcohol but he says he isn’t hungry. He notes things were always going to end like this between him and Ziggy, with her moving on to something better. Downstairs, John tries to get a bunch of Dean’s students to stop clogging up the walkways and complains to Ben about him not turning up. Ben asks if John’s called him and John says it’s not his job. Ryder tells them that Dean’s upstairs and has been there some time.

Mackenzie gives Dean a bowl of snacks and insists he eat something before having a refill. Dean takes one bite and Mackenzie reluctantly refills his glass. Ben comes up and reminds Dean about his class. Mackenzie is shocked that he’s meant to be working. Ben and Mackenzie move aside and conclude Dean can’t teach like this and they shouldn’t let the class see him, but Dean insists he’ll handle it. Heading downstairs with them in pursuit, he abruptly tells the students that the lesson’s cancelled and they should go. One of the girls asks if they get a refund. Mackenzie diplomatically says that they do and invites them upstairs for free pizza. Ben tries to tell Dean not to throw away his business but Dean says he doesn’t want a lecture and also resigns his job at the board shop.

Dean storms away from the surf club with Mackenzie in pursuit. He doesn’t know why she’s bothered but she says that she’s his sister and she cares about him. She offers to go back to his caravan with him and talk. Dean isn’t interested in talking so she agrees to scrub that part. However, she doesn’t think he should be left on his own to wallow so convinces him they can be lonely together. Back in the surf club, Ben chats to Maggie about what happened. John comments on Dean’s behaviour but becomes more sympathetic when he hears about the break-up with Ziggy. Ben isn’t sure whether to take Dean’s resignation seriously or not and wonders if he should take over his lessons until he’s back on his feet. Maggie is worried it will impact on his recovery however and convinces him Dean needs to learn to control his emotions.

Justin runs into Robbo who is with Grace at the Diner. He says he needs to talk to him about something but Robbo asks if it can wait, since he needs to take Grace upstairs and give her her bottle. Justin tells Leah that the doctors care about Tori but can’t magic up a bed. He is worried the city hospital will try and move Tori to the brain injury unit. Up in the flat, Robbo notes someone has drunk his beers. Irene comes up to check on him and Grace and also to bring some shopping. Robbo explains Jasmine is still in the city sorting out her statement. They’re still on course to move in two weeks. Irene notes she’ll miss them.

At Salt, Jade asks Ryder if she can take a break. Ryder agrees even though she’s only just started work. Jade goes in the till and then pockets some money. Ryder queries it and she tells him it was a tip. At the caravan park, Mackenzie and Dean are sat drinking a hot drink by a campfire. Dean complains about not being allowed beer and says he was an idiot to think he and Ziggy had a shot. Mackenzie says Ziggy loved him but was offered an amazing opportunity. Dean says if he’d asked her to stay and she had, then she’d have regretted it and they’d have ended up here anyway. Mackenzie puts him to bed in his van.

Mackenzie cashes up at Salt and asks Ryder and Jade why the till’s $50 short. Jade says she doesn’t remember any cash transactions. Ryder gives Mackenzie $50, saying he forgot to put it in the till. He asks about Dean; Mackenzie notes he’ll have a hangover in the morning. Once they’re out of earshot, Ryder comments to Jade on the money missing from the till being the same as her tip. Jade dismisses it and suggests they hang at her caravan. Next morning, Mackenzie gleefully knocks on Dean’s caravan door and gives him an energy drink for the hangover. She then announces she has some business in the city and he’s coming with her. Dean asks if he can drive and Mackenzie says she wouldn’t let him do that even if he was sober. He asks if he can bring his board or choose the music. Mackenzie warns him not to spew; he looks as though he’s struggling to obey.

Marilyn greets Leah and Justin as they arrive at the Diner. Justin gets a phone call which leaves him in a good mood. He tells Leah, Marilyn and Irene that Northern Districts has a bed so Tori’s coming home. The city hospital’s arranging transport so he has to talk to someone first. Meanwhile, Ryder wakes up to find Jade sitting up next to him. She asks if he’s hungry, saying they should have breakfast. However, as she gets dressed, Ryder quizzes her about the money again. Jade is annoyed, asking if he’s accusing her of stealing and telling him to get out, puncturing the point by throwing his shoes outside. Ryder gathers his clothes and leaves; Jade closes the door on him.

Robbo is looking after Grace in the gym office when Justin arrives. Justin says Tori’s the same but also tells him about the plan to move her to ICU in Northern Districts and then try and get her off the ventilator and breathing on her own. Robbo asks what will happen if she can’t. Justin insists she will.