Episode 7284

Extended Summary

Dean has just finished a surf lesson and runs into Ziggy and Mackenzie, who are about to go out for a surf. Mackenzie comments on being a third wheel and Ziggy jokingly suggests getting Colby to join them. Dean offers to meet Ziggy for lunch but she wants to go and see Justin about getting her job back. At the Morgan house, Tori tells Justin she’s taking Grace to the hospital to try and sort out the creche and suggests he come with them but he’s decided to go to the garage rather than sit around since he knows he won’t sleep. Tori tries to put a positive spin on it and to stop him blaming himself for Leah but Justin remains convinced that he dropped the ball with her and is now on the verge of losing the garage.

Willow and Mackenzie head into the gym with Willow having filled Mackenzie in on Alex’s job offer and the fact she wants her to go with her. Willow says she could stay there and do long distance but it might be better to be with Alex but it would mean leaving everyone there but it might be fun to be somewhere else… Mackenzie makes supportive noises at every option until asking if Willow actually needs her there. Willow wonders what Mackenzie would do if Colby asked her to move away. Mackenzie says it’s not the same thing: They’re not really dating and she hasn’t seen him in a week. Meanwhile, Ben arrives home from a counselling session as Ziggy is getting ready to go and see Justin. Ben tells her about Leah’s website being reactivated and tells her to bear it in mind.

Justin arrives at the garage, finding a stack of deliveries outside. Opening up, he finds other things out of place. Ziggy arrives as Justin is opening up the bonnet of a car. She asks about Mason’s service and offers to help out. Justin says he’s fine but immediately cuts his hand and punches the car in frustration before sinking to the floor. Ziggy crouches by him as he says he just wants to get one thing right.

Tori arrives at the Diner with Grace and gets an enthusiastic greeting from Marilyn. She admits that Justin is struggling despite getting hope and that the hospital creche haven’t got any places until the end of the year. She says that she didn’t arrange day care because Robbo was supposed to help out. Later, Marilyn talks to her as she admits she’s worried about parenting: Not feeding and changing Grace but all the decisions that she has to make that she’s not sure Robbo would approve of. Marilyn assures her she’s a good mum.

Ziggy is bandaging Justin’s hand as he talks about losing all his family with Brody and Raffy moving away and now Mason gone. He recalls the last time he was working there, when Leah was with him being his rock, and says he can’t fix anything.

Dean comes into Salt and asks Mackenzie if the beefburger special is still available, the one where her brother gets to eat for free with a 65 cent (all he has in his pocket) jug of beer. He is surprised how quickly Mackenzie agrees and wonders what she’s got on her mind, before saying he doesn’t want to know if it’s about Colby. Mackenzie tells him about Alex’s job offer and how she’s asked Willow to go. Dean is shocked that Willow would ever do that.

Later, downstairs, Alex bumps into Dean while looking for Willow. Dean comments on her asking Willow to move away from everything that means anything to her. Alex says it’s only a short term contract but Dean points out that then she’ll be moving on to something else and bitterly tells her to make sure Willow sends a postcard.

Ben arrives home, telling Ziggy that Maggie is busy with school business and suggesting they do pizza and a movie. Ziggy says she didn’t even ask Justin about the job because he just fell apart. Ben wants to talk to him but Ziggy recalls how when she was down about Brody, it was Dean getting her into the rally that pulled her out of it. Ben doesn’t think Justin needs a distraction. Ziggy explains he needs them to show him it’s more than just words.

At the Diner, Marilyn is giving Justin a takeaway and tells him about talking to Tori earlier. Justin agrees to speak to her. After Justin has gone, John goes over to the counter and Marilyn tells him she’s planning to cut back on her shifts at the Diner in order to help Tori with Grace. John is a bit bemused as Marilyn admits Tori hasn’t asked her but Marilyn says Tori needs help and she wants to give it to her. John gets a text and says they need to be somewhere.

At Salt, Dean congratulates Ziggy and Ben on their idea. Mackenzie shoots Dean and Ziggy a sideways glance. Alex turns up to see Willow and tells her she’s decided to turn down the job and hope something closer turns up. Willow however says that taking the job is the best thing for Alex, which means moving to Queensland with her is the best thing for herself. Alex is delighted and hugs her. John and Marilyn turn up and Ben notes they’re all there.

Tori is looking at photos of herself and her siblings on the fridge. Justin turns up and Tori notices his hand, saying she’ll clean it up. Justin tells her what Marilyn said. Tori admits she’s wondering if Robbo would approve about her choices about day care, school, sports and career, and how Grace will always be wondering what Robbo would want. Justin says she’ll go mad second-guessing herself; Robbo trusted her, and she can always run decisions by him since they did okay with Brody and Mason.

Ben, John, Marilyn, Dean and Ziggy are finishing their planning session and Mackenzie brings them free pizza. Willow gets Dean’s attention at the bar and tells him she’s moving to Queensland. Dean says if it’s what she wants, it’s none of his business. Willow wonders why he can’t be happy for her and Dean goes back to the table. Willow thanks Mackenzie for helping her make her mind up before leaving with Alex.

Later, Dean joins Mackenzie out on the balcony and Mackenzie says Willow is lucky to find someone. Dean senses they need to have the chat about Colby. Mackenzie says they’re not like him and Dean or Willow and Alex; Colby has a lot on his mind with Bella, Jasmine, Robbo and his job, and he hasn’t even reached out since she sorted things with Bella so he seems to be fine with being friends. She doesn’t want to wait around for months or years for something that might never happen.

Next morning, Justin arrives at the garage to find the door open and calls out to Ziggy. He goes in to find Ziggy and Dean working on a car, Ben moving boxes, John sweeping the floor and Marilyn setting up a table of food. Ziggy explains they’re there to support him. Justin smiles gratefully.