Episode 7335

Extended Summary

Roo and Marilyn chat outside the Diner. Marilyn says Alf should get social media so they can tell where he is. Roo notes she spoke to Martha on the phone and they’d gone up Mount Tamborine. Maggie comes along; Roo reminds her they were meant to be having a breakfast meeting. Maggie says she overslept but is keen to get down to work now. Meanwhile, Tane shows Gemma around the back garden of the new house. Gemma isn’t sure how he was able to afford it, saying she looked over it with Ari and it was expensive. Tane claims the real estate lady had a thing for him before saying he called in some favours. He shows her inside: It’s furnished but they can make it their own and it beats a motel, a car or a random person’s house. He also shows her a box of things he retrieved from the old house, including a set of small shoes and Mikaere’s old sports shirt. Gemma feels she’s been ambushed but Tane says it can be a home for the family.

Roo invites Maggie to the gym for a work-out. Maggie isn’t keen, suggesting they work out on the beach. Roo realises she’s trying to avoid Ben but wonders why, since she’ll see him at home. Maggie admits Ben moved out and it seems to be permanent: She was all alone in the house last night. Roo suggests Ben’s finding it just as tough…but in fact he’s whistling happily as he reorganises the board shop and tells John it was the best night’s sleep he’s had in ages. John notes his experience differed but that could be down to the possum on the roof. Nearby, Ari asks Nikau about his career plans, saying leaving it to fate could mean flipping burgers at forty. Nikau says DJing could be cool. Ari isn’t so sure but does say Nikau can do anything he can put his mind to.

Tane assures Gemma that there’s room for everyone. Gemma notes Tane seems to have been having a good time partying without them but Tane says he’s missed them and Nikau has missed him. Gemma is still cautious. Outside, Ari and Nikau banter about becoming male models before seeing Gemma and Tane. They explain Tane’s leased the place, which Ari assumes meaning squatting while the owners are away although Gemma puts him straight. Nikau is delighted but Ari and Gemma are more cautious, an attitude that continues as they all go inside. Ari asks where Tane got the money from but Tane can’t see why he wants to know. Nikau says he’s going to get his stuff. Gemma says she hasn’t agreed to anything yet but Nikau says it’s up to her if she stays at Marilyn’s. Ari walks out and Gemma follows him. He says they nearly have enough money for a bond but Gemma says they couldn’t afford a place like this. Ari reminds her they made a pact when Mikaere died never to get involved in something like that again: He thinks Tane will never change and will drag Nikau down with him. Gemma says she’ll talk to Nikau and Ari promises to find another place today.

Ari arrives at the surf club and picks up a paper. Roo and Maggie also arrive and encounter Ben; Maggie and Ben make small talk about their respective nights before she and Roo go to the gym. John tells Ben it does get marginally easier. Ben says he never thought it would feel weird talking to Maggie and John notes you never really stop caring. Up in Salt, Ari looks over the paper and complains to Mackenzie about the prices. Mackenzie suggests he’d get a better deal with real estate than a private listing but Ari says he’s an ex-crim with a casual labouring job. Mackenzie suggests putting it in Gemma’s name and Ari explains about Tane finding somewhere. Mackenzie suggests he ring one of the numbers and try to negotiate.

Gemma tries to remonstrate with Nikau as he heads across the road with his bags, saying Ari will sort them somewhere. Tane is dismissive of Ari while Gemma is mistrustful of Tane. She suggest Nikau stay there temporarily until somewhere else comes up but Nikau doesn’t want to be without Tane. He says he didn’t want to live in Summer Bay but if he has to it’s going to be there. Back at Salt, Ari has failed to get anywhere with the landlord. Mackenzie asks if Tane is really that bad and Ari says he feels the same about him that Mackenzie feels about her father. He says Tane was a great kid and good at school, but when Ari came out of jail, Tane was a different person and didn’t care about anyone. Ari and Mikaere tried to guide him but he considers him a lost cause and worries about Nikau going down the same path.

Gemma comes into the Diner and tells Marilyn she’s grateful for everything she’s done for them. Marilyn realises she’s moving out and tries to say she doesn’t have to. Gemma says Nikau wants a place of their own and notes Marilyn will still see them around, explaining Tane has rented the place across the road. She goes to the surf club and tells Ari that she and Nikau will be moving in with Tane. Ari is annoyed but can offer no alternative. Roo and Maggie exit the gym, making plans to have a meal in Yabbie Creek. Maggie tells Ben he’s welcome to join them, then realises and apologises, saying it’s force of habit.

John meets Marilyn on the beach and they talk about Gemma and Nikau moving out, even if they’re not going very far. John offers to walk her home. At the new Parata house, Gemma is trying to find a place to hang a decoration, with Tane and Nikau teasing her about it being vintage. Ari arrives with his bags and Tane pretends to believe he’s there to fix the internet connection. Ari says he’s moving in as well, to keep an eye on Nikau.

Out in the street, John and Marilyn see Tane and Nikau playing ball in front of the house. John comments on “Deja Braxton”. Ari and Gemma exit and Gemma suggests drinking on the lawn in front of their new neighbours isn’t a good look: Ari thinks it won’t be long before the neighbours hate them. Gemma sends them all inside while Marilyn invites John in for a cup of tea. Gemma looks around and smiles.