Episode 7387

Extended Summary

At the Diner flat, Colby and Bella have filled Ziggy, Dean and Willow in on the discovery of Ross’ body. Ziggy is shocked that he’s dead. Bella remembers she was meant to be meeting Nikau. Dean gives Ziggy Bella’s phone and tells her to let him know she can’t make it. Once Ziggy is out of earshot on the balcony, Dean asks Colby how much trouble they’re in and Colby admits he doesn’t know. At Salt, Amber greets Tane, saying she got dumped by her friends because of a family crisis. She invites him to join her for a drink. Aware that Mackenzie is nearby, Tane, while flirtatious, says that he has to work.

Ziggy returns Bella’s phone, saying she told Nikau Bella couldn’t make it but didn’t tell him about Ross. Dean sends her to get some food. Colby asks how much she knows and Dean says just what the police do. He and Willow worry but Colby tells them not to panic. At the Parata house, Nikau tells Ari about Bella cancelling and says he’ll check in with her tomorrow. Ari offers to stay in with him but Nikau tells him to go meet Mackenzie.

At Salt, Ziggy fills first Mackenzie and then Ari in on what happened. They worry how Bella will feel but Amber, who has been listening, says Ross was an abusive jerk and it’s good riddance. Ziggy and Mackenzie look unimpressed but Amber says she knew him and they didn’t. Tane approaches Amber and suggests a drink after his shift and going onto a club or his. Amber is worried it’s got too complicated but seems open. Back at the flat, Colby is insisting there’s nothing to link the murder to them. Dean thinks they’re both going to jail. Willow points out the body was found despite their efforts but Colby doesn’t think Cooper’s suspicious. Ziggy returns with the pizzas and, after an awkward moment, Colby tells everyone to tuck in.

Tane joins Mackenzie on the balcony and asks how things are going with Ari and if she minds him hanging out with Amber. Mackenzie says it’s fine outside work hours and agrees to give him an early dart. Tane goes over to Amber and convinces her to leave with him, saying he’s found a way to uncomplicate things. Next morning, Colby is on the beach looking worried. Dean joins him. Colby tries to pretend things are normal but Dean reminds him that he went back to the grave site while wired on sleeping tablets and may have left evidence behind.

Ari and Mackenzie are making breakfast and Ari gives Mackenzie a taste. Nikau tells them he’s going to go check on Bella. Tane and Amber emerge from his room, prompting Nikau to make a quick exit. Amber asks what’s for breakfast. Mackenzie says they only made enough for two but Tane thinks they can make it go round. Outside, Nikau runs into Bella. She tells him about Ross’ body being found and he hugs her.

Colby tries to convince Dean that any evidence would have been washed away in the past year. He sees Ziggy approaching and gets Dean to look less worried before she sees him. Ziggy knows he didn’t sleep and offers to open up the board shop so he can have a nap. After she’s gone, Colby says everything’s good and Dean asks if he’s dreaming. Meanwhile, Tane shows Amber out of the house with vague plans to meet later. Amber encounters Bella and Nikau and notes Ross was always going to end up dead or in jail, and that since he’s part of the reason Jai’s dead she won’t shed any tears. Bella asks Nikau about Ari being in prison and Nikau says Gemma kept him away from it but it sounded grim. He notes in the end Ari wouldn’t let Mikaere visit when it got too rough.

At the flat, Colby is telling Dean and Willow that they need to keep calm. Dean isn’t happy about lying to Ziggy but Colby says it’s for her own good. Bella comes home in a panic and insists she and Colby need to leave town now or he’ll go to jail. Dean isn’t happy about the noise she’s making and Colby says they need to discuss it calmly. Dean agrees that running away will make them look guilty but doesn’t think burying their heads in the sand helps either. Colby says they just need to act normal and the investigation will run its course. Dean and Willow head to the surf club and run into Ziggy Dean tells Ziggy he’s keen to do the surf comps and suggests they check it out at the weekend. Amber arrives and says she’s heard about Ross. She tries to interest them in a proper night out but Dean and Ziggy cry off so she and Willow go to talk.

Bella has met Nikau at the Diner and gets frustrated when she spills her drink. Nikau suggests doing something but Bella insists she has to go to TAFE like normal. Nikau recalls how he couldn’t think about anything else when his dad died. Bella thanks him. Meanwhile, Colby goes to the police station and, after checking no-one’s looking, looks at the computer file on Ross’ death. He has flashbacks to Ross threatening Bella and Chelsea, and Dean unsuccessfully trying to talk him out of shooting Ross.

Ari and Mackenzie mess about in the Paratas’ pool, kissing and tickling. Tane watches for a bit then goes back inside. Nikau comments that he’s acting like he’s got the hots for Mackenzie, then realises that he does. Outside, Mackenzie suggests Ari choose what they do today. He is a bit thrown that she wants to go on a date like a couple. Out the front, Nikau is teasing Tane about being second best to Ari, but when Tane gets annoyed, he is shocked to realise he actually likes Mack. Tane walks away.