Episode 7422

Extended Summary

Bella takes a photo of Mackenzie at the surf club, calling it a picture of someone deep in thought. Mackenzie tries to not-so-subtly enquire whether Bella’s been at the Paratas’ and Bella realises it’s because she wants to know about Ari, saying she’s not seen him that morning. She notices Taylor and asks if she’s looking for someone. Taylor says she was meant to be meeting a friend on the beach but she didn’t show up. Bella notes that she hates flakes but hates liars even more. At the flat, Colby receives a text from Bella saying his friend was looking for him, followed by the photo of him and Taylor kissing.

Roo and Owen emerge from his caravan and run into Alf and Marilyn. After an awkward chat about sleeping in, Alf and Marilyn walk on. Owen notes he’ll never be able to have a normal conversation with Alf again and knows what it’s like to be a father. Roo says it’s been a while since she stayed up all night talking to someone and suggests they have coffee together. At the Parata house, Bella chats to Nikau about her assignment and, within earshot of Ari, recalls her meeting with Mackenzie. Tane emerges and Ari walks out of the house without a word. Nikau tells Bella to wait in his room, then notes to Tane that despite his words Ari hasn’t spoken to Mackenzie. Tane says he’s done all he can and it’s up to them to sort out.

At the Diner, Marilyn chats to Irene about how much Roo is glowing because of her relationship with Tane. Colby comes in and sits with Taylor, who tells him about her run-in with Bella and says Bella doesn’t like her. Marilyn stops by the table; Colby says he’s looking for Bella and Marilyn predicts she’ll be with Nikau, commenting about love being in the air. Colby tells Taylor he’ll sort it. Back at the Parata house, Nikau offers to pose for Bella. Colby comes in without knocking and asks to speak to Bella alone. Bella tells Nikau it’ll be okay. Colby demands Bella delete the photos, reminding her she said she was on his side. Bella points out he lied to her and Willow. Colby continues to insist he’s doing it all to protect her and their family and it’s clear Bella doesn’t have any plan. He tells her if the photos get out it’ll break up their family and asks her to delete them. When Bella still refuses, his demeanour abruptly changes and he snatches the camera from her and walks out.

Ari comes into Salt and tells Mackenzie he’s calmed down and just wants to talk. They go for a walk on the beach. Ari says it’s not so much about her moving out as the fact that she didn’t tell him the reason. Mackenzie says it wasn’t about them but about Tane. Ari reminds her she was the one that wanted a full relationship and says he doesn’t do things by halves.

Bella follows Colby into the flat demanding he give her the camera back. Colby says he’s always protected her and that was what caused the situation in the first place. Bella says she didn’t ask him to do any of it and he’s taking too many risks. Colby yells at her to be on his side and stay away from Taylor. He gives her the camera back, saying the photos are deleted. Shortly after, Bella finds Nikau in the Diner; he realises Colby has upset her and they leave together. Marilyn goes to Alf and Roo’s table. Roo comments on how she talks with Owen and Alf notes Owen hasn’t said anything to him. Roo suggests they change that and have dinner at Salt together. Marilyn asks if it’s a surprise or an announcement but Roo suggests it’s just a family dinner. They both agree, with Marilyn a lot more enthusiastic than Alf.

Taylor is waiting in the motel when Colby turns up. He assures her that Bella won’t be any more trouble. Taylor notes that she was worried he wouldn’t show up and Colby says he’s not going to give her up. Meanwhile, Mackenzie tells Ari that she loves what they have and thinks they should just enjoy every stage. Ari replies that it feels like they’ve taken a backwards step from living together. He says there’s a job in the city for a couple of days that he’s going to take. He suggests she takes the opportunity to work out what she wants.

Alf, Marilyn, Roo and Owen are met for what Marilyn calls Owen’s first dinner as Roo’s partner. Alf says he’s going to need lots of information to pass on to Martha. He asks Owen to join him for fishing but Owen says he always feels sorry for the fish and isn’t much good at crosswords either. Alf suggests a boat trip and Owen indicates he’d need his motion sickness tablets to avoid seasickness. He confirms he has two grown-up daughters and wonders if Alf is going to write all this down. Alf tries to ask him about his job but Roo shuts the questioning down.

Nikau and Bella arrive back at the Paratas’ as Ari is leaving, having texted Nikau to explain. Nikau says they won’t burn the house down while he’s away, and if they do it’s Tane’s name on the lease anyway. After Ari’s gone, Bella says Colby is insane: He’s trying to make out everything is her fault when she’s trying to protect him. She tells Nikau about the photo, explaining she was trying to show Colby how careless he was. Nikau thinks the affair will fizzle out when Colby realises he’s not getting any information, but Bella says he’s spending all his time with Taylor and worries he’s developing feelings for her. At that moment, Colby is curled up in bed with Taylor. He apologises for Bella but Taylor says she understands: Bella’s grieving her father and Colby’s spending all his time with someone else.

Mackenzie is sat on the balcony at Salt. Tane brings her a BLT sandwich she didn’t order, saying it’s his duty to make sure people drink responsibly and it won’t help doing it on an empty stomach. He notes she’s not her usual spitfire self and wonders if she wants to talk. Mackenzie gently reminds him he said they weren’t friends. Tane goes to Alf and company’s table. Alf momentarily considers ordering a cheesecake before he and Marilyn decide to go. Roo and Owen move to the sofa area and discuss Alf’s interrogation. Roo notes Marilyn said you meet the right people at the right time. Both of them feel they’ve known each other their whole lives.

Next morning, Roo emerges from the house with a picnic basket and runs into Alf and Marilyn. She explains she got her and Owen breakfast from the Diner. They all have a favourable impression of him from the previous night. Roo goes to Owen’s caravan but it takes him a long time to respond to her knocking, at which point he tells her he’s not in the mood and to go.