Episode 7434

Extended Summary

Mackenzie and Ari are walking along the beach, discussing how they’ve got over their break-up, to the point that Ziggy is starting to tire of him staying over at the farm. Ari mentions Tane’s starting a new job tomorrow and jokes about ducking the fully clothed Mackenzie in the water. Going home, he finds Tane and notes he hasn’t seen him much lately. Tane points out Ari hasn’t been home much either. Ari asks about the new job but Tane will only say that it’s manual labour. Ari points out he tried to get him a job like that and Tane says he sees enough of him. He is annoyed when Ari asks if the job is legal and closes the door on him.

Bella runs into Angelo outside the Diner. She says she’s going home after TAFE. Angelo blocks her path and asks about Colby being out all night; Bella says she doesn’t need a babysitter. She asks about the investigation and Angelo says there has been progress and he’ll update her soon. Nikau has been watching; he approaches Bella afterwards but she tells him not now. Up in the flat, Colby calls Taylor wondering about Angelo watching the flat. Taylor says it might be something she said, but she’s at the gym with Jasmine so can’t talk and arranges to meet him later. Bella comes in and asks about Angelo. Colby says he’s just trying to intimidate them and doesn’t have any proof. Bella realises he was with Taylor the previous night. Colby thinks Angelo will have to back off eventually.

At Salt, Ryder is consulting his phone and reeling off random things (koala baby orphanage, mud run for mental health, teaching in Tanzania). He explains to Mackenzie that they’re volunteer programmes. She points out he’s not meant to be a volunteer there. Bella turns up looking for some company. Ryder says he knows she’s had a break-up because of his barman instinct…plus Nikau told him. Bella notices a flyer for Taylor’s massage service on the bar and quickly leaves. Down in the gym, Taylor morosely talks to Jasmine about the lack of clients. Jasmine mentions leaving flyers at Salt and the juice bar and expresses confidence things will change soon. Bella comes in, saying she needs a massage because she’s tense about things. Taylor says she has a home client now but suggests Bella walk with her.

Bella follows Taylor as she heads to her car, warning her that Angelo is all over Colby. Taylor says it’s none of Bella’s business but also that she cares about Colby. Bella asks if she wants to end her marriage and says Angelo will destroy Colby if he finds out. Taylor says to leave her alone and drives away. She meets with Colby at the motel and admits she tried to defend him to Angelo and mentioned some of the details he told her: She tried to say she’d read it but isn’t sure he believed her. She also mentions Bella having a go at her. Colby says he’ll sort her. Taylor wants to reassure Angelo but Colby says defending him would be suspicious and tells her to give Angelo her attention and not mention Colby to him.

Nikau complains to Tane that he likes his job, working outside near the sea, and the only problem is it’s right next to his ex-girlfriend’s place. He tells him about trying to talk to her when she was upset but Tane is dithering over his employment form and not really listening. He says he’s the last person Nikau should go to for relationship advice. At Salt, Taylor tells Angelo that business was slow so she went for a walk on the beach. She notes he’s quiet and is usually talking about the case. Angelo says he thought he’d bored her enough. After a few awkward moments, Taylor goes to get some drinks.

Nikau finds Bella sat by the beach. She tells him about Angelo watching them and how she’s worried he’ll find out about Colby and Taylor. She notes both of them have admitted having feelings for each other. Nikau offers to go for a walk and talk about it, but before she can respond, Colby appears and orders Bella to come home with him. Once at the flat, Colby tells her to stay away from Taylor but Bella refuses, saying things have changed now Angelo is watching them. She points out that it’s not a relationship since Taylor’s married: It will end with either Colby going to jail, Taylor losing her marriage or both.

Jasmine notices Colby pumping weights at the gym and notes something must be wrong since he never does that. Colby admits the investigation’s causing problems. Jasmine suggests he knows the difference between right and wrong. Up in Salt, Ari and Mackenzie are preparing to leave and Ari suggests Mack come back to his place, wanting to see both her and her family. Mackenzie isn’t keen but asks him to try talking to Tane again. Ari says he will first thing in the morning, after getting back from hers.

Taylor meets Colby at the motel and tells him she thinks she’s distracted Angelo. Colby confirms he’s spoken to Bella but says he needs to end things: It’s getting too complicated and he’s worried what Angelo will do. After a long silence, Taylor leaves. Back at the flat, Bella is on her own and leaves Colby a phone message asking if he’s coming home. She hears a knock on the door and it’s Nikau. He asks if she wants to hang, saying it seemed like she needed a friend before. Bella says she’s fine now but isn’t in the right head space for spending time with him. Nikau looks put out.

Next morning, Bella chases Colby out of the flat, wondering what time he got home. Colby explains he broke up with Taylor and says Bella was right. Nikau arrives as Colby leaves. Bella explains to him and Nikau pointedly talks about two people wanting to be together and stuff getting in the way. Bella suggests getting food or coffee but Nikau says he’s done. Back at the Parata house, Ari apologises to Tane, who finally reveals he’s working with Ziggy at the garage. Ari asks what he can do to help and Tane says he doesn’t need help. Nikau returns home, complaining about Bella being hot and cold. Ari suggests they all sit down and talk about it. Tane loses his temper, telling Nikau to stop complaining and sort things out with Bella and Ari to stop treating him like a kid, before storming out.