Episode 7533

Extended Summary

Bella is sat near the beach. Nikau comes up behind her and puts his hand over her eyes, before telling her he’s got a surprise planned, one even better than having his place to themselves. Bella protests that she hates surprises but Nikau tells her to pack a bag, even though he won’t say how long they’re going for. Ryder and Chloe pop by, seemingly on the way to work, but get given short shrift, leaving Ryder suspicious. At the Morgan house, Leah is finishing a phone call and tells Justin that the doctor remains taking him to hospital as an outpatient. Justin is worried about being kept in there but accepts he has to go, although he has to be helped to the car.

At the Diner flat, Amber is chiding Jai for not eating his lunch. Bella and Nikau come back to get her things. Amber calls it romantic. Jai wonders what that means and Amber says it’s the opposite of Dean. Bella reappears quickly and Nikau advises her to take her camera. Bella tells Amber to let Dean know she’s away. Jai wonders where Dean is. Cut to Dean at Salt, where he refuses another drink from Ryder. He gets a text from Amber wondering where he is and tells her he’s at Salt, suggesting she join him. Ryder wonders when Mackenzie’s coming back and Dean suggests he just enjoy being the boss for now. Ryder joins Chloe in the store cupboard, saying he wants to pay Nikau back for the Maori speech. He admits though that he doesn’t actually have a plan.

Nikau and Bella are driving along deserted roads. Bella is still trying to get Nikau to tell her where they’re going and checks the map on her phone. Nikau tells her to close her eyes as they’re getting closer, helping her out of the car before showing her a remote and somewhat rustic cottage. They go inside and find an open fireplace, along with chilled champagne and a bath. Both are delighted with it. At Salt, Amber stops Jai drawing on the table and reminds Dean he could have had a cold beer at home. Dean says they have pizza here. Ryder and Chloe are finishing off work. Ryder is still dreaming of revenge and suspects Bella and Nikau are up to something since they’re not answering calls. Chloe suggests her place is free.

Bella and Nikau are relaxing outside the cottage in fluffy robes, drinking champagne. Bella wonders how Nikau could afford the place. Nikau says he worked and saved. Bella points out it would have taken a lot of shifts at the bait shop but both are delighted with the situation and each other’s company. Meanwhile, Ryder and Chloe end up at the Parata house and find Nikau has left a note with the address of where he and Bella are staying. They both complain about not being told or invited, prompting Chloe to say she has a great idea to get them back.

At the Diner, Roo is telling Marilyn about the fundraising success. Alf and John turn up and John asks to talk to Marilyn in private. He explains he’s thinking of selling the house and she’s entitled to half of it. Marilyn says she doesn’t want anything, since it was his home before they were together. John says in that case he knows what to do with the money. At the Morgan house, Leah and Justin have returned from the hospital. Justin has muscle pain and has been given stronger painkillers. They both note that they’re relieved it wasn’t the tumour. John turns up, saying he knows it’s late but he needs to talk to them.

Back at the Diner flat, Amber has put Jai to sleep. She points out to Dean that he was avoiding talking to her all through dinner. Dean says he had things to think about. Amber guesses it was what Willow said and notes she doesn’t want a ring, another baby or a white picket fence. Dean suggests maybe he does: They’ve got something good and should build on it. Amber says she’s getting her life back now Jai’s at school: she doesn’t want another baby now and maybe doesn’t ever. Later, she wonders how Dean changed his mind about family. Dean says he met Jai and wants him to have the family life he never did. Amber says he’s buying into the idea of a perfect family but Dean asks if she’d have been happier without her brother. Amber accepts the point and says maybe one day.

John has explained to Leah and Justin that he wants to sell the house and give them the money, to repay what Susie took. However, both refuse, saying it wasn’t his fault. John goes back to Marilyn, who says now he doesn’t have to sell the house. John is thinking of doing it anyway, since although there are happy memories of her and Jett there, there are sad memories too: He needs a clean slate.

Bella and Nikau are now relaxing in the cottage in front of the fire, still basking in their situation. They start kissing intimately but are interrupted by a knock at the door. Nikau answers it and Ryder and Chloe barrel in, cheerily announcing that they have games, snacks and tequila. Bella says she hates surprises. Later, the pair are helping themselves to the cheese palette and quietly laughing about Nikau’s reaction. Nikau says they can’t stay: The note was for Ari, not telling them to come. Chloe protests it’s late and cold outside and Ari wouldn’t want him to send her away. Nikau gives in and says they can stay the night, although they don’t agree to go in the morning. Nikau and Bella retreat into the bedroom and lie in bed, hearing loud noise from the next room. Bella insists the pair are going in the morning one way or another. Nikau wonders what she has planned.