Episode 7561

Extended Summary

Dean runs into Mackenzie outside the surf club and sarcastically notes that she’s alive. Mackenzie challenges him to give her a lecture for staying out late but Dean refuses, saying he knows she’s trying to push people away. Mackenzie denies it, saying she got very close to a guy named Luke last night, before adding that she’s going to work and not to wait up because she doesn’t know who she might meet. At the Diner flat, Nikau tells Bella that he didn’t know Allegra was going to kiss him and it didn’t mean anything. Bella says she knows that and it would have been okay if she’d had a chance to prepare herself but it was a shock just stumbling across it. Dean arrives and overhears part of the conversation. Bella tells him it’s nothing to do with him and she just needs time to herself. She goes to her room and Nik leaves.

On the pier, Sienna is on the phone to Allegra, assuring her she’ll sort everything, then checks with Emmett that he got the shots. Emmett isn’t happy about the stunt she pulled but Sienna retorts that if he’d really objected, he’d have stopped shooting, and he knows they’re the next big thing. Nikau arrives and Sienna sends Emmett to take Allegra for dinner. Nikau tells Sienna that he’s done. Sienna says Allegra went too far but it won’t happen again and asks him to go somewhere and talk. In the Diner, Marilyn is telling Roo she snuck a look at the photo shoot and is pleased that things are happening for Nikau and that the other model was so glamorous. At a nearby table, Ryder tells Chloe he’s glad Bella can’t hear that and seems to want to go and see her. Chloe tells him they need to work out a name for the business so they can register it and get permits, plus sort out the kitchen design and the menu.

Allegra and Emmett are on the balcony at Salt. Mackenzie comes over with drinks and says she hasn’t seen them before, wondering if it’s a romantic getaway. Emmett says they’re work colleagues and Mackenzie notes that explains why Allegra’s more interested in her phone than him. Sienna arrives with Nikau. Allegra apologises to him for the kiss and Nikau sits apart from the others. Emmett notes he still doesn’t look happy but Sienna says he’s here and willing to talk. At the Diner flat, Bella emerges from her room and Dean offers to punch Nikau for her. Bella explains what happened and says her head tells her she’s being oversensitive but her heart says that no-one should be kissing Nikau but her. She guesses Dean would rather Colby or Willow was here. Dean asks if she trusts Nikau, which she does, and suggests the job shouldn’t be this hard.

Sienna tells Nikau he’s got a great opportunity. Nikau accepts that but doesn’t want Bella upset. Sienna says he can’t just run off from a shoot and Nikau says she shouldn’t have just turned up without warning. Sienna says she won’t force him but it’d be a shame to lose them both. Nikau says that it’s him that’s quitting, not Bella, but Sienna says Bella’s only here because of him. Nikau goes to the flat asking to talk. Bella tells Dean it’s okay and he leaves. Nikau says he spoke to Sienna about springing the shoot on them, but really wants it to work out for both of them. He says Sienna called them unprofessional and they need to get used to him being close to other models. He says he would never do anything to hurt her.

Ryder and Chloe arrive back at the Parata house with Ryder reeling off suggestions for business names: Burrito Boss, Burrito Bus, Taco Truck. Chloe is disappointed that there’s no-one there to tell about the loan. Ryder points to a note behind her saying Tane’s given her his room. Nikau arrives back and Ryder asks about Bella. Nikau says it’s complicated before going to bed. Chloe asks what now and Ryder says he could leave her to sort out her room…or help her make her bed and then mess it up again. In his room. Nikau lies on his bed. He looks at Bella’s contact on his phone then puts it aside. At Salt, Sienna shows Emmett and Allegra the photos and says it was worth the drama. She is convinced Nikau will stay on board. Mackenzie comes over and Sienna pays for the meal before deciding she and Allegra will go back to the hotel. Emmett decides to stay, approaching Mackenzie and asking her to join him for a drink.

Next morning, outside the bait shop, Marilyn is telling Roo she wants to give Ryder and Chloe suggestions for vegetarian options. Alf reminds them they’re silent investors. Roo wonders if anyone’s heard from Ryder since she wants to know if the money came through. Nikau comes along and confirms Ryder spent the night at his. He was going to see Bella but agrees to help Alf with a delivery first. Meanwhile, Ryder is woken by a text on his phone. Chloe appears with breakfast (which appears to consist of two orange juices) and Ryder instinctively hides under the covers. He checks his phone and says they’ve got the money: First stop Yabbie Creek, next stop the world. Chloe says Yabbie Creek is second stop: They have to celebrate first. They kiss and disappear under the covers.

Dean comments to Bella that he thought Nikau wasn’t keen on the gig and Bella notes he’s made a commitment now. Emmett emerges from Mackenzie’s room: He and Bella are surprised to see each other and Bella explains she lives there. Mackenzie appears and says Emmett kept her company. Emmett awkwardly leaves, noting there’s a breakfast meeting and Bella could join them if she wants. Mackenzie disappears back into her room. Bella is furious, despite Dean pointing out Mackenzie probably didn’t know who Emmett was, and complains she’s always ruining things. Mackenzie appears and she and Bella exchange barbs; Dean and a newly arrived Nikau have to hold Bella back and Dean tells the youngsters to leave. When Mackenzie appears again, having got dressed, she tells Dean she doesn’t care what he or Bella thinks. Dean says he knows the drinking and hook-ups are just an act and nothing she does will make him turn his back on her. Mackenzie looks moved for a second, then walks past him.

Bella and Nikau arrive at Salt, joining Sienna, Emmett and Allegra. Bella apologises for losing it and says she’s ready to do the right thing for both their careers. Sienna is pleased. Allegra leaves, saying she has a car waiting, and briefly checks with Bella that they’re fine. Bella still doesn’t look comfortable however. Sienna insists on paying and Emmett comments that it’s a tax perk. Nikau joins Sienna at the counter and makes it clear he’s doing this for Bella and there’s going to have to be changes. A short time later, Dean is outside and gets a text from Mackenzie saying she’s going away. Bella and Emmett emerge and Emmett says he knows she was only telling Sienna what she wanted to hear. He indicates he came into the industry thinking he could change it and has accomplished nothing in ten years, telling her to get out while she can.