Episode 7701

Extended Summary

Ari arrives home and finds Mia outside the house, explaining he went out looking for her. Mia is upset over everything that happened with Chloe. Meanwhile, at the Diner, Irene is on the phone to an unco-operative Marilyn, pointing out she went for a walk and didn’t come back. Ryder comes in and Irene asks him to check on Marilyn but he has a shift until late. He approaches Chloe and sharply asks if she wants to talk about kissing Theo. Chloe says he kissed her and it’s none of Ryder’s business.

Justin catches up to Ryder at Salt and tries to apologise but Ryder accuses him of knowing about the kiss beforehand and says he doesn’t want his pity. Meanwhile, Ari and Mia are walking by the beach. Mia is frustrated that Chloe doesn’t listen to her about Matthew and warns Ari not to end up on an assault charge. He wonders if they should tell Chloe the truth (which Mia is against) or talk to him again. Mia says they have to be smart.

Matthew arrives at the Diner and thanks Chloe for getting in touch with him. Chloe says she’ll take her break now. Irene sarcastically asks if she wants a raise as well but agrees that they’re quiet. She questions Matthew, who just gives his name, and asks how he knows Chloe. Matthew reminds her she gave him Chloe’s card and says he wanted to talk to her about her business. At the caravan park, Marilyn is sitting alone. Justin turns up and tries to talk about what she said to Mackenzie. He suggests they have dinner together, saying he thought she’d like the company and offering takeaway from Salt. Alf comes in and agrees. Marilyn hugs him in relief.

Ryder runs into Justin at Salt. Justin says he’s just there for a takeaway and Ryder apologises for earlier. Mia comes over to him and asks him if he’s spoken to Chloe lately. Ryder says she’s got more important things to worry about and is annoyed at having to field calls from the customers she cancelled. Mia joins Ari out on the balcony. Ari still wants to tell Chloe the whole story but Mia refuses to tell her she’s the product of assault, thinking it will affect the way she sees herself.

Alf, Justin and Marilyn finish their dinner and briefly chat about Martha. Marilyn goes to get the paper. Alf asks Justin what’s going on. Justin says Marilyn’s been confrontational and pushed people away, mentioning her moving herself in with him. Marilyn returns and Justin leaves. Alf asks Marilyn about the voicemail but she just says she was a bit low. At the Diner, Matthew tells Chloe a funny story about ending up in the wrong room as a barrister. He asks what Mia knows about them and Chloe says she isn’t keen. Irene asks Chloe for a hand clearing up. Ryder turns up and has a go at Chloe for cancelling orders without telling him. Matthew steps in, telling Ryder to apologise. Chloe tells Ryder Matthew’s her dad.

Next morning, Ari is cooking breakfast for Mia. Chloe tries to leave without talking but Ari wants to have a word about Matthew. Chloe asks why they don’t want her to see him, wondering if Ari’s jealous and saying there couldn’t be a bigger secret than Mia not telling her dad she existed. She is met with silence and leaves. Mia thanks Ari for not saying anything. Chloe meets up with Matthew at the Diner. He explains he’s thinking about the argument she had with Ryder and asks about the debt they mentioned. At the counter, Justin tells Irene that Marilyn was on her best behaviour with Alf. Irene hopes she’s up-front with him.

Marilyn is making breakfast for Alf, who greets Ryder when he comes through. Alf is keen for Ryder to stay and have a catch-up but Ryder says Chloe has summoned him. They meet up at Salt where Chloe gives Ryder a cheque and says it covers her half of the debt. She then says she wants to buy him out of the catering business and to name his price. Ryder says he’s not going to take her money: It was her idea and he was only part of it to build a future together. Chloe says he’ll still have to sign over his rights and she’ll get the paperwork drawn up. Ryder leaves, dismayed, as Mia arrives. She realises Matthew gave Chloe the money and accuses him of trying to buy her.

Alf and Marilyn arrive at the Diner, with him making plans for a barbie. He is shocked to learn she doesn’t work there anymore. Marilyn says people weren’t supportive when she got out of hospital, mainly Irene. Alf approaches Irene and snappily asks why she let Marilyn go. Irene retorts that Marilyn’s not herself and says she’ll fill him in when she’s got a minute. Meanwhile, Ari and Mia arrive home to find Matthew outside: He says he’s there to pick up Chloe, who emerges from the house at that moment. Ari and Mia both try to tell Chloe to not go with him. Matthew refuses to let Ari threaten him and says Chloe’s his daughter. Ari punches him. Matthew tells him he made a big mistake.