Episode 7788

Extended Summary

Bella, Chloe and Nikau are looking over the details of Ryder’s cruise ship with him, noting it has a water slide, mini golf and a gallery. Chloe tells Ryder he’ll have the best time and Nikau tartly suggests she go with him. Theo arrives with beer and brushes aside Chloe’s attempts to talk to him, instead bantering with Roo about the alcohol. At the Diner, Irene chats to Alf and Martha about her dialysis and art class and Ryder leaving. Alf awkwardly says Ryder has his own life to lead. Irene and Martha chat privately about how he’s taking it.

Alf and Martha arrive back with the cake and are greeted by Roo, with Alf avoiding Ryder. Chloe and Marilyn are making cocktails and Theo ignores being offered one. Bella and Nikau reminisce about Ryder and Chloe gatecrashing their weekend away. Bella insists the cabin was haunted while Nikau gives Chloe the cold shoulder again. Theo says they should have filmed a video there and Ryder suggests he and Chloe go there. Theo says he’d rather go with someone else. Meanwhile, John wants to go to the newsagent’s but Justin assures him his gift will be enough and there’s no need for a card, since Ryder will be on the boat if they don’t get there soon. He says Ryder will be amazed John went over budget for him.

Marilyn finds Chloe out on the patio. Chloe says she did something awful to Theo a few weeks ago and now Nikau has a problem with her as well. She ponders going home and eating ice cream but Marilyn encourages her to go back inside and fix it. Martha approaches Alf and asks if he’s going to talk to Ryder. Instead, he goes over to see Roo. Chloe asks to talk to Theo and says she was awful to him and is sorry. Nikau tells him not to believe a word of it and tells her about reading her journal. Chloe tries to say it’s private. Nikau asks if she’s in love with Bella. Everyone looks awkward and Chloe hurries out.

Theo finds Chloe down by the beach. Chloe says she’s not in love with Bella. Theo jovially says no-one would mind if it was true and it would explain why she’s never been interested in him. Chloe says she meant it when she said sorry. Theo suggests they go on somewhere. Back at the house, Bella admonishes Nikau for what he said. Ryder says he’ll go and look for Chloe but Bella says she will, getting Nikau to accompany her. She gives Ryder a quick hug, saying she didn’t want to say goodbye like this. Nikau says goodbye as well and apologises. They pass John and Justin. John gives Ryder his gift: A set of engraved bar blades. John says he can get the last one engraved when he reaches his destination and it’s been an honour watching him grow up, before asking about the cake.

Bella and Nikau arrive back at the Parata house. Bella calls out for Chloe. Nikau still isn’t sure why she’s looking for her. Bella says Chloe is her friend and his family and people do crazy things when they’re upset. Nikau accuses her of taking Chloe’s side. Bella says she’d rather be saying goodbye to her best friend. Nikau says to go and do it properly and he’ll handle Chloe. Theo and Chloe are walking on the beach. Chloe says she doesn’t recognise that side of herself any more: She kept the journal to remind her not to go back there. Theo understands, saying he acted out because of everything with his dad. They hug and Chloe goes to kiss him but he pulls away. She rushes off.

John tells Ryder to make sure he’s got everything. Ryder gives John the keys to his car to give to Nikau. Marilyn says she’s not sure what they’ll do without him. Roo, Marilyn, John and Justin all head outside. Ryder apologises to Martha for leaving when she’s unwell and tells Alf thanks for everything he’s done and he’ll have the compass to lead him home. Alf admits he’ll miss him and hugs him. Later, Roo and Ryder are driving. Ryder thanks Roo for taking him in and tells her he loves her. They see Bella running up and Roo pulls over. Bella tells Ryder he’s been the best friend she’s ever had and always there for her and she owes him so much. They hug again and she tells him to have the best time. Ryder drives off with Roo, calling out goodbye to Summer Bay.

Theo tracks Chloe down in a park and says he didn’t mean to upset her. Chloe says she’s not upset, she’s dying of embarrassment, and should have known he wouldn’t go near her again. Theo says she knows he likes her but it needs to be real, not because they’re both hurting. He gives her a quick peck on the cheek and leaves her alone. At the Parata house, Bella rejoins Nikau, who is packing and checks they’re good to stay at her place. Chloe arrives back and Nikau explains where they’re going. They exchange apologies and Bella lets Chloe explain. Chloe says Bella was the only one that made her feel safe and it felt like Nikau was taking it away from her. Nikau says they were all having a horrible time and Ari taught them to have each other’s backs. He walks out, and after a moment’s pause, Bella follows.

Alf, Marilyn, Roo and Martha are sat around at home. Alf says he’s proud of Ryder, recalling what a ratbag he used to be. Marilyn suggests the home Alf gave him made him change but Alf says he must have been a quality kid to start with. He notes he’s looking forward to not being called Grumps though. He decides to go fishing (Roo calls him “Grumps” as he leaves). Martha asks for Roo and Marilyn’s help with something. Roo finds Alf by the coffee cart and he admits his heart wasn’t in the fishing. Roo tells him to come home with her.

Alf and Roo arrive back at the house, which is decorated with fairy lights. Martha puts some music on and tells Alf to dance with her. Marilyn and Roo watch them from the kitchen. Roo admits she’s worried about losing Martha even after everything she’s done.