Episode 7918

Extended Summary

Nikau runs into Xander, who has just finished a surf. Xander says he’s trying something new and Nikau teases him about not being able to stand up. Xander is surprised to see Stacey leading a gym class nearby; Nikau explains they’ve just hired her. At the surf club, Dean and Ziggy wonder if Mackenzie has calmed down yet. Their hopes pretty much die when Justin and Theo come downstairs in a gloomy mood. Theo explains about Mackenzie wanting them to pay her back and Justin insists he’ll help him. He asks Ziggy to go into the garage on her day off to do a service. Ziggy reluctantly agrees but refuses to let Theo high five her.

Dean goes upstairs but Mackenzie isn’t in the mood to talk, saying she’s trying to run a serious business and has ended up with a band that she can’t rely on. Dean asks if she’s thinking of cancelling the gigs and advises her not to make a decision she’ll regret. Mackenzie is upset at the damage to Salt’s reputation. Justin and Theo arrive home. Justin suggests trying to big up Lyrik’s next gig at Salt online but Theo points out that’s two weeks away. Justin considers offering Mackenzie extra free gigs, although Theo doesn’t like the idea of getting the rest of the band to perform for free. Justin realises they only have midweek dates available anyway, which won’t get a big crowd, so decides to get a change of scenery to think things over.

Stacey arrives back at the surf club, sending her class through to the gym. Xander is sat nearby and Stacey joins him. He says he was watching the class, respectfully, and didn’t know the job she was interviewing for was at the gym. Noticing he has two drinks, Stacey asks if he’s meeting someone. Xander gives one to her, saying it’s to congratulate her on the new job. He makes to go but Stacey says she’s free after the class and they arrange to meet up.

At the Diner, Marilyn is staring dreamily into the distance and tells Irene that Roo sent a picture from the community kitchen and that helping people is a great feeling. Irene suggests she help clear tables. Alf turns up, having also heard from Roo. Marilyn says she wants to help people who’ve lost hope and Roo’s agreed to help her.

At the surf club, Mackenzie finishes a phone call and tells Dean she feels like breaking one of his surf boards, since she has a wine invoice for stock she can’t shift. Dean wonders why she’s getting so worked up about one lost gig. Mackenzie says it’s how she makes money, and once she’s paid off her debt, she was hoping to save up for a place of her own. Dean says she’s got a place but Mackenzie says it was only temporary: He and Ziggy have a baby on the way, the baby and Jai should have their own rooms, and they don’t want a sad old aunt growing old in the spare room.

Marilyn chats to Alf about Roo staying in the city longer and doesn’t pay attention to Irene asking her to take coffees to Dean and Ziggy, forcing Irene to do it herself. Justin and Theo come in and Justin checks Ziggy handled the service okay before asking for advice with Mackenzie. He wonders if she’ll calm down on her own. Ziggy says she’s related to Dean. Dean says they didn’t deliver tunes like they promised, which gives Theo an idea. As he and Justin rush out, Ziggy asks Dean what’s going on with Mackenzie.

Walking by the beach, Xander asks Stacey why he never saw her at the hospital. Stacey says she only did a few shifts as an agency nurse while working on her PT qualification. She says being an instructor is more her and Xander says it’s helping people in a different way. He mentions their first date and Stacey says it showed her what kind of guy he is.

Dean and Ziggy turn up at Salt and ask Mackenzie if she’s free to talk. Mackenzie makes a sarcastic comment about the number of loyal customers in the nearly empty restaurant, which Ziggy takes time to get. Mackenzie is distracted by Justin and Theo appearing with their guitars and a load of sound equipment. They set up on the balcony and explain they’re going to play for free until they attract enough of a crowd to pay off her debt. Mackenzie agrees and starts to smile as they play and a crowd gathers. Xander and Stacey also arrive outside and start dancing, getting complimentary comments from Nikau.

Soon after, Salt is full of customers. Ziggy tearfully tells Mackenzie she can’t move out and Dean asks her to stay. Mackenzie says it’s been great living with them but she doesn’t want to live with a baby, however much she loves her niece/nephew. Ziggy agrees it’d be hard to bring someone home. Mackenzie gives Dean a cocktail and mocktails for herself and Ziggy.

As Justin and Theo sing one last song, Xander and Stacey make it up to Salt. Mackenzie comments that, since she didn’t get any notice, she hasn’t got extra staff, and worries that she’ll get complaints about slow service. Xander offers to help out, producing an RSA card, and Stacey agrees in return for Xander making her a margarita. He explains he worked in bars to support himself through uni.

Nikau heads to the Diner and tells Irene, Alf and Marilyn about the gig, asking their opinion on his suit for the wedding(he shows them images on his phone). Alf quips that no-one saw him being best man coming. Nikau gets a call from Tane and hurries out, despite having ordered food. Meanwhile, Xander and Stacey arrive back upstairs. Stacey calls it the perfect date and wonders what other talents he’s hiding. They kiss and Xander picks her up.