Episode 7990

Extended Summary

Xander and Rose are propping up the bar in Salt. Xander tries to assure Rose that Mali must be doing something important. Rose asks Xander what he thinks of Mali and Xander notes this is the first time she’s cared what he’s thought of one of her boyfriends. At the farm house, Dean assures Mali that the board shop is still his but Mali says that’s not what he’s worried about. Ziggy listens from the hallway as Dean explains why he doesn’t want to leave Mackenzie. Mali says he and Dean both know what it’s like to grow up without a father. Dean says he grew up without a sister too, hence why he wants to be there for her. Mali offers to look after Mackenzie, saying he can put up with one more sister, but Dean says he promised Mack he’d be there for her.

Later, Mali turns up at the Diner flat. Xander says Rose is probably asleep but Rose proves him wrong by appearing and Xander retreats. Mali vaguely explains that Dean has some stuff going on. Rose reminds him they were meant to be celebrating, leading him inside and kissing him. Next morning, Irene gives Justin his regular coffee order and Justin explains Theo is staying with Kirby for the moment. He says he’ll be glad when Ziggy can come back to work. Irene asks if Ziggy and Dean aren’t going to Queensland now, before the penny drops that Justin doesn’t know about that.

Mali is cooking breakfast, to the surprise of Rose and Xander when they emerge. Mali admits he’s been awake for hours and shared a coffee with Bree before she left for work. Impressed with the cooking, Xander says Mali can stay, while Rose gives him details on what she likes for breakfast. Meanwhile, Ziggy goes to see Mackenzie at Salt. She gets a text from Justin wanting to talk but turns the phone off. Ziggy explains that she and Dean are meant to be moving to Queensland today but he changed his mind after her meltdown. She says Dean can’t be separated from Jai and asks Mackenzie to talk to him.

Dean is putting Izzy down and looking at Jai’s departure calendar when Mackenzie turns up and asks if Amber and Jai know he’s not coming. Dean gets her to quieten it by reminding her Izzy’s there. Mackenzie says she’s spoken to Gabe and can cope and she knows Dean’s only a phone call away if she needs him. Dean thanks her.

Ziggy turns up at the Diner to meet Justin. Irene apologises for letting it slip. Ziggy is apologetic, saying she should have told him herself and she knows she’s leaving him in the lurch with the garage and Theo’s apprenticeship. Justin understands, saying he was speaking to Dean about not being there for Ava: He couldn’t help it but Dean can. Ziggy gets a call from Dean confirming the move’s on.

Mackenzie helps Dean with his packing. He tells her about Ben and Maggie being happy for her to stay on and rent, suggesting she gets a housemate.Dean takes one of Jai’s drawings down from the fridge and Mackenzie asks him to leave it, which he agrees to. Mackenzie takes Izzy to Salt, to Gabe’s bemusement. Gabe has just got off the phone with his business manager: He was hoping she would cover for him but she has to take family leave and he hasn’t told his staff about his illness yet. Mackenzie tells him about Dean and Ziggy leaving and says this means Gabe can move in with her.

Dean and Ziggy meet up on the beach. We see a montage of flashbacks to their time there, including Alf greeting the Astonis on their arrival in town, Dean arriving with the River Boys to meet Ash, Dean giving Ziggy the car, them getting together on the rally, him turning up at the garage to confess to her about covering for Colby, Ziggy forgiving him in hospital, their kiss at the exhibition, Dean spending time with Mackenzie, Amber and Jai, the surf competition win and Izzy’s birth. Ziggy says she’s going to miss the Bay but is excited about what happens next. Dean agrees.

Back at Salt, Gabe is trying to avoid the question of moving in with Mackenzie, saying that things are going to get hard when he has chemo and he doesn’t want Mackenzie to be his carer. Mackenzie says this is meant to be their second chance and assures him she loves him. At the Diner, Xander joins Mali and Rose and boasts about his success surfing. Irene stops by their table to comment on Mali and Rose being together. Mali notes she reminds him of his aunties who see everything. He gets a text and tells Justin and Irene they have to go.

Shortly after, Dean and Ziggy are loading everything (including Izzy) into the car near the surf club. Irene and Justin are there to say farewell, and Justin notes Leah and Theo sent their love. Mackenzie also does a round of goodbyes with everyone. Dean tells Gabe to be good to her. Mali comes running up and gives them the framed surf competition article. Dean says the board shop’s in good hands. The three of them drive out of town.

Shortly after, Mali is rearranging the board shop. Rose visits with a drink and suspects he’ll miss Dean. She says he’s officially sticking around now. Meanwhile, Mackenzie and Gabe arrive back at the farm house. Mackenzie comments on how quiet it is and notices one of Izzy’s socks that’s been left behind. She finds a note from Dean saying the beers in the fridge are hers and admits she doesn’t know what she’ll do without him. Gabe assures her he has her back.