Episode 8136

Extended Summary

Down on the beach, Cash and Eden discuss the situation with Justin, with Cash wishing he could see the Vita Nova case file. They banter about him helping out Lyrik with Eden suggesting he get a job as her life coach. Cash ends up lifting her up and carrying her towards the water. Meanwhile, Mali arrives at the flat and admits to Rose that Zara tried to convince him to stay. Xander walks through on his way to work and notes he’s happy to have another guy about the place. Once he’s gone, Mali carries Rose to the bedroom.

At the coffee cart, Irene tells John about sorting things between Roo and Marilyn, although she suspects the main deciding factor is that Alf’s back the day after tomorrow. John is shocked, since he still hasn’t got Alf’s presentation organised, but Irene says she has a plan. She sees Harper and asks how she went with the lawyer. Harper nervously says she’ll fill her in later.

That evening, Harper is at Salt when Xander introduces himself. They discuss her and Irene being arrested with Harper saying it’s more complicated than she thought. Cash and Eden arrive and Eden convinces Cash to go and talk to Harper. They invite her to join them for a drink.

At the Diner, John is surprised that Irene has sorted out a quote for the plaque. She reminds him of his speech and he comments it’s hard to condense decades of service into three minutes. Irene suspects he hasn’t started. She stops by Rose and Mali’s table and they mention Mali has moved in upstairs. John and Irene comment on it, before Irene notes she’ll probably be in prison soon.

Harper tells Cash and Eden that her lawyer told her Irene has priors and the magistrate will probably come down hard on her. He’s advised her to distance herself from Irene, which is difficult given that they live together. Cash thinks Harper should warn Irene if the prosecution’s likely to use this. Harper points out it’s just her lawyer’s opinion. Xander brings the food over and Harper leaves them to it.

Next morning, Zara is making breakfast. She calls Mali’s voicemail and complains about him leaving her there on her own, also saying he’s out of bread. Mackenzie arrives in time to overhear the message. She and Zara both ask the other who they are. Meanwhile, Rose and Mali are relaxing on the beach. Rose points out Mali will have to deal with Zara eventually but he puts it out of his mind for now. He gets a call from Mackenzie but ignores it, thinking she’s just checking up on him.

At the coffee cart, John tells Irene they need to sort out the catering and is bemused that she’s decided they’ll ask Salt. They chat with Cash and Eden about the fact Justin’s still in intensive care and Leah won’t leave his side. Cash sees Harper approaching and asks Irene about her sentencing date. Irene says she hasn’t spoken to her lawyer. Harper admits she’s been avoiding Irene and tells her what her lawyer said. Irene thinks Harper should do what she’s been advised. Later, while Cash and Eden discuss him wanting to be there for everyone, John tries to convince Irene to go and see her lawyer, saying it should be her priority. However, Irene insists she’ll sort it out after they’ve got the event organised.

Rose and Mali arrive home and start kissing but are interrupted by a knock on the door: Mackenzie. She confirms she’s been home and met their new house guest. Rose is shocked that Mali never told Mackenzie about Zara, and Mali protests she was in Queensland. Rose goes for a shower, leaving them to it. Later, Mackenzie is left bemused by Mali’s explanation that he has to help Zara because of a tradition that’s not a tradition anymore. She tells him he can’t invite his ex to stay and then move out, saying Zara can’t stay there if he isn’t. When Rose reappears some time later, Mali is gone.

Mali pulls up outside the farm house and Zara complains about him forgetting the bread. Mali tells her about his chat with Mackenzie. As they chat inside, Mali tries to convince Zara to go back home, saying her parents will be angry whether he’s with her or not. He thinks she’s only there because she’s hoping he’ll change his mind. Zara asks to at least stay a couple of weeks while she sorts things out.

Harper drops by Salt to pick up a takeaway and briefly chats to Xander. Mackenzie arrives and Xander greets her, getting an update on her time away. He tells her he thinks they should update their events packages and Mackenzie agrees to listen to his ideas. Rose turns up and isn’t happy to hear Mali is with Zara.

Later, Irene and John turn up for a reunion with Mackenzie. They start to tell her about the event. Mackenzie passes them over to Xander, who she names her event manager (much to his surprise). Mali turns up and tells Mackenzie about Zara. Mackenzie suggests sending her to a motel and reiterates that Zara can’t stay there without him.

Back at the coffee cart, Irene and John discuss Xander’s chances of running the event well. John comments on how Irene’s taken over the organising rather than call her lawyer. Harper appears and tells Irene she’s going to ignore her lawyer’s advice: She’s not abandoning her. John insists Irene come and see her lawyer.

Rose is frustrated that Mali’s packing. He invites Rose to move back to the farm with him but she isn’t interested. Mali says he’s just trying to keep everyone happy. Rose asks whether either of them are actually happy.