Episode 8210

Extended Summary

Kirby is walking near the beach and sees Theo and Valerie wandering through the bushes a few paces away in an inebriated state. Neither of them notice her as they ramble on, expressing sadness about Leah going back to the clinic before realising that, since Justin’s spending the night in the city, they have the house to themselves. They abandon their plan to lie on the beach and look at the stars, rushing off.

At the Diner flat, Mali comments on Rose’s night off being gone as she prepares to head out in uniform. She is grateful that her sargeant has given her the case but worried about not finding the mother, especially since it’s dark and they had to stop searching. She also mentions Tane’s still at the hospital with the baby. Mali decides to let Mackenzie know.

Mackenzie arrives at the hospital and is met by Dana, who tells him Tane hasn’t left the baby despite them telling him he can. Mackenzie is shown into the cubicle where Tane is watching over the baby. After a brief moment checking on the baby, Mackenzie comments on it being a miracle that she’s all right and Tane agrees that she is.

At the surf club, Rose is interviewing John. He says he passed the spot a dozen times on patrol and there was no baby then: The last time was an hour before Tane found her. Alf and Roo appear with the bag, blanket and toy. Rose notes fingerprints won’t help unless the mum’s in the database. Roo points out they’re assuming it was a mum rather than a dad and Rose notes that statistically it’s more likely. She says someone might have seen the bag and asks them to get the word out. She intends to call the hospitals about new mothers and Roo offers to ask around. Rose passes Kirby as she leaves; Kirby asks John what’s going on.

Theo and Valerie are kissing passionately in the front room and end up on the sofa. Valerie wishes they could do this all the time and Theo wonders if she wants to tell Leah and Justin. Valerie is worried that she’s already on the fence with Justin about staying there but he does seem cool with her now. Theo tells her to stop talking about Justin and they resume kissing.

Tane warns Dana not to wake the baby while taking her temperature. Mackenzie takes Tane out of the cubicle for a chat and suggests he come home. Tane refuses, insisting he’s all the baby’s got and makes his disapproval of the parent evident, saying once you have a baby it’s forever.

Next morning, Mackenzie meets Levi in a park in the city. Levi isn’t happy that she messaged him despite him telling her not to. Mackenzie asks if he and Imogen are trying for a baby, explaining she heard Eden talking about it. Levi admits it’s something they’ve talked about. Mackenzie says if there’s going to be a baby involved then everything’s off.

Down on the beach, Theo joins Valerie after a surf, saying he’ll have to teach her. Valerie says she enjoyed the view more and they kiss. Kirby appears and isn’t happy that Theo went for a surf after the state she saw him in last night, calling it dangerous. She asks if they went to bed and Valerie says not to sleep. Kirby asks Theo if he’s prepped for the interview that’s in two hours and he looks awkward. Kirby says he’s relieved.

Alf and Roo tell Rose they’ve had plenty of replies to their e-mails to the members but nothing useful. Roo worries about how the mother’s feeling. John gives Rose a print-out of an e-mail from a member who’s part of a mothers’ support group: One of the mothers has been a bit upset and didn’t turn up today. Mali appears and tells Rose that he’s cancelled his lessons to go and take food and clothes to Tane at the hospital. Rose has an awkward phone call from her sargeant.

Levi tells Mackenzie that he’ll be honest with Imogen and tell her that he’s not ready for kids. He then decides he’ll be honest about the whole thing, saying things are messy and Imogen isn’t who he wants to be with anymore. Mackenzie is shocked, saying that’s not what she wants and him breaking up with his wife is too much pressure. She says she can’t do this anymore.

Dana tells Mali that Tane stayed by the baby’s side all night and didn’t get much sleep. She notes he won’t have a choice soon since Harper is looking for a foster family for the baby. Mali takes Tane the clothes and food and suggests he has a break next time the baby’s asleep. Tane refuses to leave her and notes he’s always wanted a family and that’s why things didn’t work out between him and Felicity. Meanwhile, Kirby is at home when Theo and Valerie turn up. Theo insists that he’s going to do the interview. After he’s gone, Kirby tells Valerie to stop giving Theo whatever she’s giving him. Valerie asks “Or what?”

Mackenzie arrives at the hospital and answers a call from Levi, reminding him she’s ignored him four times. Levi tries to talk her out of walking away from them. Mackenzie says they could be over in a month. Levi tries to convince her he wants her. Mackenzie says that she can’t hear him because he’s whispering because his wife is in the next room, ending the call. Later, she and Mali are with Tane as Dana turns up with a bottle to feed the baby. Tane asks if he can do it, saying he has a big family so knows how. He begins feeding the baby, smiling happily. Mackenzie and Tane look worried.

Rose tells Alf, John and Roo that she’s spoken to the absent mother, who wasn’t there because her baby’s with the father this week. After she’s gone, Alf suggests the whole thing is bringing up memories for Roo. Roo confirms it is but says she gave Martha up for adoption and can’t think how desperate someone would have to be to abandon a baby.

Outside, Rose runs into Kirby who comments on how much effort she’s putting in. Rose is worried what will happen to the baby if they can’t find the mother. Kirby is worried about Theo’s interview but knows that’s not Rose’s priority right now. Rose is grateful to hear something normal because people keep asking her for answers she doesn’t have. From a distance, Valerie sees the pair talking and looks worried.

Tane continues to dote on the baby while Mackenzie and Mali look on with concern. They decide to go and get a coffee. Without looking away from the baby, Tane declines an offer to go with them. Mali tells Mackenzie that Tane told him he broke up with Felicity because she didn’t want children. He checks they should be worried about him and Mackenzie agrees.