Episode 8314

Extended Summary

Perri is helping Tane set up for a class on the beach. Tane is trying to press Perri for an idea of what he wants to do with his life. Perri suggests he could just do this. Tane says usually in order to get a job you need a resume and a covering letter. Perri says he doesn’t have a resume so Tane says to write him an e-mail listing five reasons why he should have the job.

At the Diner flat, Rose arrives home and is surprised to see Xander there without Dana. Dana turns up a few moments later and tells Xander they need to talk. Xander asks if she’s been drinking and she says she had three mimosas. Xander says he has to get to work. Dana says she’ll walk with him and that he needs someone since he’s just got out of hospital, trying to get support from Rose for this. Xander gives in.

Levi is finishing off breakfast when Mackenzie turns up, having got an earlier flight than planned. Levi asks her about Dean and she says that, even though he’s not pleased about how they got together, he’s happy if she is. Mackenzie notes the couch is set up for someone to sleep there. Levi starts to say it’s not him but Mackenzie drags him away, saying she wants to see how much he’s recovered.

At the surf club, Perri offers to put stuff away for Tane or they do it together and then play pool. Tane insists he still has to write the letter. Alf approaches and comments on Tane putting Perri to work. Tane tells Perri to grab the laptop and make a start. Alf agrees with Tane teaching Perri that things won’t just be handed to him.

Leah arrives at the beach house, telling Irene that she thought she’d walk her into work on her break. Irene agrees, saying she’ll just get ready. Leah notices the empty champagne bottle and Irene realises that’s why she’s there. She says she’s been sober for eight years and however many before that, and she and Dana just had a few mimosas for brunch. She says she’ll come into work under her own steam. Meanwhile, Xander and Dana are approaching the surf club. Dana says it’s like Xander’s invented a reason for them not to be together. Xander says she couldn’t forgive him and only did because of something random, meaning them being together is just dumb luck.

At the Diner, Leah is expressing her concerns about Irene to Marilyn. Irene turns up and accuses them of gossiping about her. She says she only had two glasses of champers and Leah often comes into work after a boozy lunch with Justin. Leah says she’s never turned up for work drunk and would like an assurance Irene won’t either. After a stand-off, Irene heads to the coffee cart.

At the farm house, Mackenzie has met Perri, saying she heard someone was staying but wasn’t expecting him to still be here. Tane turns up and welcomes Mackenzie back. He says he and Perri will find somewhere permanent but Mackenzie says she’s happy for them both to stay. She suggests they have dinner at Salt later before she and Levi leave. Tane asks Perri if he’s finished the letter. Perri says Mackenzie interrupted him and suggests they do an interview since he knows what he’s going to say. Tane insists he do something in writing and says he’s got half an hour.

Levi and Mackenzie turn up at Salt. They discuss his issues with Eden and how Mackenzie missed his dad’s visit before Levi sends her to check on Xander. She asks what’s she missed and he says Dana dumped him, then took him back because he was in hospital and now they’re fighting again. Mackenzie tells him to tell her everything, slowly.

At the farm house, Perri closes the laptop. Tane comes back in and Perri says he’s still trying to work out what to say. Tane points out he said he already knew. Perri first tries to go to the bathroom, then dismisses the whole thing. Tane asks if he struggles with reading and writing, and Perri admits he does.

At the Diner, Dana tells Rose that Xander doesn’t want their relationship to be saved by a freak accident which she thinks is a depressing way of looking at it. Rose points out Xander tried to do right by her but she only forgave him because of the accident. At the counter, Marilyn is trying to be understanding to Irene but is rather taken aback when Irene invites her for a drink after work. Thinking Irene’s out of earshot, Leah asks Marilyn to cover for her while she goes to talk to John. Irene thinks John’s told her about the AA meeting which Leah is shocked by. Irene tells her to shut it.

Xander and Dana meet by the beach. Xander says Mackenzie forced him to come and Dana says Rose did the same for her. Dana says Xander’s right that the accident brought them back together but he’s also wrong because the accident isn’t what’s keeping them together: That’s because they want to be. Xander accepts that and they kiss.

Perri tells Tane that he can read but it takes him a long time. He thinks no-one will employ someone like that but Tane says he will: The job’s his. Perri notes that his dad never noticed and every time he was asked to read at school he’d either go to the bathroom or act up until he was chucked out. Tane calls it clever.

Leah turns up at the beach house. Irene says she hasn’t been drinking. Leah apologises for before and Irene says she’s sorry for biting her head off. Leah points out they’ve been here before and queries Irene drinking right after going to an AA meeting. Irene says the meeting made her realise she’s not like the other people there: She’s turned her life around. She thinks that being able to have a drink to take the edge off like “normal” people will make her life easier.

Mackenzie hands out menus to Tane, Levi and Perri at Salt, saying it’s on the house. Tane decides to go for the burger and suggests Perri have the meat lover’s. Mackenzie banters with Perri about working for Tane. Levi seems distracted and eventually says he’s tired and will head home on his own. Next morning, Mackenzie comments to Levi that he was asleep when she got home. She notes he’s been distant. Levi wonders if they deserve to be happy.

At the coffee cart, Xander and Dana are kissing at one of the tables. Marilyn comments to Rose on love being in the air and Rose says to try putting up with it for three hours. She gets a call from her sergeant and says she’ll be twenty minutes. She is surprised when he mentions Mangrove River. Meanwhile, Levi tells Mackenzie he has to live with the way his marriage ended and how he’s treated Imogen. He says he thought his dad would show him how to move forward but he hasn’t, he’s just accepted he’ll never be forgiven; Eden still hates them both and old friends from when he was married don’t talk to his dad anymore. Mackenzie suggests he’s different and says she’s glad she wasn’t around for the family reunion. Levi says there’s no point talking about it if she’s not going to take it seriously and heads in the shower.