Episode 8446

Extended Summary

Levi explains to Mali and Abigail that their flight’s in the morning and they’ll stay the night at the airport hotel. Abigail is heading back to work and borrows Levi’s car. Levi explains he’s hoping to get to know Mackenzie’s brother. He says they planned to surprise him and Mackenzie makes it clear that was Levi’s idea. While Levi’s getting Mackenzie’s car keys, Mali and Mackenzie both ponder how Dean’s likely to react to that.

Marilyn sees Roo and Eliza arriving back at the caravan park house and chimes in that Alf has just gone. Roo argues there’s no point Eliza ringing the department, because another family would just make her go to school, so it’s either that or she continues being homeschooled and does the youth programme. She adds that she likes having her there.

Mali is setting the table for dinner. Not long after, he’s looking around uncertainly and rings Abby, leaving a message saying he thought she’d be back an hour ago. By the time Abigail turns up, he’s clearing away. She is apologetic, saying she had dinner at the restaurant and went to get some snacks, and didn’t answer her phone because she was busy. She says he can go back to his van if he wants but Mali accepts her offer of ice cream, saying they’ll watch a movie.

Next morning, Levi and Mackenzie are flying over the sea by helicopter. Levi says he’s never been to this part of Queensland before and Mackenzie says she’s never seen it from this angle. She produces a cuddly koala. They land on the helipad and the pilot welcomes them to North Queensland. Mackenzie wants to check into a hotel but Levi is keen to meet Dean, despite her reservations.

Ziggy is working on a ute and singing along to the radio as Mackenzie and Levi turn up. Mackenzie hands Levi the koala and gives Ziggy a hug before doing introductions. Several shouts later, Dean appears and is pleased to see Mackenzie, but on seeing Levi he guesses he’s the boyfriend. Levi says it’s good to meet him, getting an “Is it?”

Roo and Eliza approach Tane on the beach and Eliza asks him if she can still do the programme. Tane says he thought walking out was her answer but agrees, although he stresses he has a zero tolerance policy for violence. He asks Eliza to take some stuff up to the gym, then tells Roo he’ll spend time with her before class, although he’s not sure if it will help.

Dean, Ziggy, Mackenzie and Levi head up onto a balcony and come across Karen, who is also visiting and looking after Izzy. Levi says he’s heard a lot about Mackenzie’s family but admits he doesn’t know who Karen is. Dean asks if he’s insulting his mum. Karen notices the koala and Levi explains they bought it at the airport for Izzy. Dean dismissively says she’s got enough toys. Karen realises Levi’s the married man Mackenzie’s having a fling with. Mackenzie saying he’s divorced now and Levi saying it’s not a fling doesn’t placate anyone. Ziggy hurriedly suggests Dean put on a barbecue.

Tane and Eliza chat as they set up for the class. Eliza says she’s not interested in self-defence and is there because Roo wants her to socialise with people her own age, although she also says she doesn’t make friends. She notices some boxing gloves, commenting that Tane’s meant to be against violence. Tane says you shouldn’t act out of anger and leaves her to try them on. Mali comes along and comments on Eliza being there. Tane says he can’t give up on her but Mali is worried about how stressed he was before.

Mali heads up to Salt and comments to Abigail on her leaving early. She says she had an early start and points out she left a note. He asks for a takeaway coffee and also asks for one for Tane. Chatting about Eliza, he says he thinks she needs professional help but can’t offer any information beyond her being in foster care and having mucked up badly. Abigail asks if he’s saying that if you mess up once, you’re a screw-up forever, and says she’ll bring him the coffees.

Ziggy and Mackenzie are getting food for the barbecue. Ziggy says if Mackenzie had let her know they were coming, she’d have prepared Dean, but Mackenzie isn’t sure it would make any difference. They head over to the barbecue. Levi tries to make small talk and Dean asks him why he started sleeping with Mackenzie when he was married. Levi says he’s not proud of it but he fell in love with her. Karen chimes in, asking how long he lied to his wife for. Mackenzie asked how long it took her to work out Rick was married and Karen says not until she was pregnant and heartbroken, noting she and Mackenzie have something in common. She goes to put Izzy down while Mackenzie walks off in disgust and Levi goes after her. Dean tells Ziggy he’s worried Levi will cheat on Mackenzie.

Tane is waiting outside the surf club for all of his class to be there. Roo arrives with a present for Eliza: A phone, which she has put her number and the house landline in. Eliza admits she’s never had one before and Roo shows her how to use it. Scott turns up and asks Tane why Eliza’s there. Tane says everyone deserves a second chance.

Inside, Abigail is taking a delivery. Mali asks to help, then asks what he’s doing wrong. Abigail wonders why he wanted to know where she was last night. Mali says he moved back in so she wouldn’t be on her own. Abigail says people don’t trust her on her own because she’s a recovering addict.

Tane has the class lined up, teaching them basic punches. Eliza approaches Scott and says she shouldn’t have hit him. Tane checks everything’s okay, before telling them to partner up. Eliza says Scott doesn’t have to pick her. Scott is fine as long as she doesn’t touch his face, which Eliza jokes couldn’t be worse. Tane checks they’re fine with it.

Mackenzie comments that she wouldn’t have come if she’d known Karen was there. Levi is working out the details of her father’s affair and notes it’s no wonder Dean doesn’t like him. Mackenzie suggests they just go but Levi says he doesn’t want to come between her and her family. As they come back over, Ziggy tells Dean to be nice and Levi suggests they try and get on for Mackenzie’s sake.

Scott and Eliza help Tane take things back to the surf club and he tells them they both did good today. Scott invites Eliza for a juice and notices her new phone. She says she’s never had one before. Scott takes it from her to put his number in. Eliza, upset, tells him to give it back. She smashes a glass bottle and threatens him with the broken part. Roo arrives and tries to get her to stop. Tane also appears and takes the glass off her. Roo asks Scott if he’s all right and Eliza calmly asks if she can have her phone back now.

Karen rejoins the others as Levi tries to make conversation again, asking how Dean and Ziggy got together. Dean, somewhat defensively, says it didn’t happen until after her marriage broke up and Levi should take notes. Levi gives up, saying they’ll go if Dean doesn’t want them there. Dean says Mack can stay and Mackenzie replies they come as a package now. When Dean doesn’t respond, Mackenzie and Levi leave. Ziggy makes it clear she’s not happy with Dean. Levi accepts this was a mistake and Mackenzie suggests they just enjoy the rest of the holiday, but neither look happy at how things have turned out.