Episode 8629

Extended Summary

Tane marches away from the surf club, with Mali trying to convince him not to confront Harper in a state. Tane says he doesn’t even know where Harper is, so he’s going to see someone who does. He storms past Mackenzie, Levi and Abigail. Mackenzie guesses it’s to do with Harper. At the Diner flat, Dana is on the phone to Sonny when Tane comes in, asking if she knows what Harper has done. Dana thinks Harper is just trying to get a formal version of the current arrangement and is shocked to see the letter. However, she’s reluctant to tell Tane where Harper is when asked.

At the surf club, Mali has filled the others in on Harper’s letter which Mackenzie agrees is outrageous. Abigail says she’d better get to work because her boss cracks the whip and Mackenzie goes with her. Levi notices the board and Mali confirms it’s the one he made for Mackenzie. Levi looks at it and is pleased. Meanwhile, Dana tells Tane she gave Harper her word that she wouldn’t tell him where she was and him harassing her doesn’t help. Tane protests that he hasn’t seen Archie in days. Dana says she’ll try and get Harper to meet him somewhere neutral but can’t make any promises.

Harper is looking after Archie in a motel room. Dana turns up and says Tane showed her the letter and she found it surprising and unfair. She tries to convince Harper to talk to him face to face. Harper feels they should leave it to their solicitors. Dana asks if she really wants Archie’s parents to never be in the same room together.

At Salt, Levi is trying to convince Mackenzie to go for a surf later. Abigail joins in but Tane comes in at that point and Mackenzie goes to see him. Levi confirms to Abigail that he saw the board and it’s perfect. Mackenzie tries to reassure Tane. She then gets a text saying Harper’s agreed to meet. Mackenzie advises him to stay calm.

Harper meets Tane on the beach. She has left Archie with Dana. Tane points out that he hasn’t seen him in a while. Harper says he screwed up. Tane says he took him for one night and she’s had him for days, thinking she’s punishing him. Harper says going for full custody is what her lawyer advised. Tane convinces her they both care about Archie and asks her to hear him out.

Abigail tries to provide an opening for Levi to talk to Mackenzie again but when Tane and Harper come in, he realises she wants to go and see them. Mackenzie asks Tane and Harper if they need anything. Harper realises she knows what’s going on and tells her it’s none of her business. She leaves the pair alone to talk.

Back at the motel, Dana is chatting away to Archie. She finds a cuddly sheep by the bed and gives it to Archie, not reading the card with it which says “Dear Archie, I can’t wait to meet you, Love Nana.” At Salt, Mali joins Levi who has accepted it’s not going to happen. Abigail says Mackenzie isn’t rostered on first thing. Nearby, Tane asks Harper if he can have Archie while she’s at work. Harper agrees they can compromise but says she doesn’t trust him. Tane says he won’t accept anything less than 50/50 and Harper says a magistrate won’t agree to that. Things get heated, with Tane saying he’ll never forgive her and Harper shouting that she doesn’t care, until Mackenzie steps in. Harper leaves and Mali and Mackenzie convince Tane not to go after her while he’s angry.

Harper arrives back at the motel and tells Dana it was a dumb idea and they just screamed at each other. When pushed, Dana admits she thinks what Harper is doing is one-sided and both she and Tane love Archie. On the balcony at Salt, Tane is telling Mackenzie how hard it is adjusting to not seeing Archie every day. He admits that he hasn’t got a lawyer yet. Mackenzie says he needs someone to negotiate for him and until then he needs to play nice with Harper. Tane notes he knows a legal service in Reefton Lakes.

Harper thanks Dana for staying with her and Dana notes Sonny’s away anyway. She asks Harper about staying at the motel and what the plan is. Harper admits she doesn’t have one. Dana points out that a motel is temporary and you need a fixed address during a custody battle. Harper asks her not to use the word battle. Dana says a screaming match doesn’t suggest peace and harmony and suggests they move in with her. Harper doesn’t think Sonny will be happy living with a screaming baby.

Next morning, Levi brings Mackenzie to the surf club where Mali and Abigail are waiting. Levi says he wanted to give her something special and unique, which Abigail calls cringe but sweet. He shows her the board, the design of which includes a silhouette of her and a flower and clouds design. Mali and Abigail make themselves scarce as Levi explains it’s how he sees her, strong and fierce. Mackenzie calls it the most generous thing anyone’s done for her.

Harper meets Tane by the beach with Archie. Tane checks it’s okay to pick him up. Harper apologises for keeping them apart but still thinks they need a formal arrangement. Tane asks if they can keep the previous 50/50 arrangement while the lawyers sort it out. Harper agrees and says he can keep Archie for the day and overnight.

Shortly after, Dana is at the flat, ringing Harper at the motel to say she’s got the vacuum cleaner out to clean the spare bedrooms and Sonny has agreed, although Harper suspects he just did what Dana told him to. Harper rings off and goes to answer a knock at the door, which turns out to be Kerrie.