Next week at Summer Bay Surf Lifesaving Club, both Mackenzie (Emily Weir) and Mali (Kyle Shilling) are faced with significant choices about their futures.
Mackenzie recently gained a new business partner when her late co-owner Felicity (Jacqui Purvis) left her share of Salt to her brother, Cash (Nicholas Cartwright). Although Cash is already busy with his police career, he surprised Mac by wanting to take an active role in the restaurant.
Initially, he aimed to honor his sister’s memory by reviewing the business finances and offering his help, but this led to some tension between him and Mac, resulting in barworker Eden (Stephanie Panozzo) quitting to avoid the pain of seeing her ex-fiancé daily. After a heart-to-heart with John (Shane Withington), Cash decided to step back and become a silent partner instead.
As Mac returns from the city next week, she reflects on her recent meeting with her solicitor, who suggested various options for her, including buying Cash out or selling the restaurant and splitting the proceeds. Meanwhile, Mali is grappling with his own dilemma.
After being encouraged by Kirby (Angelina Thomson), he entered one of his artworks into a competition, but was disappointed when he didn’t win. However, he received unexpected news from one of the judges, an art gallery owner, who expressed interest in representing him.
Initially hesitant, Mali eventually agreed to meet with the gallery owner, Robert (Gareth Davies), who informed him he would need about 15 paintings for a solo exhibition. This would require Mali to commit fully to his art and potentially leave his board shop behind, though the prospect of earning a six-figure income was enticing.
Robert gives Mali time to think, and during a conversation with Mac, they both express anxiety about their respective business situations. Mac is doubtful that Cash would want to sell his share of Salt, while Mali worries about producing enough artwork solely for profit.
At the surf club, John inquires about the status of Mac’s legal paperwork and her overall situation, prompting Mac to reveal that things are uncertain regarding Salt. This alarms John, who fears losing rental income for the club.
Alf (Ray Meagher) advises Mac to take whatever steps she needs while also cautioning John to give her space.
When Mali expresses his desire to discuss his shop with Alf, John grows concerned. In their office meeting, Mali shares details about the offer from Robert, and while Alf warns him that offers that seem too good to be true often are, Mali reassures him that he has done his research on the gallery owner.
Meanwhile, Mac visits Cash to discuss their options, but is frustrated to find him preoccupied. Cash has been searching for the girl who received Felicity’s heart and lungs, having left a message on an online forum in hopes of connecting with her.
As he waits for a response, he seems unfocused on Mac’s concerns. Ultimately, Cash tells Mac she can do whatever she wants with Salt, indicating he doesn’t care. Mac is taken aback by his indifference and leaves.
When Mali and Mac finally meet again at Salt, they both have potentially life-altering decisions to share—but what conclusions have they reached?
