Home and Away spoilers follow from Thursday’s Australian episode (March 16), which some UK viewers may prefer to avoid.

Home and Away’s Mackenzie Booth has faced another setback on Australian screens, with her boyfriend Gabe Miller making an abrupt departure from Summer Bay.

Mac turned to Mali Hudson as a confidant in Thursday’s episode on Channel 7 (March 16), revealing that Gabe had left town without saying goodbye.

A recent storyline on air in Australia has seen Gabe discover that his cancer has returned. He had previously been treated for non-Hodgkin lymphoma before moving to the Bay.

Mac has been supporting Gabe as he starts chemotherapy and struggles with the side-effects.

However, this week’s episodes saw the story take a turn when Gabe witnessed Mac crying when she thought she was alone. Feeling like a burden to her, Gabe sent Mac out on an errand and took the opportunity to quickly leave.

In Thursday’s episode, Mac told Mali that Gabe had left a note behind to explain his decision.

It read: “Dear Mac, I’m sorry. I wish I could give you a future but we both know I can’t. And I can’t stand what it’s doing to you.”

Gabe’s decision meant that history was repeating itself for Mac, as it was the second time that he’d unexpectedly walked out on her.

First time around, Gabe had accepted a bribe from Mac’s meddling father Rick to end his relationship with her.

Mac told Mali: “I can’t believe that I am back here again. I guess I should have known better.

“I tried calling him but he’s not answering his phone. Gabe doesn’t think that he has time – and whatever time he does have, he doesn’t want to spend it with me.”

Mac later announced to Mali that she planned to take her own break from the Bay and wasn’t sure when she’d be back.

As there’s clearly still unfinished business here, is it really the end of Mac’s story with Gabe?