Previously
- Nate and Aaron tentatively agree to go out on a date
- On the phone, Brad tells absentee daughter Piper that it's horrible being away from his kids
- Paul shocks Naomi with a list of demands of how she must behave when they're married
- She's so affronted by his behaviour that she ends up sleeping with Josh
- Imogen sees Naomi leaving the Willis house the morning after
- Daniel finds Naomi's engagement ring in the Willis' bathroom, and realises she slept with Josh
- Daniel gets to Paul before Naomi, and he asks her if she really spent the night with Josh
Suite 1 Eclipse Apartments
Paul is acting ominously reasonably following Naomi's admission that she slept with Josh, and offers her a drink, despite her pleas for him to 'explode' and be furious with her.
NAOMI: I know you must be hurt and angry.
PAUL: Oh, no, no - I'd say embarrassed and disappointed would be more accurate.
She tearfully tells him how sorry she is, but Paul says that, while he's angry, he understands the part he had to play in what she did.
PAUL: Ironically, I love the very thing about you that made you do what you did. That independent spirit of yours. I mean, you refuse to be owned. I can't help but respect that.
Paul admits that that's why he hesitated in proposing to her in the first place, and suggests they call off the engagement. Naomi is still crying.
Lassiter's
Daniel comes out of the lift into the foyer, where he meets Imogen. He admits he told Paul about Josh and Naomi's one-night stand. Imogen's sorry for not telling Daniel the truth, but says she was trying to protect Josh. Daniel's annoyed, and says he wishes she's told him - before walking off.
Suite 1 Eclipse Apartments
Naomi and Paul are still talking.
NAOMI: So I guess you'll want some space, so we can think about what happens next? If there is a next?
PAUL: Don't be silly, darling; of course there's a next.
Paul takes her hands and declares her night with Josh her 'one free pass'.
NAOMI: So we're not engaged, but we're not breaking up either?
PAUL: Hmm. Yeah, we can tell your family that they're coming over for a non-engagement drinks party. How does that sound?
Paul suggests they simply tell everyone that they're not ready for marriage. Naomi thanks him for being so understanding, and he offers a slightly reptilian smile.
No 22
Josh and Aaron are practising a dance routine, but Josh is struggling to concentrate, admitting that he's worried about Paul finding out he slept with Naomi. He's so scared, that when there's a knock at the door, he asks Aaron to go and answer it, while he hides in the kitchen! But it's only Nate, come to see Aaron.
NATE: I was just wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner tonight.
AARON: At your place?
NATE: Yeah. I was gonna make something simple. Like a roast or something.
AARON: I'm in.
NATE: Yeah, cool. Well, come over... whenever. I'll be there.
AARON: Okay.
NATE: Cool.
AARON: Great.
Their awkward courtship completed, Nate leaves again. Aaron admits to Josh that he'd been waiting for Nate to make the first move ever since they agreed to date - now he just has to 'not blow it'. Aaron says he'd usually take a date for cocktails and a posh meal, but Josh insists that Nate's more a 'footie and beers' kind of guy - and says Aaron should dial things back a bit.
Lassiter's Complex
Brad is heading towards Harold's Store when Terese, who's sitting outside the hotel, stands up and accosts him.
TERESE: What discount does Lauren give you on coffee these days? Or is it free?
BRAD: She's not even here. She's in Queensland as far as I know.
TERESE (mimicking Brad): Oh, as far as you know. (!)
BRAD: You know, Lauren and I - we're not together.
TERESE: Really? I find that hard to believe.
Brad says they decided to keep away from each other for the kids' sake.
TERESE: Right, for the kids. Not me. I'm irrelevant in all this.
Brad says he wouldn't turn his back on Terese or the kids, but she says it's just a matter of time before he moves on with Lauren.
TERESE: You know, in a way, I'd be highly offended if you didn't. All the hurt you've caused - must mean something.
BRAD: I've gotta go.
TERESE: Yeah, yeah. Go on. Walk away!
Brad does. Once he's gone, Terese notices a sign outside Harold's, notifying customers that it will be closed for the renovations. She takes the sign off the wall and looks at it.
Harold's Store
Lauren is in fact back from Queensland, telling Amber all about her trip - and how 'tall and handsome' Bailey is these days. She says he's settled in well in Queensland, but Amber asks if he was okay with the news about Brad and Lauren. She replies that he was 'surprisingly mature' about it - and adds that she appreciates how Amber is being so understanding, too.
AMBER: Life's complicated. I'm in no position to judge.
They discuss the renovations which are just about to begin, and Lauren goes to clear out the kitchen in preparation. At this point Terese comes in, and tells them that the renovations 'can't go ahead'.
TERESE: You don't have formal approval to make changes to this store.
LAUREN: Yes, I do - you gave it to me.
TERESE: In writing?
LAUREN: It was a verbal agreement. But you were fine with my ideas.
Terese says it was just a 'preliminary discussion', and that she needs written approval. Lauren says it's too late to change their plans - she's given her staff the time off, and booked Kyle to perform the renovations.
TERESE: Right. Well I strongly advise that you don't go ahead. Because if you do, you're just gonna have to put the store back to its original state when the lease runs out.
LAUREN: Terese...
TERESE: It's either that, or you risk being evicted for breach of contract.
Kyle shows up with his tools.
KYLE: Look out, reno king's here! Where would you like me to start?
Terese barges past Kyle to leave, and Lauren and Amber look anxious.
Lassiter's Park
Josh is working out in the gym area when Paul turns up. Josh immediately starts apologising, saying he had no idea Naomi and Paul were engaged. Paul says he's far from happy about it, but again seems ominously calm.
PAUL: I do understand why you let it happen. I mean, you've got a history with Naomi, haven't you? And we both know how formidable her powers of seduction are.
JOSH: So does this mean we can just forget it ever happened?
PAUL: Can you?
JOSH: Definitely.
Terese appears from the complex and sees them talking from a distance. Josh offers his hand to Paul to shake, and Paul hesitates, before shaking. Terese looks worried, while Josh looks relieved as Paul walks off.
The Waterhole
Paul is asking an underling to take some champagne up to the penthouse, when Terese comes in. She says she just saw him talking to Josh, and wants to know what it was about - accusing him of doing 'some sort of deal' and interfering with her family again. Paul reveals that Josh slept with Naomi last night.
PAUL: And so he was apologising for being such a cad. Does that sound familiar at all, hmm? Seems the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it? And you know what? I know you find it hard to believe, but I actually am sorry for what happened to your family. And if I interfered, it's only because I cared. You see, I've only had your best interests at heart through this.
TERESE: Okay - well in that case, if Lauren Turner comes to you with a request, just have my back. No questions.
Paul agrees, and Terese apologises for Josh's behaviour. Paul leaves, and Terese goes into the office.
Meanwhile, Nate is buying beers for his evening with Aaron. But Sheila tells Nate that he's not making enough effort for their first date.
SHEILA: He's not interested in a piece of old roast lamb and smashed potato! Molecular cocktails is where it's at!
She hands him a brochure, telling him the cocktails will give his evening 'pizzazz'. Nate takes a cocktail kit, leaving the beers behind.
No 32
Brad is in Lauren's shed, sitting on the pile of wood he's been storing there. Lauren shows up, and Brad offers to get rid of the wood - but she says that even though they're not seeing each other, he can come over when she's at work, and still keep visiting Paige. Brad agrees.
BRAD: I've thought about you a lot.
LAUREN: Me too.
Brad asks how Lou was in Queensland. Lauren admits he was 'pretty quiet' on the subject of Brad and her - and that 'who knows what he's really thinking'. Brad relates details of his run-in with Terese earlier, warning Lauren that she may be on the warpath. He then says how good for business the renovations at Harold's will be - and Lauren opts not to tell him about Terese's interference. She leaves Brad to his wood.
The Waterhole
Naomi is talking to Sheila.
SHEILA: What do you mean, there's good news and bad news?
NAOMI: Well, the drinks are still on. But the engagement is off.
Naomi tells Sheila that she and Paul are stronger than ever - they're just not going to get married. Sheila asks if they'll reconsider down the track, but Naomi tells her to stop 'being so last century'.
Terese comes out of the office, and Naomi makes a hasty exit - awkwardly heading past Josh, who's just arriving. Terese pulls Josh into a corner and demands to know what he was thinking, sleeping with Naomi.
TERESE: Didn't you learn anything from what happened with Amber?!
No 28
Aaron turns up for his night in with Nate, with beers! Nate is wearing a smart shirt, which Aaron compliments - and Nate offers him a molecular cocktail! Aaron's excited about the cocktails, and also the tapas which Nate's prepared, having decided on something more adventurous than a roast. Nate pours the cocktails, which don't 'bubble up' as expected - but they clink glasses anyway.
Harold's Store
Brad is being served by Amber, but she seems unwilling to make small-talk with him while she makes his coffee. He asks about whether he should move the wood in the shed, and Amber frostily says it doesn't bother her. Brad asks after the renovations at Harold's.
AMBER: Didn't Mum tell you? Terese has pulled the plug.
BRAD: What?
AMBER: Yeah. She's claiming that she never gave us permission, which is just a lie. But basically she said that if Mum goes ahead with it, she's going to ruin her.
Brad looks displeased.
Suite 1 Eclipse Apartments
Paul, Naomi, Sheila and Daniel are having champagne at the non-engagement drinks party - Daniel makes an excuse for why Imogen isn't there, saying she's busy with work. Naomi proposes a toast.
NAOMI: I just want to say how grateful I am to have found someone like Paul. I never thought that I would find somebody who is capable of a complex, grown-up relationship. You are kind, thoughtful, loving and forgiving. I really am very lucky.
PAUL: Well that makes two of us.
They kiss, and everyone raises their glasses. Imogen then turns up, apologising for being late - and goes along with Daniel's story that she was working. He puts his arm round her, and it's clear he's forgiven her for not having told him about Naomi and Josh.
No 28
Nate and Aaron are talking about footie, while Aaron tackles the 'crab course' - but they don't have anything to get the crabmeat out. Nate is still struggling with cocktail-making, and ends up setting off the blender without a lid on, soaking himself in the process.
Lassiter's Complex
We cut to Aaron and Nate later in the evening, who are heading to The Waterhole for after-drinks. They laugh about their disastrous dinner date.
AARON: Hey, who do you think'll play us in the movie? Dwayne Johnson and Channing Tatum?
NATE: What movie?
AARON: The one where you rescued me!
NATE: Oh, seriously - it wasn't a big deal.
AARON: Not a big deal? Mr Karate Hero!
They play-fight for a little while, which eventually leads to a lingering pash.
No 22
Brad is confronting Terese about her treatment of Lauren over the renovations, but Terese isn't prepared to listen to his moral lectures given that he cheated on her.
BRAD: All I'm asking is that you leave Lauren out of this.
TERESE: Oh, Lauren - your girlfriend? (!)
BRAD: I told you before - she's not my girlfriend.
Imogen comes in, having overheard - and Brad reconfirms to her that he and Lauren aren't seeing each other.
TERESE: Not yet.
Terese asks Imogen to fetch the clothes off the line, but she refuses - saying they all need to sit down and talk about their situation.
Lassiter's
Josh catches up with Naomi in reception; understandably, she's nervous about being seen talking to him. Josh says that Paul spoke to him, and seemed surprisingly okay with their night together. Naomi says that it was the crisis she and Paul needed to stop them rushing into a marriage that 'was never going to work'.
NAOMI: So don't worry - we're back on track and stronger than ever. So just forget it happened, alright? Paul's fine.
Suite 1 Eclipse Apartments
Paul is alone in the penthouse, staring at a framed photo of him and Naomi. He picks up his phone and calls Tim Collins.
PAUL: Tim, it's Paul... No, no, no - it's not about the contract, it's something else... Listen, I know this young bloke who's on a suspended sentence for assault... What would he have to do to have that sentence reinstated?... Willis. Joshua Willis...
No 22
Imogen demands to know why Brad isn't coming home if he's not an item with Lauren - while Terese continues to take pops at Brad, telling him to explain himself to his daughter. Josh enters during this heated conversation.
TERESE: He doesn't know what to say! He can't explain his disgusting behaviour!
BRAD: Terese, stop! I mean, what sort of example are you setting?
TERESE: Me?! What, you're chastising me about setting examples?! I mean, do you realise Josh had Naomi up in his bedroom last night? Where did he learn that behaviour from?
BRAD: Okay, that is not fair.
TERESE: No - first it was Amber, then it was Naomi. Like father, like son!
BRAD: Terese!
TERESE: Can't you see that you've created this dysfunctional family? I hope you're proud!
A teenage girl shows up from around the back of the house.
GIRL: Honey, I'm home!
TERESE: Piper!
PIPER: Welcome back, me (!)
Terese rushes to give her long-absent daughter Piper a hug.
Unmissable Drama
- Terese apologises to Piper for the lacklustre welcome home
- Piper asks Brad if he and Lauren are together now
- We see a woman getting off a motorbike and walking towards the garage
- The words 'SHE'S BACK' flash across the screen
- Quick shots of Karl, Sonya, Toadie and Paul looking shocked. Paul says 'what the heck?!'
