Previously on Neighbours
- Daniel miffed Paul won't bail him out.
- Daniel reacting badly to Aaron calling him a loser.
- Terese telling Lauren she remembers everything that happened in the burning school but doesn't want the kids to know the truth.
- Mark telling Steph about the warning some woman told Toadie.
- Mark wanting Steph to accompany him to the station for a formal interview.
Police station
Mark is interviewing Steph and beings by saying that a Fitzgerald Motors jerrycan was found at the fire and he saw her with a new one at the garage today. Steph explains that it was a replacement due to the old one going missing. He doesn't believe that and wants to know where she was the night of the fire and she replies "out walking alone."
MARK: Steph, I'm trying to help you out here but with an alibi that weak and your track record, you can't afford to hold back.
In reply Steph asks if he is going to charge her and if he's not then she's done however he's found a technicality to hold her on (she was supposed to check into the station every time she's got a pass out).
Lassiters car park
As they walk towards the car park, Lauren admits to Brad that she would have understood to him rescuing Terese first and he explains that he wanted to rescue them both and that he keeps reliving what happened to see if he could have done things differently. "You were put in a terrible position," she points out but he adds that as far as Terese is concerned, he made a conscious choice.
They run into Imogen and explain that they are off to see the baby, they can't stay away.
IMOGEN: From the baby or each other!
She then apologises for the remark, she is trying to get used to things but admits that recent events has made her realise "that life is too short to stay mad especially when we've got new life to think about."
They then bond over their pink baby gifts and Lauren suggests to her that she comes with them, and no she won't infringe on grandparent time. Brad adds that Daniel can come too but she doesn't think that he's up to that just now but doesn't go into details.
The Waterhole
Daniel decides to apologise in person to Aaron rather than sending him a text message. Nate comments that his recent behaviour isn't like him at all and Daniel explains that he's getting fed up of everyone thinking that he's a loser. Aaron admits that he was bullied too and that's why he's bulked up and Nate chips in by saying pushing others around can be a way of admitting that someone is feeling powerless, something he witnessed that a lot in the army. "Paul's pep talk didn't exactly boost my confidence," Daniel admits but turns down Nate's invitation to hang with him and Aaron in favour of getting a job.
When Daniel heads off, Nate wonders if there is a bullying gene, so that "whatever Paul's got passed down a generation!" Aaron tries to say that Paul isn't that bad, it's simply down to him being a businessman.
NATE: Its more than that, he thinks he's better than everyone, you should read some of his emails!
Aaron is immediately curious as to what Nate meant by that last part.
Police station
Paul is demanding to know from Mark why Steph hasn't been charged so he explains that at this stage, she's helping with enquiries and equally Toadie demands to know what his proof is that she did it.
PAUL: Hang on, the woman's unstable, she's got a rap sheet a mile long! Who else could have possibly done it?
TOADIE: Maybe someone who's pushing for the sale of the school?! That makes more sense than Steph trying to incinerate her mates!
PAUL: You know crazy people don't need a motive.
TOADIE: Steph took Paddy because she thought that he was her son alright there was logic to it, maybe irrational but Steph trying to burn down the whole school that doesn't make absolutely no sense at all.
Paul brings up that he's heard about the jerrycan and despite Mark saying that they're considering a wide range of evidence just now, he's interpreted that as confirmation and asks if it came from the local garage. "You're clutching at straws," Toadie tells him. Mark informs them both that Steph's alibi is weak (alone and nobody can vouch for her) and Paul thinks she'll lie to cover her own backside!
Hospital
Imogen comments to Brad/Lauren about how tiny bubs is and that they can operate on someone that little and Lauren explains that they don't know when the operation will happen, it depends on her condition.
Despite what Karl said, Terese appears, so Lauren decides on a tactful retreat to check out her daughter. Brad asks how she is feeling (sore but fine) and Imogen, thinking that her mum doesn't know, proudly tells her about Brad rescuing her despite Karl telling him not to go back into the burning school.
IMOGEN: I know that this must seem so weird with everything that's happened but dad pulled through when he needed to and so I hope that's a comfort to you because it's definitely some comfort for me.
As she was saying that, her parents were exchanging glances at each other and Terese tactfully replies by saying that she simply glad to be alive and that "yes, your dad did behave heroically that night." Again, the look between Brad/Terese's eyes say they know that there should be another part to that.
The Waterhole
"I told you, Paul's not a good guy," Nate says after bringing Aaron up to speed on Josh being set by Paul (as revenge for sleeping with Naomi) and adds in that it was him who set up the sale for the school too. Aaron is curious how Nate got access to these emails and wants access to them himself! "No way!" is Nate's initial reply but eventually relents and hands his PC over. Aaron opens one of the emails and is so shocked by what's in it, that he calls Nate over to read for himself.
I'll be glad when that building full of dropkicks is closed and Eden Hills takes over although I suppose our supply of fast food service might start to dry up.
NATE: Classic Paul!
Aaron wants them to show someone the emails but Nate points out he can't do that or they could get into serious trouble. "I get it," he mutters but doesn't want to hand the PC back to Nate just yet... he's job hunting and promises not to look at any more emails.
The garage
"What did you tell them," Belinda greets Steph with after rocking up at the garage and after seeing a puzzled look on her face explains a bit more - a policeman called the hospital asking questions. "I need to know what you told them," she demands and Steph replies "nothing, I swear."
BELINDA: Because you know how much trouble I could get into.
Steph reassures the extremely worked up Belinda that she didn't say anything and Belinda wants to know if it's related to the fire (she heard it on the news).
STEPH: Relax, apart from being number one suspect I'm fine!
BELINDA: What?!
STEPH: Refusing to tell them anything about you didn't help my case either.
BELINDA: Why should that matter?
STEPH: Because they think I'm hiding something.
BELINDA: So you put yourself on the firing line rather than tell them the truth about me?
Steph nods silently and Belinda wants to know why she would do that.
STEPH: Obviously I love you.
After that statement, Belinda leans forward and kisses Steph!!! And the viewers aren't the only ones shocked, Toadie is too after witnessing it.
As Belinda breaks the kiss off (and realising they've been spotted), Steph agrees with her that she shouldn't have come.
Number 30
"Belinda's my ex," Steph tells Toadie and from the looks on his face he's having trouble getting his head round that as the viewers are!
STEPH: It's a long story, a very long complicated messy story.
TOADIE: Go on!
STEPH: When I went to Bendigo, I think I was at my lowest point ever. I was really lost and confused and I just felt like the whole world was against me and then I met Belinda and she really helped me to get together. It just started out as a friendship but then one thing led to another.
TOADIE: Wow!!!
Steph admits that she's just as surprised as he is.
STEPH: But really, all I did was fall in love with another person, it's just that that person happens to be a woman.
Toad looks like he's really struggling to understand it all and asks what her relationship status is.
STEPH: Well at first I thought this was it, mmm we were going to move to Bega, that's where she's from, and start a little B and B, you know just live the nice quiet life and then I had this dream that Charlie would come and live with us, I think he'd just, he'd love it there. But first I had to come back to Erinsborough and make amends.
TOADIE: Yes, Belinda doesn't seem too keen on that idea.
Steph explains that Belinda thinks the bad memories will trigger more episodes, something Steph disagrees with and tells him that she ended things because they were just going round in circles. "It didn't look over before," Toadie says but Steph explains that was just a moment and that they still love each other, "but I don't know if we can make it work," she adds.
STEPH: Although that's all irrelevant if I end up going to jail.
Toad questions her about Mark's suggestion that her alibi is weak and Steph replies that she wishes Lyn had picked up the phone. Lightbulb moment there, Steph confirms that she had her phone with her (but didn't get to talk to Lyn). "Doesn't matter, I've got an idea," he tells her.
Hospital
"I just wanted to see you were okay," Brad says after letting himself into Terese's room and sitting on her bed. She's giving him the silent treatment, so he continues by thanking her (on his/Lauren's behalf) over how she handled it as he knows it couldn't have been easy.
TERESE: Tell me why her and not me?
BRAD: ...
TERESE: You left me under a locker knowing I could have died.
BRAD: I left you because I could not get you out without help.
TERESE: You left me because you had the woman that you love already strung over your arm. You had everything you wanted, why would you risk it all for me your nagging awful estranged wife.
BRAD: That's not true Terese.
TERESE: Which part? What your awful wife or that you love Lauren?
BRAD: (shaking his head) It wasn't like that.
TERESE: But you do, don't you?
Brad then says they don't need to have this conversation now because she's hurt and upset but she is okay because she already knows the answer. He then takes hold of her arm and begins slowly rubbing it and out in the corridor, the newly arrived Imogen, is jumping to the wrong conclusion over what she's seeing because if she'd held on a few more seconds, she'd have seen Terese quickly pull her hand away telling him not to do that.
Number 30
Mark seems to be having trouble believing that Steph called her mum from the lake at about the same time the fire started. "So you see, she couldn't have been in two places at the same time," Toadie interjects with into the conversation. "Can you prove it?" Mark asks and again Toadie interjects to say they can check her phone and work out her location so that it "will prove that she was where she said she was." Mark suggests that anyone could have used her phone especially since Lyn didn't take the call but Steph blows his theory out of the water when she said that she left a voicemail. Toadie suggests that if he checks it all out, it will prove Steph wasn't near the school when the fire was lit.
Mark still isn't satisfied, he wants to know who the woman was and interview her and again Toadie interject to say that won't be necessary, Steph wasn't with her on that evening and she's got no connection to the school community so is irrelevant to the investigation.
Police station
Paul isn't happy that Steph is no longer a person of interest and Mark wants to know why he is so intent on pinning it on her.
PAUL: I'm not.
MARK: You've got to admit, you've had your fair share of shady deals over the past and you're still allowed to roam free, so maybe you might want to give her the benefit of the doubt.
Mark concedes Paul's point that the jerrycan turning up like that is suspicions but warns Paul off from offering him tips on how to do his job!
Number 30
Steph is relieved that she isn't being paranoid when Toadie wonders if someone is trying to set her up when she still wonders how the jerrycan turned up at the school. "It would make sense, especially if that person was the arsonist," he reassures her with but wonders "who'd do something like that?"
(Later)
Imogen drops round an urgent document for Toadie to sign after popping into the office to check on things. "You're encourable!" he comments and orders her back to the hospital to be with her mum but she's happy to be away because Brad's taking care of her.
TOADIE: Your dad must feel terrible leaving your mum in the fire.
IMOGEN: What do you mean? Dad rescued mum.
TOADIE: No, he rescued Lauren, the fireies had to pull your mum out.
He then notices the look on Imogen's face so quickly adds in that was what he'd heard and admits that he shouldn't have said anything. "No, that's fine," a very downbeat Imogen says before leaving the house.
Hospital
Imogen enters her mum's room and wonders what she was talking to Brad about after having seen them talking earlier. "My operation," Terese replies, so Imogen wonders how she was the one to end up in hospital but Lauren was relatively unscathed. "Just lucky I guess," Terese explains, so Imogen puts to her mum what Toadie said - that Lauren was the one Brad rescued. It looks like Terese is about to lie, so Imogen asks for the truth.
IMOGEN: When dad found you and Lauren under those lockers, who did he carry out first?
Terese's silence answers Imogen's question for her so she wants to know why neither of them didn't say anything when she was going on about what a hero he was. "Because he knew that I didn't want anyone to find out," Terese explains to her because it is so humiliating and also that she didn't want to ruin the relationship she has with her father.
TERESE: This situation's bad enough without me adding to the pain. Imogen, you can't tell the others.
IMOGEN: Mum, he chose her and left you there to die.
TERESE: Imogen please! This needs to be our secret.
Silently Imogen acknowledges her mum.
The Waterhole
An irate Paul comes in and demands that the silent barman shows the others whatever is written on the sheet he's just presented him with. As he goes to leave, Aaron has a go at him for what he did to Daniel and that he's now feeling like a failure. Paul's comeback is that he was giving him a valuable life lesson. "Yes that's what my dad used to say every time he got stuck into me and Tyler," Aaron replies back but Paul isn't moved one bit by that.
AARON: You know, I actually through you were a good guy, you know one that cares about his family and stuff.
PAUL: I do hence the tough love.
AARON: Well maybe you should go a little easier on your nephew, otherwise you never know, he might end up just like you!
PAUL: Yes well you know, better that than ending up as Erinsborough's token unemployed drifter... oh hang on, we've already got one of those haven't we?!
Ooh, Paul shouldn't have said that because its just put Aaron in a bad mood and he send an email to Howard Hall of the West Warratah Star asking if he wants to see the Mayor's true colours? and sends an attachment called 'school bully'.
(Later)
Unlike normally, there is a very relaxed atmosphere between Steph/Belinda as they chat about Toadie knowing almost all after witnessing their kiss. Steph also confirms that she's virtually been giving the all-clear from the police and asks if it was Belinda who planted the jerrycan at the school?
STEPH: I'm really sorry but it just kindof makes sense. You've been against me coming back here from the start and if that fire was pinned on me, they'd send me back to Bendigo and then you'll have me all to yourself again. Just tell me you didn't do it and I'll believe you.
Belinda doesn't say anything, simply gets up and leaves the bar.
Hospital
Sitting in the waiting area, Lauren asks Brad what's up and he admits that he's simply dealing with a few realisations, some of which are good, some bad.
LAUREN: Such as?
BRAD: How many people I've hurt lately, the people I care about, the fact that Terese almost died.
Lauren goes to say something but he interjects before she can.
BRAD: No it's true, I have to live with it.
She tries to turn his mindset by asking about what the good ones are and it's how he feels about her.
LAUREN: Which is?
BRAD: I am completely in love with you. I know this isn't the right time and this probably isn't the most romantic setting ever but...
We don't get to hear him finish that sentence because a very worked up Imogen arrives.
IMOGEN: I know what happened in the fire, you leaving mum for dead.
LAUREN: Hey, that is not what happened.
IMOGEN: NO, YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER, YOU DON'T GET TO CORRECT ME!
BRAD: Alright, that is enough.
IMOGEN: What? My mum could have died because of you two and whatever this stupid thing is, so I will never support it and I will never support you... Ever!
Unmissable drama
- Piper having a go at her dad.
- Steph raising her suspicions about Belinda to Toadie.
- Toadie asking Steph if she thinks Belinda has framed her?
- Belinda annoyed at what Steph has said to Toadie.
- Aaron getting a response to the email he sent.
- Paul is worried!