Previously
- Piper feels like she and Cassius had a Moment™ the other day
- But Cassius assures her there was none, and that he's not into her
- Leo accidentally punches Ned during his tussle with Dilhan, then asks Ned to keep it from Terese
- Chloe puts her make- up skills to use on Ned's black eye
- Chloe tells Mark that Ned had a fight over a woman; Mark wonders who would fight him over Elly
- Paul gives Toadie and Sonya an envelope with Andrea's address and phone number
- Willow begs the Rebecchis not to go after Andrea, saying she'll ruin everything
- Speaking of ruining everything - Sindi shows up to see Toadie, with a baby in her arms
- She claims the baby is Andrea's, and that she has said Toadie is the father
No 30
Sonya rushes to the front door to see what's going on. Sindi invites herself in with the baby, and Toadie's too shell-shocked to object. Willow doesn't look happy to see Sindi or the baby.
WILLOW: What are you doing here, Sindi?
SINDI: They deserve to know the truth.
TOADIE: Where is Andrea?
SINDI: She arrived in Erinsborough at Christmas-time and she was going to tell you about the pregnancy then -
WILLOW: No, you can't be here. *He* can't be here. This is going to wreck everything!
SINDI: Willow convinced her to leave you two alone, so she went back to Perth. Hugo was born on New Year's Eve.
TOADIE (to Willow): Did you know about this?!
WILLOW: I'm so sorry. I never wanted you to find out.
Baby Hugo smiles, as Toadie and Sonya's world crumbles all over again...
Harold's Café
Ned and Cassius are at a table, talking about Ned's work as a tattoo artist.
CASSIUS: Ever... removed tattoos?
NED: Sometimes. Why, are you thinking of getting something removed?
CASSIUS: Yeah. The one on my ankle.
Cassius shows Ned the tat, but we don't see it.
CASSIUS: But every procedure I've looked at is pretty pricey. You know anyone around here who does it?
NED: Er, me.
Ned explains he has a shift at a tattoo place in Anson's Corner this afternoon, and scribbles down his number in case Cassius wants to drop by. Cassius thanks him, and leaves.
Chloe comes in, followed by Mark; she's looking for Terese, who Ned explains is in the bathroom.
CHLOE: I guess you'll have to keep me company till she gets back.
Chloe sits down, and Mark lingers around like a bad smell.
MARK (to Ned): See you've still got that shiner? Was it worth it?
CHLOE: It's barely noticeable. But I can make you up again, if you shout me a coffee?
NED: Now there's an offer!
Mark slinks away, defeated, as Terese emerges from the bathroom. Mark takes the opportunity to tell tales on Ned, telling Terese that he was involved in a fight about Elly. Terese says Chloe thought that might be the case, but wasn't sure, adding that Ned said it was a 'one-off'. Mark assures Terese that with Ned, it's never a one-off...
No 30
Toadie is quizzing Willow about Andrea and the baby.
TOADIE: So this is why you didn't want us to find your mum? Did you know about this at our vow renewal?
WILLOW: No. It wasn't until after. You and Sonya had left for the boat, and I came back for my bag.
We flash back to Willow finding an envelope marked for Toadie at the front door of No 30, written in Andrea's handwriting.
WILLOW: It was from Mum, begging you to see her. I figured that, if I told her to do the right thing, and give you your money back, you'd be so happy when you came home. So I went to her hotel.
We see another flashback, to a pregnant Andrea in a hotel room. There's a knock at the door, and Willow comes in.
ANDREA: Hey.
She hugs an awkward Willow. Back in the present...
WILLOW: I told her to leave you alone. She said she had to see you. Tell you about the baby, that it was yours - you deserved to know.
TOADIE: And she was sure?
WILLOW: She was, but I wasn't. She was seeing another guy in England - it could've been his. But she still wanted to tell you.
Sonya is crying.
WILLOW: So I came up with another plan. I would support her - be there when she had the baby. And I'd visit as often as I could.
We flash back again, to Willow and Andrea sitting on the hotel bed together.
ANDREA: I'm so sorry.
Andrea hugs and kisses Willow. In the present...
WILLOW: I would forgive her - and she had to promise to not say anything to you. I was still so mad at her, but part of me wanted to forgive her. She's my mum. She finally agreed to stay away, but I didn't believe her - so I kept coming back as often as I could.
Another flashback; Willow visits Andrea on another occasion, after the birth, and we see Sindi in the room holding the baby. Andrea looks stressed and irritable, and is holding her head. In the present...
WILLOW: And every time, she seemed more stressed out - more out-of-it. I thought that she would get better eventually, and with Sindi there.
TOADIE: I can't believe you kept this to yourself all this time.
WILLOW: I wanted to protect you. After everything Mum and I did, you forgave me. You helped me find my dad. And you treated me like part of your family. You've both been so good to me, and you didn't deserve that.
Sonya seethes, and Hugo gurgles. Sindi says he's due for a feed, and asks to use the kettle. Sonya agrees, and Toadie goes to boil it. Sonya looks broken, and Willow guilty.
Lassiter's Complex
Leo and Elly are talking about the upcoming dance marathon. Leo demonstrates his Milly Rock moves, which Elly finds hilarious. Mark appears, and bristles to see Elly laughing at another guy's jokes. He also notices that Leo's hand is bruised, and asks how it happened. Leo claims he just banged it on a door, but it's obvious to Mark that he's lying. He looks thoughtful as they leave...
No 30
The exposition continues.
TOADIE: So why are you here now? Where's Andrea?
SINDI: Look, she's really struggled since she's had Hugo. The last few days, they were the worst. She wouldn't even leave her apartment. She was convinced that someone was following her.
TOADIE: Well, someone was. We had a PI track her down.
SINDI: Well, I guess it freaked her out.
TOADIE: Where is she now?
SINDI: I woke up yesterday to Hugo crying. I went into her bedroom, and she's gone (...) She left a note saying she couldn't cope anymore. I don't know where she is. But she's left Hugo, and I can't look after him. If Andrea is telling the truth, then you are the father. He's your responsibility.
A tearful Sonya can't take any more, and leaves the room suddenly.
Soon afterwards, she returns - by which point, Willow and Sindi have taken Hugo for a walk.
TOADIE: Sonya - I need you. I can't do this on my own.
SONYA (tearful): I mean, it's just so cruel. What we have to go through to have a baby, the doctors. The IVF. The emotional craziness - and with Andrea, it was one time, Jarrod. It was one time!
TOADIE: It's not even mine.
SONYA: There's a possibility it's yours! And if it is... It's just living proof of what you did! And I've tried so hard to move away from that - we both have.
TOADIE (tearful): If I could change what I did, I would.
SONYA: Look, I'm not trying to blame you, okay? I'm not. It's just unfair. I mean, we're supposed to be moving on with our lives. And this just takes us - it takes us right back to that moment! It takes us back to that betrayal. I know it's not that poor little boy's fault, my god. But how are we ever supposed to be happy again with that woman in our lives forever?
TOADIE: Can we just take it one step at a time? This is an if - and a very big if, considering my fertility issues. Okay, Andrea is just - she's messing with us again. You heard what Willow said - she was with some other bloke in England. This baby is probably his.
SONYA: Well, you need to do a DNA test.
TOADIE: Yeah. Yeah, I'm gonna sort that out straight away.
SONYA: Good.
Lassiter's Complex
Mark runs into Elly in the courtyard. Poorly feigning a casual manner, he asks who she's thinking of pairing up with for the dance marathon.
MARK: Anyone in particular? Like Ned or Leo?
ELLY: No, I think you get paired up on the day.
MARK: Right, yeah. But if you had to choose?
ELLY: Why do you think I would choose Ned or Leo?
MARK: No reason!
ELLY: Really? Cos it's a fairly specific question to ask.
MARK: I reckon they've been fighting over you.
He explains what he heard about Ned fighting over Elly, and that he's seen Leo's bruised knuckles and put two and two together.
ELLY: Besides the fact that that's a huge assumption to make, why is this any of your business?
MARK: Cos I'm worried! I care about you, Elly. Ned has obviously come back for you, and he's nowhere near good enough! ... Forget I said anything.
But the cogs are now ticking for Elly.
The Waterhole
Paul and Terese are having a spat over the boat; he's trying to buy her out of her share, but Terese is enjoying making it clear she's uninterested in selling. Paul points out that Terese barely uses the boat - but she says it's an investment, and she's determined to find a way to make the most of it.
TERESE: No deal, Paul. Sorry.
Lassiter's Complex
Elly is filling in Amy on Mark's claims that Ned and Leo were fighting over her. Elly agrees with Amy that the idea of her and Leo being a thing is crazy; they've only ever been friends, though he could have just been defending her. As far as Ned's concerned, Elly has heard from Piper that Terese thinks Ned has come back for Elly. But she adds that Ned has done nothing to suggest that.
ELLY: When our 100-day celibacy pact ended, I asked the universe for the right guy at the right time. That is not Ned.
AMY: But how do you know? You put it out there. If Ned is willing to get into a fight over you, maybe this is the universe saying, 'here he is'?
No 30
Sindi and Willow return with Hugo, and Toadie announces that they want a DNA test to prove whether he's the father.
WILLOW: I can go to the chemist if you want - get one for you?
TOADIE: No. We'll get it done at the hospital. Don't want any questions about the validity of the test.
Sindi points out that the doctors won't do a test without Andrea being present. Toadie says he'll need to get a court order in her absence, but he's sure it will be granted given the circumstances. Hugo starts babbling, and everyone looks at one another - before Sindi eventually goes to pick him up. She says they'll go and find somewhere to stay until the test's done.
SONYA: You can stay in Steph's old room.
SINDI: Oh, Sonya, are you sure?
SONYA: Just until we work out exactly what's going on.
SINDI: Thank you.
Nell runs in, and wonders who Sindi and Hugo are. Sonya introduces Sindi as one of Daddy's friends. Nell wants to play with Hugo; Sindi glances at Sonya and Toadie, and they nod. Nell happily plays with Hugo, and the Rebecchis look conflicted.
The Waterhole
Terese accosts Cassius at the bar, asking him how much longer he'll be working on Ramsay Street, given that he's made it clear how he feels about Piper.
CASSIUS: I just didn't want her to get the wrong idea.
TERESE: Yeah, well, whether that's true or not, it doesn't matter. Look, it took a lot for Piper to put herself out there. And although she's a strong young woman who's capable of making her own decisions, I am still her mother. And if anyone does anything wrong by her, I won't sit by and say nothing.
CASSIUS: I understand. I honestly just didn't want to hurt or upset her.
TERESE: Yeah. Good. So, you'll keep your distance, then, hmm?
On the way out, Terese tells Paul that she hasn't changed her mind about the boat. Paul retorts that this must be why she's suddenly booked it out for the next fortnight!
TERESE: You just reminded me what I was missing.
Paul accuses Terese of only not selling her share in order to annoy him. Terese denies it, claiming again that she wants to make the most of her investment.
No 30
Sonya and Toadie are in the kitchen. Toadie remarks on how generous it was for Sonya to let Sindi and Hugo stay.
TOADIE: I know how hard that must have been.
SONYA: Well, he's just a little baby, isn't he? ... I'm actually worried about how this is gonna affect Nell (...) I mean, Nell thinks that he's Sindi's. And I don't want to lie to her, but we don't know what the truth is.
TOADIE: We just won't say anything.
SONYA: Yeah, but what if Sindi accidentally does, or she overhears something? I don't want to confuse her - I don't want to put her through that.
Sonya announces that she can't cope with it either; she's going to take Nell away for a few days to see Lucas and Vanessa in Daylesford until the DNA results are in.
SONYA: I hate the idea of leaving you to deal with this on your own. But I really need space.
TOADIE: ... Okay. If you need to go, then go.
Toadie says he'll finalise the court order for the DNA test tomorrow.
SONYA: Once we know, whatever the result, we'll work out what happens next together.
They hold hands.
Lassiter's Complex
Elly has summoned Leo and Ned to clear up the alleged fight between them. She says she thinks it's kind of sweet that Leo hit Ned in protection of her, but adds that she can take care of herself!
ELLY: And Ned - so much has changed since you left. And yes, when it ended, I was disappointed and upset. I thought we had a future together. But I've moved on. And I think that if you're going to stay, you should move on as well.
Ned awkwardly tells Elly she's got it all wrong!
NED: We weren't fighting over you.
ELLY: What? But Mark said that you guys -
NED: Mark has no idea. Elly, I'm not interested in getting back with you. Yes, me and Leo had a bit of a... misunderstanding. But it's all good. And it had nothing to do with you.
Ned rushes off to work, leaving Elly looking awkward and Leo looking amused.
No 28
Mark turns up to apologise to Elly for jumping to conclusions about Ned and Leo. She's ultra-embarrassed, saying the whole town must now think she has massive tickets on herself.
ELLY: 'Oh, look, there's two guys fighting! It's probably over Elly Conway!'
MARK: It's not that bad!
ELLY: Well, you're not the one who made an idiot of herself! Why did you tell me?
MARK: I said something because I was worried, okay? Ned's a tool, and I hate the idea of him anywhere near you!
ELLY: (...) Why do you think I'd go anywhere near Ned when I have made it painfully clear you are the only guy I want?
Mark is momentarily speechless.
MARK: Well, all I can say is...
ELLY: Is what? What? It's too complicated, we can't be together, blah blah! You say all that, and then you act like this!
MARK: Yeah, I know. I've messed you around, and I hate that. But you deserve to be happy, Elly. And to be with someone who knows how incredibly smart and loyal and funny you are. I mean, you're amazing, Elly, and you should be with someone who can see -
But before he can say any more, she's pashing him! Mark enthusiastically pashes back - but Finn's evil camera tea chest is watching them from the kitchen work surface...
No 30
Willow is preparing to leave, and apologising to Toadie for keeping the truth about Hugo from him.
WILLOW: And I've been worried about Mum. I shouldn't have left her with Sindi. Maybe if I said something earlier -
TOADIE: Hey. None of this is on you, alright? You've had enough to deal with.
Toadie hugs Willow, telling her they'll speak again soon. Sonya is taking Willow to the airport on her way to Daylesford with Nell; and as Willow goes out to the car, Toadie hugs Nell goodbye.
NELL: Will the baby be here when I get back?
TOADIE: I don't know.
Sonya sends Nell out to the car too. Toadie hugs Sonya, and kisses her.
TOADIE: I love you.
SONYA: I love you too.
She walks out, and Sindi comes back in with Hugo.
SINDI: I'm sorry for causing all this trouble. I just didn't know where else to go.
TOADIE: Well, you did what's best for the baby, so that's the main thing.
SINDI: I hate to ask, but could you hold him just for a few minutes? I'm desperate for a shower.
TOADIE: ... Sure.
Sindi leaves the room, and Toadie holds Hugo up, gazing at him curiously...
No 22
Terese is lying in wait when Ned comes through the door.
TERESE: Why didn't you tell me the truth? (...) About your eye?
She accuses him of having a fight with Leo over Elly, and Ned is again forced to deny it had anything to do with her.
NED: Why does everyone think I'm still into Elly? Okay, I'm in love with someone else.
TERESE: Who? Oh, you know what, it's fine - it's not Elly. But you've been cagey ever since you arrived. And if you want to stay, you need to keep your promise that nothing's going to affect Piper, and start telling me the truth! Or if not, you can just go back to Queensland, and your father can deal with whatever you're going through.
NED: Okay, hold on. I can't go back to Queensland, alright? And I can't talk to Dad.
TERESE: Why?
NED: Because of Lauren (...) I'm in love with Lauren.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Piper tells Ned she met a guy
- It looks like Piper and Cassius are about to kiss
- Mishti gets a message from a blocked number, telling her to keep her lights on tonight
- Mishti is at home at night, saying 'I know it's you' to a figure outside the window
- Xanthe says Bea is lucky to have a guy who's so chilled out
- Finn watches Elly, Bea and Xanthe at the Kennedys' via ChaiCam™