No 24
Elly and Mark's kiss ends awkwardly, as he says he needs some time to think. Elly says she'll go, but asks Mark to contact her when he's ready to talk. She leaves, and Mark looks conflicted.

Lassiter's
Toadie and Willow are walking Andrea back to her hotel room; she thanks them for letting her join them, saying she had a lovely evening. Andrea asks if they want to stay for a cuppa, but they look awkward, and Toadie says he has to get back to Hugo and Nell.

Andrea says it's a good call; she needs to get some sleep anyway so she can be fresh for job-hunting in the morning. Toadie tells her to let her know if he can help with anything; Andrea says he's done plenty already, and that she needs to get back on her own two feet.

Andrea's phone rings but she seems reluctant to answer it, saying it's likely a telemarketer who's been bothering her all day. Andrea wishes Willow well with her school preparations, and hugs her goodnight. Andrea offers Toadie a handshake, and he goes with it, before bidding her goodnight.

Alone in the room, Andrea checks her phone; the call was from Ian. She looks worried.

No 28
Bea, Finn and Shaun are excitedly listening to the recording of Bea's song 'Sorry' that she made in the studio last week. It's turned out very well, and already five people have paid to stream it!

Elly comes in, and doesn't seem interested in Bea's song; she wants to talk to Shaun, so they head three metres across the room for a 'private' discussion. She explains to Shaun that she and Mark just kissed. Shaun thinks that's great.

ELLY: It's a step in the right direction. But I was thinking about what you said. Maybe you're right.
SHAUN: You've got a better shot if I'm not around?
ELLY: It's our best chance at a fresh start.
SHAUN: Elly, you don't have to explain yourself. I'm the one who suggested it.
ELLY: Yeah, I know. I just feel bad - you've been so great.
SHAUN: You're not getting rid of me. I'll be back when the baby's born.
ELLY: Yeah, of course.
SHAUN: Mark's the one who makes you happy. And if me not being here means you and he can work things out - I'm gone.
ELLY: Thank you.
BEA (singing): No, no, no, no, no, no, no, nooooooo...

Ramsay Street
Terese is leaving No 22, and is leaving a voicemail for Roxy, asking her to text her and let her know that she's alright.

Once she's done, Toadie and Willow approach from across the road; Toadie has a 'left-field favour' to ask Terese. He asks if she has any housekeeping jobs going at the hotel. Terese admits they are having trouble with a new employee so might have - but when Toadie says he's asking for Andrea, Terese quickly shuts him down.

TERESE: Toadie, you know I'm a big believer in second chances (...) Look, housekeeping is a role that requires a high degree of trust. You know, staff have access to guest rooms and their belongings. And look, from everything I know about Andrea's history, I - I can't give her a position. I'm really sorry.
TOADIE: No, it's fine. I completely understand.
TERESE: But hey, it's great she's on the straight and narrow. I'm sure she'll find something else.

As they walk away, Willow tells Toadie he can't blame Terese for her stance. Toadie thinks they should keep his request of Terese between themselves, so that Andrea doesn't get unsettled. Willow agrees.

No 28
In the garden, Shaun is telling Finn that he's leaving for Switzerland, so Elly can focus on fixing things with Mark. Plus he can get back to work and raise some cash for the baby. Shaun says he'll return when the baby's due.

SHAUN: Remember, I'll always have your back.
FINN: Thanks, mate.

Lassiter's / Geelong
In her hotel room, Andrea is impatiently waiting for Heather to answer her phone back at the apartment in Geelong. Heather's annoyed at the interruption, but goes to answer it.

HEATHER: You couldn't have left me at least one wine glass?
ANDREA: Are you drinking?

We cut back to the apartment, where the coffee table is strewn with wine bottles.

HEATHER: What? No, I'm not drinking. Not yet.

Heather opens another bottle and starts drinking directly from it!

HEATHER: Well, I have to find something to help me pass the time, since I'm under house arrest.
ANDREA: If you're drinking, that means you've been outside.
HEATHER: No, no. Just to the corner shop. I've been a good girl, I promise.

Heather is admiring a dress that she has out on the bed, as if she intends to be heading back out later!

HEATHER: How about you? Have you been slagging off about, 'my mother's so abusive', more of those stories, have you?
ANDREA: Mum, I'm done with the hypnotherapy, okay? You just gotta trust me.
HEATHER: Yes, I do. You know I do.
ANDREA: Okay - guess what? Willow's enrolled back at the school. She's gonna stay longer now.
HEATHER: Oh, my gosh. That's perfect.
ANDREA: We even had, like, a family celebration dinner last night.
HEATHER: Ah, well, sounds like I'm missing out on all the fun. Oh, please, pumpkin, can't you just sneak Hugo down here? I'm dying to see him; I miss him so much.
ANDREA: Mum, my visits with him are supervised, so I can't do that.
HEATHER: ... Okay. I understand.
ANDREA: We're close, Mum, okay? So close.
HEATHER: We're close? We'd better be. Bye.

Heather hangs up, and wears an expression that's a mixture of scheming and exasperated as she enjoys a chocolate biscuit!

Shortly afterwards, at Lassiter's, Andrea gets a phone call from Ian.

ANDREA: You've got to stop contacting me... No, I'm not having lunch with you, or dinner, or drinks... You do *not* come here, okay? We had a one-time arrangement. That's it; it's done.

Willow knocks at the door, calling out for Andrea.

ANDREA (on the phone): Do not contact me again.

She hangs up, then goes to open the door to Willow. Andrea explains she's going to go and ask Terese if there are any jobs at the hotel. Willow tries to put her off without saying that Terese has already told Toadie no, claiming the hotel's just had a hiring spree so probably isn't looking for anyone. But Andrea is still determined to ask, forcing Willow to admit that Toadie's already asked.

WILLOW: They don't have any positions available.
ANDREA: ... Available, or available to me?
WILLOW: She was worried about your history.
ANDREA: I see.
WILLOW: Mum, I'm sorry.
ANDREA: No, no, it's okay, sweetie - really.

But after Willow leaves, Andrea gets exasperated and flings her watch angrily at the desk. Then she has an idea... Spotting some wine glasses on a shelf, Andrea picks one of them up. She applies some lipstick and then presses her lips to the glass, so it leaves a stain.

ANDREA: What kind of a careless cleaner would leave that behind?

She laughs evilly.

Harold's Café
Mark is alone at a table, when Toadie arrives and joins him. Mark admits he'd usually talk to Aaron about 'this sort of stuff' but since he's on his holidays, Toadie has been summoned for a D&M. Mark admits that he and Elly kissed last night. He doesn't know what it meant; it just happened.

TOADIE: Do you still love her?
MARK: I dunno. I mean, yes, sometimes - and no, most of the time. If that makes sense.
TOADIE: Yeah, you're angry.
MARK: That's an understatement... It's like it's always there. Eating at me. And even if I could let it go... I don't want to.
TOADIE: Yeah. I think Sonya felt the same way after I did what I did with Andrea. I didn't think we'd ever come back from that.
MARK: So, how do you think she got past it?
TOADIE: Well, as you know, we did a lot of counselling. A lot of work on understanding each other. But, I mean, ultimately... she had to take a leap. She wanted us to be happy together, so that's what she focused on.
MARK: That simple, huh?
TOADIE: Yeah. You reckon you can do that?
MARK: ...

Lassiter's
Andrea has summoned Terese up to her room, to make some polite remarks about the lack of cleanliness - including the lipstick smears on the wine glass.

ANDREA: I mean, it doesn't bother *me*. I just thought I should tell you. I know that Lassiter's has got a reputation to maintain.

Andrea adds that the soap in the shower had been used, and that there was hair in the plughole. Terese apologises, and then asks if Andrea's spoken to Toadie today. Andrea says she hasn't.

TERESE: Right. Are you... are you wanting us to comp the room or something?
ANDREA: No, no! No, nothing like that! It's just, see, I'm a cleaner by trade. So I know you can get all sorts. And I just thought I should let you know privately.
TERESE: Yeah, well, thank you so much. We have been having a few issues with the housekeeper recently, so... apologies again.

Terese leaves, and Andrea does a little celebratory dance once she's gone!

No 28
Bea is helping Elly put on a necklace that Mark bought her; it's Elly's way of showing Mark she hasn't given up on them, and reminding him of how great things once were between them, so that things can be like that again. Both Bea and Susan, who is standing nearby, look faintly judgy. Susan suggests Elly leave it to Mark to make the next approach, rather than pushing it by going round to see him.

ELLY: Well, the kiss was a sign.
SUSAN: Maybe it was. But he's still feeling pretty hurt and confused.
ELLY: Okay. I know him. And sometimes, he just needs a little push to really own up to what he's feeling. If he didn't see a future for us, he'd have submitted those annulment forms by now. He hasn't even signed them.
SUSAN: We just hate to see you hurt.
ELLY: Okay, I'm not stupid. I know that this isn't all magically going to be fixed overnight. But that kiss, it had to stand for something.

She hurries off to find matching earrings. Susan and Bea both look worried.

Harold's Café
Terese approaches Toadie; he apologises for putting her on the spot this morning by asking for a job for Andrea. But Terese says it's fine; she asks him whether Andrea knew that Toadie was approaching her. Unaware that Willow has told Andrea, Toadie says not, explaining he didn't want to get Andrea's hopes up before speaking to Terese.

TERESE: Look, Toadie, is this... is this what you really want? Her being around all the time?
TOADIE: It's not what I would've chosen (...) but she's here, so I'm just trying to make the best of it, really. And since she's got out of the hospital, she's been really good with both of the kids. I'd like it to stay that way.
TERESE: ... You know, if I was to find something for her, there'd have to be conditions.
TOADIE: Yeah. Yeah, great - of course!
TERESE: I mean, she wouldn't be allowed in any of the guests' rooms, for obvious reasons. Just the common areas.
TOADIE: That's more than fair.
TERESE: And it would just be a trial basis.
TOADIE: Oh, my gosh - oh, Terese, thank you so much!

Toadie gets up and hugs Terese, saying it's a huge weight off his shoulders.

TERESE: That's the only reason I'm considering it.

Lassiter's
Terese is delivering the good news to Andrea in her hotel room, who is with Willow. Andrea is super-excited. Terese explains it will be probationary for a month and that she'll only be cleaning in the common areas; Andrea insists she won't let her down, and looks emotional.

ANDREA: I just really want to be a good mum to Willow and Hugo. You know, be someone they can rely on.
TERESE: Yeah, of course. So now as a hotel employee, you're entitled to a 50 percent discount on all accommodation. So we'll apply that for your next payment for the room.
ANDREA: Seriously?!

Andrea wells up, all emotional - saying that's incredible, as she'll be able to pay Toadie back so much quicker. Moved by Andrea's apparent wish to better herself, Terese says that she's glad she could help. She goes to sort Andrea's paperwork and uniform out. Once she's gone, Andrea squeals excitedly and hugs Willow, and they dance around the room.

ANDREA: I got a job! I got a job!

Ramsay Street
Karl, Susan, Bea, Elly and Finn are bidding Shaun farewell, as he loads up the taxi.
KARL: It's a shame you're not going tomorrow. We could've saved a few pennies by sharing a cab to the airport!

Shaun thanks the Kennedys for everything, and hugs Bea, followed by Finn.

SHAUN: I'll miss you, bro.
FINN: I'll miss you too. Safe flight.

Shaun then hugs Elly, telling her to look after the baby, and to call him if she needs anything.

ELLY: Thank you for everything.

She looks across the road, where Mark is walking up his drive to No 24. Shaun says he hopes Elly can sort things out with Mark.

ELLY: Yeah, me too.

Lassiter's Complex
While Andrea gets to work cleaning the windows in the hotel foyer, a Greek chorus comprising Sheila and Dipi appears to judge her from across the courtyard.

DIPI: Is she wearing a Lassiter's uniform?
SHEILA: Oh, Terese wouldn't be that stupid!
DIPI: Toadie's put her up in the hotel; she's probably talked herself into a job.
SHEILA: Weaselled her way in, more like it!
DIPI: That was never the plan, was it? Her setting up her whole life here? I'm worried about the sway she's got over Toadie.
SHEILA: Yeah, with good reason. I mean, it's as clear as day what she's up to.

Terese appears, and Sheila asks her to explain. Terese admits she's given Andrea a trial job.

DIPI: Can I ask why?
SHEILA: The woman's unhinged!
TERESE: Actually, it was Toadie's idea that I employ her, and I didn't do it lightly.
DIPI: Toadie wanted this?
SHEILA: Just like you said. She's got him wrapped around her little finger.
TERESE: No, it's in Toadie's best interest that Andrea finds her feet. And those children do deserve some stability from their mother.
SHEILA: Is that the line she spun you?
TERESE: No. No, that came from him. Look, I understand your concern, ladies. But if I were you, for his sake, I would postpone your witch-hunt?
SHEILA: Witch-hunt? Huh. Well, if the broomstick fits...

Andrea gets another phone call, and ignores it, looking worried. Dipi and Sheila continue to watch.

SHEILA: I reckon you should trust your instincts.
DIPI: Something definitely is not right.

No 24
Elly turns up to talk to Mark, explaining she couldn't wait any longer to talk to him. She asks if he's had a chance to consider what happened last night.

MARK: Yeah, I have. I don't think this is something we can just put back together.
ELLY: I know it won't be easy. But if we take things slowly -
MARK: Elly, it hurts too much. And if we drag this out any longer, you'll get hurt too.
ELLY: Hurt me, I don't care - I deserve it. Mark, you just have to give me a chance to earn back your trust.
MARK: Elly, stop.
ELLY: I know this has been really hard, but Shaun has gone now; you won't need to see him again.
MARK: Elly -
ELLY: I can fix this, Mark. I can fix it, if you'll let me.
MARK: No. I - I can't take that kind of leap. I thought about it. I can't. I just came back from the courthouse. I signed and filed the annulment. I'm sorry, but we're really done this time.

Elly is devastated, but holds it together and nods acceptingly.

No 28
Back at home, Elly is in tears, and being comforted by Susan and Bea, who are wearing 'I told you so' expressions but doing their very best not to enunciate it.

ELLY: He probably only kissed me because he felt sorry for me, or he forgot that he hates me.
SUSAN: He doesn't hate you; he's just hurt and confused.
ELLY: Oh, he's not confused. He made it crystal clear that he sees no future for us.
SUSAN: Maybe not. But in time, you'll find a way to be friends.
ELLY: I don't want to be friends! I want to be with him. I don't want to raise this child alone.
BEA: You're not alone!
ELLY: I had everything - everything - and I ruined it!
SUSAN: No, just listen to me for a minute, Elly. You can't undo what's been done. But what you can do is focus on yourself, and on rebuilding a life without Mark. And on bringing a beautiful, healthy baby into the world. Sweetheart, that's the most important thing right now.

Elly nods, still crying.

Lassiter's Complex
Andrea is still working, and is on her phone at the same time, saying it took a lot of work but that Terese hired her.

ANDREA: I really feel like everything's coming together, Mum. And when it does, I'm gonna call for you, okay?

There's a long pause, during which Andrea looks concerned.

ANDREA: I think you know that's not an option, Mum... Because the closer you - I'm not gonna discuss this now, okay? Geelong is close enough, alright?... You promise me, Mum. *Promise* me.

Toadie approaches, so Andrea quickly hangs up, and goes over to give him a hug. He's a bit taken aback.

ANDREA: Sorry. I'm just a bit excited - I got a job.

As Andrea and Toadie talk, we cut to a bench across by the lake - from which Heather is watching them, and not looking very inconspicuous despite her sunglasses! She seems satisfied with what she sees, and glad to be back in Erinsborough...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Paul tells Terese they both know why Roxy's gone off the rails
- Roxy angrily accuses Ned of having been on 'Team Skank' all the way
- Roxy presides over a drinking game at the Back Lane Bar
- Mark tells Toadie and a worried- looking Andrea that they're ramping up the search for 'her'
- Sheila tells someone that 'she' will slip up at some stage, 'just like Nanny Nutjob did'!
- But unbeknownst to Sheila, 'Nanny Nutjob' is listening from behind a nearby tree!
- At Geelong, an annoyed Andrea asks Heather where she's been