Previously
- Roxy pretending she's not a kidney match for David
- Roxy confessing to Shane that she's a match
- Robert telling Paul he wants to be in a prison closer to Harlow
- Paul striking a deal with Robert to save David's life
- Paul telling Terese that Robert can rot in Supermax for all he cares
- Robert escaping from Erinsborough Hospital
- Harlow convincing Robert to turn himself in and donate his kidney
- Amy, Jimmy and Leo departing for New York
- Kyle refusing to say goodbye to Amy before she leaves
Change in the opening titles: Amy is gone and Kyle is now in the same shot as Sheila and Gary out the front of #26
Number 22 Backyard
Paul wanders around looking lost after Amy's departure. Terese brings them out some lunch and says that Amy did the right thing leaving with Jimmy. Paul admits it will be weird not seeing his daughter every day and Terese smirks, reminding him there'll still be plenty of people around to keep him in line.
TERESE: You know, I think this is going to be a good year. Amy's where she should be with Jimmy, and David's on the mend.
PAUL: Yep, and Robert is back behind bars where he belongs.
TERESE: Happy New Year!
Paul nods, finally mustering a smile.
Erinsborough Hospital
Roxy has taken it upon herself to make sure David is completely comfortable (and full of vitamins with the fruit basket she brought) to alleviate some of her guilt, but Harlow and David just think she's being overly keen. Roxy freaks out when David says he had a slight temperature fluctuation because of his body adjusting to the new kidney, but he reassures her he'll be fine. David also says he's got at least six months off work. Roxy puts on a brave, smiling face while she's in the room, but when she leaves her whole demeanour crumbles.
Number 22 Backyard
Harlow returns from the hospital and confesses to Paul and Terese that she emailed Prue about everything that's been happening.
PAUL: Don't be too upset if you don't hear from her at all.
HARLOW: I won't. Look, I get it; the Order's probably stopped her from communicating. It was more about doing the right thing. She deserves to know and what she does with that, it's up to her.
This made Harlow think about her dad and she asks Paul if he's done anything to help Robert since he's been in custody. Paul is less than impressed with the topic of conversation. He tells Harlow that after what Robert did to Elly and his attempted escape, he can't pull any strings.
HARLOW: When I spoke to him he told me you'd never follow through with it. Is that true?
TERESE: Sweetheart, your father would have said anything to get you onside.
HARLOW: (to Paul) Is it though?
PAUL: Harlow this is what he does. He gets inside your head, he puts thoughts in your mind. So please don't let him get to you.
Paul ends the chat there, getting up from the table to go visit David.
The Waterhole
Kyle is having lunch with Gary and Sheila, attempting to carry a normal conversation, but he ends up snapping at both of them because of the funk he's in about Amy. Firstly when Gary suggests Kyle have time off from The 82. And then secondly, when Kyle comes around to the idea of a holiday (possibly in Thailand), he gets aggro at Sheila when she says she hopes he's not running away. Kyle tells them to "lighten up" before storming off. Gary and Sheila share a concerned look.
The Handywoman Yard
Kyle unlocks the gates and looks around, his face clouding with emotion. He stares up at The Handywoman sign before quickly leaving, fighting with the lock on the gate in frustration as he goes.
Erinsborough Hospital
Paul fusses over David as he wheels him to the outdoor Caféteria for some fresh air, but David's had enough of the fussing for one day. He wants to know how Paul's going instead - not just about Amy but about everything.
PAUL: (sighing) Harlow wants me to help her with Robert.
DAVID: Is that even possible now?
PAUL: Even if it was the deal was dead in the water the moment he decided to do a runner, which nearly killed you.
DAVID: He came back.
PAUL: Yeah, only for his own self interest in Harlow. No other reason.
DAVID: Dad I'm only alive because of Robert. The first thing I'm doing when I'm discharged is going to thank him.
PAUL: (aghast) Are you out of your mind?
DAVID: I owe him everything despite what he's done.
PAUL: David! He manipulated the entire situation for his own gain. Elly's baby could have died because of what he did and you want to thank him?
DAVID: He saved my life.
Paul doesn't see it that way and tells David he thinks he's making a huge mistake. David fixes him with a look and says that it's his to make. He puts a folder on the table and tells Paul that he requested all of his medical records to look at. When Paul asks why, David replies that it was an unusual case and he wanted to know about his treatment. When Paul leaves to get David some water, David rifles through the files and comes across something very interesting: a female aged between 20-25 was compatible for the kidney donation.
Ramsay Street
Paul arrives home and is angry to learn that Harlow has just been on the phone to the prison organising a visit with her dad. Paul scoffs that between her and David he doesn't know who has the bigger bleeding heart.
HARLOW: Or maybe we both realised that what my dad did was a selfless act that saved David's life.
PAUL: Selfless? You've got to be kidding me.
HARLOW: He had a major operation and gave up one of his kidneys!
Paul grits his teeth and speaks in an angrier tone.
PAUL: Yes, because you convinced him to do so after he escaped and terrorised our pregnant neighbour!
HARLOW: Did you even think about why he escaped?
PAUL: Harlow, I know my son. I know that he wanted to hurt me and anybody else that got in his way.
HARLOW: (shouting and upset) You're wrong! He did it because he knew you would have never followed through with the promise you made him.
They stare at one another.
HARLOW: Tell me the truth. Were you ever going to help him?
Paul can't maintain eye contact and drops his head.
PAUL: (quiet) No. (Quickly regaining his ire) No, but you know what? Robert knew exactly what he was doing because he wasn't going to give that kidney to David.
HARLOW: I can't believe it! He changed his mind because he knew you were never going to help him out.
PAUL: What? And that excuses him for leaving David for dead and holding Elly hostage does it?
HARLOW: Of course it doesn't! But maybe he wouldn't have done it if he had a little bit of belief in you.
PAUL: Really don't know what you're getting at, at the moment.
HARLOW: Yeah because you are way too busy blaming dad when you don't realise you could be just as responsible.
Harlow walks off after dropping that bombshell leaving Paul rattled.
Erinsborough Hospital
Roxy delivers David a Grease Monkeys burger and fries he was talking about earlier, but David's on a strict diet and can't eat it (he can only wistfully sniff at it). Roxy freezes when David says he's been going through his medical files and saw the list of potential donors. Even though there weren't any names, he deducted that the female match was Roxy because of how attentive she's been lately. Roxy starts to cry and David gently says that it's okay.
ROXY: No it's not. I took the test without even thinking and when I was a match I couldn't do it. I'm sorry.
DAVID: You're not a bad person. If anything, it just makes you human.
ROXY: I don't know what to say.
DAVID: (smiling) It's okay.
Roxy lets out a big sigh of relief, some of the burden she's been carrying has lifted.
The Waterhole
Shane brings Dipi a wine and she shows him a photo from Kirsha who is on her first day of volunteering at the RSPCA. Dipi can see Roxy hovering around and lets Shane know he's wanted for a chat. Roxy pulls him aside and tells him that David found out about her being a match. Shane asks how David took the news and Roxy says, with a surprised and grateful smile, "perfectly". David understood where she was coming from and told her not to feel guilty. Shane looks pleased for her and says it must be a huge load off her mind.
ROXY: I guess...
SHANE: You're not relieved? This is good news.
ROXY: It is but David knowing, it just kind of feels weird not being honest to everyone else.
SHANE: Nah, it's nobody else's business.
ROXY: It just doesn't feel right.
SHANE: You're going to go tell your family?
ROXY: I've been thinking about it. But they'd totally hate me.
SHANE: They're not going to hate you.
ROXY: (scoffing) Have you met Aunty T and Paul?
SHANE: You thought David would hate you and look how that turned out.
ROXY: Maybe.
SHANE: This is probably a good opportunity to put the whole thing to bed. (He pats her shoulder) Just go with your gut, okay?
She smiles and nods at him.
Number 22 Backyard
Roxy decides to tell Terese, Paul and Harlow that she was a match for David. Harlow immediately starts sniping with her, angry that Roxy lied to her face. Roxy tried to explain that she needed time to think and that she's sorry, but Harlow's more upset that Roxy didn't confide in her - she thought they were becoming closer. Roxy starts to get teary and says that she genuinely wanted to help David. Terese asks if David knows and Roxy says he does, that's why she had the courage to finally tell them all the news. All through this, Paul has been sitting silently, stewing in his own rage. But eventually he slinks over panther-like to his prey, getting all up in Roxy's face with some intense teeth gnashing and snarling.
PAUL: I had to do a deal with my psychopathic son that was brought back into our lives and you knew that, and you did nothing. You said nothing!
ROXY: (upset) I was terrified.
PAUL: (screaming) I don't give a damn about you!
TERESE: Paul! That's enough!
PAUL: NO! No, this is the way it's been with her right from the start. She cares about nobody but herself. (He sneers at Roxy) It's because you are a selfish, pathetic absolute failure of a human being.
And on that non-contributing zero flourish, Paul stalks off, the fury emanating from his pores. Terese chases after Paul and Harlow can't even speak to Roxy, leaving her standing there crying.
Ramsay Street
Terese tries the old, "you need to calm down" and Paul just laughs like, "LOL OK SURE! SO MUCH FOR THAT GREAT START TO THE YEAR!" But Terese isn't here for Paul's mood and shuts it down. She reminds him they have no idea what it was like for Roxy knowing she was a match. Paul shouts that it was about saving David's life.
TERESE: But David is alive! I mean he said from the very start that everyone's choice was their own to make.
PAUL: You know what? There are good choices and there are bad choices.
TERESE: (annoyed) Oh no. No, no, there isn't! I couldn't even be tested because I'm an alcoholic. And what, are you going to blame me for that? And what about Susan? What, because she has MS?
PAUL: Oh don't be ridiculous, Terese!
TERESE: Nobody knows what sort of choice they would make in this situation, because nobody was in Roxy's situation.
PAUL: You know I would have given both of my kidneys!
The emotion of the situation gets to them. Terese takes a moment before cupping Paul's face in her hands.
TERESE: Listen. You're David's father. Roxy doesn't have the same connection. You would have done anything to save his life. You would have done anything to keep Robert out of our lives.
PAUL: No, no, no, this is not about him.
TERESE: I think it is. I think it is and you know it. I think the thought of Robert coming back into your orbit frightens you. And you have every right to be scared, but don't punish Roxy. This is not her fault.
It looks as though Terese's speech has gotten through to Paul as he nods at her. Terese pulls him into a hug.
The Waterhole
Roxy stomps over to Shane to let him know her family hates her. She explains, "Paul went utterly ballistic and called me a selfish loser". Shane says that's just Paul, but Roxy states Paul's not wrong. Shane reminds her that David's okay with her decision and to stuff whatever Paul thinks. But Roxy is in a mess and begs Shane to cover her shift that night. Shane says no at first, he's just about to clock off and see a movie with Dipi and Gary. But when Sheila nags Roxy to get started, Shane pretends he'd forgotten they'd agreed to a swap. Dipi and Gary head off the movie without him and Roxy sits down at the bar to order a "dark and stormy, extra stormy". Sheila's ropeable but Shane says that Roxy's not working so she can do as she pleases. Moody Kyle joins Roxy in her dark & stormy order and asks if she's up for a night of drinking. "Always", she replies.
Number 22 Backyard
Harlow tells Paul and Terese that David said he'd come to the prison with her. Paul is less than enthused, even more so when Harlow says she wants him to come with them. Paul sneers that there's not a snowflake's chance in hell he'll be doing that. Harlow's frustrated Paul won't even compromise - she wants him to see what Robert's like around her.
HARLOW: He's not the person everyone says he is. He's different.
PAUL: Harlow you don't realise he is hiding himself, that's what he does. Anyway, why would I want to visit somebody who only last week tried to kill me?
HARLOW: He didn't want to! He just wanted to talk, he told me.
PAUL: How can you possibly believe that when the man's word is worth nothing?
HARLOW: And where would you be if you didn't have a second chance? Multiple times.
PAUL: No don't. Don't you dare compare my life with what Robert's done to this family.
TERESE: Yeah, that is a little unfair, Harlow.
HARLOW: Look I know it's not the same. But you were forgiven. All dad gets is visitation rights. After what he's done for David, surely that's the least you can do for him.
The Waterhole
Roxy and Kyle are pretty stinkin' drunk and both Sheila and Shane look concerned. The two drunkards giggle together, coming up with a plan to go into the Casino. While Roxy totters off to order them an Uber, Sheila asks Kyle if it's wise to kick off. But Kyle cheers and says right now it's the only thing he wants to do.
SHEILA: I don't want to stop you from having a good time, but you're not in a very good place at the moment. I don't want her stomping all over your heart and making things worse.
KYLE: (ignoring everything Sheila said) Hey, Rox? Gran wants us to go out and have a good time!
ROXY: Woo! Sheila for PM!
Shane also tries his best to have an 'are you sure you want to head out?' chat with Roxy.
SHANE: Hey why don't you guys just stick around here?
ROXY: If I'm going to be public enemy numero uno then I might as well do it on a high.
SHANE: Okay, just don't do anything stupid, all right?
ROXY: (she laughs and ruffles his hair) You are a good guy, Shane Rebecchi-Frabecchi.
Kyle and Roxy dance their way out of the pub, Kyle wearing Roxy's handbag. Shane and Sheila have graduated from concerned looks to super uneasy, anxious ones.
Number 22 Backyard
Some time has passed and Terese tells Paul she agrees with Harlow, "You should think about seeing Robert." Paul shakes his head and says he's not changing his mind - he knows it means a lot to Harlow but it's not easy for him. Paul knows he can't stop Harlow from seeing Robert, but it terrifies him to think what he might do to her.
TERESE: He's in protective custody. He can't hurt her.
PAUL: He can get inside her head. He can manipulate her like he did me. What if I can't protect her from that?
TERESE: Well you can't protect her if you're not there. If you really think that this is going to end badly then you have to go. She's going to need you.
Paul knows Terese is right but it's hard for him to admit.
Number 32
Kyle and Roxy drunkenly stumble indoors, laughing merrily about their escapades for the night (going to bars and Roxy flashing the cab driver so they could skip the cab queue). Roxy thanks him for a fun night out and Kyle says it was good not to have to talk. Roxy says she's spewing she has to get up early for work the next morning, "I feel like this night is just ending way too early". Getting an idea, Kyle says that it doesn't have to, leaning in and kissing Roxy without checking her feelings on the matter.