Previously
- Chloe is surprised to learn that Lassiter's has been looking into investing in the Quill Group
- But Paul is hesitant to commit to the project, telling Terese he needs time to get up to speed with it
- A worried Shay tells Terese that unless Lassiter's can commit, she'll have to source another financier
- After enduring an evening of Sheila's jibes, Amy tells her she won't put up with it any longer
- Melanie says Toadie's surprised that Rose Walker is back in town, as PR manager for the film festival
- Toadie and Rose catch up to discuss Rebecchi Law's sponsorship of the festival
- Toadie assures Melanie that Rose is happily married; Mel has no reason to worry that she's back
- But Rose admits to Hendrix that she can't stop thinking about Toadie, and wants to be with him
Harold's Café
Hendrix and Rose continue their chat; Hendrix wants to know why Rose told Toadie she was happy with her husband James, when in fact they've split up again.
ROSE: It... seemed like a good idea at the time. I knew I'd have to fess up eventually, but I didn't want Toadie to be sus about my job with the film festival (...) I just figured it was best if it was just a coincidence.
HENDRIX: But it's not?
ROSE: No, it's not. When I heard the rumours about Toadie's new girlfriend, I wanted to see how bad things really were, and maybe give fate a helping hand. I mean, if Toadie and Melanie are gonna break up anyway, why drag it out? If I thought that they were truly happy, I would walk away. But they're totally not - you can see that, right?
HENDRIX: They're not a good match, no.
Hendrix confirms he thinks Rose is in with a chance in her plan to woo Toadie, then heads off. Susan and Karl come in.
ROSE: Here's a sight for sore eyes! Not literally, I'm not hitting you up for a prescription!
Rose makes a rather insincere-sounding plea for a 'catch-up' with them, as if they're old friends - attempting to inveigle herself, it seems, into the favour of Toadie's nearest and dearest. Susan and Karl seem awkward and wary.
Ramsay Street
Amy and Ned are seemingly headed towards No 30 for some frisky-time, just as Toadie and Melanie are leaving. Amy's hoping the house is free, but Toadie tells her Mackenzie is in, looking after Hugo.
AMY: These logistics are killing me! We can't go to Ned's cos Paul's all judgy, and... (whispers) we're just a little desperate.
NED: Yeah, it's getting awkward.
Melanie suggests to Toadie that Mackenzie could take Hugo out for a while, but...
TOADIE: No, I don't think that's happening. Sorry, I'm not being judgy either, but I don't want Hugo's routine upset for - well, this.
Amy understands, and conversation moves onto Rose's return; Toadie and Mel explain that she's now the PR manager of the Shorts & Briefs film festival. Toadie apologises for raining on Amy and Ned's parade, then gets in the car with Melanie. Ned suggests they head back to No 22 to see if Paul's out, but Amy decides she wants to meet Rose now she knows she's in town. They agree to try again tomorrow!
Sheila appears outside No 26, and Amy and Ned wave and greet her, but she just glares at them.
The Waterhole
Terese meets up with Harlow and Jesse, and tells them that there is no movement yet on the Lassiter's Quill Group buy-in, as Paul is still looking over the details. However, she insists she's pretty confident it will go ahead.
In the meantime, Terese wants Harlow to put together a report on the day-to-day running of Lassiter's, so she can present it to the board with recommendations of how the Quill Group could improve its staffing efficiency. Harlow agrees to this.
Jesse gives Terese some money in an envelope, explaining he did a cash-in-hand job for a friend and wanted to contribute to the costs of his stay at the hotel. Terese thanks him for the gesture, and suggests she and Jesse catch up later to discuss his future role at Lassiter's. Jesse agrees.
Harold's Café
Susan and Karl have obliged Rose in her request for a 'catch-up'. Susan explains that Karl is planning on entering the film festival. Rose seizes the opportunity to butter him up.
ROSE: I shouldn't be surprised - you are, without a doubt, one of *the* most creative people I've ever met.
KARL: Really?
ROSE: Yeah, your singing, for sure. Your musicianship. Your wit! I mean, I bow down.
KARL: Oh, well, that's very kind of you to say.
Susan looks deeply suspicious of Rose! However, Rose has a plan to butter Susan up, too - she wants to include a student category in the film festival. Toadie and Melanie come in, and Rose suggests that Rebecchi Law could sponsor the student category specifically. Toadie loves the idea, but Melanie looks a little worried as Rose convinces Toadie to join her for a meeting about it.
Lassiter's Hotel
Chloe talks to Harlow about the report she's doing for Terese. Chloe has heard from some of the staff that Harlow has been interviewing them as part of her research for the report, but suggests she should've given the staff some context as to why she was asking the questions, particularly around time management - we infer that the staff are jittery as a result.
However, Harlow is dismissive of Chloe's feedback and counters that the Quill deal shouldn't be public knowledge yet. She defends the questions as 'perfectly reasonable' and says she's on top of the report.
Amy comes in and asks Harlow if she could organise a hotel room for her and Ned tonight, but Harlow immediately fobs her off, saying she's really busy and telling her to ask Chloe, who's currently behind the reception desk. Chloe is annoyed that Harlow passed Amy to her as it's not Chloe's job to book in guests, but as Amy's in a hurry, Chloe agrees to sort it out for her. Amy's grateful.
AMY: Honestly, trying to find a nook for some nookie is, like, a full-time job!
We see Amy tap out a text message, saying she's 'booked a room for us' tonight. She sends it, we assume to Ned.
Ramsay Street
But outside No 26, it's in fact Levi who has received the text from Amy, not Ned! Delighted at the surprise, he shows the text to Kyle and Roxy, who are bringing the bin out.
LEVI: Today is gonna be a good day!
ROXY: Could he be any more smug and annoying?
KYLE: Not a whole lot more.
LEVI: Hey, hey - jealousy's a curse.
Harold's Café
Toadie and Rose are at a table, when Amy turns up - Toadie introduces her as his friend and the manager of The Flamingo Bar. Rose suggests she and Amy set up a meeting tomorrow to discuss the bar's role in the film festival, but Amy's keen to get started right now, so sits down uninvited.
Clearly wanting to be alone with Toadie, Rose tries to put Amy off, saying they're discussing the sponsorship. But Amy is at a loose end, so volunteers to help with ideas for that too. Rose tries to hide her annoyance.
Erinsborough Greenway
Terese and Jesse are walking and chatting with coffees, as Terese tries to identify his future role at the hotel. Jesse says he's good with people and a hard worker, but isn't able to answer the question of what he's passionate about. Jesse feels bad for wasting Terese's time, but she says most people Jesse's age don't have clear ideas about what they want to do - and assures him they'll work it out.
Harold's Café
Amy is telling Rose and Toadie her ideas for the film festival, but they seem more interested in looking at photos of Hugo on Toadie's phone. Melanie comes in and tells Toadie they should go for lunch at the pub, evidently keen to tear him away from Rose. Amy suggests she and Rose should stay and keep making progress with the film festival. Rose pretends to be thrilled at this.
At this moment, Rose's phone rings, and Toadie recognises the name on it, Katie Tamblyn.
TOADIE: Why are you speaking to a divorce lawyer?
ROSE: Umm... I'm sorry, I haven't been upfront with you. James and I are getting a divorce. For real, this time.
TOADIE: Why didn't you tell me? You said things were good between you two.
ROSE: It's embarrassing. You were the one who helped to give us a second chance. I didn't want to admit it flamed out. We really did give it our best shot.
TOADIE: Oh, I'm sure you did. Yeah, I know how much you wanted it to work. To have it go south a second time...
Melanie looks suspicious.
Lassiter's Complex
Chloe catches up with Harlow in the courtyard.
CHLOE: Harlow, I'm not the reservations desk. It'd be great if you could keep that in mind.
HARLOW: Sorry?
CHLOE: You palmed Amy off on me. Booking rooms isn't my job. Why didn't you direct her to the front desk?
HARLOW: Oh, well, I didn't think it was a big deal. And it's our job to go the extra mile, right? I would've helped but I've got this big thing for Terese at the moment, so...
Before Chloe can respond, Harlow spots Ned and rushes over to talk to him. Levi appears at the same time - mentioning the hotel room Amy's booked, he asks Chloe if he can pick up the key now. Chloe, unaware Amy intended the room for her and Ned, agrees.
CHLOE: I'm doing all the other work for the desk staff today, so why not?
As Levi accompanies Chloe back to the hotel, Harlow fills
HARLOW: I hope you find the hotel more comfortable than the bushes.
NED: What?
HARLOW: Amy's booked you a room for tonight.
NED: Really?
HARLOW: Oh, I hope I haven't ruined the surprise.
NED: No, no - we're just busy. She hasn't had the chance to tell me yet.
Harlow tells Ned the keys are at reception, then leaves. Ned messages Amy saying, 'Can't wait for tonight.'
No 28
Rose has tagged along with the Kennedys and Hendrix to chat about her plans for the student film festival category. Hendrix expresses a keenness to enter.
KARL: We should team up.
HENDRIX: I would, if you weren't about 700 years too old for that category.
Susan thanks Rose for helping Toadie via the sponsorship, saying he could use some damage control at the moment.
ROSE: Yeah, I was shocked when I heard the rumours about Melanie. To be honest, I didn't believe them at first.
SUSAN (cautious): Mm. Well, it's... it's a complicated situation.
Evidently not keen to discuss Melanie, Susan abruptly leaves to look over Rose's proposal for the student film category elsewhere, followed by Karl who wants to look at the terms and conditions.
ROSE: Was that awkward? Should I not have mentioned Melanie?
HENDRIX: Karl and Susan don't do trash talk, but they're definitely worried about what Toadie's got himself into.
ROSE: So the rumours are true? Affairs? Stalking? Random shellfish attacks?
HENDRIX: Horse poo on a woman's front step. She threw a drink at Mackenzie.
ROSE: Is she twelve, or just completely bonkers?
HENDRIX: You definitely don't want to get on the bad side of that woman, that's for sure.
ROSE: Toadie deserves so much better. We ought to remind him of that.
Lassiter's Complex
Terese is talking to Jesse again. She reassures him that he has a lot to offer and tells him to just keep up the 'energy and the good ethics'. Jesse says Terese is a pretty good life coach.
TERESE: Well, I've had a lot of experience. My two daughters, Piper and Imogen, they knew exactly where they wanted to go. But I had the exact same conversation with my son, Josh.
Harlow and Chloe appear. Harlow tells Terese that the report she asked for is on her desk. However, Harlow admits that the staff are confused because she interviewed them about their hours, productivity etc without explaining what it was about.
CHLOE: Now there are rumours going around that we are beginning to cut staff.
Terese tells Harlow this probably wasn't the best approach, but tells her not to take it to heart - Terese acknowledges she should have been more specific with her request. Harlow apologises, but looks annoyed that Chloe was right.
The Waterhole
Rose is still hanging off the Kennedys as they arrive to toast the film festival. The three of them join Toadie who is at a table, while Melanie heads to the bar to pay for their lunch. Toadie goes over and invites Mel to stay for a drink, saying Rose is about to get a round in. But Mel doesn't want to interrupt them if they need to get back to work on the sponsorship.
MELANIE: Especially as I'm the reason you need to do good PR.
TOADIE: It'd be really good if you could join us. Come on, I want you to get to know her. It'd be great if you girls can get along. Please?
Mel agrees, and returns with Toadie to the table, where Karl is pitching his film idea about heart surgery to Rose. Rose says she needs to find a place to store some boxes of programmes for the festival, and Toadie suggests there's room in the Community Centre. Toadie offers to help her carry them in from her car. Rose tries to hide her disappointment when Melanie says she'll come and help too.
Community Centre
As she and Toadie help Rose with the boxes, Melanie is going overboard with being nice to Rose, complimenting her on her car, shoes and clothes.
MELANIE: You are one of the lucky ones, who has a beauty-attracting aura. Has anyone ever told you that before?
ROSE: My aura doesn't tend to come up in conversation. I feel like we might run in different circles!
As Rose goes inside, Toadie says he appreciates Mel's help but that it might be 'a bit too soon', so offers her the chance to head off. But Mel says that she and Rose need to get along.
MELANIE: Your friends are my friends.
Toadie looks apprehensive. Rose comes out of the centre again, and thanks Toadie for all his help, suggesting they catch up again first thing tomorrow. Toadie says he has breakfast plans with Melanie, but Mel says not to worry about that - so Toadie agrees to meet Rose. Toadie takes the last box inside, leaving Mel to attempt some very awkward small talk with Rose about the festival.
MELANIE: If I can help in any way, I've got heaps of free time at the moment. I'd love to volunteer.
ROSE: Oh - that might not be a good look. No offence. We just really don't want any controversy. And with all the chatter about your proclivities, I think it's probably best if you just steer clear. Sorry.
Mel looks annoyed as Rose walks inside.
Lassiter's Hotel
Later that evening, Ned sneaks into the hotel room Amy's booked for them, with a bottle of champagne. He finds the lights out and, seeing the bed is already occupied, silently strips off and slips into the bed too, cuddling up to the other person in the bed. At which point we see that it's Levi, not Amy as Ned thinks! Levi smiles, assuming it's Amy putting an arm around him, and caresses Ned's arm.
At this point, they finally look at one another, and both scream - Levi leaping out of bed with the duvet around him, and Ned covering his modesty with a pillow.
LEVI: What are you doing, man?
NED: What are you doing here?!
At which point Amy walks in, confronted by the sight of both her boyfriends wearing only upholstery.
AMY: Oh my god.
LEVI (weakly): Hey...!
AMY: What are you doing?
NED: I dunno!
LEVI: I dunno!
AMY: I didn't think that this was part of the deal?
NED: No, no, no, it's not!
LEVI: It's not part of the deal, a hundred percent not.
AMY: Levi, what are you doing here?
LEVI: You messaged me.
AMY: No, I didn't. (checks her phone) Yes, I did. I'm so sorry. That message was meant for Ned.
LEVI: That's all good, that's all good. Yeah, mistakes happen.
Still covered by the duvet, he glances around the room.
LEVI: I can't find my undies.
NED (spotting them): Well, they're not mine, so I'm assuming they're yours.
AMY: Unless I accidentally texted someone else, ha!
The boys are not amused. Levi shuffles over to retrieve his undies, then heads into the bathroom to get dressed. It's excruciatingly awkward, especially for Ned who is still clutching his pillow.
AMY (mouths to Ned): Sorry!
The Waterhole
Kyle and Roxy are at a table, when Levi joins them.
ROXY: What happened to your big night?
KYLE: Yeah, mate - that was, uh, quick!
ROXY: Amy didn't stand you up, did she?
LEVI: No, no - Amy was there... Okay, look, we just need to work on our admin skills, you know, all three of us, because... because Ned and I just ended up in bed together.
KYLE: Right. So, what, you and Ned are...?
LEVI: No. No, no, no! He thought I was Amy.
Roxy and Kyle have a good laugh at Levi's expense. Sheila comes over, and asks what's so funny.
KYLE: Oh, nothing, Gran. Just paying out Levi for getting out of bed on the wrong side.
Annoyed she's not in on the joke, Sheila walks off. Levi says she can't know about this.
KYLE: Don't worry about it, mate. You couldn't pay me to have that conversation!
Kyle and Roxy continue laughing.
Community Centre
The following morning, Rose and Toadie have met up as arranged. Rose's divorce lawyer calls again, and she cancels the call. Toadie asks how things are going on that score. Rose says it's been pretty amicable this time - both she and James want to keep things as quick and painless as possible. In turn, Rose asks about Toadie's love life.
ROSE: I'm guessing with all that's come out about Melanie, things can't have been exactly smooth sailing.
But before they can get into it, Rose is horrified to notice that her car's windscreen has been smashed...
Coming up on Neighbours
- At No 30, an angry Melanie tells Rose to 'get out'
- Susan asks Toadie what he's going to do. 'I dunno', he replies
- Jane is upset to overhear Paul saying that the sooner everyone can forget about Nicolette, the better
- We hear Chloe saying that Jane can't just 'press delete and forget she loves her daughter'
- Jane breaks down in tears in the school corridor
