Previously
- Terese is surprised to learn that she has something in common with Glen - he's also an alcoholic
- Terese tells Glen he can call on her whenever he needs anything
- At the vineyard, Terese is surprised to find Glen holding a glass of wine at Leo's tasting session
- Glen tells Terese he's not going to give Paul a chance to ruin his life again
- Paul confides in Glen that he thinks Terese is going to take him back
- Harlow tells Chloe they should work together to get rid of Mick
- Amy discovers Mick has been squatting at the hotel, but he uses the crabs outbreak to keep her quiet
- Levi, Ned and Amy agree to deal with Mick together if he says anything
- Amy dreams of an apparent threesome scenario with Levi and Ned, and wakes up all flustered
- Melanie expresses her desire to help people reconnect with deceased loved ones through her crystal ball
- But she's disconcerted when her next customer is Nell, saying she wants Mel to speak to Sonya
The Waterhole
Still in her fortune teller's garb, Melanie tells Nell...
MELANIE: Sweetheart, any time you want to speak to your mum, we can go visit her tree.
NELL: No, do it with your crystal ball. Please?
MELANIE (reluctantly): Oh, okay... (consulting the ball) Mummy says she loves you very, very much.
NELL: What else?
MELANIE: Oh - and she really, really loves your dress.
NELL: Thanks, Mel.
MELANIE: You're welcome.
Toadie comes in dressed as a Hawaiian-shirted Santa, with a reindeer-costumed Hugo in his arms. They've come to collect Nell so they can go and visit Santa's workshop. Melanie tries to talk to Toadie about what's just happened with Nell and the crystal ball, but Toadie's keen to go and get the kids into the queue to see Santa, and they rush off, leaving Melanie looking worried.
Harold's Café
Chloe and Harlow come in - Chloe dressed as a mermaid, and Harlow as a shark, complete with bloodied fangs! Chloe tells Harlow that the hotel HR department has had no joy with their second police check on Mick. Harlow points out that Mick's still upset tenants in the complex and virtually every member of staff, but Chloe says it's not enough grounds to fire him. At this point, they notice Mick sitting at a table nearby.
MICK: Wow, your cozzies are surprisingly not tragic! Congratulations, ladies.
CHLOE: What are you doing here when you're rostered on?
Mick explains he clocked off half an hour ago, and is shortly headed to change into his own costume. Chloe censures him for finishing work early, but Mick claims he's on a legally mandated meal break.
MICK: You know me - so profesh, sometimes I forget to stop.
Harlow and Chloe clearly don't believe him, but can't prove anything - so Mick blows a raspberry at them before flouncing off to get changed!
CHLOE: Let's keep a close eye on him tonight. If he does anything else dodgy, I want us there to catch him out.
Amy's Apartment
Amy is dressed up as a Christmas tree, and gets a text from Ned saying, 'Get over here, gorgeous' - followed by one from Levi immediately afterwards, promising, 'We're going to look hot tonight'. Amy has a flashback to her saucy dream featuring both Ned and Levi, and exhales deeply, before heading off to meet them.
However, in the corridor outside her flat, she runs into Mick, heading into the apartment he's squatting in.
MICK: Not off to the chemist again, are we, darl?
AMY: No, I'm going to the Christmas summer social. Haven't you moved out yet?
MICK: Hello? This place is perf. And it's not like you're gonna have the *itch* to dob me in.
Amy sticks her tongue out at him, and he blows her a kiss as she marches away.
Lassiter's Complex
The courtyard is now fully decked out for Christmas, with a large white tree as the centrepiece. Terese emerges from the hotel in her candy cane costume, and Paul approaches, wearing his usual suit and shirt, of course! They share awkward small-talk, before Glen appears in a Christmas elf outfit.
GLEN: That's a good look, Terese. Paul - let me guess, Scrooge?
PAUL: No, I haven't changed yet.
GLEN: My point exactly.
PAUL: Ah, yeah - people have said worse!
Conversation turns to the topic of Roxy; Paul remarks that Terese must be pleased for her as regards the engagement to Kyle. Terese agrees she's thrilled and wishes them every happiness. Paul expresses the same sentiment - but then notices that Terese isn't wearing her wedding ring. Terese clocks his disappointment and looks awkward, but neither of them says anything, and Terese heads off to check on the staff.
The Flamingo Bar
Levi and Ned are dressed as matching Christmas presents, and meet up with Amy outside the bar. Their shirts are unbuttoned and, still flustered from the memory of her dream, Amy encourages them to cover up a bit, saying it's cold.
LEVI: Well, look, we were gonna arrive in a box...
NED: But there wasn't one big enough. Hey, have you seen our tags?
BOTH: 'We're a gift to you.'
LEVI: Oh, you can untie my bow any time you like.
AMY (flustered): Settle down, boys, it's, umm... it's not Christmas yet! I'm gonna get some water.
Amy walks off, all hot and bothered, and makes a beeline for Toadie who is sitting with Hugo and Nell nearby. Amy pulls Toadie aside and tells him about her dream about Ned and Levi.
AMY: I should not be having these thoughts!
Toadie tells her to relax - what's going on in the real world is all that matters. But Amy can't get it out of her head, and worries it will ruin the day for the trio, whereas she'd just wanted Ned and Levi to have a good time and relax.
Nearby, Chloe and Harlow are searching for Mick, who they eventually spot approaching. Amy, Ned and Levi see him too. They all seem aghast at his choice of costume.
AMY: Oh, no, he hasn't...
NED: He has.
LEVI: Oh, he *definitely* has.
Sure enough, Mick has chosen a full-body crab outfit, and is dancing audaciously in it with some nearby extras. He approaches the trio.
MICK: Aww, why so crabby?
AMY: Are you kidding me?!
Amy, Ned, Levi, Harlow and Chloe all look appalled as Mick dances back into the crowd.
The Waterhole
'Mystic Mel' has wrapped up her fortune-telling routine for the day, and joins Toadie, Nell and Hugo at a table, who have returned from Santa's workshop.
NELL: I told him about my dress (...) Mummy loves it. Mel told me.
Toadie looks concerned.
MELANIE (to Toadie): That's what I wanted to have a little chat with you about before...
Meanwhile, Terese is standing near the bar when Paul comes over to talk to her, unable to resist asking about her wedding ring - he's worried she's taken it off because she thinks their marriage is over for good.
PAUL: I just think it's too soon to make that decision, alright? Now, there must be something I can do.
TERESE: I've lost it. On the beach, at the conference. It must have fallen off somehow - I looked for it, but... I'm sorry.
Lassiter's Complex
We see crab-costume Mick dancing with extras again, then day turns to night as the party rolls on. Amy, Ned and Levi are worried that Mick is going to blow their secret about the crabs.
AMY: We just have to ignore him. He's just trying to wind us up.
NED: People will have seen Karl's posters. It won't be hard to make the connection.
AMY: Look, he's not gonna say anything. He knows that if he does, I'm gonna take him down.
They head towards the pub for a drink.
The Waterhole
Mick is now indoors, and still crab-dancing. Chloe and Harlow watch despairingly from a table, hoping that Mick is going to make some kind of slip-up that will allow him to be dismissed. Terese comes over and also sees Mick.
TERESE: What's he doing dressed like that at a time like this? It seems certain that we have something... circulating between the sheets (...) More guests have complained about developing a sudden itch (...) Sounds like it's the infection that Karl flagged.
As such, Terese exclaims that Mick will scare the guests, and tells Chloe to do something about it.
Amy, Ned and Levi have been listening nearby; Levi reminds Ned and Amy that he and Felicity were together at the hotel, so the infestation could be connected to them.
The Flamingo Bar
Melanie is drinking at a table when Glen turns up. They recognise each other despite all the years that have passed, and share a hug.
MELANIE: I heard that you were back - so fantastic to see you!
GLEN: (...) How are you, anyway? How's Joe?
MELANIE: Oh, umm... we're not together anymore.
GLEN: Oh, sorry to hear about that.
MELANIE: Oh, no, don't be! I have a most excellent man in my life at the moment.
Toadie comes in as if on cue, and Melanie excuses herself to talk to him. Toadie has dropped the kids off at the Kennedys', and Mel asks how unhappy he is about her pretending to speak to Sonya via the crystal ball.
TOADIE: I'm not *unhappy* with you.
MELANIE: Uneasy?
TOADIE: I would rather Nell not think that you can speak to dead people. Especially her mum.
MELANIE: Oh, I know. I'm so sorry! I just got flustered, and I didn't know how to answer her!
TOADIE: Hey, hey, it's okay, alright? You were in a tough spot. And at least you told her something nice. And you were right (...) Sonya would have loved that dress.
They hug.
The Waterhole
Paul comes in and remarks on Mick's 'bold costume choice', given the current hotel infestation.
PAUL: Unless, of course, this is your convoluted way of confessing?
MICK (laughs): Boss, you are too much! I wonder which dirty birds did kick off this little nightmare? (gasps) Imagine if it were a Lassiter's employee!
PAUL: Hmm. You know, if it was, I don't think they'd be broadcasting as loudly as you, would they?
Nearby, Amy looks sheepish. Paul tells Mick to go and change into something more appropriate, but instead Mick sidles up to Amy and starts taunting her about his theory that the poly trio are responsible for the hotel infestation.
AMY: You know, you really shouldn't be trying to shame us, okay? Just stop it! And if you don't, I'm going to tell Terese that she has a squatter at the Lassiter's apartments.
MICK: You wouldn't dare.
AMY: Oh, try me.
Chloe and Harlow are watching, wondering what Amy and Mick's chat is about...
Later on, Amy is getting all flustered again as both Ned and Levi continue to shower her with attention. She distances herself to cool down, at which point Amy and Harlow approach her and ask her about the ongoing issues at the hotel, noting that they saw her talking to Mick. Amy jumps to the conclusion that Mick has told them her relationship may be the source of the infestation, and storms over to confront him.
AMY: Oh, you absolute idiot! You've opened your big mouth after I told you again and again that you were wrong!
MICK: What are you on about, woman?
AMY: How dare you?! You know, you're pathetic.
MICK: But I didn't! (...) I really didn't!
However, Amy's already marching back towards Chloe and Harlow. She tells them that Mick is squatting at the apartments.
MICK: Oh, no, you *didn't*!
AMY: Yes, I did.
MICK: Two can play at that game.
At which point, Mick takes to the stage and raises his voice.
MICK: Excuse me, everyone. I have an announcement. As I'm sure you're probably all aware, there's been a certain itch circulating around.
AMY: Don't!
TERESE: What's he doing?!
MICK: And you're probably all wondering who patient zero is - or in this case, patients. They've been skulking around, trying to hide their dirty, itch shame secret, but no more, I say! No more. Everybody, I present to you - the culprits!
Mick points his crab pincers at a mortified Amy, Levi and Ned. Chloe, Terese, Harlow and the extras all look shocked!
Lassiter's Complex
The next day, Amy and Levi are in disguise (hoods/hats and sunglasses!), evidently ashamed to be seen in public, as they chat to Ned (who is working) and Toadie outside the café. Toadie is trying to assure them that it's not as bad as they think, but Ned says that even Vera Punt has heard the rumours, judging by the look she gave him this morning. Ned wishes he could go 'incognito' too, but can't as he's working.
TOADIE: You guys have got nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about. It could happen to anyone, in any kind of relationship.
As Toadie leaves, Terese arrives. Ned and Levi chivalrously tell Terese that Amy had nothing to do with the infestation; it was only them who had it. However, Terese tells them none of them are responsible.
TERESE: You had nothing to do with what's going on at the hotel (...) It turns out that it's not... you know. It's bedbugs. We found them in a handful of the rooms. We're replacing the mattresses and the bedding as we speak. (To Ned) So, your marathon sheet-washing effort the other day makes a lot of sense now!
Amy apologises to Terese for how things got out of control with Mick last night. But Terese doesn't think anyone will pay much attention to him, and says that now he's been outed as a squatter, the hotel finally has grounds to fire him. Everyone is pleased at this news!
No 30
Melanie is in the house when Toadie comes back having collected Nell from Karl and Susan's (Hugo is still there, eating hash browns!) Melanie's surprised to see that Nell is still wearing her dress from the party yesterday, the one Mel told her that Sonya loved. Nell simply says she doesn't want to get changed, and asks Mel if she'll teach her how to use the crystal ball. Toadie looks worried, and ushers Nell into her room to unpack her overnight bag.
Feeling bad, Melanie goes to put away the crystal ball, and Toadie says that's probably a good idea. Mel apologises again for having started all this, but Toadie reassures her it will just be a phase and Nell will move on soon. However, as Mel goes out of the room, Toadie looks unconvinced of his own words...
Lassiter's Complex
Terese and Glen are having a coffee outside the pub, talking about her wedding ring.
TERESE: It was so hard, telling him I'd lost it.
GLEN: Even though you're not together anymore?
TERESE: Just because we're separated, doesn't mean I enjoy seeing him hurt.
At this point, Paul himself appears, and asks Glen if he could have a moment alone with Terese. Glen complies, and moves to another table nearby, but watches them carefully from his new perch. Paul presents Terese with a jewellery box. She opens it and is shocked to see what looks like her wedding ring.
TERESE: How...? Did you find it?!
PAUL: No. No, I called the jeweller, and asked him to do a rush job on an exact replica. It's amazing, isn't it?
TERESE: Paul...
PAUL: Here, let's try it on.
TERESE (abrupt): Stop.
PAUL: Stop what? What's wrong? You were so upset when you lost the old one.
TERESE: Of course I was! It was my wedding ring. You gave it to me when we said our vows.
PAUL: I know, and that's why I'm replacing it for you.
TERESE: No, you are throwing money at the problem! Trying to dazzle me with a replacement!
PAUL: Terese, this is a symbol just to show you how serious I am about saving our marriage.
TERESE: No, you are trying to force a romantic moment to get back into my good books. The ring's gone! So has our marriage.
Terese gets up and walks off. Paul looks forlorn, while we can detect a certain amount of satisfaction on Glen's face.
Meanwhile, Chloe and Harlow are escorting Mick out of the hotel premises; he has a large bin liner with him, from which we can hear a distinct clinking noise.
MICK: This is an outrage!
HARLOW: Is it, though?
MICK: Yes! After everything I've done for this place - to be tossed aside like yesterday's garbage!
CHLOE (pointing to the bin bag): Speaking of, what exactly are you dragging out with you?
MICK: Uh, my belongings, as requested.
HARLOW: Why do your 'belongings' sound like an awful lot of minibar bottles?
MICK: Because that's what they are. You know, you can't expect me to put up with such a level of mistreatment without a little pick-me-up.
Chloe orders him to drop the bag, and sure enough, he opens it to reveal an array of stolen hotel sundries!
CHLOE: Wow, you really went to town. Toiletries, stationery, a robe - slippers?
MICK: You budget for a certain level of loss.
CHLOE: A bowl of plastic fruit?!
MICK (put out): Oh, you can have it all back, then, if you're gonna make such a fuss.
HARLOW: That's big of you (!)
MICK: But just know that I am never gonna work for this place again. No matter how much you beg me to after you realise what a mistake you've made.
CHLOE: We will keep that in mind.
MICK: Ugh!
He walks off, nose in the air. Chloe says that now he's gone, Praf the HR manager can hire the candidate Chloe originally chose to manage the front desk, and gives Harlow a pointed glance.
HARLOW (avoiding eye contact): Terrific.
CHLOE: We make a pretty good team when we work together.
HARLOW: I can't imagine that one happening again in a hurry.
Chloe looks miffed as Harlow walks off, then drags Mick's weighty bin bag back indoors!
No 22
Terese is working on the patio when Paul turns up, still carrying the ring.
TERESE: Is there no escaping you?
PAUL: Would you just hear me out, please? Terese, I'm not here to pressure you, believe me.
TERESE: ... Get on with it.
PAUL: You know, I replaced the ring because I just... couldn't bear the thought of something that meant so much being lost. Now, whether you do forgive me, or whether you want us done for good, that's completely out of my hands. But I need you to have this token, just to remind you that we were happy a lot of the time as well.
Paul puts the ring on the table next to Terese. 'Okay,' she says, and Paul leaves.
Lassiter's Hotel
Glen lets himself into his hotel room, looking agitated.
No 22
Terese picks up the jewellery box, opens it, and stares at the ring, conflicted.
Lassiter's Hotel
Glen punches in a combination code for the safe in his room, and removes something covered in a cloth. We hear him recall how Terese told him....
TERESE: I lost my wedding ring. It's not here, so it must be somewhere at the beach.
We then see a flashback to Glen finding the ring in the sand, and picking it up. Back in the present, he's now holding the same ring, having seemingly been keeping it in the safe all this time. He stares at it, an inscrutable expression on his face...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Kyle tells David it's no secret that Chloe is still into Nicolette
- Chloe tells Nicolette, 'I've missed this'; Nic replies, 'I've missed it, too'
- Terese tells Glen, 'I have to stop dwelling in the past. That's what Paul is'
- Glen takes in his first view of Ramsay Street since his return
- An angry Paul tells Glen he knows nothing of his life today; Glen retorts it seems similar to his life 30 years ago
