Previously
- Fashion mogul Montana Marcel arrives at Lassiter's to hear Terese's pitch for Fashion Week
- But she's unimpressed with the personal touches her manager Mick has talked Lassiter's into arranging
- Chloe and Terese realise Mick has set them up, but Leo is the one person Montana seems to warm to
- Nonetheless, Montana tells them all she won't be holding Fashion Week at Lassiter's
- Aaron asks David what's going on with him; 'nothing,' David replies
- Kyle is struggling to understand why David didn't help him when he was choking
- Freya searches for 'medical books on guilt and trauma' on Google on her laptop
- Shortly afterwards, Gareth's new girlfriend Emma turns up; Freya tells her to get off her property
- But Emma wants answers about why David and Freya didn't save Gareth, and accosts them at the complex
- Freya physically drags Emma away from David, and on Gareth, tells her, 'If anything, we did you a favour'
- No 24 is ransacked, and Freya's laptop stolen; she thinks she knows who was responsible
No 24
Freya is telling Chloe and Levi that she told Emma some things she didn't want to hear, and that ransacking the house might have been Emma's way of getting back at her.
FREYA: Chloe, I'm so sorry, I really am. I'll clean all of this up straight away.
Chloe doesn't say much, other than that she needs to call Terese and postpone their meeting about the Fashion Week pitch. Freya again apologises. Mackenzie emerges from her room with Hendrix, and says nothing seems to be missing of hers.
HENDRIX: It doesn't make sense. Why would she break in just to get your laptop? What did you have on it?
FREYA (defensive): Nothing that she'd find interesting.
LEVI: It's password-protected, though, right?
FREYA: Yeah, of course.
LEVI: Then she can't do much except wipe it and then sell it.
Mackenzie reassures Freya she couldn't have known this would happen. Levi says he'll stick around to help clean up.
Leo's Winery
Terese is in the bar with Glen, and on the phone to Chloe; finishing the call, Terese explains to Glen about Chloe's break-in. Things are going better for Leo, who comes in and reports he's sold another eight barrels of gin (or whisky?) as part of his Barrel Bash event. Glen remarks that he'll have to put on more staff at this rate.
Leo says he also caught Mick trying to sneak out with a bag of booze he 'thought was complimentary'.
TERESE: The nerve of that man! If he thinks I'm gonna give up that tender, he's got another thing coming.
No 24
Chloe is upset to find that a framed photo of her with Aaron and their late mum Fay has been smashed. Freya says she'll replace the frame, but Chloe says she can't - it was from a little market in Adelaide which she picked up when she was with her mum. Freya senses she's in Chloe's bad books, so Chloe half-heartedly defuses the tension.
CHLOE: It's okay. It's just stuff.
MACKENZIE: Yeah, and a little spring cleaning never hurt anybody.
Freya suddenly cries out in pain, and says her arm has been feeling weird recently. Levi comes in, and reports that no-one on the street saw anything as regards the break-in, but they're keeping an eye out. Levi says he's also filing a report based on Freya's description (presumably, of Emma). Freya heads out with Levi, while Chloe and Mackenzie sit down on the sofa, looking glum.
HENDRIX: How are you two so fine about this. This is the exact thing that you were stressed about when she first moved in.
MACKENZIE: Yeah, but that was before we got to know her.
HENDRIX: How well do you think you know her now?
CHLOE: It's not Freya's fault some deranged woman broke into the house.
HENDRIX: Isn't it?! If she wasn't living here, then it wouldn't have happened.
MACKENZIE: Well, what are we supposed to do, kick her out?
HENDRIX: It might not be a bad idea. What if one of you was home next time?
CHLOE: There won't be a next time.
HENDRIX: Well, you can't guarantee that and neither can she. Not with her track record.
But unbeknownst to Hendrix, Freya has come back in and is listening to what he's saying. He turns and sees her, and she smiles at him. Hendrix looks deeply embarrassed!
No 32
In his bedroom, David is reading a copy of the coroner's report into Gareth's death - crucially, the box 'suspicious, unusual or unnatural' has not been ticked. There's a knock at the door and he hides the report under his pillow; Nicolette and Jane then come in. Nic has just picked Jane up from the Barrel Bash at the winery, and Jane is hopelessly drunk! Jane crawls onto David's bed and lies down.
NICOLETTE: Apparently your brother makes a devastating cocktail.
JANE: Oh, and I was devastating, too, David. I had those investors just eating out of my hands!
Nicolette suggests Jane should have a lie-down in her own bed instead, and helps her up, saying she'll fetch her some water.
JANE: Oh, yes, water! Very sensible. Very sensible indeed.
Jane stumbles out of the room - we then hear a crash from the hallway beyond!
JANE (offscreen): Oops.
Nicolette now sits down with David, and asks if everything is okay with Aaron. David says it is, and that he should be home next week. Nicolette suggests they do something special for his homecoming, but David's response is only to sigh, and Nicolette asks him if he's okay. He insists he's fine.
NICOLETTE: Okay. I am here if you need me.
David nods, but says no more, and Nicolette leaves him to it.
Leo's Winery
Leo, Terese and Glen are in the grounds. Glen suggests to Terese that she tell Montana about Mick's history at Lassiter's and how he's deliberately set them up to fail with the Fashion Week tender. But Terese thinks Mick would just wriggle his way out of it. Leo thinks they can turn it around, still; Montana did say she didn't hate everything!
GLEN: Except the only thing she did like... was you.
LEO: Come on, that's not true.
TERESE: It is, actually. You know what? This is something that we could exploit (...) We go back in, and we put you front and centre.
LEO (laughs): What, are you saying you'd use me as a honey trap?
TERESE: Well, I wouldn't say that, exactly...
LEO: Well, what are you saying, then?
TERESE: You're doing me a favour. Leo, I really want to win this. This is my first big project that I'm doing on my own (...) and I want to prove that I can do this without Paul's backing.
GLEN: It would be good for us, too, mate.
LEO: Okay, if you guys think it'll help, I'll... give it a shot.
Terese is very grateful.
Moore Street
Levi is on duty, radioing in from a call he's just dealt with on Moore Street, when he spots Emma walking down the road, apparently recognising her from Freya's description. Levi gets out of his patrol car and shouts Emma's name - at which point she starts running from him. But he catches up and apprehends her.
EMMA: Get off me! I haven't done anything!
LEVI: You're wanted for questioning over a break and enter.
EMMA: I don't even know what you're talking about!
LEVI: Perfect, then you've got nothing to be worried about.
He takes her back to the police car.
Erinsborough Hospital
Aaron is asleep in bed when Mick knocks on his door - and lets himself in without awaiting permission! Aaron begins to stir, and is not impressed to see Mick.
MICK: Hey, sleeping beauty.
AARON: (..) Why are you even at the hospital?
MICK: I went on an awful date.
AARON: What - did he see you and throw up, and that's how he ended up here?
MICK: Oh, that is so funny. No, he actually works here. Although, when I heard he was a 'hospital professional', I thought he'd be a doctor, not a cleaner. Don't cringe - it was Dean Covey. Not one of your besties, I hear. Aside from running me through all his many and varied cleaning duties, all he spoke about was David. Worst date ever.
AARON: Why are you telling me this?
MICK: The guy's, like, legit obsessed with your husband. Anyway, it's no secret you and David have been a little bit shaky lately -
AARON: Okay, Mick, that's enough.
MICK: I'm actually just trying to warn you.
AARON: No, I don't want a warning - and I don't want any of your drama, Mick.
Mick leaves at Aaron's request, but Aaron looks concerned by his words.
Montana's Mansion
Leo has turned up to see Montana Marcel with a big parcel of freebies from the winery, as per Terese's request to help talk her round. He claims he found her by telling the limo company she used that she'd left her bag at the winery.
MONTANA: I didn't leave my bag.
LEO: I know.
MONTANA: So, what, you went to all this trouble to give me a gift basket?
LEO: I just put together some of the wines we spoke about on the tour.
MONTANA: Hmm. Well, thank you, but you could've had it delivered.
LEO: But then I wouldn't have been able to ask for a second chance for Lassiter's.
MONTANA: Oh, I don't give second chances.
LEO: Just let me set things straight. The pitch you saw wasn't the pitch Terese had planned.
MONTANA: I've gone over this with Terese. But what I'm more interested in is why you're here, because you don't work for the company.
LEO: Well, I've still got chips in the game. And I'm smart enough to know what it could do having your name attached to an event at my business.
MONTANA: Hmm. So it's personal for you.
LEO: Potentially.
MONTANA: Gotcha.
Montana walks off down the hallway, but leaves her door open. Leo smiles, and heads inside...
Erinsborough Police Station
Levi is interviewing Emma regarding the break and enter, and asks her to tell him where she was this morning.
EMMA: Emma McIver, 12 Tiger Court, Bendigo.
LEVI: Emma, you know we have a witness that says you were at No 24 Ramsay Street this morning. Is that correct?
EMMA: ...
LEVI: You then had an argument with one of the residents of that property, right?
EMMA: ... Emma McIver, 12 Tiger Court, Bendigo.
LEVI: Yes, yes (...) Why did you run away from me when I called out to you?
EMMA: You've got my name and address; I don't need to give you anything else.
LEVI: That's true.
EMMA: Cool. So are we done here? Because unless you have any evidence, you can't keep me here.
LEVI: No. You're free to go. But Emma? We may not have any evidence that ties you to Gareth's criminal activities - but keep harassing Freya, and I'll keep looking. And I promise you, I will find something. Stay away from her.
Erinsborough Hospital
Aaron is looking much cheerier as he fusses over Isla, whom David has brought to visit.
DAVID: Kyle choked yesterday.
AARON: He what?!
DAVID: I was there, and I did nothing. I just froze (...) Freya saved him. But if she hadn't come along...
AARON: David...
DAVID: And the police formally interviewed me about my treatment of Gareth.
AARON: Why?
DAVID: Just to tie everything up. Make sure that my version of what happened matched the coroner's. It's all just... it's just feeling like too much at the moment, and... holding it in has just made it worse (...) I just feel like I'm letting everyone down.
AARON: Hey, you're not. David, look at me - look at me. I love you, and I love our little family. And no matter what's going on, and no matter what you're going through, I'm here for you. Everything's going to be okay.
David has become tearful.
Lassiter's Complex
Hendrix and Mackenzie are leaving Harold's; Hendrix wants to go for a walk around the lake, but Mackenzie wants to get home and help Freya clean up. Hendrix continues to moan that he's worried for Mackenzie's safety living with Freya.
MACKENZIE: I'm worried too, but hating Freya isn't gonna make me any safer.
At this point, Hendrix spots Freya across the courtyard. Emma approaches her, holding Freya's laptop.
EMMA: Found it on the side of the road.
FREYA (laughs): Well, let's pretend that's real (!)
EMMA: Do you want it or not?
Emma hands over the laptop.
EMMA: You can tell yourself all you like that Gareth was a scumbag. He made some mistakes, but he was a good person deep down, and you know it. He didn't deserve what he got.
Freya grimaces at Emma, but at this point, Mackenzie and Hendrix come over to check everything is okay. Freya puts on a smile and says it's all fine.
EMMA: Nice laptop, by the way. It's amazing what you can tell about a person from their computer. Might want to pick a stronger password next time.
Freya looks rattled as Emma walks away, though insists she's 'all good' to Hendrix and Mackenzie.
Montana's Mansion
Leo is enthusing to Montana about the benefits of choosing Lassiter's for Fashion Week, but she's still concerned about the bad publicity the hotel has garnered from previous disasters. Leo puts these down to 'bad luck' and says Lassiter's is a strong company with a strong record on events, as well as praising Terese personally. Montana asks Leo what's in all this for him.
LEO: I want my vineyard to make the best gin in the country.
MONTANA: And you think that my Fashion Week can do that for you?
LEO: Well, I see you as a luxury brand, and I see myself that way too.
MONTANA: Well, that's definitely food for thought.
Leo suggests they call Terese and set up another meeting, but Montana says no - she wants to open one of the bottles of wine instead. Leo agrees, so Montana goes to fetch some glasses. Leo gets a message from Terese, asking if there's any news. He replies saying, 'So far so good, stay tuned.'
The Waterhole
David and Freya are having a furtive conversation; David is stressing about Freya's laptop having been stolen (temporarily) by Emma. Freya thinks she only took it to freak her out.
DAVID (panicking): Did she do anything to it?
FREYA: I dunno.
But Freya, who is looking through the laptop, then starts laughing. She explains to David that Emma is 'so petty', having apparently deleted a folder containing photos of her and Gareth. David is relieved to hear that this is seemingly all Emma has done.
FREYA: And now we know it was personal against me. So you don't have to worry about anything. It's a good thing (...) I just want to forget the whole thing, and move on.
David leaves, promising to talk to Freya later. At this point, Levi comes in, and is surprised to see Freya with her laptop. Freya explained that Emma claimed she found it on the side of the road.
LEVI: She's got guts, I'll give her that. You want to take this further - dust her up a little bit?
FREYA: Dust her up? Here we go!
LEVI: Not like that. I mean, I have enough to have her charged, if you want.
FREYA: No, it's not worth the hassle. But thank you. Actually, thank you for dealing with all of this for me - I appreciate it.
LEVI: I mean, look at us, taking turns at being the hero.
FREYA: Yeah. Pressure's on for me for next time, I know.
LEVI: Oh, you bet it is.
They smile at one another, and it feels like chemistry is brewing again. But Freya says she has to go, meaning the moment doesn't go any further for now. Levi looks wistful as she leaves.
No 32
David walks into his bedroom, and finds the walls around the bed decorated with cards and notes. He sighs, looking at them, then sits on the bed. Nicolette and Jane come in, and admit that they're responsible - it turns out all the cards and notes are from patients he's helped in the past, thanking him.
NICOLETTE: You can thank Aaron. He texted us saying you might need reminding of how amazing you are.
JANE: And he told us where you kept all of the letters from grateful patients that you've helped over the years. So many people owe you so much, David - don't you forget that.
DAVID: Thank you.
NICOLETTE: There's one more.
Nicolette sits next to David and hands him a note from Aaron himself, which reads, 'Thank you everything, Dr. Boo. Love Aaron x'. David is emotional, and Nicolette comforts him.
DAVID: What you said earlier about, umm... getting the house ready for Aaron, making it a happy place...
NICOLETTE: I'm on it.
Montana's Mansion
As they drink wine, Leo and Montana are chatting animatedly about New York, where they've both spent time. Montana asks Leo why he's traded in New York for suburbia. Leo explains about Abigail, and Montana seems surprised he has a baby. Leo returns the conversation to Fashion Week.
LEO: You haven't mentioned a thing about the pitch since we opened that bottle of wine. And you are impossible to get a read on.
MONTANA: I'm notoriously impossible.
At this point, Mick comes in, and is not pleased to see Leo.
MICK: Ugh, no! You have *got* to be kidding me.
MONTANA: Don't you make me regret giving you a key to this place.
MICK: You're not seriously thinking about doing what I *think* you're thinking about doing?
MONTANA: What, firing you for sabotaging the Lassiter's pitch? I'm absolutely thinking about it.
LEO: I didn't name any names.
MONTANA: Oh, he didn't have to.
MICK: It was a test! If they had done their research, they would've known 'no tiki torches'.
MONTANA: You are lucky that you make me laugh most of the time. But you need to go, with your mauve - is it mauve? - jacket.
MICK: No, I'd call it, like, a midnight blush.
MONTANA: Just go, I've got business to do!
MICK: I can take the minutes!
MONTANA: Go! Thank you. Okay, bye!
Mick leaves. Leo looks bemused.
MONTANA: So, why don't we open another bottle, and close the deal?
LEO: Sounds like a good plan.
No 24
Freya is telling Chloe about her latest encounter with Emma. Hendrix and Mackenzie are here too, and Hendrix asks how Freya is feeling; she says she's fine, and is glad to get her computer back. Mackenzie thinks they should invest in a heavy-duty deadlock, and the others agree.
HENDRIX: If you want, I can sleep over a bit more often - keep an eye on things.
CHLOE: What are you gonna do? Break out the whisk again?
MACKENZIE: Oh, no, he'd just be stirring up trouble.
HENDRIX: That's not even funny - that joke's old!
FREYA: What did you do with a whisk?
MACKENZIE: Oh, that's right - you don't know about the whisk!
Hendrix is just about to tell the story, when Terese turns up, to see how everybody is after the break-in. She also updates Chloe, telling her that Leo was in touch earlier to say things were going well with Montana - though it was ages ago since she last heard from him.
Montana's Mansion
Leo and Montana are still getting along like a house on fire.
LEO: You know, you're pretty intimidating on the first meeting.
MONTANA: You don't think that's all an act?
LEO: I dunno - is it? I mean, I get it; you have to keep your cards close.
MONTANA: How about now? Do you find me intimidating?
LEO: No. But it's probably all this wine.
MONTANA: I don't let alcohol affect me like that.
LEO: Yeah, I wasn't talking about you.
MONTANA: You know, you're really lucky. I don't let my guard down like this.
LEO: No second chances.
MONTANA: No.
LEO: (...) Look, Fashion Week at Lassiter's, it's... it's really important to Terese. You give her the tender, she won't let you down.
MONTANA: Good, cos I don't like being disappointed.
LEO: So, do we have a deal?
MONTANA: Do we have a deal? Hmm. On one condition. You and I, right now, go upstairs, and let our guard down a little more. What do you say?
Leo looks conflicted...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Leo tells Glen about Montana's offer, who in turn tells Terese and Chloe
- Chloe receives news that Lassiter's has been given the Fashion Week tender
- In London, Harlow meets a stranger called Corey
- Harlow's reunited with her aunt, and also meets Sophie Ellis- Bextor, from whom she tries to take a diary
- Harlow's aunt says, 'We could keep looking'; Harlow says, 'I feel like it must be a sign from Mum'
