Sonya's Nursery
Nell and JJ are looking around at all the mess.

NELL: Mum would hate this. Everything's ruined.
JJ: Sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to bring me here.
NELL: No. No, I'm glad you did. Otherwise... we'd have no idea what was going on.

Nell explains that an agent is meant to be managing the nursery and overseeing the tenants. JJ offers to come with Nell when she tells Toadie about the state of the place, but she reminds him that they're not meant to be hanging out together without a chaperone.

NELL: Dad hasn't really mentioned it in a while - but I dunno, I guess it all still stands.
JJ: Yeah, it's pretty crazy, cos nothing's even, like, happening between us right now, you know?

Nell looks awkward at this. She tells JJ she'll go and talk to Toadie on her own. JJ looks awkward too.

The Waterhole
Wendy, Andrew and Sadie are in the pub prior to Wendy's mentorship award ceremony at the university, and they're chatting about it to Susan, who thinks it's 'just wonderful'. Wendy plays it down, saying it's 'nothing fancy'.

SADIE: Mum, you're allowed to be excited. We're just happy you stopped listening to all the noise and said yes to this mentorship.
SUSAN: Yeah, you're gonna be a wonderful teacher after you graduate. And this opportunity, it's just gonna increase your skillset.
WENDY (uncertain): Thanks, Susan.

Susan hugs Wendy, and Andrew gives Susan a surreptitious 'thumbs up' over his shoulder. Susan returns the gesture, perhaps implying this isn't entirely a chance encounter. Susan leaves, followed shortly after by Sadie, who promises to see them at the ceremony.

Wendy looks worried; and Andrew asks her how her acceptance speech is coming along. She admits she's still working on it.

WENDY: I want to say thank you, and be grateful. But I also want to acknowledge that... you know, I'm a proud Australian Asian, and I don't expect handouts.
ANDREW: Just so you know - it's only you and that horrible student that thinks that you got a handout.
WENDY: Yeah, well... two people is enough.
ANDREW: Whether you say thank you to everyone, or tell them all to go get stuffed, I'm with you. I am so proud of you, Wendy Rodwell.
WENDY: Thanks...

Ramsay Street
Dex is helping Remi to get some shopping bags out of the car. Cara is with them, and has received an email from her uni lecturer.

CARA: I got a high distinction on my programming assignment.

Remi screams excitedly, thrilled for Cara, and they kiss. Dex smiles, happy that his plan paid off, and tells Cara that's awesome.

CARA: Yeah, I've been watching Wendy smash it out at uni, and I just didn't think that'd be possible for me.
REMI: Oh! Well, looks like she's better at this whole higher education thing than she thinks! (...) My wife, the scholar.

Cara suggests they go and find JJ for a celebration.

No 22
Toadie is looking haunted in the laundry room, back from his session with Rhonda. Terese appears in the kitchen and remarks that he was out longer than she expected; but he doesn't tell her about the session, just claims he had a lot of work to do.

Terese shows Toadie her proposed guest list for the anniversary party. She says she's really hoping that her daughter Piper and her boyfriend Tyler fly over, given they missed the wedding.

Nell comes in, and tells Toadie about Sonya's Nursery being abandoned and completely trashed. Terese says the agent must not have been doing their job properly. But it becomes clear to them from Toadie's expression that he already knew about it. He admits he's aware the tenant had left. Terese is surprised.

Eden University
Wendy is nervously reading through what she's written for her acceptance speech when Quinn approaches. He asks how she's feeling.

WENDY: Uh, yeah. All the things.

She explains she has two versions of her speech and hasn't decided yet which one to deliver - the choice is between 'enjoying the moment' and 'making a statement'. Quinn takes a look at her papers and starts reading.

QUINN: Okay, that's... very thorough.
WENDY: Yeah, well, I'm putting myself on the line a bit - you know, just calling out and schooling everyone. It's a pretty big move.
QUINN: I think you've just got to do what you feel is right.
WENDY: Yeah, but what if my instincts are wrong?
QUINN: Not possible.

Parker approaches next and congratulates Wendy on her win.

PARKER: It couldn't have gone to a better person.
WENDY: Oh, you think?
PARKER: I know! That presentation you did last month on surrealism - woo! Scrambled my brain! I'm not surprised you're up here today.

Parker goes to reserve them and Quinn some seats, leaving Quinn to share an awkward greeting with Sadie, who presumably remembers him from the time she caught him holding Wendy's hand at the traffic light party. Quinn wishes Wendy luck, and rushes off to rejoin Parker. Wendy thanks Andrew and Sadie for being here.

No 22
Toadie is filling Terese and Nell in on the news he had a few weeks ago that the tenants were giving up their lease on Sonya's Nursery. He explains he's been dropping the rent, but even so the business was losing money.

TERESE: Why didn't you say anything?
TOADIE: Because the agent wants me to give it up - the business. Rent the site out as something else (...) It doesn't make any financial sense to keep it as a nursery, I know that; but I just... I just can't close it. I can't... I can't do that to your mum's memory.
NELL: Good! I agree.
TERESE: I'm sorry, but I... I don't understand why you couldn't tell me.
TOADIE: I just wanted to deal with this on my own.
NELL: I mean, it makes sense why the agent can't lease it as it is. It's a bombsite.
TOADIE: Yeah, I do need to clean it up.
NELL: Mum would be heartbroken if she saw it.
TOADIE: Yeah. I'll call the agent and find out what needs to be done.
NELL: Okay. We'll do it together.

But Terese is still looking concerned, and sensing they need to talk alone, Nell leaves them to it.

TOADIE: I'm sorry. I didn't want this to become an issue.
TERESE: Toad, the only issue I have is you feeling like you couldn't tell me. I don't want you to ever hold back when it comes to Sonya. I know how important the nursery is to you.
TOADIE: Yeah, it is.
TERESE: Listen, why don't I dig up some contacts and see if we can rustle some interest?
TOADIE: No, it's okay. Thank you, though. Just having your understanding is all that I need.

But Terese is visibly feeling on the outer.

Harold's Café
The Varga- Murphys are gathered at a table. JJ gives Cara a hug and congratulates her on her uni assignment success. JJ gets a message from Nell, saying, 'I need to see you,' and hurries off to convene with her. Haz brings them over some drinks and Remi tells him about Cara's latest good mark. He asks what it was for.

CARA: Computer programming, if you can believe it. Your old gig.

Haz and Dex make eye contact, and Dex looks worried. Haz invites him to come and collect some menus from the counter. Dex looks even more worried!

Eden University
Edith Jameson, who is presenting the mentorship award, is explaining to the audience that the mentorship is awarded to 'an exemplary student showing great promise in education'. She then introduces Wendy, who comes to the microphone.

WENDY: Wow. Umm, thank you, Ms Jameson, faculty members, and fellow students.

She laughs nervously as she rifles through her papers.

WENDY: It is with great pride that I accept this mentorship. And it is also with great...

She stops, and begins shuffling her papers again, perhaps still undecided about which speech to use.

WENDY: It is also with great gratitude.

Quinn smiles.

WENDY: I'm a believer in lifelong learning, and I feel so humbled to be able to continue my journey.

She folds her papers and ad libs instead.

WENDY: You know, I wasn't sure if I deserved this. But then I thought, 'Hey, why not me?' You know, education, it's a really, really tough industry - and I will gladly take all the help that I can get. So I hope I prove myself fitting of this honour. Thank you so much.

The audience cheers, and Andrew and Sadie congratulate Wendy on her speech as she returns to chat to them.

WENDY: I decided to make it about me.

She sees Quinn watching her with a smile from a distance, and tells Andrew and Sadie she needs to go and chat to some of the mentors and bigwigs.

Harold's Café
Dex is explaining himself to Haz at the counter. He says that Cara was 'totally gonna bomb' with her existing submission, and that in redoing it for her he was just trying to help.

HAZ: Mate, what you've done is, you've helped your mum cheat.
DEX: She's totally innocent.
HAZ: Yeah, but she turned the assignment in under her name (...) This course is meant to help your mum with her job. She's gonna get a rude shock if she gets to the end of it, and realises she can't do what she thinks she can.
DEX: It's one assignment.
HAZ: For programming. Coding isn't something you can just wing.
DEX: I know it was a bad idea. But she was just so down on herself. Look at her now - she's so happy. Please, just don't tell her.

But the phone in the kitchen rings, cutting short their conversation, and Haz heads off to answer it, handing Dex the menus to take back to his table.

No 28
In the garden, Terese is telling Susan about Toadie having kept the issues with Sonya's Nursery from her. Terese doesn't mind if Toadie wants to keep the nursery, she clarifies; it's his decision. Susan says Sonya will always be a sensitive subject for Toadie. Karl is sitting in the greenhouse nearby, listening to what's being said. Both the Kennedys volunteer to help with clean- up at the Nursery if it's needed. Terese leaves.

Susan turns to Karl, who's been looking shifty during the chat with Terese, and stares him out.

KARL: I was thinking I should re- pot this agave.
SUSAN: What's going on?
KARL: Hmm?
SUSAN: Normally you have an opinion about anything to do with Toadie.
KARL: Didn't think it was any of my business.
SUSAN: (scoffs)
KARL: Alright, okay, I knew about the nursery. Toadie swore me to secrecy.
SUSAN: Why?
KARL: Do you remember, a few days ago, we said there would be times when Toadie and Terese could confide in either of us? And we agreed to not swap notes. This is one of those times.
SUSAN: Alright, yep, fair enough. I won't push you for details. Just tell me one thing - should we be worried?
KARL: Well, Toadie's communicating with Terese. That's a good thing.

Susan looks unreassured.

Lassiter's Complex
Nell and JJ are chatting on a bench opposite the lake. Nell things it's weird that Toadie didn't say anything about Sonya's Nursery, but adds that it's good he wants to fix it up.

JJ: Have you ever thought of getting more involved in it?
NELL: ... When I was really little, I used to dream of running the place (...) Mum used to take me down there all the time. She'd get me to order the herbs, or give the customers change. Sometimes she'd even let me boss her around. Then if I got tired... she used to keep a stack of picture books behind the juice bar, so I could curl up behind her... I really should've gone down sooner.
JJ: No, you didn't know what was happening.
NELL: I think about Mum all the time. I really hope she knows that.
JJ: I'm sure she does.

Meanwhile, Cara, Remi and Dex are leaving the café. As the mums walk on, Dex stops and sees JJ and Nell on the bench. Nell doesn't see Dex, but JJ gives him a wave and a smile. Dex waves back, but looks sad. He goes on his way. Nell and JJ smile cautiously at one another.

Eden University
Andrew is taking a picture of Wendy with Edith Jameson, who congratulates Wendy again. He then gets one of Wendy with Sadie, Quinn and Parker. Parker and Andrew both wax lyrical about how great the mentorship will be for Wendy. Soon after, Wendy and Quinn get a chance to chat alone.

QUINN: You didn't run with your speech.
WENDY: No... I mean, was that wrong? Think I missed a chance to stand up for myself, create some kind of change?
QUINN: It shouldn't have to be your responsibility to stand up for anyone. Or to hold an institution to account for its crappy PR agendas.
WENDY: Yeah. Well, part of me still feels like I should have made some kind of statement.
QUINN: You did! You made a statement about yourself. About being deserving, and running with it. Hey - your success will be the best revenge.
WENDY: Thanks, Quinn.
QUINN: Any time.

But from a distance, Sadie notices how fondly Quinn seems to be looking at Wendy, and looks concerned.

No 30
Cara is still basking in the glow of her high distinction as she and Remi head into the sunroom.

CARA: Is this how you feel all the time? Just so confident and academic?
REMI: I studied like crazy for every mark I got! And I still get nervous when I go for an interview or any professional development.
CARA: (...) I'm so surprised how good this makes me feel.

Cara grabs Remi enthusiastically and it feels like things are about to get frisky - but then Remi notices Rupert, Cara's horrific carved rooster, out of the corner of her eye, which somewhat kills the mood!

REMI: I feel like Rupert is watching us.
CARA: Oh, I know. Isn't it calming? Like we're on a farm!
REMI (bemused): Uh- huh...
CARA: Hey, now that I'm a distinction- slash- high- distinction kinda gal, I was thinking about enrolling in that advanced class that I was worried about.
REMI: I knew you could do it.

Remi kisses Cara.

CARA: Yeah, you've always been my biggest supporter. It's nice to believe in myself, too.
REMI: You know, forties is gonna be your best decade yet!

Remi goes to get a bottle of wine from the fridge, cheering all the way. She appears to notice the invitation to Terese and Toadie's wedding anniversary on the fridge, and smiles as if she's had an idea...

Ramsay Street
Dex is sitting on his basketball by the side of the road when JJ approaches.

DEX: Saw you hanging out with Nell.
JJ: Yeah, her mum's nursery was trashed. She needed someone to talk to; I was trying to be a good mate.
DEX: Why did she want to talk to you?
JJ: Just... I was there when she saw it.
DEX: Were you two hanging out?
JJ: I was just asking for help about plants, alright? It was just friendship.
DEX: You think she's forgiven me too, then?
JJ: Well, I don't see why not. Message her and find out.
DEX: Alright.
JJ: So, umm... we're cool now, yeah?
DEX: Yeah.
JJ: Good, good. Hey, pretty awesome about Mum's mark, isn't it? She's very proud of herself.
DEX: ... Yeah.

JJ heads inside. Dex looks worried.

The Waterhole
Wendy comes in with Andrew and Sadie, confessing she's glad it's all over.

ANDREW: Well, not quite!
TOADIE, TERESE, SUSAN, KARL and MELANIE: Surprise!!!

They all rush over, and Melanie presents Wendy with a glass of champagne. Susan asks Wendy if she's met her mentors yet - she says they've had a brief meet- and- greet but is looking forward to it kicking off properly. Everyone separates off to get drinks, leaving Sadie with Wendy.

SADIE (to Wendy): You can relax now. The scary part's over.
WENDY: Well, having you and your dad there meant everything to me.
SADIE: Where else would we be? But it was nice for your friends to come along too.
WENDY: Mm.
SADIE (pointedly): Like Quinn.

Wendy seems to understand what Sadie is getting at, but insists...

WENDY: He is a good friend. We're just on the same wavelength about a lot of things.

Melanie cuts the conversation short, approaching and wanting to hear 'all the goss'. But Sadie looks concerned as Wendy walks away.

At the bar, Karl and Toadie have a furtive chat about Sonya's Nursery, and what he's told Terese.

TOADIE: Just that the tenant left a few weeks ago. And before you mention anything again, I took your advice - I had a session with Rhonda.
KARL: Good.

No 30
Cara and Remi are in when Haz calls round, ostensibly to drop back the drill he borrowed the other day.

HAZ: Thanks again for this.
CARA: What are neighbours for?

They chat about Cara's successful assignment again; Cara admits it feels nice to have achieved it given formal education was never her thing. Cara heads out to put the drill away, and while she's gone, Haz quietly asks Remi if Dex is around. She suggests he may have gone up the street, as he was outside before.

REMI: Why, do you need him for something?
HAZ: Okay - I don't want to rock the boat. But I think there's something you should know.

Ramsay Street
Dex is walking back towards home. He gets a text from Nell, saying, 'You and I are cool,' and smiles, reassured. But his smile quickly fades when he sees Remi waiting for him in the street, hands on hips.

REMI: So, Haz dropped by. He said you were on Mum's computer last night and you asked him about coding.
DEX: ... Right.
REMI: Is there anything you want to share, Dexter?
DEX: I was only trying to help.
REMI: Did she ask you to?
DEX: She was just so stressed!
REMI: How stressed do you think she's gonna be when she doesn't get the same mark on her next assignment?
DEX: (...) But you help me with my homework all the time.
REMI: Yes, I help you - I don't do it for you. And I ask your consent. You did this by yourself, and she could get in a lot of trouble.
DEX: Did you tell her?
REMI: No. I'm not going to. You are.
DEX: Why?! It was a mistake - I shouldn't have done it, but it's done. Punish me, sure, but she's so happy. If I tell her, she'll just feel bad.

The conversation is interrupted by Cara's appearance. She tells them that as a result of her good grade, she's signed up for the advanced coding module!

CARA: Now I know that I'm not a complete waste of the education system, I'm going all in... Did I interrupt something?
REMI: ... No! We were just... talking about how proud we are of you.

Remi leads Cara inside for a cuppa, glancing back guiltily at Dex as they go. Dex looks worried.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Paul is back in town, and tells Tess it's lovely to see her. 'Hello,' she replies, with a smile
- Tess tells Heath that unfortunately, Paul is anything but a pushover
- Holly defends Heath for using two different surnames, and Mackenzie wonders why
- Cara tells a worried Remi and Dex that the uni thinks she cheated on her last assignment