Harold's Café
Jane is still quizzing Vic and Melanie about why they didn't tell her they were on a date back when Vic first returned.

MELANIE: I panicked.
JANE: Because?
MELANIE: Because I didn't want you to think that I was trying to cut your lunch. You know, Melanie Pearson, the notorious Ramsay Street lunch cutter! But it was silly of me. Hashtag 'paranoid'! Especially now that I've decided to leave town.
VIC: ... You have?
MELANIE: Yes. And soon.
JANE: And when did you decide that?
MELANIE: Earlier today.
VIC: Where are you going?

Jane glances at Vic, as if to suggest she thinks he's a bit too interested in Melanie's plans.

MELANIE: Well, I don't have any definite plans. I'm just gonna offer myself up to the universe and see where it takes me. Hear that, universe? I'm coming for ya!
JANE: Sounds exciting.
MELANIE: Yeah. Well, it's kind of more exciti- fying. That's a combination of 'exciting' -
VIC: And 'terrifying'.
MELANIE: You got it.

Jane looks concerned that Vic and Melanie appear to be on such a wavelength!

MELANIE: Well, I really hope you love the pub, Vic. And I'm so pleased it turned out to be what you wanted.
VIC: Well, thank *you* for the heads up.

Melanie heads off, but Jane is left looking worried.

No 22
Terese comes downstairs. There is a blanket on the sofa, presumably signifying that Paul slept there; and indeed, he is in the kitchen preparing some coffee for her.

TERESE: Look, I'm, umm... I took advantage of you last night. Emotionally.
PAUL: Yeah, well. I figured you weren't thinking straight, so...
TERESE: You know, last night I hit rock bottom.
PAUL: Oh, thank you very much (!)
TERESE: I didn't mean that... I'm going to AA today.
PAUL: Weren't you going yesterday?
TERESE (upset): No, I mean it this time.
PAUL: Okay. Well, there are other options. I mean, there's in- patient rehab. Perhaps that's something you could talk to Krista about.
TERESE (evasive): Yeah, thanks. I'll handle that.
PAUL: Terese, I can't force you to do anything. But I can point out that you made a promise to yourself that you wouldn't fall apart when Toadie left. And you did. Now, I'm not trying to shame you; but it's just, you know, sometimes people can't handle things as well as they think. And I'm petrified of what may happen to you if you continue down this path.

Terese goes quiet; and Paul leaves to get her car from the garage. Terese takes a deep breath.

No 28
Susan is having a coffee and takes a peek out of the front window. She's concerned to see Paul leaving Terese's house...

Harold's Café
Aaron is telling Felix about the 'wild' Halloween party he missed out on at No 32.

FELIX: Who ended up in the pool?
AARON: Nobody!
FELIX: Can't have been that wild, then.

Cara is picking up a drink from the fridge, and Felix thanks her again for dinner the other night. Cara says it's no problem, and casually adds that they should maybe do it again sometime. Felix thinks that would be nice. Cara then gets a message, and tells Felix that she's needed at Andrew's house. She's waiting to pay for the drink, but Felix is ahead of her, so he adds it to his own bill. Cara thanks him and leaves.

Aaron remarks that it's good to see Felix and Cara getting along. Felix agrees but admits he put his foot in it with her recently, and that it's a 'long story'. This being Erinsborough, Aaron has already heard about the clumsy sperm donation offer!

AARON: But apparently, it got them thinking, so there you go. Maybe some good has come of it.
FELIX: Yeah?
AARON: Yeah.

But as Aaron fails to go into further detail about his chat with Cara on the subject, instead rushing off, Felix looks intrigued as to exactly what he meant...

No 24
Byron is hanging out and having a meal with Jane when Vic turns up, and tells Byron about having bought the pub in Gippsland. Byron offers Vic muted congratulations, then immediately asks when he's leaving - prompting a disapproving glance from Jane!

BYRON: To Gippsland, I mean.
VIC: Erm, it's still early days. But I'd love for you and Nicolette to come see it.
BYRON (noncommittal): Yeah, maybe.

Jane asks Byron if she could have a word alone with Vic, so he makes himself scarce.

VIC: This feels ominous.
JANE: It's about Melanie. Last night when she said she was leaving, you... you looked disappointed.
VIC: Uh... I was surprised.
JANE: It just made me wonder why you'd care so much. Do you have Feelings™ for Melanie?
VIC: I barely know Melanie.
JANE: Well, you dated...
VIC: Once.
JANE: After corresponding for several weeks. During which time you shared your hopes and dreams...
VIC: It was small talk.
JANE: No, big talk. And you're avoiding my question.

She takes his hands.

JANE: Vic, if you and I are to have any sort of a future together, I need you to be sure.
VIC: Yeah, of course.
JANE: You don't have to answer now. Just... just think about it. But you do need to be honest.

Vic looks conflicted.

No 22
Terese is folding up Paul's blanket from the sofa as Susan turns up. She tells Terese that she's heading into work to set up the question- and- answer session for residents about the gas leak, and wondered if she wanted to come too. But she then notices how tired Terese looks. Terese claims she had a terrible night's sleep.

SUSAN: Oh. Did you take another sleeping pill?
TERESE: No. I said I wouldn't take any more of those.
SUSAN: No, no - of course not...
TERESE: Anything else on your mind?
SUSAN: Terese, you haven't been yourself for a few weeks. You've been irritable and defensive, and I'm just wondering if there's something going on.
TERESE: Such as?
SUSAN: Well, I understand why you didn't say anything. I just wish you felt you could've been honest with me.
TERESE: I didn't... I didn't want to let you down.
SUSAN: I don't think it's the wisest move given everything that you've been through. But you're an adult. It's your choice.
TERESE: Sorry... what is?
SUSAN: Sleeping with Paul! I saw him leave your house earlier this morning. And he was so strange on the phone the night of the gas leak. He is the real reason you're behaving like this, isn't he?

Terese briefly hesitates, and then decides to go along with Susan's misinterpretation of events, to cover the truth of her relapse.

TERESE: It was a stupid mistake. You know, I thought it would make me feel better. And, umm, the reason I didn't tell you was... because I felt embarrassed.
SUSAN: Oh, I am so sorry that I made you feel that way.
TERESE: No, no, believe me, it is my fault.
SUSAN: No, no, it's not.

Susan then gets a message from John Haider, the driver of the linen delivery truck, who was on site at Eirini Rising just before the gas leak. He's told Susan that he 'may have hit the gas meter'.

SUSAN: Well, the timing lines up, doesn't it?
TERESE (worried): Yeah...

No 26
In the garden, Andrew has summoned Cara and Remi to discuss with them his plan to ask Felix to move back in. He wanted to speak with them before inviting Felix to make sure they were okay with it first.

CARA: Look, it's not a shock that you'd want him to move back in here.
REMI: And we have noticed the effort he's been making. We've been making one too, and we're sure you could use the company as well.
ANDREW: Yeah. So, you're comfortable? Not comfortable...?
REMI: To be honest, it has been good having Felix at arm's length.
CARA: Mm. Yeah, for me too. The distance has been good.
REMI: Yeah, but he does deserve a proper home.
CARA: And it would help him make a better life. We can't stand in the way of that. But this does involve the boys, so we need to talk to them as well.

Andrew agrees to this, and goes inside to make a cuppa, leaving Remi and Cara to talk alone.

REMI: Are you really okay?
CARA: Surprisingly, yeah. You?
REMI: Same.
CARA: And besides, we might have a new baby to focus on.
REMI: Oh, how did you go with choosing a donor?

But before they can talk further, Andrew re- emerges and says he's run out of milk, so Remi goes to pick some up from their place. Cara looks thoughtful.

Eirini Rising
In the office, Susan informs Terese that John the linen truck driver has been fired, and that the police are looking into whether or not to charge him. Terese looks guilty.

TERESE: What, for an accident?
SUSAN: An accident that almost killed Gino!
TERESE: Unintentionally.
SUSAN: Oh, come on. You said yourself, what kind of coward drives away from the scene of a crime? Imagine trying to shift the blame onto someone else.

Terese looks even guiltier.

Lassiter's Complex
Remi bumps into Aaron in the courtyard.

AARON: You missed out on a fun Halloween party!
REMI: Who fell in the pool?
AARON: Nobody...
REMI: Well, if you have a pool at a party and no one falls in, did you even have a party?

Aaron laughs nervously, a little spooked out, and tells Remi about the eerily similar conversation he had with Felix earlier.

AARON: Anyway, we all need to get together for dinner sometime soon.
REMI: Oh, yeah, Cara and I would love that.
AARON: Full disclosure - Cara filled me in on everything.
REMI: Everything...?
AARON: Baby- wise. I know we swapped stories a long, long time ago. But if you have any new questions about how David and I had Isla, I am more than happy to get back into it.
REMI: New questions?
AARON: Yeah. I mean, you and Cara, you're going down a different path now. And you've been through a lot with Felix, so... could be good to have a bit of a sounding board.
REMI: Oh, hey, when you say we should all get together, do you mean Felix as well?

But before he can answer, Aaron gets a message and has to rush off to resolve some kind of work problem. The conversation leaves Remi looking confused and worried as to exactly what Cara has been saying to Aaron about their baby plans...

No 24
Jane is looking fondly at photos on her phone of her day with Vic in Gippsland. Byron comes back in and asks what Jane was talking to Vic about.

BYRON: Did he change his mind again?
JANE: You don't have to be so rude to him.
BYRON: Well, after the way he's treated you, Mum, I feel like I kind of do.
JANE: I am well aware of his track record. And I have my eyes open.
BYRON: Yeah, but he always seems to be able to close them.

Jane explains she's asked Vic to take time to think about whether he's really sure about his feelings for her. Byron says he's sure Vic is into Jane right now, but he'd be more concerned about the long term.

BYRON: Vic's just a big kid, Mum. The next sparkly little thing that comes around, he's gonna want to grab at that.
JANE: Byron, *Mike* and I have a lot of history. We share a family - a past... What?
BYRON (laughing): You just called him Mike.
JANE: ... Well, it was a slip of the tongue!
BYRON: Yeah, or a sign of a rebound, Mum. Look, all I'm saying is, you've just ended a long- distance relationship with a guy who used to be your ex- boyfriend. And now you're going *into* a long- distance relationship with your ex- husband! I can't help to think that there's a little bit of a pattern here, Mum.

Jane gets impatient and asks why Byron even came over! He goes to leave, but has one last thing to say.

BYRON: I just want you to be honest with yourself, and Vic. Because you're awesome - you know that. And you deserve somebody who treats you that way. And maybe, just maybe, someone who lives in the same city.

Jane looks conflicted as Byron exits.

Lassiter's Lake
Melanie is meditating on the grass as Vic appears. Mel's phone alarm goes off and she gets up, telling Vic that her chakra has been realigned!

VIC: I wanted to apologise, if I reacted oddly last night... when you said you were leaving. You always talked about Erinsborough with such fondness...
MELANIE: And I always will. But it's time for a different location in the next season of 'The Adventures of Melanie'!
VIC: I don't want to sound self- centred, but... I hope this isn't because of Jane and I.
MELANIE: It is a factor. I don't want to get involved in another messy situation.
VIC: If I've done anything to make you feel uncomfortable, or...?
MELANIE: No, you haven't. All you've done is make me really like you. And in another time and place, I would love to have seen where it went. As I said on our date, running a country pub has always been on my bingo card. But we're in *this* time and place. So I wish you and Jane all the very best.

She walks away, leaving Vic looking very emotional...

Lassiter's Complex
In the courtyard, Paul tells Terese that her car is fixed and the keys are in his office; she's in the clear again. But Terese says 'not entirely', telling Paul that Susan saw him leave her house and now thinks that they slept together, and that Paul's the reason she didn't answer her phone on the night of the gas leak. Paul says that that's a better cover story than the sleeping pills!

TERESE: She also mentioned that the delivery driver thinks it's his fault, and he's gone to the police.
PAUL: Great!
TERESE: Paul!!
PAUL: Oh, any half- decent lawyer is gonna get him off. I'll arrange one for him.
TERESE: He's been fired!
PAUL: Yes, it doesn't matter. We'll find a way of making it up to him.
TERESE: I can't let an innocent man get the blame.
PAUL: Terese, will you see the bigger picture here? You've built something wonderful at Eirini Rising. Now imagine what'll happen to it if you say that you drunkenly nearly killed the residents and then tried to cover it up!
TERESE: I can't do it.
PAUL: Alright, well, there is another alternative. One that will clear you, and save the driver, and Eirini (...) I'll take the blame.

Terese is lost for words!

The Waterhole
Andrew is telling Felix that it's 'looking positive' for him moving back in at No 26 as far as Cara and Remi are concerned. Remi happens to come in then, and Andrew invites her to join them. She looks uncomfortable and says she's looking for Aaron - so Andrew goes into the storeroom to get him.

FELIX: Andrew told me what you said today. Thanks.
REMI: Oh, umm... we still need to talk to JJ and Dex first.
FELIX: Oh, totally understandable. Either way, let's catch up for dinner again soon.
REMI: Dinner?
FELIX: Yeah, Cara suggested it earlier. Aaron mentioned my offer got you two thinking. I have to say, I'm intrigued...

Remi now looks really worried, and makes an excuse to leave immediately. Felix looks surprised as she goes.

No 24
Jane is cleaning the kitchen when Melanie shows up at the front door with 'apology muffins'! She apologises for accidentally dating Vic. Jane thanks her for the muffins but says an apology really isn't necessary.

JANE: You know, Vic seemed quite affected by your decision to leave.
MELANIE: Oh, I don't see why?
JANE: Maybe it's cos he likes you.
MELANIE: We barely know each other.
JANE: I've told him to... to really think about his feelings before he and I start up again.
MELANIE: Why are you telling me this?
JANE: Because I could see why you two would make a good match.
MELANIE: But he's your ex- husband.
JANE: Yeah. That's how I know him very well. And as my son says, he is a big kid, and... well, so are you! In the best possible way. Now you're both adventurers, it would suit running a Gippsland pub, and... I wouldn't. And from what I gather, you two formed quite a connection. You see, the thing is, Melanie, I don't want to be with someone who would rather be with someone else. And so I have told Vic to really think about his feelings for you - and you should do the same for him.
MELANIE (sadly): ... I've made up my mind. I'm leaving town.

Jane looks conflicted as Melanie leaves.

No 30
Remi is sitting on the couch fretting, when Cara comes in. Remi tells her about the two 'strange conversations' she had earlier.

REMI: First, Aaron invited us over for dinner, apparently so we could ask him more questions about how him and David had Isla (...) I couldn't work out if Felix was coming too. And then *Felix* mentions catching up for dinner (...) Apparently, we've been thinking about our options, but that is news to me. Have you been reconsidering Felix's offer?
CARA: No! It's not that.
REMI: But it is something?
CARA: ...
REMI: Or should I go and ask Aaron and Felix?
CARA: Okay, I got chatting to Aaron at the Halloween party. It's nothing to do with Felix. He wasn't even there (...) I happened to mention that looking online for a donor was feeling different this time around - that maybe we should consider our other options.
REMI: Felix?
CARA: No! Seriously, no. You're reading too much into this.
REMI: Am I? It's hard to tell, because everything I'm hearing about this has been second- hand!

Eirini Rising
Susan and Terese are hosting the question- and- answer session with a load of Eirini Rising resident extras; Paul is lingering at the back. Susan explains that the damaged gas pipes have been repaired, but that they will do a full survey of the whole building just to be on the safe side.

SUSAN: And finally, I'm very happy to tell you that the person responsible for the accident has been identified. His details are with the police, and it looks like he will face legal action.

Paul puts his hand up to speak.

PAUL: Uh, well, there seems to have been a bit of a misunderstanding about the sequence of events. Because the driver is actually completely innocent.
SUSAN: Er, no, he confessed.
PAUL: Yeah, that's because he *thought* he was responsible. But as it turns out, that's not the case.

Paul turns to the residents, about to make his own (false) confession.

PAUL: You see, the person who *was* wholly responsible for what happened, was, umm...
TERESE: Me.

The residents gasp, and Susan looks shocked!

TERESE: It was me. I caused the gas leak.

Susan shakes her head in disbelief.

Coming up on Neighbours
- JJ and Dex sense tension between their mums; Remi says it's fine, but JJ replies that it doesn't seem it
- Susan tears strips off a contrite Terese for endangering those in their care and lying about it
- Terese does a walk of shame through the Eirini courtyard as Moira and resident extras look on in judgement