No 28
Susan, Terese and Toadie are waiting anxiously for news from Italy. Susan tells the others that Angela, Mike's new partner who runs the bike tour company, isn't answering her phone. Just then, she gets a call from Mike himself. Karl's the one who has been in an accident, Susan explains to Toadie and Terese, when she's finished the call.

SUSAN: He's badly broken his leg - a femoral shaft, or something (...) He's going into surgery now. Mike doesn't know how long that'll take (...) This is exactly why I was worried about him going on this trip. It was always so risky!

No 30
Remi is waiting for Cara's reaction to the news that Remi doesn't want to carry a baby. But Cara doesn't know what to say.

CARA: I know that you didn't love being pregnant the first time... but we know what we'd be getting into.
REMI: It's not really about that.
CARA: But we'd be more prepared. And the boys are older now - they'd be able to pitch in. We wouldn't be dealing with two babies at once.
REMI: There's just more to consider. I'm on a really good track at the hospital. It's a bad time for me to step back.
CARA: You wouldn't have to take that much time off work. A bit before the birth, a bit after...
REMI: I just don't want to, Cara. And that's the truth. The thought of being pregnant again makes me feel anxious, not excited. It's just not something I *want* to do.
CARA: I know we never discussed it. I just assumed it would be an option. I guess I was wrong. Do you... want to take some time to sit with the idea? Maybe think about it?
REMI: We can keep talking, for sure. But I don't want to set you up for disappointment. I'd love to be able to do this for you; I want to give you the whole world. But I just can't.

Remi is tearful.

The City™
In a busy urban police station, Yasmine arrives to meet a familiar face - it's Superintendent Duncan Hayes, perhaps best remembered as the man responsible for Mark Brennan's entry into witness protection! Yaz has brought the video from Heath's phone to show him, in the hope that it will convince the police to reopen their investigation into his death.

YAZ: It proves that he's not some cold- blooded killer.

Supt. Hayes watches the video with interest, then asks when it was filmed. Yaz says it's timestamped just hours before Heath died. Hayes asks Yaz to email him the video, and he'll pass it on for analysis.

YAZ: Thank you. I have to prove that there's more to this story than people think. Heath was a good man. He could be impulsive, and he had expensive taste, sometimes above his means. He didn't always make the right decisions, but he was never, ever violent. Please find out what really happened to him - because this story that everyone believes, it's not true, and I know it. And Holly Hoyland needs to face consequences for what she did.

No 28
The next day, Holly is telling Terese about Karl's surgery - apparently it was quite intense and they had to insert a rod into his femur. Toadie is still here, and Susan is on the phone to her son Malcolm, updating him on Karl's situation.

Once she finishes the call, Susan explains to Terese that Mal is trying to rearrange his schedule so that he and his daughter Susannah can go to Italy to be with Karl, but he's not yet sure if that's possible. Billy and Libby, the Kennedys' other children, are in no position to get there either.

Susan hasn't spoken to Karl yet as he's not lucid enough following his surgery, but it has seemingly gone well, according to a nurse. However, Holly explains that it could be ten weeks before Karl can even begin rehab, so it will be a long recovery.

SUSAN: I just wish he'd never gone on this stupid bike trip.
TERESE: You need to get on a plane and be with him.
SUSAN: I can't leave Eirini Rising with no one in charge. Malcolm is closest - hopefully he'll be able to make it work so that he can get over there. For now, I think we just need to get on with things.

Susan offers Holly a lift to work, and they both go to get ready.

TERESE: She needs to be with him.
TOADIE: Oh, she'll never abandon the residents.
TERESE: Well, then, I'll need to convince them that they should put me back in charge.

Lassiter's Hotel
Holly and Yaz are working in Yaz's room. Holly says she's sent through some quotes for scaffolding suppliers, but Yaz is unresponsive, staring absently in Holly's direction. A few seconds later, Holly notices her staring, and thinks it's because she's annoyed that Holly was looking at her phone. Holly apologises, explaining about Karl's accident, but Yaz says she's not angry, she'd just zoned out.

YAZ: Sorry about your dad.
HOLLY: I feel really bad because I just left my stepmum in the lurch.
YAZ: You know what? You should go be with your family.

Holly asks if she's sure, as there's lots to do here, but Yaz insists. Once Holly's gone, Yaz stands up and looks all stressed, angry and American- soapy. It's almost as if she's about to start monologuing... but she doesn't! Instead, she knocks a vase of flowers to the floor in fury, and it smashes.

Harold's Café
Terese is with Toadie at a table, and presently Paul arrives, having been summoned by Terese. She brings him up to speed on the situation; Susan will only go to Italy to be with Karl if someone is left in charge of Eirini Rising, which means they need to convince the residents to reinstate Terese as general manager.

PAUL: Good plan. Where do I come in?
TERESE: Harold is in Port Douglas for Christmas, so we need all hands on deck. Toadie has the legal brain, and you're a brilliant strategist who somehow always gets what he wants!
PAUL: Okay, so where are we legally?
TOADIE: Well, I can definitely argue that Terese's ousting was dodgy. The wording in her dismissal clause was vague.
PAUL: Didn't you write that?
TERESE: Okay - I don't want to force my way back in, but this will only work if I can convince the residents to accept me again.
PAUL: I'm thinking tackle it head on. We should round up all the oldies and lay the situation out to them. Play up how well Karl and Susan have cared for the residents, put their heart and soul into the place, yada yada yada. And now, in the Kennedys' time of need, are the residents gonna selfishly keep Susan here, or are they gonna accept Terese's return and let Susan fly over to be at Karl's side?
TERESE: Going for the heartstrings.

Toadie looks a bit annoyed at the cynicism of it all!

TOADIE: Sounds like emotional manipulation.
PAUL: Because it is. It's also true.
TERESE: But most importantly, it's our best shot. We just have to pull it off.

Lassiter's Lake
Aaron finds Remi sobbing on a bench, and sits down to comfort her. She explains through her tears how she's told Cara that she doesn't want to be pregnant again.

REMI: But now that she can't, it just means...
AARON: Yeah. No more babies. Remi, that must've been one tough conversation to have.
REMI (crying): I was all for having another baby when she was carrying. I just don't want to give up my work life for a pregnancy (...) I'm so sorry, this must be really hard to hear because of the Huntington's.

But Aaron assures her it's fine - he's accepted he can't have kids of his own, so she can feel free to say whatever she wants.

REMI (sobbing): I think I've broken her heart.

Aaron hugs her.

The Waterhole
Eirini Rising residents, including Moira, are beginning to gather for a meeting. Toadie assures Susan that he thinks Terese has a good chance of convincing the residents; when she's on a mission, there's no stopping her. Nearby, Terese is hoping it will work as she has no Plan B. Paul advises her just to be herself.

PAUL: You've always been the best person for the job, and deep down, the residents know that.

Once Terese is out of earshot, Paul asks Aaron, who is working at the bar...

PAUL: Can you keep the vino flowing for the old- timers?

Terese opens the meeting by welcoming everyone, and explains about Karl's injury in Italy, and how keen Susan is to be by his side.

MOIRA: We can see where this is going. We've made it clear before - we are not having you back, ever.
TERESE: Everyone will have their chance to say their piece. But I ask you, please, to grant me the respect of hearing me out. Now, as Moira has preemptively suggested, I propose today that the only solution, to do the right thing by the Kennedys who we all owe so much to... is to reinstate me as general manager.

Moira looks unimpressed, and so do some of the other residents, but they begin discussing it amongst themselves. Susan winks at Terese.

Harold's Café
Holly rejoins Yaz, and thanks her for letting her check in with her family - but says Susan had work stuff of her own to do, so Holly's available to work again. Yaz asks her to go through the crew applications they've had, and weed out anybody without experience. Holly explains about Susan possibly heading to Europe soon, so things may be 'chaotic'; Yaz says she understands, and that they can be flexible.

YAZ: Nothing's more important than family.

At this point, Yaz gets a phone call from Superintendent Hayes. She tells Holly she has to run, and isn't sure when she'll be back. Holly looks confused as Yaz walks out, thanking Hayes for getting back to her as she leaves the café.

No 30
Dex arrives back from school because he's forgotten his PE kit, but finds Cara sitting on the floor in the sunroom, crying. She dries her eyes when she sees him.

DEX: Is everything alright?
CARA: Yeah.
DEX: Are you in pain? Do I need to call Mum?
CARA: No, no - it's nothing like that.
DEX: Well, what is it? If you need to talk, I can listen?

He sits down next to her.

CARA: You're the best. But it's not your job to look after me. It's supposed to be the other way round.
DEX: You look after me all the time. Just let me take care of you for once. What can I do to help you feel better?
CARA: I could use a hug.

Dex readily obliges.

CARA: I love you and JJ... so much. You've made my life so much bigger and fuller, and funnier. And I've really loved being your mum.
DEX: Why does this sound like a goodbye?
CARA: No, I don't... I don't mean it like that. I'm not going anywhere, I promise. It's just good to think about how lucky I am. Sometimes it's easy to forget. So... thanks for the reminder.
DEX: I'm happy to help. You know, we could hang out for the rest of the afternoon, if you gave me a note to get out of PE.
CARA (laughs): Nice try.
DEX: Are you sure?
CARA: Get outta here!

The Waterhole
Discussions are ongoing between the Eirini Rising residents - or at least insofar as they can when Moira is the only one saying anything! She's sorry that Karl's been hurt, she tells an extra, but reminds her that they've been against Terese returning ever since she drunkenly put them all in danger. Meanwhile, Aaron is topping up all the residents' wine glasses!

PAUL (nearby, to Toadie): God, this woman is relentless.

Susan and Terese have gone outside while the residents deliberate.

MOIRA: We can't back down now. We're better off without her.
PAUL: Oh, that is ridiculous. Moira, you're focusing on all the wrong things. If you knew how many challenges Terese overcame to get Eirini off the ground, you would... What I'm saying is, there is nobody more invested in this than her.
TOADIE: Now, I understand that you want there to be repercussions for what happened to you. I get that. But if you don't give Terese her job back, then the only people that you are actually punishing is Karl and Susan. They have bent over backwards and poured their heart and soul into turning Eirini into your home. Now I think it's time that we were there for them.

Paul says that Gino and some other residents who aren't present have already cast their vote - now it's up to Moira and her friends.

Harold's Café
Susan, Terese, Toadie and Paul are awaiting the residents' decision, while Susan continues to worry about Karl. Terese suggests they could take the legal angle if the residents' decision goes against her. But at that moment, Moira comes in.

PAUL: Brace yourself...
MOIRA: The residents have voted in your favour. You can return as general manager, and Susan can fly to Italy.

Terese is thrilled, and thanks Moira profusely.

TERESE: Look, I know I've got a long way to go until I earn your trust again.

Susan thanks Moira and Terese too, and Terese suggests they go home to book her flight.

The City™
Superintendent Hayes has summoned Yaz back to the station, where he has some bad news for her.

HAYES: We've determined the video does not constitute compelling new evidence.
YAZ: How is that possible? Heath is on the video saying that Holly is crazy and that she's out to get him.
HAYES: He does - he does. But Heath's opinion of Holly is hearsay.
YAZ: I've been advised that that rule doesn't apply here.
HAYES: The video alone is not enough to reopen the case. We have multiple eyewitness accounts on record, including that of Heath's accomplice, Tess Carmichael. They all corroborate Holly Hoyland's version of events.
YAZ: Holly Hoyland is one of those eyewitnesses, and the rest are her friends. They're lying for her. You have to investigate this - this is a conspiracy.
HAYES: I understand your disappointment.
YAZ: You don't understand anything. My brother is being blamed for everything, and yet he's the only one who's not here to speak for himself!

But Hayes is insistent - this isn't enough to warrant reopening the case. Yaz walks out.

No 30
Remi comes in with flowers and wine for Cara - only to find that Cara's bought exactly the same thing for her!

REMI: Are you alright? I know we still have a lot to talk about.
CARA: We do, and we will. But the important thing is... we're alright. I'm sad, but I'm not gonna try and change your mind.
REMI: I really do wish that -
CARA: I know. I know.

They hold hands.

REMI: Got to admit, you're coming to terms with this a lot quicker than I'd anticipated.
CARA: Mm. Well, I was thinking about it all day. And then, sweet little Dexie came home and reminded me how much we already have to be grateful for.
REMI: We do, don't we?
CARA: Yeah.

They kiss.

No 28
Susan is packing for her trip to Italy, with some help from Holly, Terese and Toadie. Susan asks Holly if she's sure she'll be okay on her own; Karl was already worried about leaving her and now they'll both be gone. But Holly insists she's feeling much better, now she has her job with Yaz to focus on! Susan hugs her goodbye, and promises to give Karl a hug from Holly. Holly and Toadie take the bags out to the car.

TERESE: Now listen, I don't want you to think about work at all. I will handle everything.
SUSAN: I know you will.
TERESE: I can't thank you and Karl enough for keeping the place on its feet while I sorted myself out. I couldn't ask for a better business partner... or a better friend. I love you.

They hug.

SUSAN: I love you too. And I am so proud of the way you got yourself back on track.

Susan goes to catch her flight, leaving Terese standing in her house (!)

No 30
We move into a slow motion sequence set to music, as Cara walks into the sunroom. She sees the high chair she'd prepared for the baby she'd planned to have, and holds it sadly for a while - before moving it to the side of the room and walking back into the house. The camera then homes in on photos of Cara, Remi, JJ and Dex plastered all over the fridge - before turning back to Cara, who's looking at the photos, smiling.

Eirini Rising
Paul is helping Terese to move her things back into the office - including the cactus he bought her! He says this is just like her, not wasting a minute in getting started again.

TERESE: Well, I've got lots to do. But I couldn't have got here without your help. This is the second time you've rescued me this week.
PAUL: Ah, what can I say? You bring out my inner knight in shining armour. Well, it's good to have you back where you belong.
TERESE: Yeah. Listen, if you wouldn't mind... I'll take it from here. I think I'm ready to be my own rescuer.
PAUL: Yeah, sure. Enjoy!

Paul leaves her to it, and Terese begins unloading her possessions - taking great satisfaction in putting her nameplate back on her desk.

Lassiter's Hotel
Yaz comes into her room, and seems annoyed to find Holly there.

YAZ: What are you doing here?
HOLLY: Oh, my stepmum left, so I thought I'd get some things done. There's still a lot to do.
YAZ (terse): Go home.
HOLLY: ... Have I done something wrong?
YAZ (loudly): I said, go home!

Holly walks out quickly. Yaz makes a phone call.

YAZ: Goodwood Prison? This is Leah Curtain - I'm a senior partner at Curtain & Gupta lawyers. I was hoping to schedule a meeting with one of your inmates. A Tess Carmichael...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Krista has a message from Sebastian; Byron asks if he's okay
- Sadie asks Holly if she's ever had a guy tell her he likes her, even though he knows she has a boyfriend
- 'Who's the guy?' Holly asks Sadie, curiously
- Yaz meets with Tess at Goodwood Prison. 'Call me intrigued,' says Tess, as to why Yaz is here