No 28
We pick up exactly where we left off; Karl tells Darcy he's sorry he heard what he said, but that he and Susan need answers. Darcy tells them to fire away.

SUSAN: Why didn't you tell us you married Tess?
DARCY: Because it all ended badly. It was a long time ago, and I was really embarrassed.
KARL: Okay. But you were comfortable enough to lie about being on good terms with her.
DARCY: I thought I *was* on good terms with her. All things considered.
KARL: This would be thousands of dollars you owe her, and whoever else? And the affairs?
DARCY: I thought you'd be more understanding, given your personal history.
KARL: This is not about me, Darcy. This is about you and Tess.
DARCY: Well, maybe she forgot to tell you that she cheated on me first. And then she tried to get me fired from my job.
KARL: ... No, she didn't mention that.
SUSAN: Well, what about the money? What about the doctor you were in business with?
DARCY: Yeah, I made a few really bad financial decisions. But who hasn't? I've been planning to pay Tess and Anthony back. And now I've got a steady income, I can do that.

He appears to become emotional.

DARCY: I'm sorry I didn't tell you. It's just this... this whole experience with Tess is... It's painful! And now to hear that she's still angry...

Darcy walks out. Susan looks concerned but Karl is incredulous.

KARL: He's got an answer for everything, hasn't he?

The Waterhole
Aaron offers a distracted Chelsea another drink, but she doesn't appear to hear him. He asks if she's okay - she claims she's trying to make her mind up about something to do with Thomas's health treatment, and doesn't want to make a mistake. Aaron suggests that Chelsea should ask her co- parent Paul what he thinks - he always puts his kids first.

CHELSEA: He is all in, isn't he?
AARON: Oh, yeah. To a fault.

No 30
Dex is on the sofa when Taye comes in and presents him with an early birthday present - a pair of snazzy sneakers Dex is initially thrilled and thanks Taye, but then wonders how he afforded it, given the trainers retail at around $500 - and says he can't accept such an expensive present, as Taye never has any money.

TAYE (laughs): Sometimes I do. And when I do, I get to buy gifts for my nephews.
DEX: At least let me pay for some of it.
TAYE: Will it make you feel better if I tell you I didn't pay full price for them? I mean, that would make me sound less cool, but...
DEX: Wait, they're not stolen, are they?
TAYE: Gee, thanks, but no! I just got a discount code.

Finally accepting the gift, Dex thanks Taye again, and gets up to give him a hug.

The Waterhole
Chelsea is with Paul, Terese and Thomas at a table. Chelsea tells Paul that Thomas's specialist called, and wants to see him tomorrow afternoon for a check- up. Paul promises to be there and asks Terese if she wants to come too, but she politely declines, claiming she has a meeting tomorrow.

CHELSEA: My kids loved all the photos of Thomas, by the way.
TERESE: I didn't realise you were in contact with them.
CHELSEA: I haven't been. But Paul set up that virtual Mother's Day online thingy for as all.
TERESE (terse): Really?
PAUL: Yeah. Sorry. I forgot to mention it.

Terese says it's fine, but her face says otherwise. Chelsea says it was a very thoughtful gift. As Terese goes to the bar to check on their orders, Chelsea apologises, saying she assumed Terese knew. She moves the conversation on to the new car that Paul offered to buy her, and says it's not that urgent after all - but suggests that the money he was going to spend on it could instead be put into a trust fund for Thomas.

Paul thinks this is a great idea, and promises to get something set up with his accountant.

Eirini Rising
Darcy comes to see Susan in the office, apologising for walking out on her earlier, losing his temper, and not telling her and Karl about his marriage to Tess. Susan is surprised that things have become so difficult between Darcy and Karl, and asks him if there's something going on she doesn't know about.

DARCY: You know... I think his pride's still wounded. Maybe it was a mistake, me helping him with his workload.
SUSAN: No, no - you've been wonderful. And the residents adore you.
DARCY: Thank you. I love it here. But if I'm causing all this trouble, maybe it's time for me to move on.
SUSAN: Resign? No, no - even if Karl's not grateful, he needs you. And I love having you here. No, Darcy, you're not gonna go anywhere.

Jane turns up at this point, in need of a pep talk, since she's on her way to see Amanda.

JANE: I'm gonna ask her to take a cognitive test.
DARCY (worried): Are you sure?
JANE: I don't know that I have a choice after... after what happened with the mug.
DARCY: Hmm. Well, umm... maybe I could check on her. Make sure she's in a good mood.

Jane agrees to this and thanks Darcy. He heads off to see Amanda.

Penthouse
Paul is showing Terese some plans he's drawn up for a trust fund for Thomas - he'd be the sole beneficiary. Terese says it looks very reasonable, and thanks him for telling her. Paul also apologises again for not having told her about arranging the virtual call between Chelsea and her kids - he doesn't want her to think he views her and Chelsea as the same, just because he set up a similar call for Terese and her kids.

PAUL: I wanted to do something nice for you and your girls, and Chelsea and her kids. Don't forget, if Chelsea is happy, so is Thomas. But that doesn't make her my family - she's not, okay? Terese, you will *always* come first, understand? Always.
TERESE: Thanks for saying that. I really appreciate it.

She hugs him, but looks a bit conflicted.

The Waterhole
Chelsea is sending a text message to Jeffrey, who we can see has been pressuring her to hand over money. Chelsea writes that things are in motion, and that he'll have what he wants in a few more days.

No 30
JJ and Taye are playing a video game, while Dex fiddles with his phone. JJ is trying to convince Dex to use his 'fat pile of savings' towards a gaming PC.

DEX: I am *not* building a gaming PC just so you can hog it. Anyway, I can't even afford one.

Taye asks how much they are; Dex replies that they are 'stacks'. While JJ is absorbed with the game, Dex then quietly asks Taye if the shoes he bought him are fake, saying he couldn't find any discount codes for them anywhere. Taye is forced to admit that he lied about the discount code because he didn't want Dex giving him any money for the shoes, insisting to him that he can afford them.

DEX: Since when?
TAYE: ... Since I picked up a new side hustle. But let's keep that on the down low.
DEX (quietly): Is it legal?

Taye insists it is, and asks if Dex has even tried on his shoes yet. Dex begins to unbox them.

Eirini Rising
Darcy is talking to Amanda, and is offering to cover for her if she doesn't want to see Jane today.

AMANDA: And let her say I'm the unreasonable one? No! If my grandson wants to send his mother in to grovel, so be it.
DARCY: Well, I wouldn't get your hopes up for any grovelling?
AMANDA: Why not? Why else is she here?
DARCY: (...) Umm, I probably shouldn't say anything. I overheard Susan and Jane talking. They want to give you a cognitive test - see if the old brain's working.
AMANDA: I'm not so sure why I'm surprised. I mean, Jane has already sent Byron in with the same intention.
DARCY: I probably shouldn't interfere, but I couldn't let them do that to you.
AMANDA: Thank goodness someone's on my side - you and Sadie. You know, you don't think there's anything in this, do you? I mean, you're a doctor. Have you seen anything strange in my behaviour?
DARCY: No! You're as sharp as a tack.
AMANDA: Oh, that's just what I thought!

Darcy tells Amanda to keep their conversation between them. She promises she will.

Back in the office, Terese is moaning to Susan about the fact that she can't stop her feelings about Chelsea
from getting in the way of things, despite Paul's best efforts to balance everyone's needs. She loved her video call with Piper and Imogen, she says, and yet all she can think about is that he did the same for Chelsea and her kids. Susan thinks Terese is being too hard on herself.

At this point, Paul himself comes in with a surprise coffee for Terese before her meeting. She thanks him, and they head off to the car together.

Harold's Café
Jane and Amanda are having a coffee. Jane says Byron didn't mean to insult Amanda earlier - he's very worried about her.

AMANDA: Ha!
JANE: And so am I. Because memory losses are one thing, but... it's not like you to break something out of spite.
AMANDA: What are you talking about? I haven't broken anything.
JANE: Byron's mug (...) You broke it, Mum. I saw the pieces.
AMANDA: Rubbish! It's in my room.
JANE: So... you don't remember breaking it?
AMANDA: Of course I don't. Because it didn't happen.
JANE: Mum, I saw it. And so did Byron.
AMANDA: I know what you're after. You want my money. Well, I'm here to tell you there's hardly any at all.
JANE: No! No, Mum, I don't want your money. I just... I just want to make sure that you're alright.
AMANDA: I'm fine.
JANE: Well... would you consider taking a test, to make sure? For my sake? Because, you know, Karl or Darcy could do it for you.
AMANDA: I would have thought that moving my whole life interstate, on my own, was proof enough of how capable I am! (...) I don't want to hear another word about this. I think I deserve another cup of tea for listening to that! If that's all you wanted to speak to me about... you can leave.

Susan and Karl are sitting elsewhere, and Karl gets a message from Tess. Apparently, Darcy has repaid his debt to her.

SUSAN: Just like he said he would. You know, he offered to resign earlier today. That's how bad he feels about the way things have gone between you two.
KARL: Maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing.
SUSAN: Oh, Karl - he's explained about Tess. And everything else that you've accused him of. No, you are gonna apologise to him, and then you are gonna tell me exactly what's going on between you two.

Karl looks worried.

Ramsay Street
Taye, JJ and Dex are shooting some hoops in the street when Cara and Aaron show up, back from one of their training runs. Aaron admires Dex's sneakers, and Cara asks how he was able to afford them. Dex and Taye exchange a glance.

DEX (uncomfortable): They were on discount. Damaged stock. You know, you can barely tell, but the collectors are really hardcore about this stuff.

Taye nods in approval, and while Cara's still not keen on Dex spending money on such things, she's placated by the claim that they were discounted. But Dex looks uncomfortable at having lied to her.

Eirini Rising
In the courtyard, Terese is having another moan to Susan about Chelsea.

TERESE: You must be so sick of hearing me talk about it.

'Amen to that,' viewers might well cry. But Susan is more tolerant. She tells Terese not to beat herself up because she isn't 'behaving like a saint' - she's been put in an impossible situation and is doing her best. Susan understands, she says, because she went through the same with Karl and Isabelle, and sometimes didn't handle it very well.

TERESE: I just want Paul, Thomas and I to end up in the same place as you, Karl and Holly. But no matter how hard I try, I just can't see it.
SUSAN: But you've got to be kind to yourself. These are really complex issues that you're dealing with, and sometimes you're gonna feel like you're dealing with them on your own. But eventually, you'll find your feet with all of them.
TERESE: Even Chelsea?
SUSAN: Even Chelsea. As long as Paul establishes clear boundaries.

Erinsborough Hospital
Paul is holding Thomas while telling Chelsea about the trust fund. They'll both be listed as trustees, he explains, so she will have full discretion on when and how to access the money. Chelsea asks if Paul wouldn't want her to check in with him first, but Paul replies that he trusts her (!)

Nurse Chester Day and a colleague show up to coo over Thomas, and he explains that Dr Hart has asked him to take Thomas for some routine tests before she sees them. Chester takes Thomas away, but Chelsea is a little disconcerted by this. Paul says they'll take good care of Thomas but admits he's nervous too.

CHELSEA: At least we have each other to panic with.
PAUL: Yeah.

Eirini Rising
Jane comes into the office to moan to Susan about Amanda.

JANE: That woman is impossible (...) She's got it into her head that Byron and I have some kind of agenda against her. And she is denying smashing the mug.

Susan suggests maybe just easing off for a while, saying that Amanda is a very independent person and is probably terrified. Jane agrees it might be good to give Amanda time to get used to the idea of the cognitive tests, but asks Susan to let her know if there are any more incidents. Susan says she will, and also promises to make sure Darcy stays close. Jane looks reassured (!)

In the courtyard, Darcy passes Karl without a word, but Karl calls him back for a chat.

KARL: I should apologise. I had no business sticking my nose into matters between you and Tess, or judging you based on one person's side of the story.
DARCY (unmoved): Susan put you up to this.
KARL: Does it matter?
DARCY: An apology's worthless unless you mean it. Have you actually learned anything, hmm? Or are you ready to leap at the next chance to call my character into question?
KARL: Depends if you give me a reason.
DARCY: Ever since I've been back on Ramsay Street, I've done nothing but try and help you.
KARL: Oh, Darcy, how many strings come attached to that help? You leveraged my dependence on painkillers to get yourself a job.
DARCY: So you're saying that one good turn doesn't deserve another?
KARL (laughs): I don't think you're capable of doing a good turn for anyone, unless you see something in it for you.
DARCY: And this is your idea of an apology?
KARL (smug): Oh no, I've apologised for interfering. But I won't apologise for recognising that the same man I knew 20 years ago is standing in front of me right now.
DARCY: I see. Well, then... it's nice to finally know where we stand with each other.

Karl agrees, and smiles to himself as Darcy walks off.

No 28
Darcy calls round to see Susan. He's in conciliatory mode, accepting that some of Susan's rough day is down to him and offering to make her a cuppa. Darcy asks if Karl's home; Susan confirms he's in the shower, and mentions that Karl said he and Darcy spoke.

DARCY: He apologised, in his way.
SUSAN: Did it help?
DARCY: Uh, for better or worse, you know, I think we're back at square one. How did the chat with Amanda and Jane go?
SUSAN: Oh, not much better than the one with Byron.

Susan begins asking Darcy to keep an eye on Amanda. At this point, her son Billy phones, and she heads out of the room to take it.

Seizing the opportunity, Darcy goes in Karl's bag and grabs the jar of natural supplements Karl's been taking. He hurriedly empties out the pills and pockets them, then replaces them with very similar- looking pills from another jar. He hides his handiwork as Susan comes back in to retrieve her cup of tea, then puts the switched pills in Karl's bag while Susan's back is turned.

Erinsborough Hospital
Paul and Chelsea are together in the waiting room, nervously anticipating the results of Thomas's tests. Chelsea fears that he's been gone too long and that something must be wrong. But Paul assures her they'd be told if that was the case.

CHELSEA: Sorry, I'm being a basket case, aren't I?
PAUL: No. Hey - you are being a good mother, okay? Now, that's not something you should ever, ever apologise for.
CHELSEA: Well, if I can't apologise, at least let me say thank you. You've been so much more than a good father. You've been... a good friend. Even if I don't deserve it.
PAUL: Do you know, the woman that I knew a year ago - she wouldn't have deserved it. But you? I like you better. Our son is so -

But Chelsea interrupts Paul by leaning in and pashing his face off! He begins to reciprocate...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Wendy can't stop thinking about whether Andrew and HotRod69 are the same person
- Terese shows off a necklace Paul has given her to the Kennedys; 'it's from Stephanie's,' she gushes
- Paul admits to Leo that Chelsea kissed him
- 'It was perfect,' Chelsea blathers to a concerned Cara. 'We're going to be a family'