Penthouse
Paul moans to Leo that Terese isn't seeing his point of view about Thomas and Chelsea.

LEO: Oh, come on, Dad.
PAUL: She knows how much I care for Thomas.
LEO: Yeah. She does. And she's being incredibly patient with you. I don't know why you're risking your future over this.
PAUL: Because he is my son.
LEO: No, he's *not* your son, Dad! And this whole idea of you transitioning into some kind of uncle figure - it's unrealistic.
PAUL: Yeah, well, I just can't imagine him not in my life.
LEO: Well, can you imagine Terese not in your life? Cos you can't have Thomas in your life without his mother coming too. And all Chelsea has done is lie, hurt and manipulate. And the fact you don't think that's a problem, is a problem!

Paul looks thoughtful.

No 22
Remi has popped round with what look like homemade cookies for Terese, as a pretext to check how she's doing. Terese tells Remi about the ultimatum she gave Paul - he'll have to cut Chelsea and Thomas from his life if he wants a future with Terese.

REMI: And you'd really be prepared to walk away?
TERESE: Remi, I can't be on this merry- go- round. Paul and I have been through so much over the years, and... when we got back together this last time, it was make or break. We either put each other first or forget about it.

Remi asks if Chelsea knows about the ultimatum, suggesting she might back off if she did. But Terese says it's not about Chelsea - it's about Paul.

TERESE: He needs to make a decision. Just him.

No 32
Max and Holly are lounging about in the garden; Max is finding reasons not to do his house chores. At this point, Trevor runs out of the house with something in his mouth, followed by a panicking Taye. The implement Trevor is carrying appears to have a feather duster at one end, and what looks like a riding crop at the other!

HOLLY: Oh... wait, is that a...?
MAX: Uh, that's definitely not used to clean bookshelves!
HOLLY (to Taye): Is that yours?
TAYE: No! Someone must have left it when they moved out.
HOLLY: What, like Mack or Haz? I doubt that.
MAX: Yeah, maybe it was Vera's?
HOLLY: No way! She'd never leave something like that behind.

Taye tetchily tells them to forget about it, and takes the implement back indoors! Max and Holly exchange an amused glance.

Lassiter's Complex/Lake
Aaron is coming to meet Rhett for their picnic, and finds Cara chatting to him about something sports- related on the grass. After a few pleasantries she leaves them to it.

RHETT (to Aaron): How do you feel about a different ball game?

He holds up a croquet mallet...

No 22
Paul has come to see Terese.

TERESE: If you've come here to tell me your decision, please just make it quick.
PAUL: ... You know that family is everything to me, alright, and that I would do anything to protect them. Well, I thought that Thomas was my family... but he's not. You are. You are my family, Terese. Of course I'm gonna choose you. I love you more than anything.
TERESE: And I love you too... Are you prepared to let Thomas go? Chelsea too? No visits, no business deals...
PAUL: Yeah. Thomas is not my son. And therefore not my responsibility. So, yes. I will cut all ties. I'm just so sorry I put you through all of this. Can you forgive me for all the upheaval I've caused?
TERESE: Yes. Of course. On one condition - you tell Chelsea immediately.
PAUL: Yeah. Okay, I will. Do you want to come with me?
TERESE: No. No, I want to start trusting you, Paul. It starts here.

He smiles and takes her hand.

Lassiter's Hotel
In her room, Chelsea is working on her plans for her perfume business when Paul turns up at the door. She excitedly begins telling him about the rebrand she's planning in the wake of his promised investment - but then sees Paul's face and realises he's here to deliver bad news.

PAUL: I'm sorry, Chelsea. I... I can't help you after all.
CHELSEA (sadly): ... Oh.
PAUL: Yeah. Uh, I... I was wrong to invite you and Thomas here. But you see, the truth is, I am having such a struggle letting him go. And to have him in my life in any way, it just isn't healthy.
CHELSEA: ... I'm sorry you feel that way.
PAUL: No, I'm the one who's sorry. I mean, getting your hopes up like that, but I... I do need to put Terese first.

Paul gently asks Chelsea if she could see a way to going back to living with Remi and Cara. Chelsea says she'll need to ask. Paul says she doesn't need to leave here straight away, but regretfully says that he can't see her anymore.

PAUL: I hope that you can understand.

As he goes to leave, a flash of the old Chelsea comes out, as she seemingly hints at the possibility of holding something over him...

CHELSEA: Putting Terese first... does that include telling her that you knew about Thomas's paternity before everyone else?
PAUL: Uh, I really don't see the point in that - do you?
CHELSEA: Just checking. I'll be out of here as soon as possible.

Paul looks a little anxious, but leaves. Chelsea closes her laptop and looks upset.

The Waterhole
Holly and Leo are at the bar. She is running ideas past him for the drinks van. Taye turns up and orders a coffee. Leo mentions to both of them that Krista has been getting calls at the hotel reception for a 'Sonny Manhattan', but she can't find anyone by that name under the system. Taye looks sheepish as Leo asks if either of them know what it's about.

TAYE: Sorry. Wouldn't have a clue.
LEO: Alright, well, if you track him down, can you let her know?

Taye says he will, and rushes off. Leo is oblivious to Taye's awkwardness, but it doesn't escape Holly's notice, and she looks intrigued.

Lassiter's Lake
Rhett and Aaron are playing croquet and flirting.

RHETT: You know, for someone who's incredibly fit, you can be very uncoordinated.
AARON: Oh, really? Have you already forgotten about my body rolls?
RHETT: No, how could I ever forget about that?

Rhett seems to be winning, and Aaron wants him to show him how to play better.

RHETT: It's all about how you hold your stick.

Aaron laughs as Rhett gets behind him, reaching his arms around to hold Aaron's so they're in the correct position to hit the ball.

At this precise moment, who should appear but Colton, Aaron's other romantic interest from his Hamilton Island holiday? Aaron looks surprised, and Rhett annoyed!

The Waterhole
Paul is telling Terese that he's asked Chelsea to leave the hotel, and asks whether Terese will now reconsider moving out of the penthouse with Nell. Terese isn't making any promises, saying she will have to speak to Nell about it, but that she has to head off to Eirini Rising first.

At this point Chelsea comes in with Thomas's pram.

CHELSEA: Terese... can I have a word?

Lassiter's Lake
Aaron has gone over to chat to Colton while Rhett waits some distance away. Colton explains he's come to Erinsborough for a job interview. Sceptical that there isn't more to it, Aaron asks if Colton knew he lived here, as he doesn't recall saying so - but Colton dodges the question, remarking instead that Aaron seems to be in the middle of something with Rhett.

Getting impatient, Rhett sends a croquet ball hurtling in Aaron and Colton's direction, and it whacks them on the shoes.

AARON: I'm on a date.
COLTON: I kind of figured that.

Colton tells Aaron to get back to it, but adds, 'Maybe I'll see you soon?' Aaron just smiles silently, and rejoins Rhett while Colton walks off.

RHETT: Who's the, uh, six- foot Adonis?
AARON: That is Colton. We hooked up in Queensland.
RHETT (disconcerted): Oh! Cool. And now he's here.
AARON: Yep.
RHETT: To see you.
AARON: No. No, no - he's here for a job interview.
RHETT (sceptical): Right. And maybe a little bit to see you?

Aaron doesn't have an answer!

The Waterhole
Terese and Chelsea are now chatting alone, while Paul watches nervously from a distance.

CHELSEA: This is all a bit déjà vu, isn't it?
TERESE (scoffs): Which part? You scheming to get Paul, or you realising that his loyalties will always be with me?
CHELSEA: ... When I returned, I honestly wasn't trying to come between you and Paul.
TERESE: Well, it didn't stop you taking advantage of the situation.
CHELSEA: ... Believe it or not, I want you and Paul to be happy.

Terese smiles incredulously.

CHELSEA: He really does love you. But this need in him - this need to fill a void left by his children... it's not gonna go away.
TERESE: I'm well aware of Paul's regrets.
CHELSEA: All I'm saying is, it's more powerful than you may realise. I just want you to take care of yourself, too.
TERESE (laughing): Well, thank you for the insight, Chelsea. But I don't need it. I don't need anything from you.

Terese gets up and walks back over to rejoin Paul. Chelsea looks disappointed. Paul wants to know what Chelsea said, but Terese says it was 'just some rubbish apology - nothing we need to talk about'. Terese promises to catch up with Paul at the penthouse after she's been to Eirini, and leaves.

Chelsea then gets a phone call from an unknown person.

CHELSEA: Thanks for calling back. I have a favour to ask. A big one.

Lassiter's Hotel
Remi and Cara come to see Chelsea, who is holding Thomas. Chelsea explains to them that she and Thomas are going to go and live on the Gold Coast with her daughter Annabelle, after a 'great chat' between them.

Remi thinks that's great news, but Cara is looking less enthusiastic. Chelsea says her relationship with her kids isn't necessarily healed yet, but that the virtual Mother's Day dinner helped thaw the ice a little - and Blake, her older son, is open to seeing her too. She's leaving tonight.

CARA: Well, we'll miss you, but that's probably for the best.

Chelsea passes Thomas to Cara for a cuddle. Remi and Cara suggest that Chelsea go and say her goodbyes to JJ and Dex, and then come back to No 30 and they'll drop her at the airport.

Eirini Rising
Terese is with Colton in the courtyard - it seems he's applied for the assistant manager job at Eirini Rising, and is a seasoned manager of retirement villages. (Of course he is!) Colton thinks it would be rewarding working at Eirini, but Terese notes that it's a long way to travel just for an interview, especially as the position isn't permanent yet.

COLTON: That actually suits me. I need the change. Whether this is the right place for me, I don't know. But I thought flying down would show you how passionate I am about this opportunity.

Terese is sold already ('I love your energy'), and agrees to take on Colton on a trial basis! She decides to fill him in on some of the 'challenges' Eirini has been facing lately. (Careful Terese, you might scare him off!)

The Waterhole
Taye comes in, but sees Holly is working and immediately turns around again, hoping to get out unseen. However, Holly has spotted him and wants a chat.

HOLLY: You know, I've been thinking about your little freakouts lately. The whip thing, that sickie that you pulled the other day... the way you acted when Leo mentioned that Sonny Manhattan guy. Which sounds like a porn star name.

Max turns up at the tail end of this, and looks as awkward as Taye does about this line of questioning - but comes up with a 'brilliant' cover story for Taye. Max tells Holly that Sonny Manhattan isn't a person, but a new cocktail that Taye's working on.

HOLLY (sceptical): Why didn't you just say that?
TAYE: Because... I want to surprise Krista with it.
HOLLY: Okay. Well, what is it then?
TAYE: A Manhattan... but with orange juice, like the sunrise.
HOLLY (laughs): Taye... come on, the acidity of the orange will totally throw off the balance of the cocktail... What? I know a thing or two about juice.

Max changes the subject, and invites Holly to go line dancing with him tonight. She agrees, and walks off. Taye thanks Max for coming up with the cover story.

MAX: Dude, no worries. But how much longer are you gonna keep this up for?
TAYE: I dunno. I mean, I love the cash. But with all these near misses, I think it's time to hang up the furry handcuffs.
MAX: That's TMI, dude. But I think you're making the right call.

Penthouse
Leo and Paul are celebrating with a whisky the news that Paul has chosen Terese following her ultimatum.

LEO: I was beginning to think Chelsea had something over you.

Paul changes the subject to Leo and Krista's trip abroad, but at that point Terese comes in, and tells them she's hired a new assistant manager at Eirini. Leo asks if Terese will move back into the penthouse now, and Paul thinks that it's the logical choice if Chelsea is returning to No 30.

TERESE: She's not. Remi messaged. Chelsea and Thomas are heading to Queensland tonight.
PAUL: ... Wow.
TERESE: And as for us - I really want to move forward, and I just don't think we should do it here. I think you should move back to Ramsay Street.
PAUL: Hang on, I thought you said there were too many memories of you and Toadie in that house.
TERESE: Well, there's memories everywhere, aren't there? And besides, you and I are really good at creating new ones.

Paul seems happy to go along with this. An idea strikes Leo, and he asks Paul what he will do with the penthouse in that case. Paul says he has no idea yet, and Leo looks thoughtful...

Lassiter's Complex
Aaron is walking through the courtyard when Colton shows up. Aaron again challenges Colton to explain why he came to Erinsborough, suggesting it's no coincidence that once again he's showed up right near Aaron's place of work.

COLTON: Alright... when I got home to Bundy, I started to daydream about what could've been. I liked you.
AARON: Yeah. I really liked you too.
COLTON: I found you online. I need a change, so... I thought I'd pop down for a bit. Engineer a little 'meet cute' again.
AARON: And then what?
COLTON: No expectations. Just see what happens next. Of course, it wasn't ideal timing finding you on a date. I hope I didn't ruin the vibe.
AARON: Look, the guy you saw me with... we've only just reconnected. We half- dated some time ago, but I wasn't ready then.
COLTON: So it's not serious between you two?
AARON: ... No.
COLTON: Do you want it to be?
AARON: Maybe.
COLTON: But either way, you're ready to date again.
AARON: Looks like I am.
COLTON: I can work with that... unless you want me to keep my distance.

Aaron laughs and says it's fine; it's a small suburb. He asks where Colton's interview was, and Colton explains he's just got the trial position at Eirini Rising. At this point, Aaron gets a message from Rhett, saying, 'Really enjoyed our date, can't wait for the next one x'. He looks up from his phone and into Colton's face. Aaron looks conflicted...!

Ramsay Street
Chelsea is packing up the car as she prepares to head to the airport with Remi and Cara. Cara is holding Thomas in his carrier.

CHELSEA (to Remi): Airport goodbyes are always hard. So I'm gonna say this now. You were so kind to track me down. You gave me another chance. You didn't have to do that.
REMI: Chelsea! You are our family. And you are capable of so much.

They hug. Chelsea turns to Cara.

CHELSEA: I know big sisters are supposed to be the role models. But you and me... we've always done stuff the wrong way round, haven't we?
CARA: Oh, you've helped me out of a few pickles over the years.
CHELSEA: Thank you. For everything. You're both my inspirations. As women, as mums. When in doubt, I'm gonna ask myself, what would Cara and Remi do?
REMI: Well, thanks. But Cara is not perfect.
CARA: Uh...!
REMI: No - nobody is!

At this point, Paul and Terese pull up across the street. Remi explains to Chelsea that Paul is moving back in at No 22. Chelsea looks awkward.

Seeing that Chelsea is leaving, Paul suggests he and Terese go inside, but...

TERESE: I think you should say goodbye to Thomas.

Paul crosses the road just as Chelsea is putting Thomas's carrier in the car, and leans through the doorway beside her. He touches Thomas on the face fondly.

PAUL: Bye, darling boy. You take on the world, okay?

Paul then tells Chelsea he is going to honour the trust fund that he promised for Thomas, for whenever he needs it. Chelsea looks touched, and whispers...

CHELSEA: Money or no money... I won't ever tell her.
PAUL: Thank you.

Paul rejoins Terese and heads back to No 22. Chelsea watches them go, looking emotional, then gets into the car with Remi and Cara.

TERESE: Now we can really get on with our lives?
PAUL: Yeah.
TERESE: How does it feel being back on the street?
PAUL: Oh, you know. It always feels like coming home.
TERESE: Yeah. *Our* home. Come on.

Paul pauses and casts an eye around the cul- de- sac, before following Terese towards the house.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Byron tells Sadie he's going to lodge his challenge to Amanda's will this week
- Jane asks Wendy if there's something she hasn't told her
- Karl asks Darcy exactly when he's opening his new health centre
- Karl asks Tess if she thinks it's strange Darcy is going into partnership with Dr Anthony Halsworth
- Tess is surprised, saying Darcy and Halsworth hate each other
- Paul asks Karl if he still thinks Darcy had something to do with Amanda's death
- The lights are out, candles are lit, and Darcy has come to see Karl as lightning flashes outside...