Previously
- Sam finding the missing expo jewels in a reception drawer.
- The wine Annalise is drinking has special memories for her.
- Rhett telling Aaron that Tilly and her mum are moving to Adelaide.
- Rhett suggesting that Aaron, Nicolette and Isla move to Adelaide too.
- Aaron weighing up Rhett's suggestion in relation to his sister Chloe.
- Aaron suggesting to Rhett that they do a long distance relationship.
- Terese receiving a million dollar offer for her property on Power Road.
- Terese coming clean over why Lassiters money is missing.
- Lucy banning Paul from the hotel and the expo...effective immediately!
Number 22
Paul is not at all happy at Lucy's ban even if Terese reminds him that he did the wrong thing! She suggests that to take his mind off things he flies to New York and that suggestion is welcomed as Elle has been on Paul's mind.
Lassiters management offices (Paul's office)
Lucy has brought Krista and Annalise up to speed on Paul's ban and is fully behind them running things including any changes as needed. The ladies look like they are going to enjoy running the hotel without Paul being there!
Number 24
Rhett and Aaron are trying to spending as much time together before Rhett heads to Adelaide but their respective schedules are hindering that from happening. Aaron acknowledges that what Rhett is doing [moving to Adelaide] is right even if he is somewhat fearful, given how short a time they have been together, what happens when the honeymoon period is over, especially in conjunction with that move.
Harolds café (next day)
Lucy is curious to know who moved the jewellery but Krista/Annalise haven't a clue including the motive behind it, is putting what happened down to someone "just trying to cause trouble for the sake of it."
As the ladies chat, Annalise does a double take of a customer who comes into the café - she thought it was her ex, Sam.
Number 24
Nicolette and Jane so feel for down- in- the- dumps Aaron especially as he doesn't think a long- distance relationship with Rhett is going to work. Jane urges him to at least try, as the pair love each other.
AARON: Yeah, well, sometimes love isn't enough.
Aaron's demeanour changes though when they receive an early morning visitor - Rhett, who has re- scheduled the removalist to allow him to walk Aaron to work.
After Aaron heads off, the ladies, Jane especially, now wish they hadn't said anything to him. Jane admits she doesn't like change but is now questioning if they are "just using Isla to justify what we want?"
Lassiters Complex
Rhett and Aaron must have taken the very long way to the complex as Nicolette has arrived in the complex before them! In the background, they also take their time hugging each goodbye, as we instead focus on Leo chatting to Nicolette about them. He thought Aaron's relationship with Rhett was his "second chance at happiness" and consequently, it "sucks that it won't be the case." Nicolette reminds him that they haven't broken up, "long distance could still work" although Leo seems very sceptical about that.
Whilst Nicolette/Jane were taking in the previous scene, Rhett came back into the house to collect Aaron's wallet, which he accidentally left behind, and overheard what the ladies were saying. When Rhett comes over, Nicolette pleads with him not to be mad at Jane, he isn't as he totally gets it. In turn, he then pleads with her, to reconsiders the original suggestion - moving to Adelaide as for logistical reasons, he can't see a long- distance relationship with Aaron actually working.
The 82
Terese is aghast at herself for how she got herself into financial troubles which has resulted in Paul's ban from Lassiters. Susan knows why - they don't have enough occupancy at Eirini (they set the bar too low with projected numbers) and since opening, have blindsiding themselves on providing positive experiences for the residents instead of trying to get more sales. The penny has dropped for Terese, and she is impressed too at the suggestions Susan, the 'supposedly non- natural salesperson' is suggestion to try and sort their woes.
The Waterhole
The bar has been transformed for the expo [its more dark and moody] and receives a gate crasher - Paul! He pleads to Lucy, Krista and Annalise that he wants to help but after a quick conflab [purely for show] he's told his help isn't required. Paul requests to delay the punishment until after the expo but he isn't convincing the ladies and is bluntly told to leave!
Aaron interrupts the ladies to tell Annalise that her favourite wine is now finished after another customer nabbed the last bottle. Lucy spots that she is down and Annalise explains about the wine being her and Sam's favourite.
Number 28
If you attended one of the Neighbours tour venues in 2023, then Karl strumming along on his guitar singing the Susie K song will sound very familiar to you. The song might not be familiar, but the voice is when Sam arrives at the house and Karl is happy shocked at the visitor.
Harolds café
Over coffee, Terese is trying to convince Lucy that there is more to what Paul did. She feels that the changes Paul wants to make "cut deeper" and thinks the trauma he's gone through (losing David and being manipulated by Chelsea) has made him think about his own life and his mortality. Confiding in Lucy over something Chelsea told her (which she hasn't told Paul) - Chelsea saw a void in Paul, the "need to connect with his children" to "right the wrongs."
TERESE: I think this is what she meant.
Lassiters management offices (Krista's office)
Krista stops talking work shop because she feels Annalise isn't listening and remarks that she has been off her game since the Sam scare earlier. Annalise admits it "really spooked me" especially when linked into Aaron and the last bottle of their favourite wine. We hear that Sam sabotaged Annalise's job in Lorne hence her thinking, even if she doesn't want to go there, that he's the one behind the expo issues. Krista questions why Sam would know where the jewellery was or about the signage and we hear that he has Annalise's email password!!!
ANNALISE: I just didn't think of changing it when I left.
From the face Krista pulls on hearing this, she is not amused and plans to contact IT to see if someone else has been accessing her account.
Harolds café
Rather than take Isla on an outing, a family meeting has been called instead. Nicolette begins by telling Aaron that "mum and me have the guilts" due to him being held back from going to Adelaide because of their "selfish" feelings on the matter.
NICOLETTE: What is the point of having you around if you're miserable? I am starting to second guess how I feel about it all.
JANE: Yeah, now we both are.
NICOLETTE: You found love after losing the love of your life. That's rare.
Jane thinks that David is watching over him because "all he ever wanted was your happiness." With a glance over to Isla playing nearby, Aaron asks about her, given she's "our baby" but Nicolette plans to talk to her.
NICOLETTE: Tell her that our family is spreading its tentacles like a giant octopus and no matter where we are, we'll always have our arms around her.
Jane agrees with that sentiment and adds that they will "carry the load" when he isn't there.
NICOLETTE: We got you Az.
Number 28
Over a cuppa, Sam fills in the gaps [because Annalise didn't] to Karl over why they broke up - he lost sight of the important things. Susan is happy shocked to see him too when she arrives home and as they catch up, we hear that his grandma, Marlene, has passed away. She asks if Annalise knows he is in town?
Harolds café
The adults are now trying to sell their plan of Aaron moving to Adelaide to Isla with the reassurance that she will visit him (and get to see everyone there too) as well as him coming to Erinsborough to see her. "Why do you want to go?" the bairn asks Aaron and his reply is he needs "to go and see our other family" especially Auntie Chloe who he needs to keep a special eye on.
ISLA: Is she naughty?!
That gets a laugh out of Aaron and he replies that its Uncle Tyler who is the naughtier one! Isla gives him her permission to leave and the 'deal' is sealed with a big hug between the pair of them.
Lassiters Complex
Paul can't help himself from trying to involve himself with the expo planning and earns a "get out" from Krista when she catches him! A further rollicking is postponed when Aaron spots him and informs him about the move to Adelaide [with everyone's blessing/support] and that he will be resigning from his Waterhole job. Paul is then shocked to hear that he will be leaving in a few days (it makes sense to go at the same time as Rhett) but while still employed, will give the expo 100%.
PAUL: I don't care about work, I care about you.
AARON: So I have your blessing?
PAUL: Of course you do... not that you ever needed it!
After Paul reminds Aaron that he will "always be my son- in- law" the pair share a heartful hug.
Lassiters management offices (Krista's office)
Leo gets the news on his phone about Aaron leaving and relays that to Krista who while "very happy for him" is also "very sad" but Leo thinks that he's made the right decision to give his relationship with Rhett a chance.
The pair are interrupted when Annalise arrives and breaks the news that IT have discovered someone has been accessing her emails remotely. While IT couldn't give a name, they informed her that her account was accessed by someone in the UK and that same person has followed her because they are now accessing her account in Australia. Krista asks if she thinks this person and Sam (yes) and of course it means he is in the country - from the shake of the head, she isn't amused!
Number 24
Jane has invited Rhett over to apologise for interfering before adding that she's found a way to make it up to him... in the background, Aaron and Nicolette rush out with party poppers and hooters, shouting "surprise". This action has bemused Rhett until he hears Aaron ask if the removalists have room for his things?!
RHETT: This better not be a joke?!
AARON: I'm coming to Adelaide with you.
On hearing that, Rhett immediately pulls Aaron in for a kiss and a hug. When they pull apart, Rhett sincerely thanks Jane "for making this happen" acknowledging through that it will be "a huge adjustment" with everyone required to be "really flexible."
NICOLETTE: Our family's already unconventional... why not make it more unconventional by raising a child in two different states!
AARON: I'm confident that we can make this work.
JANE: Everyone in the street is gonna miss you but not as much as we will.
Harolds café (rear)
As they make their way to Harolds, Susan gives Sam a final pep talk on how to act with Annalise. He's hoping that her favourite wine will help too... but that was utter wishful thinking as she is unimpressed to see him when she enters the rear area of Harold's from inside!
Angrily she wants to know if he's been accessing her emails (yes!) which earns him a verbal rollicking. Sam pleads to be allowed to explain (as Paul and Krista arrive to listen in) but before he can, she accuses him of being behind everything going wrong at Lassiters. Again, he pleads for her to listen but she is in full rant mode and isn't impressed at what he's done to try and get her to return to Manchester.
ANNALISE: How could you do this to me?! How could you!
SAM: ...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Remi inviting Cara to the expo with her.
- Taye telling Sadie he's been talking to a girl.
- Lucy suggesting to Paul that he takes a step back from the hotel.
- Paul demanding to know why he can't have it all
- There's been a break in
