No 22
Elle and Terese seem to be getting on better. Elle asks Terese if she and Toadie were really in love. Terese says they thought so at the time.

TERESE: I think we liked the idea of it on paper. You know, two friends living across the road from each other, for years. Then suddenly, we looked each other in the eyes and the earth moves.
ELLE: But you were still in love with Dad, deep down?
TERESE: Yeah, I, umm... I thought Toadie was the stable option, but umm... it wasn't meant to be. And I just realised that your dad and I still had a connection.

Terese asks about Elle's love life, which she replies is 'a tale of broken hearts from Brooklyn to New Jersey'! But at this point Terese gets a message from Susan, who wants to have a chat about work. Terese invites Elle along, but she says she has some ideas for her article pitch that she wants to write up. Once Terese has gone, Elle opens her laptop and begins to go through the papers she photographed at Cara's place.

The papers include a commercial lease agreement for the warehouse at Waratah Heights in the name of Ricky Dehnam's uncle Bill, an audio transcript of Cara's recording from the warehouse, and an arrest report for Ricky Dehnam in Werribee for theft and trespass. Elle smiles and begins to type...

No 28
Susan is telling Terese about Hilary's petition against Eirini's new cheapskate coffee and biscuits and the other 'austerity measures', which Hilary thinks constitute a breach of contract. On top of that, they've come to a standstill with new unit sales; the last two consecutive sales they had lined up have fallen through. Susan thinks they need a big marketing push or word- of- mouth to get them back on track.

Susan says that she put in a call to Colton at the Sunset Group to say hello and ask his advice about a supplier, and that he has suggested a potential lifeline. At this point, there's a knock at the door and Colton himself arrives to explain things to Terese...

The Waterhole
Remi is confiding in Taye about her encounter with Deena, the tram customer who has taken a shine to her and gave her her number. Remi is feeling guilty for taking Deena's number as she's 'supposed to be married' and is worried she encouraged her; she's only just told Cara that she should be open to the idea of being with other women, and now Remi's faced with this.

TAYE: Do you want anything to happen with Deena?
REMI (hesitates): What I want... is to remember the wife everyone tells me I'm in love with. I want to feel that spark that led us to get married and have two amazing children. But I don't.
TAYE: Are you gonna tell Cara about Deena?
REMI: Do you think I should?
TAYE: I mean, Cara was honest with you about Nicolette.

No 30
Andrew and Cara are having a furtive conversation by the door while JJ and Dex play a video game in the next room. Andrew tells Cara to stop beating herself up. It seems police have now raided the warehouse and it was found to be empty; Andrew says the crims must have moved the evidence.

CARA: Now that we've got a warrant, they know we're onto them.
ANDREW: Hey, umm... you need to be a bit more careful, from here on out. We've got to assume that Ricky Dehnam remembers you from the old days, and if he links this police interest back to you...
CARA (lowering her voice): He could put me back on the Linwell radar.
ANDREW: It's not worth the risk.
CARA: Yeah. I'll lay low.

Andrew suggests they meet up before work tomorrow and talk strategy, but Cara says she can't; she's going over to Remi's for breakfast and it 'feels positive'. Cara smiles.

No 28
Colton is telling Terese and Susan that while a partnership wasn't Sunset Group's first preference - they wanted to buy Eirini Rising outright - they would be willing to purchase a 50 percent stake, with Terese retaining the other half of the equity.

TERESE: And would we keep our name?
COLTON: You'd become 'Eirini Rising: a Sunset Group Retirement Experience'.
SUSAN: An injection of cash would mean that we could bring back all the luxuries. Hilary's petition would disappear in a flash. Plus, we'd reap the benefits of being part of a big company.
COLTON: Buying power, for starters. They pay a fraction of the wholesale prices you're paying.
TERESE: And what would be in it for the Sunset Group?
COLTON: An unbreakable clause. So if you ever wanted to sell your half, it would have to be to them.
TERESE: Hmm... and the staff situation?
COLTON: We would require full oversight, so someone from head office would join your team, and all existing staff would have to reapply for their jobs.

This would include Susan, but she says that she's happy to prove herself to Sunset Group.

SUSAN: Terese, if this is an option that appeals to you, please, please consider it.

Terese tells Colton that she'd like to keep talking with Sunset Group.

No 22
The following morning, Elle tells Terese that she's exhausted - she's been up most of the night working. She only meant to write a pitch for the article, but ended up writing the whole thing. What's more, she's sent it to Wesley, the editor of the Daily Monster, and he's published it already! Terese asks Elle what the big scoop is, and whether she was inspired by something she saw on their tour of Ramsay Street.

ELLE (evasive): Erm... not exactly.

No 28
Cara and Remi are having breakfast, as Cara fills Remi in on the fact that the police search of the warehouse didn't turn anything up. Following Taye's advice to be honest, Remi brings up the topic of Deena giving her her phone number.

REMI: It caught me off guard, and I just... took it.
CARA: You didn't tell her about us?
REMI: It just happened really quickly.
CARA: Well, is this something you want to pursue, or...?
REMI: No, I just felt -

But at this point, Andrew comes in with urgent news. He shows Cara his phone, on which we can see the article 'by Elle Robinson' on the Daily Monster website. The headline reads, 'Who's Jonesy? Crime, Scandal & Theft Rock Erinsborough'. There is a picture of Bill Dehnam's warehouse at Waratah Heights, where Cara saw Ricky Dehnam collecting the bag of guns.

The first paragraph of the article reads: 'Early investigations by local police claim that a well- known crime syndicate feared for its underworld dealings has mutated and found its way to the quiet streets of Erinsborough. Police believe the robberies may be connected to the Linwell Brothers, disgraced property developers from Werribee.' Cara reads it and looks alarmed.

No 22
Terese is reading the article too, and is impressed by the headline.

TERESE: I wish you'd warned me we were having a crime wave - I would've locked the door!

But as she reads further, she gets to the part about the Linwell brothers, and her expression changes.

TERESE: Where exactly did you get this tip?

No 28
Cara and Andrew are talking about the article with Remi. Cara is baffled as to how Elle could have known any of this; there are things in the report that Cara hasn't even discussed with anyone.

ANDREW: What about your folder with all your notes?
CARA: ... Oh my gosh. I left Terese and Elle in the house last night. She must've gone through my stuff!

No 22
Terese is still grilling Elle about the article when Cara storms in uninvited, followed by Andrew, and starts tearing strips off of Elle.

CARA: You went through my folder!
TERESE: Elle, is that true?!
CARA: You took advantage of being in my home. Do you have any idea what you've unleashed?
ANDREW: Elle, do you know about Cara's history with the Linwells?
ELLE: No, I don't.
CARA: Well, they terrorised my family for months! It's my evidence that put them in jail.
ELLE: (...) I could have obtained that information any number of ways.
CARA: No, you couldn't have. Only a handful of people know it. I can't believe I let you into my home and then this is how you repay me!
ELLE: Okay, look, I now realise this is personal for you. But the story needs to be told.
CARA: No, it doesn't! Not only have you jeopardised a police investigation, but you've put my name on blast to the Linwell brothers!
ELLE: I didn't name my source.
CARA: Well, you might as well have! I'm the only person in Erinsborough with history with them. Of course they're gonna think I'm involved. Me and my family are back on their radar, thanks to you.
ANDREW: Cara...
CARA: No. If anything happens to them, it's on you.

Cara and Andrew walk out, leaving Terese to scowl at Elle.

Ramsay Street
The camera is circling in a tense scene in the middle of the street, as the Varga- Murphys and Andrew convene for crisis talks. JJ and Dex have now been alerted to Elle's article.

JJ (to Remi): Does this put you and Mum in danger?
REMI: Uh, I don't know, bud. I hope not.
CARA: No one's moving anywhere.
JJ: Okay, maybe we should. The Linwells don't mess around, and I don't want either of you getting hurt.
ANDREW: No, they're not gonna be hurt, mate. We're gonna make sure everyone stays safe.

But even as they're talking, Cara gets a threatening message from an unknown number. The message says, 'We know you're the source. Better run, Constable Murphy.' She shows it to Andrew as the conversation continues, but doesn't tell Remi, JJ or Dex for now. Instead she suggests that they all head to the Kennedys' and she'll meet them there when she can. Dex wants to get something from No 30 and Cara hesitates - but Remi says they'll all go together and be no more than five minutes.

Once Remi, JJ and Dex have gone, Cara and Andrew rush off to the police station.

No 22
Having learned more about the Varga- Murphys' history with the Linwell brothers, Elle is playing down the Linwells' fake anthrax attack from 2023, telling Terese that it's 'a far cry from the real thing' (!) But Terese tells her that the family spent hours thinking Remi was going to die as a result, and that the trauma of that is very real for Cara.

Elle agrees and apologises, but says that in the long term, her coverage of the story will actually help Cara and the police.

ELLE: I've exposed a whole network of corruption, and that's the first step to shutting it down.

Susan comes in, and Elle implores her to tell Terese that she'd have done the same when she was a journalist for the Erinsborough News. But Susan is as annoyed about Elle's article as everyone else.

ELLE: The truth and the story have to come first.
SUSAN: No. The safety and anonymity of your source has to come first. Right now, I have two teenage boys at my house who are terrified for their mothers.
TERESE: You can talk all you like about journalistic integrity, Elle. But you and I both know why you wrote this story. Or is that not a truth that you want exposed?

Erinsborough Police Station
Andrew and Cara are talking to a senior officer, Detective Inspector McCabe, who has been brought in by their boss, Senior Sergeant Thompson, to oversee the case. Cara wants to run a trace on the number she got the threatening message from, which McCabe agrees to, and sends Andrew out to take care of it. Once he's gone, McCabe tells Cara that she has 'other priorities'.

McCABE: We have to treat this text as a credible threat. Which means that we have to move you and your family to a safe house as soon as possible.
CARA: Move us? No, the investigation -
McCABE: Has been escalated. The article would have seen to that, even without the threat.
CARA: Is Elle Robinson gonna see any ramifications for this?
McCABE: Not right now.
CARA: But she stole -
McCABE: Cara, don't get me wrong. I plan on making this journalist's life a living hell. But my main focus right now has to be about getting you and the people you care about out of harm's way.

Cara reluctantly agrees, and McCabe tells her she'll explore some options and get back to her.

No 28
Cara, Remi, Taye, JJ and Dex are gathered for a war council. Cara has explained that the Varga- Murphys will have to leave Erinsborough, but 'only for a little while'. JJ asks if the Linwells have threatened Cara, and she tells them a white lie, saying they haven't - but that Inspector McCabe just wants them to be extra careful given the history.

Remi wants to know where they'll stay - she's not keen on a 'random country town' - and Taye has the idea that they could stay with his and Remi's dad Ken in Apollo Bay.

REMI: The man I email twice a year with politely awkward updates?
TAYE: That's what makes him the perfect person. No one will look for you there. You don't share the same last name, and you don't even talk about him to anyone.
DEX: You've been wanting to spend more time with him.
REMI: I have been saying that for a while, haven't I?

Taye offers to drive them down there, to avoid the risk of the family car being tracked. While Taye talks to JJ and Dex, Cara quietly confirms to Remi that the Linwells have in fact threatened her. Remi looks worried.

The Waterhole
Elle comes in and finds Leo working at a table. We learn that Tash and Andrew's baby has been born in New York, and so they now have a new niece - Paul has been sending them photos.

ELLE: She looks like a little Viking!

Leo takes Elle to task about her article, and she admits it's put a few 'noses out of joint'.

ELLE: Wes wanted clickbait. I've actually made people interested in local government.
LEO: But Cara is my friend!

Elle reiterates that she didn't know Cara was personally connected to the Linwells and was careful with the language she used. Leo is unsympathetic to Elle's explanations, though, and strops off.

No 26
Cara is looking lost in her own world as we faintly hear Andrew talking to her in the background. He explains that Inspector McCabe has spoken to the Apollo Bay police, who will do regular unmarked drive- bys of Ken's house to ensure Cara, Remi and the boys are safe. He's even got a list of the cars' models and registration plates so that if any other cars are seen lingering around, they know to alert the authorities.

ANDREW: Cara?
CARA: I can't go.
ANDREW: The Linwells have got you at your house before. If you stay here, you're gonna be putting yourself in danger.
CARA: I'm already in danger. The Linwells expect me to run. They'll come looking for me.
ANDREW: They won't find you.
CARA: We don't know how far their influence goes. If I run with Remi and the boys, then we're all in danger. If I stay, at least then they'll be safe.

No 28
Cara relays this plan to Remi as she hurriedly packs a bag, but Remi responds with an outright no.

REMI: You have just spent weeks reminding me that we are a family. You think I'm gonna leave you here to get yourself killed?
CARA: Better something happens to me than them.
REMI: What's gonna happen? You've just told me that Ken's place is safe.
CARA: Look, with all the surveillance technology around these days, nowhere is 100 percent untrackable. Even with police protection. But if I stay here, then nobody's gonna bother to look for you. You and the boys will be as safe as anybody can be.
REMI: And who is gonna keep *you* safe?
CARA: I'm gonna be working around the clock to shut these scumbags down once and for all. I'm barely gonna be at home.
REMI: So you're gonna be surrounded by cops with tasers at all times, are you?
CARA: ... Something like that.

Remi reluctantly agrees to Cara's plan, and reflects that maybe it will be good for them.

REMI: Maybe I'll miss you.
CARA: Well, that would be something.
REMI: I do *want* to miss you, Cara. Maybe the universe is doing us some sort of weird favour here.
CARA: Maybe. And I *will* miss you.

JJ and Dex come in from the garden. JJ has just had a call from Andrew, saying the police have checked No 30 and locked the street down - so they can now go and retrieve their belongings before the trip to Apollo Bay.

CARA: Okay. But there's something I have to tell you both first...

Ramsay Street
A tear rolls down Dex's cheek as he says goodbye to Cara with an emotional hug.

DEX: I'm gonna miss you, Mum.
CARA: Yeah. Yeah, me too, buddy. Don't worry, okay? Me and Andrew, we're gonna get to the bottom of this - and then we'll all be together again before you know it.
DEX: Yeah. Do you promise?
CARA: Cross my heart.

Cara then gets a hug from an equally emotional JJ.

JJ: Don't worry, Mum. I'll look after him for you.
CARA: Yeah. Yeah, I know you will.
JJ: So, you just focus on keeping yourself safe, yeah? Love you.
CARA: Love you too.

Cara thanks Taye, who is waiting by the car, for driving them to Ken's place. Taye says he'll play referee between Remi and Ken until they settle in, and they share a hug too. Remi and Cara say their own goodbye from opposite sides of the car, however. They are both fighting back tears.

CARA: You ready?
REMI: Yep. You'll be safe, yeah?
CARA: Yeah - yeah, I will. You too.

Remi joins the others in the car, and Cara can't hold back the tears any longer as her family drives away. She then turns to see Elle outside No 22. Elle looks across at her sympathetically, but Cara gives her the most evil of glares in response! Elle now looks quite scared...!

Coming up on Neighbours
- Editor Wesley asks Elle if she can get more info from her source. 'One way or another,' blags Elle
- Terese tells Elle that she needs to be very careful, or people will get hurt
- Cara tells Nicolette that Chelsea was meant to be video- calling their dad, but he's not answering
- Holly tells Andrew she's spoken to Krista about transferring interstate, which alarms Andrew
- Max asks Andrew if they can talk; Andrew looks shifty