Previously on Neighbours
- Colton makes Terese an offer on behalf of the Sunset Retirement Group to buy out Eirini Rising
- But when Susan asks her about it, Terese explains she's decided against selling
- While on her secret date with Andrew, Holly loses one of the expensive earrings Max bought her
- Holly later uses a minor argument over the lost earring as a pretext to end her relationship with Max
- Holly suggests to Andrew that they could start a new life somewhere new
- Wesley, the editor of the Daily Monster, challenges Elle to come up with a story to convince him to employ her
- While touring her former home at No 30, Elle rifles through Cara's police files and photographs them
- The Daily Monster quickly publishes the resulting article on the Linwell Brothers and the mysterious 'Jonesy'
- Recognising the Linwells' name, Terese asks Elle where she got her story
- Cara later receives a threatening message telling her, 'We know you're the source. Better run'
- Inspector McCabe tells Cara the text is a credible threat, and wants to move the Varga- Murphys to a safe house
- But Cara decides to stay behind; if she goes with Remi and the boys it's likelier to put them in danger
- Cara says an emotional goodbye to her sons and Remi and watches as Taye drives them away from Ramsay Street
- Cara confronts Elle for putting her family back on the Linwells' radar, saying it's on her if anything happens
No 22
Elle is sitting in her bedroom looking pensive when Terese appears at the door, wanting to talk. Elle would rather not as she's tired, not having got much sleep last night.
TERESE: Because you were writing your big scoop.
ELLE: How many times do I have to say I'm sorry? Look, if I'm that upsetting to be around, I can still leave.
TERESE: I want you to guarantee that you're done with this story.
ELLE: It's not done. The public want answers.
TERESE: Yeah, and you don't have to be the one to deliver them.
Elle argues that her journalism may actually help the police, as everyone is now trying to figure out who the mysterious 'Jonesy' is. But Terese says pursuing it further will put Cara and her family in more danger. Elle gets a text from Wesley, the editor at the Daily Monster, saying they need to talk ASAP. Elle asks Terese if they can discuss this later. Terese implores Elle to do the right thing, then leaves her to it.
No 26
Wendy and Andrew discuss the departure of Remi, JJ and Dex for Apollo Bay. Andrew thinks they'll be safer there than if they'd stayed in Erinsborough and will have local police keeping an eye out. Wendy feels bad for Cara; Andrew promises to keep an eye on her, and says he'll head over there after their cuppa. Wendy suggests he take some leftover lasagne for her, and he agrees.
No 30
Nicolette has come to see Cara, to keep her spirits up with small talk from the café. Cara thanks her for being a mate, and jokes as to whether Nicolette is trying to seduce her with the range of biccies she's brought round.
NICOLETTE: We both know that I would bake my own cookies if that was the game plan.
Andrew then comes in with the lasagne. Cara updates Andrew on where the rest of her family is following the threat to her - her mum is on the Gold Coast with her sister Chelsea and nephew Thomas. She hasn't heard from her dad yet, but that isn't unusual, she says; he sometimes goes off- grid for weeks. Andrew suggests that if Cara is uncomfortable being alone in the house, she could ask Taye to come and stay, or Andrew could.
Cara thanks Andrew, and promises to give him a call if she needs anything, and he leaves Cara and Nicolette to hang out.
Penthouse
Krista is working when Holly calls in, being very busy since taking on Paul's workload. Holly asks if Krista could keep her in mind if any additional work shifts come up, saying she needs some extra cash.
KRISTA: Are you in some sort of trouble, Holly?
HOLLY: No, no. But thanks for the vote of confidence! I just want to pay Max back for the earrings that he bought. I lost one, so... long story.
KRISTA: I'm really sorry about the break- up.
HOLLY: It's for the best.
Before she goes, Holly also asks if Krista could let her know of any opportunities with Lassiter's that might come up interstate. This surprises Krista, who asks if things are that bad with Max.
HOLLY: No, I... I just thought a fresh start could be good, but it's just a thought. Don't say anything to anyone, please.
KRISTA: It's in the vault.
The Waterhole
Elle arrives to meet up with Wesley. He's pleased to see her and has bought her a glass of bubbly to celebrate their success with the story, telling her that her piece has topped their previous record for views, and all the news agencies are now scrambling to play catchup.
ELLE: Are you offering me more work?
WESLEY: Absolutely. I want to keep up the momentum on this #WhoIsJonesy story. The story is top shelf.
ELLE: Yes. I suppose I can continue my investigations.
WESLEY: Excellent. Is your source good for more intel?
ELLE: ... Yeah. One way or another, I'll find out who Jonesy is.
Leo comes in, and Elle introduces them. Leo's concerned that she's meeting with Wesley again - and sensing the tension, Wesley leaves them to it.
LEO: Remi and her kids are in hiding, and you're kissing this grubby editor's butt? Where's your head at, Elle? (...) You need to back off this story before someone else gets hurt,.
ELLE: I don't expect you to understand, but I can't do that.
LEO: Then you need to be ready to face the consequences.
No 28
On the patio, Colton is having another meeting with Susan and Terese. Discussions with the Sunset Group have been fruitful, and they are willing to invest in Eirini. Colton has put in a good word for Susan as manager, so she can stay on, provided that she's willing to complete their management course in Cairns. Susan is pleased, and thanks Colton. Terese suggests Susan could visit Harold and Agnes in Port Douglas while she's in Queensland.
Colton has more news - Sunset has decided to send him back to Eirini as their representative there, as part of the deal. Terese and Susan are thrilled to have him back on board.
The Waterhole
Andrew comes to see Holly. He suggests they go for a drive together on her break, but she tells him it's not for a while. She suggests she could ask one of the others if they could swap, so she could go with him. Max comes in and lingers at the doorway, watching the two of them talking. When Holly goes into the kitchen, Max comes over and asks to speak to Andrew. Andrew looks uncomfortable.
Ramsay Street
Elle is heading home when Cara spots her and shouts out across the road. They approach one another.
ELLE: How are Remi and the boys?
CARA: You don't care how they are. Your so- called news story put them all at risk (...) What you did was inexcusable. I let you into my home out of kindness, because Terese said you were feeling disconnected.
ELLE: Okay, once again - if I'd have known about your personal connection to the Linwells, I would've handled things differently.
CARA: I don't think you would have. You went through my private papers. You obstructed my investigation -
ELLE: You know, there's an opportunity here. We can work together, pool our resources.
CARA: You're kidding yourself. Nah, I don't work with snakes.
Cara walks off. Terese and Susan, who have been approaching throughout this confrontation, now join Elle in the middle of the street. Elle appeals to Susan, saying she had the same 'MO' when working on the Erinsborough News.
SUSAN: No. I wrote some stories that upset a few friends and neighbours, but I always tried to be ethical.
ELLE: Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do! (...) I didn't know about Cara's connection with these people.
SUSAN: What about all the others you've put at risk with the story?
TERESE: You need to be very careful, or people will get hurt.
SUSAN: Look at the damage you've done, Elle. Was it worth it?
ELLE: Absolutely! Corruption needs to be stamped out. I stand by that.
TERESE: You're not dropping the story, are you?
Elle's expression makes it clear that she isn't!
The Waterhole
At a table, Max is pestering Andrew for anything Holly might've told him about their break- up. But Andrew claims he doesn't know anything - they were only talking before about how busy she was, and Andrew says he has no intel from Sadie either. Max apologises for bugging him with it, but Andrew says he understands Max is hurting.
MAX: I'm going crazy. I just want to know what I did wrong.
ANDREW: I don't think you did anything wrong.
MAX: I was trying to be supportive with the Bowman stuff. And, oh my god, this thing with the earring...
Andrew simply repeats that he doesn't know anything.
MAX: I guess the big thing I want to know is... do I hang in there? Do I try and make it up to her, or am I just wasting my time?
ANDREW: ... In my experience with Holly, she knows what she wants. I'm guessing that if she broke it off with you, she doesn't have any doubts.
MAX: Yeah, right. But I mean, if there's even the slightest chance she could change her mind, it... it would just be wrong to walk away, right?
Andrew doesn't say anything!
No 30
Terese has called round to see Cara, to apologise again for Elle's behaviour; if Terese hadn't turned her back, perhaps Elle wouldn't have had the chance to go through her files. Cara says that the only person responsible for what happened is Elle. Terese says that Elle has made it clear she intends to continue pursuing the story.
CARA: Wow. She really is a muck- raker.
TERESE: Yeah. I mean, I tried to talk her out of it. But she's convinced that the public have a right to know.
CARA: What a load of BS. No, she only cares about herself.
Terese wonders if it's too complicated having Elle stay in the house. But Cara is sympathetic, saying it can be tough with family - and at least if Elle is at Terese's then they can keep an eye on her! Terese agrees.
Nicolette comes in from the sunroom, and offers to stick around for the rest of the day as Jane has offered to babysit Isla. At this point, Cara gets a worrying message from Chelsea - she was meant to have a video call with their dad, but he isn't answering...
Lassiter's Complex
Wendy is looking at clothes outside the Sonya Foundation, and Holly - who has just left the pub - walks quickly to avoid being seen by her. She meets Andrew in the park area. He tells her they don't have much time, as he needs to check in with Cara again soon.
HOLLY: I wish I could kiss you.
ANDREW: Yeah, me too.
HOLLY: I spoke to Krista today, about transferring interstate - so hopefully something good comes up.
ANDREW: Wait, why did you do that? What if she tells someone?
HOLLY: Well, you agreed we need to start thinking about moving, and I'm just putting out the feelers. Krista thinks it's about Max (...) She says it's in the vault; we go back a long way. I trust her.
Andrew accepts this, and tells Holly about Max talking to him about her earlier.
ANDREW: He doesn't understand what he did wrong. He doesn't think it's really over.
HOLLY: Okay. Then I'm just gonna have to make it really clear.
No 22
Terese and Leo are getting all gooey over pictures of Leo's new niece (Tash and Andrew Robinson's baby).
LEO: That is definitely a Robinson nose.
TERESE: Yeah, well, let's just hope she doesn't inherit the Robinson ruthlessness.
LEO: Well, considering Dad's away, I'm guessing that's about Elle.
Leo defends Elle, saying this story is just about self- preservation; her self- esteem took a big hit after losing her job in New York. Terese still doesn't think it justifies endangering the Varga- Murphys.
Elle comes downstairs and senses she's being talked about. She tells Terese that she's looking for a place of her own, so she won't have to put up with her for too much longer.
TERESE: No one's asking you to leave, Elle.
ELLE: I was saving you the trouble.
TERESE: Look, if you want to go, I can't stop you. But it's not what I want. I disagree with what you're doing... but you're family. And you should stay.
ELLE: ... Okay.
Elle leaves the house.
LEO: Let me guess - keeping your enemies close?
TERESE (faux innocently): Who, me?
Ramsay Street
Elle and Cara have a staring competition from their respective sides of the street, as a police car circles around the cul- de- sac, keeping an eye out for Cara.
Harold's Café
Max comes in, and Krista and Leo are there, so Krista checks in to see how he's doing. He initially claims he's fine, but when Krista tells him he doesn't have to pretend, he admits that he just wishes Holly would explain why she broke things off with him. Leo tells him to hang in there.
Colton comes in, and everyone seems pleased to see him. He's glad to be working in Erinsborough again, but the only snag is, his place is on the other side of town, so is on the lookout for something local and options are scant. Krista points out that Max is looking to fill Byron's old room; Max says they were about to advertise. He invites Colton to come back to the house with him and take a look. Colton seems keen.
No 30
Cara is trying to call her dad, but to no avail. Nicolette tries to reassure her, but Cara has a feeling that something's off. Andrew calls in, and Cara tells him about her dad having been scheduled for a video call with Chelsea, and him not answering. At this point, Chelsea phones, and Cara goes out of the room to speak to her.
Wendy comes in, having brought over an 'afternoon pick- me- up', and wonders what's going on. Cara come back in and tells them that Chelsea hasn't been able to contact their dad either. Cara decides to head out to the caravan park he was supposed to be going to, at Eildon. Nicolette volunteers to accompany her, but Andrew says it might be dangerous, and says he'll go instead.
Harold's Café
Max and Colton are chatting; Colton wants to know if the No 32 pool is heated. Holly comes in, and Max goes over to talk to her.
MAX: Umm... I just wanted to say, I hope we can still be friends, because I do really want to be a part of your life, Holly.
HOLLY: Max, I don't -
MAX: And we started as friends, right? And look at Taye and Sadie when they broke up.
HOLLY: Okay, well, that's a bit of a stretch. They were just hooking up... We're not getting back together.
MAX: How can you be so certain, when you haven't even told me why you ended it?
HOLLY: I'm really sorry. I don't want to hurt you. I just don't feel the same. I'm gonna pay you back for the earrings, though.
MAX: No, you don't need to. I wanted you to have them.
HOLLY: No, I do need to. What you said before - I think that we should just have a clean break.
MAX: So, not even friends?
HOLLY: I'm really sorry.
Max looks sad as Holly walks out.
Eildon Caravan Park
It's night as Cara and Andrew arrive, and quickly locate Cara's dad's van. She knocks on the door, but there's no answer. She opens the door and walks in. Her dad, Greg, is lying unconscious on the floor, an apparent wound to his head...
There's a change to the closing credits today, as Colton Keys (Jakob Ambrose) is added to the main cast.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Elle tells Cara she's really sorry about her father; but Cara doesn't want her apologies, or her help
- Elle asks Karl, 'What can you tell me about Amelia Jones?' He replies, '#WhoIsJonesy?'
- Holly is with Taye and Sadie at No 26, when Taye finds Wendy's lingerie bag. Sadie says it's Wendy's, not hers
- Andrew tells Holly he's married; she replies that she thought all that was over
