No 22
Zac is wowing Terese with his home- made chocolate pudding (it's Nana Pam's special recipe, no less), and Terese says he should go to No 32 and offer Colton some! Zac looks concerned to have been rumbled.

TERESE: There are no secrets on Ramsay Street.
ZAC: Well, I've decided not to go there.
TERESE: What, why?
ZAC: I'd rather just concentrate on work.

Elle comes in, and Zac introduces himself. She congratulates him on his new job at the hotel.

ELLE: I heard you're gonna be living here. Welcome to the jungle.

Terese rolls her eyes as she hears this from the couch. Zac offers Elle some chocolate pudding, but she has work to do. Terese hopes aloud that it doesn't constitute another Daily Monster article. But Elle says she's just answering emails, while Terese quietly fills Zac in on what's been going on with Elle.

Meanwhile Elle gets a text from Wesley, the Daily Monster editor. He says he loves the new article, and it's going live in the morning! Elle looks elated.

Penthouse
Leo is preparing chocolate- dipped strawberries for Krista, who emerges from putting Abigail to bed. It turns out Abi has been throwing up, and Krista hopes she doesn't have gastro - but Leo thinks it was just a case of too much pizza at the sleepover she's had to come home from. Leo tries to woo Krista with the chocolate strawberries but it turns out she isn't in need of wooing, and suggests that they head to the bedroom.

LEO: I like the way you think, Mrs Tanaka.

However, they're just about to go in for the pash when Leo notices Abby has thrown up all over Krista's hair and back! Krista is grossed out and rushes out to wash it off.

No 30
The next morning, Elle pays a visit to Greg. She's brought him a hamper (for Cara too, but 'mostly' for him) to apologise for him getting beaten up.

ELLE: Look, I know artisanal produce won't make up for anything. But if I'd known about Cara's history with the Linwells, I wouldn't have written that article. At least, not in the way that I did, so... I really hope that you can accept my apology.

Before Greg can answer, Cara comes in.

CARA: Unbelievable. I duck down the road for five minutes, and you weasel your way into my house and try and suck up to my dad!

She grabs the hamper from Greg (who seems reluctant to let it go!) and thrusts it back at Elle.

CARA: You can take this and shove it where the sun don't shine.
ELLE: Okay... I know you don't think that I'm on your side, Cara.
CARA: I know you're not.
ELLE: But I've uncovered some new information in relation to Jonesy. So if you want to know more about it, I suggest you read my latest article in today's Daily Monster.
CARA: Well, I'm not interested. Now, rack off and don't come back!

Elle walks out.

CARA: She has got some nerve.
GREG (teasing): You want to read the article.
CARA: Yes. Ugh!

They rush over to the laptop to do just that.

Lassiter's Hotel
Zac seems to be proving efficient as assistant manager, and Krista seems pleased with her decision.

ZAC: Just call me Girl Friday. Only cos I love old Hollywood films. Especially anything with Cary Grant - I mean, style icon.
KRISTA: Ugh, yes, I know. I had a great- great aunt who was obsessed with Cary Grant. Probably because, allegedly, she had a fling with him back in the day.
ZAC (Cary Grant voice): Well, when you talk like this, toots, it's hard to resist.

They are both having fun doing silly Hollywood voices when Leo comes in. He reports that Abby has recovered from her sickness, so it definitely seems like overindulgence was to blame. Leo offers to take Krista out for lunch to make up for the dinner they missed last night as a result of Abby's illness, but she can't - she and Zac have a work meeting. Leo looks disappointed, and heads off.

KRISTA: HR has asked for a photo of you, so we can put it up on our website.
ZAC (worried): Sure, but isn't that jumping the gun? I mean, I'm only here on probation.

Krista says she's sure he'll fly through the probation period, but Zac looks concerned at the prospect of the photo for some reason.

No 30
Cara is still reading Elle's new story about 'the search for the illusive [sic] Jonesy'. It turns out that Elle has named Amelia Jones, an Erinsborough councillor, as a suspect for the identity of 'Jonesy'. The 'evidence' is that Councillor Jones has been making regular visits to a myotherapy clinic whose construction she speedily approved in February 2024, and has been receiving super- cheap treatments on her visits.

Elle implies corruption in the article, pointing out that building approvals usually take six months, yet in this case it was approved in just seven weeks. She alleges that the councillor is 'amenable to being buttered up' and asks, 'Have the fruits of Councillor Jones' labour seen her reaping some less than legal benefits? Bribe is such a nasty word...'

Cara discusses the claims of the piece with Greg. He asks what's happening with the police investigation, but Cara thinks it's on hold while she's rostered off.

GREG: Well, maybe it's time you got back to work.
CARA: What, and leave you here on your own? I can't do that.
GREG: Why not? I'm as good as gold today. Might even get out and explore the neighbourhood. You do your thing, I'll do mine - make both of us happy.

Cara doesn't look sure.

No 28
Karl is in the garden looking at his tablet, while Susan is preparing clothes to take on her trip to Cairns, where she's doing the Sunset Retirement Group management course. Susan's feeling a bit apprehensive about the course, but Karl reassures her that she is a 'wise woman with a wealth of experience' and has more sense in her little finger than the 'corporate types' at the Sunset Group.

Susan suggests Karl could come to Cairns with her, but he says he can't leave the tram now that Remi has gone. Susan's heard from Remi and the boys, and they're fine, but 'itching to get back home'.

Karl then comes across Elle's article on his tablet, and groans. He shows it to Susan, who is unimpressed.

Ramsay Street
Elle is coming out of No 22 when she sees Cara across the road, back in her police uniform and preparing to head to work. Cara tells her that any evidence she's uncovered about 'Jonesy' needs to be handed over immediately.

ELLE (smugly): So, would I be right in assuming you read my article after all? I just wish you'd finally acknowledge we're on the same side. And that I'm better at sleuthing than the entire Erinsborough police department put together.

But Elle's smugness is short- lived, as Councillor Amelia Jones herself pulls up in her car! She gets out to confront Elle. Other residents - Karl, Susan and Terese - have gathered to watch what's going on.

JONES: Did you get access to my credit card statements?
ELLE: Good morning, Councillor Jones.
JONES: I know the clinic didn't give you that information. If you've hacked into my banking, that is a crime!
ELLE: Constable Varga- Murphy, perhaps you have some questions for our local member instead.
JONES: Oh, I'm happy to answer your questions. You're gonna pay for this.
ELLE: Excuse me?
JONES: You've got this wrong. Very wrong. And I can prove it.

Greg has now joined the observers in the street, as Cara asks whether the councillor would mind answering a couple of questions now, unofficially, since this is 'personal' for Cara. Jones says she has nothing to hide. She confirms she approved the building application for the myotherapy clinic, but shows Elle a document proving that she bought a $2,000 voucher for the clinic at a fundraiser for her daughter's kindergarten.

The voucher was bought long before the permit application, from a totally different clinic in the same chain. It's taken her many years to use the voucher, but it isn't valid for the purchase of smoothies at the coffee bar - which is the true source of the small payments Elle has identified on Jones' credit card statements. Elle looks worried.

CARA: Thanks, Amelia. That makes sense.
ELLE: No, no, no - there's still a connection between your speedy building approval and that clinic.
JONES: It wasn't 'speedy' - there just weren't any other applications at the time.

Terese pipes up, confirming that building approval timespans can very considerably depending on how busy the council is.

JONES: I want that article taken down immediately, and a full apology. I'll also be speaking to my lawyer.
CARA (to Elle): Hmm. Seems like maybe your sleuthing isn't as good as you thought it was, hey?

As Jones drives off, it's Cara's turn to look smug, and she smiles as she goes over to join Greg. Terese, Karl and Susan look at Elle disapprovingly as she skulks off back inside.

Harold's Café
Cara has been filling in Nicolette on the latest developments with Elle, but also admits things are 'not flash' for her more generally. She's missing JJ and Dex - and Greg seems absent even though he's in the house.

CARA: Every time I ask him about his life, he shuts me down.
NICOLETTE: Oh, you'll get there.
CARA: Will I?
NICOLETTE: You just have to find a way to start talking.
CARA: I've tried. There's only so much you can do when he never talks back.

No 22
Elle is about to eat her feelings courtesy of the rejected gift hamper, when there's a knock at the door.

ELLE: If that's you, Susan, I really don't need a lecture in journalistic ethics right now.

But it's Greg, and he lets himself in. He says he didn't have chance to respond to her gesture when she came over before. Elle's fully expecting another ear- bashing, but...

GREG: I just wanted to let you know that.... I accept your apology.
ELLE (smiling): You do?
GREG: Yeah. I mean, I don't know you from a bar of soap. And I might be completely wrong, but... when you say you're on Cara's side, I believe you.
ELLE: Wow. Thank you. That means a lot. And while I know that I have just stuffed up, big time, I can't shake the feeling that I'm on the right track. But I should probably just drop it and leave it to the police.
GREG: Well, that'll be up to you, but I'm sure you'll make the right choice.

Elle goes over to her notebook and writes her name and phone number in it, then rips out the page and gives it to Greg.

ELLE: Look, I know Cara doesn't trust me. But if you ever need a hand with anything, just...
GREG: Thank you.

He leaves with a wave, and Elle looks buoyed.

Lassiter's Hotel
Zac is working in his office, and walks through to Krista's to ask her about a summary for some data he's looking at. She takes the opportunity to tell him that HR has already found a photo of him for the website - it's his staff ID photo. Zac looks worried again as he takes a look at it.

ZAC: That needs to come down. I... I just never liked that photo, you know? Terrible lighting, angle...

Krista laughs, but Zac looks serious, and she relents, saying he has every right to veto the photo! She promises to email HR to ask them to take it down, but tells Zac to send them a replacement. He agrees, but then returns to his office, where he looks very anxious...

Harold's Café
Nicolette is working in the kitchen when Greg comes in. He checks his wallet - we see he only has five dollars on him - and peers at the coffee menu. Everything on it is four or five dollars. Nicolette then spots him and comes out for a chat, reminding him that they met briefly at No 30. He looks a bit unsure; she says he was probably still recovering from his bash to the head, and asks if she can get him anything.

GREG: I was thinking about having a coffee, but, uh, I usually drink instant with a dash of milk. So I don't even know what half of these are. I thought a piccolo was a small flute.

Nicolette agrees that the modern coffee landscape is over- complicated, 'especially when they're all just variations on coffee with a dash of milk'. She offers to make him that, and he thanks her, smiling. She also offers him a new sandwich combo she's trialling, as she needs a taste- tester.

NICOLETTE: It'd be on the house. Same as the coffee.
GREG: You sure?
NICOLETTE: Absolutely. You'd be doing me a favour.

Greg looks impressed and a little bemused.

No 28
Susan is hanging out washing in the garden when Terese pops over to wish her luck with her training in Cairns, assuring her that she's going to 'smash it'. Karl emerges and tells them both that Amelia Jones has now been suspended from the council, pending investigation; apparently the council felt they had to be seen to do something about the allegations even though Jones has seemingly shown them to be baseless.

SUSAN: I could throttle Elle for causing all this trouble.
KARL: My sentiments exactly.
TERESE: Yeah, well, don't worry. She's gonna be brought into line. Sooner rather than later.

Lassiter's Complex
Elle is on the phone to Wesley, telling him about Amelia Jones having confronted her and threatened legal action. She doesn't think a lawsuit will fly, but it sounds from what she's saying like Wesley isn't very happy. Elle suggests they publish a 'little apology'.

We are watching Elle via 'stalker- cam' which implies somebody is following her; and indeed, when we switch perspectives, there appears to be a murky figure lingering behind a tree while she continues her phone call, oblivious. Suddenly feeling watched, she stops and turns, but the figure has seemingly ducked out of sight. She goes on her way, telling Wesley that they can talk again later when she's home.

Harold's Café
Greg reports to Nicolette that the trial sandwich was 'delicious', though concedes that he'll eat pretty much anything so his opinion may not hold much value!

NICOLETTE: You sound like Cara. She's a no- fuss person too. Give her a beer and a steak, she's happy.

Greg looks pensive, and Nic asks if she's said something wrong.

GREG: No, I was just thinking back to when Caraway was a teenager. She used to hang around me when I was cooking the barbie. She was always sneaking sips from my stubbies.
NICOLETTE: It sounds like you two were really close.
GREG (sadly): Yeah, we were.
NICOLETTE: If you don't mind me asking, umm, what happened? I've known Cara for a while - I haven't noticed you visit.
GREG: ... Well, I just became a bit of a hermit, I guess. When you spend that much time apart, it's difficult to regain that closeness.
NICOLETTE: But would you *like* to regain that closeness? Because I happen to know that Cara would really like that.
GREG (emotional): Yes, I would.
NICOLETTE: Well, if you're up to it, you should invite her out for a beer. She'd be there in a flash.

Greg looks thoughtful as Nicolette walks away.

The Waterhole
Greg is setting up for a game of pool as Cara arrives, evidently at his invitation. She seems flustered, and surprised he's asked her to meet him. Greg admits he's been 'a bit of a grumpy bugger' since he arrived.

CARA: Well, you got bashed up.
GREG: Yeah, there's a bit more to it than that, and you know it. Anyway, I thought we could have a game of pool and a couple of beers? Might be a bit of fun. Up for it?
CARA (smiling): Pot or a pint?

Greg makes a face, and Cara laughs.

CARA: Two pints. On the way.

Greg smiles to himself as she goes to the bar, and Cara looks pleased as well.

Later, as they're playing pool, Cara gets a decent shot in, and reminds Greg that he taught her everything she knows.

GREG: Well, not recently. I feel bad about that.
CARA: So, why haven't you been around? I thought after you retired, we'd see more of you, not less.
GREG: Well, I wanted that too, but... truth is, I only retired cos my back gave out and I couldn't work construction anymore. And that's when I realised that I hadn't planned my money very well.
CARA: What about your superannuation?
GREG: I don't have any.
CARA: ... And you thought the solution to that was running away?
GREG: I promised your mum a good life. When I broke that promise, we had a few blues.
CARA: I thought you were grey- nomading because you wanted to be off- grid.
GREG: Well, I like to be out in nature. Your mum and I have always done our own thing. From time to time.
CARA: This is different.
GREG: She needed some space, I needed to clear my head. And the less money I spent meant more money for her to do what she wanted to do. Like visit your sister up north.
CARA: Well, why didn't you tell me? I could've helped.
GREG: That's not my style, Caraway.
CARA: Well, you've told me now. That's something, I guess.
GREG: Yeah. Your mum and I - we'll be fine, you know? It'll work itself out.

Cara goes to get them some more beers.

CARA: But if I win, you owe me a round.
GREG: Then I'd better not lose.

No 22
Elle is sitting on her bed devouring the hamper, when Zac knocks at her door with a bowl of chocolate pudding. He's about to leave her to it when he sees the pile of snacks, but Elle invites him in and he sits on the bed next to her, eating the pudding himself. She admits that she wasn't very welcoming last night.

ZAC: So, are we gonna make polite chit- chat, or are you gonna unload?
ELLE (laughs): I thought moving to Erinsborough was gonna be a fresh start. But in the digital age, your stuff- ups follow you everywhere. And now my stuff- ups are breeding. It's just making me anxious and paranoid... When I was walking through Lassiter's today, I had the weirdest feeling I was being followed.

Terese appears at the doorway, asking for a word alone with Elle. Zac leaves them to it.

TERESE: So, I've just spoken to Paul. And he's decided to cut his trip short.
ELLE: You must've freaked him out, then.
TERESE: No, I just told him the truth. That you're completely out of control, and that you have this egotistical need to make some sort of name for yourself.
ELLE: Well, that's not true. I mean, it's not entirely...
TERESE: Well, firstly you write this article that puts Cara and her family in danger. And then you go even further, harassing Karl's colleague. And she gets suspended for something she didn't do.
ELLE: She got suspended?
TERESE: You're wrecking people's lives, with no remorse. Were you this destructive in New York, too? Clearly you've found some way to justify being this heartless. You must think it's worth it. Well, if I was you, I'd feel ashamed.

Terese walks away, as Elle looks upset.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Cara seemingly catches Andrew in a lie, as he told Wendy he was doing surveillance, but Cara can't find him
- That's because Andrew is holed up in a motel room with Holly instead
- Leo looks worried as Krista and Zac talk about doing even more hotel events now they've won the Bronze Bell
- Leo admits to Terese that Krista is always so busy, he barely sees her anymore
- 'A good story is a good story, right?' Elle asks Zac. 'Especially if it gets you stalked,' he replies
- Greg looks pensively at the notepaper with Elle's phone number on it
- We hear Zac say that Elle is investigating some pretty serious people