Previously on Neighbours
- Wendy wants to reconnect with Gretchen and Steven, Andrew's biological sister and father
- Andrew tells her to leave it for now; but when Gretchen shows up in town, he assumes Wendy has invited her
- Andrew has a go at Wendy for inviting Gretchen to town, but it transpires that Holly was responsible
- Holly tells Andrew she was just 'thinking about us', but Andrew tells her she's making it harder
- Paul tells Elle she should wait a bit before writing another story; it's important she and Terese get along
- A car deliberately speeds towards Elle on Power Road, but Greg grabs her and pulls her out of its path
- A grateful Paul tells Greg he owes him one for saving Elle's life; Greg looks shifty
- Terese thinks the crims won't keep pursuing Elle if she's dropped her story
- Elle tells Paul she isn't letting the story go
- In a dingy basement, Ricky Dehnam convenes with accomplices Jax (the car driver), and a Mrs Tania Linwell
- A fourth member of the group turns up - Greg! Mrs Linwell asks him to tell them everything he's found out
No 26
Wendy is sitting at the table looking upset when Andrew comes in and hesitantly sits opposite.
WENDY: It was nice seeing Gretchen. Shame you didn't get a chance to catch up with her.
ANDREW: I'm so sorry that I snapped at you. I was way out of line.
WENDY: Why did it upset you so much?
ANDREW: ...
WENDY: You didn't want me to reach out to Gretchen and Steven. You have been working these crazy hours. You're tired, and you're stressed, and you won't tell me why.
But Andrew still doesn't say anything.
WENDY: Do you still resent me over everything that's happened?
ANDREW: Wend, we don't need to go over this.
WENDY: No - do you? Cos that is a simple question. When you look at me, do you feel resentment?
ANDREW: ... I do.
Wendy looks peeved.
No 22
Terese, Paul and Elle are having dinner. Tension remains palpable between Terese and Elle who are doing their utmost to be polite to one another. Paul shows them a photo of Evie, his new granddaughter. Terese remarks that it looks like she's settled in at home.
TERESE: It'd be nice if things settled here, too.
ELLE: Is that a spotlight I'm feeling?
TERESE: No, no - not a bad one. I'm just saying things should calm down now that you're not chasing the story.
PAUL: We still have to be careful, though. I mean, we don't know what these guys are capable of, do we?
Paul asks Terese if she's heard how Susan is doing in Cairns. Terese goes to get a photo Susan sent her of the view from her room. While she's gone...
PAUL: Have you spoken to Wes yet?
ELLE: No.
PAUL: But you are gonna tell him that you're taking a break from the story? I mean, he's not expecting you to hand anything in, is he?
ELLE: Look, I'll... I'll talk to him, Dad. I promise.
No 32
Cara, Greg and Nicolette are in the sunroom. Cara and Greg are doing some kind of woodwork project, and Greg invites Nicolette to help.
NICOLETTE: I'm not a woodworking kind of gay. I'm more of a get- your- nails- done, watch- reality- TV type.
Cara suggests Nicolette could just stay and watch, but Nic says she's had a long day. As Greg prepares to do something with some timber, he looks shifty...
No 24
Jane is working on a jigsaw puzzle when Nicolette comes in. She reports that Cara and Greg are getting along, so Cara's really happy.
NICOLETTE: I'm stoked for her, I just... Yeah, I dunno. I don't mean to make it all about me, but -
JANE: Well, you will anyway.
NICOETTE: Shush! Mum, they're making a bird house.
JANE: Aww, that sounds cute.
NICOLETTE: Yeah, it is. Cara's whole life has been turned upside down, and somehow she's still managing to reconnect with her dad over a bird house. It just got me wondering, what am I doing? You know, she's got her dad, and Az and Byron both left to find their next big thing, and... I'm just flopping around like an old sock.
JANE: You are not an old sock.
NICOLETTE: I am. I'm a stinky one with holes in it.
JANE: No, you are not. You co- own a vineyard! You run a café, and you're a single mum. And a very good one at that. But before Aaron left, I... I recall that you knew exactly what you wanted. I recall you talking about other plans for your life.
NICOLETTE: You think I'm ready to have another kid now?
JANE: I think you're ready for something new. I think we both are. What do you think?
Nicolette looks conflicted.
No 26
Wendy is frustrated with what she's heard from Andrew; she thought their relationship was in a better place, and asks if this is connected to their lack of intimacy. He doesn't reply, which she takes as a 'yes'. Wendy thinks things really changed between them when she accused him of having an affair with Sandra. Andrew insists that's in the past.
WENDY: Yeah, but that was a turning point. When a bit of trust died, and we just... couldn't get it back. All I have done since then is try and make things better between us.
ANDREW: Yeah, I know.
WENDY: And yet, here we are again! ... Okay, well, this is the part where you're meant to tell me we're not. Where you say that we're gonna be okay.
ANDREW: Just so that you know - none of this is your fault. You're an amazing person. Whatever happened, it's in the past.
WENDY: ... I am so confused right now.
ANDREW: Don't be. I... I'm working through it.
But Wendy doesn't look reassured.
No 26 / No 28
It's late at night. Holly is in the Kennedys' garden, when Andrew approaches from his side of the fence. They speak to one another through the crack in the fence.
HOLLY: I'm really sorry for causing more problems today. I told you I've been visualising this new life for us. And I reached out to Gretchen because she and Steven could be a part of it; I didn't expect her to turn up so quickly.
ANDREW: Yeah, I get that. I just... freaked out when I saw her, and... then I took it out on Wendy (...) She knows that something is wrong. She just thinks it's something from the past.
HOLLY: You don't think that... that now would be a good time to end it? Andrew?
ANDREW: I don't want to lose my family forever. I have to find a way to preserve something with them. But I can't do that if you're not sharing with me what you're doing.
HOLLY: Okay. Okay, I'm sorry.
Andrew says they should call it a night and backs away from the fence.
HOLLY: I love you.
She's concerned when Andrew doesn't reply, unaware that he'd already headed back to the house and didn't hear her. Holly looks upset and worried.
No 22
Terese and Paul are in bed. Terese is reading, while Paul fiddles with his watch worriedly. He admits he's very worried about Elle, and the prospect that the people who tried to run her down will come after her again. We cut intermittently during this scene to Elle's room, where she is reading online comments on her Jonesy story, with a smile on her face.
PAUL: I've already lost two of my children - I can't lose Elle as well.
TERESE: Yeah. You've dealt with a lot of loss.
PAUL: You know, when that car hit Cam, we thought he was gonna survive. But he didn't, and... oh god, Elle was so lucky today.
TERESE: Look, I know how important Elle is to you. That's why you needed to know what was going on here.
PAUL: Yeah, and I appreciate it.
TERESE: I'm here for you, darling. And now that Elle's letting go of the story, I'll make it clear to her that I'm here for her too, okay?
An emotional Paul kisses Terese's hand, and says he likes the sound of that. In Elle's room, she continues to look pleased with herself after reading the comments.
No 30
The next day, Cara is preparing to head out on a surveillance shift, while in the sunroom, Greg works on the bird house.
GREG: Any further developments in the case? I mean, finding that car must've been a pretty big lead.
CARA: Yeah, well, I reckon there's gonna be something on that hard drive we found in the front seat. But IT is struggling to crack the encryption.
She says she'll pick up some of the 'awful beers' Greg used to like on her way home, to drink while working on the bird house. She tells him not to finish it while she's gone.
GREG: Oh, as if. I'm old and decrepit... Hey, Caraway?
CARA: Yeah?
GREG: I'm looking forward to it.
CARA: Yeah, me too.
She leaves, smiling.
No 22
Elle is talking into her voice recorder excitedly as she paces around her bedroom.
ELLE: #WhoIsJonesy is the question on everyone's lips. Is Jonesy your uncle? Is he the guy who runs the deli down the road? Is he your neighbour?
She thinks better of that last line, just as somebody knocks on the door. Elle isn't quite dressed yet and is having trouble doing up the zip on her trousers due to her sprained wrist. She sits on the bed and covers her open zip with a cushion, then shouts 'come in!' It's Terese, who says that she might be able to set Elle up with a new job now that the Daily Monster gig has fallen through.
TERESE: I mean, it wouldn't be journalism. But I do have some contacts in PR and comms, and maybe even copywriting - if they're the sort of things that you might be interested in?
ELLE: That's really thoughtful, Terese.
Terese is keen that Elle doesn't think she is meddling, but Elle says not - she appreciates it - so Terese prepares to send her a list of contacts. In a rare moment of vulnerability, Elle admits she's really struggling with her zip due to her wrist - and Terese immediately volunteers to help. They both laugh awkwardly as Terese reaches delicately towards Elle's trousers.
TERESE: Well, in fairness, it's a slippery zip.
ELLE: Yes! God, that sounds like a theme park ride.
As they laugh and Terese struggles with the zip, Paul passes the room and looks pleased to see that they're finally getting on.
The Waterhole
Holly is on a shift while Andrew and Cara buy coffees from the bar. Looking worried, Holly gives Andrew a signal from across the room, and he tells Cara he's heading to the bathroom and will meet her outside. He then sneaks over to talk furtively to Holly.
HOLLY: Can we meet at the motel later? I'd like for us to talk properly.
ANDREW: ... I don't know, Hol. We've got a bit on today.
HOLLY: Please?
ANDREW: Yeah, okay.
Holly looks somewhat reassured, but still concerned, as he leaves.
Erinsborough High School
In the corridor, Wendy confides in Jane that things are difficult at home again with Andrew. Jane spots what looks like a pink toiletries bag lying on the floor and picks it up, proclaiming it 'odd' and wondering how it got there. They return to their conversation; Wendy says Andrew can't seem to let go of the hurt from their past spats, but admits he seems to want to get past it.
WENDY: I just can't believe we're back here again, you know? Talking about the same old problems that I thought we were over. Time hasn't healed us.
JANE: I'm sorry, Wendy. I know how much work you've put in.
WENDY: It's like we're stuck on this roller coaster. Just keep on hitting the same lows. It just keeps getting worse. I really don't want to go through this again, Jane.
Jane gives Wendy's arm a sympathetic squeeze, then heads into her office.
No 30
Cara is having a video call with Remi on the computer. Remi reports that Dex is doing well and has settled in well at the school in Apollo Bay. But as for JJ...
REMI: I think we need to consider his point of view.
Greg comes in and says hello to Remi. She reports to him that it's been really nice spending time with her dad Ken and his wife Amal. She's also pleased that Cara has Greg there with her.
CARA: Yeah, look at us two, getting in some quality dad time, hey?
REMI: Yeah. At least there's some positives out of this situation.
Greg goes to get on with the bird house, and Cara and Remi return to talking about JJ.
REMI: Look, I can see where he's coming from. Year Twelve, it's a big year - and him and this school, they're not a great fit.
CARA: Yeah, we need to give him the best chance of success.
REMI: Yeah. For him, I think that means coming home.
CARA (smiling): It's quite the plan he's come up with.
REMI (laughs): Yeah. But he has gone about it the right way, starting the conversation with us. What do you think about it?
CARA: It's not the worst idea. We're all in a better place with each other now.
REMI: Agreed.
CARA: I'll talk to Andrew.
They smile at one another.
Erinsborough High School
Wendy is on her laptop in an empty classroom when Jane pops her head through the door. Wendy's looking up the marriage counsellor that she and Andrew used a while back, which Jane thinks is a good idea. Jane pulls up a chair, and tries to get Wendy to put things in perspective - the period she's been at odds with Andrew is really very short in the scheme of their whole 22- year marriage. Jane says it's rare to have that.
JANE: Maybe it has gone on longer than you expected, but it'll be okay.
WENDY: You think?
JANE: Absolutely. You and Andrew have done incredibly well to stick it out when others would've just quit. No - you really are something, Mrs Rodwell.
Wendy looks buoyed and thanks Jane as she leaves the room.
Motel
Andrew is sitting on the bed in a motel room when Holly comes in and sits down next to him.
HOLLY: I feel like I've stuffed up. I just... I want to be with you, and I want to start our new life. And then I get all nervous and I start to spiral.
ANDREW: Yeah, I'm not making the best decisions either.
HOLLY: Last night when I said that I love you and you didn't say it back, I...
ANDREW: What? I didn't hear you.
He squeezes her hand.
ANDREW: I love you.
Holly smiles, reassured.
HOLLY: I love you too.
They kiss. Holly suggests that, 'in the spirit of our new life', they should go and spend a night down the peninsula, and check out the house he found online. Andrew says he'd love to, but that it's hard to get away. But Holly says she has it figured out; Gretchen said that Steven is having a small procedure next week, so Andrew could just tell Wendy that he wants to spend the night there.
HOLLY: That way you can see Steven, and then you can slip away and meet me.
ANDREW: That does sound nice.
HOLLY: I really think it's what we need.
ANDREW: Okay.
They hug, but while Holly looks contented, Andrew looks very troubled.
No 30
Andrew comes to see Cara at her request. She quips that he looks at risk of a uniform infraction, pointing to his messed- up collar. Andrew looks awkward.
CARA: So, JJ wants to come home. It's his final year at high school, and he's really struggling academically.
ANDREW: Mm- hm. It's a bit of a risk. But if you think that's what really needs to happen...
CARA: Well, actually he's suggested an idea - another pair of eyes on the street. And if I'm honest, it would make me feel more comfortable.
ANDREW: Who?
CARA: Felix. They've been talking a lot; apparently Felix is in between jobs. JJ says he's keen. So, what do you reckon? Fancy a visit from your brother?
ANDREW: Uh...
CARA: You seem unsure.
ANDREW: No, yeah - umm, sure. Another person on the street to keep a lookout - it's gonna be helpful.
This agreed, Cara says she'll discuss it with Felix. Greg comes in, and Cara fills him in on the news about JJ and Felix coming to stay. Greg looks a bit worried, and asks what Felix is like.
ANDREW: He's a complicated guy. He's a good one. Cares a lot about JJ. Knows people like the Linwells.
GREG: The Linwells? Colourful history?
ANDREW: Yeah, you could say that. He used to run in that world. He'll have some insight.
Greg nods, but looks apprehensive at the thought of Felix coming...
No 22
Elle is reading in the living room, while Paul is in the kitchen. Terese marches downstairs looking furious - yet another article under Elle's name has been published on the Daily Monster.
TERESE: You're a liar! (...) Did you not learn anything from being nearly mowed down by a car?!
PAUL (to Elle): You said you were gonna take a break.
TERESE: A break?
ELLE: I'm trying to resurrect my career.
TERESE (to Paul): I thought she was dropping it altogether?
PAUL: Yeah, well, I thought a little breather was all the situation needed.
TERESE: Unbelievable!
ELLE: Okay, look. This isn't like the other articles. It's a personal account of the accident. People want to know what my perspective is, as someone who was directly impacted.
TERESE: Okay, I'm not gonna stand by and watch this. We all know that the Linwells gave you a very clear warning, Elle. I mean, what if they don't miss next time?
PAUL: Alright, so what do you want me to do, Terese?
TERESE: I want you to stop sitting on the fence, and pick a side! Hers or mine!
Coming up on Neighbours
- An emotional Elle declares to Paul that being a journalist is who she is, and she wants her career back
- Paul tells Zac that the Linwells are very dangerous people; they need to keep an eye on Elle
- Krista is perturbed when Abigail draws a picture of an imaginary baby sister
