Previously on Neighbours
- Elle tells Terese that she plans to explore the work contacts that she gave her; she needs a new challenge
- Cara finds an encrypted hard drive in the car that attempted the hit- and- run on Elle
- The driver of the car, Jax, meets with Ricky Dehnam and Tania Linwell
- We learn that the hard drive is a red herring planted in the car to set the cops on the wrong trail
- JJ asks Felix to move in at No 30. He agrees, but a wary Greg later lobbies Cara to reverse the decision
- Felix agrees to revert to the original plan and live at No 30
- Holly tells Karl she's decided to leave Erinsborough; he thinks this is very sudden
- Holly pretends to be drunk to Max and Taye at V Bar, in a ploy to get them to leave so Andrew can sneak out
- After spying on the Rodwells through the fence, Holly asks Andrew if he's having second thoughts about them
- Andrew admits to Holly that he's finding the situation a lot harder than he thought
Ramsay Street
Paul is whistling away to himself as he leaves the house. Elle, who is coming back from a jog, asks why he's in such a good mood. He denies that he is and says he's just on his way to the complex.
ELLE (laughs): Yeah, you mean the hotel. You can't let it go, can you?
PAUL: Hey, there is no harm in just popping in for a visit, okay?
ELLE: Hmmm (!)
PAUL: I'm not stepping on Krista's toes. It's just a check- in.
Paul asks if Elle has managed to tee up any meetings from Terese's contacts; she says she's working on it.
ELLE: The day is young...
She then notices Felix crossing the road and appears to like what she sees...
ELLE: ... with so much potential! Who is that?
From a distance, Felix and Elle smile at one another.
PAUL: Somebody who brought a great deal of trouble to this street.
ELLE: Well, doesn't everyone at some point?
PAUL: He's an ex- con.
ELLE: So are you.
PAUL: He's also Rodwell's brother. Somebody you need to steer clear of, okay?
But Elle looks like she may have other ideas!
The Waterhole
Susan and Karl are waiting at the bar when Holly comes in from her break. They are keen to catch up with her over a coffee but it's clear she's been avoiding them at home, and wants to continue in that vein, saying she's too busy.
KARL: We're not leaving till we talk.
HOLLY: I don't need to talk. I'm moving away, end of story.
KARL: Okay, well, if you won't talk to Susan and I, maybe you should talk to Rhonda.
HOLLY: I don't need counselling. I'm just making a fresh start.
SUSAN: It sounds more like you're running away.
Karl and Susan persist, wanting to know Holly's thought process for wanting to move to the Peninsula. She says it's close and affordable, and that she's going to go and look at some places tomorrow. Karl offers to come with Holly, but she insists she needs to do this on her own, and irritably tells them to stop worrying. This just makes Susan and Karl look more worried.
No 30
JJ and Felix are in the sunroom, working on the bird house. Felix notices JJ is holding the tape measure the wrong way round, and shows him the right way to do it.
Cara and Greg come in from the shops. She is telling him about the list of warehouses on the hard drive that was found in the hit- and- run car, and says the police are speculating that this is where the Linwells' accomplices are hiding the stolen goods. He asks when the Linwell brothers' parole hearing is - Cara says it's next week.
CARA: If we can prove they're up to no good, they'll get knocked back, but - if we can't...
GREG: You're doing a great job, kiddo.
Cara gets a phone call from a colleague, telling her the raid on the warehouses from the hard drive is happening this afternoon, so she needs to go into work for a briefing.
GREG: Go get 'em. I'm proud of you.
Cara heads off. Greg looks into the sunroom, where Felix and JJ are still working, and grimaces.
Lassiter's Complex
Paul is looking wistful as he walks towards the hotel, casting his eye over his empire with satisfaction. But as he reaches the entrance his expression changes and he looks upset, as if remembering that it's now no longer really his turf since Krista ejected him from the management. He turns away from the hotel and walks in the other direction.
Harold's Café
Paul is still looking pensive as he sits in the café. Karl comes in for a takeaway coffee.
KARL: Not taking your coffee at Lassiter's?
PAUL: Nah, probably best that I keep my distance now that I've pulled back. Guess I've got to find something else to occupy myself.
KARL: (...) I would've thought you had your hands full, keeping Elle out of trouble.
PAUL: Oh no, that seems to have sorted itself out. She's even looking at finding a new direction.
KARL: Huh. As long as that doesn't involve kneejerk decisions...
PAUL: No, I wouldn't say -
KARL (talking over him): No matter how old our children get, you can't help but worry about their choices, can you?
PAUL: No, but -
KARL: Holly has just made an absolute doozy.
PAUL: Yeah, but it's not exactly the same -
KARL: But where do you draw the line - that's the thing, isn't it?
Seeing that Karl is only interested in having a conversation with himself, Paul falls quiet! Max turns up, and asks Karl how Holly is doing this morning. Karl remarks that she was 'hard to pin down'. Max admits that Holly was out in the city last night drinking alone. He reassures Karl that Holly sobered up when they took her back to No 32 and was fine, but admits he's worried about her. Karl looks worried too.
Ramsay Street
Elle comes out of the house but, finding it warmer than she'd anticipated, decides to take off her jumper. Unfortunately her sprained wrist makes this a difficult task, and she ends up in a bit of a tangle. Felix, who is taking some stuff out to the bins, smiles when he sees her and walks over. Elle has just managed to free herself and her hair is everywhere; Felix's sudden appearance startles her.
FELIX: Thought you might need a hand.
ELLE: How long have you been standing there?
FELIX: Long enough.
She clocks his tool belt.
ELLE: Umm... doing some DIY?
FELIX: Yeah, you could say that.
ELLE: Well, you could also say something about a man getting on the tools, but... I don't do clichés.
He introduces himself and extends his hand to shake hers, but when Elle says her name, he un- extends it again!
FELIX: I'm close to the Varga- Murphys.
ELLE: So you already know who I am. Or my byline, at least.
FELIX: Well, now I can put a face to a name. Even if it is half- covered by your hair.
He smiles at her and walks away as Elle tries to sort her hair out.
FELIX: See you later, Red.
Lassiter's Complex
Cara, Andrew and their boss, Senior Sergeant Tony Thompson, are headed out with other police officers to one of the warehouses from the hard drive list. Once they're in place, they'll contact their colleagues from the other police stations and hit all of the warehouses on the list simultaneously.
Holly is carrying some recycling out of the pub when she sees Andrew. She stops and they look at one another anxiously, but he walks on his way. As he's passing the café, Wendy comes out. She tells him to be safe on the operation. He says he will, but Wendy looks concerned as he rejoins his colleagues. Cara looks nervous aa she, Andrew and Thompson drive off in a police car. Wendy approaches Holly.
WENDY: You know, I'll never get used to this. Instead, I'll just focus on him coming home, cos he always does... Are you okay?
HOLLY (looking worried): Fine.
WENDY: Are you sure? You know, for what it's worth, Sadie really misses your friendship.
HOLLY: Yeah, I miss her too.
WENDY: Well... well, then, why don't you let her back in? You know, you girls have always been there for each other.
HOLLY: Thanks for caring, but I really don't deserve it.
WENDY: Well, what's that supposed to mean?
HOLLY: It means that I'm gonna be moving away soon, so don't waste your time on me.
Holly walks off, despite a concerned Wendy calling after her...
No 30
In the sunroom, Felix and Greg are working on the bird house. Felix strikes up a conversation, saying he's heard Greg was staying in a caravan in Eildon before coming to Erinsborough. Greg replies minimally by way of confirmation, and makes it reasonably clear he's not up for chit- chat. JJ comes in; he's been looking for the wood glue but to no avail, and Greg takes the opportunity to make an exit and look for it in the house.
FELIX: Your grandfather's not much of a talker.
JJ: Are you kidding? You can't stop him once he's started.
FELIX: Guessing you guys don't get to spend much time together. That's why he wasn't too keen on me hanging around?
JJ: Oh, no - Pop just thinks that he can take care of us himself.
FELIX: Would've thought an extra pair of eyes and ears would've been safer.
JJ: What's with all the questions?
FELIX: I just want to get to know your grandfather. Seems like a good bloke.
JJ: Yeah, yeah. He's the best.
But Felix looks unconvinced.
The Waterhole
Holly is behind the bar, looking sadly at a photo of herself with Karl and Susan on her phone. She then looks at photos of her and Sadie in happier times. Holly looks sad.
No 22
Paul is cleaning the kitchen when Elle comes in.
ELLE: Okay, you really need a hobby!
He asks how Elle's meeting went. We (and Paul) can tell from her expression that it wasn't great but she puts a positive gloss on it, saying she 'laid some groundwork' for future opportunities. But she has a lot more of Terese's contacts to get through, she says.
PAUL: Actually, you know, I have been mulling something over (...) It was never my wish to step back from the hotel completely, but now that I have... I was wondering whether I should see it as an opportunity. For both of us.
ELLE: For us?
PAUL: Well, you need a job; I need a new chapter. So, how do you feel about embarking on a business venture, together?
Elle says she's open to a discussion, and Paul is pleased.
Lassiter's Complex
Cara, Andrew and Tony Thompson are on their way back from the warehouse raid, which has been a complete failure, as they didn't find any stolen goods. Thompson says the intel on the hard drive must have been old, or unassociated.
CARA: The Linwells are up to something. We can't let them -
THOMPSON: Cara, you need to drop it, alright? We've wasted a lot of resources today. We haven't heard the last of this.
As Thompson walks off, Andrew tells Cara not to be too hard on herself - it was worth a shot. But at this point Cara notices a woman in sunglasses and a leopard- print cost across the courtyard. It's Tania Linwell. Cara doesn't alert Andrew to Tania's presence, but tells him she'll return to the station 'in a sec'. Andrew walks off, and Cara goes over to talk to Tania.
TANIA: Well, look at you. Haven't changed a bit. Except for the getup.
CARA: Tania.
TANIA: I guess you've got nothing better to do with your wife away. I feel your pain. I haven't seen my hubby since you flapped your mouth and he got locked up.
CARA: Eric is a criminal. He deserves to be locked up, and helping him get there was one of the best days of my life.
TANIA: Maybe you can tell him that when he gets released. Because he will be released.
CARA: It's not a done deal yet.
TANIA: Did you know Dale's wife left him while he was inside? He's not very happy either.
CARA: Not my problem.
TANIA: I think you'll find that Eric feels differently. Could even be some scores to settle. How's your dad, by the way?
CARA: If anyone from my family is hurt again, there'll be hell to pay.
TANIA: See you around... Shed Girl.
Cara seems rattled by this final retort as Tania sashays away.
The Waterhole
Holly has summoned Karl and Susan for a chat. She says she knows she's given them reason to worry about her, and is really sorry for snapping at Susan.
HOLLY: You're probably thinking that this is another Heath situation.
SUSAN: It has crossed our minds.
HOLLY: Well, it's not. I've learned my lesson with him.
KARL: Were you out drinking last night, by yourself?
HOLLY: ... I was. That was a turning point for me, and it's not gonna happen again. I can't promise you that every decision that I make in the future is gonna be the best one. But I'm doing what's right for me.
KARL: Moving?
HOLLY: The Peninsula is far enough away that I can make a fresh start, but close enough that you guys can be in my life, and that's essential.
SUSAN: Where will you live? What will you do for work?
HOLLY: I'm still figuring it out. But that's why I'm gonna head there this afternoon and stay for a couple of nights. I love you. I'm sure you'll see with time that this has to happen.
She holds their hands.
Lassiter's Park
Tania is now meeting with Greg. She tells him that Dale and Eric send their regards, and that she expects them to be freed next week.
GREG: So does that mean you'll stay away from Cara?
TANIA: That depends on Cara.
GREG: I've done everything you asked. I've been in the house. I've reported everything back to you.
TANIA: She needs to let this go.
GREG: I've stayed close to Elle Robinson, too. She's not writing any more stories.
TANIA: She's got half the city looking for Jonesy! (...)
GREG: I don't even know who Jonesy is. I don't wanna know.
TANIA: There's a lot at stake here. For him, for us... We need that money. Coffers have been empty too long.
Greg is alarmed to see Andrew passing by, but he's looking at his phone and doesn't notice them.
GREG: Cara's a good person. Remi and the boys don't deserve this either.
TANIA: Then you'd better make sure she stays in line.
GREG: What if I don't? What if I say enough's enough?
TANIA (menacingly): Then you'll all need to watch your step.
Lassiter's Lake
Holly and Andrew meet at the rotunda; he apologises that he couldn't stop and talk to her earlier. He explains that the whole warehouse operation was a bust, and the fallout means he won't be able to make it to the Peninsula for their brief getaway. Holly is disappointed, but says it's okay.
HOLLY: I'm still gonna go. It'll be good - I can clear my head for a few days. I can check out some rentals, drop my CV in at a few different pubs...
ANDREW: Yeah. No, that'd be good.
HOLLY: ... Andrew, we can't go on like this. Hurting the people that we love.
ANDREW: ... Yeah, I know.
HOLLY: There's never gonna be a right time to end it with Wendy. You're gonna break her heart no matter what you do. But if you want to be with me... you're gonna have to end your marriage while I'm away. No more excuses.
Andrew steps closer, and nods solemnly.
HOLLY: Thank you.
Holly is touching Andrew's arm but at this moment, Greg walks past. Andrew sees him and pulls away from Holly. It seems Greg has noticed this too, but he continues on his way. Andrew then gives Holly a hug.
No 30
Cara tells Felix, JJ and Greg about how the warehouse operation was a complete waste of time. They're sympathetic, and Greg tells her that she did her best - it's not her fault it didn't pan out. Cara, though, feels like it is. Greg changes the subject, asking JJ to show him the progress on the bird house. Greg and JJ head into the sunroom. Felix asks Cara if this is the end of the operation. 'Who knows?' she replies.
In the sunroom, Greg is looking troubled, but he tells JJ he's fine. Greg remarks that progress on the bird house looks 'great'.
GREG: I just hate all the trouble that's come Mum's way.
JJ: Do you think the Linwells are gonna try something?
GREG: It's up to me to make sure they don't.
Ramsay Street
Andrew walks towards his house and stares up at it anxiously. He turns in the other direction and sighs.
No 26
Wendy is having cuppa with Terese, who she thanks for checking in. Terese asks how things are with Andrew; Wendy reports that they seem to be okay, but confirms that, with his long work hours and Felix here, they're not getting much chance to talk.
WENDY: But I don't think we need to. What I think we need is to draw a line under it all (...) Jane reminded me how rare it is to make it as far as we have, and... our anniversary is coming up...
Andrew comes in at this point, greets them and then heads for a shower. Terese asks Wendy what she's thinking for the anniversary. Wendy smiles...
No 30
In the sunroom, Felix tries once again to make conversation with Greg, noting that Cara is pretty gutted about the failed police operation.
FELIX: It meant a lot, considering you are mixed up in it.
GREG (rattled): How's that?
FELIX: Well, the beating you took.
GREG: Yeah. Cara blames herself for that. She shouldn't. None of this is on her. I just want it to be all over and done with.
Felix forces a smile, but he's getting a bad vibe from Greg, and leaves the sunroom. Once he's gone, Greg slowly pulls a gun from his rucksack! He removes the magazine, then puts it back in. He looks worried.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Cara is looking at a file on Ricky Dehnam. Felix asks her if there have been any leads on Jonesy
- Cara tells Felix there has to be something she's missed
- Zac teases Elle about her and 'Felix the felon'. She says she's going against type and playing hard to get
- Terese tells Krista that Nicolette is trying to be on her best behaviour. Nic watches their conversation
- Colton pays a visit to Zac and sees a tattoo on his lower back, which makes Zac nervous
