No 24
Jane introduces Addison to Nicolette, explaining that she's going to stay the night here. Nicolette says they've already met, as she kicked Addison out of Harold's earlier. When Jane hears what happened, she says it doesn't sound like too big a deal, and tells Nicolette it's surely something that she can get over!

NICOLETTE (forced smile): Spare room's the last one on the end!

Addison timidly shuffles off to get settled in. Once she's gone, Nicolette says Jane should've consulted her before letting Addison stay. Jane said she left her a message, but Nic hasn't seen it. Jane says it all happened very quickly.

NICOLETTE: Did you think about Isla in any of this?
JANE: Of course I did. I know that she's staying the night at Leo's, and, well, I thought that we could introduce them tomorrow.
NICOLETTE: We barely know Addison!
JANE: I know enough. Now, she is a good kid, and - well, the welfare system... it's overwhelmed. And we are in a position to help a child in need. I don't want to make anybody feel uncomfortable, but it is only for a couple of nights.
NICOLETTE: And then, what if it turns into another couple of nights after that?
JANE: Well, it won't.

Jane decides to start on dinner, but Nicolette makes for the door.

NICOLETTE: I'm going to Krista and Leo's. I can't relax here.

Jane sighs as Nic leaves; and then we see that Addison has been lurking in the hallway listening. She looks worried.

No 28
Susan and Karl appear to be making pasta.

KARL: There's definitely something brewing at the council. There's lots of meetings going on behind closed doors. And you can bet that this particular senior advisor will be the last person to find out what it is. Sorry, sorry - *seniors* advisor.

But Susan is still angsting over Colton's strange reaction to finding Wendy unconscious in the car park. Susan says she's brought it up with Colton since, but he just immediately changes the subject. She asks him what he was going to say about the council. Karl is vague but he's sure something is going on, and wants to try and arrange a meeting with Helen Brown, the mayor, in order to get to the bottom of it.

KARL (on the pasta): Surely that's too thin.
SUSAN: It's not too thin at all!

No 24
It's night, and Addison has come out of her room. She's searching around the living area for something, and is rifling through the cupboards when Nicolette also emerges, having been awoken by Addison bashing into some stools a few seconds earlier. Addison says she's looking for essential oils, as she's having trouble sleeping. Her mum got some as a gift once, she says, and they really helped her relax.

Nicolette is initially unsympathetic, telling Addison to try a sleep app next time and not to go through people's things without asking. But when Addison heads back towards the bedroom, Nicolette has a change of heart and tells her to wait, before retrieving a 'stress blend' from her bag. She applies some to Addison's wrists which seems to make her feel better. Nicolette says she can keep it, and Addison smiles, thanking her.

Nicolette bids Addison goodnight and heads back to her room. Addison applies some more of the 'stress blend'.

Ramsay Street
The next morning, Karl is chatting to Colton in the street, and asks how he's getting on with his new housemates at No 32.

COLTON: Uh, I feel like their dad a bit sometimes. But no, it's going well.

Elle and Zac have emerged from No 22, just as Karl suggests he and Susan should have Colton over for dinner sometime. Colton replies, while staring at Zac...

COLTON: Yeah, that'd be hot... Good! That'd be good.

Susan comes out of the house and offers Colton a lift to work. But Colton says he'll walk, and see her there. Susan looks a bit concerned. Colton and Zac exchange a brief greeting as Colton walks by.

ELLE: Are you two ever just gonna get a room?
ZAC: I told you, we're just friends.
ELLE: 'We're just friends' - sure, sure. Your tongue practically hangs out every time you see him.
ZAC: It does not!
ELLE: Maybe you should just get it out of your system. Get it on.

Elle slaps Zac playfully on the bum, then starts her morning jog. Zac smiles and goes to catch up with her.

No 24
Jane has laid on an elaborate breakfast for Addison. Jane apologises that Nicolette wasn't very welcoming last night, but says they just got off on the wrong foot - and that Sam (who is not in the episode) was very interested to get to know her.

Nicolette comes out of her room, and Jane is surprised to see her and Addison on better terms. Addison explains about the essential oils. Nic heads to work, and Jane is pleased she and Addison are getting along better.

Eirini Rising
Susan and Colton are setting up the recreation room for the day. Colton says Susan and Karl must have been thrilled that Holly decided to stay in Erinsborough, and asks if they ever discovered why she wanted to leave. Susan isn't sure, but thinks it was because things were hard after breaking up with Max. Colton suggests they might get back together, and Susan says maybe.

Susan broaches the topic of Colton finding Wendy by the skip, and seeming thrown by it. Colton looks annoyed that she's bringing it up again, and says that it was just shock, nothing more. Susan says she just wanted to make sure he was okay, and Colton insists he's fine. But Susan can't stop pushing.

SUSAN: I mean, it would very upsetting to find someone -
COLTON (interrupting): I'm fine.

He changes the subject, leaving Susan still looking concerned.

Harold's Café
Nicolette is talking to Krista about Addison. Nic says she feels for Addison and doesn't want to make things worse for her, but doesn't seem keen on her being at No 24 as an 'ongoing thing'.

KRISTA: Well, on the plus side, your face isn't scary today!
NICOLETTE: Oh, too soon, Krista! But I love that we can do this.
KRISTA: What, bag each other out?
NICOLETTE: No, just be ourselves. Spending time with you and Leo last night felt good.
KRISTA: Yeah, the girls loved it too.
NICOLETTE: A glimpse into the future, if all goes to plan.

We learn that Nicolette is seeing Dr Tucker next week for 'the insemination'! Meanwhile, Nic is using a laptop to do a social media 'deep dive' in the hope of finding Addison's mother.

NICOLETTE: I can't find a Shannon Rutherford that fits the profile.
KRISTA (worried): ... I know a Shannon Rutherford. And she's a drug dealer.

Lassiter's Hotel
Zac is at reception when a guest (Kat Mattheson) approaches the desk and tells him she 'needs a bigger room'. He checks the booking system and tells her they have one suite left - would she like to upgrade?

KAT: It's not complimentary?
ZAC: I'm sorry, no.
KAT: If I booked tennis lessons, would that change anything?

Zac looks worried as ominous music plays.

ZAC: You know what? Let's just do it.
KAT: Call me when it's organised.

Elle appears from nowhere and opines that Zac just got 'steamrolled' by the guest. Zac claims the guest was a Lassiter's Gold Card member, so he needed to keep her happy. Elle queries why she'd be in a standard room if she was a Gold Card member. But Zac is keen to end the conversation, and Elle looks suspicious. She says she's here to invite him to drinks to celebrate her and Paul's purchase of the V- Bar.

ELLE: Maybe you could invite Colton! Who knows, it might lead to a hotel room of your own.

Elle walks off. Zac look worried.

Penthouse
Jane and Nicolette are discussing Addison being the daughter of Krista's former drug dealer Shannon - Krista is trying to reach Shannon on the phone now. Jane says Addison has gone to visit Wendy at the hospital; Jane hasn't told Addison about any of this yet.

Krista comes in, and tells them that the number she had for Shannon is no longer connected. Krista says she didn't know Shannon well and isn't proud of their shared history.

JANE: In your opinion, does she have any redeeming features at all?
KRISTA: I couldn't say. Do you remember when Abby accidentally found that pill by the lake, and she went to hospital?
NICOLETTE: That was Shannon?
KRISTA (nods): Leo doesn't have very good things to say about her, for obvious reasons.
JANE: Well, this just tells me that Addison shouldn't have anything to do with her.
NICOLETTE: But Mum, she can't stay with us!
JANE: Well, just until we find her somewhere permanent...

Paul comes in and wonders what they're all talking about. Nicolette tells him of Jane's plans to 'take in a foster child', adding for effect that Addison was the one who put Wendy in hospital.

JANE: I could really do without your two cents' worth, Paul.
NICOLETTE: Obviously he's gonna be worried about Isla, too.

But Paul surprises everybody, saying he's never met Addison, so it isn't his place to say - he thinks she should be judged on her own merits! Krista and Nicolette look baffled! But Jane smiles.

Lassiter's Hotel
Zac is still at reception. He goes to the lift and presses the button. The door slides open, and Colton is standing there. 'Sexy' music starts up as Zac approaches him; Colton pulls him into the lift and they start pashing!

As they fall into one another's arms, Zac's daydream ends abruptly - and the lift door slides open for real. It's not Colton, but Wesley Russo, Elle's editor at the Daily Monster, smiling back at Zac. He asks for Zac's help getting his car moved to the basement.

ZAC: Did I check you in yesterday?
WESLEY: Oh, I see I made an impression.
ZAC: And you're checking out tomorrow?
WESLEY: You remember a lot about me.
ZAC: Goes with the job.
WESLEY: Do you... remember my room number?
ZAC: ...
WESLEY: Room 216.

As they eye each other up, Wesley closes the lift. Zac smiles to himself.

Harold's Café
Paul invites Nicolette to the celebratory drinks at the Waterhole later. She touches her belly to remind him that she's hoping to be pregnant soon.

NICOLETTE: Looking after my health, remember? But I appreciate the offer. It's almost like you see me as part of the family (!)
PAUL: Don't push it.
NICOLETTE: Why were you so blasé about Addison before?
PAUL: Oh, I don't think Jane would've invited her to stay if she thought she was any kind of threat.
NICOLETTE: Well, now I just seem like the bad guy.
PAUL: Well, no, I... I understand your side as well.
NICOLETTE: Thank you! Isla's already had so much upheaval, especially with Aaron leaving.

Addison walks in, just in time to hear an oblivious Nicolette say...

NICOLETTE: At the end of the day, we don't know Addison, or what she's capable of.
ADDISON: I get it. You hate me.

Nic turns to see her, and looks awkward.

ADDISON: Don't worry. I'll be gone by the time you get home. You won't have to bother with me again.

Addison leaves, pushing past Krista as she comes in. Krista asks Nicolette what's going on. Nic looks regretful.

Lassiter's Complex
Karl and Susan are on a bench having a coffee. Susan is banging on about Colton again and how he shut down her conversation with him at Eirini earlier; she still thinks there's more to his reaction to finding Wendy. At this point, she sees Colton in the distance with a coffee, and is even more concerned, as she had invited him to come for coffee with her just before. He said no and instead he's gone and bought one alone.

SUSAN: It's starting to feel as though he just doesn't want to spend time with *me*.

Meanwhile, Colton is approaching the hotel, and sees Zac emerging from it with Wesley. He's surprised and concerned to see them kiss one another on the lips...

Lassiter's Lake
Addison is sitting on a bench reading a book when Krista approaches, reminding her that they just bumped into one another at the café. Krista introduces herself as a friend of Jane's and Nicolette's.

ADDISON: I'm sure she had really nice things to say about me (!)

Krista sits down next to her.

KRISTA: So, I actually know your mum (...) I was an addict. I *am* an addict. It never really leaves you. But I managed to turn my life around.
ADDISON: Mum's tried that a few times. But it doesn't last long.
KRISTA: Yeah, it's... it's a difficult cycle to break. But there's always hope. And I'm sure she really loves you.
ADDISON: Mm. Yeah, she does. Just in her own way.
KRISTA: So, listen, we just all really want to help you.
ADDISON: Why? You don't know me.
KRISTA: We can tell that you're a good person. And you've had to deal with a lot of things that nobody should have to deal with. Especially at your age.

Nicolette approaches and watches from a distance. But at this point Addison tells Krista she can look after herself, and walks away. Krista reports back to Nicolette.

KRISTA: She's hurt. And I can tell she's really scared, too.
NICOLETTE: I need to fix this, don't I?

Krista nods.

Eirini Rising
The atmosphere with Susan continues to be awkward as Colton returns from his break. She asks if it was him she saw at the Complex before, and he sighs.

SUSAN: Colton... I don't mean to pry, but I am worried about you. I feel as though maybe I... I touched on a nerve earlier.
COLTON: Yeah. I guess I owe you an explanation. It was hard for me seeing Wendy lying behind the skip. I was worried for her, but... mostly I was thinking about someone else. My mum.

Lassiter's Complex
Elle is at a table outside the pub when Wesley emerges and they greet one another. Wesley says he's in town for a 'catchup with some mates'.

WESLEY: You know, our readers are still dying to know who Jonesy is.
ELLE: Ah, yes. The great unsolved mystery.
WESLEY: Sure I can't convince you to get back on the trail?
ELLE: Uh- uh. No. I'm moving on from journalism, and I actually feel good about that.

Paul approaches and Elle introduces him to Wesley. Paul has bad news for Elle for their celebration drinks - Terese is in the city so can't make it, and he hasn't invited Krista and Leo either as they're 'a bit preoccupied with everything'. Elle explains to Wesley that they were meant to be having drinks to celebrate the new bar that she and Paul have bought.

ELLE: And my cousin- in- law once- removed should be here soon. You should join us.

At which point Zac arrives, but is concerned to see Wesley talking to Elle, and ducks off in another direction. Wes doesn't seem to see Zac, but Elle notices him walking off and is confused...

WESLEY: Are cousin- in- laws even a thing?

Eirini Rising
Colton explains to Susan that his mother died of a stroke a few years ago, which came completely out of the blue.

COLTON: Seeing Wendy just laying there like that, it brought me straight back to the day that Mum collapsed.
SUSAN: Oh, I can only imagine.
COLTON: I froze then, too. So useless.
SUSAN: No. No, that... that is a completely normal reaction. I'm so sorry that you had to go through that.
COLTON: We lost Dad a few months later. Everyone said he died of a broken heart.
SUSAN: Do you have any siblings?
COLTON: Only child. I came along later in life; Mum and Dad were in their forties.
SUSAN: What about extended family?
COLTON: None that I'm close to. It's funny, I... I think that's the reason I moved into aged care. The residents reminded me of them.
SUSAN: Of your parents?
COLTON: Mm. They were getting on in years. I used to love listening to their stories.
SUSAN (laughs): Well, there's more than a few storytellers around here, that's for sure.

Having become emotional, Colton says he doesn't normally talk about this, but that it feels good talking to Susan about it. He thanks her, and Susan smiles.

No 24
Addison has packed her bag and is getting ready to leave. She tells Jane it's for the best. Nicolette comes in, and tries to apologise.

ADDISON: I get it. You don't know me.
NICOLETTE: I'm willing to try.
JANE: Why don't we just sit down, and have a chat?
ADDISON: No, it's okay. I've got a new placement (...) It's a new family, and they seem nice.
JANE: Alright, well, let's call Leila. Cos I'd like to hear about this family.
ADDISON: No, that's okay. I just want to get out of here.
NICOLETTE: Look, Mum would really like you to stay. I'm happy for that, too.
ADDISON: You can't make me stay here. I'll see you at school.

Addison walks out. Jane gives Nicolette a look.

Harold's Café
Elle finds Zac hiding out, and asks him why he took off before. He denies it, but Elle remarks that he bolted as soon as he saw Wesley. Zac is forced to admit that he should've made the connection when he saw Wes's name, and Elle realises that he and Zac must have hooked up.

ELLE (laughing): Oh my god!
ZAC: I had an itch I needed to scratch.
ELLE: Why scratch Wes, and not the colt across the road?
ZAC: Wait, did you tell him that we know each other?
ELLE: No!
ZAC: Do you think he's here chasing a story?
ELLE: Oh, no, he's catching up with friends. Why? Is there a story he should be chasing?

Zac looks shifty.

ELLE: Okay, what aren't you telling me?
ZAC: Okay - if I tell you, you have to *promise* not to breathe a word to anyone. Not Paul, not Terese, not Krista.
ELLE: Have you killed someone?
ZAC: No!
ELLE: Yeah, okay, I promise. Just tell me.
ZAC: I did something stupid, back in Darwin. And it's followed me here.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Wendy is back from hospital. Susan seems pleased, Holly less so! Andrew looks awkward
- Felix asks Holly how she's holding up; 'I'm in the trenches,' she replies
- Elle gets an invitation to Andrew and Wendy's vow renewal ceremony
- Zac says they seem like a cute couple; Elle thinks that should apply to Zac and Colton too
- Zac tells Elle it's bad enough that Colton almost saw his tattoo; 'I bet Wes copped a look,' she replies
- Zac tells Elle that the Daily Monster would love a story like this
- Hotel maid Sandy tells Zac he should see something on her phone, before it goes further