The Waterhole
We pick up where we left off in the pub, with Karl, Susan, Annalise, Sam Kratz, Paul, Terese, Jane, Clint and Sue Parker all digesting the news that Ramsay Street is set to be demolished to make way for the freeway.

SUSAN: They can't demolish Ramsay Street!
KARL: Absolutely not!
JANE: This is outrageous. Just because a couple of politicians do the wrong thing, we get penalised!
TERESE: What does this mean for our businesses?
JANE: And for the school?
KARL: Power Road?
SUSAN: Where we're standing right now?
SAM K: I don't have all the answers yet.
SUSAN (to Annalise): Did you know?
ANNALISE: We did hear a rumour, but we just didn't want to believe it.
SUE PARKER (laughing): All that noise pollution that you were happy to send my way? Well, now it's going right through your living room.
JANE: Shut up, Sue!
SAM K: I'll make some more calls, see if I can get more details.
TERESE (to Paul): Hey, are you alright?

But Paul is very quiet and looking very affected by the news.

SUSAN: Ramsay Street was your childhood home.
PAUL: Uh, no, this is... We're not gonna let this happen.

Sue Parker leaves, followed by Sam and Annalise - leaving the residents in shock and distress.

Ramsay Street
We see a view of the Ramsay Street sign drifting by from a car window, and various shots of the houses and foliage, as Susan, Karl, Terese and Paul return home in their respective cars, all looking very upset. As the Kennedys pull up outside the house...

SUSAN: Every single home... completely obliterated.
KARL: Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Sam may have got it wrong.

But neither of them really believes it. In Terese and Paul's car...

TERESE: Look, let's... let's not assume the worst. The council are obviously scrambling. I mean, it could change again.

But Paul remains quiet. Outside No 28, Holly has emerged with an umbrella. Seeing Karl and Susan's sombre faces in the car, she asks if they're okay...

No 30
Holly has come to see Andrew. He invites her in, and admits he's not having a great day - he's been looking for places to rent and it's 'pretty brutal'.

HOLLY: Well, if you're not busy tomorrow, I thought... you might like to come to the hospital with me? It's my 12- week scan.
ANDREW: Right, right...
HOLLY: They'll also be able to tell the sex of the baby.
ANDREW: (sighs)
HOLLY: Well, if you don't want to come, that's... that's totally fine as well. Susan already said she'd support me. I just thought you might like to be there, because... like, for the baby.
ANDREW: No, no - of course. Of course I want to be there.
HOLLY: Okay. I also need to tell you something about the street...

No 22
Paul is still looking pensive as he gazes out of the window in the sunroom, drinking a whisky. Paul repeats to Terese the threat Helen Brown made as she was carted away by police.

PAUL: 'Your daughter will regret going rogue.' It sounded like a threat because it *was* a threat.

He says that Elle is feeling pretty guilty about what's happened, but 'for once' Terese doesn't blame her - the truth about the corruption had to come out.

TERESE: You were quiet at the Waterhole.
PAUL: No, I was in shock.
TERESE: And I'm sure you were thinking about your family too. Look, I know my history isn't as long as yours. But it's long enough, and I just... I thought we'd be here forever.
PAUL: Yeah. Until death do us part, hey?

This reminds Terese of her proposal plans, and she asks if Paul is still keen to go for dinner at Lanzini's. He says he is, but at this point they get a text on the Ramsay Street group chat from Susan.

No 24
Jane and Clint enter the house; Jane has had the same text from Susan, inviting everyone to No 28 for a 'Ramsay Street summit'.

CLINT: Ah, the troops are rallying.

Jane says Sam Kratz has some more information for them, and moans about Sue Parker having 'loved every minute' of the news that Ramsay Street would be demolished.

CLINT: Well, I loved you putting her in her place. But we never did get to finish that chat.
JANE: No, umm... would you mind terribly if we caught up in the morning instead?
CLINT: No, of course not. You've got much bigger fish to fry at the moment.

Nicolette comes in. She acknowledges that Jane told her Clint was indirectly responsible for helping her get over her parenting doubts.

NICOLETTE: So, indirectly thanks to you, I have decided to jump back on the horse, and I'm looking into donors... Was that too much information?

Jane is pleased and holds Nicolette's hand, saying how proud she is of her. Clint heads off, but wishes Jane luck for tonight. When he's gone, Nic asks what he meant.

JANE: I'm afraid something's happened. We might not have a place to live.

No 26
Wendy is in the living room, staring out of the front window. Sadie comes in with tea for them.

WENDY: Holly walked to No 30. She hasn't left yet.
SADIE: Okay. Listen, Mum - I know you just want to get to the bottom of things on your own. But I'm worried about you.
WENDY: Testing your dad is the only way I can find out if he really was gonna end that affair.
SADIE: But won't that just get you hurt again?
WENDY: The worst has happened.
SADIE: If you really believe that... why would you be spending half your time at the window, waiting to see if they're a couple?
WENDY: I just... I can't explain it, I... I just need to know. I need to see who I was married to for 22 years.
SADIE: Well, I'm still here. And I'm with you, okay?

There's a knock at the door. It's Andrew.

ANDREW: We need to talk about what's going on in the street.

No 28
The Ramsay Street summit has begun. Karl leads the meeting, and also present are Susan, Holly, Jane, Nicolette, Paul, Terese, Wendy, Sadie and Andrew. Karl says the only homeowners not present are Cara, Remi and Vera - but they have been told.

SUSAN: Cara was outraged. She's flying back from the Gold Coast tomorrow night.
KARL: Yeah, and I told Remi - and she was just in shock.
NICOLETTE: What about Vera?
TERESE: Oh, I haven't heard back from her. She's at a state backgammon championship with Gino and Moira.

The RSRs are waiting for Sam and Annalise to arrive to give them more information.

KARL: From our point of view, this house, this street - it's been our home for decades. It's full of precious memories, especially of our children. We're not gonna let them bulldoze it.

At this point, Annalise and Sam show up. Sam is carrying the new construction plans for the freeway. Nicolette is confused; she thought the decision to redirect the freeway was only made today, so how could they have drafted plans already?

SAM K: Evidently, the original plan did involve Ramsay Street. It was Helen Brown who steered the committee to the version that was announced.
JANE: For her own vested interest.
ANNALISE: (...) It means that it's an easy swap for the government, as far as approvals go.
SAM K: They're really just reverting back to Plan A.

He unfurls the plans, which as feared show the freeway path ripping straight through what is currently Ramsay Street - though it at least seems that Erinsborough High, Eirini Rising, Power Road and the Lassiter's Complex are all to remain standing. However, Lassiter's will be directly overlooking the freeway rather than the current parkland, which Paul is very unhappy about.

SUSAN: How can this happen without consultation?
KARL: (...) How long will construction take?
SAM K: They're saying three years.
ANNALISE: It'll be more like five.
PAUL: Yeah. In which time we're gonna have constant road closures, excessive noise, and all of that is gonna be impacting us.
KARL: So not only will we lose our houses - it'll destroy our livelihood.

Wendy remains very quiet throughout this, while Sadie gives Holly the evil eye when Andrew stands next to her.

NICOLETTE: Well, then, the freeway needs to be stopped.
SUSAN: Yeah. If they changed the route once, they can change it again.
SAM K: Possibly, but there's no Plan C.
TERESE: Okay, then we need to kick up a stink.
ANNALISE: Do you have a united front?

Karl glances uncertainly at Andrew, who in turn glances at Wendy. Neither says anything. Karl suggests they do a straw poll, asking, 'Who agrees we need to fight this?' Various of the others speak up, but Wendy stays quiet.

Meanwhile Holly has gone into the garden for some air, but Sadie has followed her.

SADIE: What's going on with you and my father? (...) I know you went to see him today. You're back with him?
HOLLY: No. I just went to talk to him about the baby stuff, and... and the freeway.
SADIE: But you want to get back with him, don't you? I can tell.
HOLLY: I don't know. I mean, your mum gave us the green light.
SADIE: What, like, you want to be my stepmum, hmm? (!) No one's gonna take you seriously. Not even my father.
HOLLY: I know that you think we had some kind of cheap fling. It wasn't like that. I'm not trash... Look, you've heard his side of the story. Maybe it's time you hear mine.

Back indoors at the summit, Karl says it's important that they don't show the council any sign of weakness.

ANDREW (to Wendy): We can talk about our house separately, if you want.
NICOLETTE (laughs): Do you actually get a say, Andrew?
WENDY: ... Will the financial value be the same as the other houses? I mean, I read something in the paper.
SAM K: 20 percent above market value. Which I actually think is quite generous.
NICOLETTE: Said by the guy who won the demolition tender.
ANNALISE: Well, he is regretting his involvement, if that makes you feel any better.
JANE: Well, no, not really. Not when he's mowing down all our memories.
KARL: Well, even I can't be bought, and that is saying something.
WENDY: I mean, the other houses had no other choice, though, right?
SAM K: No, it was compulsory acquisition.
WENDY: Okay, well then, what other hope have we got?
SUSAN: Well, we can still drag it out.
TERESE: Yeah. And there are other streets that are impacted; I'm sure they're having very similar conversations right now.
SUSAN: Exactly. Whatever happens, it's imperative that we all stick together.
JANE: Yes, because if one crumbles, then we all crumble.

Wendy and Andrew gaze at one another.

Back in the garden, Sadie says Holly hasn't told her anything she doesn't know already.

HOLLY: Sadie, he loved me.
SADIE: Not like he loved my mum. She says she doesn't even recognise him anymore. I don't even recognise you.

Wendy emerges, not looking pleased to find Sadie and Holly talking, and tells Sadie she's heading home. Andrew then joins them, and everyone looks awkward for a bit, before Wendy walks out, followed by Sadie. Andrew and Holly are left alone, but don't say anything.

No 22
Paul and Terese arrive home. Terese remarks that it was a tough night, especially for Wendy and Andrew.

TERESE: That's been us in the past.
PAUL: Well, a different situation. But yeah, we have had our fair share of strain.
TERESE: Which is why I appreciate how far we've come. Are you alright? You were really quiet back there.
PAUL: Yeah, it's just a lot to digest. You know, if you'd come to me a month ago and said that there was gonna be a freeway beside Lassiter's, I would've been up in arms - I'd have been fighting it tooth- and- nail.
TERESE: And now?
PAUL: Well, you know - stepped away, so I guess it's hitting me differently.
TERESE: Hmm. And what about the street?
PAUL: That I'm still processing.

Terese suggests they have time to turn their 'crazy day' around, and suggests she rustle up (or at least, order in) a fabulous brunch for them tomorrow morning, in lieu of the meal at Lanzini's that they've had to cancel. Paul thinks it sounds like a lot of effort to go to just for the two of them.

TERESE: Yeah. But with the street in jeopardy, let's try and enjoy every day.

Terese heads upstairs to call Krista and update her. Paul waits till she's out of earshot, then makes a phone call of his own...

PAUL: Jimmy... oh, come on, you're a bit old to be still calling me G- Dad... anyway, listen, there's been a development, mate...

No 28
We open on the painting of Malcolm, Billy and Libby, as Susan and Annalise have a cuppa following the meeting. Annalise is sorry that she and Sam have to go back to Lorne so soon. Susan understands; Annalise has her own business to think about, but Annalise says that's nothing to what's happening here.

ANNALISE: Gosh, I love this street. I mean, it's where I met and fell in love with Sam, and... (looks at the painting) every time I look at that, I think of Helen Daniels, and what a beautiful, artistic person she was. Ugh, she'd be rolling in her grave.
SUSAN: If she was still with us, she'd be right by our side fighting the good fight, that's for sure.

As the focus switches to Karl and Sam, we faintly hear Annalise and Susan reminiscing about how Helen used to play golf on her front lawn, recalling a scene from opening titles of distant past!

KARL: Sam, I'm gonna be straight with you on this. We are not going to back down.
SAM K: I understand.
KARL: I need you to be straight with me, though. If this gets approved, what chance have we got of stopping it?
SAM K: Where there's a will, there's a way... but if you want my honest opinion, you've got a snowflake's chance in hell.

Karl sighs heavily.

Ramsay Street
The following morning, Terese walks home with a bunch of flowers and what we assume is a box of ready- made pancakes for her special brunch. She looks wistfully around Ramsay Street and then, glancing at the flowers, remembers her purpose and smiles.

No 26
Wendy is looking out of the window again, to Sadie's concern.

WENDY: They're together again. Andrew and Holly are in the driveway.
SADIE: Maybe you should take a break.
WENDY: And here comes Susan. Looks like they're all heading off together somewhere. Right?
SADIE: I guess... Holly said that her and Dad were in love. I think she still is. Maybe testing them was a mistake.
WENDY (shaking her head): They're gonna do what they're gonna do. But that doesn't mean we have to stick around and see it. You know, the street can do what they want. But when we get that compulsory offer to buy our house... we're gonna take it and run.

Harold's Café
Jane arrives to meet Clint for their chat. They smile at one another. Shortly, at a table, Jane tells Clint that Nicolette was wrong to question his priorities, and Jane was wrong to listen to her. Clint thinks he understands, though, and agrees with Jane's assessment that Nic wasn't being malicious.

CLINT: She was just looking out for you. And to be completely honest, she wasn't completely wrong. I was probably enjoying your company a little more than I should've been.
JANE: Well, that's not a bad thing.
CLINT: Have you been enjoying mine?
JANE: Yeah. Yeah, I have. And while I don't wanna completely close the door on us rekindling something... if you're open to it?
CLINT: I am.
JANE: No, I just think... well, after everything that happened last night, there is a lot going on. So maybe we should just take things slow, and see what happens?
CLINT: That works for me.

Jane asks if Clint is still considering asking Addison to live with him. He says yes; he's hoping to raise it with her in the next few days. They smile at one another. But then Sue Parker comes in!

SUE PARKER: I just saw on my socials that Mike is getting married! You just keep losing guy after guy, after guy. Well, maybe you'll have better luck with the thief.

She goes to the counter and tells Nicolette, who is working...

SUE PARKER: I'd keep an eye on that one. He has a history of stealing.
NICOLETTE: I'm more worried about the ex- con standing right in front of me.

No 22
Paul is impressed with the brunch spread that Terese has organised for them, but says he gets the feeling she's trying to butter him up!

TERESE: Oh, can't I serve you a lovely breakfast without a hidden agenda?
PAUL: In this instance, I'm gonna say 'no'.
TERESE: Okay, look, I was gonna wait until we'd eaten, but what the hell.

Terese holds Paul's hands.

TERESE: Okay, so I've been pondering this for a while now.
PAUL: Yeah?
TERESE: And we've watched what's happened to the Rodwells.
PAUL: Yeah, not good.
TERESE: And we've seen what's happening to the street.
PAUL: Even worse.
TERESE: And then I realised, even though the world is uncertain... you and I, we're rock solid. And so I wanted to ask you... will you marry me? Again?

Paul smiles as if he's about to agree, but then worry crosses his face.

PAUL: No.

Terese looks horrified.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Cara and JJ walk through the door to be confronted with Felix and a betowelled Elle smiling sheepishly
- Wendy is heaving a clearout at No 26, so that there's 'less to pack when we leave'
- At the hospital, Susan tells Holly, 'That seemed to go well with Andrew'
- Holly replies that she's starting to remember all the reasons she fell for him in the first place
- Paul tells Leo, 'I'm still keeping a secret from her. Well, two, actually.' Leo replies, 'Chelsea?'