Recap
Lyn and Lou bantering, Lou threatening to tell the Erinsborough News that Lyn's sandwiches poisoned people at the deb.
Lyn agrees to pay the fine.
Elle helping her old colleague, Josh, who is hurt.
Lucas commenting that it's unusual for Elle not to write a story because she's afraid.
Elle writing the story.
Paul commenting that Elle should be in New York in a journalism job.
Number 22
Lucas has made Elle breakfast: New York bagels. She wonders what's going on, and he admits that he really liked the story she did on Josh - and he has emailed it to the New York news, along with a letter accepting the job they offered her. Elle is adamant she wants to stay, but Lucas says that he'd like to go with her.
It hadn't occurred to Elle to take Lucas with her - and he can work as a mechanic over there. Elle is thrilled!
Cut to later where Paul and Bec are pleased for Elle, who says that Lucas encouraged her. Elle wants to leave as soon as they can get organised, but Rebecca raises doubts - should they go so soon, after all they've been through? But Elle wants to write stories that save lives, and that means working for a paper like the New York News.
Donna sits quietly at the table, whilst Bec tells Elle how proud she is.
Number 22 - Donna's bedroom
Cut to later again, when Donna is in her bedroom, sitting, morose. Elle brings up the remains of Donna's bagel, and asks after her next exam, and how she's feeling about it. Elle asks how Donna is about Elle going to New York. Donna agrees that she's happy for Elle, but stressed about how things are - she doesn't know where she's at.
Elle tells her that there's nothing wrong with pursuing her dream in fashion, as long as it's not with Saffron. Donna confesses that she's really scared about seeing Saffron in court, and Elle promises to be there for her. She also knows that Donna will hit the big time, one day.
Number 22
Downstairs, Declan is feeding India, which is so cute, when Donna comes down to announce that she's going to New York - with Elle and Lucas! But they don't know this, yet, and neither does Ringo.
Donna is sure that New York is Fashion Central - a place where Dreams Come True. She has no idea what she'll do until her career kicks off...look after Elle's house for her, maybe?!
As she talks it through, she realises that it's not such a great idea after all...she'll only take her troubles with her, won't she? Declan agrees and disagrees where required.
DONNA: How am I going to break it to Elle that I'm not going? She'll be crushed.
Number 26
Finally we are out of the Robinson house with an ex-Mrs Robinson, Lyn. She gets home, only to find that Lou has marked all of his kitchen items with labels saying 'Property of Lou Carpenter.' Lyn ignores them and takes one of his biscuits, until Lou's voice stops her. He stands in the kitchen entrance, in a t-shirt and trackie bottoms.
LYN: I didn't think you were home.
LOU: Obviously.
LYN: Yeah, I'd love to stay and chat but I have to get down to the store, we're re-opening today.
LOU: Just a minute, Scully, can't you read?
LYN: Can't you dress yourself?
LOU: I'm decent!
LYN: Barely.
Lyn eats the biscuit anyway, claiming that it's her kitchen. Lou points out that it's Steph's house, so it's actually her kitchen. Lyn reminds Lou that this was her home long before he arrived, and she wants him out. And we cut straight to...
Harold's Store
...Steph refusing to ask Lou to leave at Lyn's behest. Lou is grateful for Steph's hospitality, and Lyn refuses to serve Lou in the store, given that she can't throw him out of the house.
Lou claims he doesn't want to be there, or work there, anyway, and after pointing out that Lyn has let the place rot (and he and Harold would never have allowed that), he strops off. Toadie comes in to hear Lyn complaining.
LYN: It doesn't matter what I do, every time I turn around he's there! I can't take a breath without Lou inhaling it first!
Steph thinks that Lyn should hire Lou back - after all, he knows all the customers. He's the heart of soul of the place.
STEPH: You need Lou, mum, you know you do. He can help you get this place back on track.
LYN: Yeah? I'd rather eat my own head.
Steph enlists Toadie to help her sort this mess out, whilst at a table Ben the brat and Callum fight over a hash brown which Ben stole from Cal. Dan stops them fighting, and reminds Ben he has to learn to share, especially when his new little brother comes along. Ben points out that Dan and Lucas are brothers and they're not friends. Dan tells him that at least he and Lucas always sort things out.
Dingoes' Den
At the gym, Harry is studying whilst he's working at the reception desk, and when Dan comes in he asks he if he can drop by later to talk about the DHS stuff. Dan agrees, then spots Lucas. He asks after Elle, before offering to help Lucas with his weight training, remembering his conversation with Ben.
Lucas refuses help, so Dan tells his brother that he and Lib are having a baby boy. Lucas is genuinely pleased for him - the next generation of Fitzgerald men. Lucas tells Dan that he's moving to New York with Elle.
Cut to the changing rooms where Dan has walked off. Lucas charges in after him, demanding to know why Dan can't be happy for him. Dan tells his brother that he's a recovering addict, and he's removing himself from all his support.
LUCAS: I'll be with Elle!
DAN: She'll be off, covering stories, working crazy hours, you'll be sitting around waiting for her!
Dan wonders what happens if Lucas doesn't get a job, and is thousands of miles away from anyone else. Who will look out for him, then?
Number 22
Lucas is looking up all the Gambling Anonymous groups in New York on a map. Elle admits she hadn't thought about that. Lucas tells her that Dan thinks he might lose it. But they're interrupted by Donna who has an announcement to make.
DONNA: I won't be coming to New York.
Elle and Lucas smile; this is such a Donna thing to say.
ELLE: Were you ever coming?
DONNA: Yes. Yeah, I had it all worked out. I was going to work as your maid until I got discovered by Donna Karan or something. And then I realised something.
LUCAS: That it's crazy?
DONNA: That whether you're here or in the States, it doesn't matter. Because I know that you believe in me and you'll support me no matter what. So I'm giving you my blessing to go conquer the Big Apple.
Elle thanks her friend and gives her a hug.
DONNA: Just never forget my birthday or Christmas because New York has the best shops and you know that.
ELLE: Done.
Lucas admits that for all Donna's crazy ideas she's quite a smart girl. And he knows he and Elle will be okay.
Harold's Store
Steph has brought all of the mums and kids from Charlie's playgroup to the store. Lyn is run off her feet because Kate and Jumilla aren't answering their phones, but Steph refuses to help out.
Dan and Libby also sit at table where Dan is still whinging about Lucas going to New York. Libby tells Dan that Lucas isn't a charity case, and he's a grown man starting a new life. Dan, not liking what he's hearing says he's going home.
Harry comes in, and Lyn demands that he get behind the counter and help out. Harry can't - he just wanted a sandwich and needs to get home to do some study.
Charlie's
Over in the bar, Lou is serving. Callum steals the remote control for the music system and takes it to the table where Paul, Becca, Toadie, Declan, Elle and Lucas are waiting, ready to implement their plan. Paul orders some French champagne, and Declan turns up the music to extra loud. Lou can't find the remote, but turns it down manually. Toadie and Cal order next, and Declan turns up the music once more. Callum changes his mind, whilst Paul checks on the champage, and Declan continues to crank up the music.
Meanwhile, over at...
Harold's Store
...the store kitchen, Harry is asking Lyn for mustard on his sandwich, but he can't decide which one. He reminisces on the sandwiches that Lou used to make, before wondering if he should have sauce instead of mustard.
Charlie's
Back at the bar, Callum has changed his mind on the pizza again whilst Dec cranks the music up, and Cal changes his mind again...
Harold's Store
And at the store, Ben whinges (yet again) about his nachos, although clearly he's been set up to do so. He says Lou makes them nicer. Infuriated Lyn takes the bowl away.
Charlie's
Lou is turning down the music once again whilst Becca comes over and says she's had a request to turn the music back up. Lou hates the music.
Harold's Store
Charlie is at the counter with Ben and Steph.
CHARLIE: I want a frog sundae.
Charlie wants a frog sundae like Lou used to make.
Charlie's
Lou really can't stand the music, and Elle and Lucas order drinks, loving the sound!
Harold's Store
CHARLIE: No, granny! I WANT A FROG SUNDAE!
Charlie's
Lou throws his tea towel down in frustration.
Harold's Store
Lyn tosses her pen and pad on the counter.
Split screen with Charlie's, Lyn and Lou declare that enough is enough!
Number 26
With Lyn on one sofa, and Lou on the other, Toadie is trying to broker a deal of peace, with Steph by his side.
STEPH: Can't you see that you need each other?
LYN: I don't need him!
LOU: I don't need her!
STEPH: Do you know how to make a frog sundae, mum?
LOU: Haha! Too easy!
Lyn says she does know that she doesn't want Lou telling her what to do every ten minutes. Steph demands that Lyn let Lou come back to the store - he knows the place better than anyone. Toadie wonders under what circumstances Lyn would have Lou work at the store again...
Number 30
...and clearly it's Lou moving back out to Number 30. Where on EARTH will he sleep? Well, Ben tells us that Lou's taking his room, so obviously Ben and Callum must still be sharing.
Ben takes Lou to his room with Charlie, whilst Toadie can't believe that Steph offered up his house! Steph is convinced it's going to be temporary, whilst Lou comes in and comments that Toadie's let the place go a bit. He'll draw up a list of things to be done.
TOADIE: Not happy, Scully.
Cut to later where Lou has written up a roster for using the bathroom and chores ('vac', 'dust', 'kitch' and 'cook' for anyone who's interested). Lou seems to have rostered himself into the bathroom a lot, without adding himself to the chores list except cooking on Saturdays. I do like the way the roster actually works - Ben hasn't been scheduled on to cook, for example. Good props, prop people!
Lou explains to Libby that his roster is on a sliding scale: the younger you are, the more you work. Libby's not sure about this, when Dan comes home and Lou goes off to unpack.
Dan can't believe that Lou has moved in, and is furious that this was decided without him. Dan reminds Lib that this is their house, too, but she says it won't be for longer. Dan is stroppy that no-one cares what he thinks, and Lib wonders if this is really about Lou or Lucas.
Harry comes in to see Dan re the DHS.
Charlie's
Dec, Indy, Donna, Bec and Paul are making a toast to Elle and Lucas, when Elle's mobile rings. Elle takes the call, whilst Lucas jokes that Elle has got spreadsheets all set up for the trip. Donna is sad, she can't believe they're going - she'll miss them loads, even Lucas!
Elle comes back from the counter with her phone, looking downcast. It was her editor from the NY News. They read the article she wrote about Josh, and have rescinded their offer...they've offered her a role as a feature journalist!! Becca thinks it's awesome, whilst India looks up ADORINGLY at Declan, and I want to kiss him for being so good with her. He kisses his daughter on the cheek. Awww! Dec!!!
Paul is so pleased, and Lucas is also thrilled. He hugs her and tells her he's so proud of her. Elle, however, is clearly not happy with something...
Number 22
Returning home from the bar, Lucas is still raving about Elle's new-found job and fame. Elle is still miserable, and Lucas wonders what's up. She thinks she should stick to the column offer until she's found her feet; they're asking a lot of her and things are moving too fast. Lucas takes her hands: he believes in her.
LUCAS: We're in this together, you know.
ELLE: The position that they're offering me is their Middle East correspondent.
Although based in New York, she would be reporting all over the Middle East, and will be living out of a suitcase. She'll be lucky to be in New York more than once a month.
ELLE: If I were to take this job, I'd have to go alone.
Lucas is clearly gutted.