Recap
- Rebecca is cross at Paul for not telling him the truth about the business.
- Naomi takes Ringo's ID.
- Naomi fakes another incident to get Ringo's attention.
- Karl suspects Naomi is becoming dependent and warns Ringo.
Number 28
Ringo and Naomi are sat on the sofa watching a film, but Ringo starts to wriggle away from her, and eventually gets up to go to the kitchen. Sensing something is wrong; Naomi decides it's probably best to head home, 'as they don't have to be joined at the hip'. They agree to meet at uni the following day.
Next morning, Karl pesters Susan as she enjoys a peaceful breakfast before heading off to her first session at uni. He promises not to stand in her way of impressing Paul, as Libby joins in.
LIBBY: Has Paul even heard of the word ethics?
Ringo makes a flying visit to the dining table before he heads out to uni, and reveals Naomi went home early. Susan immediately twigs it was Karl who had an influence, and he admits his thoughts about Naomi's dependence on Ringo. Libby reminds her father that as an adult, Ringo should make his own decision, but it's clear Karl doesn't think the relationship is a good idea.
Number 22
Paul and Rebecca are looking over the figures for PirateNet, which show they need to increase the revenue from Lassiter's. Rebecca asks Declan if he'd like to help them brainstorm, but he bluntly tells Paul to review the proposal he drew up earlier on.
Kate arrives, to whisk Declan off to uni. Rebecca is annoyed that the two men in her life still aren't talking, but Paul is more interested in the business. He suggests using the businesses to cross- promote each other. Rebecca isn't willing to take the risk, but Paul insists they won't fail.
Erinsborough High
Michael has decided to implement a healthy food policy in the school, but Libby warns him the pupils may rebel against it. Callum doesn't like the idea and claims it 'sucks', until Natasha informs him that you perform better with a good diet. Sophie can't believe he'd change his opinion just like that.
SOPHIE: You're pathetic.
CALLUM: I know, (reaches out) help me.
Sophie walks off.
Harold's Store
Libby bumps into Toadie and Steph and reveals she had a good evening with Doug. Paul and Rebecca arrive just in time to overhear Libby talking about Michael's new school meals policy; to eradicate junk food.
Toadie and Steph head off, leaving Paul to quiz Libby further about the school meals. She informs him the decision will be made tonight, and heads off to school.
Paul and Rebecca quietly discuss the possibility of providing the school with food, seeing it as a nice little earner, that won't involve linking their businesses. Agreeing it could work, Paul approaches Toadie to ask for legal advice.
Erinsborough High
Rebecca, Paul and Toadie have come to visit Michael, to give him a tender for the school meal supplies. Rebecca hands over the proposal, and makes it clear that it'll be her that he deals with, not Paul. Rebecca explains how she is also interested in getting the pupils to grow their own food further down the line, and Michael agrees to look over it, though warns there will be tough competition.
A disagreement in the corridor causes Michael to dash out, leaving Toadie and the Robinsons to see themselves off. As Rebecca picks up her papers, Paul takes the opportunity to take a quick sneaky photo (on his phone) of Michael's client list, before reassuring Rebecca that it will all be fine.
Lassiter's Complex
Ringo catches up with Declan and Kate as they enjoy a coffee. They head off to uni just as Naomi arrives and greets Ringo with a kiss. She offers to buy him a coffee, leaving her bag on the chair as she pops inside. A passer by accidentally knocks the bag to the ground. Picking up her bag, Ringo notices his old paramedic ID card on the floor amongst her other possessions.
Number 22
Rebecca is disappointed that they might not get the school lunch contract, but is soon roping Lucas into helping her cover a busy lunch shift down at Charlie's. They head off to leave Paul in an empty house. He quickly sets to work contacting the other school lunch tenders, warning them to withdraw or he'll blacklist them from bars in town.
Erinsborough High
Michael has invited Rebecca and co back in to discuss a possible start date, due the other parties pulling out. Rebecca is happy to accept the contract, though is interrupted as Lyn arrives with her own tender. Michael agrees to take a look at Lyn's proposal and announces that no contracts have been signed. He invites Lyn to speak with him in his office, leaving Rebecca more than a little annoyed.
Charlie's Bar
Natasha is busy trying to get a compliment out of Lucas over the posters, but he makes a quick retreat to the kitchen. Paul informs Natasha that they've had a good response to the posters, and he'd like to make her the face of the whole of Lassiter's. The naive teen is interested in the idea and is sure she can win over her father once more.
University
Ringo has told Declan about discovering his ID card. Declan proposes that she may have just found it, and warns that a woman's handbag is a dangerous place to go snooping. Kate arrives, so the boys quickly change the subject; moaning about their uni workload.
Naomi comes to join them, following her lecture, and Ringo takes the opportunity to show off his new ID photo. Declan makes the point that his photo was better on his old ID card, but Naomi has no view, as she 'never saw it'. The girls head off to grab a drink leaving the boys to ponder Naomi's reaction.
Number 28
Ringo comes home to talk to Karl, professionally, so Susan makes a quick exit.
RINGO: How do I know if she's dependent or not? Are there any particular signs?
Karl explains that people look for ways to stay in your life. 'Like being in a relationship', Ringo adds. Karl continues. They often alienate other friends, and can become obsessive; like keeping personal mementos. All this while, Ringo is remembering the various things that Naomi has been doing.
RINGO: I have to call it off.
Karl warns him to go easily, as she may be unstable and overreact.
University
Ringo has met up with Naomi, and explains that he wants to end their relationship. She quite happily agrees with him, on the basis that they are both busy with uni. She grabs her books and heads off, leaving him puzzled by her reaction.
Charlie's Bar
Ringo has come to chill out by playing pool in the bar, whilst the rest of the Kennedys sit and chat. Susan is shocked, but not surprised, to learn that Karl has managed to dupe Libby into cooking the dinner. Libby gets up to head off and collect her son, just as Michael arrives. She introduces her new boss to her parents and leaves them to chat.
Karl carries out the polite neighbourly duties and asks how he is settling into the street, whilst Susan and Michael share the knowledge that she used to work at the school. Lucas comes by to join them. Susan introduces them, and Lucas mentions he saw the argument with Paul in the street.
MICHAEL: Ah, you live with Paul Robinson.
LUCAS: Yes, don't hold that against me, we're not related or anything like that.
KARL: Don't worry about Paul. We've all had a run in with him, or six.
SUSAN: Yeah, it's kind of a Ramsay Street Initiation.
MICHAEL: Does that mean I've passed?
LUCAS: You bet.
Lucas offers to buy him a beer and the two new mates head over the bar.
Declan, who has meanwhile been playing pool with Ringo, suggests his mate takes a break from the ladies.
RINGO: Hey, Donna's a reformed stalker!
DECLAN: Yeah, my advice; get a background check next time.
As they start another round of pool, Naomi watches on from the bar entrance.
Number 32
Michael and Lucas arrive as Natasha relaxes in the lounge. Lucas spots a wooden surfboard hanging above the window on the wall.
LUCAS: Woah, that is awesome.
NATASHA: It's so ugly, please steal it.
Michael returns with a book for Lucas, who heads off.
Michael realises his daughter is already eating take- away and apologises for not being home earlier to cook. She explains that she decided to do some market research, so she bought two; one from Lassiter's and one from the Harold's. The dish from Harold's was alright, but the Lassiter's meal was better; and they gave out a nutritional leaflet as well. Michael makes a comment about the size of the business, but his daughter is quick to remind him that the person running the business shouldn't influence his decision. He is impressed.
Charlie's Bar
Michael has gathered the Robinsons and the Scullys together to give his final verdict; he will be awarding the contract to Lassiter's, and he will meet with them later to discuss a start date. Steph, Lyn and Michael head off, leaving Toadie to get suspicious of Paul's actions.
TOADIE: Did you bribe him?
Toadie reminds Paul that they were not about to be awarded the contract earlier that morning, so something must've changed. Rebecca is quick to suss out Paul's behaviour and challenges him to be honest with her.
REBECCA: What did you do to win the contract?
Paul admits he persuaded the other candidates to step down, and how he used Natasha to change her father's mind. Rebecca is shocked to learn he used both threats and bribery. Toadie has also had enough, and informs Paul he can find someone else to do his dirty work.
Paul reveals to Rebecca that they had to win, as otherwise they would lose Lassiter's completely. He asks his wife if she is able to give him her full support. She gives him a nod but it is clear she is angry and hurt by her husband's manipulation.