Previously on Neighbours
- Paul gloats about Karl's past indiscretions with Sarah, while Susan tells Karl they can be friends or nothing
- Toadie's mum Angie shows up in Erinsborough, and tells Vanessa that Nell's naming day was cancelled because of Patrick
- Vanessa and Angie browbeat Sonya and Toadie into going ahead with the naming day - but is Vanessa really happy about it?
Erinsborough Hospital (flat)
Vanessa comes in with presents she's bought for Nell, and begins frantically searching for the scissors. She tells Lucas they're going to the naming day tomorrow, but he tells her to call and cancel, saying she's freaking out. However, Vanessa insists that Toadie and Sonya shouldn't have to tiptoe around about Nell just because Patrick's unwell, and insists they should go the party tomorrow. Lucas goes out to buy sticky tape and scissors for the presents.
No 26
Georgia shows up to invite Kyle and Sheila to Nell's naming day, explaining about the furore with Angie and Vanessa. Kyle promises to show up since he's Nell's godfather, but Sheila has to work. She none- too- subtly laments the fact that Jade, Nell's godmother, can't be there for the special day, while giving Georgia the evil eye. Kyle then compounds the awkwardness by asking if Scotty will be attending. Georgia explains he can't make it, and suddenly rushes off, ostensibly to deliver more invitations. As Georgia leaves, Sheila watches Kyle disapprovingly.
Erinsborough News
Susan is on the phone to Toadie, who's inviting her to Nell's naming day; she promises to be there. Sarah comes in with a pot- plant, and expresses surprise that Susan's in work, as she wasn't due in. Susan coldly tells her the last editions won't write themselves, and demands a better printer, since their decent one has already been sold. Sarah agrees to sort something out, and then presents Susan with the pot- plant as a peace offering!
SARAH: To say sorry. For everything.
SUSAN: ...
SARAH: I know it's been awkward, having me here. But I just hope we can muddle through for the last couple of weeks.
Susan's face says it all, as she eventually thanks Sarah tersely, and returns to her desk with the pot- plant, eyeing it with utter disdain!
No 30
Toadie and Sonya are preparing for the naming day party. Georgia comes in with a cake, and Angie with some drinks.
SONYA: You got my message about the soda water, yeah?
ANGIE: Oh, nobody drinks soda water! So I got more lemonade and cola.
SONYA: Well some people like to watch their sugar intake, Angie.
ANGIE: Yeah, but some people don't know how to enjoy themselves.
Toadie diffuses the situation by asking Angie to go and check on Callum outside, but then has to take a phone call. Sonya tells Georgia that she can't deal with Angie.
GEORGIA: Breathe!
SONYA: No I don't want to breathe, I want to slap Angie!
Happily, Georgia talks her away from that particular precipice, and tells Sonya she can't let Angie ruin the day - after all, she'll be gone as soon as the party's finished. Sonya takes deep breaths.
No 26
Kyle is dressing formally for the naming day; Sheila remarks that the suit and tie are over- the- top, and wonders aloud whether it's really for Nell's benefit - or Georgia's! Kyle denies the latter, saying he's not interested in her. He insists they're just friends, but Sheila continues to lecture him about the perils of wanting another man's girl. Kyle gives up and walks out.
No 30
Vanessa and Lucas turn up with presents for Nell, and a camera, so Lucas can take some professional photos. Toadie asks if he has any photos of Patrick they could look at on the camera, but Lucas claims he's wiped the memory card. Vanessa looks uncomfortable. While the boys go to get drinks, Sonya tells Vanessa she doesn't have to be there if she doesn't want to, but Vanessa insists she does and says she expects Sonya at Patrick's christening. As soon as Sonya leaves the room to get a drink, however, Vanessa gives Lucas's camera the evil eye, and dramatic music tells us all is not well...
Later, Susan, Karl and Kyle have all arrived, and Georgia winds Kyle up about having forgotten to perform his 'godfather duties'. He moans about his suit being too hot, but Susan thinks he looks good in it - and Georgia ventures to agree, before giving Kyle a smouldering look. He follows her outside. Meanwhile, Angie chokes on the coriander in Sonya's dip, and goes to complain to her that she should have used basil! Karl uses the opportunity to attempt to clear the air with Susan, saying he hates the way things are between them at the moment. Susan insists that today is about Nell, not them.
Later still, Toadie comes in from the yard and invites Susan to come back for dinner this evening. She guesses Karl will be there too and challenges Toadie to admit that he's been trying to set them up. He admits he has, and says he hopes Sarah being back won't stymie the chances of a reconciliation between the Kennedys. Susan admits it's been hard to have Sarah around, but insists nothing has changed as regards her and Karl, and tells Toadie not to worry about them or matchmake.
With the party in full swing, Callum calls for quiet so Toadie can make a speech. He thanks everyone for coming and says how much they all mean to Toadie, Sonya and Nell. Lucas and Vanessa hold hands, while Sonya brings in the baby, introducing her as 'Nell Jellyfish Rebecchi'!
SONYA: Nell, these wonderful people are your neighbours, and your good friends.
Toadie then asks everyone to sign a message book, which they'll give to Nell on her eighteenth birthday, before following him outside into the yard. As Vanessa signs the book, Sonya comes over to check on them. Vanessa admits the day has been harder than she thought, and says she'll stay indoors for the next bit - but that she's glad she came. Sonya thanks her and Lucas for making them go ahead with the naming day. While Sonya goes outside, Vanessa admires a framed photo of Nell, and realises from Lucas's silence that he took it. She's annoyed he has time to photograph other people's babies but not Patrick. He insists he did take pictures of Patrick when he was first born, and says Vanessa's reading too much into it. Vanessa tells him she's going back to the hospital, and walks out.
No 30 (back yard)
The guests gather around the poolside, and Callum asks Toadie if he can make a speech about Nell. It begins irreverently, but ends with a promise to his little sister that she'll never be alone. (Cue much cooing from the guests.) Georgia then asks each of the guests to make their own wish for Nell, starting with Kyle, who stumbles over his words whilst the other attendees goad him. Eventually he wishes his goddaughter 'the very best of friends'. Angie hopes that the sun will shine on Nell always; Susan wishes her a strong and independent spirit, while giving Karl a dirty look; Karl wishes Nell a long and healthy life; and Ajay hopes she'll always stand up for what's right. They all raise a toast.
No 30
Inside, Lucas and Sonya share a brief chat about Vanessa and a hug. Toadie, Kyle and Angie come back indoors, where Kyle offers to replace some cracked tiles from the pool, and Toadie and Sonya announce they've set a date for their wedding. 19 March is to be the happy day; Angie is unimpressed at the date, falling as it does between two preferable seasons of the year - but Sonya says she expects them all to be there; Toadie adds that they've booked the Lassiter's ballroom. Lucas congratulates them, but the tension between Sonya and Angie is palpable.
Charlie's
Priya is working at a table when Karl comes in. He says they missed her at the naming day, but she says it would have made things strained with Ajay if she'd been there. She's accepted Ajay wants nothing to do with her now, except where Rani's concerned. Karl tells her not to jump to conclusions, and tells her to keep trying.
As Karl gets a coffee, Sarah comes over to say hello. Karl mentions that Susan said things were better between she and Sarah, and Sarah naively concludes that her pot- plant must have done the trick.
KARL: Actually, I can't really see the point in you and I keeping our distance.
SARAH: Are you sure?
KARL: Yes. I've been clinging on to the idea that there might be hope for Susan and me. It would seem there isn't.
SARAH: I'm sorry.
KARL: Me too. But I think it is time to let go.
Erinsborough News
Susan comes into an empty office to do some work on the paper, but Sarah's pot- plant on the desk soon catches her eye. Susan experiences a painful flashback to a fateful day in 1998 (Episode 3110, to be exact) when she delivered to Karl what is now universally known as The Slap, following the revelation of his liaison with Sarah. In an equally violent altercation in the present day, it's the pot- plant that comes off worse, as Susan grabs it from the desk and smashes it into a waste paper bin.
No 30
While Toadie's on the phone, Angie is heckling Sonya about her failings with the washing- up. Getting icy vibes from Sonya, Angie storms off to her room. Georgia congratulates Sonya on her impending marriage, but this just reminds Sonya that Angie will then officially be her mum- in- law! Georgia tells Sonya that Angie's all bark, but Sonya isn't convinced. Toadie comes back in with some surprising news: his bosses want him to go to Chile, tomorrow, to secure a copper mine deal! Sonya goes mad, telling him they have a wedding in three weeks and Nell to look after. Toadie explains he's already told Charlotte he can't leave his family right now, and when she pressured him, he quit! Sonya is speechless.
Tomorrow on Neighbours
- Sonya demands to know how they will afford a wedding if Toadie's unemployed
- The spectre of the Lassiter's car fleet raises its head again, as Chris plans to win back Paul's contract for Fitzgerald Motors
- Lucas claims he's too busy with Patrick to have time for Paul's fleet - but seems uncomfortable about spending time with his son
- Angie purloins a notebook from Sonya's bag and presents it to Toadie, much to his annoyance
- Chris and Andrew hit a small snag in getting Paul's car fleet where it needs to be - neither of them are allowed to drive!