Previously on Neighbours
- As Josh's accident leaves his career hanging in the balance, the Willises play the blame- game
- Bad news for Mason from the equipment hire firm - all the abseiling gear was in working order
- Matt decides to hire Toadie to represent Mason, to which Brad takes offence
- As Brad sues Mason for damages, Imogen tells him she wants to be with him
No 22
Mason and Imogen are kissing on the sofa, but he says he has to go, as her parents will be back from the hospital soon and will be furious if they find him here. They share a last goodnight kiss before he leaves.
No 32
Amber is bragging about how Susan has let her take the morning off tomorrow to help welcome Josh home when he arrives back from hospital, and Lauren grants her own permission too. Mason comes in whistling, and Bailey notices he's 'weirdly upbeat' - but Lauren says it's great that Mason's not letting people get him down. He mentions Terese has already given him a strike at work for going AWOL.
Amber has got an email from the council, about her entry into the Edinburgh Youth Photographer awards - telling her she's one of six finalists in the competition. The final is tomorrow, and a delighted Amber rushes off to find something to wear.
Charlie's
Brad and Matt meet for another Dads' Stand-Off™, in which Matt tries to convince Brad his lawsuit against Mason isn't necessary as he's innocent of any wrongdoing in Josh's accident. Brad asks why Matt therefore contacted Toadie before Brad even launched a suit, suggesting that Matt knows Mason's guilty.
MATT: Come on - you don't truly believe Mason wanted to hurt him on purpose?
BRAD: He resented his success.
MATT: Enough to send him over a cliff?!
Brad says that deliberate or accidental, the incident was still Mason's fault - and he has to pay for causing the setback to Josh's career.
MATT: You need to be focused on helping your son with his recovery - not seeking revenge.
BRAD: You think I'm gonna take parental advice from you?
Brad storms off to pick up Josh from the hospital.
Erinsborough Hospital
Karl looks professionally concerned as Brad seems to be talking unrealistically about the prospects of Josh's return to swimming. He reminds them both that the tear to Josh's shoulder was substantial, so not to exert the joint. Karl tells Josh not to have unrealistic expectations, but Brad is still talking up the prospects of a quick recovery and positive thinking. Karl's about to disabuse him of that notion when Amber shows up, clumsily hurting Josh's shoulder by barging into him. They all head off home happily, but Karl looks concerned.
No 22
The Willises and Amber come in, and Imogen welcomes Josh home - but Brad wants to head straight to the gym in five minutes to start training again. Imogen mentions that Amber has been nominated for the photography award, but Amber plays it down, saying she's unlikely to win. She admits that she didn't know whether Josh would be up to coming, but he says he'd love to. She goes to hug him and ends up hurting his shoulder again.
In the kitchen, Terese expresses concern about the pressure that the lawsuit against Mason could have on Amber and Josh's relationship. Brad insists that suing Mason is the right thing to do, however.
Harold's Store
Imogen comes in, and has a bit of a flirt with Mason. They quickly separate when Lauren comes out of the kitchen - Lauren asks if Imogen was giving Mason a hard time about Josh, but he says not. Once she's gone again, Imogen tells Mason to stop being so obvious.
MASON: But all I want to do is kiss you.
He explains he can't go to Amber's awards ceremony, as Josh will be there and he doesn't want to cause a scene.
MASON: I keep thinking about last night.
IMOGEN: Me too.
They agree to arrange to meet again soon, and Imogen leaves.
Lassiter's Complex
Outside, Imogen gets a text from Mason saying 'missing you already', which makes her day. Imogen bids goodbye to Lauren who is clearing tables, and shortly afterwards, Terese turns up. She's unwilling to talk to Lauren, but Lauren asks if they can try to sort things out. Terese insists Mason must be to blame as the abseiling gear wasn't faulty, but Lauren stands by her son, saying he's a very good abseiler. Terese grudgingly admits that she knows the lawsuit won't do any good, and that Brad's the one pushing it. Lauren begs her to think about what she's said.
Dingoes' Gym
Josh is training in the gym but his shoulder's sore, so Brad tells him to stop for the day. He does as he's told, but after Brad leaves he finds a copy of the West Waratah Star with Ruby's article about how his dreams have been shattered. In the changing room, Josh confronts Brad, demanding to know why he didn't tell him about the article. Brad tells him he didn't want it interfering with his recovery. He says the Star is still sponsoring him, and tells Josh to focus and prove the journalists wrong.
JOSH: But she's made it sound like there's no hope.
BRAD: It's the tall poppy syndrome. The readers love seeing people cut down to size. But they also love a comeback story. Just you watch - when you break your first record, Ruby's gonna be the first one writing about how you overcame adversity and trumphed. You'll be a hero. 'Josh Willis: back from the brink.'
Josh doesn't look convinced, and wanders off.
No 22
Terese arrives home to check up on Josh, having left her new assistant in charge. Josh guesses that she's heard from Brad that Josh saw the article, and Terese admits she has. But Josh insists he's not going to let it make him doubt himself now, and Terese tells him how proud she is. They hug.
JOSH: Thank you. But I think you'll be more proud of me when you see me win gold.
Josh tells Terese not to worry about him, and to go back to work. She does.
Lassiter's
Paul expresses surprise that Terese is in work, given what's been going on with Josh. She admits she just wants to help him, but Paul tells her she should step back and let Josh deal with it in his own way.
PAUL: I mean, it's hard for a control freak like you, but necessary.
TERESE: Thanks for your advice, Paul (!).
Mason comes in; he's helping some golfing guests with their equipment. But Terese seems to be offended by the very sight of him, and tells him to go and have an early lunch. As soon as he's gone, Terese makes a phone call.
TERESE: Gaby - it's Terese. I need to ask a favour.
Charlie's
Terese comes in and Mason assumes she's come to lay into him - but in fact she says she has good news. She explains she's impressed with his commitment to his job, and that she's recommended him for a promotion. However, the job she has in mind is at Lassiter's Darwin; hence the call to Brad's sister Gaby, who manages that branch. Terese promises Mason air fares and relocation costs, just like Rhiannon, but Mason immediately guesses that she's trying to get rid of him.
TERESE: Okay, fine. Having you around is a constant reminder.
MASON: Terese, how do you expect me to leave when I still have a lawsuit hanging over my head?
TERESE: I can make that go away. If you take the job, I'll get Brad to drop it.
MASON: You make it sound like you're doing me a favour.
TERESE: Well I am. I'm just trying to do what's right for everyone.
She tells Mason it's a one-time-only offer, and that he can take the afternoon off to consider it.
No 32
Bailey is outraged when Mason tells him about Terese's offer. Mason says he doesn't want to leave, but that it could solve all his problems. He asks Bailey to keep it from Matt and Lauren for now, which Bailey is uncomfortable about.
Mason leaves and Lauren comes in, having heard his voice; Bailey explains Mason's taken the afternoon off, which immediately makes her suspicious. Bailey tries to leave, but Lauren demands he tell her what's going on.
Lassiter's
Lauren marches in and confronts Terese, making a bit of a scene in the foyer.
LAUREN: You're banishing my son?!
Terese tries to say that Darwin will be a good opportunity for Mason.
LAUREN: Oh, come off it. This is about you getting your revenge and making Mason's life as miserable as possible.
But Terese denies it, saying she's finding it impossible to work with Mason without resenting him. Every time she sees how fit and healthy he is, she thinks about how Josh has been crippled by the accident. Lauren says Terese can't make Mason choose between losing the lawsuit and his whole life, but Terese insists she's offering him a new life.
LAUREN: Well he's not going anywhere. We both love our sons and we both want to protect them. But I will not let you or Brad use my son as some kind of whipping boy.
Lauren marches out.
Community Centre
Amber, Josh and Bailey arrive for Amber's awards ceremony, and Karl is milling about randomly as well. Karl thinks Amber's photo will win, but Josh seems less enthusiastic. Matt and Lauren arrive, as Lauren promises to fight Terese's attempt to get rid of Mason. Matt points out that they need to find proof that Mason wasn't to blame for the accident; Lauren says they'll get it, and that Mason will stay and clear his name. Matt tells her they need to be prepared for a fight. Bailey tells them the ceremony's about to start.
No 22
Terese talks to Brad about her attempt to get rid of Mason; she says she knows it was wrong, but she just can't stand seeing him every day, knowing what's happened to Josh. Brad says Josh will pull through and that he's not going to let 'some doctor' write off his chances.
TERESE: Some doctor? He's a top orthopaedic surgeon, Brad. What, his opinion doesn't matter anymore?
BRAD: People survive these things; it's not impossible.
TERESE: But what if he's right? What if Josh's career is over; what's he gonna do? He'll have nothing.
Community Centre
Mayor Paul is presenting the youth photography awards ceremony, as the Turners and Josh watch in the audience. Sure enough, Amber is announced the winner of the contest, and gets a big round of applause and a trophy. Doing an impromptu speech, she thanks the council, her family, and most of all Josh.
AMBER: Mainly for giving me my camera - but also for being the most inspiring person I know. None of this would be possible without him; he has always followed his dreams and he has given me the courage to follow mine.
Josh suddenly looks awkward and leaves. Amber turns to congratulate her fellow nominees, but when she looks back at the audience, he's gone. She looks upset.
Tomorrow on Neighbours
- Amber's still upset, but Josh tells her he left the ceremony because he was in pain
- Chris accuses of Josh of not being happy about Amber's career because his is in doubt
- As Josh suffers more pain, Karl tells him he's very unlikely to return to competitive swimming
- Kyle still wants to support Georgia and the baby, but she's worried when he admits business is slow