Previously on Neighbours
- Karl tells Susan how much he misses their family
- Naomi asks Toadie what he looks for in women, as inspiration for her debut at singles night
- Callum is thrilled to learn he's won a scholarship in the US, but Sonya says he's not going
- Paul tells Brennan they need to illegally obtain files which may help them track down Kate's killer
No 24
Paul continues to try and talk Brennan into breaking into police archives, to steal files on corrupt cops who may have played a part in Kate's murder as some kind of revenge against Brennan. Brennan points out that he could face serious criminal charges should he be caught.
PAUL: So don't get caught. The facility's not exactly Fort Knox.
BRENNAN: They've still got guards and security cameras.
PAUL: You'll find a way around that.
All Brennan needs to do, says Paul, is sneak in and photograph the file contents. Brennan reluctantly agrees to consider Paul's plan, and tells him to find out all he can about the storage place.
No 30
Callum is sitting in the back yard, and Toadie comes to join him. He's bought him a £50 voucher for the app store, as a well-done present for winning the gaming studio scholarship, and tells Cal he's proud of him. Cal's upset that Sonya won't even discuss the possibility of him going. Toadie says she's just in shock, and Cal is still struggling to come to terms with it himself.
CALLUM: Saying goodbye to everyone I know for a year. You know, I don't know if I can do that.
Toadie says it would be a big challenge, but Callum says he really wants to do it. However, he seems resigned to accepting Sonya's decision on the matter, and wanders off.
No 28
Karl comes in, and gets the surprise of his life when his daughter Holly bursts out of the bedroom, with Susan behind her. Karl starts clutching his chest, and they're concerned for his health, until he reveals that he was just play-acting. Susan explains that Holly's on school holidays, and that she arranged the visit with Izzy. Karl's thrilled to see Holly, and they hug.
No 30
In the garden, Naomi turns up to discuss work with Toadie, then asks if he's coming to watch the wrestling later on the big screen in the Waterhole. He explains he can't, due to the situation with Callum having won the scholarship in America. Toadie says he's really proud, but admits that Sonya doesn't think he's old enough, and is refusing to discuss it. Toadie makes it fairly clear he disagrees with Sonya, and Naomi's about to offer a view of her own - before suggesting Toadie discuss it with Sonya.
No 24
Sonya whinges to Brennan about Callum's scholarship. She says she hates being the one who has to break his heart by saying no, but insists he isn't old enough. She soon gets to the real reason for her visit, however - she's on stickybeak duty, having seen Paul's car outside earlier. Brennan admits he's decided to partner up with Paul to help him find Kate's killer. Sonya worries that it will involve Brennan doing something illegal, but he's unwilling to talk about it further with her. Sonya asks him what Kate would think, and tells him to listen to his conscience.
No 28
Holly asks Susan about why Karl stopped dyeing his hair. Susan explains that older people sometimes try to make themselves look younger, but that Karl decided he didn't care what other people think - you're only as old as you feel. Karl comes in, and Holly reveals she's bought him a present; a T-shirt saying 'World's Coolest Dad' on it.
Susan has to dart off to a staff meeting, pointedly informing Karl and viewers that her assistant principal has suddenly decided to take three weeks off without any notice, so she has to find a replacement. Once Susan's gone, Holly flatters Karl's ego by telling him how cool he is. She asks to hear his new songs, and he's eager to comply.
No 30
Toadie tells Sonya that he's asked Georgia to babysit Nell tonight, so that they and Callum can go out and celebrate his scholarship, and talk through the possibilities. Sonya quickly becomes irate, insisting it's not even an option for Callum to go to the States, even though he'd be living with Jade - and she can't believe Toadie's considering it. Toadie thinks it's a fantastic opportunity, but Sonya says there'll be others, and cuts him off, saying the decision has been made. She goes to call Georgia to tell her she won't need to babysit after all, while Toadie looks annoyed.
No 28
Karl is playing his guitar for Holly, and singing 'Everybody, Let's Get Happy'. Holly, who has already had the CD in the post, sings along perfectly. Karl's very impressed at Holly's singing voice, and decides it must be in the genes - his specifically, since he says Izzy sounds like a parakeet! He plays the song again, and Holly carries on singing.
No 24
Paul hands Brennan the plans for the police storage facility, which he's purloined from the council planning department. Paul's idea is for Brennan to break in, and he explains the security's fairly basic. But Brennan isn't keen on that, and decides he'll simply ask the clerk for the access to the files instead, claiming that as an ex-policeman he knows some of the shortcuts they take. Paul agrees to Brennan's approach, but hands him the plans anyway, pointing out the room where the files are stored. Paul has to go, on urgent council business.
BRENNAN: Let's just hope the people that voted you in never find out about this, hey?
PAUL: I have nothing to apologise for. I represent my community and I look after my own. Or have you forgotten that's how it works?
Paul walks out, and Brennan stares at a photo of him and Kate on the side.
Harold's Store
Callum is on the phone to Sonya, asking if he can go round to Josie's for dinner, as her mums have said it's okay. He insists he's not mad at Sonya; he just wants to spend time with Josie. It seems she has agreed, and Cal hangs up.
Karl and Holly come in, and Cal goes over to talk to them. Holly apologises for giving Cal and Bailey a hard time on her last visit.
CALLUM: Oh, well you were just a little kid. You're much more grown-up now.
Karl reveals Holly has discovered newfound singing talents since her last visit too. Cal mentions that Georgia's shortly to be judging a talent show at the community centre.
CALLUM: Maybe you should enter.
KARL: Yeah, I'm semi-professional; I don't think it would be appropriate.
CALLUM: No, it's for under-twelves, Karl.
Holly doesn't seem sure, but Cal tells her to think about it; the auditions begin tomorrow. Karl's keen for Holly to enter.
HOLLY: I just want to be with you and Susan.
KARL: It's alright, we can do it together. It could be like a family project.
CALLUM: Yeah, who knows, maybe you'll even win a prize. Then have your dream ripped out from under you and have to turn it down... Not that that's going to happen to you.
Holly seems keener on horse-riding and rock-climbing, but Karl is convinced Holly's a star in the making, and she smiles along with his enthusiasm.
Ramsay Street
Sonya's putting papers in the bin. Susan crosses the street to apologise to her, for not letting her know about Callum's scholarship in advance - if she'd known it was overseas, she would've. Sonya coldly agrees that it was a shock, slams the bin shut and marches off. Susan stops her as she's clearly unhappy.
SONYA: I don't know what part I'm supposed to be happy about, Susan. You entered my son into a competition, without my consent, and I'm just supposed to accept the consequences. I mean, does that seem fair to you?
SUSAN: But you were happy about the contest last week.
SONYA: Yeah, because I had no idea that this would be the outcome. I know that you acted with the best intentions, but you've really - you've put us in a really awful position.
Susan apologises for not handling it as well as she might, but Sonya's not interested - Callum's not going, she says.
SUSAN: Hang on. Is that Callum's choice?
SONYA: Well, I'm his mother, and I don't have to justify myself to you or to anybody else.
Taken aback, Susan suggests they go for a coffee to sort it out.
SONYA: No, you see, I've got a better idea. Why don't you just stop putting crazy ideas in Callum's head and support him while he finishes his VCE, right here, at his home, surrounded by the people that love him.
Sonya marches off inside, leaving Susan looking worried.
The Waterhole
Naomi is watching the wrestling, when Toadie comes in to join her. While they watch, Naomi asks about Callum's scholarship; Toadie's cagey at first, but then admits that he had another discussion with Sonya, which she shut down. Toadie says he's as terrified about losing Cal as Sonya is, but that he feels they should support him in what he wants to do. Naomi starts to stir.
NAOMI: Do you think Sonya thinks she has more say over Callum's future?
TOADIE: Why do you say that?
NAOMI: Well, look, I might be wrong. But Sonya's Callum's biological mother, right? Do you think she feels she has more rights over him than you do?
But Toadie insists that he and Sonya have always been a team in that regard.
NAOMI: See, I was wrong. I shouldn't have opened my mouth.
Toadie waves it off, but looks increasingly agitated.
Police Storage Facility
Brennan arrives at the facility, and starts chatting up the desk clerk, Lester, trying to bluff his way into accessing the files. He claims he has clearance, but Lester wants to see the paperwork. Brennan is forced to admit he's an ex-cop looking into a cold case, and says if Lester doesn't let him in, he'll have to put in a Freedom of Information request, which will mean more paperwork for him! The clerk says he'll ask his boss, and goes to call him.
No 28
Susan is moaning to Karl about the situation with Sonya and Callum - she's wishing she handled it better. Karl tells Susan about the plan to enter Holly into the talent contest, and that she has a lovely voice. Holly comes in, and Susan gives her a chance to back out if she'd rather not do it. But Holly clearly doesn't want to disappoint Karl, and says she's looking forward to it.
Police Storage Facility
Lester's boss tells Brennan he can't give him access to the files, but Brennan begs him to let him slip through to the archives - no-one has to know. Lester, obviously far more diligent than the stereotypical doughnut-scoffing, gutter-rag-reading clerk Brennan had in mind when he slurred his ex-colleagues' integrity, outright refuses and tells Brennan to leave, as it's nearly closing time.
Brennan's in luck, however, as Lester's phone rings just as he's leaving, and he answers it, then turns to retrieve a relevant file from the cabinet behind him. While he has his back to him, Brennan takes his chance and slips through the doors towards the archive room.
Brennan creeps down the corridors, eventually finding the room he needs. He locks the door behind him and heads straight for the box that's conveniently labelled 'corruption investigation'. He opens it and rifles through the papers, until he finds the file relating to him. However, he's soon in trouble, as someone starts trying to open the locked door.
Monday on Neighbours
- Adventures at the storage facility continue
- Back at No 24, Paul continues to blame Brennan for Kate's death
- Paul accuses Brennan of never having loved Kate at all
- Holly goes ahead with the talent contest, but is she about to get stage- fright?
- Lauren has told Terese something that Brad has neglected to, and she's not happy