Previously
- Tyler tells Karl that Russell used to beat him up
- Russell tells Tyler that he took his mother's departure out on him, and that it wasn't fair
- Toadie struggles to come to terms with his paralysis
- Brad and Lauren TITTNL
- Terese finds out, flings a jar of marmalade at Brad, and throws Lauren into the pool!
- Terese calls Josh, telling him there's something he needs to know about Brad and Lauren
The Sanctuary
Paige, Imogen and Amber are sitting outside their tent, playing 'shoot, kiss, marry'.
PAIGE: Zac Efron, Kanye West and Jamie Oliver.
AMBER: Oh, well of course you'd marry Jamie Oliver. He could do all the cooking.
Josh turns up. He says he's had a call from his mum, and tells the girls they all have to leave now.
JOSH: Your mum hooked up with our dad!
AMBER: No, I... Are you sure you haven't...?
JOSH: They hooked up, okay? All the way up!
Everyone looks concerned.
No 32
Rather than trying to save his marriage, Brad is busy clearing up the smashed marmalade jar, as he talks to Lauren about how badly they've hurt Terese. Lauren advises him to go and calm Terese down before the kids get back, and he agrees. Lauren has decided to tell Amber and Paige the truth - but at that moment she gets a text from Amber, saying she knows Brad and Lauren TITTNL. They realise that Terese must have told the kids already.
No 30
Mark is helping Amy tidy up and rearrange the furniture in preparation for Toadie coming home, while Sonya is playing with Nell. But Sonya's worried about how they will adjust to Toadie being in a wheelchair.
AMY: Look, Toadie is strong, you know. Strong like quebracho.
MARK: Que-what?
SONYA: Is that a wrestler?
AMY: No, it's a type of hardwood. It's almost unbreakable.
SONYA: Yeah, well that sounds like Jarrod.
No 28
Susan smirks as Karl plays his guitar. Tyler and Ben come in. Karl still seems a bit sore that Ben has quit their band and decided to pursue a separate solo musical career, but Tyler thinks Ben had a lucky escape! Susan continues to laugh at Karl, and he tells her that she can't crush his dreams - nobody can! Karl strops off outside.
BEN: He hates me!
SUSAN: Oh, Ben, he doesn't.
TYLER: Kind of sounds like he does!
BEN: Maybe I should just join KČ.
SUSAN: He is a grown man. He needs to learn to live with disappointment.
Susan tells Ben to go and have fun with Tyler, so they head off out.
Ramsay Street
Brad is leaving a message on Imogen's voicemail, saying he knows she's aware of what's happened and asking her to call him back. Karl, who is sulking outside No 28, overhears some of this, and asks Brad if everything's alright. Brad admits that he failed to follow Karl's advice, and that he and Lauren TITTNL last night.
BRAD: Let's just say it's all hit the fan.
KARL: I'm sorry. For both of you.
Karl advises Brad not to make any big decisions in the heat of the moment, recalling the pain he himself caused his loved ones (presumably when he left Susan for Izzy). He says he doesn't want Brad to go through the same thing. But Brad says this has 'happened for a reason', and isn't going to pretend otherwise. He gets a text from Josh saying the kids are almost home, and heads up the drive. Terese appears.
TERESE: So Karl knows now?
BRAD: Well you told the kids.
TERESE: You don't get to control how this gets out.
BRAD: We have a problem between us; we sit down together and we talk to them like we have in the past. All you're doing is making it worse.
TERESE: Oh, so you're blaming me?! You know, the kids have a right to know what's going on, who their father is.
BRAD: They know who I am, and I'm ready to be honest with them.
TERESE: Right, so what are you gonna say?
BRAD: I'm gonna tell them the truth, like I should have said to you straight away.
TERESE: No, no, no. I don't want to hear any excuses from you. You're not coming in.
BRAD: Then I'll wait out here.
TERESE: You're not welcome here!
BRAD: Look, all that matters to me is the kids, so I'm gonna be here whether you like it or not.
Josh and Imogen pull up - at the same time as Paige and Amber arrive across the street, and are greeted by Lauren.
IMOGEN: Mum? Dad?
Everyone looks pensive.
No 32
Paige reassures Lauren that she's not a terrible person, but Amber makes no comment! Paige makes tea, while Amber quizzes Lauren. Lauren says she didn't mean to sleep with Brad, but doesn't know whether it will happen again.
AMBER: Did you ever really love Dad?
LAUREN: Darling, of course I did! Very much - I still do.
PAIGE: Of course she did. We all know that.
LAUREN: You do believe me, don't you?
AMBER: ...
LAUREN: Oh, darling. I didn't want to hurt anyone. Not you kids, anyone. I'm so sorry.
AMBER: ...
No 22
Brad is explaining himself to Imogen and Josh, while Terese listens. He says he was angry at Terese, and went to talk to Lauren - but didn't intend to take things as far as he did.
BRAD: And I know I've let you down. All of you.
An oddly upbeat Josh suggests that Brad and Terese will work through it, like they did last time, but Brad says he and Terese have been having difficulties for a while.
TERESE: Yeah, ever since you went to Adelaide with Lauren (!)
IMOGEN: What about counselling?
TERESE: I don't think there's any such thing as Cheaters Anonymous, sweetheart.
Josh lays into Terese for not 'trying harder', but Imogen and Terese snap back at him.
TERESE: Your father has years - years of form. He can't help himself.
BRAD: Okay, look. Character assassination is not gonna help the situation.
IMOGEN: You said you left Beth because you loved Mum more - does this mean you love Lauren now?
But Brad says there are some questions he can't answer. He says he's moving to a motel for now, but says the kids can call him at any time. Imogen begs him to stay to try and sort it out, but Brad insists this is for the best for now.
BRAD: Keep being good to your mum, okay?
TERESE: Just go.
Brad kisses Imogen on the head and tells her he loves her, then walks out.
No 28
Karl and Susan are gossiping about the breakdown of the Willises' marriage. Susan remarks that Terese has never really forgiven Brad and Lauren for their kiss in Adelaide, and says Brad and Lauren have always had a connection.
KARL: Sounds like you're condoning it.
SUSAN: I think you know where I stand on the issue of extramarital affairs!
Susan says she wants to support Terese, but admits that some of the things Terese said to her yesterday were incredibly hurtful. Karl says it's maybe best that they don't take sides, and Susan agrees - adding that she hopes Terese won't keep pushing people away.
No 24
Tyler is trying to convince Ben to help fix up his bike. Russell comes off the phone from an agent in Port Lincoln, who has told him that it's going to take longer to sell his garage there than they thought. Tyler hopefully suggests that Russell might have to stay in Port Lincoln a while longer until it's sold.
Ben goes to leave, but Tyler again tries to convince him to help fix up the bike. Russell offers to help too, and Tyler is reluctant, but eventually accepts his dad's offer of assistance. The three get to work.
No 30
Mark and Sonya bring Toadie into the house in his wheelchair for the first time. He quickly notices that they've rearranged the furniture to accommodate him, and tries to stay upbeat about it. Sonya announces that they will be holding 'The Feast of Jarrod' tonight in honour of his return, incorporating all kinds of usually forbidden foods like meat and cake.
Amy comes in with Nell. Toadie's thrilled to see Nell, but when he tells her to come and say hello, she stays put. Toadie assumes Nell's not used to seeing him in the wheelchair, and he, Sonya and Amy all try to persuade Nell to go and give him a hug. But Nell just walks off into the other room.
TOADIE: She doesn't want a bar of me.
MARK: It's okay, mate. She might just need a bit of time, that's all.
TOADIE: A bit of time to work up to being with her dad.
SONYA: No, no. She just has to get used to everything, Jarrod.
TOADIE: Don't we all.
Harold's Store
Brad is trying to explain himself to Josh, who asks why he didn't end things with Terese before sleeping with Lauren. Brad says he acted on his emotions and instincts, even though it wasn't sensible. Brad asks how Imogen's doing; Josh replies that she's not good.
The Waterhole
Imogen tells Daniel how selfish Brad is, but he encourages her to see both sides of the story. He adds that at least her parents are still talking to each other, but Imogen replies that they're simply 'throwing words at each other like bombs'. They leave just as Naomi and Paul arrive. Naomi tells Imogen to call her if she needs someone to talk to.
At the bar, Naomi remarks to Paul how depressing it is to see marriages crumble - first Kyle and Georgia, now Brad and Terese.
NAOMI: Since when did we become the boring, stable couple round here?
Paul admits he's not surprised about Brad and Terese, explaining about the drone survey and how it captured footage of Brad and Lauren kissing, which he then sent to Terese. Naomi is appalled.
PAUL: I was trying to protect her.
NAOMI: By ruining her marriage?!
PAUL: No, I think Brad's already managed to do that. I just exposed his secret. And come on - you know secrets are toxic in a relationship.
Paul says it's better that it came out sooner rather than later, but Naomi doesn't look so sure.
Ramsay Street
Russell, Tyler and Ben are fixing up Tyler's bike in the driveway to No 24. The Brennans tease Ben for his lack of mechanical nous, and Russell plays a practical joke by claiming that Ben's lack of skill is due to a badly calibrated wrench - which he's surreptitiously wiped on an oily rag.
RUSSELL: You've just got to give it the old sucker test. You hold it up to your eye-socket, and your close vision will tell you if it's still round.
Ben has a go at the 'sucker test', and the wrench leaves an oily ring around his eye, much to Tyler and Russell's amusement. Ben doesn't look very amused.
No 30
Amy is decking out Toadie's wheelchair to look like a spaceship, in a bid to prove to Nell that he's still fun to be around. She has also constructed him a silly hat.
TOADIE: I think you're wasting your time. And our foil.
But Amy insists Nell just needs to be reminded how much she likes Toadie. Sonya comes in with Nell, who's dressed up in her own space-age costume. They all perform a spaceship countdown, and Toadie grudgingly joins in - but soon realises he had nothing to worry about, as Nell gleefully sits on his lap for a wheelchair-ride. Sonya mouths a thank-you to Amy, as Toadie and Nell 'go to see Mars'.
No 22
Lauren and Paige turn up, and find Josh and Imogen standing guard.
IMOGEN: What the hell are you doing here?!
LAUREN: I came to see your mum.
IMOGEN: Are you insane? You are the last person she wants to see right now!
Paige explains Lauren came to apologise, but Imogen is convinced Lauren just wants to rub Terese's face in it. Josh is more reasonable, but suggests now isn't the best time. Paige insists they should ask Terese nonetheless. Terese appears on the stairs.
TERESE: I have no interest in anything you have to say. Does that answer your question?
Paige and Lauren leave in silence, as Imogen hugs a tearful Terese.
Fitzgerald Motors
Tyler, Russell and Ben have brought the bike to the garage to finish the job. Ben is still sulking about the practical joke, and accuses them of ganging up on him. Tyler asks Ben to fetch him a screwdriver.
RUSSELL: Make sure you don't get the left-handed one!
Tyler and Russell laugh, but Ben snaps and retaliates - by pulling down Russell's jeans! Russell suddenly gets very angry at Ben.
RUSSELL: Who the hell do you think you are?!
BEN: I was just joking around, mate...
RUSSELL: Is that any way to show respect?
TYLER: Hey, Dad, wait.
RUSSELL: Is it? You little snot. You're nothing, you hear me?
TYLER: Dad!
RUSSELL: You need somebody to put you in your place.
TYLER: Hey, Dad...
RUSSELL: Don't you start!
Russell is getting up close to Ben, ranting in an intimidatory manner and wagging his finger, as Tyler continues to tell him to calm down. Karl, who has just come out of Grease Monkeys, rushes over to intervene.
KARL: Get away from him!
RUSSELL: Steady on. You got the wrong idea, mate.
KARL: I don't think I have.
RUSSELL: He was being stupid. I was just warning him to back off.
KARL: What, by using physical threats? He's just a boy!
Tyler then defends Russell, saying he didn't touch Ben. Ben walks off upset, and Karl goes to follow him. Tyler and Russell both look worried.
Unmissable Drama
- Karl tells Tyler that someone has to stand up to Russell, but Tyler begs him to leave it be
- Tyler hugs a still shaken- looking Ben
- Russell and Karl argue, and Tyler is alarmed when Karl refers to Russell's violent tendencies
- Susan demands that Karl tell her if Ben is at risk
- Toadie's helpless when Nell dashes out of No 30 and towards the road, as Sonya pulls up in the car...