Previously
- Paige is shocked when Tyler plants a spontaneous kiss on her
- Amber accuses Paige of being a flirt
- Tyler wrestles with an intruder in the garage, who turns out to be Lucas
- Lucas tells Mark that he's bought back Fitzgerald Motors
- Lucas is wary of Tyler, but decides to keep him on at the garage
- Sonya is concerned about Lucas, and Tyler overhears that he may be a gambling addict
No 30
Stickybeak Sonya is on the phone to Vanessa, trying to establish how Lucas could afford to buy back the garage. They agree to meet up later; but after she's finished the call, Sonya tells Toadie that Vanessa became strange and evasive after she queried where Lucas got his money. Sonya thinks the evidence is beginning to add up that Lucas is gambling again. Toadie thinks Sonya should talk to Lucas about it, as his lifelong Gamblers Anonymous sponsor.
Fitzgerald Motors
Lucas turns up at the garage to see how Tyler is getting on. He suggests they hold a sausage-sizzle later to celebrate the reopening, and hands Tyler an inordinate amount of cash to buy supplies. When Tyler comments that Lucas seems to be carrying around an awful lot of money, Lucas smiles and says that he's come into some lately.
Lucas goes on to tell Tyler that, since Lucas won't be around all that often, Tyler will have to take care of some 'not strictly garage-related' matters for him as part of the job.
LUCAS: You know, cash-in-hand sort of stuff.
TYLER: Which means?
LUCAS: Can't say just yet, but nothing you can't handle.
TYLER: But you hardly know me.
LUCAS: I know enough.
TYLER: If that's what you think, then - sure.
LUCAS: Good.
But Tyler looks worried.
No 22
Imogen and Amber are drinking smoothies, but Imogen announces she has to leave to meet with Toadie. Amber is worried about upcoming uni deadlines. Imogen suggests she ask for special consideration due to her pregnancy, but Amber says she's already had extensions due to Matt's death, and is deferring for a term after the birth - so wants to get some marks in the bag now.
Amber explains that her latest assignment is to tell a story with photos. Imogen suggests she go to Lassiter's car park in search of conflict, which is after all the backbone of any good story. Amber doesn't sound thrilled at this idea, but Imogen drags her out of the house.
No 32
Mark and Paige are frolicking about in the pool. Mark has had a restless night, worrying about Tyler's involvement with Lucas if he's gambling again - and the potential impact on Vanessa and the kids. Mark suggests that, if things do go belly-up at the garage, Tyler could do a few shifts at Harold's to make ends meet. Paige doesn't seem keen and makes excuses, saying he would need training etc. Mark asks her to promise to think about it. She does, but looks worried.
The Waterhole
Toadie has summoned Imogen to give her some news.
IMOGEN: I'm being sacked? Subpoenaed? Replaced by a younger, less bossy law student?
TOADIE: Gosh, when did you get so paranoid?
But Toadie reveals it's good news - he can now afford to pay her again.
TOADIE: In money. As opposed to cubits of appreciation.
He also thanks her for organising his benefit event, as it gave him the push he needed to get on with life. He says that while he can't pay her retrospectively for work she did while he was in hospital, he has found another way to reimburse her. He's arranged a networking lunch for her with high-flying barrister-turned-judge Jan Barton, whom he knows from his Simmons & Colbert days.
Imogen is ludicrously excited, spouting off a list of recent judgments that Jan Barton is famous for. But then she gets nervous.
IMOGEN: What if I say something stupid? I've seen her in court; she can be withering.
TOADIE: She's much more agreeable when there's food involved.
Imogen is happy again as she realises she could ask Judge Barton to write her a reference. Toadie adds that the judge is bringing a partner to lunch, so Imogen can invite Daniel if she wants. Imogen hugs Toadie, and rushes off to tell Daniel the good news.
No 22
Imogen raves excitedly to Daniel about the lunch with Judge Barton, and the myriad career benefits it might bring.
IMOGEN: Unless she hates me. And then I will spend the rest of my life watching her overrule my objections and sending my clients to jail!
DANIEL: Hey, come on. Everyone loves you!
IMOGEN: No, Daniel. Everyone loves YOU. I'm polarising - I'm self-aware enough to admit that. You're the heart. I'm the brains.
DANIEL: I'm not sure if that's a compliment or an insult?
Imogen tells Daniel that he must bombard the judge with warmth and charm, adding that she 'cannot rely on myself for that.'
However, Daniel starts researching the judge on his phone, and is appalled to learn that she was the one who allowed fracking to take place along the coast. He starts to get political, outlining his intention to challenge the judge on the merits of custodial sentences, and why all judges have to be ex-lawyers instead of coming from all walks of life. Imogen looks horrified as she imagines her career collapsing around her ears...
Power Street
Sonya is sitting outside Grease Monkeys when she gets a text from Tyler, saying that Lucas offered him cash-in-hand work but wouldn't say what for. She quickly hides her phone as Lucas comes out to join her, with drinks. He's bought her an early birthday present - a three-day spa pamper package. Sonya is unwilling to accept it, wondering how he can afford it, given he has three kids and has just bought a garage. Lucas becomes agitated as he can see she's driving at something.
LUCAS: Spit it out, Son.
SONYA: Are you gambling again?
Sonya reels off all her evidence, but Lucas insists he's not gambling again. He says he can't say where all the money's come from, because he's 'not allowed' - and that Sonya will just have to trust him.
SONYA: Well I'm sorry - I don't.
Lucas storms off angrily.
Shortly afterwards, Sonya is on the phone to Toadie, telling him about her awkward encounter with Lucas. Suddenly, Vanessa shows up, and gives Sonya a big hug - she's decided to meet Sonya with Lucas for a catch-up, but asks where Lucas has gone. Sonya's forced to explain that she accused him of gambling. Sonya points out that he's been very cagey about his money, and that Vanessa herself was acting oddly on the phone. Vanessa smiles and explains what's really been going on.
VANESSA: It's my money. I sold a recipe to a bakery chain. It's to make low-fat cupcakes taste high-fat. We've made a packet from it.
Vanessa goes on to explain that she's signed a non-disclosure agreement until the product launches, which is why she and Lucas have been evasive. When Sonya says it sounded like Lucas was on the phone to a bookie, Vanessa explains he was just playing 'phone shop orders' with their son Patrick; and Tyler's 'cash-in-hand' work would just be taking money for cupcake deliveries. Sonya feels guilty for getting it all so wrong.
Lassiter's Complex
Paige is manning the outdoor coffee stall, when Tyler comes past. She says there's 'no way' he's working here, explaining how Mark suggested he should. Paige has assumed that Tyler asked Mark to ask her, but Tyler says he had nothing to do with it. He admits he's worried about the cash-in-hand work at the garage, though, saying he doesn't want to get involved with dodgy business again. He admits that Sonya thinks Lucas is gambling again.
PAIGE: I'm sorry.
TYLER: I prefer your insults to your pity.
PAIGE: Alright, then. Get stuffed!
Amber is lingering around with her camera, having taken Imogen's advice. Unbeknown to them, Amber begins taking pictures of Paige and Tyler laughing together, as Paige stuffs a cake in her mouth to make Tyler crack a smile.
Meanwhile, Imogen talks to Toadie outside his office. She admits she's worried about Daniel coming to dinner with Judge Barton, now that he's vowed to bring up all kinds of political arguments with her about her more controversial judgements.
TOADIE: She can handle it.
IMOGEN: But can my career?... I'm worried he'll get her back up with all his very liberal views.
So Toadie tells Imogen not to bring Daniel if he's going to make her feel uncomfortable.
Fitzgerald Motors
Vanessa drags Sonya over to talk to Lucas, so they can make up after their argument, before leaving them to it. Sonya apologises for jumping to conclusions, but Lucas says he shouldn't have been so sensitive. He admits it's because he has felt tempted to gamble a few times lately, with the pressure of having three young kids - but adds that he has a new sponsor in Daylesford who is looking out for him.
Sonya says she wishes she could be there for Lucas, but he points out she has enough on her plate, especially with Toadie's injury. Sonya gets upset, admitting how hard she's found it.
SONYA: And the one thing I want to do, I can't - I just can't do it. Because, I can't fall apart. I can't do it to Jarrod, I can't do it to Nell, I can't do it to Callum...
Lucas hugs her.
SONYA: This is about me. I accused you of stuff, because I'm in this hole and I don't know how to get out of it.
LUCAS: I'll tell you what to do. You pick up the phone, and you call me. That's what you do.
SONYA: It's not the same as having you next door.
LUCAS: ...
SONYA: I love you.
LUCAS: I love you too.
They hug again.
The Waterhole
Daniel turns up just as Toadie is leaving. He thanks Toadie for having set up the lunch between Imogen and Judge Barton. Daniel seems excited to be having lunch with a judge, so Toadie tries to find out why. When Daniel says he's planning on bringing up a load of political issues, including the law's treatment of refugees, Toadie reminds him that it's a networking lunch to help further Imogen's career; and that as such, he might want to keep his views to himself.
DANIEL: So what are you saying - just sit there and be a handbag?
TOADIE: Take it from me - if you don't think that you can go through with that, it might be best just to leave before she gets here.
Lassiter's Complex
Amber is still lurking around the courtyard with her camera. This time, she's watching Paige serving a coffee to Mark. Mark tells Paige he's having a tough day, owing to work issues and worrying about Lucas. Paige tries to cheer him up with the same cake-in-mouth trick she used with Tyler earlier - but Mark is simply perplexed, and tells her it's 'not a good look'.
MARK: I appreciate the effort, but sometimes all I want to hear from my girlfriend is 'everything's gonna be okay.'
PAIGE (half-hearted): Everything's gonna be okay.
MARK: Thanks anyway. I'll catch you later.
Amber, who has been taking pictures of the encounter, looks concerned.
The Waterhole
Judge Barton has arrived, and is having lunch with Imogen and Daniel. She apologises for her partner not being able to make it.
JUDGE BARTON: Apparently when Beijing calls, you have to answer.
Conversation quickly dries up, so Imogen tries to start a new one about an article she's read. Barton hasn't read it; so Daniel fills the silence by complimenting the food, and making a reference to singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. He and Judge Barton quickly bond over their love of Kelly's music - Daniel explaining that his dad Scott says he's the best songwriter Australia's ever produced.
JUDGE BARTON: Your father's a very wise man.
Barton admits that she's gone to lots of Paul Kelly concerts, and that he's even been to her house. Daniel declares that Kelly would be on his fantasy dinner party list, along with Michael Mann and Russell Brand! Imogen laughs along, but she looks rather put out by Daniel's domination of the conversation.
Fitzgerald Motors
The sausage-sizzle is in full swing, and Mark arrives to join Sonya, Tyler, Lucas and Vanessa. Sonya quietly tells Mark that she got it wrong about Lucas, explaining that he isn't gambling after all.
Meanwhile, Tyler admits to Lucas that he overheard Sonya and Mark talking about his gambling history; and Lucas explains the cash-in-hand work will only be for Vanessa's cupcake deliveries. Tyler's relieved; he'd assumed Lucas wanted him to do dodgy stuff because of Tyler's past misdemeanours. But Lucas says Mark speaks highly of him, which is why he knew Tyler could handle the extra work.
The Waterhole
Judge Barton and Daniel are still talking about Paul Kelly, while Imogen sits in silence. Judge Barton tries to bring Imogen into the conversation, which stimulates some talk about the merits of mandatory sentencing. Judge Barton asks Imogen what her views are on the subject, but while she equivocates, Daniel brings Paul Kelly back into the conversation so it slides off-topic again. Imogen looks furious.
No 32
Amber hands Paige a release form for her to sign, so she can use the photos she's taken of her for her photography assignment. Paige is shocked, as she hadn't realised Amber had been taking snaps. Amber shows her the photos.
AMBER: Act One - Paige with Tyler Brennan, having a good time. Act Two - Paige with Mark Brennan, not having a good time.
PAIGE: ...
AMBER: Act Three - sister presents photos to Paige and waits for reaction.
PAIGE: Act Four - Paige tells sister that she's being annoying.
AMBER: If somebody looked at these photos and didn't know the backstory, they'd think Tyler was your boyfriend.
PAIGE: No. We are just friends. That is it.
AMBER: There's clearly more to it. You obviously enjoy being around him.
Paige insists there's nothing in it, and that when Tyler kissed her it was completely one-sided.
AMBER: I'm just saying - pictures don't lie.
Amber hands the camera to Paige so she can take a second look.
The Waterhole
Judge Barton has gone, and Daniel is raving to Imogen about how cool she was. He says they should catch up with her again soon.
IMOGEN: Why? So you can both ignore me again? I felt like your handbag!
DANIEL: I thought that's what I was being? And a pretty good one at that. I didn't say anything too controversial.
But Imogen retorts that she was working up to ask Judge Barton for a reference, and that Daniel totally stole her limelight.
IMOGEN: This was my lunch to show off, not yours.
Daniel says Imogen came across well, given how much she has going on in her life right now.
IMOGEN: So I did awesome, for a loser. Great.
DANIEL: No, that is not what I'm saying. Maybe we should talk about this later, once you've had a chance to cool down a bit.
IMOGEN: When? When I come to terms with the fact that you just blew an amazing opportunity for me?
Imogen storms off.
Unmissable Drama
- Naomi tells Aaron she can't have anything to do with Josh, but Aaron asks if Paul has to know
- Paul talks to an associate about arranging 'payback' for Josh
- Steph Scully looks wistfully around Ramsay Street, remembering all that's happened to her there