Previously
- Nate tells Aaron they can't share Paul's emails, but Aaron doesn't want Paul to get away with this stuff.
- Toadie sees Steph and Belinda kissing.
- Steph doesn't know what that jerry can was doing at the school.
- Steph asks Belinda if she started the fire.
- Terese awakes in the fire to see Brad carrying Lauren out.
- Brad tells Lauren he is completely in love with her.
- Imogen furiously tells Brad that Terese could have died because of him. She says she will never support him or their relationship.
Lassiters Complex
Brad sits outside Harold's, looking over to Lassiters. Lauren puts her hand reassuringly on Brad's shoulder and tells him Terese will be okay. Brad's used to Terese being powerful and in control while running Lassiters, but now she's in a hospital bed. Brad thinks he'll need to tell Josh and Piper and what happened in the fire, he can't ask Imogen to keep it a secret. Lauren says that Brad was in an impossible position. Brad and Lauren say they love each other and they kiss.
Lassiters Lake
On the bridge, Steph tells Toadie she suspects Belinda framed her for starting the fire. She says Belinda has been set on trying to get Steph to leave Erinsborough, but when Steph confronted Belinda she freaked out and ran off. Toadie thinks she should tell the police, but she doesn't want to unless she's sure or has proof. Steph thinks she's being stupid.
We get a view of Toadie and Steph from across the lake. Daniel is sitting on a bench reading the paper as Paul joins him and asks if he's job hunting. Daniel says he's reading what Paul said about the 'waste of space school kids' or 'the school full of dropkicks'. A shocked Paul grabs the paper, reading the front page headline 'Mayor Slams Schoolkids!'
Harold's
Nate reads the West Waratah Star article about Paul on his phone. Nate can't believe Aaron sent it to them, and worries that Paul could be able to trace the IP address to his computer. Nate works out that Paul wouldn't be able to get that information easily and hopes they'll be okay.
Meanwhile Lauren tells Paige and Amber about Brad rescuing her instead of Terese in the fire. Paige knows Brad couldn't carry them both out. Amber is grateful she had Susan with her, as Terese must have been terrified on her own. Amber is pleased that Lauren is okay but is worried about how the others are feeling. Lauren is sure they'll understand.
Number 22
Piper is shocked that Brad left Terese in the fire. Brad explains that there were lockers on top of her and that he tried to get back in but a fireman rescued Terese first. Josh understands that Brad made a tough decision. Piper angrily says she's defended Brad so many times but this is too much. Brad apologises.
PIPER: Sorry isn't going to make it better. She's lying in hospital and it's your fault!
Brad says he'd try and get them both out of there if he could, but Piper storms off. Josh follows her while Imogen approaches, having overheard the end of the conversation from the kitchen. Imogen tells Brad she wasn't planning on saying anything to them, as Terese doesn't want any more stress for the family. Brad would've told them anyway. Imogen tells Brad he made his choice and now he'll have to live with the consequences.
Erinsborough Hospital
Terese struggles to reach for a cup of water from her bed. Paul arrives with flowers. He shows her the newspaper headline.
PAUL: Suddenly I'm public enemy #1.
TERESE: Suddenly?
PAUL: Oh nice to see your sparkling wit's been kept intact. How are you feeling?
TERESE: Well my husband's fallen in love with Lauren and left me to burn, how do you think I'm feeling? Don't get me wrong, I'm devastated about Brad's decision but that's why I'm putting on a brave face. The kids don't need to know the truth, they've been through enough. But at least my face isn't on the West Waratah Star front page!
PAUL: Any suggestions on how to turn this damn thing around?
TERESE: You could leave the country.
Paul asks if they hacked his hard drive, goodness knows what else they've got a hold of. He's rang the editor to find out where they got the info but they wouldn't say. Paul thinks if he keeps quiet it might go away. Terese tells him to release a statement and take control of it.
TERESE: Keeping quiet is just going to make you look guilty. I know that you are guilty but that's beside the point. If you want to salvage this, you need to go public.
Terese's back hurts. Paul says they need to find out who lit this fire as well.
Fitzgerald Motors
Belinda shows Steph a speeding ticket she got, which proves she was in Bendigo when the fire was lit. Belinda can't believe Steph would accuse her of that. Steph apologises for accusing her, she was stressed out. Belinda says this proves that Erinsborough isn't good for her, she needs to leave. Steph doesn't want to, she's reconnecting with her old friends, and making new ones like Amy who works next door and has a little boy Jimmy. Belinda asks how old Jimmy is, realising he's around the same age as Charlie. Belinda says being back here is so bad for her.
Belinda kisses Steph and says she's missed her, and if they want to be together then why hold back? Steph says if she loves her, Belinda should let her stay and make amends. Belinda can't support something that might set her back by months. Steph says she'll do it alone. Belinda asks if Steph wants to throw away everything they have, but Steph says she's been given no choice.
Erinsborough Hospital
Imogen and Piper bring Terese some pillows and magazines. Piper tells Terese about Brad's revelation and she can't believe he just left her there. Terese doesn't want them punishing Brad for making a split second decision. Piper can't believe Terese is being so nice about this, but Terese says being angry won't change anything. Piper leaves to get some drinks. Imogen thought out of the three kids, Piper would be the most forgiving. Terese says the stress of being in the fire is probably driving Piper's anger. Terese at least knows where she stands with Brad, and now she knows she can start moving on.
Fitzgerald Motors
Steph shows Toadie the speeding ticket which proves she couldn't have started the fire. Toadie wants to know the real story with Belinda, he knows Steph's hiding something. Steph tells him that Belinda was her psych nurse but insists that Belinda didn't take advantage of her and if it wasn't for her love and support that she wouldn't be here. Steph says she initiated it and the plan was to wait until a few months after she was released and then they could be together properly. Steph tells Toadie that Belinda's been the best thing that has happened to her in years and she doesn't want to lose her. Toadie gives Steph a hug, while Belinda watches from afar.
Erinsborough Hospital
Piper offers to read a magazine with her, but Terese says she's looked after her for long enough and she should go out and enjoy the day. Piper brings out a pack of cards and reminisces about when Terese taught her to play Gin Rummy while the others were out fishing. As Terese laughs about it, Piper starts crying. Piper tells Terese she took her for granted while she was in Canada, she wasted so much time doing her own thing, thinking she didn't need Terese but she does. She says losing Terese would be the worst thing in the world, and she loves her so much. Terese knows and she loves Piper too. Terese knows Piper is angry, but Brad is still her dad so she asks for her to take it easy on him.
Lassiters Complex
Paul gets off the phone to a reporter saying he won't give an interview. Kyle approaches and asks if he's seen Toadie. Paul says he isn't Toadie's Personal Assistant. Kyle says that could be his new job after they sack him as mayor.
KYLE: Dissing school kids? I'm not sure you can come back from that. And I'm sure there's even dirtier laundry in that email account of yours and maybe the Star's going to drag it out, one grubby detail at the time.
Paul takes a phone and sends a text to the person who texted him about freestyle. He asks 'How much for the hard drive?'
Number 24
Aaron and Nate are playing ping pong when they hear a text message arrive. Nate picks up the spare phone that Nate and Josh used to text Paul. Nate tells Aaron the message he got.
AARON: Say $10,000. See what he comes back with.
NATE: That's blackmail.
AARON: I'm not saying we go through with it. Though I could do with the money at the moment. I'm kidding, sort of.
Nate wants to get rid of it, but Aaron thinks they should hold on to it. He says Paul's only getting desperate because there must be more incriminating stuff on there. Aaron suggests they get the USB and see what else he's hiding, and turn to see Daniel has overheard their conversation. Daniel works out that they are responsible for the leaked information.
Daniel tells them this is wrong, it's theft. Nate says that it was given to them. Naomi had the information on a USB, which she gave to Imogen. Daniel's surprised she's involved in this, but Nate says all she did was give it to Josh, but none of them knew what was on the USB. Aaron explains that he leaked the information to the Star because he was upset about how Paul was treating Daniel the other day. Daniel says going through Paul's private files is illegal, but Nate thinks the people of Erinsborough have a right to know how dodgy Paul is. Daniel asks for the USB. Aaron says Paul must be desperate to hide something else on the USB and they should find out what it is. Nate says what Paul is doing will reflect on Daniel and his whole family. He suggests Daniel has a look at what Paul is up to himself and gives Daniel the USB.
Fitzgerald Motors
Belinda tells Steph that it's obvious the reason she wants to stay is because she's in love with Toadie, she saw them together from across the street. Steph assures Belinda that she isn't in love with Toadie. Steph says she was upset about their relationship and Toadie was consoling her, but they're friends and they love each other but not like that, she loves Belinda. Belinda apologises for getting jealous and hugs Steph. Steph admits she told Toadie the truth that Belinda was her nurse. Toadie arrives. Belinda tells him that this isn't his business, but Toadie says Steph's welfare is his business and accuses her of taking advantage of a patient. Steph assures Toadie that she initiated it.
BELINDA: You come back here which we both know is only going to do you harm. You tell him about us which is only going to get me into trouble. I'm reading your signals pretty loud and clear.
STEPH: There are no signals, I am back here because I need to be here. I need to fix things.
BELINDA: You are back here because you are on self-destruct because you don't want to be with me.
STEPH: That's not true.
BELINDA: Then prove it. Let's leave, together. What's it going to be, me or Erinsborough?
Steph folds her arms, resolved. Belinda says she got her answer. Steph apologises and Belinda leaves.
Number 22/Lassiters Complex/Fitzgerald Motors/Number 24
Piper films her vlog. Piper talks about freedom of choice.
PIPER: Some choices are massive and they can affect not just you, but the people that you love. The choices you make in a split second can change the rest of your life. And even if it is the right choice for you, it might make some other people really unhappy. But no matter the choice or the circumstances that it's made in, once it's made there's only one thing that you can do. Accept the consequences.
While Piper talks, we see a montage of Brad sitting outside Harold's, Steph at the garage, looking at a photo of her with Belinda. Daniel at #24, looking through the folder on the USB. Paul checking his phone in the Lassiters Complex.
Number 24
Nate and Aaron see the files that Daniel is looking at. It looks like records of recent property sales. Daniel reads the list of companies and thinks they are fakes. They are named after members of Paul's favourite band, Cold Chisel. The sales aren't legit, or were made under aliases. Paul would only do that if he had something to hide.
DANIEL: This is a cover story.
AARON: Yeah but covering up what?
DANIEL: I think I have a fair idea.
Coming Soon
- Nate, Aaron and Daniel plan to tell everyone about Paul.
- Daniel questions Paul.
- Daniel suggests sending everything they've got to the Star and expose the whole story.
- Sonya can't imagine that someone would be in the fire and not stop to help Toadie. Sheila looks guilty.
- Mark finds Jayden's finger prints all over the jerry can and accuses him of starting the fire.