Previously
- Mark asks Paige if she wants kids, but she's not keen
- Steph says that Jimmy is a great kid. Paul tells her to keep away.
- Vanessa fires Steph
- Amber is furious with Josh for nearly suffocating Matilda when he fell asleep.
No 32
Paige reassures Amber that Matilda is strong, and tells her she's doing fine and she should trust her instincts.
No 26 garden
Paul, Daniel, Amy and Jimmy are all having breakfast in the garden. Paul's very upbeat because he's had a few wins, and he's happy that Daniel has realised making money isn't the work of the devil. His mood is dampened somewhat by the arrival of Steph. She has brought a present for Jimmy, saying that Charlie would be too old for it when she gets to see him.
STEPH: You remind me of him anyway.
Amy tells Paul that she's helping Steph find a new job and Steph adds that the hospital will release her if she finds a job.
Harold's
Imogen is trying to cheer Josh up. Paige "helps" by saying he looks like death. He says Amber will never trust him again. He gets a text from her and leaves. Mark comes in and asks if he can visit Matilda and Josh says he'll have to check with Amber. Mark comments how stressed Josh looks, and Paige tells him what happened. Imogen adds that Matilda is fine. Mark says it doesn't sound "fine" to him.
PAIGE: As a non-parent, you feel like you can judge Josh?
MARK: I wasn't judging.
Imogen asks her what's going on, as she's biting everyone's head off. Paige says it's nothing, and strops off.
No 26
Jimmy, Daniel and Steph are playing cricket (ish) in the garden.
Inside, Amy tells Paul it wasn't Steph's fault she got fired. He says she should be in hospital, but Amy disagrees. She tells him that Toadie thinks she's being set up to appear sicker than she is. Paul acts surprised and asks what she thinks.
AMY: I'm with Toadie. But the question is, who by, and why?
Harold's
Mark shows Paige a cuddly kangaroo called Colin that he has bought for Matilda. She seems reluctant to talk and he asks if he's done something to upset her. She tells him that she's late...
PAIGE: I might be pregnant.
MARK: That's...! That's not what I was expecting you to say.
He's excited and she's clearly not.
No 32
Josh arrives to find Amber cuddling Matilda. She apologises for overreacting and he admits that he messed up. She tells him that the maternal health nurse is coming later. She asks him to hold Matilda but he says no.
No 26 garden
Jimmy is bowling to Daniel, while Steph and Amy are looking for jobs. Jimmy comes to say it's Steph's turn to bowl. Jimmy whacks it over the fence.
STEPH: Go Charlie! Sorry, Jimmy. Sorry.
Paul scowls. He asks Amy if she didn't find it a bit strange and she asks if he ever forgot somebody's name.
AMY: Let it go.
PAUL: Yeah, you're right. Probably just a slip of the tongue.
He goes inside, and calls somebody. He asks for some more of the pills he got the other day-or preferably something stronger.
Harold's kitchen
Paige has told Imogen why she was tense, and how Mark was happy. She comments how difficult Josh and Amber are finding parenthood. Imogen asks if anyone is really ready.
PAIGE: I don't know if this is morning sickness or the thought of being someone's mother, but I'm starting to feel completely sick.
Imogen sensibly points out there's no point in worrying until she has taken a test. Paige just looks even more sour than normal.
No 32 front / kitchen
Sonya approaches Josh, who is sitting outside, and asks him how it's going.
Amber tells Lauren that the nurse said they were doing really well, and what Josh did happens more often than you might think.
Sonya tells Josh that she and Toadie have made lots of mistakes, but she says that children are very resilient. He says he doesn't feel like much of a dad.
Amber says she didn't realise being a mum was so intense, that you would feel that much love.
Josh asks if Sonya felt overwhelmed with Callum or Nell. She says yes, but it's easier now with Jarrod. She encourages him to talk to Amber.
SONYA: Don't be afraid to ask for help, Josh. It's not just the mother's world that gets turned upside down.
No 26 garden
Steph and Amy are still job-hunting when Paul come back out and offers Steph a trial at the Waterhole. She accepts, and Amy tells her to go and freshen up in their bathroom. Steph leaves her bag on the table, and when Amy also goes inside, Paul swaps Steph's medication for some other pills.
Harold's
Paige is carrying a box and Mark takes it from her. She tells him she's not pregnant and apologises for being a nightmare. (Well, there's always a first time.)
MARK: You seem happy about this.
PAIGE: Relieved is the word I think we're looking for.
He asks her what she would have done if she had been pregnant, and she says she doesn't know. He is disappointed.
No 32 garden
Amber is gushing to Josh about how perfect Matilda is. She asks if he's going to take a picture for his camera background, as she already has. As he does, he notices that she needs changing. Amber asks him to do the honours, but he says he'll do the next one. He gets a call from someone and he's says he's looking forward to seeing them.
Harold's kitchen
Paige comes to find Lauren in the kitchen.
PAIGE: When two people wanna be together, why can't it just be that simple? Why's there got to be so many obstacles in the way?
LAUREN: Are you talking about me and Brad?
PAIGE: I could be talking about you and Brad. Any couple really, but I am talking about myself and Mark. Sorry, sorry, I should not be feeling sorry for myself when you are nursing a broken heart.
LAUREN: Don't be silly. I'd be happy to talk about a relationship other than that one, believe me.
Paige says that she's not sure she and Mark can get past the issue of children. He seems so sure of what he wants, and she hasn't a clue. She loves Mark - but having a child seals a relationship. She says that Lauren and Brad are linked because they had a child. Lauren says they are a different stage in their lives from Paige. Paige is concerned that she and Mark are at different stages. Lauren says it's a challenge but it doesn't mean Mark doesn't love her. Paige wonders if he loves her enough to wait.
Waterhole
Mark tells Sonya that he's not sure if he wants to wait: he's ready to have kids.
SONYA: It's as much about the right time as the right person. Are you sure you're on the right Paige?(!)
She asks him if he's sure Paige is the right person. He doesn't sound 100% convinced as he says yes. Seeing Amber and Josh with Matilda has freaked her out. Sonya says he has to be honest with her. Mark says he has - and Paige has made it clear she wants to wait. They are surprised to see Steph collecting glasses and agree that it's really weird that Paul would employ her. Paul tells Nate to keep a very close eye on her: one false move and she's out.
A little later, Steph looks ill. She tells Sonya she's got a headache and she's going to the bathroom. On the way, she sees her reflection in the mirror.
STEPH: I am strong. I am capable. I am present.
She breaks down, telling herself she's not mad.
MIRROR STEPH: Yes you are, Stephy. You're crazy. You've finally lost it. You're finally going mad.
She sobs.
Unmissable Drama
- Greensleeves plays as a confused Steph wanders round the complex, hearing voices. Paul offers his hand and Toadie asks what he can do.
- Paul tells Toadie that she needs expert help
- Paul and Steph in a car