Previously
- Piper is upset when her parents punish her by banning her from using digital devices
- Tyler seems taken with Indiana, Sheila's Airbnb guest
- Lou tells Lauren and Amber he's on the run from drug barons who tried to use him as a mule
- Lou encourages Amber to apply for a job with a CDH charity in Brisbane
- Josh is upset to learn that Amber has been offered a job in Queensland, and is thinking of accepting
No 32
It's Christmas Day in Erinsborough, and Lauren, Amber, Paige and Lou are sitting out on the patio, preparing to open their presents. Lauren couldn't face opening them indoors as usual, as it would remind her of Matt dressed as Santa, handing them out. She says that Bailey, Mason and Lauren's mum Kathy have all called, and send their love.
Since most of the presents are for baby Matilda, Lou asks Amber if she's planning to invite Josh over to help open them. Amber coolly says they haven't discussed that.
No 22
Brad, Terese, Imogen, Josh, Piper and Doug are having their own Christmas meal. Brad says how great it is to have Piper home for Christmas, but Imogen's despondent because she doesn't think she'll get to see Daniel today - he's too busy working with Paul.
JOSH: That's lame.
IMOGEN: On many levels.
DOUG: Where's your... daughter?
BRAD: Paige?
Brad explains Paige is spending the day with Lauren, and says he has to go over to No 32 to drop off a Christmas present for Paige. He expresses surprise that Josh isn't there already and invites him to come too, but to his and Terese's surprise, Josh doesn't seem interested.
No 32
Lauren has bought Matilda a 'My Grandma Rocks' t-shirt. She laments how tough this year's been, but says it's great they have each other and a new baby to get them through.
No 22
Piper asks Josh if things are still weird with Amber because of the baby. Josh reveals that Amber's been offered a job in Brisbane, so Matilda might be leaving. Brad objects to this, and Imogen asks if Josh will go too - but he says Amber didn't ask him to.
No 26
Indiana is spending Christmas Day with Kyle and Sheila, who is reading out bad cracker jokes.
SHEILA: What's the name of Santa's dog?
KYLE: Rex!
SHEILA: No - Santa Paws!
Tyler comes over with a remote control car, claiming that he heard Jimmy got one for Christmas and wanted to give him a race. But Kyle explains Jimmy and Amy are visiting Amy's auntie. Tyler sticks around anyway to spend time with Indiana - they've apparently already been to see the Christmas lights in The City together.
Tyler invites Indiana over for a swim at their place, but Kyle overhears and tries to gatecrash. Tyler makes it clear he just wants Indiana to come, and Kyle gets the hint. While Indiana goes to get her costume, Kyle remarks that she seems keen on Tyler.
No 32
Paige is sunbathing by the pool. Brad turns up with her present, but first challenges Amber about the job in Brisbane.
BRAD: You know, have you given any thought to Josh in all of this?
AMBER: Of course I have.
BRAD: You're talking about taking away his child.
AMBER: This is to give Matilda a better life.
BRAD: A father has a right to see his children.
AMBER: Yes, I know.
BRAD: And think of all the things he's gonna miss out on!
AMBER: Brad, I'm not doing this lightly!
Lauren comes out and asks what all the fuss is about. Amber looks worried.
No 24
Tyler and Indiana come indoors from their swim. No-one else is in. Indiana reveals she's heard from Sheila about Tyler's former dalliance with Paige, but Tyler assures her that it's history, and that he's ready to move on.
TYLER: And I can think of a perfect way to start.
INDIANA: Maybe! I haven't quite made up my mind...
TYLER: But how could you resist?
He's just moving in to kiss Indiana, when Piper bursts in.
PIPER: Oh, I'm so glad you're here. Okay, it's official - my family is just one cent short of a full-blown circus.
Tyler and Indiana look dismayed by the interruption.
No 32
Amber is explaining to Lauren and Paige about the job she's been offered in Brisbane, claiming she wanted to wait until after Christmas to tell everyone. Brad leaves them to talk about it, and Lauren walks him out. On the way, Brad pleads with Lauren to try to talk Amber out of leaving town, and she says she'll see what she can do.
Meanwhile, Paige seems displeased with Amber's decision to leave, but she says Lou encouraged her to apply for the job. Lauren's visibly upset, pointing out that Amber's entire support network is here.
AMBER: Mum, I'll be supported in Brisbane - half our family live there!
Amber says the job will be a great opportunity to become part of the CDH community, use her photography and support Matilda on her own.
PAIGE: And what about Josh?
AMBER: Well, he's only a flight away.
LAUREN (upset): You've never even lived out of home, apart from that stint in Daniel's car.
AMBER: Which is why I was going to ask Nanna if I could live with her and Bailey.
Not satisfied, Lauren asks what Amber will do about uni, and how she will cope emotionally with all the stress of bringing up a baby alone. Amber says she can study in Brisbane, and admits it can't be any more stressful than living here, having Brad coming and going all the time.
LAUREN: That's over.
AMBER: Mum - he lives in the same street. I see the way you two look at each other. It's not over.
LAUREN: Yeah, it really is.
Amber comforts an upset Lauren. She says it's been a tough year, but that a fresh start would be easier for Lauren if Amber wasn't here, as she wouldn't have to worry about how things with Brad were affecting Amber.
PAIGE: We're really gonna miss you...
AMBER (tearful): Yeah. I'm gonna miss you guys too. But I think that this is the best thing for me and Matilda. Please support me.
No 24
Tyler and Indiana are now playing agony aunt to Piper, as she moans about her family disintegrating. Indiana is sympathetic, but Tyler is desperate to get rid of Piper so that he can continue his attempts to woo Indiana. However, it's clear Piper just wants to hang out and talk about her family woes, and the deleterious effect that her parents' digital ban is having on her vlog.
Indiana suggests she vent her frustrations on pen and paper instead, through the medium of zines - and they go off to find some that Indiana's picked up recently, while Tyler looks frustrated.
No 22
Brad tells Josh that he's asked Lauren to speak to Amber, to get her to stay in Erinsborough. Lauren then turns up, and tells the family that Amber doesn't seem likely to change her mind - adding that she thinks it's actually a mature decision.
Terese questions the wisdom of Amber raising a sick baby alone in another state, but Lauren says that Kathy has already agreed to have Amber and Matilda live with her.
BRAD: I cannot believe that you are supporting this. (To Josh) Mate, you don't have to accept this.
JOSH: I'm not going to.
LAUREN: Well, Amber's already made up her mind. So I don't think there's anything that any of us can do.
BRAD: Well there is. You tell Amber we'll be getting legal advice.
Everyone looks awkward.
No 32
Lauren reports back to Amber, Paige and Lou about Brad's threat of a custody dispute. Imogen has come too, and says she'll help to ensure it goes smoothly. Paige suggests they hold off on this, but Amber is combative, saying if the Willises want a fight, that's what they'll get.
Lou sneaks inside to make a phone call.
LOU: Doug, call me back please, mate. There's something we've got to talk about.
No 26
In the guest bedroom, Piper is enjoying looking at Indiana's zines. Indiana tells her to keep them as inspiration, to create a hard-copy version of the Pipe Up vlog. Realising she's outstayed her welcome, Piper rushes off to get started on it. Tyler notices Indiana's packed bag, meanwhile, and she explains she's leaving town later.
TYLER: You're gonna desert me on Christmas?
INDIANA: You look out for Piper, don't you? That's why she came here this afternoon.
TYLER: Yeah, I guess so.
INDIANA: It's actually pretty sweet.
They start kissing.
Harold's Café
Doug has brought Josh to the (closed) café, having claimed he left his glasses here - but they're nowhere to be seen. When Josh suggests they leave again, Doug says they should stay and make the most of the peace and quiet, to think about his situation with Amber. Josh says he's keen on pursuing the lawyer route, as a good dad fights for his kids.
DOUG: There are other ways of fighting. Winning like this might cause more pain than it's worth.
JOSH: Yeah, that's what I'm worried about. So what do I do?
Soon afterwards, Lou turns up with Amber, and we realise that Lou and Doug have contrived to bring the youngsters together to talk things through. Josh is surprised to see Lou back, but he says he'll explain all that later. Lou and Doug leave Josh and Amber to discuss things, saying they should hear each other out before making any decisions.
Amber says she never thought she'd get the job, which is why she kept her application from Josh. He replies by asking whether she's doing this to get Matilda away from him.
AMBER: Josh, you know it's not.
JOSH: Pretty convenient timing, though, you have to admit.
Amber reassures Josh that he's not a terrible dad, and that that isn't why she's moving away. Josh admits that maybe Amber should take Matilda away, as he feels no bond with her and is worried he never will. Amber suggests he should talk to a counsellor about this, but Josh thinks it might come with more time. He also admits he'd hate to hold Amber back from her dream job opportunity, so says he could come up some weekends.
AMBER: And since we're going to be living in Queensland, Matilda is going to need her swimming brought up to scratch.
JOSH: This is true.
AMBER: Josh, if we're committed to this, we can make it work.
JOSH: You'll help me stay part of her life, won't you?
AMBER: Yes! If that's what you want.
JOSH: Of course that's what I want.
No 26
Indiana is leaving a five-star review of Sheila's house on her Airbnb account. Sheila and Kyle turn up to give her a lift to the bus stop. She thanks them for their hospitality, saying she couldn't think of a better place to spend Christmas apart from home.
SHEILA: Well actually, I've been doing Airbnb my whole life. Except my guests were my family, and I never got paid!
KYLE: Hang on, you moved in here with me!
SHEILA: Oh, don't spoil a good story with details.
Sheila says that her new side-line in being an Airbnb host will allow her to pay the mortgage on the house when she's bought it. She's already planning on installing new shelves for her gnomes...
No 22
Josh is reporting back to the family that he's decided not to challenge Amber's decision to leave with Matilda. Doug sombrely announces he's flying home tonight - Terese explains Pam called to say she'd bought him a ticket - and asks Brad to take him to the airport. Josh thanks him for his help, but he despondently says he's been more of a hindrance.
DOUG: It'll be worse next time. I might not remember who you all are.
BRAD: Come on, don't say that.
DOUG: I'll say what I want. It's the truth, anyway.
BRAD: Well I'm just really glad we had this visit.
Brad hugs Doug, and then Josh, Imogen and Piper do too, before Terese leads him inside.
Ramsay Street
Brad comes over to No 32 to see if Paige is around to see Doug off, but encounters Lauren instead - preparing flowers for a visit to Matt's memorial. Lauren's about to fetch Paige, when Brad calls her back.
BRAD: I'm sorry I lost my head before.
LAUREN: Yeah, the prospect of legal proceedings was pretty upsetting.
BRAD: Look, the last thing I'd want to do is upset you. It must be a hard day, and I'm sorry if I made it harder. It's just, I missed out on so much with Ned, when Beth got custody. I didn't think it would affect my relationship with him as much as it did. Now we're basically estranged, and I don't want that for Josh.
LAUREN: Things were different with you and Beth. It was acrimonious. Amber and Josh are friends. He's supportive of the move. Everyone's gonna be fine.
BRAD: What about you?
LAUREN: I'm fine.
BRAD: I just wish there was something I could do to help you.
LAUREN: I'm fine.
She goes inside to get Paige.
No 32
Doug arrives in the back garden with a Christmas present for Lou! He explains it's not from him; he found it on the front doorstep. They sit down for an OJ together, congratulating themselves on solving the kids' problems. Doug asks about Lou's own situation, being on the run from drug barons, and how he's going to resolve it. Lou promises to get working on it and thanks Doug for keeping his return a secret from Brad and Terese.
DOUG: Why's Pam taking so long?
LOU: What's that?
DOUG: She said she'd get me a glass for my drink.
LOU: ... Yeah, umm... Dougie, old son, Pam's in Darwin.
Glossing over it, Doug suggests Lou open his present. He does, but only finds inside the remains of the broken Buddha statue that he found the white powder in - and a note within a Christmas card, saying 'I know you're here Lou! I'm coming for you!'
DOUG: What is it?
LOU: It's, erm... it's not very interesting.
Lou looks worried.
Unmissable Drama
- Lauren is shocked at the threatening note Lou has received
- Lou tells Karl, Susan and Sheila about the drugs cartel, and that he needs their help to deal with it
- Daniel tells Imogen that Paul's told her something, and asked him not to tell her about it
- Sue Parker tells Paul she's being brought in on corruption charges for pulling strings for him
- Paul says to Daniel, 'tell me you didn't'
- Sheila asks Belinda what she's doing on Ramsay Street
- Belinda storms into the Rebecchis' house and punches Paul in the face!