Previously
- A lost cheque leads to dumpster- diving antics for Daniel, and a kiss from Imogen when he finds it
- Josh reports to Terese that Brad and Lauren are back together, but he's mistaken
- Sonya tells Terese to stop thinking about Brad and Lauren, and consider what makes her happy
- Terese kisses Paul, and invites him upstairs...
No 22
It's the day of Paul's magistrate's court hearing for stealing the save-the-school petition and bribing Sue Parker. Daniel and Jimmy have come over to provide moral support. Terese comes downstairs, looking very awkward - declining Paul's offer of coffee and rushing straight off to work.
DANIEL: What's going on there?
PAUL: Maybe she didn't get enough sleep...
Cue titles.
Outside the Community Centre
Aaron, Sonya and Nell are walking towards the centre. Aaron explains he's thinking of pitching a class that he could put on there.
AARON: I'm thinking couch potatoes that do break dancing, or prudes that do pole dancing.
Sonya's sure Aaron can find an untapped market - but when they reach the Community Centre, they see a sign which says that it will soon be closing indefinitely. Sonya is concerned about what will happen to the daycare facility, and Aaron is likewise upset that he won't be able to pitch his ideas for a class. Sonya decides to fight the closure, and goes inside to learn more from the staff.
No 22
Daniel is advising Paul to own up to everything in court, and to show some remorse. Jimmy also advises him to say sorry, to avoid getting into trouble. Daniel thinks Paul should be taking a lawyer with him, but Paul says he's just going to plead guilty and take a slap on the wrist.
There's a knock at the door - it's Hilary. She's come to reclaim the $50 she invested in Paul's defunct gazebo company! Paul refuses, saying that if the other investors get wind, they'll want their money back too!
HILARY: My lawyer disagrees!
PAUL: Ooh, your lawyer (!)
HILARY: Imogen Willis.
Paul laughs in her face, saying Imogen isn't a lawyer. But Daniel explains that Imogen has been giving free legal advice to senior citizens. Hilary again demands her money back.
PAUL: You're not getting a cent out of me. Go away!
Daniel offers to mediate, spying an opportunity to spend some time with Imogen. Hilary seems to clock this, then goes on to berate Paul for dragging the Robinson name through the courts again!
Lassiter's Complex
Sonya and Aaron are talking about the Community Centre, which she's learned is going to be bulldozed so that a new office block can be built on the land.
AARON: Maybe we can chain ourselves to something? Or I can organise a flashmob?
Sonya favours just talking to the council, and admits she wishes Paul were still mayor so she could go to him about the closure. Aaron points out that Tim Collins is now a member of the council, and that he might listen to him since he met him a few times while working for Paul.
SONYA: Tim never does anything unless it puts money directly in his own pocket.
AARON: Sonya, I think you're forgetting just how charming Aaron can be.
Brad jogs by, greeting them, but Lauren stops him outside the café and offers him some water. Brad goes on his way, but Terese has seen them interacting. She walks by, and Lauren tries to make conversation, but gets a cold response. So she invites Terese in for a coffee.
TERESE: Listen, I know that you and Brad are back together. So if this is your way of trying to butter me up...
LAUREN: No, we're not back together.
TERESE: What?
LAUREN: No, we're not - I promise, we're not.
Lauren tells her to come for a coffee anytime, but Terese just stands there looking confused and humiliated.
The Waterhole
Sonya is telling Terese about her plans to challenge the Community Centre closure - she's thinking of going to the West Waratah Star about it, but asks Terese if she'd be prepared to support her campaign, as the manager of Lassiter's. However, Terese isn't really listening.
TERESE: I did something really stupid last night.
SONYA: What did you do?
TERESE: You know how I told you that Josh told me that Brad and Lauren were back together?
SONYA: Yeah...
TERESE: And you saw how upset I was?
SONYA: Yeah...
TERESE: Well, I suppose I wanted to prove to myself that I could move on. Like Brad had.
SONYA: Yeah...
TERESE: I threw myself at someone.
SONYA: Who?
TERESE: ... Paul.
SONYA: ... Oh. How far did things go?
TERESE: Well, we kissed, and then we went upstairs and kissed some more. And then I realised that I was there with Paul in the bedroom that I used to share with Brad. All of a sudden, it just got too much and I had to shut it down.
Sonya tries to make Terese feel better, saying she was in a vulnerable place. But Terese says the worst part is that Josh got it wrong - Brad and Lauren aren't together at all.
No 22
Paul is playing chess with Jimmy, but Paul is lost in thought - and Jimmy asks him what's wrong. Paul admits he's in a complicated situation with a woman.
JIMMY: Why are you so hopeless with women?!
PAUL: Oh, I don't know. I wish I did know.
JIMMY: So who is she? I mean, do I know her?
PAUL: Come on, back to the game, eh?
Jimmy checkmates Paul!
JIMMY: So who is she?
PAUL: Alright, look - she's a woman that I've admired for a very long time. But I just, you know, never saw it as romantic. Well, not until last night.
JIMMY: Did you kiss her?
PAUL: Matter of fact, she kissed me.
Paul admits that he thinks they'd be good together, but says it would be messy - and he doesn't know if the woman feels that way about him anyhow. Paul's ready to forget about it, but Jimmy says that he thinks Paul should keep trying!
The Waterhole
Daniel comes in and finds Imogen working. He announces that he's representing Paul against Hilary's claim for her $50!
IMOGEN: You're not even a lawyer!
DANIEL: Well, that makes two of us.
They start to argue about the case - Imogen claiming Hilary should get her money back, and Daniel arguing that all business investments are a risk. Daniel has even brought a contract Hilary has signed, which stipulates that Paul has no obligation to refund her should the business fail!
DANIEL: I also think you'll find it's in accordance to the Consumer Law and Fair Trading Act of 2012. Part three point two, frustrated contracts -
IMOGEN: This isn't over!!
Imogen storms off, while Daniel looks incredibly pleased with himself.
History Wall
Aaron is talking to Tim Collins, who explains that the council is electing an interim mayor today, prior to a public election in a few weeks for the next mayor proper. Sonya turns up, and asks if they can sit in on the council meeting, as they have some issues they'd like to raise. Tim Collins tells her it's a closed session.
TIM COLLINS: But if I can help, I'd like to.
SONYA: I doubt you'd be interested.
TIM COLLINS: Try me.
Sonya explains about the Community Centre closure. Tim Collins seems uncharacteristically receptive, asking her to give him the full details and saying he'll pass on her concerns to the interim mayor. Sonya smiles sceptically.
TIM COLLINS: Sonya - I'm a councillor! I'm here for you, and all the residents of Erinsborough.
Sonya says she feels that the council isn't putting enough money into the programmes at the Community Centre, and that's the only reason it's failing. Tim Collins invites her inside to talk through the details in full, saying it would be great to get her perspective. They all go inside.
Ramsay Street
Terese is on her way home, and gazes pensively across the road to No 32 before going into her own house.
No 22
Terese comes in and finds Paul in the front room. Things are still awkward, and they agree to discuss what happened last night.
TERESE: I was very confused. And I suppose, a bit insecure. I gave you mixed messages.
PAUL: And now?
TERESE: And now, I've realised that I used you, to make myself feel better about Brad and Lauren. Look, I'm really sorry. That wasn't fair. I just don't want things to get messy between us.
PAUL: No, no, message received. Your support - you know what, your friendship - is about the only good thing I've got in my life at the moment. Damned if I'm gonna jeopardise that.
TERESE: So, we'll forget anything happened last night?
PAUL: Forget what happened?
Terese laughs, and thanks Paul - but Paul looks sad as she turns away.
The Waterhole
Imogen is back for Round 2 of legal sparring with Daniel, throwing a weighty tome on the table and quoting a 2013 magistrate's court decision at him, which she alleges set a legal precedent which means that Hilary should get her money back!
DANIEL: Hello to you too!
She keeps on throwing arcane bits of case law at him, but Daniel maintains it has no bearing on the contract Hilary has signed. They continue to argue, and Imogen gets increasingly frustrated because Daniel keeps reminding her she's not a lawyer!
DANIEL: I think we need to step our negotiations up a notch.
IMOGEN: Oh, okay! Do you want to go to court? Do you think you're up for that?
DANIEL: ... I - I reckon we can sort this out ourselves.
IMOGEN: Fine. But from now on I want our clients present, so that you can't behave like a moron.
DANIEL: Oh, no objections from me.
IMOGEN: This isn't over.
DANIEL: Yeah, we'll see!
They both walk out.
No 22
Paul is on the phone to Daniel, telling him he has no interest in negotiating with Hilary - so to sort it out himself! Jimmy comes in with a good luck charm for Paul for his court case - a green straw he's twisted into the shape of a four-leaf clover. Terese, who is working in the background, smiles to herself, and wishes Paul luck as he heads towards the door.
JIMMY: What did you decide to do about that girl you like?
PAUL: Err, well, it's probably best that we stay friends after all.
But Terese has overheard, and she and Paul share a glance as he leaves with Jimmy.
The Waterhole
Hilary has joined Imogen for Round 3 of negotiations with Daniel, who says Paul is busy elsewhere so can't attend.
IMOGEN: Yes, he's in court for theft!
DANIEL: That has no bearing on this matter.
IMOGEN: You're making a farce of this whole process.
DANIEL: This whole case is a farce!
HILARY: I beg your pardon?!
DANIEL: No offence, Hilary.
But as Imogen continues to argue that Hilary should get her money back, Daniel turns on the charm and steps in with a counter-offer - he'll take Hilary out for a night dancing on the town, to the value of $50!
IMOGEN: That is downright insulting!
HILARY: That sounds lovely!
A deal thus brokered, Imogen puts her head in her hands, and Daniel pats her on the head in consolation. She gives him a withering look and he smiles mischievously.
Harold's Café
Terese comes in to talk to Lauren. She says she knows Lauren means well, and appreciates the award nomination, and the open invitation for coffee.
TERESE: But the idea of us being friends - it's not gonna happen.
LAUREN: ... Oh. Well I guess I can't blame you for that.
TERESE: But look - I don't want us to be enemies either. We're always gonna have a family connection through Matilda.
LAUREN: True...
TERESE: And listen, Lauren. If you're waiting for my approval, please don't. If you wanna be with Brad, be with Brad. I'm sick of being bitter and twisted; it's time for me to move on with my life.
Ramsay Street
Paul pulls up in Hermione, Imogen's car, which he borrowed to go to the court hearing. A loud bang comes from the rear, and he has trouble opening the door to get out.
PAUL: Oh, stupid damn car!
Brad is passing, and stops to gloat - mischievously asking Paul how his court case went.
PAUL: And how's that any of your business?
BRAD: You committed a break-and-enter, while trying to shut down the school where I work, so it's kind of my business.
Paul reveals he got 200 hours of community service, much to Brad's amusement. He suggests Paul could do some of those hours at the school, to give back to those he hurt.
PAUL: You know, you are hardly in a position to gloat. Because you messed up nearly as badly as I did. I just lost money. You, on the other hand, threw away a perfect life. And a perfect wife. And for what, hey? I hope it was worth it.
The smile is wiped off Brad's face.
The Waterhole
Daniel and Imogen continue to spar, Imogen saying that she doubts Daniel is a good enough dancer to give Hilary her money's worth! Daniel proves otherwise, by grabbing Imogen and starting to dance with her. She can't help laughing at this, and then they suddenly get very close - within kissing distance.
DANIEL: I found a way to make everybody happy. So why are you fighting it?
They almost kiss, but Daniel is playing hard-to-get. He announces he's got to get going - telling Imogen he'll see her later. She smiles, conflicted, as he dances backwards towards the door!
No 32
Brad is in the back yard, doing some woodwork next to the shed. Lauren comes out, and Brad explains Paige let him in. He's about to go, but Lauren tells him he doesn't have to.
LAUREN: Terese told me we should be together. If we want.
Brad is surprised. Lauren says they still have to be very respectful, but thinks they might now be in with a chance of being together. They agree to continue to 'put their families first, and see what happens'. They smile at one another, and Lauren goes inside to make them a cuppa.
Outside the Community Centre
Aaron and Sonya are waiting for Tim Collins to come out of the council meeting, to learn whether he's successfully lobbied for the Community Centre to be saved. When he does, they're surprised to see he's in full mayoral robes!
SONYA: I didn't even know you were running!
TIM COLLINS: I didn't even know you were running - your worship.
AARON: Your worship?
TIM COLLINS: Yeah, nah - just messing with you! Sounds good though, doesn't it, Mayor Collins? Got a real nice ring to it.
SONYA: Did you talk about the Community Centre?
TIM COLLINS: Ah, yes - that's all sorted. It'll be bulldozed and closed within a month.
SONYA: I beg your pardon?
AARON: You just said that you would fight for it!
TIM COLLINS: Oh, no, I didn't say anything like that. I just said your perspective was helpful.
SONYA: You moth-!
TIM COLLINS: You see I told them, and they agreed, that what you said about all the work and money that needs to be sunk into this place - and it further convinced them that it's just got to go!
Sonya is lost for words, as Paul shows up - in his suit, but holding a high-vis jacket, bin and litter-picking stick!
PAUL: You've been elected as the new mayor?! That's fantastic, isn't it?
TIM COLLINS: It is - it is, isn't it? I'll finally be able to whip Erinsborough into shape. It's been run into the ground for far too long.
PAUL: ...
TIM COLLINS: Oh, come on, Paul. We all know your ego has been out of control. You've been inventing festivals to make yourself look good, putting a daycare centre into this dump - it all has to be scrapped, mate.
PAUL: How dare you destroy my legacy?! I got you into council - you are supposed to be on my side.
TIM COLLINS: Well, things change. The old mayor's minion is now the new mayor. And the old mayor, well... Oh, he's picking up rubbish, apparently!
Tim Collins flings a load of papers into the bin that Paul's holding, then walks off. Paul scowls.
Coming Soon
- Xanthe admits to Piper she needs money fast
- Piper and Xanthe are seen trying to evade a police car
- Terese tells Paul she thought they'd agreed just to be friends
- Sheila tells Mark that Xanthe isn't a thief, but he says she barely knows her
- Lyn Scully is back in town - and highly amused to learn that Paul's on community service!