No 30
Steph is distracted while ironing, thinking about the mediation over Charlie, and burns a hole in her blouse. Sonya comes in, followed by Toadie - who reminds Steph that she has some great medical and character references for the mediation today. Sonya goes to fetch Steph another shirt, and Toadie goes to wait in the car.

Once they're gone, Steph picks up her phone and looks at a message from Paul, about Philippa's ex-husband Robert Petrovski. The message says to call Petrovski, as he has some information which will be useful for the mediation. Steph looks conflicted, as the titles roll.

No 26
Nene is taking some recycling to the bin in the backyard, but Amy comes to sort it before it gets thrown out. Nene seems distressed; she admits that she's feeling bad about the 'mess' she made of bandaging Jimmy's arm, and is worried that Karl thinks she's a bad person. Amy reassures her that no-one thinks that, and that she's being too hard on herself.

AMY: It's probably why you're a good nurse. You care too much.

As they talk, the box of recycling falls on the floor and, on picking it up, Amy discovers the letter from Georgia, that Kyle threw away unopened recently. Kyle himself comes out to put some bottles in the bin - and once he's gone, Amy holds the letter worriedly, before eventually deciding to pocket it.

Community Centre
Toadie and Steph are waiting for the mediation to begin. Steph's wondering where Mark is, but Toadie says she doesn't need him here - they've got this covered. Steph then tells Toadie about the information she's received from Paul about Philippa's ex-husband, who's prepared to cast aspersions on her character for the mediation.

TOADIE: No. No, Steph - we are not calling on him.
STEPH: Okay. I was just running it by you. Forget I brought it up.

Philippa walks in, and goes straight past them without saying anything.

TOADIE: Just trust me. Do not do or say anything that we haven't prepared for. Please?

Steph nods, and they head into the mediation room.

Lassiter's Complex
It's Susan's birthday, and Karl hands her a bag containing her present. It's lingerie!

SUSAN: Oh, something for both of us!
KARL: Have a look in the bottom - there's a little something extra. For the Blue Box™.

Susan laughs filthily as she sees what he's bought!

SUSAN: Little?!

Karl laughs too. However, the atmosphere is spoiled when Karl's phone starts ringing - it's Nene, who Karl explains is with Doug today. We hear Karl tell Nene that she's done the right thing by calling, and that he'll come straight over. He explains to Susan that Nene thinks Doug is having a funny spell. Susan tells Karl to go, and he promises to be right back.

Sheila follows Amy out of The Waterhole, handing her the change from her coffees, which she'd forgotten to wait for. Sensing Amy's distraction, Sheila asks her what's wrong.

AMY: I found that letter, that Georgia wrote to Kyle. And I read it.
SHEILA: What did you go and do that for?
AMY: I don't know!
SHEILA: I mean, what does it say?
AMY: That she's loving travelling, being out there in the world...
SHEILA: Bully for her (!)
AMY: She misses him. And that, when her mum was sick, she was confused. But now she's clear.
SHEILA: Well, twenty-twenty hindsight can be a wonderful thing (!)
AMY: And she still loves him. And wants him back.

Sheila is dismissive.

SHEILA: Oh, the cheek of her! Seriously, do you think he would look twice at her now?
AMY: I guess we'll find out.
SHEILA: No we won't!

Sheila rips up the letter and throws the pieces in the nearest bin!

AMY: Sheila, he needs to see it!
SHEILA: Kyle does not need to have this rubbish rolling around in his head.
AMY: Sheila!
SHEILA: No! He has everything he needs right now for a great life. He's got you, and Jimmy. Why throw a spanner in the works?
AMY: But he has a right to know!
SHEILA: No, he has a right to happiness! And if I were you, I'd forget that I ever clapped eyes on that thing.

Sheila bustles off inside, while Amy looks at the bits of letter in the bin, conflicted.

Community Centre
Steph and Philippa's mediation session kicks off, with mediator Michael Arnold at the helm again. Toadie starts by apologising for Steph's 'highly unusual' behaviour last time they met; he's armed with a medical report explaining that the unavailability of her medication at the local pharmacies, combined with the Heatwave™, was to blame.

PHILIPPA: You have a pre-existing condition that requires daily medication. There are no excuses to be without it.
TOADIE: Philippa, it was a one-off. I can guarantee that this won't happen again.
STEPH: It won't - you have my word.
PHILIPPA: I know your intentions are good. But your actions have proven otherwise.

No 26
Karl arrives, to find Nene apologetic for dragging him there, and Doug rather agitated. Nene claims Doug has 'all the hallmarks of delirium', and wants Karl to check him out to make sure he doesn't have an underlying infection.

Karl asks Doug some questions about the day of the week and time of year, which he seems to answer correctly. Doug seems a bit incredulous that he's just had a confused spell, and a worried-looking Nene suggests Karl play him some music to 'even him out'.

KARL: Well, if you think it'll help...
NENE: Oh, I know it will.

Karl heads home to get his guitar. Nene appears to breathe a sigh of relief...

Community Centre
Sonya - or 'Mayor Rebecchi', as Toadie introduces her - has been called into the mediation as a character witness for Steph. Sonya enthuses about how positive Steph has been since she's returned to town - and especially how Steph has developed a wonderful relationship with little Nell, and what a great role model she is for her.

PHILIPPA: You said your husband has known Stephanie for a long time. For at least part of that time their relationship was fraudulent, wasn't it?
SONYA: I... I wouldn't put it that way.
PHILIPPA: It's my understanding that they faked an engagement to cover up the paternity of Stephanie's younger child - is that right?
SONYA: It was actually - it was quite a complicated situation.
PHILIPPA: Would you say you've always felt positively towards Stephanie?
SONYA: Like I said, Steph is virtually part of our family.
PHILIPPA: Yes, but did you have any initial doubts about her? About her behaviour, about her relationship with your husband? About having her around your daughter?
TOADIE: Objection! Irrelevance!
PHILIPPA: We're not in a court. We're just trying to get to the truth here.
SONYA: I... I did have doubts at first, yes...
PHILIPPA: And doubt is a terrible thing to have around children, isn't it?
SONYA: ...

No 26
Nene smiles along as Karl plays 'Everybody, Let's Get Happy' for Doug. But Doug looks anything but happy! Susan arrives, and Karl apologises for having left her waiting. Nene invites her to stay for a birthday cuppa, and Susan clearly doesn't want to - but Karl talks her round, saying he can give her a lift back to work afterwards.

While Nene and Karl are making the tea, Susan sits down and talks to Doug.

SUSAN: You feeling better?
DOUG: I didn't know I was crook!
SUSAN: What do you mean?
DOUG: I was dozing in the lounge. Next thing I know, Nene's poking me around, and Karl's asking me all these questions!
SUSAN: So you weren't having one of your spells?
DOUG: The music was nice, though. The old boy can play.

Susan looks annoyed, as she begins to suspect that Nene has summoned Karl under false pretences...

SUSAN: Yeah, or BE played!

In the kitchen, Nene is flattering Karl about his musical skills again. He compliments her on the idea, and says musical therapy might be the way to go for Doug! Susan listens in incredulously, then tells them not to worry about the tea - she has to get back to work now. Karl goes to give her a lift.

Ramsay Street
Karl and Susan are walking down the drive of No 26.

SUSAN: Doug is perfectly fine, Karl.
KARL: Look, you're upset, you've got every reason to be - I didn't mean to get caught up!
SUSAN: Nene has made the whole thing up to make herself look useful and competent. She's using him!
KARL: What for?!
SUSAN: To impress you! To save face, to make up for botching Jimmy's treatment - I don't know. I'm just saying there's something not quite right.

Karl insists Nene's very attuned to Doug's needs.

SUSAN: She's attuned to your ego! And she's stroking it to keep her job!
KARL: Hey, thanks for the vote of confidence!
SUSAN: Oh, Karl, I love you - but you have a weakness for vulnerable women.

Karl insists Nene's an excellent carer, but Susan tells him he can't see the truth because he's in too deep.

SUSAN: If I were you, I would keep an eye on Nene.

No 26
Nene is back in the living room with Doug. She has adopted a scolding demeanour.

NENE: What did you just say to Susan?
DOUG: That I feel fine! And that I felt fine the whole time!
NENE: You're not fine. If I wasn't here, goodness knows what could've happened!
DOUG: I might've snoozed the whole morning away (!)
NENE: It would have been a lot worse than that.
DOUG: Let's find out.
NENE: What?!
DOUG: I've had enough of you!
NENE: Without me, your only option is full-time care. Is that what you want?
DOUG: There are other nurses out there. I'll ask Karl to find me someone else.
NENE: Oh, look, come on, Doug. Let's talk about this!
DOUG: No! I've had enough nursing today!
NENE: ... Nursing? I'm your wife!
DOUG: ...
NENE: It's alright, Doug - we knew this was gonna happen. We knew you'd start to forget me.
DOUG: You? You're Pam?
NENE: Yeah, I've been away, that's all. But I'm back now. I'm back and everything's gonna be alright.

Doug looks nonplussed and upset.

DOUG: You don't look like Pam!
NENE: Oh, shh. That's just the disease talking. You'll see.

Community Centre
During a break in the mediation, Steph is panicking - telling Toadie that Philippa has just ripped apart Sonya's character reference. Toadie again warns Steph not to call Philippa's ex-husband; she has to stay strong. Steph replies that it's impossible when she can see Charlie 'slipping through her fingers'.

Michael comes in, and says Philippa's bringing in her next witness. Steph is shocked when she sees who it is - Lucas Fitzgerald, the man whose baby she kidnapped.

LUCAS: G'day.
STEPH and TOADIE: ...

A few minutes later, the session has reconvened, and Lucas is giving his statement.

LUCAS: Having your child kidnapped is not something you move on from very quickly. I'm not sure if we'll ever fully get over it.

Philippa empathises, and asks Lucas if he'd say, in light of what she put him through, that Steph is a good mother.

LUCAS: Then - no. Now - absolutely.
PHILIPPA: I'm sorry? She took your baby!
LUCAS: Yeah. 'Cause she was unwell. But she's not now. And when she's well, she's a great mum.
PHILIPPA: Lucas, I understand you don't want to hurt Steph. But that answer's just not credible.
TOADIE: With all due respect, it's not credible to impeach your own witness.

Lucas explains how he had his doubts when Steph first returned to Erinsborough - but that, since he's been keeping in touch with all the Ramsay Street folk, he knows that she's doing really well.

LUCAS: Tyler Brennan, her previous boss; Karl and Susan Kennedy, who are old friends of Max's; and they all say the same thing.
PHILIPPA: Obviously, time has softened your outlook. But try to cast your mind back. Because Charlie's now facing the same risk that Patrick faced.
LUCAS: I'm sorry - are you saying that Charlie's at risk of being stolen by his own mother?
PHILIPPA: You know what I mean.
LUCAS: No, come on, come on - you want me to tell you how horrible it was losing Paddy, so you can take another child from their mother. That goes beyond irony. And it's just wrong.
PHILIPPA: I am Charlie's mum now. I am the one who's there day-to-day.
LUCAS: Yeah, I know. That's the way it's played out. But he's still Steph's kid. She messed up. But she never stopped loving him. Neither of you want to lose the little guy - you're panicking, and so you should be. Because losing a child is, like, the worst thing ever. So why don't you just work it out? No-one has to lose him, do they?

Steph smiles, as Philippa looks worried.

No 26
Nene puts a blanket over Doug's legs and asks if he's warm enough. He says he is, but he's still visibly sceptical of her. Karl comes in, and asks for a word with Nene in the kitchen.

DOUG: While you're going over that way, I wouldn't mind a drink.
NENE: I think we can manage that.
DOUG: Thanks, Pammy!
NENE: What did you call me?
DOUG: Pam! That's your name, isn't it? (!)
NENE: Well, this is exactly what I was worried about. It's delirium.

Karl asks if Doug's feeling warm or itchy, but he nonchalantly replies that he's 'good as gold'. Nene says she'll call Brad, while Karl checks Doug over.

KARL: Tell him we're on top of things.

Community Centre
Philippa is on the phone to Max, and says she'll talk to him soon, before hanging up. Steph comes in.

PHILIPPA: Steph - Lucas is right.
STEPH: About?
PHILIPPA: No-one has to lose.
STEPH: You mean...
PHILIPPA: I've just spoken to Max. And we're prepared to give it another try. If Charlie wants to come, we'll send him for another visit. And for now, at least, the adoption's off the table.
STEPH: ... Oh, Philippa, I...
PHILIPPA: If that visit goes well, we'll have a conversation about continued access.

Steph becomes tearful.

STEPH: You have no idea how grateful I am.
PHILIPPA: I think I do have. If Lucas can forgive you, I think we can manage it. But Steph - you have to understand, Charlie comes first.
STEPH: Absolutely. I completely agree. Thank you. Thank you.

They shake hands and smile. Steph sighs with relief.

The Alleyway Behind The Community Centre™
Steph rushes out, just as Lucas is about to get on his bike to leave.

STEPH: I never thought you'd be the one to come through for me.
LUCAS: Yeah, me neither. To tell you the truth, when I heard about it, I didn't want any part of it.
STEPH: Did Philippa blackmail you into coming?
LUCAS: No, I said no when she called.
STEPH: So why did you come?
LUCAS: Mark Brennan.
STEPH: Mark called you?
LUCAS: No, he came round to my place last night. He didn't stay long, 'cause he got the phone call to start back at work today.
STEPH: Right, what did he say?
LUCAS: It's not so much what he said, but that he wouldn't take no for an answer. You've got a fan there. Anyway, erm... good luck.

He touches Steph's arm.

LUCAS: Don't stuff it up.
STEPH: I won't.

Steph admires Lucas's bike as he revs it up...

No 26
Amy is hanging washing outside, when Kyle comes to join her. He asks if she's okay as she 'took off at lunch' - she claims she's just feeling a bit sensitive, and doesn't answer when Kyle asks if it's something he's done.

KYLE: Everyone has bad days. But what we've got - it's good. Hanging out the washing together - that's love.
AMY: Wow. Just when I think things can't get any better (!)
KYLE: Laugh it up - if you hang out someone's undies enough, that's gotta mean something!
AMY: Yeah.
KYLE: Jimmy's ready for round two of the Ashes. What do you think?
AMY: Make sure he goes easy on that arm.
KYLE: Will do... I love you.
AMY: I love you too.

He kisses her, then goes inside. Amy looks worried, then pulls the torn up fragments of the letter from her pocket - and puts them in the bin.

Unmissable Drama
- Tom Quill and Aaron drink wine together. Tyler asks Aaron if Nate knows he's moving on
- Aaron says Nate was the one who gave up on their relationship, not him
- Paige looks jealous when she sees Mark and Steph hugging
- Paige asks Steph if 'hanging out' is all she and Mark are doing. Steph says it's none of her business
- Tyler accuses Imogen of flirting with him; she insists she isn't
- Amy tells Kyle she feels like they're only together because Georgia chose to leave
- Toadie asks if Kyle still has feelings for 'her' - he confirms he does