Previously
- Mark takes Steph and Charlie for a ride in the cop car, and tells Steph their day was a huge success
- John asks Karl to hypnotise him to help retrieve his memory, and he has visions of fire
- John and Paige almost kiss, but he gets cold feet and leaves
- Brodie is upset when Piper accuses him of being the boiler saboteur
- Tyler tells Piper not to expect him to come to her rescue anymore
- Brodie shows up at No 22, scaring Piper
No 22
We're still in the garden, and Brodie tells Piper he has something important to show her. He hands her a piece of paper, but at that moment Tyler shows up. He's come to apologise to Piper, but is furious to find Brodie there, and tells him to go. But Piper, who's been reading the piece of paper, tells Tyler he needs to read it too.
Here be titles.
When we return, Piper explains what the boarding pass and taxi receipts Brodie has shown them proves - he was on a plane back to Perth at the time the boiler was sabotaged, so it couldn't have been him.
BRODIE: I know I haven't always done the right thing by you, Piper - but that doesn't make me some Evil™ psychopath.
PIPER: Yeah, I know that.
BRODIE: How could you think I'd do something like that?
PIPER: I don't know. I'm sorry.
TYLER: That's what you get when you're not straight with people.
BRODIE: I've only ever loved you, Piper. Why would I want to hurt the people I care about?
PIPER: You wouldn't. But I've been going out of my mind to find the person that would. It is driving me crazy. I'm sorry.
BRODIE: That's fair enough, and I probably deserve it. I just needed to clear my name. That's all that matters.
Brodie leaves.
No 30
Toadie, Steph and Mark are hanging around. Steph is excited for her son Charlie's imminent arrival, and is about to go to the airport to collect him. Toadie tells her to ignore any calls from Paul in the next few hours, and Mark agrees - she should concentrate on mother-son time. But Steph says she can't really ignore Paul if he needs her at the motel. Steph leaves to collect Charlie.
Once she's gone, Mark produces a piece of paper, revealing that he has prepared 'the ultimate boys' day' for Charlie, incorporating remote control cars and a trip to the air-show. Toadie notes the 'half a dozen backup activities' Mark has include on his written Charlie schedule, and asks if he's nervous.
MARK: Well, Charlie visits are high stake, so I want Steph to know I've got her back.
Toadie steals the list from Mark, and begins mocking it relentlessly.
TOADIE: 2.15 to 2.30 - optional snack and juice break!
Toadie can't stop laughing, as Mark looks upset.
Harold's Café
Paige comes over to serve John, who's looking tired. He explains he's been having nightmares ever since his hypnotherapy session with Karl so hasn't been sleeping, and that Amy's sent him home from work to rest. Paige goes to make him a Virgin Mary with double espresso, then says she'll take him to see someone who might have a few ideas...
Lassiter's Lake
Mark, Steph and Charlie are walking towards the car park with a remote-control car. Charlie is also looking forward to the air-show they're going to later. Steph is emotional to see Charlie having such a good time with them, and they watch as he drives the toy car towards DeadKate's Gazebo™.
The Waterhole
Nate is on the phone asking if he'd be 'considered' for something. He's assured he would.
NATE: Great, because the volunteering has been good, but I'd really like something a bit more full-time... Great, so when should I hear?... Okay, cool. Alright, thank you...
Nate hangs up, just as Paige and John come in to seek his advice.
PAIGE: PTSD - cures. Go.
She explains about John's sleep deprivation problems, and Nate said he always found physical exertion helpful.
NATE: Anything can help. Walking, gardening... I used to dig holes.
Nate adds that sleeping next to his boyfriend also used to help. It's awkward, as Paige and John clarify that they're not a couple.
NATE: Right. Well my advice is to find someone that you're comfortable spooning with, and spoon away.
More awkwardness.
Lassiter's Complex
Piper is outside Harold's. She texts Steph, telling her that Brodie has an alibi, so it's back to square one. Tyler turns up, and Piper tells him, 'don't start'. He asks if she's okay, but she's feeling guilty about the way she treated Brodie. Tyler tells her they're probably even after the way he treated her a few weeks ago.
Tyler asks if Piper's done with her undercover agent routine now, but she makes it clear that she wants to know what happened to Doug and Josh, and the police aren't doing a great job.
TYLER: We're talking about someone who blew up Lassiter's, Piper. It's not a game.
PIPER: You think I don't know that?
TYLER: Just don't make it an excuse to do something dumb.
PIPER: Right. Wow. So I'm playing games and I'm dumb. What next? Are you going to call me a baby?
TYLER: Well you are pretty naïve.
PIPER: About?!
TYLER: Chas. You think he's harmless - he's not. I'm just looking out for you.
PIPER: Well, I never asked you to.
TYLER: Fine.
PIPER: Fine.
TYLER: I won't.
PIPER: Good.
Tyler walks off.
Shortly afterwards, Paige and John are jogging into the car park, when they're almost knocked over by a kid running past with a remote-control car. It's Archie Quill, Julie's son - and Paige shouts 'brat!' at him as they jog on.
Lassiter's Lake
Steph and Charlie are playing with their toy car, when Archie's own, bigger car crashes into it. Steph seems keen for Charlie and Archie to play together, but Charlie looks less enthusiastic.
STEPH: Hey, cool car!
ARCHIE: The best in its price range. Better than the thing he's driving.
STEPH: Oh. Sounds like a challenge to me - what do you reckon, Charlie?
Charlie tries to put Steph off, but Archie announces that he could beat Charlie easily, and that he's going to get 'whipped'. While the boys race their cars, Mark arrives back with coffees for himself and Steph. Steph's worried she may be smothering Charlie a bit, but Mark reassures her she's doing great.
STEPH: I suppose I have had a bit of practice. Before my kids, there was all my little brothers and sisters that I had to look after. I'd change the nappies, and feed them, and you know, all that kind of stuff.
MARK: Yeah, well - next time you'll be able to do it in your sleep, eh?
STEPH: Next time?
MARK: Yeah, next time you have a baby.
Steph looks surprised and concerned.
MARK: I just figured that, maybe down the track you'd want to have another one. Sorry, that was a really dumb assumption.
STEPH: No, no - no. It was, erm... Yeah, nah. Wasn't dumb.
MARK: Looks like your boy's doing you proud.
STEPH: Is he?
MARK: Yeah. You've got this parenting thing nailed.
Steph laughs, but is still looking awkward. So is Mark.
No 26
John is doing sit-ups in a bid to wear himself out. Paige reminds him that he needs to be relaxed in order to sleep. John realises he hates soul-destroying methods of exercise.
PAIGE: Do you think it might be hole-digging time?
JOHN: No. I think that one only works for Nate.
PAIGE: I think we've come to the end of the line.
JOHN: ... There was one other thing that Nate had suggested.
PAIGE: Yes, but that was more of a couply thing.
JOHN: I'm willing to try, if you are.
Lassiter's Complex
In the car park, Brodie is about to leave town in a taxi. Piper catches up with him.
PIPER: I thought you came here for work?
BRODIE: I came here because you messaged me. Because I thought we still had a chance.
PIPER: I am sorry for accusing you.
BRODIE: Turns out it's actually a pretty good way to get over a girl - finding out she thinks you're a psycho. Little bit of a messed-up silver lining.
PIPER: Then I guess it's not a completely wasted trip.
BRODIE: Anyway, I can see you've already moved on, so...
PIPER: ...?
BRODIE: Tyler?
PIPER: Err, no.
BRODIE: Have you seen the way he looks at you?
PIPER: We're friends - that's it.
BRODIE: Not to him. You seriously can't see that?
PIPER: No!
BRODIE: He's into you. Trust me. Just, so long as he makes you happy. That's all that matters, I... It's all I ever wanted to do.
Bidding her farewell, Brodie gets into the taxi, and it drives away.
No 26
Nobody in Erinsborough has a bedroom, so Paige closes the lounge curtains before joining John on the couch for their sleep-inducing spooning session. She settles down with her back to him.
JOHN: Okay, erm... I think it's a little *too* cosy.
So she puts a cushion in her lap and tells him to lie on it instead, which he finds more relaxing.
JOHN: Can you talk to me like you did when I was in hospital?
PAIGE: I spoke to you about a lot of reality TV.
JOHN: Really?
PAIGE: Yeah. It was season finale and I had a lot to discuss.
JOHN: What about the stuff when you talked about what you were going through?
PAIGE: You remember that?
JOHN: I think it's somewhere in my subconscious.
PAIGE: Okay. Well, close your eyes - and let me tell you about the time a stranger helped me through a really, really tough time in my life.
Lassiter's Lake
Mark is hanging out with Charlie and Archie as they play cars, while Steph is on the phone to Paul. He wants her to bring some paperwork to the motel that's currently at her house, and she agrees. She tells Charlie to wait here with Mark; she won't be long.
Once she's gone, Mark suggests Charlie ask Archie if he can borrow his car, so Mark and Charlie can race each other. Clearly wary of Archie, Charlie claims his thumbs are sore, and so they go off to the café for a break. Archie gestures smugly at Charlie as he leaves.
No 30
Steph grabs the paperwork for Paul, and runs into Toadie. She explains how Mark raised the issue of babies, and whether she was keen to have more.
STEPH: I have never considered myself with another child. With my mental health stuff, my breast cancer while I was pregnant with Charlie... The thought of going there again terrifies me.
TOADIE: Yeah. That's enough to scare anyone off, really.
STEPH: Yeah. And I still have a lot of work to do to reconnect with my boys. It's just all... It's too complicated. And don't you think that it's a little bit early in the relationship to be talking about that stuff?
TOADIE: Well, I guess the fact that he's brought it up means it's important to him.
STEPH: I know it is. It's one of the main reasons he and Paige broke up. Look, it could have been a throwaway question.
TOADIE: Does Mark do throwaway questions, does he?
Toadie tells Steph she should just talk to Mark about it.
Lassiter's Complex
Tyler catches up with Piper, and apologises for their fight earlier. She apologises too.
TYLER: I just want you to be safe, that's all.
PIPER: Mmm. Are you sure that's all?
TYLER: What else would it be?
PIPER: That you're obsessed with me, and I'm always on your mind.
TYLER (joking): Oh, yeah, that must be it!
Nate comes out of Harold's and watches their banter.
TYLER (joking): What would I do without you - being at the garage and distracting me all the time?
NATE: Maybe get some work done?
PIPER: Yes, but then his life would be meaningless and empty!
TYLER: Yeah, I need her!
Piper invites Tyler to come and play pool at The Waterhole with her and Paige. He says he'll meet her there, and she leaves.
NATE: Playing a dangerous game there, mate. I know she's mature for her age, but she's still pretty young.
TYLER: I know that!
NATE: And vulnerable too. Her brother and her grandad just died.
TYLER: Yeah, and? I'm just being a good friend.
NATE: I know, I know. Just don't forget - out of the two of you, you're the adult here.
No 26
John still has his head on the cushion in Paige's lap, his eyes closed. She goes to stroke his hair, hesitates, then eventually does so.
PAIGE (whisper): I... I think I love you.
John appears to be asleep. Paige looks worried.
Harold's Café
Mark's picking up some pastries when Steph comes in. He explains he's sent Charlie outside to challenge Archie to a rematch. Steph apologises for being thrown by his baby remarks earlier. Mark apologises too for raising it out of the blue, and says he knows they're nowhere near that stage in their relationship.
MARK: But, now that we're talking about it... It'd be good to know if you see kids in your future. Anywhere, like, down the track. Because my future definitely has kids in it. I don't want to pressure you - I just want to be upfront.
Steph hesitates.
STEPH: So, honestly? More kids wasn't even on my radar till you raised it.
MARK: Okay. Well maybe we could...
But their conversation is interrupted by shouting from outside.
Lassiter's Complex
Outside the café, Charlie and Archie are having a fight!
CHARLIE: Shut up! You don't know anything!
ARCHIE: Get off me, loser!
Steph and Mark intervene, and Steph demands to know what's going on.
CHARLIE: You told me you didn't have to do work stuff today!
STEPH: Well I'm sorry about that. But it's done now - and you were with Mark.
CHARLIE: Yeah, well, he's not my parent! You are!
Steph and Mark look worried.
The Waterhole
Piper and Tyler are playing pool, being jokey with each other as they talk about Brodie, and Piper 'stomping on his heart'. They leave, and John and Paige take the pool table. He says he's feeling a lot better now he's been able to sleep, but Paige says she isn't going to go easy on him in the game.
JOHN: Well, I was gonna let you win anyway. I think I owe you that.
PAIGE: No. No, you don't. I didn't save *your* life.
JOHN: Did you, erm, talk to me, when I was asleep? Like you used to?
PAIGE: Yep.
JOHN: And what did you say?
PAIGE: Well that's for me to know, and you to find out.
Nate appears, and remarks that John is looking better for his nap. John admits that it was Nate's 'sleep companion' advice that did the trick.
NATE: There's not much that can't be solved with a little bit of spooning. Maybe it was your spooning partner that I saw in here earlier?
JOHN: Sorry?
NATE: There was a girl in here looking for you.
PAIGE: What girl?
NATE: She looked a bit older than you. Pretty. She had a photo of you. Said she was your girlfriend?
Paige and John are shocked.
Promo
- John comes face- to- face with his 'girlfriend' Mandy
- Various shots of Paige looking jealous
- Paige opines that Mandy may well be trying to scam John
- Mandy asks John what's going on between him and Paige
- John asks Paige to leave them alone for a bit
- Paige watches through the door as John and Mandy appear to have a charged moment