No 26
In the garden shed, Xanthe is still trapped by The Snake - and it doesnt seem open to negotiation. She calls out for her gran, but to no avail Sheilas Not In This Episode.

Here be titles.

No 28
Ben is waiting for Xanthe to turn up for their afternoon together. Hes even made cupcakes. He texts her to ask where she is.

No 26
Xanthe is still in the shed. The snake is slithering and hissing. Her phone is outside the shed, so she doesnt see the text from Ben.

Harolds Café
Piper is hanging out with the stray cat shes befriended, which is in a box under the table. Madison comes in, fresh from her trip to New York. She has new hair, and even got to see Imogen and Daniel on the way back.

PIPER: Sounds incredible.

Madison asks whether Piper and Xanthe have made friends again yet. Piper says Xanthe is still blanking her. Madison has been catching up with the Poppy antics on Pipers vlog, and thinks it was really cool. Piper introduces Madison to the cat. Madison likes the cat. Piper hopes that Terese not ordinarily a pet person will let her keep it, and asks Madison to help talk her into it.

Piper also promises to introduce Madison to Ned.

Lassiters
Madison and Terese catch up following the New York trip. Terese updates Madison on her dealings with their main investor, James Udagawa, who has been a bit of a taskmaster but he does like Tereses plans to revamp the hotel menu. As if by magic, the man Terese has lined up to run the kitchens, renowned Michelin star-accruing chef Solomon Canter, turns up. Madison likes Solomon.

Solomon leaves 30 seconds later to read Tereses notes on the Lassiters client base. Madison heaps praise on Terese for getting the famous Solomon Canter on board. Terese gets a call from Gary, but ignores it. She explains to Madison that they were supposed to go for a drink together, but that she cancelled. Terese admits she only accepted the offer because she saw Brad proposing to Lauren.

MADISON: Gary seems like a very sweet guy.
TERESE: Yeah. But I don't think were suited.
MADISON: Well, you wont know that until you have a few drinks with him.

Terese changes the subject.

Robinsons Motel
Paul comes in and starts bossing Gary about; he wants the place looking immaculate, because he has a special visitor coming over. Paul claims theyre about to score a huge asset for the motel, and that Terese wont know what hit her. Gary once again seems overly concerned that Paul should show more love and not hate towards Terese. Paul doesnt want Garys advice.

Paul leaves, and Gary rings Terese. He leaves a voicemail, asking her to call him its important.

No 26
Xanthe is still cornered by The Snake.

No 28
Ben is still waiting anxiously for Xanthe to show up. Alison arrives instead, and he isnt particularly pleased to see her. But she says shes removed the social media statuses about them being an item, and apologises again for putting them up.

ALISON: I just thought, maybe you liked me. You know, we Hooked Up and everything, and I know I like you. A lot. Probably more than anyone I've ever been with.
BEN: Alison, I do like you. Its just
ALISON: Not that way. I get it.
BEN: Yeah. But thanks.

Ben admits that hes waiting for Xanthe to come round, but that shes late. Alison says its probably one of Xanthes pranks. Some prank. Bens about to show Alison out, but she suggests he come with her to Lassiters, to check out the hotel room that her mum has hired for the teens film project. She has to set up the camera, as theyre rehearsing there later.

Ben isnt sure, as he wants to wait for Xanthe. But Alison reminds him how long hes been waiting, and he eventually agrees to go with Alison.

Lassiters
Piper comes in to talk to Terese about the stray cat. Piper explains she wants to keep the cat. Terese says no.

PIPER: All the studies show that cat owners live longer.

But Terese will not be swayed. She suggests Piper get the cat microchip-scanned at the vet, to find its real owners.

As Piper leaves, Gary comes in, telling Terese that he needs to talk to her urgently. But assuming hes just trying to rearrange their date, she brushes him off, saying shes busy. Terese is annoyed to get a text from Solomon, cancelling their meeting. She dashes off, ignoring Garys pleas to listen.

No 32
Piper sneaks in with the cat in the box. She apologises to the cat for failing to convince Terese to keep her.

PIPER: You know, I kind of pictured myself as this crazy cat-lady. Having you, and a bunch of your friends. You know, I've actually been thinking of names for you. Something cool, something with girl power? Yeah, you like that? You know, cos thats all we need. To take down the patriarchy. A bit of girl power. You should never forget that Gloria. No. Clementine? Germaine?

The cat runs away.

Lassiters
Terese and Madison are working.

MADISON: Have you ever thought about getting a cat?

Terese is unmoved by this subtle intervention. She gets an email from Solomon, announcing that hes decided to take a different job. Terese is furious, given that she flew him to Melbourne.

MADISON (reading): Weighed my options Different vision Something more low-key

With wearisome predictability, we learn that Solomon will be running The Flame Tree, the new restaurant at Pauls motel. Terese and Madison can't understand how Paul found out that Solomon was even in town

No 26
Piper climbs over the fence into the backyard, looking for the escaped cat. Xanthe sees her from the shed.

XANTHE: I'm trapped with The Snake! Please help me!
PIPER: () What sort is it?
XANTHE: Do I look like Bindi Irwin?

The cat appears and runs into the shed. An unseen battle takes place between it and the snake. The cat is victorious, and Xanthe is saved. Piper decides that the cat is Clementine.

Lassiters
In Room 501 (last known occupants Doug and Ned), Alison is busy training a video camera on the bed, and explaining to Ben who appears to be in the bathroom the premise of her film project, Cowgirls vs Zombies.

ALISON: Its kind of a horror. Also a Western, and a romance.
BEN: Sounds like youre fitting a lot in.

That indeed appears to be her plan and when Xanthe calls Bens phone, Alison quickly cancels the call. Ben asks if his phone was ringing; Alison says she doesnt think so.

They sit on the bed together, agreeing that rejection sucks. Ben tells Alison that the kiss they shared wasnt about you.

ALISON: I know. Its a guy thing.
BEN: What do you mean by that?
ALISON: Well, look at her. Shes gorgeous. She could get any guy she wants, and thats why she can treat you so badly.
BEN: I didnt say that.
ALISON: I know you didnt. Cos youre so nice. But I think its horrible the way shes been leading you on. Id never do that. Not that I could even get a guy like you. I'm not pretty enough.
BEN: Yes, you are.

Alison lunges at Ben for a kiss.

BEN: We shouldnt.
ALISON: Yes, we should.

They do; and quick-thinking Ben turns off Alisons carefully angled video camera before rejoining her on the bed for a proper pash. But incredibly, neither of them appear to have noticed a second secret camera, hidden behind some ornaments on the shelf.

No 26
Gary has been looking for The Snake but can't find it. Xanthe is on the phone to Susan, who has told her that Ben isnt home. Piper assures her that Ben will understand why she missed their date.

XANTHE: I'm not even sure I understand. I mean, a snake, seriously?

No, me neither. Xanthe thanks Piper for rescuing her. Gary announces that Mark is bringing the snake bloke back to track the reptile down, and fusses over Xanthe.

XANTHE: I'm not leaving the house ever again without gumboots. I'm just gonna have to work them into my outfit somehow.

Gary goes to look for the snake again. Piper and Xanthe have a moment.

BOTH: I've really missed you!

Piper apologises for ruining Xanthes dress at the formal, and for not telling her that Gary paid Ben to take her. Xanthe apologises for expecting her to. Piper insists that Ben does really like Xanthe, and that she never meant to hurt her. They hug.

PIPER: Are we okay?
XANTHE: Were more than okay.
PIPER: Good, because I've been talking to a cat for days.
XANTHE: And I've been talking to a snake.

Xanthe has to get to the film rehearsal at the hotel with Alison. Piper suggests they kidnap Alison after all shes done, and put her on a train to Perth. They hug again.

Robinsons Motel
Terese comes round to spar with Paul about him poaching her star chef. The subtext is all sexual tension. Terese wants to know how Paul knew Solomon was in the country.

PAUL: Great minds think alike.
TERESE: We are nothing nothing alike.

Paul says he offered Solomon more than Terese ever would, adding that he knows how she operates.

PAUL: Better than anyone, I know what you think. What you want.
TERESE: Well, you might think you do. But I can assure you that I have moves you have never seen before.
PAUL: Oh, I hope so. I really do.
TERESE: Well, you can count on it.
PAUL: can't wait.

Theres a fine, nigh imperceptible line between animosity and flirtation as they duel. Terese leaves, and Paul looks pleased with himself.

No 22
On the patio, Terese whinges to Susan about Pauls arrogance.

TERESE: He just gets under my skin. Theres something between us, something that I've never really understood. And I keep wondering to myself maybe he isnt as confident in all areas.
SUSAN: Oh, I don't know. Men like Paul, they tend to know exactly what they want.
TERESE: Yeah. And theyre pretty well practised at getting it too.

Terese gets a message from Gary, and she explains that he might have a little crush on her. Susan thinks Terese should be flattered, and encourages her to go on a date with Gary it might actually be fun.

Piper comes in and begs Terese again to let Clementine the cat stay. Piper explains how the cat saved Xanthes life, and plays the emotional blackmail card, saying shes lonely because Terese is always at work.

SUSAN: Cats are great company. Very low-maintenance.

Terese grudgingly relents; the cat can stay. But Piper will have to look after her, says Terese, and will also have to get a job to pay for the cats upkeep. Piper agrees, and leaves. Susan says Terese is a good mum.

Lassiters
Gary visits Terese in her office. Shes surprised, as they were meant to be meeting in The Waterhole. He hands her an envelope.

GARY: I'm not after a date with you.
TERESE: Oh, youre not?
GARY: No, I just wanted to see you because theres something you need to know.
TERESE: Right.
GARY: Pauls not being straight with you.
TERESE: Not being straight?
GARY: Well, hes not playing fair, okay? Just look in the envelope it tells you everything you need to know.

Gary leaves in the lift, while Terese opens the envelope.

Meanwhile, in Room 501, Alison is straightening out the bed linen, when Xanthe arrives for their rehearsal. When she realises who it is, Alison undoes one of the buttons on her top, then does it back up again when Xanthe comes in.

ALISON: Sorry, we just lost track of time. Its okay, Ben, you can come out. Its only Xanthe.

Ben emerges from the bathroom, to Xanthes horror.

XANTHE: What are you doing here? Youre not a part of our film project.
ALISON: I know. He just, sort of
XANTHE: What are you doing?
BEN: ...
XANTHE: Did something happen between you guys?

Ben looks guilty.

Promo
- Still in the hotel room, Xanthe wants to leave but Cooper prevents her from doing so
- Cooper hangs a do not disturb sign on the door handle
- Paul tells Terese that no- ones as smart as they think they are. She laughs
- Amy and Jack coming into The Waterhole
- Paige and Tyler kiss
- Jack warns Tyler that Paige had better not get hurt, and becomes physically intimidating
- Tyler says that if Jack wants to take this outside, he can bring it on