Previously
- Mark asks Steph if she sees having more kids in her future
- Steph smiles as she sees how good Mark is with the kids at Charlie's party
- Paige and Tyler TITTNL™ at the garage - and Piper airs the footage to the RSRs, including Jack
- Piper tells Paige that she's clearly not over Jack
- Tyler offers to back off if Jack wants to be with Paige, but Jack gives Tyler his blessing
- Elly is bitten by a snake on Ramsay Street
- Snake- catcher Ari Philcox confesses to Jack that he was responsible for the snakes
- 'She deserves to be punished,' he says. 'She shouldn't love someone she can't have.'
- Jack chases Ari out of the confession box, but he's gone before he can glimpse his face
The Church
Jack goes back into the building, and spots some paper on the floor in the confession box where Ari was sitting. It's a receipt from Harold's Café, for a coffee and some mints. Jack looks worried.
The titles roll.
Ramsay Street
Mark is taking down the balloons from the front of No 24 following Charlie's party. Jack asks if Mark ever found out who let the snakes loose in the street. Mark explains that Clive West was the number one suspect, because of his opposition to the bike lanes - but that he's still denying it. Mark says that, since Clive was refused bail, there hasn't been another incident - so it was very likely him.
JACK: What if it wasn't Clive, and the person who did it is still out there? That means who he targeted on the street is still in danger.
Mark says he agrees; that's why the investigation is still ongoing. Mark invites Jack in for cake, but Jack says he has something to do.
No 24
Charlie is hanging out with Tyler following the party. Aaron is on the phone; afterwards, he announces to Tyler that Paige's boxing registration has been accepted. The brothers celebrate, but when Charlie asks if he can watch Paige box, they say he'll have to ask his mum. Aaron and Tyler discuss potential venues for Paige's first fight, and decide to make a list of things they need to do.
Mark comes in, and Charlie hugs him, thanking him again for throwing the nerf party. Steph comes in, and Mark says to her how happy Charlie seems after the party; but Steph herself doesn't seem so happy, and starts coldly throwing rubbish into a bin bag. Mark looks worried.
No 30
Sonya is upset by the latest West Waratah Star headline, which calls her tenure as mayor 'six months of disaster'. Sonya tells Steph that Tim Collins will do anything to sledge her - but Steph seems preoccupied with other things.
When Sonya asks, Steph admits that she's thinking about her future with Mark. She says it's obvious how much he loves kids, and she's worried she won't be able to provide him with one of his own.
STEPH: I know I said I was open to talking about it in the future. That was before things got really serious between us.
SONYA: Isn't that when you're supposed to talk about things like that?
STEPH: Yeah, yeah. Should be. I've got this gorgeous guy who loves me, and loves my son. And the only thing would make him happier would be if we had a baby together. And that scares the hell out of me.
Steph says she can handle the commitment aspect - it's more that she's worried about getting postnatal depression again, like she had with Charlie and her younger son, Adam.
STEPH: That second time was awful; and that's largely why I gave Adam to Dan.
SONYA: Yeah, but you can't blame yourself for that. And it does not mean that you're a bad mother.
STEPH: I know. And part of me knows that, but the other part of me is, like - when I think about what I did, and - what if I did it again?
SONYA: No, but you're at a completely different point in your life now. And you've got Mark, and he's so incredibly supportive.
STEPH: I know he is. But I'm also a lot older now. (...) I do want to give him a baby. But there are my medical issues, and when I start to think about them, I get really overwhelmed.
Sonya suggests that Steph talk to Karl about the risks, and go from there. Steph agrees.
Lassiter's Complex
Jack skulks about near Harold's, watching Paige as she takes a customer order. He recalls Ari saying that 'she shouldn't love someone she can't have - she should be with me' - the implication being that Jack is wondering if Ari is targeting Paige.
Harold's Café
Paige is talking to Brad.
BRAD: If the only way you can talk to the guy is through a confessional, I think it's time to move on.
PAIGE: I know. I know, you're right.
Brad asks how things are between Paige and Piper; Paige admits she shut Piper down when she came to apologise for humiliating Paige at the divorce party. Brad suggests Paige should forgive Piper, not least so they can both be at his wedding to Lauren without being at each other's throats.
Jack comes in, to see Paige - but not about what she said at the church. Instead, he shows her the receipt he found in the confession box, and asks if she knows who bought the coffee and mints this morning. Paige says Lauren was on shift earlier, but that she's at home doing wedding planning. Jack leaves hurriedly. Brad opines that the receipt was a flimsy excuse for Jack to see Paige.
No 28
Steph is talking to Karl about her concerns about having more children. He prescribes his usual course of action - 'running some tests' - before telling Steph that there are options, such as IVF, if her fertility levels are low. He offers to refer her to a fertility specialist, then asks about her cancer. Steph says her yearly check-ups have been all clear, which Karl says is good.
As far as her mental health is concerned, Karl says that having had postnatal depression previously doesn't mean it will necessarily happen again - but Steph is at increased risk. As for her antipsychotic medication, Karl says there's no conclusive evidence it harms babies during pregnancy, but it may cause withdrawal symptoms in the child after birth, and a sedative effect if breastfeeding.
STEPH: What if I went off my meds?
KARL: We could look at lowering the dose. But given your history, I don't think we should tamper with it too much. Look, Steph - having another baby is a distinct possibility. You just have to weigh up how much you want to have the baby against the potential risks.
Karl advises her to speak to the fertility specialist, her psychologist, and Mark.
No 32
In the back yard, Lauren is dancing to classical music - with a mop! Jack turns up, and she's embarrassed - she admits that Brad's a better dancer than her, and so she's getting in some practice before their wedding. Jack congratulates her on the engagement, and shows her the receipt from Harold's, saying he's trying to track down its owner.
LAUREN: We don't sell too many mints. Actually, Tyler bought a packet this morning.
But Lauren can't remember whether Tyler also bought a cappuccino, as stated on the receipt. Jack leaves her to her dancing.
LAUREN (to the mop): Sorry we were so rudely interrupted.
Ramsay Street
Aaron and Tyler are bringing out some rubbish and discussing Paige's boxing; apparently they've asked Eden Hills Uni to provide the venue for her first fight. Tyler tells Aaron to focus on finding Paige an opponent and getting a permit, while he goes to tell Paige the good news.
Mark comes out of the house; he's worried, as Steph has summoned him for a chat. He's worried he 'overstepped the mark' with Charlie's party. As Mark leaves, Jack arrives; he asks Tyler if the receipt is his, but Tyler confirms he didn't buy a coffee. He asks Jack why he's asking; Jack says he wondered if Tyler had come to the church to talk to him about Paige attending the service.
Tyler thinks Jack is just looking for excuses to bother him about Paige, and says that if he's jealous he should just ease up.
TYLER: You said you're okay with me seeing Paige. Coming over here with some dumb reason to have a go at me - it's not on.
Aaron leads Tyler back into the house to defuse the situation, while Jack looks annoyed.
No 30
Steph comes in to find Mark already there, talking to Charlie about his birthday presents. Mark gets up and apologises to Steph for 'overstepping the mark' with the party, but she says that's not why she called him.
STEPH: Charlie had the best time, and all that you do for him - you have no idea what it means to me.
Mark asks what Steph does want to discuss, but Charlie interrupts, wanting to show him a book about planes, and Steph tells Mark they can talk about it later. She smiles sadly as she sees how Mark and Charlie are bonding, presumably worrying that these days could be numbered...
The Waterhole
Karl is buying some wine, when Jack comes in and asks his advice.
JACK: Have you ever been in a position where you've learned something about a patient that could potentially threaten someone else?
KARL: No. But if I did, I'd have to report it.
JACK: Black and white?
KARL: Oh, most definitely, yeah. Not quite the same in your line of work?
JACK: No.
KARL: You reported what Julie Quill told you, though?
JACK: Yes, but she said that stuff outside the confessional. That's how I rationalised it, anyway. But, when someone unburdens their feelings to me in confession, they put their trust in God and me that it's done in secrecy. I could never break that seal of the confessional.
KARL: No matter what's confessed?
JACK: No. Unless I have permission of the penitent.
KARL: See, I could never do that. Particularly if it involved someone I knew. But I appreciate you're in a different situation.
Karl says he's sure Jack will find the best thing to do, and leaves him to it.
No 30
Mark is still hanging out with Charlie when Toadie comes in, to drag them outside for a birthday cricket match for Charlie. Steph comes in, and asks to chat to Mark while Toadie and Charlie go outside.
STEPH: I've been doing a lot of thinking about us having a baby.
MARK: Wow. Okay, I didn't realise that was still on the radar.
STEPH: Me neither, until today. It's just, how you are with Charlie, and Nell - you're so happy with them. And we're in a really good place. We're committed, and for most people that would be the next step.
MARK: But?
STEPH: There are some things about my health that I'm really worried about.
MARK: Yeah. That's understandable.
STEPH: And I've spoken to Karl, and to my psychiatrist. And while there are no guarantees, if I were to have another baby, I am at higher risk of going through postnatal depression again.
MARK: You wouldn't be facing this by yourself. I'd be with you every step of the way.
STEPH: Oh, I know. And I love you for that. But it was awful last time, and it wouldn't be fair on any of us. And I am so lucky to have Charlie back in my life, that I can't risk damaging that relationship. And then I've got Adam. And I have avoided for so long how I gave him up, that at some point I'm gonna have to face that too.
MARK: Yeah. It's a lot to get your head around.
STEPH: I've been agonising over it. I can't put myself through it again. I know that I said I was open to it, and you deserve to have a baby, if that's what you want. I guess what I'm asking is, if I don't have a baby with you, is that gonna be the end for us?
MARK: I would love to have a family with you. That goes without saying. But I've got you and Charlie. And if that's all I ever have, then I'm a pretty lucky guy. You and Charlie are a package. I think I'm the luckiest guy in the world to have the both of you.
Steph hugs him.
STEPH: Thank you. I love you so much.
MARK: I love you too. The both of you.
They kiss, and hug again.
Lassiter's Complex
Paige drops some cutlery outside Harold's, and Ari the snake-catcher helps her by picking it up.
PAIGE: I know you!
ARI: No, I don't think so.
PAIGE: Yeah, you're the snake guy! You caught a few in our street.
ARI: Yeah. That was a tough job!
PAIGE: Well, thank you, for getting rid of them. They freaked me out.
ARI: Yeah, they're not to everyone's tastes.
Ari leaves, just as Jack arrives.
PAIGE: Two times in one afternoon! What's going on, Father?
JACK: I just wanted to talk to you alone.
Paige apologises for coming to confessional and saying what she did, but Jack says he knows how difficult it must be for her to come to terms with the decision he's made.
PAIGE: That's why I wanted to come and see your sermon, to try and make sense of it.
JACK: Do you still want that?
PAIGE: ...
JACK: Well, I mean, if you were interested, then I could teach you about what I do, and why.
PAIGE: Like Sunday school?
JACK: I thought maybe if you knew more about what I believe, it might make it easier. I completely understand if you're gonna feel uncomfortable, or...
PAIGE: No, that's not it. It's - I've never seriously thought about religion before you. But what you said in your sermon, it really spoke to me. So maybe the best thing for us moving forward is that.
JACK: How do you think Tyler will be with it?
PAIGE: It's got nothing to do with him. It's about me and what I need.
They agree to start Paige's teachings this afternoon!
No 32
Lauren and Brad are dancing in the back garden.
BRAD: You have improved!
LAUREN: Oh, I have a very good teacher.
She's referring, presumably, to the mop. Brad and Lauren kiss. Tyler arrives.
TYLER: Bad timing?
LAUREN: Really? Because I've been working really hard on that!
Tyler's looking for Paige, but he can't find her and she isn't answering her phone. Lauren explains Paige has gone to the church again with Jack. Tyler seems annoyed, saying Jack had promised to give Paige space. But Lauren and Brad make no comment, so Tyler leaves.
Once he's gone, Brad says that Tyler had a good point - saying that Jack does seem to be making excuses to see Paige.
LAUREN: And how was Paige about that?
BRAD: She didn't seem unhappy.
LAUREN: Yeah.
Back Lane Bar
New location alert! Paige meets Tyler in this trendy bar in The City™. On the inside of the door, a message handwritten in paint reads 'Respect our neighbours, quiet in laneway - shhhh...'
PAIGE: I heard this was your new hangout. Aaron told me you were here.
TYLER: Don't you have church business to attend to?
PAIGE: It's finished for the day.
TYLER: But not for good.
PAIGE: Oh, look - I know that me and Jack can't be together, okay? I'm not an idiot. But I thought if I know more about God, and why he loves him so much, then it'll be easier for me to let him go.
TYLER: Okay (!)
PAIGE: And I think we need to stop this thing between you and me.
TYLER: Why? We've got a good thing going. And if nothing's happening with Jack...
PAIGE: Because it just doesn't feel right. For starters, there's Piper. And it confuses things. And I need to get my head straight.
TYLER: Yeah, well, good luck with that. Spending every spare hour torturing yourself with the man who broke your heart.
PAIGE: Well, not every spare hour. We still have to train, remember?
Tyler says Paige has her boxing trainer, Carmen - she doesn't need him.
PAIGE: Seriously?
TYLER: Yeah, and besides, you're doing a pretty good job of punishing yourself without me. In and out of the ring.
Tyler leaves. Paige looks frustrated.
Ramsay Street
Steph, Sonya, Charlie, Toadie and Mark are all playing street cricket. Charlie hits a shot and starts running, and Steph goes to fetch the ball - but she doesn't notice the snake-catcher, Ari, sitting in a car at the end of the street, watching them. He dispenses some mints into his hand (close by, the telltale empty cappuccino cup) and tosses them into his mouth.
Promo
- Mark tells the Rebecchis that Clive West has been released on bail
- Steph finds a leather- clad doll resembling her, and says it's 'kind of weird'
- Cooper seems to be getting violent with Xanthe
- Elly asks Xanthe what she's done to Cooper to make him so mad
- At Harold's, Xanthe tells someone the café's closed - but they come in anyway, and lock the door