Recap
- Paul instructs Gary to steal Terese's strategy file
- Ned asks Elly out for a drink
- Xanthe defends herself from Cooper
- Xanthe quits her film group
- Cooper grabs Xanthe and threatens her
- Xanthe tells Elly what happened with Cooper
No. 26
Susan, Elly and Gary are gathered around Xanthe and Sheila on the sofa. They praise Xanthe for coming forward about Cooper's assault, and Susan says that she'll report it to the appropriate authorities. Elly offers to arrange a counsellor and they all promise their support. Outside, Susan expresses her shock to Elly, as she'd always thought that Cooper was a bright student. Back inside, Xanthe breathes deeply on the sofa and looks worried.
Cue titles.
Terese's Office
Terese unloads her concerns onto Madison, explaining that James Udugawa has just set her some difficult revenue targets. She considers getting some live music in and puts Madison in charge of organising a gig for the following night. They go through some of Terese's old CDs and Madison reminds her that music is usually streamed these days! Terese warns that Paul can't find out about her idea, or else he'll try to sabotage it. At that moment, Terese gets a phone call from Susan telling her about the assault in the hotel and looks aghast.
Erinsborough High
Brad approaches Susan and Elly in the corridor and inquires about Xanthe's accusation. Susan explains that Cooper has denied everything and claims that Xanthe threw herself on him. She's spoken to Terese who will see if any of her staff saw anything to corroborate either story. Brad points out that he knows Cooper well, and the accusation seems very out of character.
ELLY: Careful, Brad. Your Y chromosome is showing!
Brad points out to Elly that Xanthe has a history of exaggerating, but Susan steps in to remind them both that they have a duty of care to both students. She explains that Cooper has been sent home and that the police will be taking statements and leading the investigation now that it's just Xanthe's word against his.
No. 26
Sheila and Gary fuss around Xanthe, who's still looking rather exhausted on the couch. Xanthe announces that she doesn't like everyone talking about what happened, and disappears to her room. Just as Sheila and Gary start to squabble over who upset Xanthe, there's a knock at the door. Maureen Knights introduces herself as Cooper's mother, and says she wants to resolve the 'unfortunate situation'.
GARY: Situation? Your mongrel son assaulted my daughter!
Sheila tries to keep the peace whilst Maureen explains that Cooper will get a hard time at school if the allegations go public and that he's got such a promising future ahead of him. Whilst the parents argue, Xanthe peers around the door from her bedroom and eavesdrops the conversation. Maureen proposes that she and her husband will forget the entire incident if Xanthe apologises and drops the allegations. When Gary starts laying into Maureen, she brings up his criminal past and the argument escalates. Sheila drops her polite act and rips into Maureen, ordering her out of their house.
MAUREEN: I'm just stating the facts.
GARY: Yeah, well here's another fact, lady. If your son doesn't pull his head in, I'll pull it in for him!
SHEILA: I think it's best you leave.
GARY: BYE!
Gary throws his hands up at Maureen who makes a rapid exit. Xanthe looks on sadly from the doorway, with a tinge of admiration for her family sticking up for her.
Erinsborough High
In the school grounds, Ben asks Piper if she's spoken to Xanthe yet.
PIPER: I just want her to know that we're on her side. I can't believe how many of the kids don't believe her!
Piper continues to talk about the awful rumours that are spreading about Xanthe but is cut short as Elly has overheard her, believing that she's just been gossiping. With Ben's support, Piper tries to explain and tells Elly that they were having a private conversation, but Elly ignores her protests and dishes out a detention.
The Waterhole
Ned serves Madison and Aaron at the bar, and they discuss who to book for the Lassiter's gig. Paul sits very conspicuously at the end of the bar and eavesdrops their conversation. He immediately informs Gary of his new-found information, but Gary says that he has a personal situation to attend to.
PAUL: I'm not the sort of guy who hires a minion and then does all the grunt work myself.
Gary forces a sarcastic smile at Paul's disparaging comment.
Erinsborough High
In the corridor, Brad finds Piper picking up litter and can't believe that she's been placed in detention again. Elly drops in and says that she has better things to do than supervise Piper, so Brad offers to take over and escort her home. With Piper out of earshot, Brad apologises to Elly if she misinterpreted his comments earlier about Xanthe, pointing out that he has three daughters of his own. Along the corridor, Gary approaches Piper and asks if she knows of Cooper's address, leaving her looking worried.
The Waterhole
Madison hangs up a call to another music agent without any success. Aaron teases Madison for checking her phone all the time after messaging her ex-boyfriend Logan. At the bar, Elly approaches and apologises to Ned for not getting in touch. She proposes a date, and Ned suggests they get a drink at The Waterhole when his shift finishes. Elly scoffs and tells Ned that he's not even trying.
No. 28
Ben looks dark and brooding, and Susan asks what's wrong. He explains that he's concerned about Xanthe, and Susan asks if he could shed any light on the situation. Ben recalls what Cooper said to him in the corridor of the hotel, but insists that Xanthe doesn't like Cooper that way. He goes on to explain that Xanthe was upset after finding him and Alison together in the hotel room, and quickly reassures Susan's raised eyebrows that 'things didn't go that far' between them. Susan asks if perhaps Xanthe wanted to hook up with Cooper to get back at Ben, but Ben can't confirm anything.
BEN: Xanthe can be pretty emotional, but I don't think she'd make up something like this.
SUSAN: The police are going to want to interview everyone in involved, so when you talk to them, you just tell the truth, and you be very clear, okay?
Erinsborough Hospital
Maureen Knights approaches Karl at the coffee stand, who greets her as 'Dr Knights'. She presses Karl for information about the past of the Canning family and expresses her hope that Susan will only look at the facts presented to her.
MAUREEN: It would be a shame for Cooper's reputation to be damaged. I'm sure this Xanthe girl's not all bad. My understanding is that she's a fantasist.
KARL: I think that's overstating things a bit!
MAUREEN: She wants to be the star of a reality TV show. She wouldn't be doing all of this just for attention.
Maureen brings up the stolen money scam with Ben and points out that Gary has a criminal past too. Karl insists that Susan is an experienced professional and that the situation will be resolved appropriately.
The Waterhole
Elly opens up to Aaron about the stress brought about by Xanthe's situation. Ned brings over a glass of wine for Elly on the house and proposes that they go to see a movie later. She shoots him down again and points out that it was rude of Ned not to bring Aaron a drink as well. Once Ned has sloped off, Elly reveals her plan to Aaron of playing hard to get. Elsewhere, Madison breaks the news to Terese that all of the agents in Erinsborough have been fully booked, and Terese demands to see the list. After a brief examination, she announces that she knows who's responsible.
Robinson's
Surprise, surprise, Terese suspects that it was Paul, and storms into the staffroom to scold him.
TERESE: I know it was you that put every available lounge singer in Erinsborough on hold.
PAUL: Why do you think that?
TERESE: The names of the false companies you booked them under. I mean, really? The titles of your favourite films?
PAUL:Naww, I'm flattered you remembered.
Paul goads Terese that she secretly loves a challenge, and boasts the new menu for The Flametree by the famous chef, Solomon Canter.
PAUL: I know that you want to come out on top. But we both know that's where I belong.
TERESE: You might want to put that cork back in the champagne because you haven't won yet.
PAUL: Really? Have you got another move up your sleeves?
TERESE: Oh, I've got moves you haven't seen before!
As Terese leaves, they continue to trade fighting talk and Paul looks very smug.
The Waterhole
Madison gets off the phone to yet another agent who's fully booked when Aaron jumps in with a suggestion. He reckons that he could book the great acclaimed Rhonda Riley at short notice as he used to be one of her backup dancers, but Terese has never heard of her (and neither have I). Madison sings a line from one of her songs and Aaron points out that she can sing after all! Aaron talks up Ms Riley to Terese, who reluctantly agrees. He joins Elly again, who is being propositioned for yet another date by Ned. She tells Ned that she's probably busy, so he gives up and walks away. Aaron scolds Elly for being mean, but she explains that she wants to find a man who's committed to her, and so she always turns them down three times to make sure they're truly interested.
AARON: Hot guys like Ned usually don't have to work this hard to get girls to go to dinner with them. I would reconsider the offer if I were you.
No. 26
Susan sits down with Xanthe and the family and explains that she's spoken to both Cooper and Ben who tell a different version of events. Susan questions Xanthe's story, but Xanthe reiterates that Cooper made his intentions very clear. Susan warns that if she chooses to take the issue further, the police are likely to consider her history of stealing and lying.
XANTHE: I'm not the one in the wrong here! I don't care if Cooper's an A student, or whatever. What he did was not okay.
SUSAN: You're right Xanthe, it's not okay.
Susan tells the Cannings that the police will make a statement in the coming days. Once she has left, Gary fumes silently whilst Sheila vents her worries that Cooper is going to get away with it.
GARY: Cooper needs to pay for what he did.
SHEILA: You can't get involved! Look, I know you're angry, love, and you need to protect Xanthe, and so do I. But violence is not going to be the answer.
The Waterhole
Brad and Piper enter and spot Elly. Piper insists that she's not going to apologise to Elly and tries to tell Brad what really happened, but Brad ignores her and preaches that she needs to show Elly some respect. Brad pulls Piper in for a hug, and Piper pulls a disgusted face, looking hilariously uncomfortable! I think I'd feel the same, Piper.
PIPER: What's this for?!
BRAD: I'm just glad that you've never had to go through what Xanthe has.
Across the bar, Elly announces to Ned that she's available to have dinner that night after all. Ned smugly informs her that he already has plans, as he's taking Madison out for dinner. Madison tells Elly that they're celebrating the booking of Rhonda Riley, and Elly looks suitably put out.
No. 26
Xanthe answers the door to Ben and immediately shouts at him for telling Susan that she was lying. Ben tries to explain that he just relayed what Cooper said to him, but Xanthe is still angry that everyone seems to treat Cooper like a hero.
XANTHE: The way that Cooper treated me, and the way he made me feel, was like I was worth nothing.
BEN: I'm really sorry that happened to you. I've seen Cooper bully other kids in the schoolyard, I can buy him being forceful with you.
XANTHE: It's not just Cooper, it's his mum as well. His whole family is going to try and dig up dirt to make it sound like I was making it up. I know that I exaggerate, and I make things sound a million times worse than what they are, but what Cooper did to me was not okay.
BEN: I can't stand the thought of him getting away with it.
XANTHE: Ben, don't you understand? It is my word against his. And who is going to believe me?
Erinsborough Hospital
Karl is on the phone to Susan and reassures her that she's done the right thing in reporting the incident. Maureen exits the building looking anxious, and announces to Karl that she needs to wait for her husband as an ambulance has just brought Cooper into Emergency. She says that she came home to find Cooper unconscious, bleeding from a head wound, and insists that he was attacked.
MAUREEN: My money's on that Xanthe girl's criminal father.
KARL: Oh, I don't think you can make that assumption!
MAUREEN: Well, who else would it be?