Previously
- Ned getting a message that Regan wants to meet.
- Sheila misinterpreting a Ben/Madison hug by firing Madison.
- Xanthe/Ben arguing.
- Gary selling racing pigeons to Karl/Toadie.
- Terese gloating at Paul about how big the pigeon race will be.
- Paul letting a cat (loose) amongst the (Gary's) pigeons.
Number 26
Xanthe receives an early morning visitor - a very worried Piper looking for Clementine and begrudgingly agrees to go help look for her cat once they've had coffee. However, as they head through to the kitchen, they find the cat... and what's left of Gary's pigeons.
XANTHE: At least you know she's not hungry!
Cue titles!
Number 26
Xanthe isn't amused at Sheila sacking Madison as they tidy up the house (it's full of feathers) as she wanted to get her own revenge. Piper agrees to cover the funeral expenses of Snowflake and Buttercup but thankfully there is a survivor - Lassiters who is now safely enclosed in an aviary.
Terese arrives and once the squabbling dies off, tries to work out how Clementine got into the house.
PIPER: How does a cat open a latch?
SHEILA: With help!
XANTHE: Who helps a cat get into a bird cage?
Their silence at Xanthe's question has them already guessing who the person is!
Harold's café
Lauren is busy prepping for race day and trying to serve Paul and he suggests to her that she won't be as busy as initially thought.
"Using a cat as an assassin?!" is how Terese greets Paul when they run into each other in the café. Paul denies that it was him and Terese warns that he's crossed the line but does gets the last laugh when she drops into the conversation that Lassiters the pigeon is safe and well, thus the event will be a success unlike the opening of his restaurant.
Lassiters Complex
Terese heads out to instruct a member of staff to double check all electrical outlets and to contact her immediately if they spot anyone acting suspiciously. She is surprised to see Mark up and about but tries to temp him into bringing his brothers/Steph to the event with vouchers for The Waterhole.
After Terese heads off, Mark questions the hurried arrangements and Lauren explains it's to get back at Paul. However something else has got Mark's attention - Ned walking away with a blonde haired woman!
Blond haired woman (Regan) isn't impressed to hear that Ned is with someone else (and no, it isn't Lauren), and he reminds Regan that she was married when they started dating. As the conversation evolves, we discover that Regan is still married which is why Ned broke things off because too many people could get hurt if it got out that they were seeing each other.
Mark is definitely interested in them and as they hug each farewell, he takes a quick snap of them on his phone.
Number 28
Gary is round to tell the family about what happened with the pigeons at #26 and Karl is more upset at the thought of not getting a refund on the money he paid Gary! After Gary leaves, Karl receives the wrath of his wife and she suggests to Ben going to see Xanthe, which he refuses to because of Madison getting the sack.
Number 24
Steph isn't too impressed at Mark being out and about without her when he arrives home. He's curious to see what she know about Ned and if there are any gang ties. "What are you doing?" she asks and reminds him he's on leave aka leave work alone!
While Steph goes off to get her stuff, Mark emails the photo he took of Ned/Regan and then calls someone about it, he's curious about Regan.
Number 26
Gary is giving Lassiters the 'Canning family pep talk' to encourage it to win the race for "the little guy."
Harold's café
Toadie tries to reassure Xanthe/Piper that what happened [with the cat/pigeons] wasn't their fault, it was just a pawn in a bigger game before rushing out the door.
Xanthe catches Madison to give her version of an apology and that she told Sheila to give her her job back. However, either Madison didn't get that Xanthe was actually having a dig at her during the said apology, or she's chosen to ignore the sarcasm, but her response is to ask if Xanthe is coming to the gig! "I don't know," is Xanthe's shocked reply and Madison orders Piper to make sure she is there because she "won't regret it."
XANTHE: What was that about?
PIPER: I don't know.
Lassiters Complex
The randomers seem to be having a good time at the various stalls set up in the complex.
Elly beats Ned easily in an arm wrestling match and wants Mark to play him next but Steph vetoes that one. However, Mark decides he's up for it and hands Brad the $5 fee... and promptly loses!
Mark suggests the best of 3 but Elle decides one is more than enough (plus Mark is in pain from his injury) and drags Ned away on the pretence of going to sample the truffles. Steph isn't too impressed either and Mark tries to explain that Ned just bugs him.
It looks like Ned better watch himself, Regan is back and is giving him the evil eye from the other side of the complex as he kisses Elly.
The Waterhole
Ben looks like he doesn't want to be at The Waterhole either but Madison insists he stays.
Elly catches Mark to say she knows (because of his injuries) it wasn't a fair contest with Ned. He then plants a seed of doubt in her head to say that Ned could be with another girl rather than work when she said that was the reason he wasn't around. Elly doesn't take the bait though and instead wants to know why he thinks that but he simply says that she could do better and passes Ned on the way out of the pub.
"What did he want?" Ned asks Elly and she replies that he's got competition! "What do you mean?" a hesitant Ned asks but Elly doesn't reply.
Lassiters Complex
Mark doesn't look too impressed at the truffle dishes on offer as he waits for Steph to come back from trying to get hold of Paul. Ned interrupts to ask for a word and they walk off into the middle of the complex.
Ned asks Mark if they know each other (not really) and after both agree they've barely spoken, then asks what gives him telling Elly to break up with him! Mark explains that he saw him kissing another woman and Ned asks if that's a crime? The detective work has paid off for Mark and he informs Ned that he knows exactly who he was kissing and adds that he doesn't think her hubby would be too pleased. "It's complicated," Ned tries to say but Mark warns that if it gets out, he could end up in a lot of pain.
MARK: This could affect Elly, your family and my friends.
NED: I've got it sorted.
MARK: Really? Well it doesn't seem that way.
Steph interrupts their conversation to ask if they will be much longer, and Mark says they've finished and as Ned has walks off, she asks if it's something she needs to know about and Ned replies no. With Ned away, Steph wants more information and all Mark says is he doesn't like the guy. She isn't impressed with the reply and decides to head back to #24 to pack as she's moving back into #30.
Terese tells Sonya that she is impressed with how the day has gone but keeps thinking that something is going to happen! Sonya wonders how Paul's restaurant opening is going...
Robinsons
...and that would be disastrous as we cut to Robinsons and find there are no patrons in for dinner.
Number 26
Sitting in the backyard, Sheila and Gary are playing dinner hosts to Toadie and Karl and the natural topic of conversation is what happened to the pigeons. Curiosity is getting the better of Toadie and he asks what happened to the dead pigeons.
SHEILA: I took care of them. More pie?
KARL: What exactly are we eating?
SHEILA: Well, I think you could call it game!
TOADIE: Sheila, you haven't spiced up dead pigeons with oregano and served them in a pie have you?
SHEILA: Oh don't be ridiculous, I never use oregano!
Karl can't empty his mouth quick enough and chastises Toadie for going to get another slice of pie! Gary's attention has been drawn to something in the sky.
SHEILA: Is it a bird? Is it a plane?
TOADIE: Is it a pigeon?
Karl grabs the binoculars and says its Lassiters and Sheila can't but praise her son for actually winning something for the first time in his life!
Lassiters Complex
Sonya reveals that yes Lassiters has won the pigeon race and Gary steps forward to receive the cheque from Terese.
The Waterhole
Much to Ben's relive, Xanthe has finally arrived in the bar and Piper forces her to take a seat even though she'd rather bolt. Madison says that the next song was written by Ben and he's taking the vocals, much to his surprise! Before he begins, he says to the audience that the song is about someone who drives him crazy and who he is also crazy about.
BEN: Xanthe, this songs for you. It's only ever been for you.
Ben then gives the song his all and Xanthe sits watching him all starry-eyed.
Meanwhile it's also musical montage time and we see Regan in the complex watching enviously on as Ned/Elly pash each other, Paul sits a lonesome figure in his empty restaurant and Steph finishes packing and leaves #24.
Once the song finishes, Ben tries to explain himself to Xanthe but she orders him to shut up and kiss her!
Number 24
Steph has finally got hold of Paul but it's a rather short conversation! As she comes off the phone, she gets the sense that someone is in the house and calls out "hello."
Police station
And looks like Steph was right to be on her guard because Ari has escaped and a wanted notice says he's to be approached with caution!
The Waterhole
Terese tries to keep the grin off her face when Paul comes into the bar. He's there to see Gary, who presents him with his winner's cheque to clear his debt and notification that he's quit. Paul tries to tell him that he's actually been fired and begrudgingly takes the cheque before exiting the bar.
Mark was also an avid spectator of what was happening and has missed a call from the station.
Number 24
Steph gathers more of her belongings to take away and is shocked when Ari calls out "hi Steph" and holds a bag up saying that some friends wanted to see her! From the hissing sound, we know what is in the bag he's just laid on the kitchen countertop.
Promo
- Paige getting into the boxing ring.
- Jack telling Mark that someone's been into his office as the key is missing.
- Paige psyching herself up.
- Jack thinking that Ari could be the responsible.
- Paige is ready!
- Steph held blindfold with the snake(s) nearby.