Previously
- Sonya wanting a paternity test done.
- Dee explaining to Willow about swapping the DNA samples over.
- Steph trying to reassure Mark her feelings for him hasn't changed, she still loves him.
- Steph telling Sonya she's broken off the engagement to Mark but hasn't split up with him.
- Sonya contemplating not handing the baby over to Mark if he's not with Steph.
Number 30
Toadie is confused about Sonya's thinking (about not handing the baby over) and wants to know what that means practically thinking but it turns out she hasn't thought that far ahead!
TOADIE: Well there's only so many options Sonya. Either Mark takes the baby or we do.
Sonya's rational is she doesn't want to hand the child over to a new first-time single dad without a mum being there and Toadie asks if that isn't a double standard. "Maybe it is," she replies and adds it just how she feels about it. Toad counteracts with how Mark would feel with her thinking.
SONYA: This baby needs a mother Jarrod!
TOADIE: Well we'll just need to find a way to make sure that Steph stays involved then won't we!
SONYA: So, there's not a part of you that would consider keeping the baby and raising it with Mark?
Toadie gives his wife an 'are you serious' look before commenting that "wasn't part of the deal". She gets that and is just discussing it but he wants her to think about it more before discussing it later.
Dee's room, Robinsons motel
"I think I have actually pulled this off," Dee proudly comments while having a celebratory glass of wine! Willow isn't jumping for joy, commenting sarcastically that she must be "very proud."
DEE: It wasn't easy, pretending to be back from the dead with amnesia!
She realises she's got to watch herself with Sonya though, as she's "no pushover." However, it looks like someone is pressurising Dee as she gets a text from Emily asking when the money is coming. "I already told her I am moving as fast as I can," she mutters.
Number 28
Despite the letter being addressed to Toadie, Sonya brings round the paperwork of the DNA result for Karl to look over and verify that it is correct and with barely a glance at the letter, he confirms it is.
Karl asks if her fears could be down to the pregnancy (possibly) and if she's worried about Mark/Steph. "I'm sure they're going to work things out," she replies but admits they don't have a Plan B if that doesn't happen. Sonya's rational is that surrogacy babies struggle more and asks if a home without a mum will make it harder for the baby. Karl reminds her that children are raised without one parent being present and studies show that those raised by a dad are just as well adjusted as some other child. He then reminds her about how Callum was raised too, when she was in the grip of her addiction, and he's turned out to be a wonderful young man.
SONYA: I know but giving up Callum was one of the biggest regrets of my life Karl, and I think that's maybe why I feel so strongly about it. I just feel like I'm just going down some kind of rabbit hole and I don't know where it leads.
KARL: Anyone in this situation would find it difficult. You just have to find a way to not get more stressed and don't worry about things you can't change.
Number 30
Mark and Steph are discussing what they can do (eventually setting on coffee at Harold's) when Sonya arrives home. She seems happy that they are going out together as they leave the house.
Harold's café
Mark/Steph are coerced into joining Ellen, Victoria and Josie for coffee when they enter the store. While waiting to order the coffee, Ellen explains to Mark how things are somewhat better (with Victoria) as they try to have a civil split for Josie's split. Ellen then says she wants to get back together with Victoria as her feelings for her have re-surfaced after seeing her profile on the dating app.
MARK: So Victoria hasn't found anyone special then?
ELLEN: Thankfully not!
Dee's room, Robinsons motel
Toadie is distracted on working (professionally) with Dee on the estate claim by her phone bleeping away but she explains it off as forms being sent to enable Willow to go to boarding school (on the assumption of the money coming through from the estate) and will look at them later.
When Dee asks Willow to stop playing flight simulator on her phone, Toadie gets a brainwave to what her fishy nickname could be - Flying Fish! Willow seems happy with the choice and even more so when Toadie decides to forgo spending the next day with Sonya in preference to taking her to some nearby RAAF museum that gives free flying displays.
Harold's café
Given the conversation isn't exactly free-flowing, Mark/Steph decide to head off and while Mark finishes his coffee, Steph goes to get some water. Victoria follows her (to get water for Ellen) and they stand chatting about Ellen's wish to get back with her even though Victoria thinks it's a lost cause, but seems willing to try for Josie's sake.
VICTORIA: And you didn't lead be to believe that there was no reason not to.
STEPH: No, no! No reason.
Victoria also isn't planning on telling Ellen about the kiss because she would get jealous and make things "go south for no good reason."
As Steph returns to the table to get Mark, Ellen says she is going to pay for the drinks and as they head out the door, Steph/Victoria look at each other, something that is only picked up on by Josie.
Lassiters Complex
"That wasn't awkward at all!" Steph sarcastically comments as they walk through the complex and tries to reassure Mark yet again that the kiss with Victoria was meaningless. "Means we've something to fight for," Mark remarks before they try to make plans for later as both have to head to work. Steph seems very reluctant to spend the night with him and eventually they reach a compromise to talk about it once they've finished work.
The Flame Tree
Steph catches Toadie as he's having a coffee for a chat with his man brain! She explains to him the dilemma about staying over with Mark, when she's trying to create a bit of separation between them.
STEPH: I just think it might be a mistake. So, if you go and sleep with someone when you're going through a rough patch, that's just muddying the water.
TOADIE: Right.
STEPH: So do you think it's a good idea or a bad idea?
TOADIE: To be honest Steph, I think you are coping out on the whole situation. Are you really going to leave Sonya literally holding the baby?
STEPH: No, I am just trying to make the right decision for everyone.
TOADIE: How?
STEPH: In the long run.
TOADIE: By creating an issue about Mark and Sonya spending extra time together?
STEPH: I don't think... I don't think that's what I'm doing?
TOADIE: You pretty much ended your engagement because of it.
STEPH: If Mark and I break up, don't worry, you and Sonya are not going to have to step up and be full time parents.
TOADIE: You are kidding yourself!
Steph appears rather confused, so Toadie explains himself.
TOADIE: Okay, I get that you and Mark are having issues but you deal with it okay, that is what commitment is about. Sonya is having a baby for you. Right, you can't let that baby down!!
Number 30
Toadie doesn't give Sonya much choice but to accept he's now made plans for spending the day with Willow rather than then talk when he returns home. She does give her consent to him putting up a framed copy of the selfie photo he took of himself/Willow.
Sonya then tries to subtly quiz him on where Willow fits into Dee's story. "In what way?" he asks, so she explains her thinking - that first of all it was Emily finding Dee and taking her in but now you've got Dee pregnant too. Sonya also thinks it's odd that Emily didn't mention the child to the police either.
TOADIE: Mmm, what you getting at?
SONYA: I guess what I'm saying is that the story is a whole lot more bizarre once you put Willow into that picture, that's all.
Toadie isn't going along with her thinking and points out that the DNA tests have confirmed things.
TOADIE: They are who they say they are, so can you please stop trying to find holes in their story please!
Their conversation is interrupted by a visitor - Josie. They are both happy to see her and catch up briefly before asking why she is round and her response takes them somewhat by surprise - she's round to see Steph.
Robinsons motel
Pausing for a moment, Steph reads the text Mark has sent saying he's in bed and wants her to come over, but she doesn't respond to it, simply puts the phone back into her pocket and resumes working.
Steph then receives a visitor at the motel - Josie who raises the accusation that there is something going on between her/her mum. "What makes you say that?" Steph replies and Josie explains that Victoria has been talking about her "in a girl crush kind of way" and also their behaviour in Harold's earlier "was so obvious." Steph tries to say there is nothing going on.
JOSIE: I really hope not because my mums are trying to work stuff out. They're getting back together.
STEPH: Yip.
JOSIE: So, I want you to just back off and not get in the way of that.
Steph easily agrees to that request and points out to Josie that she's got a boyfriend (Mark) whom she met earlier.
STEPH: Josie, I swear to you, you've got nothing to worry about okay.
Number 24
Steph creeps into bed as Mark is asleep but he wakes up and apologises for going to sleep, he'd given up on her coming. He tries to talk about the baby but she'd rather they didn't and concentrated on them and they start kissing passionately.
Number 24 (early next day)
Steph is up with the lark and tells Mark she is going for a ride because she couldn't sleep but orders him to go back to sleep.
Ramsay Street
Steph isn't the only one who has been out for a ride today as Toadie and Karl cycle their way back up Ramsay Street. Karl hopes the ride has helped clear Toadie's head, which it sort of has, but Toadie adds that he wishes Sonya was more comfortable around Willow although does concede that he doesn't expect her to "have the same sort of rush of love that I'm feeling." Karl sees where he is coming from, remembering what it was like with Susan/Holly although Toadie points out that at least he knew about Holly from when she was born.
Toadie is bragging though that his daughter wants to be a fighter pilot and likes how she's got goals, something he doesn't remember having... apart from trying to come up with the next prank! Karl tries to get Toadie to go easy on Sonya as she is struggling, which Toadie thanks him for as he does know.
TOADIE: I guess being a father is less complicated than being a husband some times.
KARL: Yes, I have to say I don't envy you.
Toadie then suggests to Karl that he comes along to the RAAF museum and he's swithering until Toadie adds it's free, when he is now on board!
Harold's café
Willow is relieved to have Sonya run into her, so she can pick which snack to buy for Toadie and is told either will do as they're both full of sugar and fat! Sonya asks if she's looking forward to the trip to the RAAF museum and Willow is so excited about going, that she accidentally lets something slip - that she has a friend and uses some text speak too.
SONYA: So you weren't really that cut off then?
WILLOW: What do you mean?
SONYA: Well I mean you probably didn't learn text speak being away from everybody with just your mum and Emily.
Willow quickly says she picked them up from the TV and online but then Sonya points out they didn't have electricity! Now quickly backtracking, she claims that they did have electricity (solar and a generator) but just didn't use it all the time.
Sonya now wants to know about the friend she mentioned, and if she met her at school and is told to talk to Dee about it, not her. "You're right," Sonya replies and apologies too while trying to look all sweetness and like and even offers to shout her a hot chocolate as way of a further apology but Willow declines and makes a beeline for the exit.
The Waterhole
Steph spots Victoria at the bar when she comes in after her ride and smiles at her... but someone else has spotted the smile - Ellen who was elsewhere in the bar at the time and isn't amused one bit! Steph then notices that she's been spotted and sighs before turning and leaving the bar but not without one last look at Victoria, unseen of course from Ellen.
Dee's room, Robinsons motel
Willow returns and tells her mum about Sonya quizzing her and that she was suspicious. Dee tells her not to worry, as with the DNA tests there is nothing Sonya can do. She orders Willow to have a great time instead with Toadie and moments later, he arrives to collect Willow.
Toadie hangs back to talk to Dee about Willow (he can sense she's not quite enthusiastic) but Dee puts that down to her simply being "a bit off kilter." "I know the feeling," he remarks and Dee thanks him for taking time to spend it with Willow but he responds that he is stoked to do that. Dee explains that Willow hasn't had a lot of male role models in her life and Toadie uses that comment as a subtle way of wanting to know if Dee's been involved with anyone.
DEE: A few, but none that stuck. You're a hard act to follow.
Their chat is then interrupted by a knock on the door and Dee thinks that will be Steph with some fresh towels for her but from the comment Toadie makes on opening the door, "hey, what are you doing here?" it isn't Steph who has knocked on the door!
DEE: Who is it?
TOADIE: Get ready for a blast from the past.
Well, whoever it is calling, Toadie is happy, but Dee is most certainly not!
Promo
- Paige having a baby shower... although she'd rather it be called the baby's 18th!
- Ned impressed with Elly's massage skills.
- Terese thinking Piper is on the verge of cracking.
- Piper apologising to Paige.
- Lauren asking Steph what she feels about Victoria.