Recap
- Willow points out that she's two years older than Jimmy
- Toadie and Dee visit the site of their wedding
- Toadie promises to do what he can to support Dee
- Mark invites Steph over for lunch
- Ellen tells Mark that she wants to work things out with Victoria
- Steph and Victoria share a kiss
Robinson's Motel
Steph apologises to Victoria and says that their kiss shouldn't have happened. Victoria asks if she wants to pretend that it never happened and walks out before Steph can speak. Steph is torn and looks at her engagement ring.
No. 30
Sonya is thoroughly enjoying a head massage from Toadie whilst munching on chocolate - both part of her Valentine's day gifts! Toadie breaks the sensual mood by floating the possibility of funding Willow's fees for the grammar school. Sonya isn't thrilled at the proposal, and points out that both Callum and Nell will have attended public schools. Sonya asks that they explore other options before committing to anything.
TOADIE: But paying the fees is on the table?
SONYA: ...yeah. It's on the table.
Toadie thanks her, but Sonya does not look happy.
Robinson's Motel
In Dee's room, Willow scolds Dee for using her phone to lure Toadie out to the wedding venue.
DEE: It wasn't creepy, Willow. You didn't see the look on his face when we were talking about our vows. Do you know, he remembered every one of our vows.
WILLOW: You mean, Toadie and Dee's vows?
DEE: Oh, whatever. Look, the point is, it was really nice out there, for both of us.
Toadie knocks and enters, bearing a Valentine's gift of roses for Willow. She looks uncomfortable, and heads to the bathroom saying that she doesn't feel well. Dee claims that Willow is just anxious about paying for her school fees.
DEE: It's a killer, isn't it? When you can't provide for your child's dreams.
Dee goes to put Willow's roses in water, whilst Toadie is left looking guilty.
No. 24
Mark has laid on a full Valentine's spread for Steph, and pours champagne as she enters and looks overwhelmed by it all.
STEPH: Oh... you said 'no special effort'.
MARK: I know, but I thought we could just take a few steps back, to the day of our engagement lunch, when I should have been there. If we could just have that moment again, to celebrate our relationship.
STEPH: Oh Mark, we can't. We can't go back.
MARK: Well, we could try?
STEPH: I need to talk to you about something.
MARK: Okay, that doesn't sound good.
Steph confesses to kissing Victoria again, which is a big blow for Mark. He thanks Steph for her honesty.
MARK: I thought you said you love me?
STEPH: We have to face facts. We have to work out properly what's going to happen before the baby comes.
MARK: What do you mean?
STEPH: It's over.
Steph places her engagement ring on the kitchen counter.
STEPH: Look, I'm not going to leave you in the lurch. I'm still going to be there to support you and the baby, but just more as an auntie, than as... as more of a co-parent. Mark?
MARK: You need to leave.
Steph leaves and Mark starts to pack up the Valentine's lunch. Steph pauses at the bottom of the steps of No. 24 to burst into tears and considers going back inside. Inside, Mark launches the champagne bottle at a wall in anger. Steph hears the smash and cries out, deciding to leave.
No. 30
A while later, Mark has broken the news of his break up to Sonya. She appears shaken from the news that Steph doesn't want to be involved as a parent to the baby, but Mark reassures her that he's still completely committed to being the father. Sonya pleads for Mark to find a way to sort things out with Steph, but he assures her that they're over.
SONYA: I mean you loved her, you were having a child with her Mark. It was natural for you to hope for the best.
MARK: Regardless, there's no going back. The only important thing that matters is the baby. I just wanted to let you know.
The Waterhole/Erinsborough Police Station
Steph unloads about her break up to Victoria. The scene is intercut with Ellen showing Mark a necklace that she plans to give Victoria.
The Waterhole
Steph tells Victoria that she's still confused about how she feels, and Victoria is hurt that she was treated as an excuse to break up with Mark. Steph apologises, but says that she doesn't want to commit to Victoria for the time being. Victoria gets upset and says she doesn't want Josie to keep being hurt.
Erinsborough Police Station
Mark takes Ellen aside to a separate room.
MARK: It turns out our girlfriends have got other ideas this Valentine's day. Plans that don't involve us. I know you're trying to work out things with Victoria, but I don't think it's going to happen.
ELLEN: Why not?
The Waterhole
Victoria warns Steph that Ellen is already suspicious of their relationship, and whilst Steph tries to play things down, Victoria warns that she 'doesn't know Ellen'. Steph reassures her that Mark isn't the type of person to go spreading gossip.
Erinsborough Police Station
Ellen looks devastated at Mark's news.
ELLEN: So all this time, I've been trying to rebuild what he had, and Steph was there in the background?
MARK: It's erm... it's a little worse than that.
The Waterhole
Sonya meets up with Steph and asks if she's made the right decision. Steph argues that she doesn't want the child growing up with unhappy parents.
SONYA: So this is about Victoria then?
STEPH: No, no, it's about me. It's about having a life that I choose, not one that I fall into.
SONYA: But you chose this. We all chose this.
STEPH: Yeah, Son... I know it wasn't intentional, but you and Mark pushed really hard for the surrogacy to happen, I felt like I never had a proper say.
SONYA: Well, I'm sorry if we made you feel excluded. But the only reason that I pushed is that I believed in you both so much.
STEPH: But it's more than that. You chased, you chased, when all the signs said you should have backed away.
SONYA: Yes, because I wanted to help you!
STEPH: Look, are you sure? Are you sure that it's not something more than that?
Sonya scoffs and doesn't respond.
Ramsay Street
Willow bumps into Karl and Ben outside No. 30 and introduces herself. Karl is on the phone and seems to be having trouble booking something special for Susan for Valentine's day. A taxicab pulls up and Aaron gets out, clad in a cupid costume! He explains that he was meant to be going to a fancy dress party, but accidentally showed up to a corporate function, and security were called!
BEN: Welcome to Ramsay Street...
Erinsborough Council - Sonya's Office
Sonya breaks the news to Toadie that Mark and Steph have split up, and that Steph wants to pull out of the surrogacy. Toadie points out that at least the baby will be cared for properly.
SONYA: I'm starting to think whether I should take a bigger role alongside Mark.
TOADIE: What does that mean?
SONYA: I mean, it's open for discussion. It's something we can talk about over the coming months.
TOADIE: When the baby's born?
SONYA: It's not that I don't trust Mark as the Dad, but it's a challenge being a single parent!
TOADIE: You cannot offer help just out of obligation!
Sonya reminds Toadie that all four of them are in the surrogacy together.
TOADIE: It's not like we even had a choice in it, is it? I mean of course Mark is going to need support, our support. And so does the baby. We will work this out together.
SONYA: Are you sure though?
TOADIE: Yeah, yeah yeah. I've got your back, babe. We're a team.
Toadie and Sonya kiss.
Erinsborough Police Station
Victoria approaches Mark to apologise and pleads that he doesn't mention her kiss with Steph to Ellen. He breaks the news that she already knows.
Lassiter's Complex
Ellen approaches Steph and rips into her for cheating with Victoria. Steph suggests that they both walk away from each other, but Ellen insists that she'll always look out for Victoria.
No. 28
Willow fawns over Ben as he finishes playing a song. Karl overhears and is inspired to get Ben to sell the song to him for Susan. Ben declines, but Karl pushes and offers him $50.
BEN: It's not for sale! Besides, she'd know I wrote it.
KARL: No, you're right... my style is a lot more seasoned.
Willow and Ben continue to bond, and Willow accidentally lets slip that she knows part of Year 9 science syllabus. Ben finds this odd but doesn't make much of it. Karl has another idea for Susan's Valentine's gift, and sends Ben and Willow packing to Harold's.
Robinson's Motel
Steph sobs as she unloads on Dee about Mark and the surrogacy. Dee insists that Mark and Sonya will be wonderful parents, but Steph is upset that she'll put more pressure on Toadie's marriage. Dee tells Steph she needs to put herself first and step back for a while.
No. 28
Aaron puts the finishing touches to his cupid costume, which Karl is now wearing! He adjusts Karl's quiver and bends down behind him, just as Ben returns home.
BEN: Hey, granddad...
KARL: Hey, this isn't what it looks like!
BEN: I didn't say a word...
Karl ushers Aaron away from his behind and hands him a £20 note, whilst Ben walks away speechless!
Lassiter's Lake
On a bench by the lake, Sonya tentatively puts forward her idea of being more involved in the baby's life, and Mark reacts ecstatically.
MARK: I know it's not what we originally had planned, but bringing up a baby with you just seems so natural!
Sonya mumbles that Toadie is fine with the situation and they have a big hug. Just at that moment, Toadie turns the corner and spots them both in an embrace. He doesn't look happy!
Erinsborough Motel
Toadie knocks at Dee's room, and delivers the news that he's going to pay for Willow's school fees. Dee is overjoyed and gives him a big hug. Toadie asks Dee to keep the agreement quiet until he's spoken properly to Sonya.