Previously
- Sonya and Toadie tell Nell that Toadie is going to stay with Karl and Susan
- Toadie is devastated when he receives a letter informing him Sonya's filing for divorce
- Shane and his family take up residence at No 32
- Kirsha is worried about leaving her friends, and 'Clancy', behind in Bourke
- Xanthe is upset by the idea of her half- sister Jessie coming to stay, but relents and agrees to it
- But Brooke's ex Brian is moving to Malaysia and taking Jessie with him
- Gary makes a tongue- in- cheek suggestion of kidnapping Jessie - but Brooke takes the idea to heart
No 26
Gary thinks Brooke is nuts to be contemplating snatching Jessie. But Brooke points out that Gary would be singing a different tune if it was Xanthe being taken to Malaysia.
BROOKE: And it's not snatching - it's borrowing!
All she's advocating, she claims, is an 'unauthorised visit' while Jessie passes through Melbourne - Brian wouldn't even have to know. She insists Brian has every intention of taking Jessie to Malaysia regardless of Brooke's views, so has left her no choice. Gary says there must be a better way of going about it, and at that point, Terese walks in.
TERESE: Better way about what?
GARY: ... Keeping the new lounge clean. Don't know what Mum's thinking, insisting the plastic cover stays on!
BROOKE: Between us, it's hideous!
TERESE: Right. Well if you feel that strongly about it, why don't you just take it off?
GARY: Don't want to upset her.
TERESE: You're not afraid of your mother, Gary, are you?!
GARY: No!
Brooke leaves them to it, and Terese and Gary start ripping the plastic cover off the sofa!
Harold's Café
Sheila is giving Dipi some friendly feedback on her café takeover so far - the coffee's too weak, but apart from that she is doing a fabulous job. Dipi mentions that it's been quite an adjustment for Shane, who had previously been selling farm equipment for a living.
DIPI: He's invented a solar-powered lawnmower. Got a lot of interest in it.
SHEILA: Ooh, a tinkerer!
Sheila invites Dipi to go on a walk tomorrow, and she seems keen. Sheila leaves, and Dipi reports back to Shane about the week coffees.
DIPI: Erinsborough likes it strong.
Kirsha has been helping out in the café, but Dipi suggests she go talk to a couple of her fellow school pupils who are at a table by the door, to make friends. Kirsha points out that the girls are Year Nines.
DIPI: You can't be too picky. I've made friends with Sheila, and she's older than me!
But Kirsha says she's going to go home and hang out with Mishti if Dipi doesn't need her. Once she's gone, Dipi expresses concern to Shane that Kirsha hasn't come out of her shell since moving to Erinsborough. Shane suggests that she might be missing 'Clancy'.
SHANE: It can't be easy leaving your best friend behind.
DIPI: That's why I want her to make new friends. So she forgets about Clancy once and for all.
Shane looks worried.
No 28
Toadie is frantically searching for a work file when Karl turns up, and finds it in the recycling bin! Toadie is annoyed but says nothing. He's about to go and see Sonya, as she called him the other day and he forgot to call her back. He says he won't be back for dinner as he's headed to the office to do some work. When Karl reminds him to eat properly, Toadie snaps, saying he can look after himself.
KARL: Toad, Susan and I don't mean to get on your case. We're just worried you're not coping, that's all. But if you want us to back off, if you want us to give you some space, that's fine.
TOADIE: Maybe that is what I need. My own space.
KARL: Well, you should do what you want.
TOADIE: I don't know what I want! All I know is, being camped out here over the road from Sonya - it's just - I feel like I'm kidding myself that this separation is just temporary. Maybe it's time that I came face-to-face with reality.
No 32
Kirsha is reading by the pool, and Mishti is in her swimming gear. Terese drops by; she has a thank-you gift (a massage gift voucher!) for Mishti for being so good with Piper after the accident at the backpackers'. Mishti introduces Kirsha as her niece.
Once Terese has gone, Mishti asks Kirsha how school is going. Kirsha moans that the kids wear cool clothes and listen to music she's never heard of.
KIRSHA: I wish Clancy was here.
MISHTI: You know he can't be.
KIRSHA: But it'd be so much easier. Everybody likes him straight away.
MISHTI: Kirsh, you have to try.
KIRSHA: Maybe I don't want friends. It's not like I'm bored.
MISHTI: It's not like you're happy either.
No 26
Gary is preparing a seed banquet for Lassiter's the pigeon! Brooke asks Gary if he's given any more thought to helping her kidnap Jessie!
GARY: I'm not helping you nick her!
BROOKE: But I just want to talk to her! I mean, what if she doesn't want to go to Malaysia?
GARY: And what if she does?
BROOKE: Well, then, at least I'll know! Please, Gary - Brian's got full custody. There's no other way I can do this.
Gary suggests she implement her plan alone, but Brooke says she'd be too much of a wreck. Terese comes in, and Brooke and Gary act all awkward, leading her to suspect that something is awry. Brooke makes out that they were just discussing Gary whipping up a special brekkie for Terese.
However, Terese reminds him they have to go to see Piper at the hospital. Gary tells her to go ahead without him, and that he'll come along a bit later, after he's fed the pigeon and 'done a couple of other things'. Terese looks upset.
Harold's Café
Toadie is with Nell, who's distracting him from his busy workload. Dipi says that she and Shane can look after Nell for a while, and Toadie thanks her, saying he'd have asked the Kennedys but they've already done too much. Dipi casually suggests Toadie move in with them, as they have plenty of space.
DIPI: There'd always be someone to look after Nell. Me, Mish, Kirsha -
SHANE: Yashvi... Maybe not Yashvi.
Toadie says it would probably be better if he got his own place. Shane is distracted doing something on his phone, but reiterates Dipi's offer, saying it's up to Toadie.
The Waterhole
Terese calls in for a coffee en route to see Piper at the hospital. Sheila moans to her about Gary.
SHEILA: He's in my bad books at the moment. Do you know that he took the plastic off the couch?!
Terese quickly changes the subject! She asks if Sheila has noticed any 'sizzle' between Gary and Brooke. Sheila says not, and Terese explains they seemed to be acting weirdly when she interrupted them earlier. Sheila assures her Gary's no idiot; he learns from his mistakes. She adds that Terese would only have cause to be worried if he started randomly showing up with flowers for her!
SHEILA: Men only give flowers to ladies when they feel guilty.
Terese leaves, just as Dipi comes in to meet Sheila for their walk. Sheila asks after the family; Dipi says Yashvi's making friends, but that Kirsha is struggling a bit.
DIPI: Doesn't help that she's still pining for Clancy.
SHEILA: Yeah, Jimmy said that she talked about him a fair bit. I'm guessing you're not a fan?
DIPI: He was a pain in the neck.
SHEILA: A ratbag, was he?
DIPI: Yeah. Attention-seeking!
Sheila tells her not to worry about Kirsha - the quiet ones just take time.
Rebecchi Law (no longer incorporating Brand Enthusiasm)
Gary is speaking to Toadie about Brooke's situation with Jessie. Toadie suggests Brooke could petition against Brian's custody, but Gary explains that Brian has 'dirt' on Brooke pertaining to her Gold Coast grifting days that he may use against her if she tried.
GARY: She's got no chance, does she?
TOADIE: The decision will probably go in Brian's favour, yeah. But why don't you get a second opinion? Family law is not really my area.
GARY: You seem pretty across it.
TOADIE: I'm just trying to be because of my own situation.
Toadie says he and Sonya are trying to cooperate for Nell's sake, but that he can't take anything for granted.
TOADIE: I just assumed I was gonna be there for all of Nell growing up, and now I'm only gonna get half.
GARY: Well, you're much more of a hands-on dad than I was. I bailed early on with Kyle, and I was in and out of jail when Xanthe was growing up. I'll never get that time back.
TOADIE: I suppose that's why I should make the most of every chance I get.
No 32
Kirsha is with Nell, telling her tall tales about her adventures in Bourke with Clancy. Sheila, who is having tea with Dipi on the patio, remarks that Kirsha has a bit of the balladeer about her, like her dad. But Dipi thinks it's a shame all her stories are about Clancy.
Suddenly, we hear barking, and a dog rushes into the garden and bounds towards Kirsha. This, we learn, is Clancy! Kirsha is delighted to see him, and Clancy likewise. But Dipi is astounded...
Rebecchi Law (no longer incorporating Brand Enthusiasm)
Steph is having a coffee with Toadie. He says that, while Karl and Susan have been fantastic, they fuss over him too much. Steph suggests Toadie should consider Dipi's offer to move in at No 32, pointing out that it would be best for him still to live near Sonya, to keep the hope alive for their marriage.
TOADIE: Sonya's given me no reason to hope. So unless you know something that I don't -
STEPH: I'm just saying, it can't hurt to be nearby.
TOADIE: I don't even really know them.
STEPH: Shane's your brother!
TOADIE: Yeah, but we grew apart. He's been up north too long. He likes bush poetry!
STEPH: Oh, Toad, come on! You're just making excuses now.
TOADIE: Okay, he's got his own family, and he doesn't need his damaged little brother moping around.
STEPH: Did he say that?
TOADIE: No, he didn't. But he wasn't too keen on it.
Steph says that Toadie should ask Shane outright what he thinks of the idea.
No 32
Shane has joined Dipi, Sheila, Kirsha, Nell and Clancy in the back garden. Dipi tells Shane how Clancy just waltzed in from nowhere, and advocates sending him back to Bourke. Kirsha isn't keen on that idea, but Dipi reminds her that they gave Clancy to the Maguires - they can't just take him back again. She expresses surprise that the Maguires haven't called them to say he was missing.
SHANE: They probably thought he was off chasing rabbits.
KIRSHA: No, he's chasing me! He's walked all the way from Bourke just to be with me!
But Dipi thinks Yashvi must have something to do with the dog's mysterious reappearance, and decides to interrogate her when she gets home. Kirsha begs them for Clancy to stay, so Shane says he and Dipi will talk it over. They walk two feet away and do just that.
DIPI: We can't have a country dog in the city, Shane.
SHANE: No. You're right. It's just asking for trouble... But he does make Kirsha happy.
Dipi announces that Clancy can stay, as long as he doesn't dig up the garden or eat her shoes!
DIPI: And we've got to clear it with Lauren.
SHANE: No, she's, erm, said she's okay with dogs.
DIPI: Did she? (!)
Shane goes to call the Maguires and let them know. Dipi looks mildly suspicious.
Harold's Café
Shane meets up with a bloke called Dominic, one of his old mates from Bourke. We learn that Shane has asked Dominic to bring Clancy to Erinsborough; he offers him money for the petrol, but it was on his way anyway. Apparently, Clancy barked the whole way to Melbourne.
SHANE: How did the Maguires take it?
DOMINIC: I reckon they'd have paid to give him back!
SHANE: Yeah - he's a good dog, but old Clance is a bit of an acquired taste.
Dominic leaves, just as Toadie comes in. He tells Shane he may have been a bit hasty in turning down Dipi's offer to move in. Shane seems enthusiastic this time, and explains he was just distracted when they were talking about it before (presumably, with arranging Clancy's arrival).
SHANE: So, you moving in or what? Come on, there's a pool and a bar!
Toadie agrees gratefully, and Shane hugs him.
The Waterhole
Gary and Brooke are having a drink. Gary's had second thoughts about Jessie following his conversation with Toadie - he says he missed out on Kyle and Xanthe growing up, and he doesn't want Brooke to do the same with Jessie. So he agrees to help with Jessie, on the grounds that nobody else can know - so if it goes belly-up, only they will get into trouble.
Gary says they can't do anything too dodgy as he's just got off parole - they just need to arrange an 'unauthorised meeting' with Jessie, for two hours max. Brooke says she'll need more time than that to convince Jessie not to move to Malaysia, but Gary says they don't want Brian getting suss.
GARY: I can help you get access. The rest is up to you.
Terese comes in, and sees a grateful Brooke hugging Gary. She looks upset, and leaves.
No 32
Shane and Mishti are having a private discussion in the garden, as Shane apparently finishes up some digging with a trowel in a flowerbed.
MISHTI: When are you gonna tell her?
SHANE: Do we have to? Everyone's really happy right now - do we need to rock the boat?
Toadie watches from a distance, looking slightly suspicious. Karl turns up with his guitar.
TOADIE: Hey - you know I'm moving out to get *away* from your singing?
KARL: I thought it was cos Susan hogged the TV?
Toadie apologises for being snappy with Karl last night, and thanks him for having him at No 28. Shane offers them both a beer, and Dipi, Sheila and Kirsha emerge with Clancy, who's already been roaming the house, despite being supposed to stay outside.
Dipi asks everyone to gather around, and suggests Shane show them his new invention! We see a shot of what we presume is the solar-powered lawnmower under a tarpaulin nearby, but for some reason, Shane doesn't seem keen to show it off.
DIPI: In that case - welcome everyone. We'd like to take this opportunity to welcome Toadie -
KIRSHA: And Clancy!
DIPI: Toadie and Clancy into our home. I think this is the perfect time for a little housewarming ceremony. So I'm gonna bury this gold bangle in the back yard for good luck.
SHANE: Yeah, and Clancy's already dug a hole for you. Kidding!
Dipi places the bangle in the hole in the flowerbed.
KARL: Does it have to be gold? It looks rather valuable.
DIPI: Oh yeah, it's just gold-plated.
KARL: Still!
DIPI: Okay... Oh, divine mother, make the darkness distant, and promote illumination within us...
TOADIE: Hear, hear!
KARL: Oh, that's lovely! I might have a song that'd suit this occasion.
Shane and Dipi kiss and everyone mingles, as Karl launches into 'Free as a River', much to Toadie's chagrin!
Later on, Mishti is by the pool alone, looking sad. Shane appears and sits down next to her.
SHANE: You know, Toadie's showing photos of me inside, if you want a laugh.
MISHTI: I think I'll just hang out here.
SHANE: You okay?
MISHTI: I was just thinking about Kirsha and Clancy. That dog didn't find this place on his own, did he?
SHANE: I might've had a hand in it. Not a word to Dipi, though - it's in the cone of silence.
MISHTI: It was a nice thing to do. It's not often you get a second chance with the one you love.
SHANE: ... You know, it might not feel like it, but you'll get a second chance soon. You'll find someone else.
MISHTI: Why would you say that?! I don't want someone else! I could never want someone else!
Awkward silence.
MISHTI: Sorry. You caught me at a bad time. I was thinking about that night - why it happened. What things would be like if it hadn't.
SHANE: Not much point looking back.
MISHTI: I know. But it's hard not to.
SHANE: You know, you'll never get over it if you don't accept that it was a mistake.
MISHTI: Acceptance, forgiveness - these are not things I'm good at.
Shane holds her hand.
SHANE: Mish - you have to let it go.
Erinsborough Hospital
Terese is in the waiting area, asleep on a couch. Gary turns up, apologising for not getting there earlier - a few things came up. She says it's fine, but she's obviously not happy.
TERESE: So were you stuck at home all day?
GARY: Yeah. How's Piper?
TERESE: She's having some follow-up x-rays.
Gary's bought Piper a fluffy unicorn, which Terese is sure she'll appreciate.
GARY: It's not the only present I bought.
Sure enough, he presents Terese with a bunch of flowers! Recalling Sheila's words from earlier, she looks worried, before forcing a smile...
Promo
- Sheila is furious to find Gary hugging Brooke
- Paige and Mark borderline- flirt by the pool
- Elly warns Paige to be careful getting so close to Mark given their history
- Steph tells Sonya that Mark is in love with her
- Mark asks if 'she' has ever been in trouble with the police
- We see Yashvi hiding behind a tree