Paul's Penthouse
Paul, Terese and Gary exit the lift into the penthouse, Terese apologising to Gary for Paul being the first to know about her cancer. But Gary's furious, and demands to know why. Terese claims she wanted to protect Gary, after he reacted so badly to the initial possibility of her having cancer.

GARY: But him?! Terese, why him?!
PAUL: She needed to tell someone.
GARY: Terese was vulnerable, and you took advantage!
TERESE: Paul's been through this before as a patient. He understands.

Terese adds that she told Paul just after all the drama with Finn and Xanthe; she didn't want to burden Gary with it at the time.

TERESE: It's not because I don't love you.
GARY: Of course (!)
TERESE: It's because I do.
GARY: Terrific, yeah - thanks for clearing that up (!)

Gary walks out, and Terese follows. Paul looks uncomfortable.

No 28
Elly and Ben are preparing to eat, and discussing Susan and Karl's imminent return.

BEN: The last night of eating on the couch. When The Government gets home it'll be back to eating at the table.
BEN and ELLY (mimicking Karl and/or Susan): Like a family!
ELLY: You know you're gonna have to give your grandad's Ugg boots back?
BEN: Well, he'll have to pry them off my cold, dead feet.

Karl and Susan are due back any time, and Elly wonders if Susan will go back to work tomorrow. She's pleased with herself that nothing much has gone wrong while she's been acting principal...

ELLY: ... apart from the whole Wayne Baxter thing.

Elly reveals she's pitching to The Departmenttm for funding for extra integration aids tomorrow. Ben thinks this is 'awesome', and Elly thinks it will prove to Susan how on top of everything she's been.

No 26
In the garden, Gary is whingeing to Xanthe about Terese confiding in Paul about her cancer, rather than him. While Xanthe attempts to file Gary's nails for beautician practice, Gary worries that Terese might still be in love with Paul. Xanthe reminds Gary that Paul and Terese are similar in career terms and that Paul went through a similar thing.

Gary beats himself up about not reacting better to Terese's initial scare.

XANTHE: Dad, don't be so dramatic. It's fine, okay - you're her Ron.
GARY: Who?
XANTHE: Ron. Harry Potter. Dad, the Harry Potter triangle! You used to read me the books when I was little. You're her Ron and she's your Hermione!
GARY: Yeah, and Hermione was constantly turning to Harry. Jeez, thanks, Xanthe, that's just fantastic!
XANTHE: No.
GARY: Harry was the chosen one - how am I supposed to compete with the chosen one?
XANTHE: Okay, yes - everyone thought that Harry and Hermione were meant to be together, but they were wrong, weren't they? Because who did Hermione end up with?
GARY: Ron.
XANTHE: Ron. You just have to be courageous, and truthful. Show her that you really care!

Lassiter's Complex
Yashvi is with Kirsha, who gets a text from her classmate Tia, the girl whose sleepover she ran away from. Tia is pestering her for maths homework answers, and Kirsha is considering not replying, telling Yashvi that Tia is a bit too cool for her. Yashvi doesn't seem to think that ignoring the text is a good idea, but Kirsha says she'll pretend she never got it, rather than 'reply and mess something up'.

Meanwhile, Piper and Terese are walking across the courtyard; Piper wishes had Terese told her and Gary when she first found out about the cancer. Terese points out that they both had a lot on their plates, and says that Paul was able to give her the strength she needed.

TERESE: Maybe it was the wrong call.
PIPER: No - no, Mum. You did what you needed to do, and I get that. And I get that you were trying to protect me, but you're engaged to Gary, okay? Isn't he the person that you should be turning to?

Terese looks uncomfortable.

Paul's Penthouse
Paul and Leo are looking out over the balcony.

PAUL: You have no idea how much it burns me up watching Terese tread water with that goon.
LEO: But you kept your mouth shut, right?
PAUL: Yeah, for the most part.
LEO: Good. Because I'd hate to see you use this to your advantage.
PAUL: Doesn't mean I don't keep praying for things to fall apart with Gary, though.
LEO: Yeah. Better keep that to yourself.
PAUL: I can guarantee that she'd be a lot happier with me in the long run, though.
LEO: If it happens, it happens. But it'll be because you were there for her, being a decent person when she needed it.
PAUL: Yeah, alright. You don't need to press the point; I am well aware that Terese's health is paramount.
LEO: Well, if that's how you really feel, maybe you should stop kicking up a stink over Nick.
PAUL: No! No, that is completely different. See, if Nick takes over Terese's treatment plan, he could seriously harm her!
LEO: Right now, it's your opposition that's causing the most damage.
PAUL: When it comes to Nick, there's no way in hell that I'm backing down!
LEO: ...
PAUL: But for the moment I'll not cause any problems for Terese and Gary's relationship. Not until this is over, anyway.

No 28
Karl and Susan arrive home, and are welcomed by Ben and Elly. They're very late given their plane landed hours ago, but from Susan's lack of explanation this appears to be a touchy subject!

Elly tells Susan that Lana Kline from The Departmenttm is coming to the school tomorrow to hear Elly's bid for extra funding. Susan wishes her luck, and Elly's surprised to learn that Susan isn't planning on being there herself, saying Elly can handle it. Susan appears to be acting a little coldly, but when Ben asks if she's okay, insists she's fine, and that her health is also fine now.

Karl has been looking sheepish throughout this, and it becomes clear when she heads for bed that Susan is giving him the cold shoulder. Karl makes out to Ben and Elly that it's just because of the long flight, and is uncharacteristically fine with Ben having borrowed his boots. Once he goes out to the car to collect the bags, Elly and Ben share a confused glance...

Lassiter's Lake
The next morning, Ben is walking with Yashvi to school, and filling her in on his grandparents' strange behaviour last night. Meanwhile, Courtney and Xanthe are walking in the opposite direction towards work, while Courtney plays on a dating app.

COURTNEY: Ugh. So many pics of guys fishing. I mean, do you want me to date you, or your ten kilo pink snapper?

The four cross paths, and things are still a little awkward between Xanthe and Ben. Xanthe uses the opportunity to give Yashvi a complimentary tube of body scrub, and Yashvi takes it badly, assuming Xanthe just feels sorry for her because of what happened with Evan. Xanthe tries to counsel Yashvi into talking about her feelings, but she insists she's fine.

YASHVI: My mistake for thinking guys were worth the effort.
COURTNEY: Just wait till you're old enough to use dating apps. If things stuff up, you can just bin 'em and move on.
BEN: ...
YASHVI: Or, failing that, covering your face in goo and hoping no-one recognises you, right?

The two pairs go their separate ways, Xanthe looking put out by Yashvi's lack of interest in her help.

No 28
Susan is still in a bad mood with Karl and he's acting very sheepishly, but we're no closer to understanding what's wrong! Meanwhile, Elly is preparing for her meeting with Lana Kline - she even has a spare shirt on standby in case she changes her mind about the one she's wearing!

Susan reiterates that she's not coming back to work today, and appears a little uninterested in Elly's meeting. Elly asks if Susan's okay, and again she insists she's fine. As Elly leaves, Dipi and Shane turn up with some leftover cake for the Kennedys, asking after their holiday - but Karl and Susan's cold reactions immediately cut the conversation dead! The Rebecchis quickly realise something's up.

Karl goes to make tea, and Susan coolly refuses a cup. So Dipi subtly sends Shane over to the kitchen area to probe Karl, while she works on Susan. Shane suggests Karl come to Harold's with him for a coffee. Karl's about to ask Susan if that would be alright.

SUSAN: Karl, just go.

Karl and Shane leave, and Dipi smiles awkwardly at Susan.

Erinsborough High School
Ben is defending Xanthe to Yashvi, saying she was just trying to be nice.

YASHVI: By giving me face-slime?

Yashvi remarks that everyone is whispering about her and Evan; it's embarrassing. But Ben assures her they'll soon move on.

Elly shows up and is in uniform fascist mode, telling Ben to smarten up his shirt and tie; The Departmenttm representative is on her way, and Elly wants everyone looking sharp. Jimmy randomly turns up and brags about the state of his own uniform, looking pleased when Elly says it's immaculate.

Meanwhile, Tia is annoyed with Kirsha for not messaging her back about the maths homework. Kirsha claims she missed the message because she was busy helping Dipi, but Tia looks sceptical. Tia is then next in line for Elly's uniform fascism, as she's told to roll down her skirt.

Nearby, Ben and Yashvi are disgusted by the smell of Xanthe's body scrub, and as they threaten to squeeze it on each other, a big gob of it shoots out and hits Elly right on her blouse! Elly shouts at an apologetic Yashvi to go to class, and tells Ben she'll now need to have a shower.

BEN: Guess you'll be wearing that blue shirt after all!

Elly glares at Ben, as the camera pans down to the blob of body scrub on her chest.

No 22
Gary comes to see Terese. She apologises again for going to Paul first about her illness; he says there's no need.

GARY: I want you to know that I understand, and you were right not to tell me.
TERESE: Really?
GARY: Come on, Terese. I fell apart the last time, exactly like you said. And I know I wasn't there the way you needed me to be, and I'm sorry for that. But I want you to understand why I reacted like I did.
TERESE: Because of Aunt Ethel?
GARY: Losing you would be a lot worse. We're supposed to have a life together. And the idea that we might not - that was too much for me to deal with. But it's my job to deal with it. It's my job to deal with whatever it takes to make you feel loved and supported. Now, I know I haven't always been the best at dealing with the emotional stuff. But I'm gonna get good, Terese, because I love you and I never want to be away from you. We can beat this. With Nick on board and everyone's support, soon this will be over. Just trust in me; that's all I ask.

Visibly moved by Gary's speech, Terese leans in and kisses him. They hug.

Harold's Café
Shane is busy probing a hesitant Karl to learn why Susan is upset with him.

KARL: I've done something really terrible.
SHANE: Right. What?
KARL: Oh, the details aren't important.
SHANE: But it's bad?
KARL: Oh, yeah - it's bad. It's very bad. Look, suffice to say I may have found myself a little too excited about the things Thailand offers foreign visitors.
SHANE: Oh, Karl - what exactly did you get up to over there?
KARL: For some travellers, they get caught up in the hurly-burly of a vibrant, throbbing culture, and get swept up into experiences that... that might not be acceptable at home. Some people - me - they, err... they can find themselves a little... giddy.
SHANE: Giddy?!
KARL: Yeah. You know, at all the exotic offerings on hand. I'm absolutely mortified.
SHANE: ... Yeah, well. Whatever happened, there must be some way to make it right?
KARL: It's hard to say. I guess six to eight months of grovelling might help. I mean, I'm trying to apologise - she just won't let me near her!
SHANE: You can't just leave it hanging. At least remind her that you care?
KARL: Yeah, well, I've tried that.
SHANE: Well try harder! Get her a bunch of flowers!
KARL: Really? (!)
SHANE: You've got to do whatever it takes to show her that you're truly sorry.

Erinsborough High School
Ben is discussing his grandparents' strange moods with Piper. He voices his concern that Karl might have been cheating on Susan. Piper is sceptical.

Meanwhile, Tia wants revenge on Elly for demanding she correct her uniform - and to this end, is trying to rope Kirsha into an evil plan, saying this will make up for Kirsha not texting her back about the homework.

TIA: Nick Miss Conway's clothes while she's having a shower!
KIRSHA: What?!
TIA: Because of you, I didn't finish all my homework.
KIRSHA: But I don't want to do that to Miss Conway. It's mean!
TIA: Steal her clothes, or I make your life miserable.

We cut to a shower room, where Elly is in one of the shower cubicles. Finishing up, she reaches out to the pegs on the wall for her clothes - but finds them gone, save a single shoe and a still-swaying coathanger! With only a towel around her, she shouts for help - but to no avail!

No 28
Karl comes in.

SUSAN: Did you tell Shane what happened?
KARL: No! Of course not - I'd never embarrass you like that.
SUSAN: Embarrass me?! You're the one who should be embarrassed! Even for you, this was... well... I have no words! Oh, I'm going to work - I can't stand the sight of you!
KARL: Wait, before you go...

He presents her with a large basket full of fruit - but this only serves to stoke Susan's fury!

SUSAN: What's this?!
KARL: Peace offering.
SUSAN: Is this supposed to be funny?!
KARL: I don't understand.
SUSAN: Melons, Karl?! You're giving me *melons*?!
KARL: Oh, no, no, no - I didn't mean it like that!
SUSAN: Did you really think that I would appreciate this - this sick reminder of your appalling behaviour?!
KARL: I'm sorry.
SUSAN: What kind of an idiot thinks, 'Oh, I know what Susan wants. What she really needs right now, after what I did to her, is... is... a nice pear?!'
KARL: It's a nashi!

And as Susan walks out of the room, she throws said nashi at him! Karl's forced to duck, as Susan gives him evils from the doorway...

Erinsborough High School
For some reason, Jimmy is in full-on sycophant mode, explaining to two schoolkid extras why Elly is perfectly justified in enforcing the school dress code.

JIMMY: She is acting principal, and it's her job to make sure everyone's dressed appropriately.

The camera pans to the shower room door as they walk past, where Elly - who's not dressed at all, never mind appropriately - peers out sporadically, looking for anyone who can help her! Ben and Piper walk by; he's trying to convince her to resurrect her Pipe Up vlog, but she's not ready yet. We learn Evan only got a twelve-month good behaviour bond for his stalking of her.

Elly calls out for help to Ben, then closes the door again as more pupils pass by, just as Ben turns around, thinking he's heard something.

PIPER: What?
BEN: No. Nothing.

They keep walking, while Elly's predicament continues.

Paul's Penthouse
Terese has come to see Paul.

TERESE: I've ended it with Gary. It's you I want to be with.

But it turns out this is just Paul daydreaming, and back in real life, Terese rouses him from his reverie!

PAUL: Sorry, what were you saying?
TERESE: I was just saying, I can't be around you anymore. It's Gary I need to be with. Look, I've considered what's best for everyone and I think it would be more straightforward if we just kept our distance.
PAUL: Why? I'm not putting pressure on you - I'm just being a friend.
TERESE: I know, I know. And I appreciate that. But I'm engaged to Gary. And I love him. And I need to honour that by giving him the opportunity to support me through this.
PAUL: ... I see.
TERESE: I'm really sorry, Paul. But your support, it's too - it's too confusing. It's too difficult. I can't continue like this.

Paul nods, evidently heartbroken, as she walks out.

Erinsborough High School
Yashvi reiterates to Ben that she's serious about giving up on guys.

YASHVI: Boys are dumb. Dating's dumb. The whole thing's dumb.

Kirsha turns up, and Yashvi asks her to cover her shift for her at Harold's later.

KIRSHA: Why, because I'm a pushover who'll do anything I'm asked?! (...) Because I'm not, okay, I'm my own person!

Kirsha stomps off, leaving Yashvi and Ben looking confused. While Yashvi goes to find Kirsha to figure out what's wrong, Elly again tries to call Ben. She's hiding behind a set of doors, naked except for what appears to be a banner she's ripped from the wall. She explains someone stole her clothes, and sends Ben to lost property to find her some more, while she makes a dash for the principal's office.

Lassiter's Spa
Paul has turned up for a massage, but Xanthe is uncooperative, claiming they're booked up. Paul glances over to the corner where Courtney is busy playing on her mobile phone.

PAUL: Are you sure you haven't got an opening?!

Courtney points out that they have no bookings for the next two hours, but Xanthe pointedly says she'd rather Paul come back when she isn't here.

COURTNEY: Has he done something skeezy? Yeah, I wouldn't put it past him.
XANTHE: No, he hasn't. Yet. Doesn't mean that he won't. My dad is one of the most important people to me in this world. And he hasn't had an easy life. But he's finally so close to the happiness he deserves with Terese. Except for one thing.
PAUL: Me? (!)
XANTHE: Everyone knows that you have it bad for her. But for once, Paul, put someone else's happiness before your own.
PAUL: What if I don't?
XANTHE: Well, I think you know what happens when you cross a Canning woman.

Erinsborough High School
Still wrapped in the banner, Elly successfully makes it to the principal's office without being seen, and sighs with relief as she closes the door behind her. Then she opens her eyes - to see Susan and her visitor staring at her, aghast at her lack of clothing!

SUSAN: Elly! You remember Lana Kline? From The Department?

Unmissable Neighbours
- Elly laments to Mark about how Susan only ever looks for her mistakes
- Yashvi tells Ben she didn't take Elly's clothes, while Kirsha sits guiltily nearby
- Yashvi is furious to find the clothes in Kirsha's locker
- Aaron is sceptical when Sonya suggests to him that Amy has feelings for Toadie
- But Amy appears to be confessing to Tyler that she has feelings for someone - he asks who it is
- Sonya sees Toadie and Amy playing with Nell by the lake, and looks upset