Previously
- An upset Toadie tells Chloe that losing his office will directly affect his family
- Terese warns Chloe to fix the mess with Toadie if she likes her job
- Chloe tells Sonya and Toadie that she thinks she can fix things
- The story of Mrs Mangel's stamps sends Gary on a treasure hunt of his own
- Rita tells Toadie she won't be calling on his services again
- Rita tells Karl and Xanthe that she'd like to fund the MRI screening programme for a year
- Rita asks meanie nurse/board member Olive what it would take to remove Clive from his job
- Rita tells Olive she has an alternative candidate in mind, as we cut to Karl sipping champagne
Erinsborough Hospital
Clive joins Sheila in the courtyard; he's about to head off to a medical conference in Christchurch. While he's there, he'll be seeing his daughter Alice and her wife, who by the sound of it are about to become parents. Sheila tells Clive he'll be an excellent grandparent, and expects lots of photos!
Clive begins to say he wishes Sheila was coming with him - but she says he needs to concentrate on family during this visit, and that she'll come next time. Xanthe turns up, and tells Clive about Rita having agreed to fund the MRI project, and to pay Karl to run it full-time. It's the first Clive has heard of it, and he's confused.
CLIVE: Why would she throw money at something so unsustainable, when she could be funding something concrete like more beds for the cancer ward, or paediatrics, or cardio?
XANTHE: Well, maybe you won't need more beds if people are seeking medical advice earlier?
CLIVE: Well, maybe they'll need more beds if people seek unnecessary medical treatment?
There's clearly tension between Clive and Xanthe's points of view, and Sheila interjects, saying a year is a good timeframe to test the theory. Xanthe agrees, but Clive looks worried.
No 28
Susan and Karl are in the garden. Susan is pleased for him at the news that Rita will be funding the MRI project; Karl has grand ambitions to get government support and roll the project out across the country.
SUSAN: You know, you're pretty sexy when you get all riled up.
KARL: And the good thing is I don't have to work with Clive. It's the best possible solution.
SUSAN: Yeah. Maybe we should celebrate.
KARL: Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
SUSAN: Well, I might be...
KARL: A sneaky afternoon nap on the couch?
SUSAN: No, I was thinking of a slightly more intimate sort of celebration...
KARL: Ah!
SUSAN: We could break out the Blue Box. It's been gathering dust.
KARL: Tempting.
SUSAN: Just tempting?
KARL: Darling, I have to be honest - I am feeling pretty tired. Can I take a raincheck?
SUSAN: Yeah, of course.
But Susan looks disappointed.
No 30
Toadie comes off the phone from an estate agent - he's looking for a new office space, but there's no luck so far. Steph encourages him to take his mind off it.
TOADIE: It's like telling your brain not to think about cats. And then all you can think about is Mr. Mistoffelees.
Steph invites him to join her in her treasure hunt, having also taken inspiration from Jane's stamp search - apparently everyone in the street's at it.
TOADIE: The last time I went digging around this joint, I found bikinis in the wall instead of insulation! There is nothing in this house that hasn't already been found.
STEPH: Okay, grumpy!
Erinsborough Hospital
Clive comes off the phone, presumably to his daughter, and announces to Xanthe that his granddaughter, Bella Rose, has been born. But Xanthe has news that brings him back down to earth - there's gossip among the nurses that he won't be COO of the hospital for much longer. Clive says he's only going to New Zealand temporarily, and that he'll be back soon.
XANTHE: It was just the way they were talking - made it sound like someone was trying to kick you out. But I probably heard that wrong, so...
Xanthe congratulates him on the new arrival, then leaves - but Clive is now worried, and goes to make a phone call.
No 30
Steph has apparently talked Toadie into helping her with the treasure hunt, and he brings a box down from the attic. It's full of bottles of wine!
TOADIE: Sonya must've hidden these during her relapse!
Toadie remarks on how impressed he is that Sonya has brought herself back from the brink. Now he's feeling guilty that she's having to bridge the financial gap now he's struggling. Steph tells him to stop beating himself up.
TOADIE: I was the one who took out 100 grand out of our mortgage to give to Andrea, so I should be the one that makes it back.
STEPH: And you will! You've already got Paul chasing her tail. Just give it time.
She sends Toadie back to the attic to do more searching.
Lassiter's
Leo is briefing Terese on what's been going on with the hotel while she's been out of action. Terese says she approves of his strategy to temporarily embrace the three-star status and maximise occupancy, until they can find a way back to five stars.
Conversation moves onto Chloe; Terese makes it clear that she wants to oust her now that her trial period's coming to an end, because of all the stuff-ups she's made.
LEO: If you really want her gone.
TERESE: Are you rolling over on this?
LEO: Well, if the negatives outweigh the positives, it's a smart thing to do.
TERESE: You've always been Chloe's greatest defender. What's going on? (...) You're not yourself.
LEO: Well, I'm just being practical.
TERESE: (eyebrow)
LEO: Okay, fine. Look, it's this whole break-up with Mishti (...) I just feel blindsided.
Terese suggests Leo take the rest of the day off, while she handles Chloe's dismissal! But Leo says it's fine; he's Chloe's line manager at the moment, so it should come from him.
Soon afterwards, Leo summons Chloe to his office - but before he can do the deed, she quickly launches into her latest master-plan. She's identified a lot of wasted space in the complex ('where the boiler room used to be!') - and says that by changing the internal structure, they can give the police station more space, as well as creating a new office area for Toadie, to bring in more rent.
Leo says they'd need to check whether the police were happy to renegotiate their lease terms, but is impressed with the idea in principle. Chloe explains Terese already got police approval when she looked into this a few years ago, so they should be able to go ahead; Leo asks her to go and check whether they're still keen.
CHLOE: Oh - what did you want to see me about?
LEO: Oh, nothing that can't wait.
No 30
Steph and Toadie are still rummaging through boxes. Steph has found some of Callum's old things, including a copy of Dragon Prophecies, Callum's favourite computer game. Toadie reflects on how it's paid off, now he's working in Silicon Valley.
Toadie finds a box whose contents he doesn't recognise - including a brooch with the initials S.D. engraved on it. He wonders if it belongs to a former resident (Sharon Davies would fit the bill, though he doesn't say it).
STEPH: Either way, it's long forgotten. It could be worth something.
TOADIE: Let's get it valued!
Toadie gets a text from Chloe, asking if they can meet up.
Erinsborough Hospital
Clive has called Karl in for a meeting. He confirms he's heard about Rita funding the MRI programme, but says that's not why he called him in.
CLIVE: I've been hearing some rumours.
KARL: Oh, yes - about what?
CLIVE: My job. Specifically, that it's not secure.
KARL: Okay. Err, first I've heard of it.
CLIVE: I can't help wondering about the timing (...) I attend a meeting with Rita Newland; I decline three of her proposals; and all of a sudden, she's throwing money at you.
Clive wonders aloud whether there's a connection between this and the rumours of him being ousted - and whether Karl knows anything.
KARL: Clive - we're friends, okay? I mean, okay, we butted heads recently, but this is the first I've heard of any threat to your position (...) It's just the rumour mill churning. Maybe because the staff were supportive of my idea and... you weren't.
CLIVE: Well, if your crusade is causing some sort of tension and friction among the staff, maybe you should change your behaviour?
KARL: My 'crusade' is a step into the future. It's preventative medicine. And may I say, if you're not prepared to at least try to evolve, perhaps it's just a matter of time before the board decide it needs fresh blood.
Karl leaves, and Clive goes to make a phone call - asking 'Karen' to set up a meeting with Rita Newland, urgently.
Lassiter's
Chloe returns from the police station; she's had confirmation from Senior Sergeant Lake that they're happy to go ahead with the expansion plans. Leo is impressed, and so, apparently is Terese - albeit grudgingly so!
TERESE: Well - looks like you've proven yourself. Don't make it the last time.
Terese leaves them to it, just as Toadie arrives. Chloe explains they've created a brand new office space for him, which will be available in the next fortnight or so.
CHLOE: It'll be more modern. There'll be more natural light...
Toadie is pleased, and they shake on it immediately.
No 28
Susan is gardening, while Karl moans about Clive insulting him.
KARL: I'm glad these rumours have ruffled his feathers; he needs it. He's become too comfortable.
SUSAN: Well, if you want to spend your energy ruffling his feathers, I suppose that's up to you, isn't it?
KARL: Is something wrong?
SUSAN (martyred): What could possibly be wrong?
KARL: Darling, I know that tone. What have I done to upset you?
SUSAN: Oh, Karl, it's not - I just - I feel as though we're disconnected (...) You seem to have plenty of energy for things outside the marriage (...) Do you realise we haven't even been intimate? Not for weeks and weeks. Ever since the Isabelle mess.
KARL: Well, darling, I didn't realise it had been that long.
SUSAN: We've never struggled in that area.
KARL: Yeah, but the DVT medication is partially to blame.
SUSAN: It's not just the physical side of things. It's - well, it's everything. I just - I miss you. I miss us.
KARL: I'm so sorry. I'll make it up to you soon. I promise, yeah?
Karl hugs her, but they both look worried.
Lassiter's
In the manager's office, Leo has cracked out the champagne, and is raising a toast with Chloe to 'innovative minds - yours in particular'. They sit down together on the sofa.
LEO: You must have nine lives. Every time I think you're not cut out for the job, you land on your feet.
CHLOE: I wasn't going to pass the one-month trial?
LEO: That's actually what I wanted to see you about earlier.
CHLOE: And now?
LEO: I changed my mind. Terese... I think the jury's still out (...) Managers don't take $11,000 fines lightly (...) I was more than impressed by your performance today. Professionally and... personally.
Leo leans in a little as he says it. Chloe doesn't move away.
CHLOE: You have a girlfriend.
LEO: Oh, she ended it.
CHLOE: We can't do this. It's unprofessional.
LEO: Yeah. You're right.
But they continue to look at each other, until Chloe gets up and leaves...
Power Street
Toadie and Steph are outside Grease Monkeys. They've had the brooch valued, and learned it was only worth $20 - but it's paid for their burgers, so Toadie is happy!
STEPH: So there's something I've been wanting to talk to you about.
TOADIE: Go ahead, caller - you're on the air.
STEPH: So I had a look at a place the other day in Robinson Heights...
TOADIE: As in, your own place?
STEPH: Yeah. Don't worry - I'm not gonna be making any sudden moves. I wouldn't leave you and Son in the lurch like that.
TOADIE: Steph, we love living with you. And I don't want to lose you any time soon. But when the time is right for you, you've just got to do it.
STEPH: Thanks, Toad - that means a lot.
Toadie gets a call from Clive, asking him to come in for a meeting. Apparently he has some work for him...
Erinsborough Hospital
Toadie arrives for the meeting with Clive, who explains that the hospital has its own legal team; this is a personal matter, which he wants Toadie to pursue for him while he's in New Zealand. Clive explains that Rita Newland has taken 'a particular interest' in the hospital, and that he finds her funding of Karl's MRI scheme 'a bit troubling'.
CLIVE: I've just been on the phone to Rita, and I apologised for getting off on the wrong foot. And I asked her to consider other ways of financially supporting the hospital, with long-term benefits.
TOADIE: And?
CLIVE: And she said no. She made it pretty clear that she's only interested in supporting Karl.
TOADIE: Well, I mean, it is her money. She can donate it to whatever she likes.
CLIVE: Well, there's more going on here. She's up to something, and I don't think it's above board.
Clive explains it's mainly a gut feeling, but that he wants Toadie to look into Rita's business and find out what her game is - and if necessary, to find a way to shut down her support for the MRI project.
TOADIE: Karl has put a lot of effort into this; he really believes in it. I mean, he's a friend of mine. I can't be the one to shut the programme down.
CLIVE: It's business - not personal. Do you need the job or not?
Toadie looks conflicted.
The Waterhole
Xanthe is talking to Sheila about Clive's trip to New Zealand. Sheila admits she'll miss him, but says that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that it's only for a few weeks. Sheila hurries off, and Xanthe joins Chloe who is sitting at the bar, looking distracted. Chloe admits that she and Leo just had a moment.
XANTHE: What - like a Moment™ moment?
CHLOE: Yeah. Like a serious 'let's get it on' moment.
XANTHE: Wow! He moved on very quickly. I mean, he and Mishti only just broke up.
CHLOE: Yeah. We both stopped it, but it took every fibre of my being.
XANTHE: Good. You did the right thing - he's on the rebound. Besides, hooking up with your boss is a really bad idea (...) I mean, like, even if you did have the hots for the guy, when it ends badly, who do you think's gonna get to keep their job?
CHLOE: You're right. I know you are.
Chloe thanks Xanthe for the reality check, and Xanthe heads off. Chloe gets a text message from 'Loz Feliz Medical Centre' in the USA, asking her to contact them as soon as possible. She looks worried, and deletes the message - then gets up and strides out purposefully...
No 30
Sheila turns up to see Steph. Sheila has been treasure-hunting at her house, and has found what she thinks is an old clay dinosaur made by a child. Steph turns it over, and finds her son Charlie's name engraved on it. Steph is emotional as it all comes back to her; it's actually a lizard he made in daycare, as Charlie was obsessed with reptiles as a kid.
SHEILA: It's funny how little things like that can just bring the memories flooding back.
STEPH: Thank you so much!
SHEILA: You know what they say. One man's trash is another man's treasure.
Sheila leaves, and Steph looks overjoyed to be reunited with the lizard. She calls her ex-husband Max, and asks if they can have a Skype call later - there's something she wants to show Charlie...
Lassiter's
It's now dark outside, but Leo is still working at his desk. Chloe walks into the office - and locks the door behind her! Without a word, she clambers onto Leo's desk, grabs him by the collar, and kisses him. A passionate snog ensues...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Karl says someone's not being completely honest. Toadie tells him to be careful
- Fay Brennan is back. Chloe says Fay can't tell her brothers; Fay asks why, if it's so harmless?
- Elly is visiting Mark. He asks if there's anything else - she doesn't reply...