Lassiter's
Leo and Paul are in reception with Terese; Paul is holding an ice-pack to her sprained ankle. Terese explained Leo practically had to carry her back.

PAUL: I'm sure he wouldn't have minded that. Chivalry does run in his blood.

Leo looks sheepish. Paul offers to take Leo to the hospital, but Terese says Chloe is taking her. Paul says Terese should have the afternoon off once she's been to the hospital. Terese protests, but Paul says Leo's more than capable of looking after the place for a while. Terese agrees.

Meanwhile, in the manager's office, Chloe looks at another letter from Los Feliz Medical Clinic in Los Angeles, which has been redirected from her old address. She considers opening it, but then drops it in the waste paper bin and walks out.

Harold's Café
Marisa goads Yashvi by trying to show her a video of how Clancy and her 'weirdo, attention-seeking family' ruined the Christmas in July dinner. Marisa threatens to share the video with everyone. But Yashvi isn't interested in Marisa's taunts, and returns to the counter where Shane and Kirsha have been watching the exchange.

Kirsha is still feeling guilty about Marisa having been fired for the posters getting defaced, when actually it was Kirsha. Shane can see what she's thinking, but tells her that Marisa's a nasty piece of work and should have lost her job months ago.

KIRSHA: Yeah. Maybe.

Erinsborough Hospital
Karl is examining Terese's ankle. He says it's just a sprain but that she needs to take it easy and not wear high heels. She can come back in if it gets any worse, but otherwise he'll see her in two months for her mammogram. This comes as a surprise to Chloe, and Terese explains that she had breast cancer last year so needs regular check-ups.

Karl remarks how fortunate it was that Terese insisted on a second test for cancer after the first one came back clear. Terese explains to Chloe that she didn't trust the first test because of her family history with cancer.

KARL: When it's in the genes, it pays to be cautious.
TERESE: But to be fair, I wasn't always like that. My head would've been stuck in the sand.
KARL: Well, thank goodness you fought that instinct. Or else things could've been very different.

Chloe looks very worried as they talk...

The Waterhole
Dipi and Shane are having a drink, discussing plans for their musical, Flapper. Stage manager Piper comes in with bad news - the venue they had booked for the show has had to close indefinitely for health and safety because of a leaking roof. Dipi starts going into panic. Shane suggests they delay the show, which would also give them more time to rehearse. Piper agrees.

DIPI: Have you lost your minds?!

She says that everything is booked for those dates, so the show has to go on - but she has no idea where they'll find a venue at such short notice. Piper heads off to talk to Terese about booking the Lassiter's ballroom.

Paul's Penthouse
Piper comes in to talk to Leo, asking if he knows where Terese is as she's been trying to call her unsuccessfully. Leo explains she's been at the hospital with a sprained ankle; Piper reflects that that's an unfortunate way for Terese to spend her birthday. She asks Leo about booking the ballroom for Flapper, but Leo explains it's unlikely as the ballroom is booked months in advance.

Piper heads off to talk to Terese nonetheless, to see if she can 'wangle something'. Leo tells Piper that Terese is no longer at the hospital, and evasively says she's in meetings all afternoon. When Piper asks for a location for said meetings, Leo doesn't answer. Piper asks why he's being weird.

Lassiter's
Terese finds Paul on the mezzanine, where he has set up birthday decorations, a giant chessboard and mocktails for two - his latest attempt at a date to woo Terese. He challenges Terese to a game of giant chess.

PAUL: Happy birthday, my queen.

Terese smiles.

Harold's Café
Marisa comes to the counter to pay for a coffee, and since Yashvi is outside, Kirsha comes to take payment. But Marisa's card is declined. Marisa says she'll call the bank, but Kirsha overhears the call and it's actually to her mother, asking her to transfer her some money as her card's been declined.

MARISA: I know. I'll get another job soon. I'm trying.

Kirsha feels guilty.

Lassiter's
The giant chess game is in full swing, and Terese is winning. There's plenty of flirtation, and Terese accuses Paul of letting her win so he can butter her up.

PAUL: And that would be bad because...?

He hopes aloud that she'll play another couple of games with him - and then on her 'next birthday', she can choose the activity.

TERESE: Are you trying to tell me that what I said last week was wrong?
PAUL: It was wrong. Terese, I'm in this for the long haul - not just the chase. You see, you can take a risk on me, because I only have eyes for you. I'm committed this time. For good. Your move.

Paul's Penthouse
Leo has admitted the truth to Piper - that Terese is on a date with Paul on the mezzanine. Piper isn't pleased at this news after everything that's happened, but Leo argues that they're well-suited.

LEO: They challenge each other, and they're intellectually matched.
PIPER: None of that matters, because even if it starts off fine, it always ends the same way - with Paul doing some dodgy, underhanded thing. And Mum gets hurt. And she knows that! Like, sorry, no offence, but be honest - do you really think he's good enough for her?
LEO: I think they've never really had a chance to work through that stuff, because there's always been someone in the way. At least now, maybe they can give it a proper go.
PIPER: That's really naïve.

Leo checks the availability dates for the ballroom, and it's as he thought - it's solidly booked for the next two months. Piper moans that that's another headache she has to deal with, and leaves.

Harold's Café
Chloe and Yashvi are talking about Marisa, who's still in the café at a table. Yashvi says she's not letting Marisa have any power anymore; she's regretting not having shut her down when she first started giving her grief.

Kirsha joins Marisa at the table, asking if she's had any luck with the bank. Marisa coldly says she'll sort it.

KIRSHA: How's your job hunt going?
MARISA: Are you seriously asking me that? You think I can just walk in and apply for something now I have this black mark on my résumé? I can't. And that means I can't help my mum with bills or rent. So she's more stressed out than she usually is. Basically, my whole life is ruined because of your family. Which is just so unfair, because I didn't even do anything to your stupid posters.
KIRSHA: I know (...) Because I did it. I drew on them. I didn't want to be part of the campaign anymore. And when I told my dad I'd done it, he said not to say anything. I still think you're a horrible person, but I didn't mean for you to get fired. I'm sorry.

Lassiter's
Chloe returns to the manager's office and retrieves the letter from the medical centre from the bin. She opens it and reads the contents anxiously...

Meanwhile, Piper is in the lift with Dipi and Leo. She explains to Dipi that the ballroom isn't available, but that they could hire out The Waterhole for the show by turning it into 'immersive theatre' - making the audience a part of the show rather than separate from it.

Paul's Penthouse
Dipi and Piper follow Leo into the penthouse. Piper explains that as Sheila is Loretta, the manager of the fictitious Bar Classique, she can play the role behind the real bar at The Waterhole.

DIPI: And the audience could be around little tables like they're actually in a speakeasy.
PIPER: Exactly.

Dipi seems really keen on this idea, which she reckons would bring a fresh, contemporary feel to the musical. Leo thinks it's a good idea too, and says The Waterhole is definitely available for the dates. He can promote the show for them too, he says, perhaps with a short video of rehearsals, edited together with footage of previous events at The Waterhole.

He goes to show them some of said footage, but the video about Josh that he put together for Terese on Paul's behalf is still open in the video editing software. Piper notices this immediately, and Leo is forced to pretend that he lent his laptop to Paul to put together the video. Piper seems suspicious about why Paul couldn't use his own computer, but Leo brushes it off and hurries on.

Erinsborough Hospital
Chloe has come to see Karl, having read the contents of the letter.

KARL: What sort of tests did you have?
CHLOE: Honestly, I didn't really pay attention. When I first moved to LA, I was super-short on cash, so I signed up for this medical trial. And all I knew, it was some kind of genetic testing (...) They did the mouth swab thing, and a blood test. Once I got my money, I thought it was all over. Until these letters started.
KARL: Yeah. Why didn't you open them straight away?
CHLOE: I just thought it was junk. You know, that they were asking me to do more trials. Then they kept coming, and I started worrying that something was really wrong. So I did what any responsible person would do - didn't open them! I was just - I was scared that, umm - I didn't want to know what they had to say.

Karl says that while the tone of the letter is very serious, they shouldn't panic prematurely.

KARL: They're basically just letting you know that they've discovered a genetic abnormality.
CHLOE: Isn't that serious?
KARL: Well, it could be; but it could be something simple like a predisposition to diabetes. Which is a condition that we can manage relatively easily.

Karl offers to call the medical centre and get them to send Chloe's files over; they can then go through the details together. He gives her a consent form to sign, and says he'll call her when the files arrive.

KARL: Try not to worry. There's no point in assuming the worst until we know what we're dealing with.

The Waterhole
Leo, Piper, Dipi and Shane are discussing the logistics for performing Flapper in the pub. Marisa comes in, interrupting, and asks to speak to Leo - but he makes it clear he's busy, and tersely tells her she can wait if it's important. Marisa just rolls her eyes and walks off.

Dipi points out another advantage of doing the play in The Waterhole: she's one of the Faces of Lassiter's and will be putting on the musical on Lassiter's premises, making it the perfect tie-in. Leo suggests including that in the promotional video. Marisa, who is still lingering nearby, hears all this and smiles deviously. Leo heads over to Marisa and asks her what she wanted to talk to him about.

LEO: If you think you're getting your job back, I can tell you straight up, that's not happening.
MARISA: Actually, it's nothing. Sorry for wasting your time.

She leaves, and Leo looks baffled. Meanwhile, Piper is using Leo's laptop for the Flapper promotional drive, but a message pops up from Paul, saying, 'Your plan was perfect - Terese is about to crack'. Piper looks around guiltily, before opening up Paul and Leo's chat history.

Piper looks worried as she realises that much of Paul's wooing of Terese has actually been Leo's doing, including the Josh video and the plans for the terrace chess afternoon.

Lassiter's
On the terrace, Terese has checkmated Paul, and he doesn't really hide the fact that he's letting her win. She says she doesn't care - she had fun and enjoyed learning how to play.

TERESE: Do you know what? I'm gonna practice - because the next time I beat you, I'm gonna win genuinely.
PAUL: Next time?
TERESE: Well... if you meant what you said before.
PAUL: I did. Every word.
TERESE: Well, then, I'd like us to do this again.
PAUL: So would I. Very much.
TERESE: Thank you for today. It was a really wonderful surprise. And thank you for everything that you've done for me recently.
PAUL: You deserve to be treated very well.
TERESE: I have to say, I'm very impressed. With you. Despite myself.

There's a Moment™, and Paul leans in for a kiss - but Terese backs off awkwardly.

TERESE: Maybe we should order some more mocktails.

Paul smiles ruefully.

Harold's Café
Kirsha is sitting at a table looking glum, when Marisa turns up and sits down. Kirsha asks if Marisa got her job back in light of Kirsha admitting she vandalised the posters. Marisa says not.

MARISA: I've come up with a better plan (...) For starters, I'm gonna ask you for free meals whenever I want one. And in a second, you're gonna walk over to that till, take out fifty bucks, and give it to me.
KIRSHA: No! Marisa, that's stealing.
MARISA: I don't care! I just saw how much your mum loves being the Face of Lassiter's. How much would it hurt her if she lost that? You're gonna do exactly what I say, or else your mum is gonna lose her dream. And I'm gonna make sure she knows it was your fault.
KIRSHA: ...
MARISA: Hurry up. Go and get me my fifty.

Kirsha reluctantly obeys, opening the cash register and handing Marisa a fifty note. Marisa marches out, and Kirsha looks worried.

Lassiter's
Piper rushes onto the mezzanine and finds Terese, relieved that she has found her before she hooks up with Paul! Terese leaps into a defence of Paul.

TERESE: Paul made mistakes. But he is trying to show me that he has changed, and - you know what? Maybe he does deserve another chance.
PIPER: No, Mum, no - not Paul!
TERESE: You're being unfair!
PIPER: No, Mum, oh my god, you don't understand. I was just on Leo's laptop, and I read this whole message thread between him and Paul.
TERESE: What about?
PIPER: You! This! All of this has been a game to Paul. He's been getting Leo to work out what will impress you, and he's doing whatever it takes to make you crack! You know that video of Josh? Leo was actually the one that made it.
TERESE: ... No.
PIPER: Yes! I'm sorry, Mum, but all of this has just been a strategy. It's like a business plan to Paul. Paul has not changed.

At that moment, Paul returns, and suggests he and Terese go for dinner. But he's faced with an unimpressed-looking Terese and Piper.

PAUL: Is everything alright?

Terese shakes her head.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Leo asks Paul if Terese is blaming Leo for what's happened
- Terese tells Leo she can't stop thinking about what he's done for her
- Bea confirms to Elly that she's not ready to 'talk about it'
- Elly tells Mark she has 'no idea how to patch things up with her'
- Karl tells a worried- looking Chloe that she has to tell her family as soon as possible
- Chloe sits on the sofa, crying