Previously
- Paul funds a new surgical training position at the hospital so that David can apply for it
- Amy tells David to let Paul do this for him; he's at his best when he's in control
- Leo tells Ned that his Feelings™ for Terese are messing with his head
- Leo and Terese hang out in The City™ together
- Leo, Paul and Terese see video footage of Shane threatening Marisa to stop blackmailing Kirsha
- In light of this, Terese tells Dipi and Shane she's cancelling their Face of Lassiter's campaign
- Lassiter's also withdraws its support for the production of Flapper, much to Dipi's dismay
Harold's Café
Shane follows an upset Dipi into the kitchen, promising they can fight the hotel's decision about cancelling Flapper by making them honour the contract. But Dipi doesn't think they have a chance, and begins to lambast Shane for causing this to happen. He apologises, but to no avail.
DIPI: I can live with losing the Face of Lassiter's campaign - I prepared myself for that. But how can you expect me to forgive you? This musical was my life's work, and now it's gone!
Lassiter's
Paul, Leo and Terese are discussing the Shane situation. Leo is feeling bad that Flapper has been cancelled, but Paul says their main priority is to keep their investors happy, and Terese agrees. Paul adds that navigating tricky situations like this is key to becoming a success in business. He leaves.
TERESE: We can't put personal friendships ahead of the hotel's reputation.
LEO: Yeah. You're right.
TERESE: And, look - I understand you've been on the receiving end of the type of prejudice that Marisa's been dishing out.
LEO: That's why I asked you to let me rehire her. I wanted to prove I could put the business ahead of my own feelings.
Terese touches his hand.
TERESE: Leo, you have a big heart. That's an asset, not a weakness - don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Leo smiles as Terese leaves.
Paul's Penthouse
Aaron is congratulating David on his success in getting picked for the surgical training placement, when Paul appears. He's thrilled too, and hugs David, saying it was a well-earned victory.
DAVID: I just hope people don't think I was successful because you funded it.
PAUL: They can think whatever they like. The fact is, I had nothing to do with the final decision. You go this on your own merit.
Aaron agrees, and tells David to stop doubting himself.
PAUL: You should listen to this future husband of yours. He knows what he's talking about.
DAVID: Now that you mention my future husband, there's something I've been wanting to ask you. How would you feel about walking me down the aisle?
PAUL: ... Oh! That would make me the happiest father in the world.
While they're on the subject, Paul says he wants to take care of paying for the wedding. However, this doesn't go down quite as well.
DAVID: That's really generous of you. But the thing is, we've agreed to pay for it ourselves. It's kind of a pride thing.
AARON: Thank you, though.
Paul puts on a smile, but it's clear he's surprised and disappointed by this. However, he insists they should do it their way. Paul leaves them to it; and after he's gone, David worries that they've hurt his feelings.
AARON: Hey - I'm sure he understands.
DAVID: Yeah, I know. He's just done a lot for me lately, and I don't want him to think I don't appreciate his support.
No 30
Toadie is checking out the Flapper performance contract with Lassiter's, and informs Shane that the hotel is within its rights to cancel.
TOADIE: They're just protecting their brand.
SHANE: You're defending them?
TOADIE: Mate, that video was pretty confronting. It's only natural that they want to distance themselves.
SHANE: Yeah, I know - but I had to do something (...) My kids come first, it's that simple.
TOADIE: And if the shoe was on the other foot, I might've done the same thing.
SHANE: So you reckon Dipi's overreacting?
TOADIE: Well Dipi was always gonna have some feelings. That musical was her baby (...) She's always been on the fiery side. I think you're gonna be in the doghouse for a while on this one.
SHANE: Nah, nah - we'll kiss and make up. I know Dipi - she never stays mad for long.
The Waterhole
However...
DIPI: I just don't see how I'm ever going to get past this.
SHEILA: Maybe we could find another venue. You know, another pub, maybe?
But Dipi says that there's nothing suitable or available - and if she postpones, she'll lose all her deposits. Sheila offers to help with more fundraising to save the show.
DIPI: You're a darling to offer. But the way Shane's ruined our family name, I really don't think there's any point. No-one's gonna invest in us now. It's over - I have to accept that. But you know what I can't accept? This is all because of my husband. I just feel like throttling him!
SHEILA: In the meantime, feel free to rip up all my napkins!
But Dipi already is!
Lassiter's
Leo is on the office, listening to a phone conversation that Terese is having. After she's finished, Terese explains the gist of the conversation: Marisa has resigned. She isn't sure why, but thinks it's probably for the best, all things considered. Terese heads off to No 32 to let the family know.
As Terese leaves, Ned turns up - he has something to show Leo. It's a tattoo design he's created especially for Leo, featuring Terese inside a love heart!
NED: I'll even give you mates' rates when you're ready to get it inked.
LEO: Oh, yeah - hilarious (!)
Leo hides the design under some paperwork, and Ned continues his teasing.
NED: Just keep busy, or move interstate - that was my tactic.
LEO: We're working together all the time. There's no avoiding her.
NED: Yeah, not ideal. Guess you'll just have to put her off your mind. Think of pineapples instead.
LEO: ...
NED: Oh, wow - you do have it bad!
LEO: Yeah. I guess I do.
NED: So give it a crack!
Leo says that's crazy; his dad's in love with her. But Ned points out that Paul and Terese aren't together anymore, so she's perfectly eligible.
LEO: No, I couldn't do it to him. And - well, Terese, she wouldn't be into me anyway.
NED: Mate, you like her. And you guys get along really well, right? You've got lots in common. So why not give it a go - find out?
The Waterhole
Aaron has summoned Mishti to the pub for a surprise meeting with Paul. They sit down together, despite Mishti's apprehension; and Aaron explains that he wants Paul to become their business mentor for The Shed. Mishti asks if the business is in trouble; Aaron says not, but thinks Paul's vast business experience might allow him to provide some tips on how to run things more smoothly.
Paul seems keen to get involved, and suggests they start by going over the books together. Aaron isn't keen on this idea, saying he was just looking for more general advice about marketing etc. But Paul says that if he knows where the business stands financially, he's better placed to provide guidance. Paul offers to drop by The Shed in an hour to get started, and Aaron agrees.
Once Paul's gone, Mishti demands to know what's going on, saying Aaron should have discussed this with her first given the bad blood between her and Paul. Aaron explains he's doing this for David; after they turned down Paul's offer to pay for the wedding, he wants to find a way to make Paul still feel valued.
MISHTI: Then buy him some flowers and a bottle of fancy scotch!
Aaron explains about the extra surgical position that Paul funded at the hospital for David.
MISHTI: Okay - so I have to let him into my business, because you feel the need to repay him?
AARON: No, that is not what I'm saying.
MISHTI: ...
AARON: It kind of is - but I still think he could help us out.
MISHTI: Well, I don't. He's dodgy as.
Aaron promises he'll only let Paul look at the 'big picture' stuff, not the 'nitty gritty'. Mishti says she hopes he's right.
No 32
Yashvi is doing homework, and senses the tension between Dipi and Shane. There's a knock at the door and Dipi goes to get it. Shane tells Yashvi that Dipi has a right to be angry with him, but says it will all blow over.
Dipi comes back in with Terese, who tells them all that Marisa has resigned from Lassiter's. Dipi and Shane are confused as to why she'd do that, but Yashvi explains she said some 'pretty heavy stuff' to Marisa last night. She didn't think she would get through to her, but maybe she did after all. Terese adds that Marisa has been copping some backlash about her racism, so that could have contributed.
TERESE: I'm glad she's gone.
SHANE: So, does this mean we can go ahead with Flapper?
TERESE: No, unfortunately. Marisa's resignation doesn't change what you did, or the way it could potentially damage our brand.
SHANE: I stood up to a bully, Terese.
TERESE: By being a bully. I'm sorry, but our decision to cancel the musical still stands.
Terese leaves, and Dipi gives Shane an evil look.
Lassiter's
Terese returns to the office, telling Leo about her meeting with Dipi and Shane. She says the whole mess has been exhausting, but Leo tells her she's handled it perfectly.
TERESE: Oh, thank you, Leo! I'm just glad to have you in my corner. You've been an amazing support.
There's a Moment™ between them, and Leo moves in for the kiss - but at that moment, Paul walks into the office and looks horrified...
... and Leo snaps out of it. It was just a daydream.
TERESE: Leo? Leo, did you hear anything I said?
LEO: Yeah, sorry. I must have zoned out for a minute.
Leo goes to leave the office, but when he takes his paperwork, it reveals the tattoo design of Terese that Ned drew to tease him. Terese asks what it is.
Shortly afterwards, Leo follows Terese out of the lift into reception. Terese wants to know why Ned drew the image, and why he showed it to Leo. Leo claims not to know, but says Ned copied it from a photo.
LEO: Maybe he's just working on his technique?
TERESE: By drawing me in a love heart?
Terese can see that Leo is being shifty, and says she understands he and Ned are friends and that he doesn't want to say anything. She decides to ask Ned about it directly! Leo desperately offers to talk to him instead, but Terese says it's better if she does it - 'direct is best' in these situations.
TERESE: Ned used to be my stepson. And now he's my employee. I simply need to get to the bottom of it. I'm sure there's a simple explanation.
LEO: Yeah. I'm sure there will be (!)
The Shed
Aaron is giving Paul a tour of the business, while Ned does a workout in the background.
PAUL: It seems pretty well equipped (...) Mind you, it's been some time since I've worked out in any form.
AARON: Well, we can also modify some of the exercises to suit your leg!
PAUL: ... I mean, because I'm busy.
Aaron awkwardly promises Paul a membership package, and is just showing him some paperwork when he sees Ned lifting some heavy weights, and rushes over to help him. A silent prospective customer, who had been waiting to talk to Aaron, walks off impatiently, and Paul notices.
No 32
Dipi brings Shane some bedding, telling him he can sleep in the sunroom tonight. Shane tells Dipi he's done his best to get Terese to reconsider about staging Flapper, but Dipi replies that it's too little, too late.
SHANE: I hate this distance between us. It's not who were are.
DIPI: I just - I need some space (...) I just want to be on my own tonight.
SHANE: Dip, we never let the sun set on an argument.
DIPI: I know you thought you were defending Yashvi - but my dream has gone up in smoke.
SHANE: Flapper wasn't just your dream! I was there with you, all those years. Sitting beside you at the piano, helping you craft dialogue, giving you feedback on your choreography - all of it! It was my dream too; my dream for you.
DIPI (upset): I'm sorry. I just can't get over it that quickly.
The Shed
Aaron says goodbye to Ned after his workout, then rejoins Paul, who has found the accounts and is looking through them. He isn't impressed, saying Aaron is scrambling from week to week just to cover his overheads - and what's more, he has business rates and insurance bills due, and nothing set aside to cover them.
PAUL: You cannot run a business in this ad hoc fashion (...) If you want to pay these bills, you are gonna have to do some serious cost-cutting, and raising of revenue.
He points out that Aaron lost a prospective client before simply because he was too busy helping Ned and not paying attention. Aaron tries to defend himself, but -
PAUL: First rule of business - no buts. Now you either need to make some rapid changes to this place, or it's gonna go under.
Ramsay Street
Paul pulls up in his car with Leo - he wants him here as head of business affairs. Mishti is walking by, and Paul gets out to talk to her about The Shed, with Leo in tow. Mishti isn't interested in Paul's business tips.
PAUL: I'm not here to offer advice.
MISHTI: Then what?
PAUL: I've had a look at the books for The Shed, and to be frank, the finances are not in great shape.
MISHTI: Well, Aaron's always said that everything's fine.
PAUL: Yeah, well, Aaron's had his head in the sand.
MISHTI: (...) What do you want, Paul?
PAUL: I want to make you an offer.
Mishti says she's not interested and starts walking away, saying she doesn't trust Paul - but Leo convinces her to hear him out, saying he wouldn't let Paul rip her off.
PAUL: As my future son-in-law, I want to help him whip this business into shape (...) so I want to buy your share of The Shed.
Lassiter's
Ned returns to work after his break, and Terese asks to talk to him. She shows him the picture of the tattoo design he's drawn. Ned is awkward.
TERESE: I'm not sure what to make of it, to be honest.
NED: I wasn't trying to embarrass you or anything.
TERESE: Oh, no - I understand that. But why did you draw it in the first place? I mean, is it for an actual tattoo?
NED: It's complicated...
Leo shows up and starts earwigging.
TERESE: Look, Ned, are you... do you... do you have Feelings™ for me?
NED: Err...!
TERESE: Because I know that you've been in this territory before with Lauren.
NED: Err, I don't know what to say!
TERESE: And if it's the case, then I am flattered. But... you are my stepson! We need to shut this down now!
Leo can't take it anymore, and butts in.
LEO: The tattoo - Ned's drawing - I know I should have said this earlier, but... it was for me. He did it as a joke. He was making fun of me.
TERESE: Making fun of him? Why?
NED: Umm, I'll let you...
Ned sneaks off!
TERESE: Leo? Leo, what's going on? Why did Ned do this?
LEO: Because he knows how I feel about you.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Chloe shouts to the neighbours to take a look at her 'train wreck show'
- Mark tells Chloe that not all of them have the luxury of living like there's no tomorrow
- Bea asks Ned if he still likes 'her'
- Gary asks Amy if she's okay; she looks worried
- Piper says 'we're waiting till the time feels right'; we see her and Cassius grinning at each other
- Cassius and Piper rush into the mezzanine room at the backpackers' and start pashing