Previously
- Gary and Shane have a violent altercation at the Flametree Retreat
- But Steph's 'good mate' has seen it happen, and she cancels Gary's pay rise
- The bank manager tells Gary he can't approve his loan after having talked to Steph about the rise
- Cassius rages at Bea at the garage, telling her to stay away from him from now on
- Bea asks Piper if Cassius has had anger management yet; Piper confirms he's been vague about it
- Bea admits to Ned that she's worried Cassius will lose it at Piper one day
- Cassius dresses up as the Man in the Iron Mask, bizarrely prompting Piper to TITTNL™ with him
- Bea encourages Ned to steal Cassius's mum's details from the hotel computers
Lassiter's
Ned and Bea are in reception; Ned has emailed 'Eloise Lyons' asking her to contact him. Bea's worried that 'Eloise' will call Cassius before Ned, and then he'll know that they're onto him. But Ned says they've no choice but to take the risk in order to protect Piper. They agree not to tell Piper what they're doing for the time being.
Erinsborough Backpackers
Cassius and Piper are in bed together, having TITTNL™.
CASSIUS: Well, I was going to read the next chapter of Elegy, but looks like I'm behind now.
PIPER: Slacker!
Cassius's phone rings - it's his mum, so he ignores it. They start kissing again, but the phone rings for a second time, interrupting them. Cassius declines the call, telling Piper that his mum's always like this - it won't be anything urgent. He says he'll call her back later.
Lassiter's
Leo and Terese are pashing in the lift! They separate just as it's opening into reception, and immediately switch to professional colleague mode, agreeing to pick up where they left off after lunch! Terese walks out of the building, just as Ned is helping some guests with their bags.
Gary turns up; he's been trying to get hold of Ned to get his advice. He explains he used all Jeremy Sluggett's dodgy money to pay for Xanthe's uni fees; it was only meant to be temporary until his loan came through, but now the loan has been withdrawn by the bank.
GARY: They've stuffed everything up!
NED: Mate, you're blaming the bank?!
Ned is baffled by Gary's stupidity, and refuses to help him any further, saying Gary should've taken his advice not to touch the money in the first place.
NED: You dug this whole; you can get yourself out!
Erinsborough Backpackers
Cassius is asleep in bed, tossing and turning as he hears flashbacks to his mother's voice, reminding him that Piper and he wouldn't have any kind of future if she learned the truth. He also dreams about Bea questioning him about his background, and losing his temper with her; and then Piper asking him to do something about his anger. He wakes up in a cold sweat, gasping.
No 22
Piper arrives home and offers to make lunch for Terese and Ned. It's clear she's in a cheerful mood, and she wastes no time in announcing that she and Cassius have TITTNL™. Piper declares that the timing was right, and then apologises for giving them too much information. Ned looks worried.
Piper says she'll be spending more time at the backpackers' now, meaning Terese and her mystery boyfriend can have the house to themselves while Ned's at work! She rushes indoors to make lunch; Terese says it's great she's finally happy, and Ned agrees, unenthusiastically.
Sydney / The Waterhole
Elissa is in a car somewhere in Sydney; Cassius has called her back from the pub, and Elissa tells him he needs to come to Sydney as they have a problem. She explains Ned has been in touch and is asking questions, and wants her to call him.
ELISSA: Something's not right - I can feel it. It's time you got out of there. They're onto you.
Cassius explains that Bea found the old keyring he got from Hamish, and that he freaked out at her, forcing him to admit to Piper about his troubled relationship with his dad. He says Piper was really understanding, but Elissa is even more worried now.
ELISSA: You need to leave now. They know far too much, and Ned obviously suspects more.
CASSIUS: But I can't leave Piper, Mum.
ELISSA: (...) I'll book us flights to Senegal. They don't have extradition.
CASSIUS: Senegal?
ELISSA: If you don't get out now, you might not have the chance. Just promise me you'll get to Sydney as soon as you can. Cass - please, darling? I don't know what I'd do if you ended up in jail.
Emotional and conflicted, Cassius eventually agrees to come to Sydney.
The Flametree Retreat
Gary is behind the reception desk, when a woman called Nance shows up looking for the manager. It quickly becomes clear that she's not here to buy anything, or book a treatment.
NANCE: I'm here for my son.
GARY: And who's your son?
NANCE: Or, not so much my son, as much as his money. The hundred grand? I'm Jeremy's mother, and I want the cash now!
Shortly afterwards, Gary tries to fob Nance off with a seaweed facial, but she's having none of it. He insists the money's in a safe place - Nance hopes he hasn't put it in a bank, and Gary claims not. She tells him that Jeremy's due out on parole in a month. Gary says that, in which case, he'll give the cash to Jeremy in a month.
NANCE: You haven't got it, have you? (...) What did you do with it?
Gary ends up telling the truth - that his daughter was in an accident and that he used the money to help pay for her rehab, and then her uni fees. It was meant to be a stopgap but his loan fell through. Nance is (mildly) sympathetic.
GARY: I just love my little girl.
NANCE: Maybe there's something I could do (...) You look like you'd give a good foot-rub. And these quiet shoes aren't as comfy as they look!
GARY: A foot-rub?
NANCE: You get me stimulated, and I'll think things through.
She takes off her shoes! Gary looks bemused.
Lassiter's Complex
Terese and Leo are pashing outside the hotel spa. Terese likes Leo's new cologne; he admits he changed it so that Piper wouldn't recognise it on Terese! Ned catches them pashing, and reminds them they're supposed to be keeping their relationship a secret!
Leo heads off, promising to see Terese later - while Ned broaches the topic of Cassius with Terese.
NED: He's had a couple of run-ins with Bea. I think he might have anger issues, like Tyler.
TERESE: Well, if he does, I haven't seen it. Does Piper know?
NED: Only that he's snapped a couple of times. But Bea and I - we think there's more to it, okay? Things don't add up when it comes to him.
TERESE: Listen - you've got to be really careful throwing around accusations (...) And Piper doesn't need any more unnecessary drama.
However, she suggests Ned talk to Mark about it - he helped Mishti find Monique, so maybe he could help Ned do some digging? Ned doesn't look thrilled at the idea of working with Mark, but agrees to give him a call. He promises to keep Terese updated.
The Flametree Retreat
Susan comes in; she's surprised to see Gary preparing for a treatment in reception. He explains they're fully booked but didn't want to turn down his 'customer', Nance. He can't squeeze Susan in, though, so suggests she come back tomorrow.
GARY: You and Karl don't need any more Full Salute?
SUSAN: No! I mean, it's not like we've gone through two whole packets since yesterday or anything!
Nance emerges in a bathrobe, ready for her foot-rub. She gets chatting to Susan. She's sympathetic when Susan says she was hoping for a massage, but that they're booked out.
NANCE: Oh, Gary - you're doing my feet, you can do this lady's as well! I don't mind sharing.
SUSAN: Are you doing massages now? (!)
GARY: Just broadening the skill base!
Susan looks horrified at the prospect of a foot-rub from Gary, and insists she doesn't want to intrude. But Nance says she loves a good chat when she's relaxing, and loves meeting new people. So Susan agrees to stick around.
Lassiter's Complex
Cassius runs into Mark in the courtyard. Cassius is carrying some cash, and Mark assumes it's for a birthday present for Piper. Mark recalls the time Terese forgot Piper's birthday.
MARK: Luckily, Tyler was there to pick up the pieces. That was before our world caved in on us.
CASSIUS: ... I'm sorry that you guys had to go through all that.
MARK: Yeah, well. At least Piper's happy again - that's something.
Mark leaves, and Cassius looks guilty. He glances over at the police station, and then walks towards it in slow motion. He looks at it for a while, as if considering handing himself in. He then looks over at the book exchange, where Piper is taking out a new book. He then looks back towards the police station, conflicted.
The Flametree Retreat
Gary is massaging Nance's feet, while Susan makes small-talk with her. They compare notes on sons and daughters; Nance says Jeremy's a good lad at heart, but is always getting himself into trouble! Gary looks worried as Nance tells Susan that she could tell her some horror stories about Jeremy! Gary finishes the foot massage, and Nance suggests it's time Susan experience his magic hands...
SUSAN: No - no! (...) *Really.*
Susan suggests that Gary do Nance's neck and shoulders instead. He looks annoyed, but isn't in a position to complain...
Fitzgerald Motors
Mark turns up, and finds Bea and Ned waiting for him. They want his help with Cassius. Mark is initially sceptical, saying he's already checked out Cassius and found nothing - and that Sonya's background check came back clean.
NED: You think I'd be here talking to you if I didn't think things were serious?
Mark asks how things have changed since Ned 'didn't want a bar of him' when Mark was asking him about Cassius recently. Ned explains he's met Cassius's mum, 'Eloise Lyons' - and that Cassius was trying to hide her from Piper when she was in town. Bea adds that Cassius has been aggressive with her again since the first time, and Ned says they're concerned he might be dangerous.
NED: Could you forgive yourself if something happened to Piper because of Cassius?
MARK: Alright - tell me everything you know, and I'll see what I can do.
Erinsborough Backpackers
Cassius is writing what appears to be a confession. We hear his voiceover as he writes.
CASSIUS: My name is Cassius Grady. But I was born Cassius Grady Roche. I am responsible for the death of my father, Hamish Roche.
We see a flashback to Hamish floating dead in the spa.
CASSIUS: Tyler Brennan is innocent. On the night my father died, I found him, injured after Tyler had hit him...
We see a flashback to Tyler whacking Hamish with the gnome.
CASSIUS: ... but alive. We argued, and it got heated. I pushed him - I pushed him into the spa, and I didn't let him up.
We see a flashback to Cassius holding Hamish under the water.
CASSIUS: I hate myself for what I did. My father was a terrible human, but that's no excuse. I have no excuse. I was a coward for running - but I knew Mum wouldn't cope seeing me in jail.
Sydney
We cut briefly to Elissa looking despairing behind the wheel of her car.
Erinsborough Backpackers
Cassius continues to write.
CASSIUS: I never wanted to hurt anyone - the Brennans, Piper...
We flash back to some tender moments between Cassius and Piper.
CASSIUS: ... especially not Piper. This is my full and frank confession.
Cassius signs the paper and puts it in an envelope, addressed to 'Metropolitan Police' at 2A Lassiter's Complex.
The Flametree Retreat
Nance returns from the changing rooms and tells Gary that she feels fully refreshed after his massage. Gary thanks her for not saying anything to Susan about Jeremy's dodgy money.
NANCE: You seem like a good bloke. And I can only think about the trouble you're gonna be in with my son.
GARY: If you could... hold off saying anything...
NANCE: Maybe I could (...) Well, you scratch my back, and I'll scratch yours.
GARY: Absolutely. I'll just, umm, check the diary, and I'll pop you in for a weekly massage with our best therapist.
NANCE: Only weekly?
GARY: Any time you want!
NANCE: And if I ask for you?
GARY: Me? I'm honestly not qualified.
NANCE: Oh, I don't mind!
GARY: You want a professional.
NANCE: I'll decide what I want. You just worry about keeping me happy.
GARY: You've got it.
He looks sheepish as Nance leaves.
Fitzgerald Motors
Bea, Ned and Mark are looking at Cassius's social media accounts; Mark is checking untagged photos of his friends, to see if he can find Cassius in any of them. Ned spots a photo of Cassius from before he came to Erinsborough in what looks like Piper's jacket... and on closer inspection, they realise it's exactly the same jacket, because there's a mismatching button sewn onto it.
NED: When she was knocked out and left for dead on that boat, she woke up in hospital wearing that.
BEA: (...) This doesn't make any sense.
The History Wall
Cassius is getting out of his car while on the phone to Elissa, telling her that he's going to mail the confession, and that it's the right thing to do.
CASSIUS: By the time it's delivered, we'll be halfway to Senegal. Piper deserves to know the truth, and Tyler deserves to be free. I'll see you at Sydney Airport tomorrow.
Lassiter's
Mark, Ned and Bea are showing the photo of Cassius in the jacket to Terese, explaining that it's the same jacket Piper lost a few weeks ago.
BEA: And that jacket went missing after he saw her wearing it.
MARK: What if Cassius found Piper after she fell off the boat?
NED: What, and looked after her and called triple zero?
MARK: It'd be pretty natural for him to put her in a warm coat, right?
BEA: So, you think he saved her life?
MARK: It's just a thought.
TERESE: But that would make him a hero.
NED: Yeah, true.
The History Wall
Cassius is putting the confession letter into the postbox, as we continue to hear Ned's voiceover.
NED: So why hide it? Why go to all that trouble, and then come back months later, and not say anything while he's getting to know her?
Cassius sees Piper coming around the corner, and quickly posts the letter. He greets Piper.
CASSIUS: You trust me, right?
Lassiter's
Bea, Ned, Mark and Terese are still talking.
BEA: This seems really creepy.
TERESE: And he was putting books in the book exchange for months before he even turned up as a gardener.
The History Wall
Piper smiles at Cassius curiously before answering his question.
PIPER: Yeah, of course I do!
CASSIUS: I'm leaving.
Lassiter's
We return to the amateur sleuths.
NED: He could've been stalking her this whole time!
MARK: Let's not jump to any conclusions here.
NED: Yeah, but it is worth looking into, right?
Mark nods in agreement.
The History Wall
Piper asks what Cassius means.
CASSIUS: I want you to come with me. I need to you to.
Lassiter's
Ned tells Terese he knows she's worried about upsetting Piper, but...
NED: Someone needs to tell her about this.
TERESE: Okay. Leave it with me.
The History Wall
A confused Piper tells Cassius to slow down.
PIPER: Where are you going?
CASSIUS: Look, I'll explain everything on the way. Just - just come with me, please?
Piper looks worried.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Chloe greets a 'Mr Grayson' at the hotel, saying Terese has asked her to look after him
- Ned and Bea find a note at No 22; Ned starts shouting upstairs for Piper
- Ned calls Terese, telling her that 'she' has gone to meet Cassius
- Bea worries that Cassius might attack Piper
- Terese tells Mark that Cassius 'wasn't even here then'; he replies, 'according to this, he was'
- Piper tells Cassius she doesn't know what to believe, so needs to hear it from him
