Previously
- Susan, Elly and Bea discuss the cabin Finn's been using, and whether his ex- wife may know anything
- Alice orchestrates a Halloween disappearing act for Nell, leaving Sonya frantic with worry
- When Nell is found, Sonya loses her temper and shouts at her, causing friction with Toadie
- To make matters worse, The Department™ shows up after a complaint is made about Nell's neglect
- Sonya tells Toadie that a bit of space would be good for them
- Toadie tells Alice that she'll no longer be needed now that Nell's daycare spot has opened again
- To postpone this, Alice deliberately gives Nell food poisoning with gone- off casserole
- Toadie asks Alice to stick around while Nell is recovering from her illness
- Alice tells Hugo, 'if Granny needs to stick around, we'll just have to keep her sick a little bit longer'
There are changes to the opening titles today; Cassius is removed, and Ned moved to a new shot in the pool with Leo and David. We also get a refreshed poolside shot of Aaron, Chloe and Mark.
No 30
Sonya comes in, and is alarmed to find that Nell is unwell - immediately giving Toadie a serve for not calling a doctor, or her. Alice reassures her that it's just a typical passing tummy bug; she's seen enough of them over the years to know that Nell will be better soon. As Sonya tends to Nell, Alice returns to the kitchen, a self-satisfied smirk on her face.
Power Street
Elly turns up outside the garage with coffees for Mark and Bea. Mark is grateful, but Bea says she's too busy for a break, and returns to work. Once she's gone, Elly admits her main reason for popping by was to check on Bea. Mark admits she's been jumpy lately and has made a few mistakes; he agrees that hearing about Finn and the cabin must have messed with her head.
ELLY: She hasn't been sleeping again, and I can feel that she's closing off from me.
MARK: She'll be okay, once she gets past the shock. It might just take some time. In the meantime, I'll be here, keeping an eye on her.
We cut to Bea looking distracted/worried in the garage.
Harold's Café
Aaron and Piper are talking about Tyler, and his imminent trip to Asia with Fay. Piper thinks it will be good for him, but Aaron's still troubled by the fact that Tyler felt he had to move away from Erinsborough.
PIPER: I know it was hard for us to say goodbye to him, but it would've been harder for him to have to stay here.
AARON: You're handling this better than I thought.
PIPER: No, I just know that Tyler needs to try and move on. And I know that I need to try and do the same thing. It's such been such a full-on year. Like, I just feel like I've been so worried about Tyler and Cassius, I feel like I've just totally forgotten about me. I think I need something new to focus on. Something that would just help me process everything that's been going on.
She doesn't know what, yet, though. Sheila comes in, and immediately on seeing Piper, says...
SHEILA: Oh! Think I left the iron on!
... before disappearing again as fast as she came in! Piper gets the feeling she's being avoided...
The Waterhole
... so follows Sheila back to the pub, and challenges her as to why she hasn't gone home to turn the iron off! Sheila makes an excuse, but is quickly forced to admit that she's been avoiding Piper, the reason being because Xanthe let slip to her about Piper's possible pregnancy after Sheila found the test kit - and that Sheila then let it slip to Cassius when she went to visit him in hospital.
Piper is not as annoyed as she might be; indeed, she suggests that Sheila and Xanthe have done her a favour.
PIPER: I was in denial about the whole thing, and it gave me the clarity that I needed.
Piper tells Sheila about her plans to take on something new, to help her move on. Sheila suggests that she should be creative. She reminds Piper how she struggled to even look at the spa in the garden after Hamish died in it, until Dipi came round and exorcised it for her! Piper is thoughtful...
No 30
Alice has rustled up another cuppa for Toadie and Sonya, 'to give you a chance to talk', while she puts Nell to bed. They seem to appreciate the opportunity, agreeing there has been too much tension between them. They deploy their counselling techniques to be honest and open with each other. But of course, Alice is listening from beyond the doorway.
TOADIE: When you shouted at Nell, that made me feel like you were just not in control.
SONYA: What, like I was gonna relapse again?
TOADIE: No, no - not - well, just, certain things bring up how it did feel, when you did relapse, and you left us.
SONYA: Okay. Well, I hear that... my actions can bring up painful memories for you. But I promise you, I'm not going anywhere.
TOADIE: Thank you.
SONYA: Okay. When you hid the news of Andrea's new doctor, that made me feel really anxious - like you were gonna choose her over me, like you have in the past.
TOADIE: I hear that me keeping secrets is just wrong and destructive. And... you can trust me. I will never let that woman come between us, ever, ever again.
SONYA: Thank you. I needed to hear that, Jarrod.
They hug, and nearby, Alice looks disappointed that the pair have reconciled.
To make matters worse for her, she hears Toadie tell Sonya that Nell's daycare spot has come back up, meaning that Alice is no longer needed. Sonya asks whether that's still what they want to do. Toadie says Alice is aware and agrees. Sonya accepts this, but looks a bit disappointed. As does Alice, who is fuming behind the wall!
Ramsay Street
Sheila chats to Sonya about Alice, who has been donating surplus cupcakes to the Cannings from her baking sprees! Sonya admits that Alice is a 'very special lady', and Sheila adds that Nell seems to love her too. This gets Sonya thinking...
Meanwhile, Elly is throwing out the recycling when she comes across a plane ticket to Sydney, in Bea's name. She realises that she must have gone there to track down Miranda...
The Waterhole
Bea is moping at a table, watching Ned play pool on his own. When she looks away, Ned glances back at her forlornly. Elly comes in, and shows Bea the plane ticket she found in the recycling.
ELLY: Did you seriously not tell anyone you went to Sydney yesterday?
Bea admits she went to see Miranda, and that Finn has been in touch with her while he's been on the run, and tried to get her sympathy by twisting the truth of all his villainous deeds. Elly says that Bea needs to tell the police about this.
BEA: No. No - she has been played just as much as all of us. She begged me not to say anything.
ELLY: I'm so worried all this focus on Finn is not good for your head.
But Bea insists she feels much better now, and has an appointment with her therapist tomorrow. She doesn't tell Elly anything about asking Miranda to pass on her message to Finn about wanting to forgive him. Bea asks Elly to promise not to tell Susan about any of this. Elly is uncertain, but grudgingly agrees.
Bea leaves, but Elly is surprised that she doesn't say anything to Ned on the way out; he confirms she's still giving him the cold shoulder.
ELLY: I wish she wouldn't. She really needs you in her life right now (...) Please don't give up on her. She really needs friends and support.
Ned suggests he text Bea and ask if she wants to go for a walk tonight. Elly thinks this is a good idea.
No 30
Alice is sitting on the sofa in the dark, chugging whisky, when Sonya comes in. Alice hides the bottle and claims that she thought she heard Nell crying, but was mistaken and couldn't sleep. Alice claims her head is racing after Toadie told her she'd no longer be needed. Sonya feels guilty.
SONYA: Jarrod said that you understood.
ALICE: Oh, heavens to Betsy, no! I mean, I know you said this was only a temporary position when I first started, but I... I just love this job. I love those kids, like they were my own grandchildren.
Alice feigns emotion to gain more sympathy from Sonya.
ALICE: I'm such a dunce!
SONYA: No, no, no - maybe I could talk to Jarrod, and we could work something out?
ALICE: I don't want to cause any trouble.
SONYA: No, you're not! You're not, I promise you that.
ALICE (pretending to cry): Oh, I feel such a duffer!
No 22
We learn that Piper's plan to get closure from the Tyler/Cassius situation is to - you guessed it - make a vlog about it! She's roping in various other RSRs who are In This Episode™ too, to help them get closure as well.
AARON (to camera): What happened with Tyler was... really painful. It took me to a pretty dark place. But I'm starting to let go of that anger, and it finally feels like my world is starting to get back on track. I've got a lot to be grateful for, so I'm just going to keep my mind focused on that.
Piper thanks Aaron for doing the vlog and being so honest. Next up is Sheila's turn, although she seems more concerned with making sure her hair and costume look right than the vlog itself. Ned comes downstairs and asks what they're up to; when Piper explains, he has an idea for another person that Piper should interview...
We cut to Bea as the next interviewee on the vlog. She's unsure where to start, so Piper asks her how she felt when Cassius got arrested.
BEA: He definitely set off alarm bells, and I didn't know if I should listen, you know? Because I have serious trust issues, especially with men. And that's mainly because of Finn. He really messed me up. I can't believe he was hiding out only an hour from here. After what he did - locking us in the container, running down Xanthe, everything - I know I shouldn't be thinking this, but I can't stop. And I keep wondering about this cabin. What is it like - what is he doing there? Is he laying low, or is he planning on doing something else? Who *is* he when he's not Patrick? The cops haven't said that they've found anything, and it's just driving me nuts. (...) What if they don't find anything? They don't know him like I do! What if he left something there, or even deliberately - he loves playing games!
Seeing how upset Bea is - and possibly, how irrelevant this diatribe is to her vlog - Piper opts to turn off the camera for a break. But Bea's too upset to continue, and rushes out of the house.
Harold's Café
Ned is telling Elly that he suggested Bea to Piper as a contributor to her vlog, and that it will be a good opportunity to express herself. However, when Ned texted Bea suggesting the walk, he was only met with silence, he says. Piper comes in, and tells them both that Bea went to pieces during the vlog interview because she couldn't stop talking about Finn.
Elly rushes off to find Bea; Ned offers to go with her, but Elly says she should do it on her own.
No 30
Alice is (as usual) listening in, as Sonya tells Toadie how much Alice wants to stay on as live-in nanny. Toadie reminds Sonya it was a temporary position - but Sonya thinks they were hasty to decide to let her go.
SONYA: I mean, she's so good with the kids - and Nell just adores her, Jarrod.
Toadie points out that Nell will get more social time with other kids at daycare, but Sonya retorts that Alice can provide this during the week by taking her to playgroup, activities etc. Sonya states that she has a headache. Toadie says the daycare centre is waiting for them to respond about Nell's place, so Sonya suggests they ask Nell what she wants - daycare, or to stay at home with Alice.
SONYA: This is her final year before she starts primary school, and don't you want her to be where she's the happiest, Jarrod?
Hearing this, Alice sneaks off to take further action...
Power Street
Elly arrives at the garage to see Bea, but Mark says she took the garage van to Piper's, then is due to go to a therapy session.
The Bush™
However, Bea is not at therapy. Instead, she's arrived at Finn's ex-wife's parents' cabin in the middle of nowhere, where he's believed to have been hiding out earlier in the year. She knocks on the door, but there's no answer, so she calls out, 'hello?'
Power Street
Elly is explaining to Mark about Bea going to pieces in her interview with Piper. She says that the therapist appointment couldn't come at a better time.
The Cabin
Bea enters the cabin cautiously. It all looks immaculate, as if nobody's been there. (Sidebar: there is a luxurious-looking bathtub.) She opens the wardrobe and finds that there are no clothes there - more presumable evidence that the place is vacant.
Power Street
Elly tells Mark she needs to stop obsessing over Bea's state of mind. Mark agrees. Even if Bea won't speak to Elly, then as long as she's speaking to her therapist, Elly says, she has to believe that she will be okay.
The Cabin
Bea enters the kitchen, and finds a newspaper on the table - and a pair of Finn-like spectacles randomly on the floor! She looks scared...
No 30
Alice is having a chat with Nell, and has more chocolate on hand to bribe her with...
ALICE: So, the reason we're having a grown-up talk is because Mummy and Daddy are going to ask you a question - and we need to get the answers right, don't we?
NELL: Yes.
ALICE: Alright. Now, they're going to ask you if you want to go to daycare - ugh! - or stay at home with Nanny Alice. But staying home with Nanny Alice will be so much more fun, because we can do all the games you love and everything. And you love chocolate, don't you?
NELL: (nods)
ALICE: Okay. You know the right answer!
Toadie and Sonya come in, and Alice retreats to the kitchen to give them space while they talk to Nell. Sonya tells Nell that there's no right or wrong answer, before posing the question: Alice or daycare? Alice is brazenly holding up the bag of chocolates in the background, behind Sonya and Toadie's backs!
NELL: I want to stay home with Nanny Alice!
Sonya and Toadie seem satisfied with the decision, as Alice gives Nell a big pantomime wink!
No 22
Piper is now filming her own segment of the vlog.
PIPER: So, what I've learned from all of this is that everyone has different ways of moving on. Like, everyone that I spoke to, I mean, they all experienced the exact same traumatic event - but they all dealt with it in their own way. And, like, really, the only thing that we all have in common is that we just want to put it behind us, and take that next step, you know - whatever that may be.
We cut to Piper watching the vlog back later, looking emotional and reflective.
PIPER (recorded): Like, before I even met Cassius, I was reading books that he had marked. And I was experiencing that, like, with him. And then I fell for him, and I felt like he was my everything. But now I've just realised that he was just a chapter of my life. And I really feel like... the rest of the story is gonna be really good for all of us.
Piper smiles, as uplifting music plays.
The Cabin
Bea looks at the spectacles again, before dropping them back on the floor where she found them, and heading for the front door. But who should open it, but Finn himself...
FINN: Hello, Bea.
Cue evil music.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Susan and Elly are worried, as Bea isn't answering her phone
- A raging Finn shouts for Bea to 'get back here!'
- Bea runs through the bush, with Finn chasing her
- He shouts, 'the longer you make me wait, the worse it's gonna be!'
