Previously
- Toadie rescues Willow from the potting shed to learn that Alice is Heather, and has poisoned Sonya
- Willow and Toadie rush to rescue Sonya, who is soon taken to hospital
- Amy finds that a shipment of solar inverters has been stolen from Robinson Heights...
- ... which turn out to be one of the shonky deliveries Gary is making
- Gary tells Kev McNally that he's 'out', but Kev retorts that he isn't until they say he is
- An evil guest schoolkid tricks Kirsha into giving Jane a box of Dipi's Full Salute tea
- Later, Kirsha realises what's happened and tells Dipi, asking her if the tea works on women
- Sure enough, Dipi, Kirsha, Elly and Susan soon happen upon Jane and Paul TITTNL™ in the classroom
Erinsborough High School
Elly and Susan gloat at having discovered Jane and Paul in flagrante.
ELLY: I didn't know this was on the curriculum (!)
Comedy music, as Susan looks smug and Paul and Jane start to get dressed. In the corridor...
KIRSHA: Were they doing what I think they were doing?
DIPI: Never mind, let's just go home.
Meanwhile, Susan and Elly continue to gloat, before eventually leaving Paul and Jane to get dressed. Jane hopes aloud that it's a nightmare she can wake up from!
PAUL: It's not that bad!
JANE: It is! We have just been caught in the act by the ex-principal, a teacher, a parent and worst of all, a student!
Paul assures her that he doesn't think Kirsha saw anything.
JANE: I don't understand what came over me. I have never, ever done anything like this before!
PAUL: Well, I am pretty irresistible.
JANE: Please, do not make jokes. This is a serious, serious situation - if anyone were to report me, I could lose my job!
Harold's Café
Gary and Amy are having coffee; he's also treated her to a choccy croissant, saying he knows she's had a lot on her plate lately. He then gives her an envelope containing a considerable sum of money, to pay back part of his debt to her - claiming that he won it on a scratchie that someone left in his tip jar. Amy is pleased, saying she know how much it means to Gary to pay her back.
Elly and Susan coming in, talking about what a hypocrite Jane is, TITTNL™ at school after how strict she was with Elly. Susan remarks that it's very out-of-character for Jane - albeit not for Paul!
While Susan goes to the counter, Elly joins Gary and Amy. Elly explains that she's asked Chloe to be her bridesmaid - not that she didn't want Amy to do it, but she and Mark decided to keep the wedding party to family only. Amy seems okay with this, saying she's sure the day will be perfect - although can't resist a remark about Elly's drinking!
AMY: Just don't drink too much, because you still want to enjoy the wedding night!
ELLY: Definitely can't think about that right now after what I just saw!
Elly says it involves Paul, so isn't sure Amy wants to know! But reluctantly, Amy insists...
No 30
Toadie is preparing to go to the hospital to see Sonya. He tells Willow that Sonya's doing a lot better, and should be home for Christmas.
WILLOW: Well, give her a hug and a kiss for me.
TOADIE: Why don't you do that yourself? She has been asking after you.
WILLOW: That's okay. She needs to rest, and I'll just... I'll see her another time.
Toadie gives Willow a look - he can tell she's avoiding seeing Sonya. Shane turns up, with some presents he's been helping Nell wrap. Toadie glances at the shoddy wrapping job!
TOADIE: Are you sure it's not the other way round?
SHANE: It's not my natural calling, but at least it's done, right?
However, when Shane goes to put the gifts under the tree, he makes a disturbing discovery on one of the existing presents - which he immediately shows to Toadie...
Paul's Penthouse
Dipi turns up to see Jane and Paul. Jane's very apologetic for her behaviour at the school; but Dipi says there's no need.
DIPI: If the truth be told, none of this is your fault, and that's actually why I'm here.
Dipi explains that the Full Salute tea Kirsha gave Jane is a 'natural stimulant', and that one of the boys tricked Kirsha into giving it to her.
JANE: I'm really not following. What's the problem with the tea?
PAUL: It enhances libido.
JANE: What?!
PAUL: You were drugged.
JANE: Oh, my god!
DIPI: No, no, not exactly. There are no drugs; it's just organic herbs. And it doesn't alter the way you feel - it just intensifies the feelings you already have.
Dipi apologises, and hopes they can put it behind them.
Lassiter's Complex
Jane and Paul are leaving the hotel. She's relieved to have an explanation for her outlandish behaviour...
JANE: ... otherwise I'd think I'd gone completely mad! Not that I'd be mad for doing what we did. I mean, before we were interrupted, I was really quite enjoying myself.
PAUL: Yeah?
JANE: Yeah.
PAUL: Yeah, although it's not ideal when the beautiful woman seducing you is under the influence. I'd hate to have overstepped.
JANE: No, I can't blame the tea entirely - I do find you very attractive, and I had already made up my mind to take things further.
Paul seems pleased to hear this, and they walk off together.
No 26
Amy is with Gary in the garden. She's on the phone to someone, telling them she 'needs this done ASAP'. Afterwards, she explains to him that the theft of the inverters from Robinson Heights is costing her a lot of time and money; she may have to postpone her trip to see Jimmy in New York, and go a couple of weeks after Christmas instead.
Amy considers getting some private security in to watch the site 24/7 and ensure it doesn't happen again. Gary shiftily suggests that will cost even more money, and then announces that he needs to 'duck out for a sec' to do some Christmas shopping. But on his way out, we see he's received a text from an unknown number - 'Need to see you now. I'll be waiting in the park.'
No 30
We see Toadie wearing gloves (hopefully not poisoned ones!) as he removes some of the presents from under the tree. We learn what's happened; before she left, Heather seems to have disposed of all Sonya's Christmas presents and has replaced them with ones marked for Andrea! Willow goes to fetch a bag so they can take the presents to the police for extra evidence.
TOADIE: Can you believe this? After everything that that woman has done?
SHANE: She's a sicko, we know that. But I suppose in the grand scheme of things, it's not the worst thing she's done. Do you know what the gifts for Sonya were?
TOADIE: There was her favourite skincare range, some yoga gear - there were a bunch of presents from her dad and Jade and Callum. They were wrapped when they turned up, so I've got no idea.
Shane goes to check out in the street to see if he can find the missing presents, while Toadie and Willow pack the evil ones into a bag!
Outdoor Fitness Area™
Gary arrives to meet Kev McNally. Kev explains that one of his crims lost the remote control to their stolen goods warehouse at Robinson Heights - meaning that, if the cops find it, they could analyse it and trace it back to them. Since Gary knows the owners of the site, Kev wants him to get some intel on when the best time is for them to go and look for the remote.
Gary explains that there are plans afoot to get full-time security at the site, so the time to move would be tonight, before that happens.
KEV: Well, if you think you're up for it -
GARY: On one condition - if I get it, I'm done for good. No more jobs. Not ever. Now, I want your word on that.
Kev shakes Gary's hand.
Erinsborough High School
Jane arrives at school, and is surprised to see a pile of Christmas presents outside her office addressed to Susan, thanking her for her help etc. When Jane walks into the office, she finds a pile of Christmas cards for Susan too. Jane looks thoughtful.
No 28
Jane arrives to see Susan, to deliver all the gifts and cards. Susan thanks her, but Elly, who is lingering nearby, decides to give Jane a piece of her mind.
ELLY: Well done. It's the least you could do.
SUSAN: Elly!
ELLY: I have no problem speaking my mind - I've got nothing to lose. Before you fired me, I endured endless criticism over my 'unprofessional' behaviour. Yet, when it comes to your own actions, it seems anything goes!
JANE: In regards to letting you go, I really did need to reduce the numbers - and you have every right to be upset. And what happened today was... was grossly inappropriate. But my only defence is that I was under the influence.
ELLY: You were drunk?!
JANE: No - a student gave me some aphrodisiac tea. It was intended as a prank, and it obviously worked. That's the type of Christmas present that I get.
Jane's about to leave sheepishly, but Susan invites her in so they can talk. As she walks past them, Susan and Elly glance at each other super-smugly, taking great delight in the randy tea revelation!
Harold's Café
Amy updates Paul on her plans for added security at Robinson Heights - and also takes the opportunity to tease him about being caught TITTNL™ with Jane at the school!
AMY: Seriously, the two of you couldn't have kept your hands off each other until you got home?
PAUL: I thought we weren't interfering in each other's private lives anymore?
AMY: Well, it was too good to resist.
Amy shares a titbit from her own private life - explaining that Gary has paid off a big chunk of the money he owes her, after winning on the scratchie. Paul makes out he's pleased, but looks suspicious as Amy leaves.
No 28
On the couch, Jane is confessing all her failings to Saint Susan, who is barely able to suppress her smugness.
JANE: I must admit, in all of my career, I've never received as many gifts and cards as you have.
SUSAN: Well, the school community here's very generous.
JANE: There's no need to be humble, Susan. You received all of those things because you're very loved and very respected. And after having that prank played on me, I've come to realise that I am neither of those things. I am rigid, and unlikeable. Which has got me thinking, why am I like that?
SUSAN: Being principal's a very difficult job. People respond differently to the pressure.
JANE: Yes. But I have made changes that weren't necessarily in the best interests of the students... or the staff.
ELLY: I'm glad you can finally admit that.
JANE: The thing is that, since my grandmother died, I... I've been somewhat lost. It's almost as if I'm not quite sure how I should be without her, or where I should be. And so in a way, I think that I was changing all the rules so I could take your place - so that I could have a sense of belonging.
SUSAN: I suppose in a way, that's quite flattering!
JANE: Of course, what I should've done - and what I'd like to do for my remaining time here - is to come to you for advice.
SUSAN (smugly): Jane - wouldn't that be breaking the rules? (!)
JANE: I think I've proven that I'm quite capable of doing that!
SUSAN (smugly): Yes.
Jane turns to Elly, and apologises for coming down so hard on her, too.
ELLY: Thank you. Is there any chance that I could get my job back?
JANE: No - for the reasons that we discussed. I truly am sorry, Elly.
ELLY: That's okay. It was worth a try.
Lassiter's Complex
Toadie and Willow exit the police station and rejoin Shane in the courtyard. The police are sending the evil presents off for fingerprinting and testing; he's glad it wasn't Sonya who found them, but asks Shane if he's had any luck tracking down the presents for Sonya. Shane says not, and doubts they will find them now.
TOADIE: This is just another way that evil woman is messing with my family.
WILLOW: ...
TOADIE: I'm sorry.
WILLOW: No. I mean, you're right, though. I wish that I could fix it - all of it.
Shane says they can start by writing a list of replacement presents to source for Sonya, and they get to work.
Meanwhile, Paul runs into Gary, and mentions that he's heard about the payment he made to Amy after the supposed scratchcard win.
PAUL: That's convenient timing, wouldn't you say?
GARY: Well, stranger things have happened.
PAUL: Oh, come off it, Gary. I wasn't born yesterday.
GARY: I'm not sure I follow.
PAUL: If you're doing one of your dodgy scams, it better not involve my daughter. Otherwise you will have me to deal with.
GARY: You know, I was really hoping that we'd moved past this.
PAUL: Yeah (...) but there is a line. I just want to make sure that you know where it is. Clear?
Paul walks off, leaving Gary looking worried.
Harold's Café
Elly and Susan are still basking in the afterglow of their moral victory against Jane, as they read all the Christmas cards from Susan's pupils. But Elly is still sore that she lost her job - and what's more, that Finn is ultimately responsible for both of them being dispatched from the school. Susan suggests they think of something positive instead, like how much time they'll have to plan Elly's wedding.
Meanwhile, Kirsha is reading to Shane and Dipi the contents of a Christmas card she's writing to Jane.
KIRSHA: Dear Ms Harris - I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas, and say I'm sorry for giving you that tea. I didn't know it was a prank, and I think the boys were pretty mean to do something like that, especially when it made you want to hook up with Paul Robinson. Best wishes, Kirsha Rebecchi.
As Kirsha goes to get a snack, Shane finds a small wooden box under the counter, which Dipi is quick to snatch away from him.
DIPI: One of my regulars gave me a gift today.
SHANE: I hope that's not what I think it is.
DIPI: Shane, leave it.
SHANE: Hand it over. You know you're not supposed to have tarot cards.
DIPI: Come on, it might be different this time.
SHANE: We had an agreement, Dipi. You promised never to read the cards again.
DIPI: Fine.
She hands over the box. Ominous underscore suggests it won't be the last we hear of it.
Paul's Penthouse
Jane and Paul are having a drink on the balcony. Jane admits it wasn't easy eating humble pie with Susan and Elly, but she's glad that she did. While she can't save Elly's job now, she says she'd do things differently if she had her time again.
JANE: You know, it's so funny. Sometimes I can hear Mrs Mangel's voice in my head, telling me how much I've messed up and how everything I do is wrong.
PAUL: Well, pretty hard voice to forget!
JANE: It is. And it's turned me into a hard woman.
PAUL: Oh, no, no. I don't see a hard woman - I see a complex woman, who's not afraid to question her own stance.
JANE: Yes. Well, it's taken me a long time to get there.
PAUL: If it's any help, I think you're winning the war. Top-up?
JANE: Why not?
She follows Paul back inside, and notices a framed photo of his father, Jim, and gran, Helen, on the sideboard. Paul says he moved it from the study today.
JANE: It needs to be in pride of place.
She puts it on a shelf.
PAUL: They're always in my heart, those two. I can't believe Dad's been gone 25 years already.
JANE: You need to forgive yourself (...) for not being there when he died. Same as you told me to forgive myself when I wasn't there for Nan.
PAUL: Yeah. We can't go back, can we?
JANE: You naming Robinson Pines is really lovely, though.
PAUL: Yeah, I hope so.
Jane kisses Paul on the cheek.
PAUL: What was that for?
JANE: Hopefully we'll always have our memories - and here's to new ones.
They toast, kiss on the lips, and then hug each other.
Robinson Heights
Gary is creeping around the building site with a torch, looking for the crims' remote control. But he hears a noise and footsteps, and ducks behind a shelf for cover, as another torchlight appears...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Sheila tells Gary she's giving him one more chance to tell her the truth
- Aaron asks Chloe why she's avoiding Elly and Mark; she denies it but he's not convinced
- Chloe looking jealous as Elly dances with Mark at the Back Lane Bar
- Toadie rants to Sonya that there's no way he's letting that sick, twisted woman near his kid. Willow looks upset
- Willow crying at the gazebo
- The girl from the photograph, Delaney Renshaw, arrives, and leaps on Leo excitedly. Terese looks peeved