Previously
- Roxy wanting to stay in rather than go to The Terrace with Kyle.
- Ned getting Roxy to admit she likes Ned.
- Roxy wanting to go on a date with Kyle.
- Toadie confident that Elly won't get a prison sentence.
- Elly pleased with the references she's received.
- Sam suggesting a plan to Claudia... but it's risky.
- Chloe [writing in her reference] that Elly's actions were acceptable to defend Aster.
- Claudia confident she won't need luck in court.
Number 28
On the phone, Bea does her very best to talk Liz out of getting on a plane and heading to Erinsborough for Elly's trial. Elly is full of confidence too as she cradles Aster before they all head to the court.
ELLY: I've made the right decision. Everything's going to work out.
Magistrates Court
Everyone is gathered in the courtroom and if looks could kill, Sky will have killed Claudia after the looks the pair exchange! Elly asks for one last cuddle with Aster, "not that you'll need it," Bea says as she comes over to pick the bairn off of Susan's lap to give to Elly.
The judge enters the courtroom and seeks confirmation that Elly knows the charge she is facing (yes) before he then begins to formally read out what she is pleading guilty to. After a moment's hesitation, Elly confirms she is pleading guilty.
The Waterhole
Terese is happy to see Sheila back behind the bar when she pops in, although does add that if Sheila needs some time off, at any time, it will be granted. Sheila declines the offer and tells them (Kyle is there too) to "stop fussing."
Magistrates Court
Toadie hands over the references to the court clerk for the judge to read and talks lyrically about how good a person Elly is at the same time. He then changes his tone as he then goes on to describe how Finn terrorised not just Elly but her family too, hence being driven "to extreme measures" to "protect her life and that of her aunt and her baby daughter."
TOADIE: What my client has plead guilty to, is a one-off act of desperation. She's not a murderer. She's not a danger to society. The prosecution is recommending a suspended sentence and I respectfully ask that Your Honour, you take all this into consideration when considering the verdict.
Toadie sits down and the judge announces that there will be a recess so he can look at what has been presented before making his decision.
In the gallery, Mark remarks to Sky that it "seems to be going okay" and likewise Toadie tells Elly and the family that he is "fairly confident" of getting a suspended sentence.
Lassiters Complex
After getting a text, Terese relays the news of the recess to Ned and Roxy before she heads off in the direction of the hotel.
Ned tells Roxy that she should be getting off too, to get ready for her date with Kyle. The lass though isn't sure what sort of a date to arrange with Kyle - she wants it to be a big deal given what he has been through recently. Somewhat reluctantly, Ned is coerced into helping her come up with something.
Magistrates Court
The judge is back, and he begins by thanking Elly for admitting her guilt but then throws a spanner in the work by then saying that this isn't the first time she's tried to harm Finn.
JUDGE: Mr Rebecchi was misleading in saying that your actions were a one-off.
He then says that there have been "two previous incidents documented" and so it would be "remise not taking that into account in my sentencing." Elly looks extremely worried now, as this of course wasn't the plan!
JUDGE: Eleanor Leanne Rose Conway, for the charges that you have plead guilty to, you are sentenced to 3 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 2 years.
"Outrageous!" Karl yells from the gallery as everyone is shocked by Elly getting a prison sentence. "We'll appeal," Toadie quickly says to a distraught Elly before the judge calls "to remove the prisoner."
As Elly is forcibly led away pleading her innocence, sitting in the gallery with a smug look on her face is of course Claudia!
(Later)
Commercial break later, the court is beginning to disperse as the Susan asks Toadie "how could this happen." He replies back that he doesn't know and leaves them to head back to the office to work on Elly's appeal.
Bea hobbles over to where Sky and Mark are still sat and firmly blames them for her sister being jailed. Sky is though going to make enquiries with the OPP to see what happened. Mark explains to the K's what the process is now for Elly (she'll be held at the station before being transferred to Goodwood Prison) and confirms that they will be allowed to see her.
After their eyeball exchange earlier, Sky is very suss that the only person barely saying a word is Claudia as she stands holding Aster in her arms. Indeed, she quickly hides the smile on her face when she notices Sky watching her!
The Waterhole
Sheila changes her demeanour to her happy one when she hears Kyle arrive at the bar (her back was turned when he initially walked in). Despite it looking like he was, he claims not to be checking up on her. "Stop worrying about me," she tells him before asking if he's heard how Elly's case has went? Kyle replies that he hasn't, which is then when Sheila starts ranting that it should have been Susan on trial not Elly.
Police station
Sky apologises profusely to Elly for how things have changed and is confident the appeal will lead to a suspended sentence. Mark adds in too that the sentence given "was way too harsh" before informing her that the family have arrived wanting to talk to her. Before Elly sees them, she asks to speak to Sky alone and after Mark leaves, seeks her advice on whether to take Aster with her into prison or not - she isn't sure if they could go 3 years without each other.
ELLY: What happens if I get out and she has no idea who I am?
Sky sits on the fence and tells Elly that is her decision to make. Elly then asks what it was like inside and Sky replies that the only advice she can give is that if she takes Aster inside to "never let her out of your sight."
Sky then signals for a uniformed officer to enter and Elly starts to remove her personal belongings, including her shoes, before she is cuffed and led away to the cells.
Lassiters Park
Roxy leads Kyle to the rotunda for their date where 2 easels are set up ready for some paintings to be created! Kyle looks somewhat bemused as she dishes out the resources to "paint the landscape"
Police station
Mark gives Elly the bad news that he has to head back to Adelaide now, but promises to keep in contact with Toadie in case there is anything he can do to help her appeal. "Take care of yourself Elly," he says while taking her hands (even if they are in cuffs) before leaving to let the family enter.
First in is Susan, quickly followed by the others and bringing up the rear is Claudia pushing Aster. She says to Elly, not to worry about the Aster, as they "will look after her."
ELLY: You won't need to; I'm bring her in with me.
CLAUDIA: You can't! Prison is no place for a baby.
Forcefully, Elly points out that it is her decision adding that Aster "needs me." This forces Claudia back into her corner! Elly confirms that Aster will be transported separately and so asks the family to pack a bag for her. "We'll make sure to pack her favourite snugglies," Bea says to her sister. Elly then moves over to talk directly to her daughter, who is lying in her pram.
ELLY: Hey baby girl, as long as we are together, everything will be okay.
The smile has now been totally wiped off Claudia's face!
Number 30
Although she should be heading home, Sky is in two minds whether to stay for Elly's appeal that she can see Toadie is still working on as she enters #30. Sky is still bemused at the prison sentence being dished out and hopes he doesn't hold what happened against her. Toadie replies that he doesn't as he knows she was just doing her job. Before she goes though, she asks him for a favour - to "keep an eye on Claudia Watkins."
TOADIE: Why?
SKY: I don't know, I can't put my finger on it, but there is something about her that just doesn't ring true. Claudia has a lot at stake with Aster and if she wanted to, she could make things difficult for Elly, and that is the last thing she needs right now.
Toadie promises to keep an eye out as they say their farewells.
Lassiters Park
Well I don't think either painting will be winning a prize any time soon as we return to see what they've painted! Both agree that the date has been a bit of a damp squib and Roxy decrees she isn't listening to dating advice again from Ned! In the spirit of honesty, Kyle admits that it is good to get a break from home and equally that he couldn't tell Sheila either, as she thinks everyone is moving on too quickly.
KYLE: I just didn't want her thinking I was going off having a good time.
ROXY: She doesn't have to worry about that, there's no way that this is a good time!
Kyle decides they need to do something to cheer the date up - taking inspiration from throwing away the page (of his book) he had painted, the pair end up throwing bits of paper at one another!
Just as they are about to pash through, Roxy's phone interrupts proceedings - its her dad, and she cancels the call saying she will phone him back later. It is not until she's said it, that she realises what she said and seeing that Kyle has regressed within himself, says that he can talk to her.
KYLE: It's just that while we've been out here, I haven't thought about dad.
ROXY: Just because you haven't through about him, it doesn't make you a bad person.
KYLE: Yes, but that's exactly what Gran's worried about, that everyone's forgetting about him... and I'm his son.
The Waterhole
The news is out about Elly and Terese tells Ned about planning to call round to #28 after work to see if they need anything. Ned reveals he plans to check up on Bea after she's back from taking Aster to the prison.
TERESE: It's just awful.
When they reach the bar itself, Terese spots that Sheila is in tears and thinks its due to hearing about Elly and she quickly offers to get someone in to cover the rest of Sheila's shift. "I'm fine," Sheila insists, despite it looking otherwise, and explains it as "a silly moment."
TERESE: You don't have to do this.
SHEILA: Please, I need to be here keeping busy. Please don't take that away from me.
Despite probably wanting to say the opposite, Terese agrees to Sheila's plea on condition that if anything changes, she's to reach out.
Lassiters Complex
Mark gives his sister some advice on what not to say to Elly (she is working herself up) and to instead just reassure her that she "will be there for her, her family and Aster."
CHLOE: I can do that.
Just as Chloe said that, Elly undergoes the walk of shame - barefoot and handcuffed being escorted by a uniformed policeman through the complex to the waiting police van as the aptly named 'Make me stronger' plays over the wordless scene. With family, Chloe, Mark and Claudia watching the van pulls away to make its journey to Goodwood Prison.
Magistrates Court
Claudia walks into the empty court chamber to talk to the judge who presided over the hearing earlier... to thank him for the sentence he delivered!
CLAUDIA: It was just what I hoped for, you made the right decision.
JUDGE: The hearing is finished. I won't discuss it any further.
CLAUDIA: I understand.
JUDGE: I want what you promised.
"It's all there," Claudia says as she hands over and A4 envelope to the judge. "Your wife will never know," she then adds as he opens up the envelope to see what is inside.
JUDGE: No copies?
CLAUDIA: That was the arrangement.
JUDGE: I've done what you've asked. You agreed to leave it alone.
CLAUDIA: And I will. I'll get what I want eventually.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Roxy still down about her date with Kyle.
- Chloe fearful of people wanting to turn the island into "some kind of horror show."
- Claudia wanting news from Susan and Bea.
- Elly swithering about giving up Aster.
- Elly asking Toadie for a favour.