Previously
- Shane discusses with Dipi the prospect of 'slinging Grant some cash'
- Shane sends Grant a loan anyway, even after Dipi has said no
- Mackenzie is uncomfortable and clams up when Shane brings up the topic of Grant
- Toadie tells Dee he's not sure if he can see a way through their disagreement
- Karl tells Toadie that if he doesn't tackle the problem now, it'll just get bigger
- Toadie tells Dee he'll accept her seeing Heather, if they don't discuss him or Hugo
- Naomi invites Chloe and Pierce back to hers to 'fire up the spa'
- Paul tells Chloe that inviting people into the hot tub is Naomi's signature move
- Chloe admits to Pierce and Chloe that Paul has suggested Naomi's after both of them
- A furious Pierce confronts Paul, grabbing him and telling him to back off
Ramsay Street
Pierce and Paul's confrontation continues, as Paul threatens to have Pierce done for assault. But Terese intervenes.
TERESE: Not a word, Paul! This is not a game anymore; it's gone on far too long! (To Pierce) And as for you - I expected much more from you! The two of you have to grow up. I can't be expected to run a multi-million dollar company with a couple of children!
Pierce complains that Paul is the one making it personal, and likewise Paul points out that Pierce is the one making it physical. Terese tells them neither have been saints - they're as bad as each other.
TERESE: This has to end now! No more immaturity - no more sad attempts at oneupmanship. It's embarrassing and it's pathetic! You need to call a truce. Agreed?
They both reluctantly agree, and Terese marches off - but the men are still glaring at one another with hostility.
No 26
Naomi and Chloe are in the spa together; Naomi is trying to persuade Chloe to stay for another glass of champagne, but Chloe has croquet plans with Pierce at the pavilion! Naomi declares she has plans with a saucy novel.
As Chloe leaves, Kyle arrives; he thinks it's 'a bit weird' when Naomi mentions that she was having a celebratory spa with Chloe and Pierce.
NAOMI: What, patting ourselves on the back?
KYLE: As long as it was yourself you were patting! I mean, why get half-naked with them if you're into Pierce, you know? Isn't that just torturing yourself?
NAOMI: No, it's not! So what if Pierce is super sweet and distractingly ripped.
KYLE: Nomes!
NAOMI: I genuinely like the both of them, as a couple. They make each other happy. That makes me happy. Okay?
Kyle looks incredulous.
Harold's Café
Dee stops in to see Toadie; she can't stay long as she's already late for work. She reluctantly admits that this is because she's been on the phone to Heather. He asks if they talked about him or Hugo; annoyed at the question, Dee insists that of course they didn't.
DEE: You made yourself abundantly clear on that the other day. Don't you trust me?
TOADIE: It's not you I don't trust.
Dee gets up to leave. Toadie apologises for bringing it up; she says it's fine, but leaves anyway.
At another table, Dipi brings cake and coffee for Mackenzie and Shane, who are both studying. Mackenzie gets a notification on her phone - it's a friend request on social media, from her dad Grant.
SHANE: Well, you don't have to accept it if you don't want.
MACKENZIE: No. I could ignore it like he ignored my eighteenth birthday. What is he playing at? It's so casual. Does he think I've forgotten how he treated me last time?
DIPI: He needs to take responsibility for that.
MACKENZIE: I don't want to accept this. But what if it's our last chance.
Shane, who's been looking rather shifty, says Mackenzie doesn't need to make a decision right now - she should have some thinking time and work out how she feels first. Mackenzie agrees this is a good idea, and Dipi sends her to get a soft drink.
Once she's out of earshot, Dipi asks if Shane knew Grant was going to do this. He says he's as surprised as she is.
The Waterhole
Pierce and Hendrix come in; Hendrix is impressed that Pierce 'roughed up P Robbo', and quips that Pierce should've let him sell tickets. Pierce says he's not bragging - he only brought it up because he's Harlow's grandad.
PIERCE: I'm not proud of what I did.
HENDRIX: Well, you should be!
PIERCE: Violence is never the answer, okay? I lashed out, and I shouldn't have.
HENDRIX: You're right. And if I'm honest, I'm disappointed, Dad. Next time you fight Paul, don't forget to actually land a punch!
Toadie comes in and overhears this, broaching the subject with Pierce as Hendrix leaves. Pierce explains that Paul has been insinuating Chloe likes Naomi as more than a friend.
TOADIE: Oh, that's classic Robinson. It's as clear as day that Chloe's head-over-heels for you... Oh, mate, you've let Paul get into your head! Don't read into it any more than that.
No 26
Terese calls round to see Naomi. She tells her that Paul has been throwing digs at Pierce, and that one of his insinuations has been that Chloe has a crush on Naomi. Naomi thinks this is ridiculous, but Terese says she just wanted to raise it in case things became awkward at work, as Pierce is upset about it.
NAOMI: Surely he knows Paul's just talking trash?
Terese says she's sure it will blow over, and leaves again, just as Chloe's arriving to pick up some sunglasses she left behind. She starts heaping praise on Naomi for her amazing work on the Morning Tea event.
CHLOE: You're an amazing package, Naomi. No wonder your boobs went for so much!
Naomi laughs this off, but as Chloe leaves, Naomi starts to wonder whether Paul might be right about Chloe having a crush...
No 22
Harlow and Paul are finishing a game of chess. He wants another, but she has to go and meet Hendrix. Paul asks Terese if she wants a game, but she's had 'enough of your game-playing for one day'! Ned declines too. Paul is disappointed no-one will play with him, as he's had a taxing day with Pierce.
PAUL: The man is a self-righteous action figure.
Plus Paul is still annoyed that Pierce tried to buy him out of The Shed. Harlow queries whether all this bitterness is worth Paul's time and energy.
NED: Hey, I know what you can do. Why don't you build another suburb? You know, instead of calling it Robinson Pines, you can call it, uh... Bare-Knuckle Hill!
Terese mischievously suggests that Paul could channel his frustrations by assisting Ned in his new career path, with some business advice. But Ned is not keen on spending time with Paul, and quickly exits! Paul decides he needs a stiff scotch; Terese remarks that that isn't all he needs.
Harold's Café
Dipi is annoyed with Grant for his lacklustre method of friend-requesting Mackenzie to get in touch. Shane defends him, saying at least he's making an effort, and says that Grant seems to be re-evaluating things, including his family.
SHANE: Look, I don't want Mackenzie to get stuffed around any more than you do.
DIPI: But?
SHANE: But, people can change. I did. And if he does, Mackenzie will get what she's always wanted.
DIPI: She's in her final year, Puff. She doesn't need the emotional upheaval. I know it's her choice, but I really don't think we should be encouraging a reconciliation just yet.
Toadie comes in, and Dipi asks if Dee will be joining them for dinner later; he admits he's not in her good books right now. Toadie also says he's been looking at Grant's WorkSafe claim, but it's a little tricky and wants to organise a face-to-face meeting with Grant. Shane and Dipi tell him that the situation is complicated...
Lassiter's Complex
Harlow and Ned arrive, and are joined by Hendrix. Harlow is trying to convince Ned to let Paul help him with his business management, but Ned is not keen.
HARLOW: He has a lot of rich friends who could be useful.
HENDRIX: Yeah, rich people are all about art.
NED: Oh, is that right?
HENDRIX: Yeah, and it doesn't even have to be any good.
But Ned has zero interest in getting to know Paul better; he wants to achieve this on his own.
HENDRIX: It's all about who you know, right? And Paul's old - he knows everybody.
Harlow keeps pushing, and Ned promises to think about what she's said.
Ned leaves the teens and chats to Chloe outside the hotel - he's come to pick up the 'wall of boobs' after the event yesterday. Chloe thanks Ned for all his hard work on the project, and conversation turns to Paul and Pierce's confrontation.
CHLOE: Ah, Paul. The ultimate boob.
Chloe tells Ned about the drama Paul's been causing between her, Pierce and Naomi. But Chloe says all she wants is for everyone to get on.
Nearby, Naomi catches up with Pierce, who's on his way to meet Chloe. Naomi says she's heard from Terese about what Paul has been spreading, and asks him whether there could be anything to the suggestion that Chloe has a crush on her. Pierce is just confirming that there isn't, when Chloe herself turns up.
CHLOE (to Naomi): I thought you were busy being a sexy bookworm this arvo?
NAOMI: Yeah, well, Mum came home, tried to convince me to clean the pigeon coop.
CHLOE: Eww.
Naomi says she had to escape, so Chloe invites her to come and play croquet with her and Pierce. Naomi's reluctant to be a third wheel, but...
CHLOE: Stop it. You should totally come. Shouldn't she?
PIERCE: ... Yeah. Absolutely. I mean, it'd be... fun.
Naomi enthusiastically agrees. Pierce looks worried.
Erinsborough Hospital
Dee is at work when Toadie turns up, keen to talk. She's really busy and not eager for a chat, but he insists it's really important.
TOADIE: I want to apologise. I feel really bad about how we left things earlier.
DEE: Yeah, I do, too.
TOADIE: You were holding up your end of the bargain, and I was just being a jerk. I'm sorry.
DEE: Well, what if you keep acting like a jerk every time I bring Heather up?
TOADIE: I won't.
DEE: You feel very strongly about me getting to know her -
TOADIE: Can you give me another chance? Please? Just to prove that I can move past this?
Toadie offers to press 'reset'. Dee smiles and says she'd like that; they hug.
Lassiter's Complex
Mackenzie is filling in Harlow and Hendrix on Grant's friend request, which she's really stressing about. Dipi comes out, and tells her there's no rush to do anything as regards the request until she's ready. But Hendrix is less equivocal.
HENDRIX: Nah, just screw him - ignore it.
DIPI: Hendrix!
HENDRIX: I'm serious. It's how I played it with Old Man Greyson when he was being a tool, and, hey, we turned out pretty good.
HARLOW: Hmm, that's not oversimplifying the situation at all, is it? (!)
MACKENZIE: So you think I should accept?
HARLOW: Look, parents are complicated, and I'd be just as confused as you are if that was my dad.
Kyle turns up makes a quip about Sheila 'grabbing Dipi's boobs' - he means in the auction, but it's not necessarily clear to the teens! Realising he interrupted something, Mackenzie explains they're talking about her dad and that she's not sure whether she wants him around. She then remembers Kyle's just lost his dad.
MACKENZIE: Sorry. That was insensitive. I'm sure you'd give anything... I'm sorry.
KYLE: Nah, you're fine. Don't worry. But if it helps, my dad wasn't exactly a stellar parent when I was a kid. Total deadbeat, actually (...) Don't get me wrong, he made up for it. But he had a lot to make up for. It took work, but I'm glad we got to rebuild things. We had some good times there, in the end.
MACKENZIE: Gary seemed like a really good guy.
KYLE: He was. I don't know your dad. But I do know that people can change if you give them a chance.
This sage advice dispensed with, Kyle goes on his way - and Mackenzie accepts Grant's friend request there and then. But she looks nervous about it.
The Pavilion
Naomi, Chloe and Pierce are having fun playing croquet; Pierce is picturing the ball as Paul's head! Naomi plays her shot then falls promptly into Pierce, saying she needs to slow down on the champagne.
NAOMI: People might wonder who the real couple is!
CHLOE: Hey, it's a hot combo, no matter which way we're paired. For all anybody knows, we could be a throuple!
Naomi laughs along with this, but Pierce is looking worried again.
No 22
Ned is with Paul and Terese. He is asking Paul if he can introduce him to some of his rich contacts so he can make connections, with a view to flogging his art to them. Paul is sceptical that this plan will bear fruit, but Ned says he's serious about making a living from this.
NED: Please. I really need your help.
PAUL: ... Alright, yeah. There are a couple of names that come to mind, so maybe I could text them to you.
Ned thanks Paul, saying that means a lot. Harlow and Hendrix come in. Harlow is gloating that Ned has taken her advice. Terese congratulates Paul on 'fitting one good deed into the day'.
HENDRIX: If you really want to encourage him, how come you don't invest in any of his art?
PAUL: What I do with my money is none of your business!
HENDRIX: You're not gonna fight me, are you? See, Paul, unlike my father, I'm a lover, not a fighter.
Paul looks annoyed, as Harlow drags Hendrix away to do some homework.
The Pavilion
Chloe, Pierce and Naomi are all drinking champagne after the croquet game. Pierce is uncomfortable as Naomi and Chloe trade stories about how they've both 'played around' on golf courses in the past.
NAOMI: Ooh, it was a hot, hot day.
CHLOE: Ooh, I bet it was.
NAOMI: One of them got a hole in one and we all got really excited. Had a big hug, and one thing led to another.
PIERCE: You had a threesome?
NAOMI: Mm. Electric.
CHLOE: Well, you know, I must say, it's a much more enjoyable sport than golf!
Pierce admits he's never had a threesome.
CHLOE: Oh, you've missed out!
PIERCE: I wouldn't say that. But, you know, never say never!
This causes much 'oohing' and giggling from Naomi and Chloe...
No 30
Toadie and Dee are confirming plans for her to come to dinner tonight; Toadie promises he'll organise something more intimate soon for just the two of them. Dee goes to the bathroom, and her phone begins to ring. It's a private number. Toadie hesitates, then calls her to tell her it's ringing.
Dee comes back in and the phone stops, but then starts ringing again.
DEE: Hello? ... Yes, I'll accept... Hi, how are you?
Guessing she's talking to Heather, Toadie looks frustrated as Dee goes to take the call outside.
Harold's Café
Shane and Dipi are talking about the prospect of Grant coming to Erinsborough. Dipi doesn't know if he'll have the money to come, but Shane is shiftily confident that he will! In any case, Dipi says, they'll need to check if she's okay with it first. Mackenzie appears.
MACKENZIE: Before what goes any further?
SHANE: ... Uh, Grant called. He's thinking of maybe coming to visit.
DIPI: And we wanted to see how you'd feel about that.
MACKENZIE: ... Wow. I didn't think it'd mean so much to him.
DIPI: There might be a number of reasons at play here -
MACKENZIE: But it's good that he wants to see me in person, right?
SHANE: Yeah. But we don't want you to get your hopes up, love.
MACKENZIE: Yeah, you're right. I shouldn't get ahead of myself. But, what if this means he's finally ready to see me as his daughter?
The Pavilion
Naomi and Chloe are probing Pierce further about his lack of threesomes!
PIERCE: I'm not saying no-one's ever offered (...) It just never felt like the right time, you know?
Naomi reminds him of a time in Sydney when he was rumoured to have left a party with a stripper on each arm and stole a yacht to entertain them for the night! Pierce admits it happened, but says there was no threesome.
CHLOE (to Naomi): Well, looks like you and I are the intrepid adventurers of the group.
PIERCE: I can be adventurous!
NAOMI: Well, if you wanted to prove that you could be adventurous, I'd be more than happy to be of service.
CHLOE and PIERCE: ...
NAOMI: Relax, I'm kidding! ... Unless you don't want me to be kidding?
Chloe and Pierce glance at one another curiously. Naomi watches them intently...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Clive asks Sheila if Naomi likes things spicy. She says 'you should ask her'
- Pierce gives Hendrix money to take Harlow on a date, so he and Chloe can meet Naomi!
- Chloe, Naomi and Pierce toast 'friendship and new frontiers'
- Dipi tells Toadie that she and Shane aren't sure if Grant will accept Mackenzie
- An angry Mackenzie asks Grant, 'is that really the first thing you're gonna ask me?'
