Previously
- Brent tells Aaron that he doesn't want to return to his residential care
- Later, Aaron makes the case to David that they should take in Brent as well as Emmett
- Emmett doesn't feel it's fair that Brent is stuck in the home while he lives here
- Having agreed they wouldn't take Brent, David changes his mind last- minute and says they will
- Paul recognises Nicolette from Jane's photos, and is surprised that Terese knew she was here
- Nicolette tells Terese of her rocky past with Jane, and asks if Jane said why she and Des split
- Terese tells Nicolette that she's spoken to Jane, who is on her way to Erinsborough
Lassiter's
In Nicolette's room, Nicolette is none too pleased to learn from Terese that Jane's coming, as she was just on her way to the airport. Terese suggests she postpone her flight.
NICOLETTE: Even if I could, why would I?
TERESE: But you came here to see her, and now she wants to see you!
Nicolette is sceptical, and asks Terese exactly what was said. Terese admits she may have told Jane that Nicolette wanted to see her! Nicolette looks annoyed.
TERESE: You said you wanted your mum to make things right. You want this as well.
Nicolette doesn't deny it, but still looks unhappy. Terese tells her that Jane's arriving first thing tomorrow, then leaves her to it.
No 22
Things are still a little tense between Paul and Terese; she's back from the office early, which Paul implies is because she's avoiding him. Terese tells him Jane's on her way to Erinsborough.
PAUL: Is she aware that Nicolette is here?
TERESE: No, she's coming to deliver pizza (!)
Paul accuses Terese of being stroppy because her plan to keep him out of Jane's marital woes backfired, given she's on her way.
TERESE: And I'm sure you'll be pulling out the white knight routine.
PAUL: Yeah, and I'm not gonna be making any apologies for it. Look, right now, Jane needs a friend.
Paul decides he'll pick Jane up from the airport. Terese looks miffed.
No 32
Emmett is excited as Aaron and David tell him Brent's room is all set up for him, predicting Brent will be 'happy as' to be living here. David asks how Emmett's homework is going.
EMMETT (cheekily): It's alright. I'm pacing myself.
Emmett goes off to inspect Brent's new room, and David gets a call from Paul. We can surmise that Paul wasn't pleased to learn Brent is coming to live with them.
DAVID: Okay, one, Brent isn't some kid coming in off the street - and two, we don't need your permission... Dad, try not to freak out... It's a one-week trial. It wouldn't be fair for us to change our minds now, even if we wanted to, which we don't... I know you're worried, but just try not to be, okay?
No 22
Jane has made her own way from the airport, and comes in with her cases. She tells Paul that she's feeling embarrassed about the whole situation; Paul tells her not to, saying he is here to help her. Terese comes downstairs to join them. Jane admits she'd wanted to deal with her marriage break-up on her own, but pointedly says that's clearly not possible.
TERESE: I'm sure you're keen to see Nicolette?
JANE: If only that were reciprocated. But, umm, she hasn't answered any of my texts (...) Considering the things that she said about my marriage to Des in Perth, I'm really not counting on it.
Paul and Terese are surprised, and don't know what Jane means. Paul asks what happened.
No 32
In the garden, Aaron emerges with Brent, who's just arrived. Emmett is pleased to see him.
BRENT: Where's the other one?
Aaron explains that David is at work, but will be back later. Brent's surprised that Emmett isn't at school; Aaron explains it's his last day of suspension.
EMMETT: So the three of us can hang together the whole day.
BRENT: Awesome (!)
AARON: We thought we'd make it interesting and have a bit of a games day.
Brent looks incredulous, and doesn't seem keen. But Emmett reminds him of the time they played games at their mum's Christmas party, and Brent decides to go along with it for Emmett's sake.
BRENT: Are we doing sack races? Cos I'm not doing it unless we're doing sack races.
Aaron says that this can be arranged!
BRENT: Cos you know me - I'm unbeatable.
EMMETT: Oh, yeah? Dream on, loser!
Aaron smiles as the brothers head off to (presumably) fetch the sacks!
No 22
Jane is expositing to Paul and Terese about what happened in Perth.
JANE: I invited my children to stay with Des and I, hoping it would help them to feel included, you know? Nicolette was the only one who could come, and in the beginning, it was lovely. We'd go for lunch and long walks on the beach, collecting seashells - you know, quality time.
TERESE: But that didn't last?
JANE: Nicolette has never been good at keeping her opinions to herself. It started with questions about Des, and whether we really thought our relationship had a chance.
TERESE: But at the end of the day, it's not really any of her business.
JANE: Well, I told her that. But instead of backing off, she went to Des and told him exactly what she thought.
PAUL: Oh, no. So how did he react?
JANE: He was completely blindsided, and terribly upset. And I didn't handle things very well. Nicolette and I had a huge argument, ending in me kicking her out of the house and telling her never to contact us again.
TERESE: Oh, Jane.
JANE: Des and I had words. He couldn't get past what Nicolette said.
PAUL: Oh, no. So he ended it?
JANE (nods): You know, when I heard Nicolette was here, I just assumed she would've told you everything. And that's why I came. I felt the need to come and fix this mess that I've made. It doesn't matter what she said; I should never have turned her away. But now I'm afraid it might just be too late to fix things.
No 32
Aaron, Brent and Emmett are having a sack-race in the garden. Brent wins.
EMMETT: It's only cos you have longer legs.
BRENT: What are you talking about? It's cos I'm more coordinated than you two muppets.
As the winner, Brent gets to pick the evening movie, which is 'Hack Attack 4: Chainsaw'! Aaron looks somewhat disturbed at this, and suggests it might be a bit full on.
EMMETT: I've already seen it!
AARON: It's not about you, buddy, it's about me. I'm not good with those sort of movies.
Brent offers to pick what's for dinner instead, and Aaron can pick the movie, which Aaron agrees with.
EMMETT: No, you haven't heard what he likes to eat.
BRENT: Battered hot dogs.
AARON: ... Really? And where are we gonna get battered hot dogs from, Brent?
BRENT: I know a place. Or I could go back to picking the movie - it's really your choice.
AARON: Nah, I think we'll go with battered hot dogs. But just for that, I'm gonna make you two watch ET. How's that? And no arguments!
Surprisingly, Brent says ET is one of his favourite films, and Emmett assures Aaron it's true!
Lassiter's
Terese comes to Nicolette's room; Nicolette's decided to stay, evidently. Terese tells her Jane's arrived and is keen to see her.
NICOLETTE: Yeah, I got that from the dozen messages she left since she's landed.
TERESE: Jane told us what happened in Perth.
NICOLETTE: You mean, how she kicked me out, and told me never to come back?
TERESE: And about the events that led to that argument.
NICOLETTE: I told her she was stupid for rushing in and marrying Des. Sensitivity and tact have never been my strong points.
TERESE: Well, it sounds like you both have regrets.
NICOLETTE: I guess she's still got it in for me.
TERESE: Actually, she feels terrible about the way things ended. And she's really worried that it's past the point of no return.
NICOLETTE: I know my mother, and that is not why she's here.
TERESE: She really is upset.
NICOLETTE: No, she's just here for damage control!
TERESE: Then, why would she come all the way here when she could've simply picked up the phone?
NICOLETTE: Cos everyone's freaking out about the marriage breakup, stressing that she's falling apart. She's here to prove she's indestructible.
TERESE: She's here to make things right. Don't you think at the very least, you owe her another conversation?
No 22
Jane apologises to Paul for lumping her problems on him, but he tells her he only wishes she'd contacted him sooner. Jane said she wanted to work through things herself; she thought she'd made that clear to Terese, and hopes it hasn't caused any tension between her and Paul. He tells Jane not to worry about that.
PAUL: The thing that is important is the fact that you are here now, and I am here for you.
JANE: Thank you. Although, I think I have more important things to worry about than my failed marriage.
PAUL: Ah, your daughter. You know what? Maybe it's a good thing that Nicolette's here.
JANE: Well, while I'm not exactly happy with Terese for orchestrating all of this, I'm sort of glad. It's given me the kick up the backside I needed to actually be here. I've never been good at this sort of thing - family.
PAUL: Yeah, well, I'm no expert either. I suppose all you can do is give it a shot.
JANE: Yeah. I just hope I'll still get that chance.
At this point, Jane gets a text from Nicolette, asking to meet up.
No 28
Susan and Karl arrive home from the second leg of their holiday. They're glad to be home, but Susan's a little sad it feels more like an empty nest now.
KARL: Come on. Two lovebirds just flew in.
SUSAN (laughs): Your stand-up is no funnier at home than it was on the road.
KARL: Then, why are you laughing?
Susan starts logging onto her computer to check her emails; Karl tells her to leave it for now, but it's too late. There are a lot of emails, and Susan thinks she's opened Pandora's box.
SUSAN: I'm worried about how many parents will have read Olivia's book about Finn. I know for sure that Angela Lane will have passed it around.
KARL: You can't control what other people think or do. You can only focus on yourself. I mean, you're a highly intelligent, experienced principal. You can handle anything that comes at you.
SUSAN: Hope so.
But Susan doesn't look convinced as she returns to her computer.
No 32
David comes in to find Aaron cleaning the kitchen. Aaron reports that things are going well so far with Brent and Emmett. David says he's happy to be proven wrong.
AARON: We are good at this. And today goes to prove that we can do just as good a job with two kids as we could with one.
DAVID: Correct.
David has another shift, so isn't sticking around - meaning more battered hot dogs for Aaron!
AARON: I hate you!
In the garden, Brent and Emmett are on the deckchairs by the pool, when David comes out to join them.
EMMETT: Hey, Big David's in the house!
'Big David' says he has to return to work, so they're stuck with Aaron for the rest of the day.
BRENT: Well, as long as he keeps the doughnuts comin', I do not have a problem with that.
EMMETT: Brent's always been a guts.
BRENT: Who are you callin' a guts, huh? (...) Food makes muscles, mate. And I bet I can do three times more push-ups than what you can do.
David laughs as the brothers get straight down to a push-up contest on the floor, and says he'll see them after work. Once David's gone, Brent cuts the contest short.
BRENT: Finally got rid of Bert and Ernie. Time for some real fun.
EMMETT: What do you want to do?
BRENT: What did we used to do when Mum used to kick us outside?
EMMETT: ... No, I dunno.
BRENT: Come on.
The Waterhole
Nicolette arrives to meet Jane. The atmosphere is tense as they make small talk about Jane's flight. Jane explains she's staying with Paul and Terese. Conversation then dries up, until...
JANE: I feel awful, about what happened in Perth. The way that I treated you... I should've handled things better, and... and I'm sorry.
NICOLETTE: Did I hear that right? My mother, Jane Harris, actually apologising?
Jane goes quiet.
NICOLETTE: ... Thank you. I know that must've been hard.
JANE: None of this has been easy. I understand that you probably said those things about Des because you were worried about me.
NICOLETTE: Yes, Mum, I was very worried about you.
JANE: Even though I kept telling you that Des and I were fine. If only you'd listened -
NICOLETTE: What you were telling me was very different to what I was witnessing.
JANE: So you're not even sorry for your part in all of this?
NICOLETTE: Why would I be? I was right. You've broken up already. The whole idea was completely bonkers!
JANE: When will you learn just a smidgen of sensitivity? I invited you to Perth to get to know Des. You didn't even give him a chance! You just saw what you wanted to see.
NICOLETTE: Oh, what is that supposed to mean?
JANE: You don't want me to be happy. You've never wanted that for me.
NICOLETTE: You honestly think you were happy, Mum? You had nothing in common with the guy, apart from the fact that you used to live on the same street.
JANE: That is not true!
NICOLETTE: You were both bored. There was no spark. And you were in your little world of denial that you couldn't even see it. All I did was point out the elephant in the room.
JANE: And you seem glad that you did. Why don't you put the shoe on the other foot? How would you like it if I inserted myself into one of your relationships?
NICOLETTE (laughs): We've barely spoken in ten years, Mum. Zero danger there.
JANE: And whose fault is that?
NICOLETTE (without missing a beat): I'm gonna say yours.
JANE: I tried. When you left England, I called, I text, I even wrote letters, and never got anywhere!
NICOLETTE: You were happy for me to keep my distance. Less of a chance that Nan would find out I'm a lesbian.
JANE: Oh, is that what this is all about? Did you set the whole thing up just to get back at me?
NICOLETTE: That is one of the most offensive things you have ever said to me.
JANE: And yet, you avoid the question.
NICOLETTE: You honestly think I would sabotage your fake marriage over a decade-old grudge?
JANE: ...
NICOLETTE: Wow, yep, okay. Have a nice life (!)
Nicolette gets up and leaves. Jane looks sad.
No 32
Brent and Emmett are sitting side by side on the roof of the house! Brent wants to go higher and get a view of The City™. But Emmett's a bit nervous and doesn't want to go any higher.
EMMETT: It's just, the roof on the old house wasn't as steep (...) Do you think you'll stay? You know, like, for good?
BRENT: We'll just see how it goes, alright?
EMMETT: Better than resi, though, right?
BRENT: Yeah, I guess so.
EMMETT: And Aaron and David are cool.
BRENT: Yeah. But I mean, we wouldn't get to play games all the time.
EMMETT: No, but even on a normal day -
BRENT: Em, this is a trial run, alright? That's it. You know, I'm eighteen in a few months, and then I've got other plans.
EMMETT: Like getting your own place?
BRENT: Yeah. You know, out of the system, no carers, no pretend happy families, like... I just don't want to get too comfortable, alright? That's all.
EMMETT: Not even with me?
Brent goes quiet for a minute.
BRENT: Hey, d'you reckon you could jump into the pool from there?
EMMETT: I don't have my bathers on.
BRENT: Bro, I'm kidding, alright? Em... This is awesome.
They both smile.
The Waterhole
Jane is still at her table when Terese and Paul come in, bickering about work and clearly very frustrated with one another - to the extent that they walk past Jane without seeing her. Feeling guilty for her role in the tension between them, Jane makes a phone call.
JANE: Hello. I'm back in town - I was just wondering if we could catch up?
Lassiter's
In her room, an angry Nicolette flings clothes into a suitcase, then can't get it to close. She sits on the bed and takes a breather, looking thoughtful.
No 28
Jane is with Susan and Karl, having a glass of wine they've brought back from the Coonawarra. Karl thinks he can detect all kinds of flavours from a sniff of the wine.
SUSAN: It took a grand total of one winery tour for Karl to become a complete expert.
KARL (laughs): I have always had a very keen palate, thank you very much!
SUSAN: Yeah, well, less chat and more pouring, thank you.
Susan tells Jane she was sorry to hear about her and Des, and asks what's going on with her now. She apologises to Karl for him seeing her like that in Perth, but asks if the Kennedys might help her out of a 'bit of a bind'.
JANE: Paul and Terese have very kindly offered me a bed, but my presence seems to have caused a bit of discomfort between the two of them. I don't suppose you could put me up for a night or two?
Susan and Karl say they have plenty of room, and that it would be fine, asking why she's in town.
JANE: I actually came because my daughter's here. But we've had another one of our falling-outs, and well, there's every possibility that she's on her way to the airport as we speak.
Ramsay Street
Nicolette is not at the airport, however, but walking up Ramsay Street. She reaches No 22 and stands there, conflicted.
No 32
Brent climbs off the roof, but Emmett is struggling to get down so easily. Brent tries to instruct him, but Emmett tells him to fetch a ladder from the garage.
BRENT: Look, mate, you didn't need a ladder to get up, alright? Don't be soft. Come on.
EMMETT: I'm not.
But at this point Aaron emerges, and is concerned to see Emmett halfway up the house. He shouts to him to come down.
BRENT: We used to do this all the time at home, alright? Chill.
AARON: Brent, quiet, please. Em, I need you down now!
But Emmett loses his grip and topples to the concrete below, crying out in pain. Aaron and Brent rush to his aid as he clutches his neck.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Karl remarks that Susan won't have the smoothest return to work
- In her office at school, Susan gets a phone call from Angela Lane, and ignores it
- We hear Bea asking if Susan is okay
- Brent calls an ambulance for Emmett, as Nicolette asks Emmett where it hurts
- A concerned David rushes to Emmett's side as he's stretchered into hospital
- Pierce tells Paul there's been an accident
- Aaron tells David that Emmett can't feel his legs