Previously
- Susan worries about returning to work; she's sure Angela Lane will have passed the Finn book around
- Levi decides he can't stay at No 26 following the revelations about his childhood
- Sheila tells Kyle she wishes she could go back in time and find a way to protect both him and Levi
- Nicolette tells Chloe about her role in the break- up of Jane and Des's marriage
- Jane tells Paul that she's ended up fighting with Nicolette about the same issues all over again
- A gloating Paul reveals to Pierce that he knew about Chloe's pregnancy before Pierce did
- Pierce asks Chloe if she'd have even told him she was pregnant if Paul hadn't found out
No 24
Chloe and Pierce are still talking about her decision to delay telling him about the pregnancy.
CHLOE: I just... needed some time to get my head straight before I brought other people into it.
PIERCE: I'm the baby's dad. I'm your husband.
CHLOE: Can I stress one more time the part where I was terrified?
PIERCE: Yeah, and I get that. But what I don't understand is why you couldn't talk to me?
CHLOE: Because I knew you'd be excited.
PIERCE: Should I apologise for that?
CHLOE: No... but I needed a different perspective, so I told Terese.
PIERCE: The kind of decision that you were weighing up - can't you see that I should've been a part of that?
CHLOE: Can you please just cut me a little bit of slack? I am dealing with so many added layers of complication.
PIERCE: It's bad enough that Terese knew before I did. But Paul Robinson?
CHLOE: I told you, he found out by accident.
PIERCE: Yeah, which would never have happened if you'd have come to me first. Which brings me back to the fact that if he hadn't found out, then there's every chance that I wouldn't have either.
Chloe goes quiet.
No 28
While Jane makes Karl an almond milk coffee, Susan is preparing to head to work for her first day back - a representative from The Department™ is coming to meet her. Jane asks if Marie Bermingham, the acting principal, dropped the ball while Susan was away.
SUSAN: No, she did everything the police asked.
'Police' being the operative word, there, Susan! She explains to Jane that there has been a lot of concern from parents about a drug culture at school following the discovery in the bin. As a result, The Department™ wants answers from Susan.
JANE: What's your plan of action?
SUSAN: ... Uh, well, it's, uh, not quite formulated yet. Information and... education, I guess. I could offer extra counselling, maybe, for the students. Put on a drug information session?
Susan seems to lack confidence in her approach, though, and to be seeking approval and affirmation from Jane and Karl, asking them what they both think of her ideas. They both think it sounds like a good approach to prove to The Department™ she's hitting the ground running. Susan still doesn't seem convinced.
Susan asks if Jane has heard from Nicolette; she hasn't, and is worried she's already gone back to Canberra. But Karl explains he's heard from work that Nicolette was in Ramsay Street yesterday when Emmett had his fall from the roof - and she was first to the rescue. Jane is surprised to hear Nicolette was on the street...
No 26
Sheila is watering the plants in her garden, when Clive emerges. He's had a text from Karl, inviting him for coffee with him and Jane. He's looking forward to a catch-up with Jane, saying it's a shame she split from Des. Sheila distractedly agrees.
Levi turns up; Sheila's pleased to see him, but he says he's just here to collect the last of his things. She says he can come back home whenever he wants, but Levi just grabs a shirt from the washing line and starts to leave. Clive suggests he stay for breakfast, and Sheila quickly latches onto this, offering to cook him bacon and eggs - but Levi declines, and walks off.
SHEILA: This is awful. I want this to be his home. I want him to know that he belongs.
Erinsborough High School
Susan is in her office. Her phone is ringing - it's Angela Lane. Susan looks increasingly agitated, but doesn't answer it. She seems anxious and struggling to concentrate on her work. The phone briefly stops, then starts again. But Susan continues to ignore it. On Angela's third attempt, Susan finally relents and answers the call.
SUSAN: Hello, Angela. How are you?
Harold's Café
Jane is with Karl at a table. She suggests that they head to the school after their catch-up with Clive, to drop off a treat for Susan. Nicolette comes in, and walks over when Jane spots her. Jane introduces her to Karl, explaining that she's staying with him and Susan for a while. There's an awkward silence.
Jane asks Nicolette if she's also staying in town; she says she hasn't decided yet, but isn't needed at work for a little while.
JANE: Well, hopefully we'll get a chance to talk before you leave, if you... if you choose to do so.
NICOLETTE: Like I said, I'm not sure.
Karl mentions her involvement in getting Emmett to hospital yesterday. Nicolette asks how Emmett's doing; Karl says it's just a hairline fracture in his neck, so he should be okay, but he was lucky Nicolette was on hand.
JANE: What were you doing in Ramsay Street?
NICOLETTE: ... I just went for a walk and ended up there. It's not like Erinsborough's a big place.
Nicolette heads off to get a coffee. It's implied that Jane is wondering whether Nicolette was coming to Ramsay Street to see her.
Lassiter's
Terese and Pierce are having a business meeting in the office. Pierce is distracted, and Terese asks after Chloe. Pierce admits he doesn't know how she is; they didn't really speak this morning. Pierce explains that Paul told him he knew about Chloe's pregnancy before Pierce did.
TERESE: I am so sorry that he has decided to throw that in your face.
PIERCE: (...) The thing I can't get my head around is why she didn't feel that she could tell me.
Pierce gets a call from Mark, Chloe's brother. It seems like bad news - Mark hasn't been able to get hold of Chloe directly, but Pierce promises to find her, and get her to call Mark back. Pierce then tells Terese that something has happened with Chloe's mum Fay, and that it doesn't sound good.
No 26
Sheila tells Clive she wants to move into his place full-time, so that Levi can stay living here with Kyle.
CLIVE: I thought we agreed that we liked having our own space?
SHEILA: Yes, but Levi can't keep paying those high prices at the hotel on a cop's wage.
CLIVE: He can make alternative arrangements.
SHEILA: There is no alternative. And this is his home.
CLIVE: It's your home, too.
SHEILA: You're starting to sound like you don't really want me to move in.
CLIVE: I don't think this is a decision you make out of convenience.
SHEILA: It's not convenient that my grandson hates me! Levi needs a place to live, and I do not want him moving back to Frankston.
CLIVE: Okay, but I don't think this is gonna solve the problem. I'm sorry, Sheila.
Lassiter's
In the office, Chloe is on the phone to Mark discussing Fay, while Pierce sits next to her. She ends the call.
CHLOE: Mum's swallowing muscles are getting weaker. She almost choked on a piece of lettuce last night. And the doctors say it's time for a PEG tube through her stomach. She won't be able to eat or drink by herself any more. It's not safe.
PIERCE: And how's Fay coping?
CHLOE: She's trying her best, apparently. But we all know what it means. Just a slow, downward spiral. Bit by bit, we're losing her.
We learn that Aaron has been told, and wants to go to Adelaide but can't until Emmett is out of hospital. Pierce offers to organise flights for him and Chloe; they could go this afternoon.
CHLOE: I can do it. But if it's okay, I think I just need to go by myself.
PIERCE: ... Is this because we've been fighting?
CHLOE: No. I'm not shutting you out. Mum doesn't want an entourage.
PIERCE: Alright.
CHLOE: Is it alright if we just have a ceasefire on all the rest of it for now? I really don't have the energy to deal with anything else.
PIERCE: Yeah, you just concentrate on your mum, alright? Nothing's more important than that right now.
CHLOE: Thank you.
But things still feel tense.
Lassiter's Complex
Kyle is outside the pub at a table. Levi arrives, Kyle having asked to meet him. Kyle asks Levi to 'suck it up and come home', given he clearly can't afford to stay at the hotel. But Levi insists he's not coming back to Sheila's place.
Bea turns up, and gets dragged into the conversation - Kyle explains that Levi won't live at Sheila's and can't afford the hotel. Bea suggests Levi could move in with her and the Kennedys for a while; Jane is there right now, but Bea doesn't think that's long-term and there is still a spare room. Bea is sure Karl and Susan would be okay with it, but Kyle isn't sure it's a good idea.
KYLE: Mate, Gran would flip it if she knew you were crashing at the Kennedys'.
LEVI: Good. She gets no say in this after what she's done.
Levi asks when he could check out of the hotel. Bea says she'll need to run it by Karl and Susan, but that it should be sorted this afternoon. Levi's thrilled, but Kyle looks worried.
The Waterhole
Clive finally gets round to meeting Jane and Karl, and apologises for being late - Sheila's had a rough morning. He tells Jane he was sorry to hear about Des.
JANE: Yes, well, these things happen, don't they? Even with the best of intentions, sometimes it just doesn't work out.
Clive tells Karl and Jane about Sheila's 'communication issues' with Levi. Jane admits she's going through similar with Nicolette. Jane explains that Nicolette does temp nursing work from Canberra, but says it would be wonderful if she could work locally.
JANE: I don't suppose you could pull a few strings, could you?
Clive is hesitant, saying it doesn't quite work that way - he's never met Nicolette! But Jane calls on Karl to attest how wonderful Nicolette is! Karl admits she did help out with Emmett when he fell off the roof.
KARL: But I can't speak to her qualifications.
JANE: Oh, please, Clive, it would really mean so much to me. And it might just help us to mend our rift, so long as she didn't know that I put you up to it.
Clive reluctantly says he could speak to human resources, to see what's available.
Harold's Café
Chloe is trying to book a flight to Adelaide on the phone, but seems to be having difficulty as all the flights are full. She ends the call just as Nicolette comes in; Chloe explains to her about Fay's Huntington's disease and her recent decline, being unable to eat or drink.
CHLOE: Just feels like another nail in the coffin.
NICOLETTE: You can't look at it like that.
CHLOE: It's pretty hard not to.
NICOLETTE: If your mum has swallowing issues, the PEG will actually prolong her life. All her medication can be crushed, and all the nutrients she needs can be fed through the feeder.
CHLOE: Yeah, I hadn't thought about it like that.
NICOLETTE: This is a good thing. You guys will be less stressed - and the surgery, you know, it's actually easy and low-risk.
CHLOE: Yeah, that I do know... I've got Huntington's too. So I've done a lot of research. Boy, have I done research.
NICOLETTE: You're not symptomatic yet?
CHLOE: No.
NICOLETTE: Have you got a good neurologist?
CHLOE: Yeah, one of the best. Is there anything I could say that would shock you?
NICOLETTE: The wedding stuff came close! But... this, I can handle.
CHLOE: Well, thank you. Sometimes it's hard telling people.
NICOLETTE: People are weird. I always try to go for the middle ground - you know, no pity, but then, not so far in the other direction that I'm actually telling my patients to get over themselves. Although, sometimes, people do need to get over themselves!
CHLOE: Well, you are hitting that middle ground very nicely!
Lassiter's Complex
Sheila is on the phone to Terese about a work report. When she's done, she joins Kyle at his table, and explains that Fay's not in good health, so Chloe is heading to Adelaide to look after her. Sheila and Kyle both feel bad for Chloe, having to deal with her mum's illness as well as facing the prospect of her own.
SHEILA: Makes you realise how short life really is. I could just have a heart attack and be gone, like that.
KYLE: Are you feeling alright, Gran? Do you need some water?
SHEILA: No, no, no. This is about unfinished business. We need to figure out a way to get Levi back home.
Kyle is forced to break the news that Bea has invited Levi to move in at No 28 with the Kennedys. Sheila looks horrified.
No 24
Chloe is just preparing to leave for the airport, when Pierce comes in. Things still feel awkward between them.
PIERCE: Look, I know that we said we'd hit the pause button, but I don't want to leave this hanging. You've got too much on your mind, so why don't we just have one less thing to worry about?
CHLOE: As soon as I found out Paul knew, I told you. I honestly never meant to hurt you.
PIERCE: I know you didn't. People mess up, especially under stress - and usually with a lot less on their plate than you have. Chlo, I just want to make things as easy as they can be for you.
CHLOE: I get that. But it's not you going through this - it's me.
PIERCE: I think you've forgotten that we're a team. And we vowed that we would stand by each other through thick and thin. And this is the thin.
CHLOE: Or, is this the thick?
PIERCE: Whichever one it is, we're in this together.
Chloe smiles.
Lassiter's Complex / Erinsborough High School
Bea is on the phone to Susan, telling her about Levi's difficulty with living arrangements and asking if he can move in. Susan is still anxious and distracted, and is annoyed to learn that Bea has already promised Levi the room. Susan says she shouldn't have.
BEA: It's just until he gets himself organised.
SUSAN: No - no! My days of taking in strays are over. The answer's no, Bea.
BEA: Are you okay, Auntie Suse?
At this point, Sheila overhears Bea, and goes over to put in her twopenceworth about Levi moving in with them.
SHEILA: Is that Susan you're talking to? (shouting at Susan) Any opportunity to make yourself look like a saint, isn't that right? My grandson already has a home - it's called my place! And I wish you would stop interfering in my family's business!
All this is simply adding to Susan's stress, so she asks Bea to put her on speakerphone so Sheila can hear.
SUSAN: Sheila, I'm sorry for the misunderstanding. Your grandson is not moving into our house.
Susan hangs up. Sheila just says, 'oh', and walks off! Bea looks worried.
The Waterhole
Karl and Jane come in, and see Nicolette at the bar. Jane whispers to Karl that he should go and talk to Nicolette about working at Erinsborough Hospital. Karl wants to leave that to Clive, but Jane insists Karl should do some 'groundwork' and sow the seed of the idea. Jane tells Karl not to mention her, and goes to hide around the corner!
Karl goes to talk to Nicolette, and tells her that he's been talking to Clive Gibbons, explaining he's the COO at the hospital and how great a place it is to work!
NICOLETTE: Well, that's lovely for you and Clive Gibbons.
KARL: Yeah. It's just, they often have casual vacancies there for nurses, so I was just thinking, you should talk to Clive.
NICOLETTE: You think I should talk to the COO of the hospital about job vacancies?
KARL: Oh, yeah, well, I know it's not standard practice, but, uh, he's a friend of mine. He knows everyone.
Nicolette looks annoyed, and without even turning around, shouts, 'I know you're here, Mum!' Jane sheepishly emerges from her hiding place.
NICOLETTE: Thanks for the hot tip, Karl. But I don't need my mother pimping me out.
Nicolette walks out, leaving Jane and Karl lost for words!
Lassiter's Complex
Levi comes out of the hotel, having just checked out and left his bags behind reception. But Bea appears and has news for him - Susan has said no to him moving in. Levi is annoyed, as Bea had said it would be a no-brainer. She admitted she thought it was, but says Susan is going through some stuff. Levi doesn't know what to do now - he can't afford to stay at the hotel.
He decides he'll probably crash on the couch with his mate back in Frankston.
BEA: Do you have to go? Sheila wants to sort things out.
LEVI: Yeah, I can't see that happening unless she has a time machine. BEA: So you're just going to cut her out of your life forever?
LEVI: She chose to protect Kyle over me.
BEA: But she wants to fix things, and she's not gonna let it go until she does. So it's up to you if you want to keep fighting.
Levi just walks off.
Erinsborough High School
Karl and Jane arrive to see Susan. But they find the corridor in an absolute state, with graffiti all over the lockers and flour everywhere! A very stressed Susan appears.
SUSAN: Some of the students thought it would be hysterical to trash the school with flour and pretend it's drugs.
Jane notices that someone has scrawled 'dealer' on one of the lockers, and asks whose it is.
SUSAN: Ollie Sudekis.
JANE: And is he the one who was responsible for the drugs?
SUSAN: I don't know. It's the least of my worries right now. I can't get hold of the cleaners; The Department™ rep's due here any minute. There's no way they're not gonna notice all of this!
Karl says there may be time to fix it, but Susan just rushes away from them and locks herself in a classroom with her back against the door, breathing deeply. Karl tries to get her to open it, but to no avail...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Dipi asks Jane if she's spoken to Nicolette; she shakes her head
- Yashvi accuses Bea of being 'invested' in Levi; Bea says he's her friend
- We hear Kyle saying, 'act like nothing's happened - he'll come round'
- Sheila looking worried as she creeps past Levi in the kitchen; he notices her and says, 'Gran?'
- Roxy says to Shane, 'I don't know what that was, but you're gonna tell me right now'