Previously
- Jane and Karl keeping their hoarded goods at Number 32
- Paul telling Nicolette he wants to offer her friend money to be a surrogate
- Nicolette informing David and Aaron of Paul's bribes
- Drunk Aaron and David offering Nicolette permanent residency at their house
- Susan putting the idea in Toadie's head that dinner with Rose is a date
- Toadie and Rose deciding that they might like to date after all
Number 28
Toadie drops by after dinner to check on the kids (still asleep despite all the loud music coming from Number 32), and to 'grill' Karl and Susan about their run-in with Rose at the Café. Karl proclaims his innocence and Susan admits it was all on her suggesting to Rose that dinner might have been a proper date. Toadie lets them stew for a moment before happily informing them that he's already arranged a second date with Rose. Susan and Karl are stoked for him and Susan says he looks like a giddy teenager. Toadie jokes that he should go and join the fun at Number 32 and "party like it's 1999". Toad and Susan bop around to the music while Karl rolls his eyes at the carry-on.
Number 32
Aaron has broken out the spangly stripper shorts to dance around in much to David and Nicolette's joy. It doesn't take long before the other two pop on outfits - Nicolette in the cowboy gear and David with the cupid wings on - and join in on the dancing. The three of them make more drinks, play limbo and throw around the stash of slippers that Jane and Karl had stored away.
Harold's Café
The next morning Rose stops by Mackenzie's table for a chat. Rose can't hide the grin on her face when she tells Mackenzie she's on her way to meet Toadie for a second date. Mackenzie is shocked there was even a first date, but is happy to hear the news. Pierce spots Rose and takes her aside for a work query. Apparently a client named Elaine isn't pleased that her sessions haven't been the full hour. Rose explains she tries to give everyone five minutes to get dressed after their massage so that her appointments don't run together. But Pierce reminds her that if the client pays for an hour, they should get an hour. He's also not happy acting as the go-between with Rose and the spa manager and asks Rose to call Elaine and fix things. Once Pierce leaves, Rose rejoins Mackenzie.
MACKENZIE: Is everything okay?
ROSE: Yeah it's fine. This spa position it's just a stop gap. I've actually decided to go for a better divorce settlement and get the money that I deserve.
MACKENZIE: Wow! I mean, it's good that you're not taking that bogus offer but how are you planning to do that?
ROSE: I'm just going to leave it up to my lawyer.
Mackenzie doesn't understand why Rose looks so confident in her decision.
Number 28
Jane alerts Karl to a problem with their stock. Last night Nicolette sent her a bunch of photos that showed her and the boys going through heaps of their supplies. Karl is outraged - the terms of their deal were very clear in stating they could only use 10% of any single item. Jane says the 'terms' might have become a little hazy after the umpteenth margarita was consumed. Karl firmly states he's going to "go over to that bodega and give those lushes a piece of my mind."
Number 32
David and Aaron are in matching robes and pyjamas, fully hungover from the previous night's party. David is sprawled on the couch while Aaron has taken up residence on the floor to nurse his coffee. Aaron doesn't understand how David is so seedy after only having three drinks. David says he hasn't had a drink since his transplant, and shouldn't have really drank last night at all. He then wonders if Nicolette is still sleeping but Aaron says she's already gone to work. Much to their horror, the boys then recall that they invited Nicolette to move in with them full time and groan that Pierce is going to kill them. Aaron resolves to give Chloe a call as soon as his head stops pounding. That won't be happening any time soon, though, as Karl saunters into the house and starts telling them off in a booming voice.
KARL: I know what you did last night!
DAVID: Drinking?
AARON: Dancing?
KARL: The flagrant theft of my stock!
DAVID: We dipped into it a little bit, it was nothing extreme.
KARL: Do you even remember? No, no, of course you couldn't, could you. Forty-eight pairs of slippers - I've seen the photos.
AARON: All right, all right, we'll give them back. Just stop yelling!
KARL: (even louder) Half of them are in the pool!
AARON/DAVID: We were in the pool?
Karl sighs and says they're going to have to do a stocktake - now!
The Waterhole
Rose sits with Toadie and he compliments her, saying she looks like a parking ticket: "Damn fine!" He quickly apologises for how awkward he's being, but Rose laughs and says she thinks it's cute that he's so unrehearsed. Toadie admits it's been a while since he's been on a second date. But Rose has been thinking it over and was hoping their second date could be held another time. Being in the pub is just a little too public for her considering she's still "a little bit married." Toadie understands and says they can treat this as a planning session for their next rendezvous.
ROSE: That'd be great. Like something low-key.
TOADIE: Yeah, like hot air ballooning. Or a trip to the opera.
ROSE: Yeah, like fireworks off the bridge.
TOADIE: Oh, hello, who needs a spark when you're around?
ROSE: (grinning) Excuse me that is not half bad! You could practice that and you could be like a real smooth operator.
"Smooth Operator used to be your favourite song," a male voice chimes in. Rose and Toadie glance up and are surprised to find Rose's ex-husband James standing before them. Things get awkward when James sits with them and Rose asks if he's spying on her. James claims it's more of a research mission as he would truly love to know how his ex-lawyer and ex-wife know each other. Rose makes up a story about meeting Toadie at a yoga class and getting his business card, but they soon realised he couldn't represent her because he used to represent James. But Toadie's allowed to give her general advice, hence their breakfast catch-up. James doesn't believe a word they're saying, even after Toadie goes along with Rose's tale.
ROSE: Why are you really here?
JAMES: Oh really, you want to know? It's good. (To Toadie) See, after you received my financial information you dumped me as a client.
TOADIE: Because I had a lot of work on.
JAMES: Maybe, but then Rose knocked back the divorce settlement.
TOADIE: It's not uncommon for someone to knock back their first offer.
ROSE: Especially when you're lowballing them.
JAMES: That offer was in line with my public holdings.
ROSE: What's your point, James?
JAMES: You'd only reject that offer if you thought I had hidden funds. And my lawyer would be the only person privy to that information. And then I see on social media that you're in Erinsborough where my ex-lawyer is. That is some coincidence.
ROSE: Jarrod has more integrity than you will ever have. Committing fraud with shell companies? Hiding overseas assets?
JAMES: See you've accused me of that before but I've never heard you sound so sure about it.
ROSE: Yeah, well, I don't hear you denying it.
JAMES: I don't need to, you're the one who's up to your neck in it. See, I came here with an open mind but now I don't have a choice. (To Toadie) I'm suing you for malpractice. (To Rose) And I'm letting you know my new settlement offer: it's zero.
Things have definitely taken a dire turn for Toadie and Rose.
Erinsborough Hospital
Jane pops by to gently chide Nicolette for all her partying last night, but Nicolette says she treated herself to a sneaky vitamin B shot just before so she'll be tip top again soon. Jane's aghast although she admits it's probably for the best that Nicolette didn't take sick leave as Karl's at her place right now giving David and Aaron a telling off about the stock. Jane hopes her daughter won't be pulling stunts like this at her next share house, but Nicolette smiles and says she's not moving after all as the boys asked her to stay on. Jane has a less than enthusiastic response to her news though, which surprises Nic.
JANE: Is that wise?
NICOLETTE: You've changed your tune. You were practically begging me to stay on the street before.
JANE: I wouldn't say begging exactly, but I have been thinking about what you said.
NICOLETTE: So have I - I like David and Aaron, why should I have to tip-toe around Pierce?
JANE: This is about your feelings too. I think your first instinct may have been right. You need some distance from the situation, from Chloe, otherwise you're just going to set yourself up to get hurt and I don't want that to happen.
Jane leaves Nicolette to think things over.
Number 28
Jane and Karl are having a discussion about their stock but fall quiet when Susan walks into the room. Karl says he was just filling Jane in on how he gave David and Aaron a dressing down about their party music. Once Susan heads into her room, Karl resumes his tirade about wanting to do a stocktake of their purchases, but Jane doesn't think it's the right way to go. Karl says maybe they could get some security cameras installed instead that link up to your phone. Jane says it would be one way to ensure nothing untoward was going on, especially with Nicolette. She lets Karl know that Nic is staying on long-term with the boys and Karl can see she's concerned because of the Chloe connection.
JANE: It never gets any easier watching your children set themselves up for a fall.
KARL: Nicolette's got a good head on her shoulders. I'm sure she'll take your advice.
Harold's Café
Nicolette offers Pierce a little wave when he walks in but he ignores her and heads to the counter to place his order. Annoyed, Nicolette strides over and says he should consider waving back next time considering they're neighbours. Pierce says they won't be for long, but Nicolette takes great pleasure in letting him know that David and Aaron asked her to move in permanently. "That's right, I'll be permanently across the road from you, your son and your lovely wife... so next time maybe be a bit nicer," she adds with a butter-wouldn't-melt smile before leaving Pierce silently fuming.
Number 30
Toadie has filled Mackenzie in on what just went down with James. She's stunned to learn that Toadie breached confidentiality and told Rose about James's extra assets after Toadie told her off for trying to hint at the same thing. Toadie says that hearing Mackenzie speak so passionately about wanting to do the right thing impacted him more than he thought, and Karl and Susan got in his ear too. But Mackenzie's onto Toadie and she knows the main reason he broke confidentiality is because he and Rose are dating.
TOADIE: How did you know about that?
MACKENZIE: I ran into her at Harold's.
TOADIE: Okay fine, maybe my judgement is a little clouded.
MACKENZIE: Do you think he can prove what you've done?
TOADIE: There's no paper trail but even the accusation that I've broken client confidentiality is enough to kill my career. So, learn from my mistakes. Don't do what I've done.
MACKENZIE: I'm so sorry.
TOADIE: Who knows, with how this pans out you might want to leave Rebecchi Law off your CV.
MACKENZIE: No, no way. I'm proud that you're my boss and I'm going to help you fight this. We're not going to let that scumbag win.
Toadie is touched by Mackenzie's support.
Number 32
David and Aaron are still swanning about in their bathrobes and decide to order some pizza. They get a visit from Pierce, who isn't happy to have found out that Nicolette will be staying on. David says that Nic missed out on a share house and the offer was just kind of blurted out. But Pierce tells the boys that Nicolette is just playing them and gives them advice - make Nicolette move out before she starts wreaking havoc with their relationship too.
The Waterhole
Rose wants to know why James is being so harsh on her and wonders if he truly hates her that much. James says he doesn't hate her, which makes Rose more confused as to why he's trying to ruin not only her life but Toadie's too. James says it's just business, but Rose knows her ex and doesn't believe him. They don't get a chance to chat further before Pierce arrives to ask Rose if she's spoken to Elaine yet. Rose says she hasn't had a chance yet, which sets Pierce off on a tirade leading to him firing Rose from the day spa. Instead of getting upset, Rose keeps calm and tells Pierce she's always seen him as a happy guy and can see something is bothering him. Her apologetic and caring nature works as a soothing balm on Pierce, leading him to apologise for taking his bad mood out on her and saying she isn't fired after all. When Pierce walks off, Rose turns to her ex with a smirk and says "still got it." James looks quite captivated being reminded of his ex-wife's charm. When Rose walks off, James takes out Toadie's business card and turns it over in his hand, mulling things over.
Number 28
Karl and Jane huddle together in the lounge room looking at catalogues, hiding the evidence when Susan walks out to get a glass of water. "Sing out if you need anything!" Karl says cheerily to his wife as she heads back to her room, apparently none the wiser. Karl and Jane are trying to think up ways to get more storage space without everyone knowing where their stock is, and that doesn't cost a cent. Jane says she may have something in mind but it would require a bit of set up.
Number 32
Nicolette arrives home from work and is met with the gloomy faces of David and Aaron, and not just because they're still hungover. They let her know that Pierce stopped by and admit they may have jumped the gun on letting Nic move in properly. David says that Pierce was really upset, and Aaron adds that if Pierce is upset that means Chloe is too. Nic is frustrated by Pierce's behaviour and says their issues shouldn't be impacting on everyone else, and he shouldn't have come around "swinging his club."
DAVID: Like we said, he's not in a great place.
NICOLETTE: Neither am I. Moving isn't going to change anything. Between mum and work I'm still going to be in the area.
DAVID: True.
NICOLETTE: Unless he bans me from the street.
AARON: Well he can't do that.
NICOLETTE: I mean, he could the complex.
DAVID: That's a bit full on.
NICOLETTE: Yeah but isn't that how Pierce is acting right now? I get that this is tricky for you guys but you were awesome, and you really made me feel like I fit in here.
AARON: Well we loved having you here.
NICOLETTE: And we had the best time last night! We just click. I don't want Pierce's issues with me to wreck that.
DAVID: Neither do we.
David swaps a look with Aaron and Aaron ends up saying that Nicolette can stay. Nicolette is incredibly happy.
Lassiters Complex
Mackenzie offers to be the fall person for Toadie, telling him they could say she accidentally let something slip. But Toadie says he's her employer and he's responsible for anything she says or does. Mackenzie then says they could blame Rose for snooping, but Toadie doesn't want that either.
MACKENZIE: Is she actually worth it? I mean, you hardly know her, and the likelihood of a romance lasting it's like a million to one.
TOADIE: Just for that I'm not going to shout you lunch.
James approaches them and says he was on his way to see Toadie as there's a few things he'd like to discuss. Toadie says they're not speaking without his lawyer present, and that Mackenzie is his witness. But James tells Toadie to calm down, he's actually there to do him a favour. James knows he's got the upper hand with everything, the rumours alone would wipe out Toadie's career.
JAMES: But I'm prepared to forget the whole thing.
TOADIE: In return for what?
JAMES: I still love Rose and I want you to help me win her back.
This was definitely not the negotiation Toadie was expecting.