No 30
Shane is filling Toadie in on his row with Dipi.

SHANE: I don't think I've ever seen her this angry.
TOADIE: (...) I feel for you. But you shouldn't have gone to the police station like that. And to mess around with evidence...
SHANE: I know. I get it. It was stupid.
TOADIE: (...) You need to step back. Yashvi's in so much of a worse position now.

Dipi emerges from the bedroom, having been talking to Yashvi on the phone. Dipi's heading out, but Shane wants to talk.

DIPI: Why bother? There is nothing you can say to make any of this better (...) I can't stand to be around you right now. And keep away from Yashvi. She feels exactly the same way.

Erinsborough High School
Susan is in her office, on the phone to Elly.

SUSAN: Honestly, I feel like an unwanted guest on the Karl & Jane Comedy Hour. But the hoarding has stopped, so hopefully things will settle down now.

Jane comes in, and Susan pauses her call.

SUSAN: Is that... is that my new cardigan?
JANE: Oh, yes - yes! I saw it on the back of the laundry door this morning. Such a beautiful colour. I hope you don't mind; I'll wash it tomorrow.

Susan bites her tongue. Jane asks if Susan's ready to leave for home, but Susan says she's just talking to Elly. So rather than leaving as Susan had evidently hoped, Jane sits down to wait for her to finish! Susan insists Jane should go, saying she'll see her at dinner.

JANE: I'm actually having dinner with Nicolette tonight.

Susan looks over the moon to be rid of Jane this evening!

SUSAN: Are you? How lovely! That's great news! You two should make a night of it.

But Jane is keen to come home and catch up with Susan afterwards. Susan looks less than thrilled by this prospect.

SUSAN: Given that we live together and work together, not really much to catch up on, is there?
JANE: But still, it's just so much fun, isn't it?
SUSAN (through gritted teeth): Yeah...
JANE: Who would've thought that Karl and I would have so much in common? He really is a hoot (...)
SUSAN (through gritted teeth): Yes, he's a barrel of laughs.

Jane finally leaves, and Susan resumes her moaning to Elly on the phone.

Erinsborough Hospital
Audrey and Nicolette are at work. Audrey remarks that one of the patients nearly gave her a heart attack as they look almost exactly like Marco, the man whose lottery ticket they stole.

NICOLETTE: The ten-year-old girl with the broken leg?
AUDREY: It's the way she was sleeping. Hey, I don't suppose you've managed to get the money together, for his family?
NICOLETTE (hushed): We are at work! (...) Just give me the space to get it organised?
AUDREY: Of course. Sorry... Must've been pretty fancy.
NICOLETTE: What?
AUDREY: Your trip overseas. The one you blew all the money on. Was it that holiday you took to London a couple of years ago?

But Nicolette is done talking to Audrey, and tells her to go and finish her rounds.

AUDREY: I already have.
NICOLETTE: Then find something else to do! Cos all your questions are sending me mad!

Karl has come in behind them, and overhears some of this. He asks if everything's okay, and Nicolette says they were just discussing an inventory mix-up, which Audrey's on her way to fix. Karl looks suspicious.

Lassiter's
Dipi comes to visit Pierce in the office. She finds him with a bottle of wine; he explains it's a sample of the wine he had named after Chloe, which has just arrived.

DIPI: Wow.
PIERCE: Yeah. I just want to show her how committed I am to us.
DIPI: Chloe's an incredibly lucky lady. It's a lovely gesture.
PIERCE: Well, I hope she thinks so. It's from the heart (...) I guess I see it as a symbol of us getting back on track. It's a small step, maybe. But I really am trying to focus on our marriage, as we both are.
DIPI: ... I'm glad.
PIERCE: How about you? How are things with Shane?

Dipi's about to tell him, but Pierce interrupts, telling her she can try the new wine while they talk. Dipi agrees.

Erinsborough Hospital
Jane has come to collect Nicolette for their dinner together at The Waterhole. But Audrey appears and interjects, saying she's heard great things about the food at the pub. This pushes Jane into inviting Audrey to join them.

AUDREY: I'd hate to intrude.
JANE: No, no! It'd be fun, wouldn't it, Nicolette?
NICOLETTE (lying): Yeah. The more the merrier.

Audrey remarks that it must be nice for Jane, living so close to Nicolette now. She asks if it's right that Jane moved over from London, which Jane confirms.

AUDREY: Nicolette and I were just talking about her trip there, two years ago.
JANE (to Nicolette): You were in London?!
NICOLETTE: No, of course not! You've got it wrong, I was in Singapore.
AUDREY: I'm pretty sure it was London.
NICOLETTE: You think I don't know what country I was in? Do you want to check my passport?

Jane goes to wait for them downstairs, and Nicolette turns on Audrey, telling her in no uncertain terms to stop volunteering personal information about her - if she wants to make small-talk with Jane, she should talk about the weather instead.

NICOLETTE: I don't want you talking about me. To anyone.

Harold's Café
Pierce comes in, and finds Chloe working at a table. He shows her the box containing a sample bottle of the 'Chloe' wine, hoping they could open it together. Chloe still has a bit of work to do, but as Pierce gets a phone call, she tells him she'll meet him back in the office shortly with the wine (which he leaves with her, so as not to break while he's on the phone).

Pierce leaves to take the call, and Chloe opens the box. But she's surprised to see that the name on the bottle is not just 'Chloe' or 'Chloe Brennan', but 'Chloe Greyson' - despite the fact that she never changed her surname to Pierce's when she married him.

Nicolette has turned up in the interim and approaches, jokingly wondering whether it's safe to say hello, given they're no longer supposed to be friends. Chloe hopes they'll be able to be again one day. She explains Pierce named the wine after her. Nicolette immediately spots that Pierce has erroneously called Chloe 'Greyson' rather than 'Brennan'.

NICOLETTE: You'd think after a year, he'd realise it wasn't gonna change?
CHLOE: Maybe I should've clarified with him?
NICOLETTE: It's 2020. It should be pretty obvious. Look, he's making a point. He was so paranoid I was gonna take you away from him, and now there's no doubt who you belong to!
CHLOE: I'm sure he didn't mean it like that.
NICOLETTE: Really? Cos you're basically proprietary limited. He's changed your name to his own; he's gone full caveman on you, like he always does.

Chloe starts to find herself agreeing.

No 30
Toadie is cooking when Shane comes in. We learn Yashvi has just left to have dinner with Bea; Toadie says that she is 'still pretty upset'.

SHANE: Who can blame her? Some people, they're fixers - they see a problem and they fix it. Me, I see a problem, and I make it worse every time.
TOADIE: Not every time.
SHANE: Well, every other time, then.
TOADIE: Don't take it to heart, mate. Everyone's reacting emotionally.
SHANE: Especially Dipi. Why can't she just see that I was trying to look out for our kid? TOADIE: Sometimes good intentions aren't enough, mate.
SHANE: I just wish there was something I could do, some way I could make it right again.
TOADIE: Okay, now is not the time for any more schemes. I think from this point on, if it affects the family, you run it by Dipi. No more surprises.

No 28
Karl and Susan are watching TV. Susan says Elly seems to be struggling more than she's letting on, and she's a bit worried about her being in a new country and a new relationship. Karl's sure Elly would say if there was a major problem, but Susan doesn't seem so sure.

Jane arrives home and sits right in front of the TV (much to Susan's annoyance!) to tell them all about the dinner with Nicolette. She mentions that things seemed tense between Nicolette and Audrey, and the confusion over the overseas trip Nicolette went on.

JANE: Audrey insisted that it was to London, and Nicolette insisted it was to Singapore. It seemed like such a silly thing to have an argument over, but the night never recovered.
KARL: I thought they were friends?
JANE: Well, they are. But you know, Audrey's such a gentle soul - and Nicolette, well, as much as I love her, she can be pushy.
SUSAN (pointed): Oh, well, maybe they just need a bit of space from each other. It can be overwhelming, spending so much time with one person all day, every day - at work, at home...

Karl gives Susan a look! Jane doesn't get the hint, but is tired, so heads off for an early night. Once she's gone to bed, Karl mentions he noticed a funny vibe today between Nicolette and Audrey too.

KARL: I hope it's not serious. These things have a way of becoming an issue in the workplace.

But Susan just wants to get back to her TV show!

Lassiter's
Chloe has arrived in the office with the wine, to talk to Pierce about it.

CHLOE: Why did you call the wine Chloe Greyson? It's not my name.
PIERCE: I know, we never talked about changing it.
CHLOE: It's Brennan, and that's it.
PIERCE: A few days ago, you said how being part of the Greyson clan was so important to you.
CHLOE: That doesn't mean I need to update my identity.
PIERCE: No, that's not what this is. It's just a symbol. I mean, it's not like it's legal. It's just a bottle of wine.
CHLOE: That you want to send out all over the world. It's like you're marking your territory.
PIERCE: Why would I want to do that?
CHLOE: I don't know. To assert your ownership?
PIERCE: Look, if you don't like the label, I'll change it, okay? It was meant to be a gesture of love, of respect. And now you're twisting it into something else.
CHLOE: I'm just expressing how I feel.
PIERCE: What, by throwing a heartfelt gift back in my face?! I don't understand you, Chloe - you say that you want to be part of our family, and then you just reject it.
CHLOE: That's not what I'm doing.
PIERCE: Why can't we ever just see eye-to-eye? You know, I'm so tired of fighting for our marriage, when all you do is just criticise everything that I do!
CHLOE: Pierce...
PIERCE: No, you know what? I'm gonna stay here at the hotel for a couple of nights. We need a break.

Pierce walks out, leaving Chloe surprised.

Erinsborough Hospital
The next day, Karl greets Audrey in the ward. He mentions he's aware that Nicolette got her the job, and asks how long they've been friends.

AUDREY: Why do you ask?
KARL: Oh, just curious.
AUDREY: Look, she hates it when I talk about her.
KARL: Okay. Jane mentioned to me that you and Nicolette had a disagreement last night, and I did notice some tension between you.

Karl mentions that the hospital has a zero-tolerance policy on bullying; Audrey can always come to him if she needs to.

AUDREY: Look, it's really nice that you're checking up on me, but everything's fine. It's better than fine - Nicolette's a... really good friend.

Audrey walks off, but Karl still looks suspicious.

Harold's Café
Susan is moaning about Jane to Toadie, and specifically about how well she seems to get on with Karl - she doesn't know how much more of it she can take.

As Susan leaves, Toadie notices Shane coming in. He tries to talk to Dipi, who's working, mentioning that he didn't see her this morning - or last night.

DIPI: I slept in Yashvi's room.
SHANE: Yeah. I know I've messed up. And I know there's nothing I can say to make it -
DIPI: Then why are you here, Shane?
SHANE: Well, because I've realised that every time I stuff up, it's because I've gone behind your back and acted without thinking. So from now on, you're in charge.
DIPI: Excuse me?
SHANE: Well, I can't be trusted. At least, not while I'm in recovery. So I'm gonna leave everything up to you, and I won't even breathe without your say-so.

Toadie, who has been listening hopefully, suddenly looks very glum indeed.

DIPI: You've got to be kidding me.
SHANE: No, no - this is what you wanted.
DIPI: I want a man I don't have to worry about. A man who can look after himself, and at the very least, not end up in prison.
SHANE: Well, I'm trying to be that man.
DIPI: I don't see it, Shane! Two minutes ago, I didn't think it was possible to be any angrier with you. But yet, here we are.

Erinsborough High School
Susan is pleasantly surprised when Karl turns up at the school, thinking he's popped in to visit her. But he explains he's actually come to see Jane! Irritated, Susan says she's just about to teach a class.

SUSAN: Don't you get enough of her at home?
KARL: Well, I need to talk to her about Nicolette and her friend Audrey. There's something going on between those two.
SUSAN: Why's that your problem?
KARL: Well, their issues are spilling over into the workplace. As the supervising doctor, I've got a duty of care to investigate.
SUSAN: Yes, yes. I dunno - it's just everything seems to revolve around Jane at the moment. I can't escape her.
KARL: Well, why would you want to? She's a friend.
SUSAN: Well, yes, she's a friend, but she's driving me up the wall!

Susan says living and working with Jane is just too much; it might be time for her to find somewhere else to live. Karl looks bemused and perhaps a little disappointed!

Harold's Café
Chloe comes in, and finds Nicolette sitting at a table. Nic suggests Chloe join her for a coffee, but Chloe says she's not going to be the best company this morning.

NICOLETTE: I'm guessing the talk about the wine didn't go so well.

Chloe sits down, and Dipi, who is working nearby, listens in.

CHLOE: Pierce totally flipped. He decided he's staying at the hotel for a while.
NICOLETTE: That's a bit over the top. He's the one in the wrong.
CHLOE: Things have been so off lately. I thought we were making up ground. Maybe it's me - maybe I'm just blowing things out of proportion.
NICOLETTE: No, don't do that.
CHLOE: What?
NICOLETTE: Make excuses for him. He changed your name on the wine, which is completely degrading, and now he's sulking.
CHLOE: He is, isn't he?

Dipi looks increasingly annoyed at hearing their perspective on what's happened, and almost looks like she's about to say something, but doesn't.

CHLOE: He refused to even see my point of view. It's like this present was for him, not for me. I thought after he bought me a flashy diamond necklace that he might've learned, but he doesn't actually care how I feel.

Dipi can't hold back anymore.

DIPI: Are you kidding me, Chloe? Pierce loves you so much. He gave you that incredible necklace, and you just threw it back in his face. He was so excited about the wine - why can't you just be grateful?
NICOLETTE: Are you right?
DIPI: That man would do anything for you!
CHLOE: That man is my husband, and this is none of your business.
DIPI: Pierce is doing everything he can for your marriage. You just don't know how good you've got it.

Nicolette and Chloe are a little taken aback as Dipi walks away.

NICOLETTE: What the hell was that?
CHLOE: Things have been hard for her lately.
NICOLETTE: Yeah, but it doesn't excuse her attacking you like that.

No 30
Shane is expressing his bafflement to Toadie about why Dipi didn't like his gesture of passing all responsibility for his choices over to her!

TOADIE: I told you to run things by her, not hand over the keys! (...) You just pitched it wrong, that's all.
SHANE: So what am I supposed to do?
TOADIE: I dunno. You need a circuit breaker, a reset. You two need to head away together - she's having a hard time separating you from all the stupid stuff you're doing at the moment, so if you take her on a stress-free trip, she might be able to get some perspective.

Shane seems keen on this idea, and starts thinking up a plan for a romantic getaway...

Lassiter's
Dipi visits Pierce in his hotel room, saying she heard the wine didn't go down as he'd hoped.

PIERCE: It was a disaster. It was meant to be romantic, not the start of another fight.

Pierce says he had to get some space, but hopes Hendrix is okay, as he knows he's worried.

DIPI: Don't feel guilty. You did a nice thing for your wife, and she just turned it around on you. I actually had a bit of a go at her before. She was in Harold's complaining about you with Nicolette.
PIERCE (angry): She was with Nicolette?! Why am I surprised? Any sign of trouble, she runs to her. And that woman has been waiting to make a move on Chloe the second she laid eyes on her.
DIPI: You deserve better. If only Shane treated me half as well as you treat Chloe.
PIERCE: Well, I heard about the charges. Sounds like you deserve better, too.
DIPI: I'm starting to think you're right. I know he always tries to mean well, but I'm so sick of being angry all the time!
PIERCE: I'm sick of always being in the doghouse, when Chloe's out there doing whatever she wants. What about me? What about what I want?
DIPI: What do you want?
PIERCE: I just want to be understood without having fight after fight. I just want everything to stop being so hard. I just want...

There's a loaded pause as the pair stare at each other - then quickly begin to undress...

Erinsborough Hospital
Karl catches up with Audrey at reception, and asks if it's time for her rounds - she says not for a while yet. Karl suggests she should make an early start. Audrey looks puzzled, but obliges. Once she's gone, Karl sits down at the desk...

Lassiter's Complex
Chloe asks Nicolette how Audrey is settling in. Nicolette says things are fine, but observes that Audrey has a big mouth, and always ends up saying things that are meant to be private.

CHLOE: Like what? Secrets?
NICOLETTE: No, nothing that extreme. Just stuff from the past that I don't want brought up.

They walk into the hotel, and Chloe goes (quickly, so as not to run into Pierce and have another fight) to fetch some stuff from upstairs, while Nicolette waits.

Erinsborough Hospital
Karl is looking for Nicolette's employment record on the computer. He looks surprised when he opens the file.

Lassiter's
Nicolette is still waiting in the lobby, when she notices the painting of her great gran, Mrs Mangel, hanging on the wall. She approaches it, an odd expression on her face.

Erinsborough Hospital
We see what Karl is looking at in Nicolette's file - she worked as a nurse in London during 2018! He looks baffled, wondering why she would claim she was in Singapore instead.

Lassiter's
Nicolette is still staring at the portrait of Mrs Mangel, and looks emotional.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Dipi is in Pierce's bed while he wanders around in a robe
- We hear Dipi saying, 'we've started something, haven't we?'
- Karl tells a worried- looking Jane she needs to talk to her daughter
- Jane at No 32 looking angry; she goes to leave, and Nicolette says, 'Mum, please!'
- A tearful Jane says, 'There's light ahead. I just can't see it right now'