No 32
Aaron asks Nicolette if she's sure she's pregnant. She says she's done two tests, and they're both positive. He queries whether it's too soon for them to be accurate.

NICOLETTE: Given everything that's happened, I thought we all needed to know.
DAVID (sombre): Now we do.
NICOLETTE: Look, I get that I'm not your favourite person right now, but this is what you wanted. you're both gonna be dads! Can't we just focus on that?

Aaron seems much more positive about the news than David, saying he can't believe this is actually happening. He tries to gee up David, but David doesn't look at all pleased.

NICOLETTE: You're probably right. It's too soon to say. You don't want to get your hopes up.

But this isn't David's issue at all, and he announces he's going to bed. Aaron calls after him, but to no avail.

The next morning, a tired-looking David is sitting on the sofa when Aaron comes in.

AARON: I think we should talk about the fact that we're having a baby in nine months.
DAVID: I have no words for how I feel about that.
AARON: Alright, well, can you please just have a crack for me? Are you feeling upset? Are you scared? Are you freaking out?
DAVID: What about sick to my stomach?

Nicolette walks in. She immediately realises she's interrupted and goes for a shower. David looks incredulous after Aaron promises to make her a tea when she comes out; evidently, he's unhappy with how Aaron is still on good terms with Nicolette.

DAVID: She might be carrying our child, but she's still a liar and a thief. Or have you forgotten that?
AARON: Of course I haven't forgotten.
DAVID: But you're prepared to ignore it?
AARON: I'm not ignoring it. It's just not as important to me as our baby (...) David, please, come on, you have to talk to me.
DAVID: Last night we were ready to call this off.
AARON: Yes, that's right, but the baby was theoretical then. Things are different now... aren't they?

But David doesn't reply.

No 22
Hendrix and Harlow are in Lassiter's uniform, preparing for a day at work. Hendrix moans about how it 'should be a human rights violation' to make people work in the laundry in this heat. He jokes that they should ditch their shifts and go to the beach, but Harlow reminds him that he was put in the laundry by Paul because he's on thin ice already at work.

HENDRIX: Fine. I will just sweat it up in that sauna.
HARLOW: That is the spirit!

Jay turns up at the door, and asks if they fancy heading to the movies. Hendrix coldly tells Jay they're both working, and doesn't even reply when Jay suggests they go another time instead. Getting the message, Jay leaves, telling them to have a good day. Harlow notices the tension between them, and asks Hendrix if everything is alright. He insists he's 'awesome'.

No 32
Aaron asks David to tell him how he felt when they learned Nicolette was pregnant (as if it wasn't already apparent!)

DAVID: Disappointed.
AARON: Really? So there wasn't even the tiniest bit of you that was excited?
DAVID: No.
AARON: David, we've wanted this for so long.
DAVID: I wanted a baby for so long. But this? What if I don't want this baby?
AARON: Do you mean that?
DAVID: I don't know.

Meanwhile, in Jane's room, Nicolette is telling her the news of her pregnancy. Jane is struggling to hide her reservations.

JANE: Are you sure the test is accurate?
NICOLETTE: I can't be a hundred percent certain. I'll need to confirm it with a scan, but... Mum, I can feel it. I'm pregnant. I know you're not very happy with me, and I understand why. But you've got to give me something.
JANE: And this is what you want?
NICOLETTE: It is. I want to do something good for a change.
JANE: Well, then I think it's wonderful news.

Back in the living area...

AARON: You can't let Nicolette's mistakes influence how you feel about our baby.
DAVID: She's going to be their mother.
AARON: No, no - we're gonna raise the baby. Not her.
DAVID: She's still gonna be in their lives. What sort of role model is she gonna be when she steals a hundred thousand dollars from a patient, and doesn't even blink?!
AARON: She's not that person anymore!
DAVID: You don't know that, and neither do I! She lied about it for years! She doesn't even have a career anymore. How's she gonna support herself after the birth? Is she gonna expect us to?
AARON: No, she won't. Okay, I don't know, alright? But we will figure it out!

In Jane's room, Jane tells Nicolette that she asked Clive to consider keeping her on at the hospital, but to no avail - she could ask again, in light of Nicolette's news.

NICOLETTE: Thanks, Mum, but no. I've got myself into this mess; I'll have to claw my way out of it.
JANE: Well, as long as you know that I'm always there for you.
NICOLETTE: You don't know how good it is to hear you say that.

In the living area...

DAVID: How do we know she'll respect our agreement?!
AARON: What, you think she won't?
DAVID: Well, there's nothing legal about this arrangement! She could easily change her mind about letting us be the primary carers.
AARON: David, she wouldn't do that!
DAVID (shouting): You keep saying that, when every shred of evidence points the other way! How do you know she wouldn't -
AARON (shouting): I don't know, alright! I just do! Why can't you just trust me for once?
DAVID: Because trusting you is what got us here in the first place!
AARON: Oh, so you're blaming me for this, are you?!
DAVID: You talked me into this. This is all your fault.

Harold's Café
Amy corners Toadie, and demands that he come for a run with her! He refuses.

TOADIE: One, because it's already hotter than a shearer's armpit out there...
AMY: Eww!
TOADIE: Two, I've got so much work to do for the foundation now that Audrey's left. And three, because running is for madmen and Forrest Gump.
AMY: Rubbish. Running releases endorphins. And you, my friend, are in desperate need. Get up. Work can wait.

As a further excuse, Toadie claims he doesn't have any shorts, but admits he does cycle, so Amy suggests he goes to get his 'sexy Lycra on'.

TOADIE: No, no, you can't run in cycling gear. There's a whole padded undercarriage scenario -
AMY: How many excuses have you got lined up?
TOADIE: About 1,200?
AMY: Just skip to the last one, so that we can get going.

Toadie relents, and Amy does a little victory dance!

TOADIE: But just for the record, this isn't gonna cheer me up.
AMY: I bet you a coffee afterwards that it does.

Lassiter's
Hendrix is in the laundry room, doing online health and safety training, when Jay turns up. Hendrix is still cold towards him after Jay leaned on him to delete the security footage so as to hide Jay's responsibility for Harold's being trashed. Jay has brought Hendrix a cold drink, but Hendrix 'doesn't need guilt pay-offs'.

HENDRIX: And I haven't got time for your sucking up. I've got to finish this stupid training, and fold a thousand towels.
JAY: Seriously, man, I feel bad. You're a good guy, and I put you in it.
HENDRIX: Yeah, well, it's done.
JAY: Look, I know I can't take it back. But let me try and help (...) You do the training, I'll fold the towels. Either way, you'll be out of here in half the time. It's the least I can do.

No 32
Chloe has heard David and Aaron arguing, and comes in to find what all the noise is about.

AARON: I didn't force you into anything! We both agreed on Nicolette, didn't we?
DAVID: No! I had serious doubts about her, and so did Dad. But every time I brought them up, you fought for her. You convinced me to trust you, and you were wrong!
AARON: Okay. I'm sorry you feel that way, alright, but there is nothing we can do about it now, is there? We can only focus on moving forward with the pregnancy.
CHLOE: Nicolette's pregnant?
DAVID: Yes. I don't know how to move forward.
AARON: And that's why we need to keep talking about it.
DAVID (angrily): I can't keep talking about this!

He leaves, saying he'll call Aaron later. Aaron sighs with frustration.

AARON: I haven't seen him that upset in a long time.
CHLOE: Maybe you should go after him. It's not good for him to stew like this.
AARON: No, you heard him. He doesn't want to speak to me. Just probably means he's gonna go speak to Paul.
CHLOE: Well, I don't think that's gonna help calm him down.
AARON: Yeah. Me either.

Aaron decides to go and find David after all. As he goes...

CHLOE: Hey, Aaron - congratulations!
AARON: Thanks.

Harold's Café
As Aaron predicted, David is discussing the situation with Paul, and worrying that he overreacted. But Paul thinks the opposite, given the circumstances.

PAUL: Still, it's early days. You know, maybe the problem might solve itself.
DAVID: Dad...
PAUL: David, you do not want this pregnancy to continue. And I doubt very much whether Nicolette and Aaron are going to agree to end it, are they?
DAVID: Now that there is a baby, I'm not comfortable with wishing it away, either.
PAUL: So what are you gonna do?
DAVID: I'm not sure what else we can do. Aaron's right. We have to hope that Nicolette sticks to our original agreement.
PAUL: And what do you think the odds are of her reneging on that?

Aaron comes in, and asks David to come home, so they can sort things out. Paul tells Aaron to pull up a chair, but Aaron tells him this is between him and David.

DAVID (to Aaron): I have every right to discuss it with him. He's my dad.
AARON: Yeah, well, I'm your husband!
DAVID: Maybe I trust his instincts more than yours right now!
AARON: Okay, fine, alright. Come and talk to me when you're ready to accept some responsibility for this.

Aaron walks off, and Paul assures David that Aaron will come round.

The Waterhole
Amy and Toadie come in following their run. Toadie is explaining he's had to give the money back that Audrey donated, which is tricky because it had already been allocated to various Sonya Foundation programmes, leaving the charity in a mess financially. Amy offers to get him a coffee, saying they can discuss fundraising ideas.

TOADIE: We're never gonna raise fifty grand as fast as I need it.
AMY: Have faith, Toad! I am very good at getting other people's money.

Harlow comes in, and Amy immediately approaches her, spying the Lassiter's uniform.

AMY: Do you think sometimes when you're working, it kind of chafes under the arms, and sometimes between the legs, and stuff?
HARLOW: I'm sorry, who are you?

Toadie introduces Amy, and explains she's looking to win the new uniform contract at Lassiter's.

AMY: I probably should've led with that.
HARLOW: Mm, would've been less weird.

Toadie explains that Harlow is Paul's granddaughter, so Amy asks her for tips on how to pitch to Paul. Harlow suggests that Amy pitch a design that's ethically produced, with sustainable fabrics. Amy takes this on board - now she just needs to secure another meeting with Paul.

Lassiter's
As they come into the foyer, Hendrix confirms to Jay that things are 'cool' between them now - he appreciates his help with the laundry. Jay leaves, but at this point, Paul and Terese come in. Paul has seen Hendrix chatting to Jay, and demands to know why he's doing it on company time.

HENDRIX: I was just coming up for some fresh air.
PAUL: Hmm. Well, I'd advise you to take a very big gulp of it, then. Because I want all the sheets from this morning's turnover washed, pressed and folded by the end of your shift. Got it?
TERESE: That's a lot of work for one person, Paul.
HENDRIX: Yeah, I'll never get that done!
PAUL: No - not with that attitude, you won't.
HENDRIX: Well, can I at least have some help?
TERESE: That's a reasonable request.
PAUL: Anyone with a half-decent work ethic will get it done. Now, off you go.

Terese doesn't contradict Paul, and follows him to the lift. Hendrix looks annoyed.

No 32
Nicolette apologises to Aaron, saying she should've held off on taking the pregnancy test. But Aaron says it wouldn't have made any difference. David comes in.

NICOLETTE: Hey. Glad you're home - you had us worried there for a bit.
DAVID (to Aaron): I owe you an apology (...) It was unfair of me to put all the blame on you, and I'm sorry.
AARON: It's okay. So does this mean you're ready to talk about it? Properly?

David confirms he is. Nicolette prepares to go and give them some space, but David tells her to stay; it involves her, too.

DAVID: I know how excited you both are about this baby. And I want to be there with you, too.
NICOLETTE: That's great.
DAVID: But I can't. What you did to your patient trashed every ounce of respect I had for you. And I can't see any way of finding joy about a baby that I'd have to share with you.
AARON: David, can you just - look, we are in this together, whether we like it or not, alright? The three of us. There's still plenty of time for me to help you get past it.
DAVID: I don't want to. Our parenting agreement relies entirely on trust. (To Nicolette) And I can't trust you anymore.
NICOLETTE (upset): I am never backing out of our agreement. You and Aaron will be the primary carers of this baby, no matter what.
DAVID: Enough. There's nothing you can say to convince me you're telling the truth.
NICOLETTE: Then I'll prove it to you. Let me earn your trust back.
DAVID: I don't think you can.

The Waterhole
Toadie and Amy are at a table when Jay comes in, and Toadie introduces him as his nephew.

AMY: Is that your name or your first initial?
JAY: I'm gonna go with yes.
AMY: I like it. So how much dirt have you got on your uncle?
JAY: Oh, depends who you are and how much you're willing to pay?
AMY: How about an exchange? Cos I have heaps, and I'm willing to share!
TOADIE: No, he doesn't need to hear anything that he shouldn't.
JAY: Come on!
TOADIE: He is a very sensible young man.
AMY: I think he needs to hear about The Full Monty.
JAY: Ooh, what's The Full Monty?
TOADIE: It's a movie.
AMY: Yeah, about male strippers. Toad and his friends did a version themselves.

Amy spots Paul at the bar, and heads over to continue her attempt to pitch her uniform, attempting to butter him up by acknowledging that she knows he's a former flight attendant just like her. Steadfastly unbuttered, Paul tells her to submit her pitch online like everybody else. Amy follows Harlow's advice and starts talking about her sustainable fabrics.

PAUL: How do I get you to stop talking and just leave?
AMY: Agree to another meeting.
PAUL: No.
AMY: Okay, then, well, let me paint you a picture. The year was 2020, and I thought to myself, 'How can I make this troubled world a better place?' Sustainable, ethical workplace fashion!
PAUL: Oh, for goodness' sakes. Alright, alright!

He agrees to a five-minute meeting later today. Amy tells him that's all she'll need!

No 32
David is preparing to head to work, and tells Aaron he'll see him later. But Chloe has something to say before he leaves.

CHLOE: Even if I was still pregnant, I don't think Pierce and I would be together.
DAVID: I'm not following.
CHLOE: Affair or no affair, our marriage had been teetering on the edge of a cliff for a while. You know, like the big truck in Jurassic Park 2! (...) I'd still have all of these confusing, sad feelings about Pierce, but I'd still be excited to meet our kid. I know how much you want to be a dad. I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's okay to feel confused. And it's okay to feel happy about the baby, even if you're upset at the way it came to be.
DAVID (unconvinced): I'll bear that in mind.

He walks out, just as Jane and Nicolette come in from the garden.

NICOLETTE: Any idea what we're gonna do if David doesn't want this baby?
JANE: Well, he wouldn't insist on anything, would he? That doesn't sound like David.
AARON: No, it sounds like Paul. And you know what? I bet that is exactly what he's pushing him to do.
JANE: Look, I can try and talk to Paul, see if I can convince him to stay out of it.
CHLOE: Oof, I don't like your chances!
AARON: You know what? When it comes to getting Old Man Robinson off a warpath, I'll take any help I can get.

Aaron suddenly has a brainwave, and makes a call on his phone to New York.

AARON: Leo! Hey mate! ... Yeah, listen, I need a bit of a favour...

Lassiter's
Hendrix is back in the laundry, working up a sweat as he irons and folds the sheets as per Paul's demand. The iron isn't working very well, so Hendrix kicks the cabinet it's attached to. Steam begins to hiss out of the cabinet, apparently unnoticed by Hendrix - but the iron starts working again. Terese comes in to check on Hendrix, and is impressed with his sheet-folding skills!

TERESE: Really steamy in here. Has it been like this all day? (...) You know, there's some cold water in the staff room. Why don't you take a ten-minute break?

After that, she tells Hendrix, he can help Harlow with the housekeeping. He's worried about what Paul will say, but Terese says it's fine - she'll deal with him, and get someone else to take over the laundry. Hendrix thanks her profusely, saying he doesn't know how much longer he could've lasted in this heat. Terese agrees, remarking again how hot it is down here.

As Hendrix leaves the room, he accidentally kicks aside a bucket that has been propping the door open - and the door closes. When Terese tries to leave herself, she finds that the door won't budge. She bangs on the door.

TERESE: Hendrix? ... Hendrix, are you still there?

Meanwhile, Amy has appeared in Paul's office for their meeting - in a big black coat, which he remarks is an odd choice given the temperature.

AMY: Oh, I've never been one to mind a little heat.
PAUL: Alright, let's get this over with. Where's your laptop, your portfolio?
AMY: I don't need one.
PAUL: So, how exactly do you plan on showing me your pitch without any presentation materials?
AMY: Well, I have all the materials that I need right here...

She starts unbuttoning her coat. We don't see what's under it, but we cut to Paul smiling a little with surprise and possibly discomfort...!

Meanwhile, in the laundry, the room is now full of steam as Terese continues to bang on the door, sweating heavily in the heat.

TERESE (weakly): Help! Somebody!

She tries to call Paul on her mobile, but there's no mobile signal down here. She yells out for Paul, but to no avail - and slides weakly to the floor. Losing energy, she continues to hit the door as best she can, but then apparently passes out...

Coming up on Neighbours
- We see Mackenzie walking out of the kitchen at No 30, as Dipi and Jay look worried
- Dipi asks if Shane told 'them' about her wanting more with Pierce; he replies that Yashvi did
- Jay and Hendrix are seated at a card table, playing for money; we can also see Kane Jones
- Overlaid on this, we hear Paul saying, 'You are a danger to anyone you go near'
- Sheila tells an uncomfortable- looking Clive, 'I miss you'
- Shane says to Amy, 'You're Lance's Amy'. She replies, 'Amy's Amy, thank you very much!'
- Dipi comes into the pub, and looks worried when she sees Shane and Amy chatting