Previously
- Chloe and Aaron's mum Fay comes to stay in Erinsborough
- Nic guesses Chloe is worried about Fay's bucket list making her realise her days are numbered
- Chloe's conflicted when Nicolette offers to move in while Fay's here, so she can care for her
- Fay appears to be shipping Chloe and Nicolette
- Karl decides it was a mistake to oust Kyle from the tram, and offers him the lease again
- Kyle tells Roxy he wants her as a partner, to turn the tram into a Café and clothes boutique
- But Karl is unimpressed by Roxy's boutique idea, and her involvement more generally
- Karl tells Kyle that he either must run The 82 without Roxy, or not at all
No 26
In the garden, Roxy is excitedly telling Kyle and Levi about her ideas for the new boutique element of the tram. Kyle is gently trying to limit her expectations, as he still hasn't yet told her about Karl's ultimatum. But Roxy's oblivious, and puts her mind to increasing her clothing stock.
ROXY: I'm going to go and check in Sheila's wardrobe. See if she has anything I can cut into hot pants.
While she's gone, Kyle tells Levi about Karl's ultimatum.
KYLE: I was really looking forward to having a partner again. You know, someone to share the dream with. Like I used to with Dad. It was never supposed to be just me. I dunno what to do.
LEVI: Well, mate, you can't lose The 82. Look, running it alone is better than nothing.
KYLE: But what about Roxy? She'll be gutted.
LEVI: Yeah, she's gonna be disappointed, mate, but what else can you do? She wants the tram to reopen as well.
No 24
There's palpable tension between Chloe and Nicolette in the kitchen, as an oblivious Fay chats to Terese and Paul, who have come round for tea. Fay is making a song and dance about how lucky they all are to have Nicolette in their lives, not least because of the grandchild they'll now share. Paul gives Nicolette a look, as he says...
PAUL: Yeah, we can't wait (!)
Nicolette announces she's heading to Harold's to pick up their lunch order. Fay is keen to pay, so insists on Nicolette taking her card to do so.
TERESE: So what's next on the bucket list?
CHLOE: Oh, as in, who's next to get naked?
FAY: Actually, there's something I'm considering that's equally out of the box...
No 28
Levi has come round to talk to Karl.
KARL: Oh, really? As an officer of the law? If it's about the extra wheelie bin out there, I know nothing about it.
But instead, Levi wants to talk about the tram (of course), and asks Karl if he really thinks Roxy is such a risk.
KARL: I get this is hard for Kyle, but Roxy is a loose cannon with highly questionable morals. It's for the best.
But Levi makes the argument that by insisting Roxy is not a partner in the business as a term of the lease, Karl is depriving Kyle of the opportunity to run the tram as a team, like he did with Gary.
Harold's Café
Dipi is on duty as Nicolette arrives to pick up lunch, and Toadie is standing next to her in the queue. He says nothing; his continuing dislike of Nicolette is evident. While Dipi fetches the food, Nicolette gets a message on her phone, and remarks to Toadie that a date has been set for her sentencing hearing.
NICOLETTE: I'm guessing they've set one for Audrey, too.
TOADIE (coolly): In Canberra?
NICOLETTE: One would assume. I'd better get back to Fay.
DIPI: Are you paying by credit card?
NICOLETTE: Uh, yeah, Fay's shout.
Nicolette puts Fay's card on the reader. Toadie notes this with suspicion, but says nothing.
No 26
Kyle is looking pensive in the garden, when Roxy emerges with two of Sheila's bras!
ROXY: Babe, look what I found. Sheila hasn't worn these in ages!
KYLE: How do you know that?
ROXY: Duh! They're never on the line. I am gonna cut these bad boys up and turn them into scrunchies.
KYLE: Yeah, I don't think that's gonna work.
ROXY: Sure it will. There's plenty of fabric. And I'll ask Mama first.
KYLE: No, I mean the shop. Uh... Okay, Kyle's only agreed to give me the lease back if you're not part of the deal.
ROXY (scoffs): Well, there's no way that's gonna happen. Rude.
KYLE: ...
ROXY: You're taking the lease without me.
KYLE: I'm sorry.
ROXY: Don't be. You got The 82 back. That's what we set out to do. I still have my job at The Waterhole. I'm a big girl. I'll be fine.
Roxy goes to put the bra back. Kyle looks guilty. Gary the Pigeon lands on the table, as if to make a point.
KYLE (to the pigeon): What?!
No 24
Aaron is helping Fay with her next bucket list request, by attempting to perform divination with the help of the tea leaves in the bottom of her mug!
AARON (looking into the mug): That really is a chicken, isn't it? If you look closely there, it's holding an egg. Now, that - that's got to mean something.
Away from the table, Chloe and Nicolette are still tense.
NICOLETTE: Not a believer?
CHLOE: Just confused. Mum is so sure this is her last visit, so why would she want to know her future?
FAY: What does that clump mean?
AARON: Well, that's... that's another chicken...
Fay doesn't seem convinced by Aaron's tasseography skills, and wonders if it's not working because she didn't actually drink the tea herself.
DAVID: I'm sure the problem lies with Aaron, not you.
AARON: Boo, come on!
FAY: You said you could read tea leaves.
AARON: Of course I can read tea leaves! ... What? Okay, I googled it in the bathroom.
DAVID: He's only covering while Melanie finds a professional. Dad and Terese have already asked her.
FAY: (...) Wasn't there someone here who reads tarot? Oh, who was it?
Everyone looks awkward.
DAVID: Don't stress yourself.
CHLOE: Let's just stick with Aaron!
FAY: So he can find more farm animals in my cup? No, there is someone who reads fortunes. Why are you keeping it from me?
AARON: We're not hiding anything from you, Mum. It's alright; we'll find someone soon.
But Fay looks unconvinced. Quietly, Nicolette suggests to Chloe that she could arrange a meeting between Fay and Dipi - if it's not too weird. Chloe doesn't answer, but looks upset.
Ramsay Street
Shane sees Roxy sitting glumly by the roadside, and sits down next to her.
ROXY: I heard you and Dipi are working things out. That's awesome.
SHANE: Ah, yeah. It's early days, but it's going pretty well. That's enough about me; what's your story?
Roxy explains about her business plans with Kyle, and how Karl vetoed her involvement.
ROXY: I was so pumped. It would've been incredible to work with my boyfriend.
SHANE: So keep fighting for it.
ROXY: No, I don't want to risk him losing the tram again.
SHANE: I get that. But you're allowed to have your dreams too.
ROXY: Not hopeless ones.
SHANE: Well, I thought things were pretty hopeless with me and Dipi, but now we're planning our second date. Karl may own the tram, but he doesn't own your dreams. So just figure out another way to make it work. A better one.
Lassiter's Complex
Chloe, Aaron and Nicolette watch from a distance, as Fay convenes with Dipi at a table in the courtyard. Chloe isn't entirely comfortable with the situation, but is going along with it for Fay's sake. Chloe and Nicolette head for a drink at the pub, while Aaron joins Fay and Dipi.
FAY: This was lovely of Nicolette. Chloe's lucky to have her to lean on.
Aaron looks awkward and says he'll give Fay and Dipi some privacy, before leaving.
DIPI: I'm a little surprised you asked for me... given what happened with Pierce.
FAY: I'm not holding a grudge. Life is too short. Especially mine.
No 28
Karl has gathered Levi and Kyle at the table, and apologises to Kyle for his insensitivity in booting Roxy from his tram plans; he hadn't realised how lonely it would be for Kyle running the business on his own.
KYLE: Oh, fair crack! I just told Roxy she's out.
KARL: Oh, I think that is for the best. She's not a suitable business partner. But... if you're willing to partner with someone else, I know a very keen and energetic man who's got great business sense. It'd be a perfect fit.
LEVI (to Karl): Mate, I thought *you* were going to volunteer?
KARL: I am. It's me. I'm talking about me.
Kyle seems unenthused.
KYLE: No offence, Karl - but business partners should be on the same wavelength. You know, I was willing to come down on price with ingredients, but not on everything. I have no idea how far your budget cuts will go.
LEVI: Karl's more than willing to compromise, too. I'm sure you guys can meet somewhere in the middle.
KYLE: Yeah, but you already have a job, doc. How's that gonna work?
KARL: I can't be there for the day-to-day, but I can support you behind the scenes.
KYLE: We would be at each other's throats.
KARL: You know, Jemima gave me that tram to give me a sense of her childhood with my dad. And then you and Gary came along, and you created this fantastic business. The tram is our connection to our fathers. If you partner with Roxy, that'll all change.
KYLE: It's still Dad's vision.
KARL: What, a second-hand shop? I never knew my dad the way you got to know yours. This is my chance to have a bond with him. It's your chance to revisit your dad's original attentions.
KYLE: All I ever wanted was to keep my dad's dream alive.
KARL: Shall we give it a go?
KYLE: I guess it's not the worst idea.
Lassiter's Complex
David joins Aaron outside the Café. David's worried about Chloe's discomfort at spending time with Nicolette, on top of having to stomach Fay getting involved with Dipi. Aaron doesn't understand why Fay wants a fortune teller in the first place.
Meanwhile, Dipi gets Fay to close her eyes and place her hands over the tarot cards.
DIPI: Now, just let your energy flow through you, and focus on what you want to know.
FAY: There are a few different things. Is that okay?
DIPI: Yeah, of course. Now, I assume the questions you want to ask refer to the present?
FAY: Umm... future. I don't have a lot of time. But this really isn't about me. It's about my family. I want to see how their lives pan out without me.
DIPI: Fay, that's a beautiful request.
FAY: Well, it would give me a lot of peace.
DIPI: Then, let's begin.
No 22
Paul is instantly suspicious when Roxy presents him with a glass of whisky, and asks what she wants from him. Terese hovers with curiosity.
ROXY: It's not what I need from you; it's what I can give you.
PAUL: A headache?
ROXY: A chance to capitalise on land that you already own. Imagine it - a recycled goods store on Power Road, run by moi.
TERESE: But there are no vacant shops on that retail strip.
ROXY: Yes, but there is vacant land. Picture it - a pop-up shop run out of a shipping container! Pop-up shops are really cheap, and it will fill the market gap made by the antique shop. And, I can move out of home with the money I make!
But Paul is not swayed even by this silver lining!
PAUL: The only business I've seen you run went spectacularly under because of your dodgy taste in men. Not to mention the fact that you dragged my son down with it. So I don't really hold your entrepreneurial ability in high regard. Not gonna happen.
Roxy looks dejected.
The Waterhole
Chloe is with Nicolette in the pub. Nicolette gets a message from her lawyer, checking in about her court date.
CHLOE: Must be stressful.
NICOLETTE: Yes and no. On one hand, I'm dreading getting up in front of a judge and admitting I'm a garbage bin.
CHLOE: And on the other hand?
NICOLETTE: I just can't wait for it to be over. It's certain I'll get a suspended sentence, and then I can finally redeem myself and move on.
CHLOE: I hope looking after Mum isn't too much for you with all of this.
NICOLETTE: It's the opposite. I didn't realise how much I miss nursing. Taking care of Fay makes me feel worthwhile again. Instead of...
CHLOE: A garbage bin?
NICOLETTE: Exactly.
They both smile, the atmosphere between them thawing slightly.
Erinsborough Greenway
Kyle finds Roxy sitting alone on a bench. She forces herself into upbeat mode.
KYLE: Babe, please don't *try* to smile. It's kinda scary.
ROXY: Well, I don't want you to see me sad. You don't need to be. You got the tram back.
KYLE: Yeah, well, only because I gave you the flick. That can't feel good.
ROXY: I just wanted a chance to prove myself. Make the tram awesome again. I've caused so many disasters (...) Everything I do backfires. No wonder no-one wants a bar of me.
KYLE: Babe, Karl Kennedy isn't everybody.
Roxy tells Kyle about her pop-up store proposal to Paul, and how he turned it down. She wanted to send some of her business Kyle's way, and also help him pay off the council fine. He says she doesn't need to worry about that.
ROXY: I want to help.
KYLE: You already do. If you don't think anyone believes in you, that's bull. Rox, I believe in you.
ROXY: For real?
KYLE: Well... a hundred percent.
Roxy smiles, and they hug.
Lassiter's Complex
Fay is chatting to David and Aaron about her tarot reading, and can't resist another barb at Aaron's own divination attempts.
FAY: Stick to drinking tea, not reading it.
AARON: Mum!
DAVID: Did anything surprising come up?
FAY: She mentioned twins. Maybe something about Nicolette?
AARON: I'm sorry, but we can confirm she's only having one child, not two!
FAY: According to Dipi, twins can also mean soulmates. Maybe Nicolette and Chloe?
David seems about to disabuse Fay of her hopes on this, but Aaron interrupts him, saying they should go and pay for the drinks.
Away from the table, Aaron reminds David that they've agreed to keep Fay in the dark about Chloe and Nicolette's fall-out. But David thinks Fay's hopes for them being a couple are going too far. Aaron tells him not to stress; Chloe and Nic will be focused on Fay, not each other.
As David and Aaron go into the Café to pay, a much happier looking Chloe and Nicolette approach Fay, and ask how her reading went.
FAY: Fascinating. I found out all about my children and grandchildren's futures.
CHLOE: That's why you wanted to do it? Well, must have been exhausting - let's get you home.
FAY: Uh... actually, I'd like to spend some time with Nicolette. I, umm, want to talk about my care.
So Chloe heads home. Nicolette, who could tell Fay had other reasons for wanting to speak to her in private, calls her on it, and Fay admits that what she said to Chloe was a 'small fib'.
FAY: I need a favour.
No 22
Paul is ranting to Terese about Kyle being put back in charge of the tram; he thinks there's no way customers will return while that's the case. Terese isn't so sure, saying that Roxy has said Kyle has a very clear vision for rebuilding the business. Terese explains how Roxy and Kyle had been talking about being partners in the tram, with a Café-boutique concept.
TERESE: But Karl wasn't gonna have a bar of it.
PAUL: Kyle wouldn't?
TERESE (exasperated): No... Yeah, *Karl*. Doctor Karl.
PAUL: Oh! So, that's why Roxy wanted the store on Power Road, because she's still pushing her idea. Oh god! (laughs) Don't you see, this is gold! The tram, right next door to an old jumble store? That has got to be the good doctor's worst nightmare, wouldn't you say?
Terese seems underwhelmed by this sudden, spite-driven enthusiasm for Roxy's idea, but Paul cackles to himself.
Lassiter's
Nicolette is wheeling Fay through the hotel, towards Toadie's law office.
NICOLETTE: I love a top-secret mission, but I must say this feels extremely dodgy, bringing you here behind everyone's backs when I don't know why.
FAY: You'll find out soon. But can you keep it private for now?
NICOLETTE: I guess so.
FAY: Then it's just between you and me.
NICOLETTE: Our little secret.
Toadie overhears a snippet of this conversation as they arrive, and looks suspicious again. But he greets Fay warmly, and Nicolette leaves them to it. Toadie asks after Mark; Fay reports that he's doting on baby Freddie.
TOADIE: I still can't work out how such an ugly man can produce such a cute little baby!
FAY (laughs): It's a miracle! And how's your lovely Sonya? You must bring her over to Chloe's while I'm here. I'd love to see her.
TOADIE: ... Sonya died, Fay.
FAY: Oh... That's... that's right. I'm sorry. Erm... I came here... Nicolette brought me here because I have to do something...
Toadie looks concerned at how confused Fay seems to be.
FAY: Uh... oh, yes, that's right. I'm here because I need your help.
TOADIE: What with?
The 82
Karl, Kyle and Levi are all getting the tram looking shipshape, when Roxy turns up with 'the best news ever'.
ROXY: Paul just called me, and said that he will let me pitch my proposal.
She explains to them about her recycled-goods-store-in-a-shipping-container concept, and that Paul said no at first, but has changed his mind.
LEVI: Where would it be?
ROXY: Right next door!
KYLE (pleased): Get out!
ROXY: It's gonna be like we're working together! (...) How cool is that?
KYLE: Babe, that is so cool!
But it's clearly having Paul's desired effect on Karl, who is none too pleased by this news!
Lassiter's
Nicolette returns to Toadie's office to collect Fay; he explains that Melanie has taken her outside for a walk.
NICOLETTE: Everything went okay?
TOADIE (coldly): Without breaking client confidentiality, um... I find it curious.
NICOLETTE: What?
TOADIE: You. Organising this meeting for Fay.
NICOLETTE: She asked me to.
TOADIE: Like she asked you to use her credit card at Harold's?
NICOLETTE: What exactly are you implying?
TOADIE: I haven't forgotten what you've done. You've used your profession to take advantage of a dying patient for financial gain.
NICOLETTE: And I'm paying for that. Literally.
TOADIE: I heard you say that it was 'our little secret'. And given what we just discussed...
NICOLETTE: ... Oh, it was about her will, wasn't it? She's just had her tarot read. She wants to know what life is going to be like after she dies.
TOADIE (laughs): No. No! That doesn't explain the changes that she's just requested.
NICOLETTE: What, have they got something to do with me?
TOADIE: You know *exactly* what's going on, and how it's gonna benefit you. So come on, please, just tell me the truth. Did you put her up to this?
Coming up on Neighbours
- More tension between Paul and Brent
- Paul tells Terese he doesn't trust 'Harlow's bleeding heart'; Harlow overhears
- Harlow tells Brent she likes him
- Susan watches Finn's video diary; we hear her say, 'He was on the edge and I missed it. How?'
- Susan tells David that the only person who could tell her what she needs to know is 'him'
- Susan closing her eyes and taking a deep breath...