Previously
- Chloe telling Aaron that she likes Nicolette
- Aaron advising Chloe against letting Nicolette know
- Susan reminding Bea that Levi can't bend the rules for her
- Bea getting frustrated with Levi for arresting Karl
- Toadie asking Karl not to contact Olivia again
- Olivia telling Susan she'll drop the charges if Susan works on the book
Harold's Café
Susan and Bea fill Karl in on what happened with Olivia. Karl wonders if Olivia had this planned all along: harass their family, provoke Karl into lashing out and then use the assault accusation to blackmail them. Susan thinks they should call Toadie to see where they stand and, "with any luck, this could work against her."
The Waterhole
Olivia sidles up to Ned and says she has a proposition for him. She knows he was one of the few people who called out Finn's psychotic tendencies early on, which is a plus for her project.
OLIVIA: You have genuine insight. Plus you're an award-winning artist.
NED: Yeah, I am, for depicting another sociopath.
OLIVIA: Maybe that's your thing. Like the portrait of Paul Robinson in the Lassiters foyer; it's so grotesque. It's so compelling.
Ned wants no part of any plan Olivia's cooking up, especially after all the hurt her book caused. Olivia admits that was unforgivable, but it's the reason why she's writing a new version. She places Finn's photo from the cover of her original book in front of Ned and asks if he'd paint a portrait of it for her new cover.
Number 22
Dipi apologises to Terese for interrupting her drinks with David and Aaron, but she wanted to let her know that the move to Sydney is back on. Terese is surprised but isn't angry with Dipi for changing her mind on the lease. She also doesn't want to lose Harold's from the complex as it's such an icon, so she comes up with another option. If Dipi honours her lease and hires a manager to run the Café, it could provide her and Shane with a nice side income. Dipi's worried she won't find anyone in time as they're leaving in two weeks, but Terese is confident someone will step up. Dipi thanks Terese and heads home, just as David and Aaron walk in from the backyard. Aaron finds a notebook on the couch where Harlow has written a list of things that Prue liked to do in London, which Harlow wants to do on her upcoming visit to honour her mum's memory. This resonates with Aaron.
Harold's Café
The Kennedys and Bea have now filled Toadie and Levi in on Olivia's latest shenanigans. Levi clarifies that Olivia offered to change her statement in return for Susan helping with the book. Karl and Susan mention the blackmail angle, and Bea says it proves that Olivia was lying about Karl pushing her down the stairs. Toadie adds at the very least Olivia should be charged with trespassing. Levi asks if there were any witnesses, and Bea says she was inside when it happened. She ran out to the backyard when she heard Susan shouting at someone, but Olivia was gone by the time she arrived. Levi thanks them for updating him and says he'll look into it. Toadie tells the Kennedys that he'll talk to the OPP and see if he can get the charges dropped. Susan asks if there's any hope, but Toadie says at the end of the day Olivia was injured. "She's got the medical bills to prove it - you can't ignore it," Toadie adds as Karl sighs wearily. "You're not off the hook yet," he warns.
Number 24
The next morning Chloe finds Nicolette making breakfast and teases her about her kimchi and peanut butter pregnancy craving combo from last night's meal. Aaron and David pop over for a visit and pique Nicolette's interest when she hears Dipi and Shane's Sydney plans are back on and they're looking into hiring a manager for Harold's. The real reason for the boys' visit, though, is because Aaron has some news he wants to share - news that David doesn't even know about. Aaron says that hearing about Harlow wanting to honour her mum's memory got him thinking.
DAVID: You want to do the same thing for your mum.
AARON: Well, not exactly. But I do want to honour her memory in a big way. So I thought, I really want to name the baby Fay. Obviously if it's a girl!
He's met with silence from everyone, and doesn't register the awkward looks on David and Nicolette's faces, and the upset one on Chloe's. Aaron asks what they think and Chloe diplomatically says it's his choice then dashes off to take a shower. David says they could definitely throw the name "in the mix", but Aaron thinks they're already onto a winner. He heads outside to give Mark a call leaving David and Nicolette in a pickle.
NICOLETTE: You don't like it either, do you?
DAVID: I love the sentiment, but the actual name, I don't even know. But how do I even have that conversation with him when he's only just lost his mum?
Before they can discuss things further, Aaron walks back inside after getting Mark's voicemail. It's not the kind of info he wants to leave in a message, so he'll call his brother back later.
Lassiters Complex
Levi speaks with Olivia outside the police station about what went down at #28 yesterday, but Olivia is adamant that Susan has her wires crossed. Levi doesn't understand why Olivia would still want to work with Susan after her husband allegedly pushed her down the stairs. Smiling, Olivia reminds Levi she's a writer; "I'm always going to want to tell the best story no matter what." Levi then asks why Olivia entered the Kennedys backyard after Susan told her to leave. "Is that what she said?" Olivia asks, so Levi adds that Bea was a witness.
OLIVIA: She's hardly a credible witness.
LEVI: Well I have no reason to disbelieve her.
OLIVIA: Of course you'd say that.
LEVI: I beg your pardon?
OLIVIA: I hope you're questioning the Kennedys with the same tenacity you are with me.
LEVI: I'm sorry, I don't understand what your point is.
OLIVIA: I'd hate anyone to suggest that there was a conflict of interest.
LEVI: My job is to investigate crime, Ms Bell. I don't appreciate your implication.
OLIVIA: And I don't appreciate your veiled accusations. As far as I can see, you have no concrete evidence.
She asks if there's anything else, but Levi calmly says no and pleasantly wishes her a good day.
The Waterhole
Susan is frustrated when Olivia runs into her and bails her up again. Olivia acts hurt that Susan went through with calling the police, and says she isn't enjoying any of this. Her only wish is for Susan to start working with her again, not against her. Trying to get through to Olivia, Susan tells her the real reason she stopped contributing to the book was because she was seeing visions of Finn and it frightened her.
OLIVIA: I had no idea.
SUSAN: That's why I'm telling you now, in the vain hope that you will leave me alone.
OLIVIA: Susan, if I'd known. I'm so sorry.
SUSAN: Thank you.
OLIVIA: If you don't want to be involved in the writing process I completely understand it.
SUSAN: Well I appreciate that.
OLIVIA: But whatever notes you did manage to make, I would still love to have them. And I'd like David and Sheila to contribute. And your encouragement will help get them over the line.
SUSAN: (incredulous) Did you not hear me? I don't want to be involved!
OLIVIA: Not directly, of course. But surely you'll want to have editorial approval?
SUSAN: Why would I consider any of that after what you've done?
OLIVIA: Because I know how much you want to tell the truth. The truth, Susan, it'll get rid of those demons. It'll set everyone free.
Against her will, Susan almost looks as though she's buying the 'freedom' tagline Olivia's selling.
Number 24
Terese calls in so Chloe can sign some documents, but Nicolette takes the chance to ask Terese about the manager role going at Harold's. She was hoping to apply for the position, but knows she'll have no chance if Paul has a decision in the proceedings. But Terese says Dipi will have final say, so if Nicolette's keen she should go for it. Nic admits she doesn't really have managerial experience, but Chloe says she'd be happy to help just while she's getting started. This sets off alarm bells in Aaron and he reminds Chloe she'll be too busy with her own job, but Chloe doesn't think it'll take up too much of her time. Terese say she has no qualms about it either. "As long as Dipi doesn't have a problem with me," Chloe adds, but Nic's sure she won't. Aaron then tells Terese the 'good news' that they're going to call the baby Fay if it's a girl. Chloe reminds her brother he was meant to discuss it more with David, but Aaron says it's pretty much a "done deal", which makes Nicolette look uneasy.
Number 28
David thanks Karl for loaning him Monopoly. He then tells Karl and Susan how sorry he was to hear about Olivia harassing them again, and he's more than happy to talk to her about Finn if it'll get her off their backs. But Karl doesn't want David to put himself through the wringer. He's hoping they can sort everything out through the proper legal channels. When David leaves, Susan tells Karl about her run-in with Olivia at the pub. She admits Olivia's "the truth will set you free speech" was almost convincing, but Karl knows how persuasive Olivia can be and making this deal with her will not solve all their problems.
SUSAN: I just want it to be over. And if people like David are willing to help as well-
KARL: Olivia has done nothing to earn our trust. We just have to stay the course, we will get through this without her.
Lassiters Complex
Bea joins Levi outside The Waterhole after his shift and is hoping to hear something positive after his chat with Olivia. Levi says he can't go into a lot of detail, but says there's no hard evidence to support any of Olivia's claims. "So it's just a case of he said, she said?" asks Bea, knowing the answer already. Bea then wonders if Levi got a better picture of what Olivia's actually like, but Levi isn't comfortable discussing it further.
BEA: I know she fell down a flight of stairs, and I wouldn't wish that upon anybody. But she's using that to stitch up Karl. You agree with me, don't you?
LEVI: It doesn't matter what I think. I can only go off the facts and-
BEA: Yeah, yes, the facts, I get it. But Karl is getting charged for something he didn't do, and Olivia's getting away with everything.
LEVI: That's up to the courts to decide based on the evidence.
Levi has somewhere to be, so he asks if they can watch a movie or something later - anything except talking about the case. But Bea just gives him a noncommittal "maybe" and says she'll let him know, leaving Levi a little annoyed.
Outside of Harold's, Dipi is conducting her interview with Nicolette, which Chloe is sitting in on. Nicolette says she already knows how Dipi likes things done, so she can continue on that trajectory. And Chloe says there wouldn't be any changes without running it by Dipi first. Dipi thinks it's great Nic wants to take on more responsibility, but isn't sure how Chloe's going to fit it all in with her hotel job. "I've cleared it with Terese and I wouldn't be too hands-on. More like a management mentor," Chloe assures her. Dipi then asks for a moment alone with Nicolette, so Chloe heads home.
Nicolette's worried Dipi has a problem with Chloe's involvement, but Dipi says what happened between them has nothing to do with the business. She just wanted to reassure Nic that no matter what happens, she'll always have a job at Harold's, which Nicolette is grateful for. Dipi then asks how Chloe's coping after losing Fay, but their chat is cut short when Shane appears. Nicolette tells them that even if she doesn't get the manager role, she's still really grateful for the opportunity. After Nic leaves, Dipi tells Shane she thinks Nicolette is a good option.
The Waterhole
Olivia sees Ned and asks if he's had anymore thoughts on her offer, but Ned says he hasn't. Bea notices their exchange and has a chat with Ned about what went on. Ned lets her know Olivia's been badgering him about painting Finn's portrait for her book, which also confused him because he thought the book idea was a no-go. Bea explains that Olivia is trying to extort Susan into helping her again, "and no one's doing anything about it, not even the cops." Ned says the next time he sees Olivia he'll tell her where she can stick her commission. Bea thanks him for his solidarity but sadly she doesn't think it'll make a difference.
Number 32
David introduces Monopoly for the next board game session with Aaron, Chloe and Nicolette, but isn't prepared for the big sibling rivalry Chloe and Aaron have going on with the game. David reminds them that no matter what they play, Fay would be happy they're all hanging out together. He thinks it's the perfect way to regularly honour Fay's memory because "actions speak louder than words". Not getting the point David's trying to make, Aaron says that's exactly the reason why he wants to call their baby Fay. Chloe changes the subject and asks Nicolette if she's heard from Dipi yet. Nic says no, but thanks Chloe again for all of her help. Chloe smiles and says Nic smashed the interview and she can't wait to work together, "we'll be like the dynamic duo of the Café world." Hearing alarm bells once more, Aaron asks Chloe to help him grab some snacks. Nicolette and David have a little whisper session when they're alone where Nic urges David to be more blunt with Aaron about not liking the name.
In the kitchen, Aaron asks Chloe why one minute she's telling him she's confused about her feelings for Nic and the next she's going into business with her. Aaron also reminds her that she promised him she wasn't going to let things get complicated. Getting defensive, Chloe brushes him off and returns to the others. David tries to work up the courage to address the naming situation with Aaron, but Aaron talks over him.
AARON: I think I know exactly what you're about to say. Even if the baby's a boy there's still no reason why we can't name it Fay. I think it's perfect.
He even thinks they should get one of those custom-made nursery room signs with the baby's name on it. Nicolette claims she needs fresh air and asks Chloe to come outside with her, but with Aaron's words echoing in her head, Chloe declines and says she's fine where she is.
The Waterhole
Toadie tells Karl, Susan and Bea that he couldn't get the charges dropped so they're going to have to fight through the court. He apologises for not having better news, then leaves them to ruminate on it. Bea knows Olivia will never give up so she thinks they should just go along with her demands. Karl is determined not to let Olivia win, which Bea doesn't want either, but she figures this way they'll win as well. Susan gets to publish the truth and Karl's charges will be dropped.
KARL: There must be some other way.
SUSAN: I don't know, maybe if we can control the situation we can deal with her how we want to. Karl, you'd be in the clear.
BEA: I'll get everyone on board, you wouldn't have to worry. I know this sucks, Karl, but we've got no other choice.
Karl looks torn.
Number 32
Monopoly is in full swing but Chloe is in a really bad mood with Aaron after their little kitchen discussion. Sensing the tension, Nicolette suggests they all take a short break. Aaron thinks that's a good idea and says he'll give Mark another call about the baby name news. David thinks Aaron should maybe hold off for now, but Aaron doesn't understand why, figuring Mark and Tyler will love the idea.
CHLOE: No they won't.
AARON: Yes they will.
CHLOE: Mark is going to hate the idea! Because we all hate it! Because it's a stupid, insensitive thing to do.
AARON: Chloe what are you talking about? David you don't think this do you?
CHLOE: Of course he does! If you weren't so up yourself, thinking you know everything about everything, you would have read the room and you would have realised that. You don't care about anything but yourself, and you need to stop it. Just stop.
Aaron is taken aback by Chloe's outburst.