Previously
- Paul admits to David that he gave the money for the Quill investment to Nicolette in Canberra
- He further explains that part of the deal was for Nicolette never to return to Erinsborough
- David asks Paul how on earth he'll pay back the loan without Terese noticing
- Jesse decides to visit his mum Julie at the prison, and Paul's surprised to learn Terese is going too
- Toadie and Rose spy Melanie meeting with her ex Justin Buke
- But we learn it's a set- up; Rose got Justin to meet Mel in exchange for dropping charges against his wife
- Toadie admits he 'maybe' has Feelings™ for Rose 'a little'; a devastated Melanie tells him it's over
- Rose turns up just as Melanie's leaving; 'Congratulations, he's all yours,' says Mel
No 30
In the sunroom - which is still in jungle configuration following Toadie's botched attempt to reinvigorate his relationship with Melanie - Toadie is cursing himself for coming up the idea. Rose, who has made them a brew, tells him it was a thoughtful and romantic gesture, and that most women 'would be a puddle on the floor by now'.
ROSE: You made a huge effort. If she can't see that, then that is on her, not you.
Karl emerges from the foliage, and gathers from Toadie's dismayed expression that his plan to make up with Melanie wasn't successful. Rose confirms that Mel has dumped Toadie.
TOADIE: Everything Melanie said was true. I accused her of cheating, but I was the one who messed up. She was after reassurance, and all I offered her was this stupid, ridiculous gesture.
KARL: Toad, I realise it feels bad now. But perhaps it's for the best. All this up and down - do you really want to live like that?
TOADIE: No, I wanted everything fixed, not to blow everything up. How could I be so stupid?
No 22
Terese is looking sadly at a photo of Josh, with his siblings Imogen and Piper. Jesse turns up. Terese asks him how he's feeling about seeing his mum at the prison tomorrow. He admits he's nervous.
JESSE: It's been such a long time, I'm not really sure what to expect.
Terese tells him she has a meeting with a supplier near the prison beforehand, so wants to leave early, but Jesse's working the morning shift, so they arrange just to meet at the prison. Paul comes in to join the conversation. Jesse explains he's told his stepsister Shay that he's visiting Julie, but she didn't have much to say as she was busy prepping for potential investors in the Quill Group.
Paul and Terese exchange a glance.
TERESE: I think she'll find it hard to find somebody who will put the money up.
PAUL: Well, that's not our problem now.
JESSE: Why will she find it hard?
Paul looks worried, as Terese tells Jesse the story Paul fed her, about how Shay and Tom hid a lot of the debt that the group was carrying in a business in Singapore.
TERESE: That's why we put the brakes on. I didn't want to tell you at the time because I didn't want to upset you.
JESSE: Does Shay know that's why you and Paul didn't invest?
TERESE: I'm not sure.
JESSE: Well, I should probably say something.
PAUL (worried): Oh, no, no - it's not worth getting into it with her.
JESSE: Or maybe I'll ask Mum tomorrow. She's not involved in the business anymore, but she might know what to do.
Terese, oblivious to Paul's lie, seems to think this is a good idea. Paul looks concerned.
No 32
The next day, in the garden, Chloe and Jane, who is still on leave from work, are visiting David and baby Isla.
JANE: She definitely doesn't have Nicolette's nose.
CHLOE: No, Nic's got more of a little button situation. (To David) Sorry, is that weird for you?
DAVID: No, not at all. It's fine - you can talk about Nicolette's nose. She is Isla's mum, and if it's not this, they're gonna share something else.
JANE: They will.
But David doesn't look as comfortable as he's making out.
No 30
Toadie is getting ready to go out with the kids. Nell can't find one of her shoes, so Toadie starts searching for it, while Nell takes Hugo to brush his teeth. Karl and Susan turn up to check in on Toadie after his break-up.
TOADIE: I feel terrible, and I deserve it.
SUSAN: Oh, Toadie, that's not true. (prying) I heard you had Rose over here consoling you.
KARL (also prying): Did she stay long after I left?
TOADIE: No, she left shortly afterwards. I needed some time on my own. I need to see Mel again. Get her to reconsider.
KARL: What, you want to get back together?! Are you sure that's not a kneejerk reaction?
SUSAN: No, no, if you need to have another conversation with Melanie, we'll mind the kids.
KARL: We will?
SUSAN: Yes, of course we will - this is obviously very important to Toadie.
TOADIE: Yeah, it is. Very. Thank you.
Lassiter's Hotel
Jesse is changing sheets in a guest room when Terese pops her head around the door, and says she'll see him later at the prison. He's evidently still nervous about seeing his mum.
TERESE: I'll be with you the whole time.
Paul then appears, and asks for a moment alone with Terese, so Jesse leaves them in the room together. Paul says he doesn't think it's a good idea her going to the prison.
TERESE: I know, but I need to do this.
PAUL: What possible good can come out of seeing that woman?
TERESE: I'm going to support Jesse. And, yes, to say my piece. To tell her how her actions affected me, and everyone who knew Josh. Don't I deserve to get that off my chest?
PAUL: Except, what happens if she doesn't react the way that you hope?
TERESE: I don't need anything from her. I just need to say my truth so I can move on.
Terese leaves the room, at which point Paul has a word with Jesse, who's been waiting outside.
PAUL: Well, you must be very pleased with yourself?
JESSE: Sorry?
PAUL: Convincing Terese to go and visit your mother with you.
JESSE: I didn't ask her to come. I don't want to upset her.
PAUL: Yeah, right. You know, if you're that concerned about her feelings, why did you push her so hard about not investing with your family last night, eh? Unless you've got some other agenda?
JESSE: No, I -
PAUL: Good. Well, you leave her out of it. If you want to talk business with your mother, or Shay, you do it on your own time, not around Terese. It's unfair to involve her. Do you understand?
JESSE: Okay.
But Jesse looks confused as Paul leaves.
No 32
Jane is checking with David that he wasn't upset by her talking about Nicolette before. David insists it's fine, and Jane leaves, just as Paul arrives. Paul confesses his worry about Terese visiting Julie with Jesse, in case he mentions Paul's made-up story of the Singapore company to Julie, which Terese still believes is why they pulled out of the Quill deal. Paul's worried Julie will see that it doesn't add up.
PAUL: It might be okay, as long as Jesse stays off-topic. And I think I scared him off mentioning it.
DAVID: But if he does say something, Terese will figure out you spent the loan money, and she's gonna want to know what on.
Lassiter's Hotel
Jesse is still in the guest room when Chloe pops in, and wishes him luck in his prison visit with Julie. She says it may not be as hard as he thinks; they'll probably have a lot to talk about after all this time.
JESSE: But it's pretty confronting for Terese. I hope she's okay talking to Mum.
CHLOE: She wouldn't put herself through it if she didn't think she could handle it.
Jesse tells Chloe about Paul warning him not to talk business with Julie. Chloe says Paul must be worried about Terese feeling pressured about buying into the Quill Group, and that it's probably best not to 'talk shop' anyway as there are more important things to catch up on with Julie. 'I guess,' agrees Jesse, uncertainly.
Lassiter's Complex
Mackenzie and Melanie are having lunch, but Melanie's clearly preoccupied by thoughts of Toadie. Hendrix turns up, with props for the movie he and Mackenzie are shooting for the film festival. Mackenzie says she'll be ready to start shortly. However, Melanie sees Toadie nearby, and declaring, she can't talk to him, gets up to leave. But she encounters Rose coming from the opposite direction.
MELANIE: You must be pleased with yourself (...) breaking up a perfectly happy relationship to serve your own purposes, and get what you want!
ROSE: That is an outrageous accusation.
MELANIE: If the scheming shoe fits!
ROSE: You're sounding a bit over-tired, Melanie.
While Mackenzie and Hendrix watch uncomfortably, Toadie approaches Rose and Mel and asks them to tone it down, rather than 'involving other people in our problems'.
MELANIE: She *is* our problem!
TOADIE: We were having issues before Rose came along. You can't blame everything on her.
MELANIE: So you are gonna defend her over me?
TOADIE: No, I'm not. I'm just saying that your behaviour is completely inappropriate.
MELANIE: You can stick your Rose-coloured glasses where the sun don't shine.
Melanie marches off, and everyone else looks awkward.
The Waterhole
David and Chloe are getting takeaway coffees at the same time. Chloe mentions to David that Jesse said Paul was on edge about the prison visit with Julie, and told him not to bring up business with Julie in front of Terese. Chloe says Jesse seemed to be struggling with it, and raises doubts about whether he'll really be in control of the way the conversation goes.
DAVID: So you don't think he'll do what Dad says?
CHLOE: I dunno, he seemed a bit confused. If you see Paul, maybe just tell him to dial it down a notch.
As Chloe leaves, Jesse comes in, also for a coffee! He's just about to head to the prison, and admits to David that his head's a mess.
DAVID: I need to talk to you about you and Terese.
JESSE: ... Uh, now?
DAVID: Yeah. It can't wait.
Harold's Café
Toadie is apologising to Rose for the way Melanie spoke to her. Susan comes in, and looks judgy when she sees Rose and Toadie together. Rose is playing nice, saying it's understandable that Mel was upset.
TOADIE (to Rose): No, no. She accused you of being nefarious, and that was unfair.
Rose suggests they put it behind them and get some cake. Toadie goes to the counter where Susan is waiting. Susan explains Karl is sitting out in the lakeside area with the kids.
SUSAN: Bit surprised to see you with Rose? I thought you were trying to fix things with Melanie?
TOADIE: Well, I was. But they had a run-in earlier on, and Melanie said some pretty nasty stuff to Rose. Stuff that she didn't deserve. So I'm just making sure that Rose is okay.
Susan resists saying any more, but continues to judge from a distance as Toadie rejoins Rose.
TOADIE: Two pieces of chocolate cake coming our way.
ROSE: Oh, great! What are you gonna eat?
The Waterhole
David is laying it on thick with Jesse about his relationship with Terese, saying the whole family are worried about it and don't think it's good for Terese.
DAVID: The truth is, the way she's been supporting you - even being affectionate towards you - none of it's to do with you. It's about Josh. And I know you must've suspected that; I mean, she even called you by his name.
JESSE: Well, she says I remind her of Josh. It's not like she thinks I'm him!
DAVID: She doesn't think you're the same person, but there are some worrying connections. Did you know that Josh was due to be born on your birthday? Terese may have taken that as a sign to keep you close.
JESSE: She never mentioned that.
DAVID Of course not. She wouldn't want to upset you. But it's not healthy for her. And if you really care about Terese -
JESSE: I do.
DAVID: Then you'll leave her alone. She wouldn't have decided to go and see Julie if it wasn't for you. And do you really think that's good for her?
JESSE: She said she wanted to.
DAVID: You're a nice guy. And I know you want to do the right thing. So it's time for everyone to move on.
Goodwood Women's Prison
Terese is in the visitors' area, waiting for Jesse to turn up, but so far there's no sign of him. She takes a seat at the table, visibly shaken by the prospect of seeing Julie again. We see a flashback to 2016 (Episode 7394), and an emotional scene at the police station as a tearful Julie, guarded by Mark Brennan, makes her apologies to Terese for what happened to Josh.
JULIE: I know this means nothing, but I am truly sorry!
Back in the present, Julie is led into the visitors' area by a guard. She and Terese stare at one another, both apprehensive.
Harold's Café
Chloe and Paul are having a meeting with Rose about the film festival and specifically the testicular cancer testing booth, but Paul's mind is evidently elsewhere. As the meeting finishes up, Paul gets a text message. He suddenly says he has to go, and rushes off. Chloe apologises to Rose on his behalf, saying Paul's been acting 'a bit odd' all day. Chloe then leaves herself.
Goodwood Women's Prison
Julie is now sitting opposite Terese. The tension is palpable.
TERESE: Jesse should be here soon. He really wants to see you.
JULIE: ... You seem to know a lot about Jesse.
TERESE: Umm, we've been getting to know each other.
JULIE: Yeah. I heard.
TERESE: From Shay?
JULIE: I know you hate me. With good reason. What do you want with my son?
TERESE: You know, at first I wanted nothing to do with him, because of who he is - a Quill. But then I realised that he was being used by your family, especially Shay. And he was miserable. All he really wanted was respect, and... and validation.
JULIE: Well, Shay can be ruthless.
TERESE: Yeah, Jesse isn't. He's sensitive and vulnerable, and... and just wants to belong somewhere.
JULIE: And that's with you?
TERESE: You know, I would've thought as a mother, you'd be grateful that somebody was looking out for him.
JULIE: But what's in it for you? Are you planning some type of payback, Terese?
TERESE (appalled): No. No! He's just... he's just so much like Josh. He's kind-hearted, but directionless at times, and... he's silly, but generous. And you can take him at face value, there's no hidden agenda. When Jesse's around... it just makes me feel like I have a little bit of Josh still with me. It's somehow less painful - makes it easier to think about him.
JULIE: I think about Josh every day.
The Waterhole
Paul comes to meet David, having been summoned by him. David admits he spoke with Jesse.
DAVID: I've never done that someone before (...) I'm pretty sure I've warned him off Terese. I don't think he'll be hanging around much anymore.
PAUL: Alright. You'd better tell me everything.
Goodwood Women's Prison
Julie is still with Terese, who is trying her best to retain her composure.
JULIE: No-one was meant to get hurt. It was an insurance payout, Terese. The boiler would stop working, it would buy us some time. It should never have exploded. I killed your son. That is all I ever think about. I deserve to be here. (tearful) I would stay here forever if I thought for just one second it would bring Josh back. I am *so* sorry.
The Waterhole
Paul tells David he did the right thing with Jesse.
DAVID: Have I? Because I feel like I broke his heart.
PAUL: It's alright, he's young, he'll get over it.
DAVID: You don't understand.
PAUL: Yeah, actually, I do. Sometimes, you have to be the bad guy to protect your own family.
Goodwood Women's Prison
An emotional Terese is responding to Julie.
TERESE: I really - I really don't care how you feel, or what you've been through. I came here to say everything that I couldn't after Josh died. And to tell you what I've been through. And my life's been hell. And that's never gonna change. But now that I've seen you, I don't want to be angry anymore. I just need to move on.
Julie listens to this sadly. The buzzer sounds to indicate that visiting time is over.
JULIE: Jesse isn't coming.
TERESE: I don't think he is.
Terese gets up and leaves. Julie looks very upset.
The Waterhole
David is still with Paul, who is on the phone to Terese. Evidently, Terese has told him that Jesse didn't show up at the prison. Paul says that's strange, and promises to keep an eye out for him. Once he finishes the call, Paul reports this news back to David.
DAVID: So where is he?
PAUL: Does it matter? The thing is, you did it, David. You saved our family.
But David doesn't look proud of himself.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Chloe tells Harlow to drop the attitude, as she isn't helping herself
- Harlow tells David that Chloe is being completely unfair; Harlow wouldn't act that way in her role
- Mackenzie is angry that Rose is trying to get her 'mitts all over' Toadie
- Susan denounces Rose's 'appalling behaviour'
- Toadie tells Rose, 'I know what this is', but Rose is playing innocent
- A tearful Melanie tells Susan she should've known better than to think she and Toadie had a chance