No.32
Jane is thrilled to see her and hugs her. Paul continues to look daggers at Nicolette.

DAVID: Whose baby is that?
NICOLETTE: So there's a lot I need to explain. (Baby gurgles.) This is our daughter.
PAUL: What the hell are you talking about? You gave me David and Aaron's baby in Canberra.
AARON: I don't know what you think you're doing Nic but that isn't Isla. Isla is in the hospital. Some lady kidnapped her. David I think we need to go.
NICOLETTE: Aaron please David. I promise I can explain everything.
DAVID: You know that woman? Britney Barnes.
NICOLETTE: I met her at my last antenatal class here in Erinsborough.

We see a flashback to the class. Nicolette and Britney meet and are both pregnant for the first time, Britney has just come for this one session. Back in the present, Nicolette explains that they got on well. Paul doesn't think the explanation is enough. Nicolette didn't plan this, Jane wants to know what's going on. Nicolette found out about Chloe and Leo the following day. Chloe tries to explain but Nicolette cuts her off.

She had a lot to cope with so went for a walk and found Britney who was very upset. Britney explains she came to see her ex who isn't interested. Britney found out she was pregnant after they split up. Her ex doesn't answer the phone. Britney knows he works at the Vineyard, he wasn't there when she went to see him. She saw a woman sleeping inside.

BRITNEY: Leo told me he'd moved on and was pathetic for following him around the world. I couldn't tell him after that.

Back in the present Nicolette tells them that she couldn't believe Leo was now with Chloe. David realises that Leo is the father of Britney's baby. Aaron and David can't get their heads around it, Nicolette insists she's telling the truth.

Nicolette and Britney headed over to Canberra as they felt there was nothing left for them in Erinsborough. Britney's baby arrived a week early. Isla arrived a short while later. Nicolette realised that Britney was suffering really badly from postnatal depression. Britney didn't feel she could love her baby. Nicolette tried to help then Paul arrived. Aaron and Jane can't believe that Paul paid Nicolette $1 million dollars. Paul angrily defends himself. Jane thinks he should have been honest, he didn't want to dash their hopes.

AARON: So you decided to go with bribery instead? It didn't occur to you to speak to your own son first?
CHLOE: You couldn't give her up could you? Isla? You traded a baby for money?
NICOLETTE: I didn't trade a single cent. I gave all of the money to Britney.

Paul isn't impressed in Nicolette's story. Nicolette is looking at Paul and Jane realises there is more to this story. Nicolette thought this was the best option. The day before Britney contacted Nicolette. Britney had changed her mind. Nicolette tried to talk calmly to her but Britney didn't seem to be listening to Nicolette.

DAVID: How could you do this?
NICOLETTE: It's a mess. I know and I caused it. But that's why I'm here. I'm back to fix it and tell everyone the truth.
LEO: The truth about what?

Time has lapsed and Leo has been updated. Nicolette apologises for how he found out, Paul points out that Britney didn't plan to tell him! Leo is trying to get over the shock he is a Dad!

Chloe heads over to Nicolette to talk but Nicolette walks away.

NICOLETTE: I have nothing to say to you Chloe. (To David) I know she's your baby but I'm not ready to talk about it yet.
DAVID: When do you think you will be ready?
AARON: It doesn't matter anyway. Our daughter is in the hospital. I'm going to make sure she's ok.

David and Aaron head off. Paul wants Leo to tell him about Britney. Leo tells him that it wasn't an amicable split. He realises Britney is at the hospital so decides to head over there. Paul heads over to Nicolette.

PAUL: As despicable as I thought you were, I never thought you'd be capable of something like this.
JANE: I think you have said enough Paul. Come on. We're going. If I were you I would explain your part in all this to Terese before someone else does.

No.22
Harlow can't comprehend kidnapping a baby. Terese is sure there's a reason behind this. Paul arrives and distractedly tells them Isla is safe. They are relieved but Terese realises there is more to this.

Hospital Room
Britney is cradling her baby. David and Aaron arrive and tell her the police guard have allowed them in. They want to see how Isla is and realise they don't know Britney's name for her baby.

BRITNEY: Abigail.

Aaron can't cope and goes to leave, David tries to stop him. He doesn't think they should hand her back as they have been caring for her, plus having Father's Day together. Britney apologises, she knew Isla would be safe with them. Leo arrives, David takes Aaron off so Leo can meet his daughter.

LEO: I don't know where to start.
BRITNEY: Would you like to hold her?

Hospital Corridor
Jane, Nicolette and Isla arrive. Nicolette wants to talk to Britney to help sort things out. Jane suggests she sorts things out with her family as well. Jane has questions for her. Nicolette has been in Canberra for the whole time.

JANE: How could you not contact me? I never lied to you. I never betrayed you.
NICOLETTE: I thought of you every single day.
JANE: But not enough to put me out of my misery. I've been worried sick wondering how you were.

Jane asks for a cuddle, Nicolette hands her baby over for a cuddle. They both admire the baby. Jane notes the family nose, Nicolette realised that straight away. Jane points out how worried and upset David and Aaron were.

JANE: You stole from them the chance to be there when Isla was born. I really think your daughter deserves better than that. We all do.

No.22
Paul has updated Terese and Harlow. Terese realises this is the reason the Quill deal didn't go ahead and why Paul has been short of funds. Paul tells them that he did this as David was struggling to cope. He didn't realise the baby wasn't theirs. Harlow thinks it's probably not legal.

PAUL: We're missing the bigger issue here. Nicolette played us all.
TERESE: (Angrily) Nicolette isn't the one we're talking about here. My heart breaks for Aaron and David and Leo but I was this close to finding some peace with Josh's death. That's what that deal means to me. You took it away!
PAUL: I'm sorry.
TERESE: I don't blame you. You're never sorry because you just... you just do the same thing over and over again and you keep lying to me.
PAUL: Terese this was not just some-
TERESE: Shut up Paul! Every time I think we're in a normal relationship, a partnership you do the same thing. Just sick of it.

Harlow wants to know if Paul was behind Jesse quitting, Paul denies this. Paul still thinks Nicolette is the one to blame. Terese is upset as she silently shakes her head.

Hospital Room
Leo is cuddling a crying Abigail as Britney sits with them. Aaron watches through the door.

Hospital Corridor
DAVID: I don't know how but we have to make this work. We have to try. Abigail is part of our family.

Aaron had noted that David wasn't stunned about Paul giving Nicolette money, he realises David knows. David had wanted to be honest. Aaron questions whether David had contacted Nicolette whilst she's been away, David hasn't.

AARON: We're meant to be in this together and I find out you've got this dodgy deal going behind my back.

Aaron wants the truth. David only knew about the money last week. David realises he should have told Aaron sooner and is really apologetic.

DAVID: If I could change everything I would.

Nicolette comes over, she wants to give them the chance to meet their daughter Isla. David takes her for a cuddle. Isla gurgles and David smiles. Aaron wants to know what Nicolette's plans are, she hasn't planned ahead. She wants to discuss the agreement. She can't just give Isla up just like that. Aaron points out that wasn't the original agreement. Aaron and David are her primary carers. Nicolette tells them that Isla is her daughter as well so she wants to discuss this.

AARON: None of this should have happened. None of it.
NICOLETTE: I'm sorry. (Nicolette walks off.)
AARON: How am I meant to accept this David?

Hospital Room
Leo is cradling Abigail as Nicolette arrives and admires her. Britney asks where Isla is, Nicolette tells her. They both apologise, they felt they needed to return. Nicolette isn't cross with Britney as it's down to herself.

BRITNEY: I wasn't well and you did the best for my baby. Can't hold that against you.
NICOLETTE: You'd be the only one who isn't.

Britney wants to know what comes next. Nicolette wants to sort things out, Britney agrees.

No.24

Chloe is walking around then sits down, staring into space. We can see the picture of herself and Nicolette behind her.

No.22
Harlow is sitting at the table, Terese is staring out the window. Paul comes over to Terese but she walks away without a word.

Hospital Corridor
Jane tells Nicolette she felt abandoned as she made no effort to get in touch. Nicolette didn't feel able to.

JANE: Can you not understand how cruel that was? Not just for me but for the boys.
NICOLETTE: Mum there was a reason.
JANE: What reason could you have for disappearing off the face of the earth?
NICOLETTE: Paul. Part of his agreement was that I stay away and never contact any of you ever again.

Hospital Room
Leo apologises to Britney for ignoring her and how their relationship ended. Britney is sorry as well. Britney hasn't planned this out, she hadn't planned to have Abigail.

BRITNEY: I just knew that once the fog lifted giving her away was the biggest mistake of my life. I don't want to ever leave her again.

She was worried about returning and how Leo would feel about being in Abigail's life. She asks if he wants to be part of Abigail's life.

No.22
Paul is trying to get Terese to listen to him and wondering if she plans to speak to him again.

TERESE: I'm worried about what I'm going to say.
PAUL: How are we going to get past it?
TERESE: Get past it? You have systematically played with people's lives. Members of your own family without even thinking twice. Where does it end?
HARLOW: It doesn't. He just keeps doing it like he always does.
PAUL: I only ever do what is necessary to keep this family happy and safe.
TERESE: Stop justifying it like that. It's the way you try and worm your way out of everything.

Jane marches in.

JANE: As if engaging in human trafficking wasn't despicable enough you had the nerve to pay off my daughter and insist that she cut herself out of my life. You are a disgusting excuse for a human.

Jane slaps Paul who is shocked.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Harlow wants to know if it is as bad as something else
- Mackenzie wants to know what is happening with Hendrix
- Hendrix is more interested in drinking
- Britney wants to do this by herself
- Chloe greets Nicolette who looks awkward
- Aaron isn't able to cope with this