Previously
- Leo tells David and Aaron he wants them to become Abigail's dads, permanently; it's what's best for her
- Karl is surprised that Paul reports still feeling ill after his excellent test results
- Paul tells shonky Dr Russell that he needs a fake diagnosis so he can pretend to be sick for a few weeks
- It's got to be believable, Paul says, as Terese is a very smart woman
- Having reunited with Paul as a couple, Terese tells him this is his very last chance
- Nicolette lets slip to Toadie about Jane spying on her with the teddy- cam
- Toadie then passes this knowledge to Amy, who passes it to Zara, who passes it to Aubrey and Sadie
- Jane is upset when somebody sets up a teddy with a camera as a prank in her classroom
Erinsborough High School
Jane demands to know who put the teddy-cam in the classroom, and all the pupils laugh cruelly - including Zara, Sadie and Aubrey. Jane promises she'll find out who's responsible, and angrily slams the teddy into a drawer in the filing cabinet, still visibly shaken by the prank.
The Penthouse
Paul is in bed while Terese tidies up around him. He is trying to convince her to start sleeping in here, but she reminds him he needs his sleep.
PAUL (smiling): Why, what did you think we were gonna do? Oh, alright, have it your way.
Instead, he suggests they should throw a party to celebrate their getting back together. Terese would rather he concentrated on getting back to full health - and can't even be swayed by the suggestion of a family dinner at Lanzini's! However she does agree to a small lunch here in the penthouse, on the proviso that Paul carts himself off to bed if he feels unwell.
TERESE: But don't think for one minute that I won't be watching you like a hawk!
He smiles as she leaves the room.
Harold's Café
Nicolette is randomly In This Episode™, watching from behind the counter as Aubrey and Sadie laugh about things unseen on their phones. Zara turns up, and conversation quickly turns to the 'best prank on a teacher ever', as Sadie puts it.
ZARA: That bear, it was from my house, right?
SADIE: How would we know?
ZARA: ... Well, I just thought that while you were over there, you might've taken it?
AUBREY: Are you saying we did it?
ZARA (backtracking): No! Obviously it was another bear. I mean, there's probably a million like it.
Aubrey and Sadie smirk at one another, then start laughing.
SADIE: Of *course* we did it.
AUBREY: Harris had no right to go off at you like that. Beyond sad.
Zara laughs, and murmurs in agreement.
AUBREY: You're welcome, by the way.
ZARA: ... Oh. Yeah. That was really cool for you to do that. You guys are the best.
Sadie and Aubrey smile at one another again.
The Penthouse
Shonky Dr Oscar Russell has arrived to tell Paul that he's come up with a plausible diagnosis to prolong his fake illness - a hepatic subcapsular haematoma.
PAUL: Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, does it?
DR RUSSELL: They occur when bleeding from the liver forms into a clot.
PAUL: Okay - symptoms?
DR RUSSELL: More abdominal pain, which can flare up and subside as needs be. You could develop an ache in your shoulder (...) and nausea and vomiting can be added to the mix.
PAUL: And this will definitely give me the few weeks that I'm after, yeah?
DR RUSSELL: Yeah, definitely.
Terese comes in, and Paul immediately sits down as if he's in discomfort. Dr Russell tells Terese that Paul's condition is curable, and explains about the 'haematoma'. He claims that it wasn't easy to spot on the scan, which would explain why David and Karl missed it. It will just mean Paul's recovery will take a little longer. Terese is at least relieved they know what they're dealing with now.
DR RUSSELL: We are just so lucky that your husband has such good instincts.
PAUL: Yeah. I'm certainly feeling a lot better with you in my corner, that's for sure.
Later on, Harlow, Leo, Paul and Terese are having dinner. Paul is trying to balance enjoying the food with references to his supposed intermittent nausea. David comes in, to give Leo an update on how Abigail's doing; but Leo only manages to express perfunctory interest in the list of mundane developments David reels off, such as Abigail's enjoyment of carrot puree.
DAVID: And we followed up about her six-month vaccinations. They're gonna be tomorrow, so if you want to come along...?
LEO: Yeah, actually - sorry, mate, I've got to make some work calls. But thanks for keeping me in the loop, yeah?
Everyone looks concerned as Leo leaves the room. David remarks that Leo couldn't have seemed less interested in Abigail. Paul says he's sure Leo appreciates David and Aaron stepping up for Abigail. David asks Paul if his new doctor has worked out what's prolonging his symptoms; Terese tells David about the haematoma. He's surprised, as he doesn't think there's any way both he and Karl could've missed it.
PAUL: Well, as it turns out, Dr Russell said that it's quite possible you did.
DAVID: Do you mind if I have a chat to him?
PAUL: David, Dr Russell is a specialist, and I think he might know what he's doing.
DAVID: Just for my own curiosity. Do you have his number?
Paul grudgingly promises to text it to David later, and looks shifty as David leaves.
No 22
Glen is sitting on a chair by the new fourth wall! Terese comes in to pick up an outfit, presumably for the family lunch. There's tension between her and Glen as she prepares to head upstairs to get it, but he's keen to talk.
GLEN: Thanks again for letting me stay.
TERESE: ... It's fine.
GLEN: I should be hearing about a rental tomorrow, so with any luck, I'll be out of your hair soon.
TERESE: Paul prefers to stay at the penthouse, and it suits me to be closer to work...
GLEN: Despite what I did, all I've ever wanted is for you to be happy.
TERESE: ... Well, I am. I am. Look, when you came into my life, you helped me when I was at rock bottom. And whatever happened with the ring, if you hadn't been on the beach that day, I don't know what would've happened to me. So I just... I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me.
She heads upstairs. Glen looks conflicted.
The Penthouse
Paul is on the sofa. He looks annoyed as he sees a text from David, asking again for Dr Russell's number. As Glen and Terese come in, Paul begins to fake discomfort again; Glen's come to help Terese carry some of her belongings over, since she's going to be staying here for a while.
PAUL: How very chivalrous (!)
TERESE: Yeah. We had a chat, and we've smoothed things over.
Paul acknowledges this, but doesn't express a view on it. Once Terese leaves the room, Paul adopts what feels like a mildly goading tone of voice, saying he guess it makes sense all Terese's stuff is here now, now that they're permanently back together. He suggests Glen come along to the family lunch to celebrate their reunion. Glen just stares at him. Paul adopts a more conciliatory tone.
PAUL: Glen, look, I know that we've had our ups and downs, but at the end of the day, we are still family, hmm?
GLEN (on his guard): Sure. I'll do my best.
No 30
The next day, Terese has (perhaps a little oddly) brought Amy a souvenir from the wreckage of the Flamingo Bar, to make up for deciding not to rebuild it - a flamingo-themed neon light. Terese hopes she can hang it somewhere where it will give her good memories. Amy seems genuinely grateful, for some reason! She and Toadie decide it can go in the sunroom.
As Terese leaves, Jane turns up, and asks if Zara is here. Amy says she's already gone to school, so Jane produces the teddy bear from the classroom, and asks if they recognise it. Toadie admits they have one just like it. Jane explains about the 'hilarious prank' that was played on her at school.
JANE (embarrassed): I know that you are aware of the teddy... the teddy incident at our place.
She glances over furtively at the sofa area, where Hendrix and Mackenzie are politely trying not to listen!
JANE (to Toadie): Have you told anyone?
TOADIE (awkwardly): ... Just Amy. Sorry.
Toadie goes to check whether there's another bear in Hugo's room, to confirm this is indeed theirs.
AMY: I told Zara. I'm so sorry. It's just, I was really angry at her, cos you know, she stole my mascara. Yet again! And I jokingly threatened to put a camera on her... like you did with Nicolette. I'm so sorry. Please don't hate me.
Mackenzie and Hendrix's faces are a picture, as Toadie returns and confirms that Hugo's bear is missing, so the one Jane is holding must be it. Jane says Zara had access to the bear and 'knew its significance', so suspects Zara must be responsible.
AMY: Do you need me to come down to the school?
JANE (hurt): No. No, I think you've done quite enough. Susan and I will take it from here.
AMY (as Jane leaves): Awesome (!)
Erinsborough Hospital
In a corridor, Dr Russell is on the phone to Paul, telling him to relax.
DR RUSSELL: One meeting with me, and I'll get them off your back... Okay - I'll be in touch.
Dr Russell goes into an office, where David and Karl are waiting for a meeting with him, to talk about Paul's diagnosis.
KARL: We're at a bit of a loss. We've both re-examined the scans, and we can't see any sign of the haematoma you describe.
DR RUSSELL: Oh, I wouldn't worry about that. Even my trained eye nearly missed it.
KARL: Usually, they're pretty obvious!
DR RUSSELL: Mm. Gentlemen, no-one's questioning your competence on the matter. I mean, if it puts you at ease, it may well have formed after the surgery.
David asks if they could look at Dr Russell's images, but his tone turns. He says he agreed to see them as a courtesy, but that Paul's no longer in their care.
DR RUSSELL: So it's deeply inappropriate for you to continue this line of questioning on my diagnosis.
KARL: Oh, that's not the case.
But Dr Russell calls time on the meeting, and leaves. Karl and David look suspicious.
Erinsborough High School
Aubrey, Sadie and Zara are ogling photos of somebody unknown who 'looked so good' in 'those black shorts', that Sadie has taken without his knowledge. As they descend the stairs, they find Susan and Jane waiting for Zara. Susan tells Aubrey and Sadie to keep moving.
ZARA: If this is about the teddy thing, I had nothing to do with it.
JANE: Really? So the prank wasn't inspired by a certain story that your mother told you, concerning me?
ZARA: Everyone in the school is talking about what you did.
JANE (hurt): And why do you suppose that is?
ZARA: Word gets around.
Susan notices Aubrey and Sadie lingering nearby, and glares at them until they move on!
Jane tells Zara that she knows Hugo had a bear just like the one from the classroom, which is now missing from No 30.
SUSAN: Zara, all things considered, this is not looking good for you.
ZARA: Me?! One of your teachers put a camera on her own daughter. And you're worried about a stupid joke?
SUSAN: This is far from a joke. And if no contrary evidence comes to light, we'll be talking to your mother about further discipline.
ZARA: But I didn't -
SUSAN: Thank you. You can go to class now.
Zara huffs off, looking annoyed.
The Penthouse
Paul, Terese, Leo, Harlow, David, Aaron, Chloe, Kyle, Roxy and Ned are present for the celebration lunch. Chloe asks Aaron and David how they're coping having to look after both babies.
AARON: Oh, you mean besides having twice the nappies and three times the noise? (...) It's a lot, but they're gorgeous.
DAVID: Yeah, thanks for asking. Leo has no interest at all.
Nearby, Harlow and Ned are talking about Amy's drinks van that they painted. Harlow thinks Ned should put his logo on it to promote his art; he replies that he couldn't have done it without her. Harlow admits it was the most fun she's had in a while, and Ned promises to think of something else they can team up on.
They both go to join Roxy and Kyle on the sofas, but Kyle gets up to go and get some food. Roxy admits to Ned and Harlow that Kyle's still mad at her for doing 'due diligence' on Freya.
HARLOW: How diligent were you?
ROXY: I may have broken into her Airbnb. Just don't start, okay - I have received enough shade at home because they don't believe me that Freya's lying to Levi.
NED: What do you know about her?
ROXY: Nothing. All she said is that she's from Benalla. For all we know, that's just another big fat lie.
Lassiter's Complex
Zara is chatting to Hendrix about being under suspicion at school for the teddy bear prank. Zara insists it wasn't her, but Hendrix correctly guesses it was someone she hangs out with.
HENDRIX: Zara, I get you don't want to snitch on your mates. But which is worse - being a social outcast, or copping the blame for something you didn't do?
Zara's worried that, either way, Amy will 'go off' at her. Hendrix puts a reassuring arm around her and tells her it won't be that bad. Aubrey and Sadie have turned up nearby, and see this.
AUBREY: No. Way!
They now look more convinced that Zara was being honest about Hendrix being into her.
No 30
Zara comes in to find Amy and Toadie waiting on the sofa, looking stern - and they want to talk about the teddy prank.
AMY: I should've known better than to share sensitive information about a teacher. But, Zara, I didn't know that you could be so cruel.
ZARA: I didn't do it, Mum! I'm not lying. The first time I knew about that stupid bear was when I walked into class with everyone else.
AMY: So if it wasn't you, who was it? Have you told someone about what Jane did?
ZARA: ...
TOADIE: If you can't tell us who it was, well, then, we just have to assume that it was you.
ZARA: Thanks for all your support.
She marches out. As Amy makes the case to a sceptical Toadie that Zara could be covering for someone, we see that Hendrix and Mackenzie have been watching from the kitchen.
MACKENZIE: I've got to give it to Zara. She's super-talented at stirring up drama.
HENDRIX: I think she's telling the truth.
The Penthouse
Glen has turned up to join the lunch, and Paul and Terese both seem pleased he's there. He just about manages to wish them a happy reunion without choking on his words!
On the sofas, Roxy is telling Ned and Harlow more about her run-in with Freya at the Airbnb.
ROXY: It was seriously a hunting knife. Why would she deny it?
HARLOW and NED: ...
ROXY: What, you both think I've been listening to too many true crime podcasts?
NED: No, not at all. I think your instincts are telling you something, and you should listen to them.
ROXY: Finally! Thank you!
NED: You could take a drive up to Benalla, see what you can dig up.
Harlow and Ned suggest they could both come with Roxy, and make it a road trip. Roxy agrees.
ROXY: It'd have to be a secret, though. Nobody can know.
She looks over at where Kyle is chatting obliviously to Leo, David and Aaron.
Erinsborough High School
Zara is continuing to attract street cred at school due to her perceived misbehaviour, and is lapping it up; Patrick, the same boy who praised her for being a 'legend' on another occasion recently, does so again.
AUBREY: Wow. Someone got popular fast.
ZARA: I don't know how to convince everyone it wasn't me.
SADIE: How about you just quit taking all the credit for it?
Jane and Susan approach, and ask to speak to Zara again, as the other girls watch from a distance. Susan says they've discussed a punishment for Zara with Amy - but before Susan can say any more...
SADIE: Uh, Mrs Kennedy? (...) We know you think Zara pulled that prank on Ms Harris, but it really couldn't have been her.
SUSAN: And why's that?
AUBREY: She was in class with either me or Sadie all day. Check our timetables.
SADIE: And we were together during the break.
Susan looks flummoxed by this, and a little sceptical. But Zara says it's true, and so Susan tells Zara she's in the clear. Once the girls have gone, Jane expresses surprise that Susan believes their story.
SUSAN: I know it's very convenient. I'm actually worried that Zara's gonna bring down Sadie and Aubrey with her.
JANE: I think she already has!
The Penthouse / Erinsborough Hospital
The lunch event continues. David tells Paul it's good to see him and Terese back together again, and says he's happy for him. Paul thanks him - then David gets a phone call from Karl, who's at the hospital, and goes onto the balcony to take it.
DAVID: Have you found anything?
KARL: Yeah, it turns out Paul's specialist does have a history. A medical board hearing, for starters. Annoyingly the case is locked, so no joy on the details.
DAVID: Well, we'll have to keep digging. There must be some other complaints.
Karl promises to reach out to former colleagues and see if he can dig any dirt. David hangs up and is about to go and tell Paul about what Karl's learned - but Paul taps his glass to get everyone's attention.
PAUL: I don't have to tell anyone here how much it means to have the love of my life by my side again. And, you know, to show how much... Terese, would you do the honour of marrying me? Again?
TERESE (smiling): Umm, I thought we already did that?
PAUL: Yeah, I know. But I thought we could do it with a formal ceremony this time, witnessed by our friends and family.
TERESE (thrilled): Yeah, of course! Of course, I would love to marry you. Again!
She hugs him. Everyone looks pleased, except David who seems concerned, and Glen who just looks peeved!
Coming up on Neighbours
Hide contents
- David tells Paul he's worried about Dr Russell and 'serious red flags' around him; Paul insists he's fine
- Aaron asks Karl if there's something wrong with Abigail; Karl says it's a decision for her parent
- But Leo tells Aaron that he and David are Abigail's parents now; he's happy with whatever they decide
