Lassiters Hotel Office
Terese is thrilled that the fashion week soiree was a success. She shows Montana a photo of Mackenzie on social media and says they should capitalise on Mackenzie's publicity. Paul walks in just as Terese receives a phone call from Jim the maintenance man. When Terese leaves to sort out the problem, Paul immediately lets Montana know he's onto her scam.

PAUL: So, were you planning on telling Terese that you've been cooking the books for years, and that the tax office is about to pounce?

Number 28
Hendrix finds Susan and Toadie having a cuppa and says he's off to pick up his "supermodel girlfriend" from the fashion week party. Karl arrives home before he leaves and all three of them are stunned when Karl gifts Susan a bunch of flowers he paid full price for. Susan thought she may have still been in the bad books for not wanting to invest with Montana, but Karl says it's fine.

KARL: I have to say there is a certain pleasure in loosening the purse strings to spoil your family.
SUSAN: Who are you and what have you done with my husband?
KARL: You're just going to have to get used to the upgrade.

Lassiters Hotel Office
Paul warns Montana that there's no use trying to fob him off because he knows exactly how much trouble she's in. Montana insists she has plans to fix everything, but Paul thinks she's just trying to rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic.

MONTANA: My accountant had ways of cutting corners, so I just lost my design team because I can't afford to pay them.
PAUL: And Leo doesn't know about it? You know you can't run from the tax office.
MONTANA: I am still building a case with the police. I will be arrested after fashion week if my information is good.
PAUL: Leaving all the positive publicity for my hotel in ruins and any profit sucked up by your creditors.
MONTANA: (getting emotional) This is my last hurrah. I have dedicated my entire life to this industry!
PAUL: I see, I get it. We take the hit and you get to massage your ego one last time.
MONTANA: I still have plans to fix it. I have my cosmetics launch coming up, so-
PAUL: Which is why you were scavenging for investors - poor sods.
MONTANA: This is an entirely separate company. If I lose everything I can still make GlaMM a success, I can!
PAUL: What you're going to run the company from a prison cell? You are delusional. Montana you are drowning and you are trying to take everyone else down with you.

Ramsay Street
Kiri returns from the shops and sees Chloe all dressed up, rummaging around in the car for her belongings. She admires her for a moment then makes herself known. Chloe admits how stressed she is about fashion week, so Kiri suggests meditation. Chloe then gets her necklace tangled in her ponytail so Kiri helps her out - neither of them realising Nicolette is watching them from outside #32.

Number 24
Kiri teaches Chloe some meditation techniques, which involves quite a bit of touching. Chloe wonders if she's meant to be feeling dizzy, so Kiri gently places a hand on her chest and stomach, encouraging her to breathe deeper. They end up sharing a 'moment' but are interrupted by Mackenzie and Hendrix arriving home. The moment is doused further when Kiri gets a random phone call from Nicolette. When she goes into the hallway, Max and Hendrix eagerly ask Chloe if something's going on, but Chloe just gives them a coy look.

The Waterhole
Leo is catching up with Terese and asks if she's happy with the hype from the soiree. Terese says she is, aside from blowing the budget. No matter what she tries, herself and Montana can't get on the same page when it comes to money. Terese thinks she'll just have to show her some cheaper runway locations around the city. "As long as it's a good business decision I think you'll win her over," Leo says reassuringly.

Montana trails Paul into the pub and frustratedly asks how long she's got until he spills the beans. But Paul smirks and says he might sit on the information for a while longer. They both act innocent when Leo walks over, commenting on how well they appear to be getting on. Leo then asks if Montana wants to swing by the penthouse later. Montana is evasive at first, but Paul encourages her to go.

Number 28
Karl shows Toadie some new cars he's interested in on his phone, but Toadie is confused and wonders if Karl's suddenly won the lotto. Susan emerges from her room looking for her gardening hat and Karl tells her it might be out the front. While she's gone, Karl makes a confession to Toadie.

KARL: I've invested in Montana Marcel's cosmetic line.
TOADIE: (bursting into laughter)
KARL: (offended) What?
TOADIE: Because you know so much about bronzer!
KARL: Montana is a very astute businesswoman. When this product hits the market it's going to go gangbusters.
TOADIE: Oh you're serious.

Susan passes through the house, hat now in hand, and says she'll be out the back if they need her. Toadie can't believe that Karl has gone behind Susan's back and invested money, but Karl figures once the returns come in she won't have any complaints.

Lassiters Hotel Penthouse
Leo apologises for Abigail crying so much, but Paul has been standing on the balcony musing over Montana and says he barely even noticed. Montana soon arrives and is uneasy being around Paul, so she suggests a walk for herself, Leo and Abigail. But Paul tells them to stay and he'll go instead - he's "got things to mull over anyway". This does not fill Montana with confidence.

Number 24
Round two of meditation is underway with Chloe and Kiri, but they end up having another 'moment' together and very nearly kiss until Mackenzie and Hendrix accidentally interrupt them again. Kiri says perhaps they should call it a day and try again another time. When she goes to her room, Mackenzie and Hendrix sit with Chloe and want the proper goss this time.

CHLOE: I know you said to go for it before, but Kiri wasn't our housemate then.
MACKENZIE: Are you asking for my permission? Because you know you don't need it.
CHLOE: It's common courtesy.
MACKENZIE: I don't want to stand in the way of anyone's happiness.
CHLOE: But?
MACKENZIE: But if things were to go bad it might make things a little awkward.
HENDRIX: Or not.
MACKENZIE: Or not!

Chloe smiles but looks as though she might be rethinking her crush.

Lassiters Hotel Penthouse
Terese stops by to have a quick word with Montana about tomorrow's schedule. She brings up the budget issue, and asks Montana for the chance to show her some alternative runway venues. "I really do believe that we can come up with a plan that will suit my business case as well as yours," Terese says. Much to Terese's surprise, Montana actually says yes.

TERESE: I know it's really boring having to think about this sort of thing, but I really need to answer to my superiors.
MONTANA: Everything catches up with us sooner or later.

Number 24
Chloe smiles when she sees Kiri dancing in the kitchen while she cooks. She offers to help and then brings up the fact that there might be something between them. Kiri agrees, but then also agrees with Chloe when she says she doesn't want to ruin the chill housemate vibe they've got going on.

CHLOE: It's always a risk. Especially with a track record like mine. Relationship disasters kind of follow me around.
KIRI: Maybe you haven't met the right person yet.

They share a look with each other, but then Chloe says she doesn't want things to get messy so they should stick to being friends. "Yeah, just friends," Kiri nods. They both don't look convinced by their decision.

Harold's Café
Karl admires the new lipstick Susan is wearing and she mentions it's the free sample from the GlaMM goodie bag he brought home for her. Susan then thanks Karl for being so gracious about her not wanting to invest with Montana.

SUSAN: I was worried that you would mope about it for days.
KARL: I just want us to be able to have a good retirement. I saw an option I thought could work.
SUSAN: I'm open to other investments, it's just that one seemed a bit too risky.

Over by the counter, Paul's just about to head out with his coffee when he bumps into Terese. He comments that she looks very pleased with herself, and Terese replies that things seem to be going her way for once. "You've probably forgotten what that feels like," she snarks, earning a scowl from Paul.

The Waterhole
Nicolette is having a wine with Jane (while Isla's in the pram) and says she might have to forget about Kiri. After all, there's a whole wide world of people out there for her to meet. Jane suggests a line dancing class, which Nicolette just laughs at. But Jane does think that Nic letting go of her connection to Kiri is sensible. Nic admits she can't just turn off her feelings, though, and still would like to be friends with Kiri at least.

JANE: Well then not much has changed.
NICOLETTE: No, you go in with zero expectations - no harm done.

A patron walks into the bar (who we'll soon discover is called Asher) and compliments Nicolette on her choice of clothes for Isla, saying they put their son in that brand all the time. Nic smiles but then has to head to the loos to change Isla. When she's gone, Jane notices a pride flag on Asher's bag and strikes up a conversation.

JANE: Is that gay pride or just a rainbow?
ASHER: Uh, both.
JANE: And do you sit under the rainbow, or are you more a fan of its colours?
ASHER: Are you asking if I might sit somewhere near you?
JANE: No, not me. But I am an ally. I'm just asking for my daughter. Nicolette's a lesbian! Cisgender.
ASHER: Going in with gender as well as sexuality. Nice.
JANE: Well I'm a teacher you see. It is often the students who are educating me. I've learnt not to make assumptions.
ASHER: Well I'm queer and non-binary.
JANE: Well, off to a good start!

Lassiters Hotel Penthouse
Paul has summoned Montana to let her know that he's allowing fashion week to still go ahead. In fact, he wants her to spend as much of Lassiters' money as she possibly can. Montana has no idea why Paul would want that to happen. But Paul says the hotel chain can take the hit - Terese, however, cannot.

PAUL: Head office will be absolutely furious about the losses and her poor judgement.
MONTANA: (irate) So you're using me as a way to get back at her?
PAUL: Only until she's fired.
MONTANA: Why would you want her to suffer that much?
PAUL: Because it's a means to an end. I want my hotel back, and this is the way we are going to do it. So yes, I'll keep your secret, but there is one more condition.

The Waterhole
Nicolette returns from the bathroom with Isla, apologising for taking so long. But Jane says she had a nice conversation with Asher (who is sitting at another table) and found out they play for Nicolette's team.

JANE: They're queer.
NICOLETTE: Mum are you drunk? There's literally one person sitting there.
JANE: Asher is non-binary. They have a child a similar age to Isla, they're single and they may just be interested.
NICOLETTE: Mum did you just try to set me up?
JANE: I was very subtle. (Off Nic's incredulous look) Well all right, maybe subtle isn't quite the right word.
NICOLETTE: Mum you can't go accosting random lesbians on my behalf. Imagine what she's thinking.
JANE: They, Nicolette. And they're not lesbian, they're queer.

Jane then encourages Nicolette to have a chat with Asher - or Jane could even go over and ask for their phone number for Nic. "No! Seriously, is this what my life has become?" Nicolette exclaims. Asher looks over at them and Nicolette quickly puts on a smile.

Lassiters Hotel Rooftop
Leo has set up a special table for himself and Montana to dine at. Montana clearly needs to have a serious discussion with Leo, but he asks if he can give her a surprise first. Montana is touched when Leo presents her with a bottle of gin labelled 'doyenne'.

LEO: It's used to describe a woman who is highly experienced and a leader in her field - like you. I couldn't think of a more perfect name. (Notices Montana dabbing at tears) I hope those are happy tears.
MONTANA: (upset) Leo, you are an amazing man. And I don't meet many of those. But I can't do this anymore.