Previously
- At the Airbnb, David jokes that he, Aaron, Nicolette and Isla should abscond and live off- grid
- David's in danger of missing his bail check- in when the boat runs out of fuel, but Nic finds some more
- Later, Andrew tells David he's been identified as a flight risk, and needs to come down to the station
- Glen decides to go cold turkey as he wants to be free of the addictive painkillers
- Kiri invites Glen to her birthday party, which he agrees to attend
- Terese warns Glen he'll be going into withdrawal as the party kicks off, but he insists he'll be fine
- Chloe asks Kiri if Nicolette will be invited to the party; Kiri says yes as things are good between them
No 24
Chloe, Kiri and Freya are having fun preparing supplies for the party, when a surprisingly bright-looking Mackenzie comes in. She hugs them, and apologises for not having got Kiri a birthday present.
KIRI: Your presence is the only present I need.
MACKENZIE: Well, I wouldn't miss it for the world. Who else is coming?
KIRI: A few other people... and Glen.
MACKENZIE: Wow! Well, that seems like a step in the right direction.
KIRI: Yeah, I hope so.
Mackenzie goes to her room to put her party dress on.
FREYA: Seems like she's doing alright.
CHLOE: Almost *too* alright.
KIRI: Do you think today will be too much for her?
CHLOE: I think we just take her at face value, and maybe keep an eye on her.
KIRI: Yeah, for sure.
Chloe gives Kiri her birthday present - a cashmere scarf.
KIRI: This is way too much!
CHLOE: I was hoping it would be just enough.
KIRI: No, no, I love it, it's just... you didn't have to spend so much on me.
CHLOE: Friends don't let friends freeze!
There's an awkward moment between them until Freya mischievously blows a party horn.
FREYA: Let's get this party started, hey?
Harold's Café
Paul is back from New York, and is catching up with Leo, who's back from Wollongong having taken Abigail to visit her mum Britney's family. Leo's sorry he missed seeing Harlow before he left; we learn that Paul managed to get an evening with her in Singapore on the way back, as their flights crossed paths.
PAUL: It was a goodbye, but it's never enough, is it?
Jane and Terese come in for a coffee, but Terese is immediately disconcerted to see Paul.
JANE: We could go to The Waterhole if you'd rather?
TERESE: No, absolutely not. I can't run away every time I see him.
Terese walks over and greets Leo, asking if he had a good trip, and ignoring Paul!
PAUL: I had fun on my trip, too. Very productive.
TERESE (tersely): Good for you.
PAUL (smirking): Yeah, I'm sorry about what happened with Estelle. But for what it's worth, I think you're a lot better off without her.
TERESE: Yeah, well, your opinion's worth nothing to me. That's why we're getting a divorce.
JANE: Precisely.
Paul gets a frantic call from Aaron.
PAUL: David is where?!
Erinsborough Police Station
Paul and Leo join David and Aaron in the waiting area at the station. Paul demands answers from Andrew, who's on duty, but he replies that he's following due process so can't tell him anything for now.
PAUL: Oh, come on, this ridiculous! This is my son here.
ANDREW: I'm gonna advise you all to leave, so I can do my job.
PAUL: No, no, we are not going anywhere.
Paul threatens to call David's lawyer, Georgia McNamara, but Aaron tells him she's already on her way. Paul wants to wait for her, but Andrew tells him and Aaron that staying here will only slow things down. Andrew leads David towards one of the interview rooms.
PAUL (yelling): No! I need to know exactly what is going on! I do not want my son being railroaded into something.
DAVID: Dad, please! Just... I'm in enough trouble as it is. Can you let them do their job?
Paul grimaces at Andrew as he and David walk away.
No 22
Glen is really suffering under the symptoms of his withdrawal from the painkillers, his hands shaking as he attempts to wrap a birthday present for Kiri. Terese comes in and starts telling him about David, but notices Glen is really struggling.
GLEN: I'm fine.
TERESE: No, no - you're not. Hey. You can't go to this party.
GLEN: I have to.
TERESE: No, no - the only thing you have to do is see reason. Now, I think you should message Kiri and tell her that you're sick. You wouldn't be lying.
GLEN: No, it'd be copping out.
TERESE: Well, then, the only other option is to tell her the truth.
GLEN: You know I can't do that.
TERESE: She'd understand!
GLEN: I don't want her to have to - she can't know I've relapsed.
TERESE: Hey - hey, there's no shame in it.
GLEN: Her inviting me to this party is a huge deal for her, for us. I'm not gonna risk everything by not turning up.
TERESE: Glen, you are in pain.
GLEN (stubbornly): Look, I can manage it.
No 24
Levi has joined Freya and Kiri, and they're preparing to head to The Waterhole to set up for the party. Nicolette turns up at the door, and asks to speak to Chloe. Freya goes to fetch her from her room, while Levi takes the party supplies out of the house.
KIRI: Hey, are you okay?
Nicolette clearly doesn't want to explain about David, but tells Kiri that she won't be able to come to the party. By way of compensation, she gives Kiri her present now.
NICOLETTE: It's a prayer candle. I know you're not going to church at the moment, so... I hope it gives you what you need.
KIRI: This is really thoughtful. Thank you.
Chloe emerges from her room, and asks Nicolette what's up.
No 32
Chloe has returned with Nicolette, and they are waiting with Jane when Aaron comes in. Chloe hugs him.
CHLOE: The police will see how stupid this is, and David will be home before you know it.
AARON: (...) I just don't understand what happened (...) The first cop said that everything was fine, and then it just wasn't.
CHLOE: Whatever it is, David did nothing wrong; and Andrew is a reasonable guy. They'll sort it out.
Chloe wants to call Kiri and let her know she can't attend the party either, but Aaron tells Chloe she should still go.
AARON: There's nothing you can do here.
NICOLETTE: We're just gonna be sitting around waiting. Kiri's day shouldn't be ruined as well.
Chloe reluctantly leaves, asking them to call her if they hear anything. Jane happens to look out of the kitchen window, and sees there is someone in the back yard.
Aaron, Jane and Nicolette head outside to take a closer look. We cut to the pool in the yard, where a man emerges in slow motion from the water in his boxers.
AARON: Hey! Are you alright there?!
The man grabs a towel from the clothes line.
MAN: The water's a bit warm - but, yeah, I'm good.
AARON: And who do you think you are?!
JANE: Byron!
BYRON: Hi, Mum.
Jane looks thrilled to bits to see Byron, but Nicolette just rolls her eyes!
Erinsborough Police Station
David's lawyer Georgia has arrived, and is having a meeting with him in the interview room. She explains the police have new evidence that David tried to skip bail.
David denies it; Georgia says that if he's found to be in breach, he'll likely be transferred to remand until his sentencing. They could only bail him out again if a family member was very ill, or if they couldn't survive financially without him. Despairing, David confirms neither of these apply. Andrew comes in and begins the interview.
ANDREW: I spoke with Sergeant Sparks at Lakes Entrance Police. And after they saw you, they got a call from the host of the Airbnb where you stayed (...) Apparently they overheard a conversation you had with your family about fleeing the country.
DAVID (laughs): Oh! No, that was just a joke.
ANDREW: When they brought you in, you surrendered your phone. And IT forensics found evidence of web searches about non-extradition countries.
DAVID: Wait - IT forensics? I didn't try to hide it. We were just mucking around.
ANDREW: By planning a getaway and hiring a boat?
DAVID (stammering): No, we... this was just talk! We'd had a few drinks - none of it was serious!
Georgia has been looking increasingly worried, but regains her composure and tells Andrew there is no evidence David made any serious attempt to relocate, pointing out that neither his nor his family's bank accounts have been touched.
DAVID: Look, I know it looks suss. But just go check with Aaron or Nicolette.
ANDREW: I've spoken with Aaron. But he was on the boat with you.
DAVID: Talk to the coastguard.
ANDREW: We have already. They just confirmed that you broke down.
DAVID: Well, then, what am I doing here?!
ANDREW: Because none of this disproves the possibility that you were trying to flee and you just ran out of fuel.
GEORGIA: It also doesn't prove it definitively.
DAVID: Look, I swear I wasn't trying to flee.
ANDREW: (...) People do stupid things when they're desperate.
DAVID: Andrew, please. You know me. You know I wouldn't do this.
ANDREW: Right now, all I need to know is if this conversation in the Airbnb took place. Can you confirm that for me, please?
No 32
Byron has joined Aaron, Jane, Nicolette and Isla indoors. He explains no-one was home when he knocked on the front door.
NICOLETTE: So you came round the back and jumped in the pool like any normal person would? (!)
BYRON: Well, it's a nice lookin' pool. Where were you guys, anyway?
NICOLETTE: Umm, we had a family emergency.
BYRON: Right. Nice to know some things never change when you're involved.
NICOLETTE: Oh, nice to know you're still relying on your looks and not your sense of humour to get by!
Byron asks if the baby is Isla, and Nicolette offers him a chance to hold her, but he backs away and sits on the sofa.
BYRON: it's fine, you can keep her!
JANE: How long are you visiting for?
BYRON: I'm not. I'm moving here.
NICOLETTE: What? But Byron Stone, famous globetrotter, doesn't stay put in one place!
BYRON: Well, Byron Stone has changed.
NICOLETTE: And he still talks about himself in the third person. Nice to know not everything's changed.
JANE: Well, you will have to live with us. We'll make room.
AARON: ...
BYRON: Aww, thanks, but I'm not quite sad enough to live with my mum. No offence.
Aaron gets a text from Paul, and has to rush down to the police station.
The Waterhole
Kiri's party is in full swing, with Chloe, Mackenzie, Freya, Levi and Kiri in attendance. Kiri tells Chloe she doesn't have to be here if she wants to go and support Aaron, but Chloe says he and Nicolette insisted she be here for Kiri. Chloe takes to the centre of the room to make a speech.
CHLOE: Excuse me, everyone! I want to be the first to toast one of the most thoughtful, amazing, generous people I know. And then, after that, we'll say happy birthday to Kiri!
They all laugh and raise a toast. Levi asks Mackenzie how she's feeling; she replies that she's good.
MACKENZIE: Can I ask you guys something? (...) Hypothetically, if I were to return the wedding gifts you gave me, would you be offended?
FREYA: (...) No, of course we wouldn't. I don't think anyone would.
LEVI: Yeah, and nobody expects you to, either.
MACKENZIE: I know. Pierce still wants me to buy an apartment.
CHLOE: Of course he does. That's just his generosity.
MACKENZIE: What do you think? You know him better than anyone.
CHLOE: If you're worried about hurting his feelings by turning him down, you won't (...) but just so you know, that offer is gonna be on the table forever.
MACKENZIE: Thank you.
Lassiter's Complex
David is led out of the police station in handcuffs by Andrew. Paul comes charging over, followed by Aaron.
PAUL: Oh, this is ridiculous!
ANDREW: (...) David will be held in remand until his sentencing hearing.
AARON: Hold on, I gave you my statement and I didn't lie! And you haven't even taken Nicolette's, and she was the one who was looking up countries on David's phone!
ANDREW: We don't need to speak to anyone else. Bail can be revoked, even if we just suspect the accused might flee. And the evidence suggests that he was actually trying to.
PAUL: Oh, it was circumstantial at best!
Paul asks where Georgia is; David explains she's meeting with the partners of the law firm to see if there's anything more they can do, but adds that she wasn't hopeful.
PAUL (to Andrew): You are not taking him anywhere! I paid surety so that he would get bail!
ANDREW: Paul, I'm advising you to move away, before I charge you with obstruction of justice.
Paul glowers at him, but Aaron encourages him to step aside, and Andrew and David go on their way.
Meanwhile nearby, Glen, looking very ill and covered in sweat, is making a beeline for the pub, while Terese follows, still trying to convince him not to go to the party. He insists he just needs water, but then realises with frustration that he's forgotten Kiri's present.
TERESE: Listen, you can't go in there in this state! You'll do more harm to your relationship with Kiri than good!
Glen groans and doubles up in pain.
TERESE: Okay, you need to listen to your body. You can't do this. Not today.
GLEN: I just... need to get there (...) I just need to make it up to her.
TERESE: Okay, you know what, there are gonna be plenty of other opportunities. Do you really want Kiri to see you like this?
GLEN: ... No. I'll text her. Tell her something's come up at work.
Terese again suggests Glen could tell Kiri the truth. He says he will, but not today as it will ruin her birthday. Terese takes him over to a bench to rest.
The Waterhole
Paul, Aaron, Leo and Chloe are discussing David's situation. Georgia has already told them, we learn, that there's nothing she can do.
PAUL: Fine, I'll find another lawyer.
LEO: Dad, you just need to calm down.
PAUL: Don't tell me to calm down, Leo! David might not get out for years.
LEO: Yeah, we're all upset about it but it's not gonna help him. We've got to stay smart, not emotional.
Kiri comes over to express her condolences about the situation. Aaron wishes her a happy birthday, then decides to head off to update Nicolette and Jane. Chloe offers to go with Aaron, but he again tells her to stay at the party, then leaves. Chloe decides to treat Kiri to a cocktail, and leads her to the bar.
CHLOE: What would you like?
KIRI: I would like you to be yourself. You don't have to pretend to be okay for me.
CHLOE: I know, but I have to pretend for me.
Kiri gets a message on her phone from Glen, and looks disappointed as she reads that he isn't coming, saying there's been a work emergency. Kiri thinks she should tell Leo, but Chloe says he has enough to worry about; she's sure Glen has things covered.
No 32
Aaron has rejoined Jane, Nicolette and Byron at home. Nic is feeling guilty for the incriminating web search she made about non-extradition countries.
AARON: It wasn't your fault; it was that woman who tipped off the cops. I mean, we were all joking about David doing a runner.
BYRON: Has he got a good lawyer?
AARON: Uh, Georgia McNamara. She's been pretty good so far, but now David's in jail, so...
BYRON: Yeah, no, I've heard of her. I studied some of her cases in law school.
AARON: Well, she's meant to be the best, but I don't know about that.
BYRON: She is, she's good; you made a solid choice. If there's a way out, she'll find it.
Isla starts crying on the baby monitor, so Aaron goes to check on her. Jane thanks Byron for his input and says she's very glad that he's here.
NICOLETTE (tongue in cheek): That makes one of us.
Byron rolls his eyes and laughs, and Nicolette grudgingly smiles. Jane pulls the pair of them in for a family hug.
NICOLETTE: One and a half, at best.
JANE (to Byron): Oh, you're so *tall*!
Lassiter's Complex
Glen and Terese are still on the bench, and Glen's still feeling nauseous. Deciding some food will help settle his stomach, Terese leaves him to fetch some, saying they'll head home straight afterwards.
But nearby, Kiri and Chloe are crossing the courtyard, Kiri having remembered she left her camera in Chloe's car.
CHLOE: I love how you use a *film* camera. You know your phone has a camera, right?
KIRI (laughs): I didn't expect it to be this cold.
CHLOE: Maybe, umm... I can help with that.
Chloe kisses Kiri on the lips. They smile.
CHLOE: Warmer now?
KIRI: I could be a bit warmer.
Kiri's about to go in for the pash, when she spots Glen sitting on the bench in the distance.
KIRI: Are you kidding me?!
She storms over to him.
KIRI: If you didn't want to come to my birthday, you could've just told me, instead of making up an excuse!
GLEN: No, no, I did want to come!
KIRI: I thought you wanted a relationship, and then you go and do this?!
GLEN: Kiri -
KIRI: You know what? Save it. You've made yourself very clear.
GLEN: No, Kiri, wait!
But she's already marching away.
A little while later, all four No 24 girls are sitting in the courtyard.
KIRI: I actually thought he meant what he said. I should've known.
FREYA: Well, you had no reason not to believe him.
CHLOE: Glen is the one who messed up, not you.
MACKENZIE: Chloe's right. You can't let this ruin your birthday.
The others head back to the party, leaving Kiri to have some space for a few minutes, at her request. But Glen soon approaches, still looking very ill and sweaty.
GLEN: You have to let me explain. I really wanted to be there today.
KIRI: Really, Glen?! Do you know how much I agonised over inviting you, even though I felt like I was betraying my parents?
GLEN: I'm so sorry.
KIRI: I even changed the venue so that you could be there.
GLEN: I'll make it up to you, I promise.
KIRI: I don't want your promises. I... I just want to know why you lied to me.
GLEN (stammers): I had my reasons. You've got to trust me on that.
KIRI: I don't trust you! I don't want anything to do with you. Just leave me alone.
She walks off, leaving Glen looking upset.
Harold's Café
Andrew and Levi are talking, while Terese is sitting by the counter in the background. Levi says they both know David isn't a flight risk, and Andrew agrees, but says he's tried to resolve the situation with his superiors and hasn't been able to - claiming he has 'zero credibility' with them since the Corey sting blew up in his face.
ANDREW: Jokes or not, David's actions classify him as a flight risk. I'm sorry.
Paul has just come in with Leo, and storms over to Andrew, getting right up in his face and jabbing an accusatory finger at him.
PAUL: Oh, you're gonna be sorry alright - *very* sorry! David is a decent man, you know that! So what is this - an ego trip or something? Another notch on your belt to help you climb up the corruption ladder?
LEVI: Paul, go for a walk.
PAUL: No! I'm not letting this go. (to Andrew) You and your family are gonna wish that you never, ever moved into the street, and I am gonna make sure of that.
Terese and Leo look horrified.
ANDREW: I beg your pardon?
LEO: Dad, come on, let's go.
Leo tries to pull Paul away, at which point Paul gets very irate, screaming...
PAUL: Let me go! Let me go!
LEO: What, and let you assault a police officer? Do you want to end up in jail as well?!
Leo pushes Paul down into a chair - and unexpectedly, overcome by emotion, Paul starts sobbing. Terese and Leo look on in surprise.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Glen tells Kiri that he couldn't come to the party because he didn't want her to see him like this
- Toadie tells Terese that all the money Paul ploughed into his mystery investment is now gone
- Terese suggests to Toadie that there must be more to it than meets the eye
- Sadie gives Mackenzie a letter, saying how sorry she is about Hendrix
- Mackenzie looking upset