Previously
- Melanie feels anxious around reminders of Sonya after moving into No 30
- Zara tells Amy that if she's not in love with Toadie, she needs to stop leaning on him
- Zara assists Amy with her foray into online dating, and asks her to picture her perfect man
- David's lawyer Georgia tells him he'll be put on remand having been caught joking about absconding
- Terese tells Paul she knows about his offshore money- hiding; he makes a call to check the money is secure
- Leo tells Paul that he and Aaron can't deal with David's situation alone; they need Paul to focus on him
- To this end, Paul stops trying to outdo Terese, and offers her a generous price for her share of the hotel
Lassiter's Complex
It's dark as Terese stands in the courtyard, staring up pensively at the hotel. Glen turns up beside her.
GLEN: I wondered where you'd got to... It's alright, you know. Josh's memory lives in you. Not a building. It's okay to let it go.
No 32
Leo and Paul are on the patio, setting a table for dinner as they discuss Paul's offer to Terese, which Leo thinks is pretty generous.
PAUL: Yeah, well, it's only money, isn't it? I mean, you were right. It's gonna be good to get this divorce out of my hands.
Aaron emerges and tells them that Georgia, David's lawyer has just texted; she's on her way to see them, though we don't learn why. Aaron thanks Leo and Paul for their help this evening; it seems Nicolette and Jane are out somewhere with Byron.
PAUL: Isla was a bit of a handful to get down.
AARON: Yeah. Dunno if she's picking up on my stress or if she misses David, but she's just... she's been really unsettled.
Georgia arrives, and informs the trio that the remand centre David was being held at is over capacity, so they're moving him to another facility - a maximum security prison. Paul and Aaron look horrified.
No 30
Amy and Melanie are discussing the drinks van; they're waiting for some menus to get printed showcasing their new range, but agree that they can unofficially launch the new menu straight away, promoting it on their specials board. Toadie overhears them talking and suggests they pitch the van up near the Community Centre tomorrow, where there will be back-to-back yoga classes, so plenty of potential customers.
MELANIE: It might be a good chance for us to push our mock Monroes. Green smoothie with a spicy kick.
TOADIE: Hey, now you're speaking Sonya's language! The classes are being sponsored by the Sonya Rebecchi Foundation, and nobody loved a green smoothie more than her. This is perfect!
Melanie looks a little awkward on hearing Sonya's name; while Amy, still keen to prove herself not to be reliant on Toadie, tells him they can work out for themselves where to pitch the van. A bemused Toadie walks off. Amy admits to Mel that setting up by the Community Centre does sound perfect, catering to the health and fitness crowd. She suggests they go through the mocktail list, but Melanie is still distracted...
No 32
On the patio, Georgia explains to Aaron, Paul and Leo that overcrowding is a common problem at remand centres. Paul says she has to do something, saying sending David to a maximum security prison is completely inappropriate. Georgia maintains there's nothing she can do, but tells Aaron she'll arrange for him to see David tomorrow once he's been transferred. Paul continues to argue that David doesn't belong in jail.
The Sonya Wall
The following morning, the Drinks Divas van is pitched right next to the giant mural of Sonya near to the Community Centre.
MELANIE: I'm not sure about this spot (...) There's not much cover. Maybe we should go closer to the lake?
Amy insists that they're in the perfect spot to pick up sales from passing yoga class clientele. But Melanie is disconcerted by the face of Sonya watching over them. Amy follows her gaze up to the mural.
AMY: It's impressive, isn't it? Ned did such an amazing job.
MELANIE: Yeah... I just don't remember it being so big.
AMY: I wish I met her.
MELANIE: Everyone sure seemed to love her.
AMY: Despite what she went through, she really touched people's lives. Maybe we should use her as inspo.
At this point, some customers arrive, so Amy heads back into the van to serve them. Melanie continues to be rattled by Sonya's presence...
Lassiter's Hotel
In the lobby, by Josh's plaque, Terese and Chloe are discussing Paul's buy-out offer and whether Terese will accept.
TERESE: I'm still not sure. I have so much history here.
CHLOE: Yeah, I get it. It's hard to let go.
TERESE: But really, what am I actually letting go of? A plaque that I can come and visit any time? Maybe Glen's got a point.
CHLOE: I know you don't want to hear it, but I think Paul does too (...) yes, you own shares in this business, but it's always been his, not yours (...) With the payout, you could walk away from all of that. Build something of your own, and finally get the recognition you deserve.
Chloe leaves Terese to contemplate it, and joins her assistant Sam at the reception desk.
SAM: You look sad.
CHLOE: I am a bit. Terese talking about what ties her to the hotel is making me think about what ties me here, too.
SAM: What's that?
CHLOE: It used to be Terese. She's been such an amazing business mentor. But now she's thinking about selling, so... I don't know.
Over in the corner, Terese is touching Josh's plaque fondly.
The Sonya Wall
Trade seems to be going well at the drinks van, and Melanie opts to do some prep before the next big rush of customers. Amy gets a message from a guy she's been talking to on her dating app, asking if they can meet up for coffee now. Melanie observes that the guy in question is 'cute' and encourages Amy to go, saying she'll hold the fort here.
MELANIE: Good luck - I hope he's your Prince Charming!
AMY: Not that I believe in fairy tales - the idea of a once-in-a-lifetime love... I mean, who gets that?
Amy walks away, and Melanie finds herself staring up at the mural once again.
Harold's Lakeside
Toadie sits watching from a nearby table as Amy convenes with Ben Fenlon-Bone, her date; and it soon becomes clear that the character is a tribute to Neighbours vloggers and superfans, the 'Neighbens', being obsessed with a soap opera called 'One-Way Street' (one of Neighbours' working titles) with some curious parallels to our own...
BEN: Amy! Or, should I say, Joselyn Steepleford? You look even more like her in real life.
AMY: I don't know who that is!
BEN: She plays Ally on 'One-Way Street' (...) When I saw your profile, I knew we had to meet up. You could be her long-lost twin sister - separated at birth by a well-meaning nun, hmm?
AMY (laughs awkwardly): That is, uh, oddly specific - but sure!
BEN: Mm. Sadly, uh, the show's finishing up. But me and other 'street fighters' are celebrating right to the end.
AMY: You're a street fighter?
BEN: It's what me and other superfans call ourselves.
AMY (awkward): Oh, that's... wow!
Meanwhile, Terese and Glen have stopped to chat to Toadie at the other table. Toadie asks how Glen's doing; he says he's back on the straight and narrow after having gone cold-turkey with his meds.
TERESE: He's been incredibly strong.
TOADIE: Well, my door is always open and my phone is always on, any time you need support.
GLEN: Thanks. But I think I've got all the support I need right here.
He puts an arm around Terese, and they walk off together. As they move towards the lake, Glen admits to Terese that life feels good - he's clean of the drugs, surrounded by great people, and in a good place with Kiri.
GLEN: And it's all down to you.
TERESE: Oh, I can't take all the credit.
GLEN: I'm serious. Without you by my side, none of this would've happened. You mean everything to me, Terese.
TERESE: Well, just quietly, you mean everything to me, too!
Back outside the café, we rejoin Amy and Ben on their date. Ben reveals he's a 'One-Way Street' vlogger.
AMY: I should've guessed! So, moving on, what do you do for fun?
BEN: ... Well, I have a pretty neat party trick (...) I can recite an A-to-Z of 'One-Way Street' in under five minutes.
AMY: Well, too bad it's not a party!
BEN (laughs): I'm feelin' festive!
Nearby, Toadie watches, sensing Amy's patience is wearing thin!
Lassiter's Complex
Chloe hugs Aaron as she learns of David's transfer to the prison, while Paul and Leo look on. Chloe heads home with Aaron to support him, while Paul walks into the hotel where he's quickly accosted by Terese.
TERESE: I've thought it through, and I've decided to accept your offer.
PAUL: Okay, that's good. Good.
TERESE: I just want it to be done with. You know, the sooner our divorce goes through, the sooner we can get on with our lives.
PAUL: I agree entirely. But listen, it's probably gonna take me a few weeks to get the contracts drawn up. David's just been moved from remand to a maximum security prison.
TERESE: That's awful.
PAUL: Yeah. But it's not a stalling tactic, believe me.
TERESE: No, no, of course not. I understand; you need to focus on your family. Just let me know when you can.
Warrinor Prison
David is led into a processing room, where he has to apparently be strip-searched by a prison officer, Adam Gerace, before being given prison clothes to change into. His fingerprints and mugshots are then taken, and he's led away to a cell, where he sits on the bed, looking traumatised.
Harold's Lakeside
Toadie is working as Amy's date with the soap fan continues. He's almost at the end of his A-to-Z recital.
BEN: 'W' - *the* wedding. Hm? Need I say more?
AMY: No! But I'm sure that you're going to!
BEN (laughs): 'X' - xylophone. Used by Dr Ken, in both band *and* roadside tracheotomy. 'Y'...
AMY: ... is a very good question!
Toadie can't take any more, and walks over to intervene, making up an excuse about Amy's dog 'Ziggy' having escaped, to give her a reason to abandon the date. Amy gladly takes the get-out, telling Ben she has to run.
BEN: It's fine, it's your dog - I understand you gotta bounce. But, you know, I will text you and organise another 'D' for date, hm?
AMY: I don't think so, Ben. But, look, good luck with everything.
She rushes off with Toadie.
AMY: He's so nice - he was just kind of, umm, focused.
TOADIE: The old Amy would've walked ages ago.
AMY: I know. I miss the old Amy.
TOADIE: Yeah, so do I. I wasn't sure you'd even accept my help after last night.
AMY: ...
TOADIE: So, I'm not imagining it. There is some kind of issue?
AMY: No, of course there's not.
TOADIE: Come on, Ames. You don't even want to do cocktail hour anymore. And you look for any excuse not to talk to me. Have I done something wrong?
AMY: No, I'm just busy!
TOADIE: Yeah, being held date-hostage by a 'street fighter'. Come on.
AMY: Well, how else am I supposed to find my special someone?
Amy rushes off in the opposite direction, saying she has to get back to Mel at the van. Ben waves at her, so Amy starts calling out her fake dog's name, pretending she's looking for it!
AMY: Ziggy! ... Ziggy!
Warrinor Prison
David is relieved when Aaron and Paul turn up for a visiting session. David tells them he can't stay in here - he can't bear the 'energy' of the place.
DAVID: It feels like anything could happen at any time.
PAUL: To tell you the truth, David, anything can.
AARON: No, Paul...!
PAUL: I'm saying this because I know what prison's like. And I know how to survive - David, you have to stay strong to stay safe.
DAVID: I don't know if I can.
PAUL: Look, it's just a game to these people in here. But you're smart, you're strategic. David, listen to me - you need to find somebody that you can trust, and align yourself with them.
AARON: No, Paul, you can't trust anybody in here. They're criminals.
PAUL: I'm not saying this to scare you. David, you cannot do this on your own. It's the only way through, do you understand?
No 30 / The Sonya Wall
Melanie arrives home, looking troubled - and is soon confronted by Sonya's photo smiling at her from the fridge. Amy is back in front of the mural and calls Melanie, demanding to know why the van's no longer there. Melanie claims that footfall got quiet, so she left; but Amy tells her to come back, as the area is now crawling with potential customers and they're losing business.
MELANIE: I'm done for the day.
AMY: No, we are not! We were gonna launch the new menu!
MELANIE: I decided it wasn't the time or the place.
AMY: What is going on with you?!
MELANIE: (...) We're just different people, okay? We do things differently!
Getting increasingly stressed, Melanie hangs up on Amy, and then puts another, framed photo of Sonya that is staring at her face-down on the sideboard, before dropping to the sofa despairingly.
Lassiter's Lake
Paul is walking across the lake while on the phone to Leo, filling him in on the visit with David. Paul tells Leo that he'll be home shortly, and ends the call - then stands on the walkway in contemplation as a rendition of 'Wonderful Life' begins.
No 22
In the back garden, Terese is looking through a photo album from her wedding to Paul. Also in the album is a sheet of paper with her wedding vows printed on it. She reads it, looking sad.
Lassiter's Lake
Paul takes his wedding ring from his pocket, and hesitates before dropping it into the lake - then walks quickly on his way.
No 22
An emotional Terese is setting fire to the wedding vows on the barbecue...
No 30
Melanie is still on the sofa when Amy arrives home, and declares her 'super rude' for hanging up on her. At first Amy assumes Melanie was annoyed with her for going on the date, and says she should've just been honest about it, before trying to persuade Mel that they need to get back to the Community Centre to make the most of the passing yoga trade.
MELANIE (quietly): ... I can't.
AMY: What do you mean, you can't?
MELANIE: I can't.
Amy then sees that Melanie is holding the framed photo of Sonya, and that she's also taken a collage of family photos off the wall. Amy sits down next to Mel.
AMY: Hey, what is going on?
Mel looks upset.
Warrinor Prison
David is standing alone in the recreation yard while other prisoners prepare to play football. One of them approaches him, introducing himself as Dan Waskett, and asks if David wants to join them.
DAVID: No, thank you.
DAN: Doc doesn't want to get his hands dirty, all of a sudden? Yeah, I know who you are, and what you're in for. Manslaughter.
DAVID: It's a bit more complicated than that.
DAN: I bet Gareth Bateman would say the same. If you hadn't killed him.
DAVID: You knew Gareth?
DAN: Me, personally, never met the guy. But I, uh, can't speak for others.
He glances over at the other footballers, who seem to be watching them with interest.
DAN: Word is, he's got a lot of mates. If I were you, I'd watch my back.
He pats a rattled David roughly on the shoulder, and walks away...
Coming up on Neighbours
- David tells Paul and Aaron about his conversation with Dan, saying members of Gareth's gang are here too
- Aaron says they'll do everything they can to get David out
- Paul notices a familiar face among the other inmates - Holden Brice
- Chloe tells Kiri they shouldn't have to force anything, seemingly after another awkward intimate encounter
- A tearful Melanie tells Amy that being in Sonya's shadow is 'just too much'
