Previously
- Grant promising he'll let Mackenzie grieve in her own way
- Sadie discovering a video of Hendrix on the school camera
- Grant asking Sadie to keep the video to herself for now
- Amy not having a good time with her online date
- Amy telling Toadie that Mel's freaking out about Sonya's presence
- Melanie feeling disappointed that Amy betrayed her trust
- Byron realising he heard Clive's voice on his client's phone call
The Waterhole Exterior
Byron asks Clive twenty questions about his job until Nicolette exclaims how bored she is. When Jane and Clive duck inside for the dessert menu, Nic asks her brother why he's being so weird. Byron claims he's just trying to "get to know the guy", but Nicolette informs him that Clive's not that interesting. When Jane and Clive return, Jane asks if Clive wants to attend the art gallery with her tomorrow. However, Clive has an important work lunch he can't miss. Byron files away the info that Clive's lunch will be at an Italian restaurant.
Number 30
Amy wants to watch a movie with Zara but can see that her daughter is stewing over something. Zara says the vibes have been off between Mel and Amy all week and she wants her mum to fix things. When Mel walks in, Zara makes an excuse to leave so the two women can talk.
AMY: Mel, I just want to apologise again. I really didn't know that telling Toadie about how you felt would hurt you so much.
MELANIE: I know.
AMY: But I shouldn't have done it, I'm sorry.
MELANIE: You betrayed my trust and that really hurt. But I've had a good, long think about it and I am going to let it go.
AMY: (smiling) Phew!
MELANIE: I don't want to hold onto any negative emotions. And in the end it's brought Toadie and I closer together.
AMY: I'm really happy for you.
With the air cleared between them, they decide to watch a movie.
Ramsay Street
The next morning Wendy finds Sadie staring morosely over at #24. Then they see Grant taking out the rubbish at #28 and Wendy encourages her daughter to speak to him. "He's already shot me down once," Sadie replies. "I feel weird not giving the videos to Mackenzie." When Sadie heads home, Wendy tries her luck with Grant and suggests that Mackenzie should watch the videos of Hendrix. While Grant is sorry Sadie got caught in the middle, he still doesn't think Mackenzie should see the footage right now.
WENDY: Yeah but don't you think that's her decision to make?
GRANT: It's not the right time. The last thing she needs is a reminder of what she lost.
Number 32
Nicolette is in a tizz trying to get Isla's breakfast ready before she goes to work, so Jane steps in to help her. Byron calls in to see them and Nic jokingly says Clive's not there in case he was planning on harassing him again.
JANE: I think it's sweet Byron wants to get to know Clive.
BYRON: I just want to make sure he deserves mum.
JANE: Well Clive is wonderful. He's never done anything but treat me well.
NICOLETTE: Okay, no sap before morning coffee.
Jane asks if Byron wants to join her at the art gallery today but Byron says he's got a few things on already.
JANE: I hope Toadie's not working you too hard.
NICOLETTE: As if.
BYRON: Actually he has been doing some work for this nice lady. You might know her, I think she's a teacher.
NICOLETTE: Oh yes, because mum knows every teacher in the city.
BYRON: Her name's Danielle.
JANE: No, I don't know any teachers called Danielle.
Byron then asks if his mum knows anyone at called Danielle, but Jane says she doesn't. Nicolette starts to look curious at Byron's line of questioning.
The Waterhole
Kiri hopes that Chloe's having a nice time in Adelaide with her family, and also earning a well-deserved break from Paul. Mackenzie musters up a "yeah" in response, and only wants a water when Kiri orders an OJ from Wendy. The girls take a seat and Kiri says she's glad Mac sorted things with her dad. Mackenzie's embarrassed when Kiri mentions she heard from Freya about Mac wearing the wedding dress, but Kiri says she thinks it's beautiful.
MACKENZIE: You don't have to lie, Kiri, I know it's weird. I just want to be reminded of that day again.
KIRI: It's not weird. You have to do whatever you need to to get through this.
MACKENZIE: Putting on that dress made me feel better. Like I was close to him again. Our wedding was so perfect. I never want to forget how that felt. I just want to re-live it over and over again.
Wendy brings their drinks over and overhears the conversation.
WENDY: I'm sorry for eavesdropping, but would it really comfort you that much to re-live it?
MACKENZIE: Yeah, it would.
WENDY: Then I may know a way that you can re-live your wedding.
Number 28/Number 30 Sunroom
Grant gets a phone call from Toadie, who just heard that Karl and Susan are on their way home and wanted to give him a heads up. But Grant's already heard from the K's and they told him he can stay for as long as he wants.
TOADIE: Mackenzie will be relieved. How's she coping?
GRANT: Suffering in silence. I thought she was getting better but she's spending a lot of time in Hendrix's room.
TOADIE: Right, well she's been doing a pretty good job of convincing everyone that she's handling things. How are you?
GRANT: This is the first time in Mackenzie's life I can be here for her and I don't know how to help her.
TOADIE: Sometimes just being there is enough.
GRANT: I'm not so sure. Sadie found a whole lot of videos of Hendrix rehearsing his wedding vows. I thought it would make things worse, so I told her to keep it to herself.
TOADIE: Now you're wondering whether or not that was the right thing to do.
GRANT: Yeah.
Harold's Café
Nicolette sees that Amy's on the dating apps and asks what she's after. "Anything uncomplicated," Amy replies, as she's sick of the mind games all the guys seem to play. Nic mentions a friend of hers recently paid for a date with an escort - she had fun without any hassle. Amy figures that probably won't lead to anything long term, but Nic says that wasn't the point. Her friend had a good time and was in control. Amy looks tempted by the idea.
Apartment
Danielle is lounging by the pool while Byron cleans it. Wanting to dig up more info on Clive, Byron takes a chance and asks Danielle some questions about her real life. Danielle says she's having coffee with an old friend today and then heading out to lunch. Byron's interest is piqued when Danielle adds that it's at an Italian restaurant with an "exceptional gentleman".
Harold's Café
Amy is looking at 'The Female Fantasy' site on her phone where a man named Harvey J has caught her eye. The photos are only of Harvey's chest, but that's enough for Amy. Nicolette is stoked to hear that Amy took her advice and encourages her to make the date at the Café so she can have a sticky beak.
Ramsay Street/Number 24
Wendy stands outside #24 with Sadie and panics when Grant approaches. She tells him he can't go inside the house. "Why? What's happened?" Grant asks.
Mackenzie has been given the video of Hendrix. She watches it on her laptop and the footage makes her smile for the first time in ages.
HENDRIX: Dear Mackenzie-no, no, that's too formal. Mackenzie, you are my queen. Without you, who knows where I would be. Ugh, if she finds out you're this corny she'll never marry you. (Regrouping) Okay, Mackenzie I hope you know you're not marrying a good public speaker! In fact, if that's what you're after, we may as well fill out the divorce papers right now.
Back on the street, Grant is annoyed with the Rodwell ladies, but Wendy shoots back that Mackenzie has the right to make her own choices. Grant argues that it's not about Mackenzie at all, it's about Wendy trying to make Sadie feel better.
WENDY: It took a lot of courage for Sadie to tell you about this.
GRANT: And she should have stayed out of it.
Mackenzie walks down the driveway and confronts her dad. Toadie sees what's going on and also walks over.
MACKENZIE: Wendy's right, dad. It's my choice, you should never have made it for me.
GRANT: I was trying to protect you.
MACKENZIE: All I've wanted is another moment with Hendrix. Even just a second of his smiling face, and these videos have given that to me.
TOADIE: Mackenzie-
GRANT: I was waiting for a better time to give them to you.
MACKENZIE: How can you not see that this is what I need now? (Yelling) Even Wendy understands, and she doesn't even know me! (Taking a few ragged breaths) Hey, you and I agreed to be honest with each other. And you have gone and done the complete opposite of that. But I should have known - you've always been a terrible father.
Grant is shaken.
Lassiters Complex
Byron gets a text from an unknown number that says someone would love to have a drink with him later if he's free. Nic sees him and jokes that he's stalking her because he has no friends. Byron retorts that he's texting a friend right now, but when Nic points out he's using his work phone, Byron lies and says it's Toadie. He then sees Clive across the complex and jumps up to follow him, brushing off Nicolette when she says his obsession with Clive is weird. He quickly texts back that he'd love to join the unknown 'friend' for a drink and resumes his chase after Clive.
Number 24
Mackenzie storms back inside, quickly followed by Grant and Toadie. Grant admits it was wrong of him to interfere but he was worried about her "obsessing all alone". Mackenzie takes umbrage with this.
MACKENZIE: I can't believe you're calling my grief over my dead husband 'obsessing'! Hendrix died three weeks ago! I think about him every second of the day. I dream about him, then I wake up and remember he's gone.
TOADIE: Maybe we should just take a minute to calm down.
MACKENZIE: Oh sure, then you can tell dad how long it's supposed to take getting over the love of your life. Didn't take three weeks for Sonya, did it.
Toadie doesn't have an answer for her. Mackenzie stares at her father.
MACKENZIE: If I want to deal with it by watching videos of Hendrix in my wedding dress, curled up on his bed, then you need to let me.
GRANT: I know that now and I'm sorry.
MACKENZIE: I don't need people talking about me, or judging me, even if they are trying to help. It's not like this is my first time losing someone.
GRANT: And you don't have to do it without me this time. That's why I'm here.
MACKENZIE: You were never there when I needed you. And I don't want you here now. I want you to leave Erinsborough.
The Waterhole
Nicolette finds Amy ready for her date and wonders how on earth she's meant to spy on her at the pub - there's only so many times she can pop in for milk. But Amy didn't want everyone's eyes on her so she asked the escort to meet her in the pub first and then they'll head into the city. Nic doesn't understand how the escort will recognise her, but Amy's got a yellow scarf to wear. Byron suddenly saunters in, takes one look at his client in her yellow scarf talking to his sister, and runs out. Amy's very disappointed when the escort texts to say he can't make their date as he double booked himself.
Number 24
Mackenzie emerges from her room to find her dad still in the kitchen. Grant says the last thing he wanted when he came to town was to make things worse. So if she really wants him to leave, he will. "Okay," Mackenzie replies, not looking his way.
GRANT: I was overprotective, I know. I was trying too hard to make up for the past. But you've got a lot of support here already. You're surrounded by some of the best people I've ever met. I hope one day you'll give me another chance to make things right.
Grant leaves and Mackenzie wants to burst into tears but wills herself to stay strong.
Harold's Café
Byron has sent a text to Danielle asking how lunch went. She replies that 'it was wonderful as always'. When Byron gets up to go to the loo, Nicolette can't help but sneak over to take a look at his phones. But Byron sees her and races back to rescue his belongings.
NICOLETTE: What is this?
BYRON: It's nothing.
NICOLETTE: I know what you're up to. The two phones, being all secretive.
BYRON: I'm not up to anything!
NICOLETTE: This is why you're so obsessed with Clive, because he can get you what you want. You're a drug dealer.
Number 30
Toadie has confided in Mel about Mackenzie and Grant's woes and feels bad he didn't pick up on things sooner. They're about to head over and check on Mackenzie when Amy arrives home in tears. Mel encourages Toadie to comfort Amy while she goes to see Mackenzie instead. Toadie finds out from Amy that she tried to hire an escort for a date but he bailed and didn't even reschedule.
AMY: (crying) It's because I'm hideous.
TOADIE: (sits on the couch with her) What? You're not hideous. You're fun and beautiful and a successful person.
AMY: If I can't even get a professional to date me then how am I going to find someone in the real life?
TOADIE: (putting his arm around her) It's just going to take some time.
AMY: I don't have time. Not if I want another baby.
TOADIE: You still want that do you? Okay, well then it will happen.
Zara notices them on the couch together and listens in on their conversation, looking intrigued.
TOADIE: I have every faith that you are going to find the perfect person who is going to absolutely adore you, and give you all the babies you want.
AMY: I'd just be happy with one, thank you.
ZARA: What's going on?
TOADIE: Just a bad date. I'm reminding your mum that she's just the bestest person I've ever met. And that she will meet her special someone.
Zara appears as though she's looking at the idea of her mum and Toadie in a new light.
Harold's Café
Byron promises Nicolette he's not a drug dealer. But Nic says whatever he's doing needs to stop, because if Jane finds out it will kill her. Byron states that what he's doing is perfectly legal, but he can't divulge what it is.
NICOLETTE: And taking advantage of Clive like that?
BYRON: I'm not taking advantage of Clive. I think he's having an affair.
NICOLETTE: Oh don't think you can talk your way out of this by distracting me.
BYRON: I'm not, I overheard him with one of my clients.
NICOLETTE: Then why is this the first I'm hearing of it?
BYRON: Because it wasn't a client at Rebecchi Law. Don't freak out, and you cannot tell mum. I'm an escort.