Previously
- Susan reflects that a lot has happened in the last two years
- Susan is annoyed by Holly's chaotic approach to her job
- Toadie and Terese tie the knot
- Sadie tells Mackenzie that she should 'jump' Haz already
- Mackenzie looks thoughtfully at Haz as he swims in the No 32 pool, but tells Sadie she's not ready
- Byron defends Reece to Holly, saying she's not that bad
- Byron and Reece pash and exchange 'I like yous'; he says he really wants to get to know her
- But later Byron finds documents in Reece's room, and asks why she hasn't been upfront about who she is
- Paul wishes Terese and Toadie the very best, and puts on a brave face for his family
- But in private he mopes over a ring in a jewellery box, and looks pensive
The Penthouse
Paul is with Lucy, Imogen, and Daniel who is suffering from a hangover following last night's festivities. Daniel and Imogen are shortly headed back to LA; Daniel says they wanted to make sure Paul was okay before they go, but he laughs it off.
PAUL: Yeah, life's pretty darn good.
The plan is to spend the morning together, and then Lucy and Paul have 'hotel business' to attend to later.
PAUL: The hotel's ticking along quite smoothly.
IMOGEN: So these new silent partners - they really just let you do your own thing?
PAUL: Yeah, so far. I mean, I've got to admit, I was a bit worried when they first bought your mum's share. I mean, they had their lawyers go through the place, as you can imagine. But, no, don't seem to be too worried about sending anybody out from the US, so... no, as far as Investors™ go, I think the Sinclair family's probably the best thing that ever happened to this hotel.
Lassiter's Hotel
In Reece's room, it seems Byron has uncovered that Reece is a member of this investing family - and is angrily getting dressed.
REECE: It's just a name; it doesn't change who I am.
BYRON: It changes everything (...) You're a Sinclair, you should've told me. You've put me in a really bad position.
REECE: I'm sorry you feel that way. I thought we were having fun.
BYRON: Why haven't you told Paul?
REECE: I'm not ready yet.
BYRON: Ready for what?
REECE: ... Look, I'd appreciate it if you'd keep this to yourself.
Byron doesn't respond to this - just tells her he'll see her later, and walks out, still half- dressed. Reece falls back onto the bed looking frustrated.
No 28
On the sofas, Hugo is playing with his tablet, while Nell reads a book. At the table nearby, Harold is talking in hushed tones with Karl and Susan.
HAROLD: To be honest, I still find it strange seeing Jarrod with Terese.
KARL: To be honest, we were surprised, too.
SUSAN: We all expressed our doubts, but they seem to be truly happy.
HAROLD: Funny, isn't it? The misgivings I had about Melanie being a good stepmother - turned out I was right.
Harold is looking around the room for the Ramsay Street History Book; he wants to get started on updating it. Karl looks a bit concerned and reminds him that he left it at Jane's house.
HAROLD: Oh, yes, yes - young JJ was interested.
Holly comes out of her room, looking for a pre- work caffeine fix. Susan is surprised, as Sam left half an hour ago and she and Holly were meant to be on the same shift.
HOLLY: I can be a little late.
SUSAN: Can you?!
Holly decides to get a coffee from the Waterhole despite her lateness for work, and Susan looks at Karl incredulously as Holly leaves. But Karl changes the subject before Susan can say anything, and she looks frustrated.
No 32
In the garden, Haz has just finished in the pool and is fussing over Trevor, his dog, while Mackenzie drinks coffee on the patio. Haz recommends a swim as a hangover cure following the wedding. They laugh about the drunken frivolity of the reception, not least Mackenzie's chicken dance.
HAZ: You've been holding out on me! (...) I thought you were this high- powered lawyer, when in fact, you're a huge idiot!
MACKENZIE (laughs): Thank you. Allow me to return the compliment - you are also a huge idiot.
HAZ: I try.
Byron emerges from the house and asks if they mind if he leaps in the shower first.
HAZ: Don't tell me you spent last night here?
BYRON: I live here.
HAZ: Yeah, when you're not with your mystery woman.
BYRON: Who says I have a mystery woman?
HAZ: Well, put it this way. One of us is getting some, and it's not me. Is it you, Mackenzie?
MACKENZIE: Not me!
HAZ: So that leaves just you.
Byron is lost for words, and rushes off for a shower. Haz and Mackenzie laugh. Mackenzie goes to make toast, while Haz looks sympathetically at a whining Trevor.
No 22
Toadie and Terese are about to have breakfast. She asks if the estate agent got back to him.
TOADIE: They left a message, yeah, but I was too busy marrying an amazing woman to call them back.
TERESE: I imagine they want to start the campaign straight after school holidays. And I've also done a list of thank- you notes. Did you see the vase that Amy and Zara -
TOADIE: Okey- dokey - thank- you notes can wait. Real estate agents can wait. We are on our honeymoon, woman!
TERESE: I know...!
TOADIE: Do you, really? Because I love that you can take on the world - I really, really do. But maybe you should just stop and take a breath, and relax for the next two days? What do you think?
Terese inhales deeply, then exhales. Relaxation achieved, they go in for a pash!
No 28
Harold is keen to get Karl involved in updating the history book, and also Susan, whom he suggests could write about her retirement. Facing away from him in the kitchen, Susan looks unkeen on this prospect.
SUSAN: Not a lot to say, Harold.
HAROLD: Oh, of course there is. Retirement - a huge milestone.
Toadie comes in, and Hugo leaps up from the sofa to give him a hug. We learn that Hugo and Nell are staying with the Kennedys while Toadie and Terese are away on their honeymoon. Toadie gives Susan a present as thanks for officiating at the wedding.
TOADIE: I know you're still trying to get your head around it all.
SUSAN: Toadie, it was an honour. And it is my fondest wish that the two of you are obscenely happy for a very long time.
She hugs him. Karl notices that Holly has left her work keycard behind again, and Susan sourly remarks that it was probably because she was so late and in a rush.
KARL: Oh, yeah. No big deal.
SUSAN (irate): Really, Karl?! It would've been nice if you had backed me up earlier instead of letting her off the hook!
KARL: I didn't!
SUSAN (shouting): If she keeps this up, she will lose her job!
Susan and Karl realise Toadie, Harold and the kids are all looking awkward, and both apologise for the row. Susan tells Toadie to get off on his honeymoon, and he goes to say goodbye to the kids. Karl looks concerned about Susan's outburst.
Ramsay Street
Sadie and Mackenzie wave at Toadie and Terese as they drive off for their honeymoon. Mackenzie remarks that it must have been weird for Toadie getting married, so soon after Melanie - and weird for Terese and Paul, too. But Sadie changes the subject - she's eager to know what happened with Mackenzie when she and Haz got home last night.
MACKENZIE: We went to bed! Separately, because we're just friends.
SADIE: 'Just friends' with off- the- charts chemistry!
MACKENZIE: Getting on well doesn't mean we have chemistry.
SADIE: That's practically the definition of chemistry!
MACKENZIE: Haz and I have been living together for three months, and it has been awesome. There's no way I'm messing with that (...) Even if I was interested, and I'm not, Haz isn't into me.
SADIE: But it's so romantic! Girl posts 'housemate wanted' ad, and boy and his cute rescue dog show up, like -
MACKENZIE: Sadie! It is not going to happen with Haz. But maybe... I'm ready for someone.
Sadie's attention shifts to the wedding ring on a chain around Mackenzie's neck, and she stops smiling.
SADIE: Does that mean you're ready to take it off?
Mackenzie nods, and removes the ring, smiling.
SADIE: You're ready.
The Waterhole
Reece approaches Byron at the bar, and offers to buy him breakfast - but he's a little standoffish, saying he has things to do before his shift.
REECE: I'm prepared to sweeten the deal with an apology. Please have breakfast with me.
BYRON: Look, I'm sorry - I really can't. I can recommend the eggs benny.
Holly comes in to get a coffee. Reece takes the opportunity to tell her she's expecting a valuable package today, and wants it taking upstairs to her room straight away.
HOLLY (sarcastic): I'm sorry, were you talking to me?
REECE: Yes, I was.
HOLLY: It's just, I actually haven't started work yet, so this is my personal time.
REECE: I see.
HOLLY: Even us peasants have downtime, believe it or not.
BYRON: Holly...
HOLLY: Shh.
REECE: Noted!
Reece walks away.
BYRON: Hoyland, what are you doing?
HOLLY: I'm defending the rights of the working class.
BYRON: Your shift's already started.
HOLLY: She doesn't know that!
Lucy comes in with Daniel and Imogen. Imogen asks after Annie (Lucy's daughter) and her ambitions to be a Broadway star. But Lucy is distracted having spotted Reece at a table.
LUCY: That woman over there looks so familiar. I saw her yesterday, too...
She continues the conversation with Imogen, but is still visibly distracted by Reece.
No 28
Susan closes her laptop as Karl comes in from the garden, where he's been showing the kids the greenhouse. He reassures Susan that he doesn't think Holly will lose her job. But Susan still thinks Holly needs to take it more seriously.
KARL: I'll make sure she is... Is there anything else bothering you?
SUSAN: No. No, that's all.
But neither she nor Karl look convinced. Once he's gone, she opens her laptop - she is scrolling through a website with various jewellery items on it...
Harold's Café
Sadie has come in for a coffee, and Haz enthusiastically recommends the single- origin dark roast, from the central Peruvian highlands - with nut flavours, chocolate, and a hint of caramel aftertaste.
SADIE: Am I allowed to have it with milk?
HAZ: If you want to kill me.
She orders a long black and a toastie, then immediately brings up Mackenzie.
SADIE: You should ask her out.
HAZ: Why would I do that?
SADIE: Because she's awesome. And you guys seem to be getting on really well.
HAZ: We live together (...) 'Never date your housemate' is the first rule of sharehouses.
SADIE: But what if that means you miss out on being with someone really amazing?
HAZ: It's way too messy and risky. Plus, why are we even having this conversation? Even if I was interested in Mackenzie, she is definitely not interested in me.
There's a grumbling noise, seemingly from the kitchen. Haz looks awkward and tells Sadie it's last night's seafood repeating on him!
The beach
Toadie and Terese find a spot on the sand, and have laid down a picnic blanket. Toadie notices Terese's personal organiser and teasingly points out that she wasn't supposed to be bringing work with her. She explains she's got her meeting with the council next week, and just wants to run over her proposal again.
TOADIE: Which you've done a million times. You're meant to be relaxing.
He kisses her, but Terese is still keen to 'quickly skim over' her proposal, telling him that if he lets her, she won't look at it again for the rest of the day. But Toadie tells her he has a counter- offer, and tries to prise the organiser from her hands, to no avail! Eventually she relinquishes it, and he puts it in her bag, telling her to lay back and relax.
TOADIE: Don't think about work, and enjoy the first day of the rest of our lives.
She smiles, and they kiss. But as Toadie begins preparing the picnic, Terese looks a little crestfallen that she can't get back to her document!
Harold's Café
Harold comes in and is greeted enthusiastically by Haz. Harold correctly surmises that Haz is the new leaseholder.
HAROLD: Have you made friends with the possums in the roof yet?
HAZ: How do you know about the possums in the roof?
HAROLD (laughs): I used to own this place years ago. Harold Bishop.
They shake hands.
HAZ: The original Harold! This is so cool. I'm Haz.
HAROLD: Haz, yes. Is that short for something?
HAZ: Hari - believe it or not!
HAROLD: Marvellous.
HAZ: I've been baristing for years. Finally saved up the cash to buy this place. It was a bit of a shock to my parents when I moved out. But here I am.
There's another grumble from the kitchen, which Haz again attributes to his stomach, claiming he hasn't eaten all morning. He offers to buy Harold a coffee, eager to learn about how the café first started. Harold says he can go one better, and goes off to fetch something, saying he'll be right back. While he's gone, Haz looks furtive and creeps into the kitchen. Trevor is in there!
HAZ: Buddy... come on, I am breaking regulations here. We had a deal. You're only allowed to come in if you stay nice and quiet, yeah?
Lassiter's Hotel
Holly is at reception when Karl comes in to drop off the keycard that she left at home this morning. Karl asks how things are going here, but Holly has to take a call, so he leaves her to it.
Paul and Lucy come in; they've just said goodbye to Daniel and Imogen who have flown back to LA. Lucy suggests Paul could come to the US and call in both on them and on her in New York. Paul says he may just do, since things at the hotel are running smoothly. Karl greets them.
KARL: Good to see you at the wedding.
PAUL: I was grateful to be invited.
KARL: Yeah. It couldn't have been easy for you, though?
PAUL: Oh, Karl, I am over the moon for Terese and Toadie, okay?
LUCY: Mm, well, that's the official line, and he's sticking to it.
PAUL: Because it is true.
KARL: Hey, how's Holly working out?
PAUL: Uh, yeah, she needs to be managed - but don't worry, we'll train her up, won't we?
Lucy awkwardly doesn't comment on Holly, and excuses herself, saying it was nice to see Karl. Karl thanks Paul for giving Holly the opportunity, but it seems like he can tell neither Lucy nor Paul are very satisfied with her work.
Byron arrives behind the front desk, and Holly starts shaking Reece's valuable parcel, which has just arrived, to try and work out what's in it. He snatches it off her and puts it down, reminding her it's expensive. Byron asks Holly to take it straight to Reece's room.
HOLLY: What's in it for me?
BYRON: How about I don't tell anyone that you were over an hour late this morning.
HOLLY: It was 45 minutes.
But Byron makes it clear he knows differently - so Holly grudgingly agrees to take the parcel upstairs, adding that Byron owes her.
The beach
Toadie and Terese are relaxing after their picnic, but Toadie soon guesses that Terese is still thinking about work.
TERESE: It's just so hard to relax when I know there's so much riding on Power Road.
TOADIE: I get that the retirement village means a lot to you -
TERESE: Retirement *experience*, thank you.
TOADIE: Sorry.
TERESE: And this is the first time that I've built something from scratch (...) I've got one shot at impressing the council.
TOADIE: Alright. If it's gonna freak you out, then work away.
He passes her the organiser, saying he was hoping they could relax together before he moves into her house and the kids go back to school. But Terese grabs the folder, thanking him and promising it won't take long.
TOADIE: I love you.
TERESE: I love you too.
He gives her a back massage while she reads her documents. A change comes over her demeanour, almost like a miniature epiphany.
TERESE: You know what? You're right - you're right, this is our honeymoon. I need to get better at switching off.
TOADIE: Well, I am the guy for that!
She hands him back the organiser, and tells him she won't look at it again until they get home. They hug and admire the view.
Harold's Café
Harold is telling Haz about the café's history, and how it used to be called Daphne's, the Hungry Bite, and the Holy Roll. Harold is also showing Haz the history book.
HAROLD: Here's one of Madge and I. Oh, she ruled this place with an iron fist... in a velvet glove.
HAZ: Tell me more about her.
HAROLD: What, my lovely Madge? Oh, dear. Where do I start?
Nearby, Susan and Karl are with Mackenzie for a catchup. Susan points out that Holly's on her fourth job since she moved to Erinsborough, but Karl says Paul was confident about training her. Susan asks Mackenzie if Holly's said anything to her about her job; only that she's settling in, Mackenzie replies. Karl assures Susan that if she'd seen Holly at reception earlier, she'd have been very impressed.
Lassiter's Hotel
Holly enters Reece's room, looking mischievous, and leaves the parcel on the table, while Karl's and Susan's dialogue continues as voiceover.
KARL: She was professional, she was engaged.
Holly takes a bite of an apple from a bowl on Reece's desk.
KARL: If I was a guest at the hotel, I wouldn't have been able to fault her.
Holly throws herself backwards onto Reece's bed, and tries out some of her perfume.
SUSAN: So you honestly believe she's taking this opportunity seriously? You don't see any warning signs at all?
Holly steals some mini bottles of wine from the room, then makes a swift exit - before running back in to retrieve the half- eaten apple she left on the bed, and exiting again!
Harold's Café
Karl tells Susan...
KARL: Obviously there's room for improvement, but she knows how important this job is. I'm sure she wouldn't do anything to jeopardise it.
Mackenzie nods enthusiastically, but Susan looks unconvinced.
The beach
Toadie tells Terese about a good place he's heard about to go for breakfast tomorrow - but she's fallen asleep. Toadie smiles and kisses her on the shoulder, waking her up.
TERESE: Hm? What's wrong?
TOADIE: Absolutely nothing. Everything is perfect. You just go back to sleep.
He kisses her again.
Lassiter's Hotel
Reece emerges from the lift and heads to reception, where Holly and Byron are working. Reece asks who took her parcel up earlier; Holly admits it was her.
REECE: Did you touch anything while you were there?
HOLLY: Of course not.
REECE: Well, someone did. My things were moved around (...) You're wearing my perfume!
HOLLY: Don't be ridiculous.
REECE: That's a specific blend made just for me - I'd recognise it anywhere! You went through my things.
Paul has appeared, and asks Holly if this is true. Holly denies it, but Reece insists her privacy has been invaded. Lucy emerges from the lift.
HOLLY: I did not invade anything! As if I'd want to smell like you anyway!
But Lucy interrupts, realising why Reece looks so familiar.
LUCY: Oh my god! I just figured out who you are. You're a Sinclair. You're Reece Sinclair!
Paul looks flummoxed, as Reece and Byron look shifty.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Remi tells Cara she wants to make sure they're doing the right thing
- Cara replies that she'd never put their family at risk
- Reece looks pensive in her room, as she fiddles with her phone
- Lucy asks Paul why Reece wouldn't make her presence known; he replies it's because she's a spy
- Reece tells Byron she wants to keep seeing him
- Karl asks Susan what she isn't telling him; but Susan's worried if she says it, there's no coming back
