Previously
- Reece and Byron continue their relationship, but agree that they can't tell Paul about it
- Reece gets a text from her dad, telling her, 'You'll stay until the job is done'
- Later, she tells Paul that she's not going anywhere
- We learn that Toadie has told Andrew he would burn Melanie's goodbye letter and never look back
- Terese learns that Nell has been planting reminders of Melanie to undermine Terese and Toadie's marriage
- But Terese opts not to tell Toadie, if Nell agrees to give their relationship a chance
- Wendy announces to Paul her ambition to be the new Lassiter's Complex building manager
- Toadie shows Remi and Cara around No 30, saying they'll need to act quickly if they want to buy
- JJ lets himself into No 26 in the hope of finding proof that Andrew knew Cara's friend Philippa
No 26
JJ is still leafing through the Rodwells' photo albums. He's found plenty of pictures of a younger Andrew, and settles on one where he's pictured with two women. He smiles, apparently having found what he was looking for. But at that moment, Sadie walks in, and demands to know what he's doing there. She doesn't appear to have noticed the photo album that he's dropped onto the couch in front of him...
Lassiter's Hotel
In the office, Paul tells Reece that if she's going to be hanging around, they should define her role.
PAUL: It's going to be confusing for the staff if we don't.
REECE: Confusing for the staff, or confusing for you?
At this point, Wendy turns up for the interview for the building manager job. Paul gestures for her to sit down in front of his desk, but Reece takes a seat at the other side of the room and gestures for Wendy to join her there! Wendy takes a strategic position between them both, but Paul relents and joins Reece in the opposite corner.
RRECE: Do you have any experience in this field?
WENDY: Not exactly. But my motto is, 'It's not what you've done, it's what you can do.'
No 26
JJ appears to have wriggled off the hook with Sadie by claiming he came in to borrow some milk!
JJ: Your mum said everyone's relaxed and friendly here, so... she let herself into our house, right? It scared the hell out of us.
SADIE: That sounds like Mum! She once let herself into Karl and Susan's - she got a *lot* more than what she bargained for.
JJ: So we're cool now?
SADIE: Next time, go to the shops.
But she passes JJ a bottle of milk. As he prepares to leave, he notices the photo album's still out on the couch.
JJ: Do you have any sugar?
Sadie goes to fetch some, giving JJ a chance to put the photo album back where he found it. But first, he removes the photo of Andrew and the two women, and puts it in his pocket.
No 22
In the garden, Western- style music plays as Toadie and Hugo have donned war paint for a cricket face- off. Terese and Nell are watching, and Nell seems to be enjoying herself. Terese remarks that it's good to see her smiling.
TERESE: Is it just me, or did we actually have a nice morning?
NELL: It's been fun.
TERESE: I mean, it felt like we did (...) I just want you to be honest.
NELL: I'm fine, Terese. I had a great time.
But neither of them look like they quite believe it. Toadie and Hugo come over to join them - Toadie claims he let Hugo win, but Hugo retorts that he's 'dreaming' if he thinks that!
TOADIE: I was just trying to build up your self- esteem.
TERESE: That's what he said to me, Hugo, when I whipped his butt.
Terese and Toadie are being all lovey- dovey, which makes Nell cringe; and Hugo watches her carefully. We learn that Nell is now an artist, specifically drawing anime (on whose pronunciation she corrects Toadie). Toadie gets a text, seemingly with news about the sale of No 30...
Lassiter's Hotel
Wendy's interview continues - Paul is still concerned about her lack of experience for the role, but Wendy assures him she can learn, and has basically been doing the job anyway by managing recent improvements at the Waterhole. Paul thanks her for coming, and for the initiative she's showed lately.
WENDY: Oh, great! Well, you know where to find me.
She begins making alphabet shapes with her hands, spelling out 'Lassiter's', like a cheerleader!
WENDY: Give me an 'L'! Give me an 'A'!
REECE (baffled): Sorry?
WENDY: Oh - never mind. Thank you.
Wendy walks out, and Reece declares her 'quirky', adding that she likes her. But Paul says he has another lead for building manager that he wants to follow up.
PAUL: And I don't need you to hold my hand.
REECE: Well, let's hire someone by the end of the day.
Paul agrees, but still wants Reece to have some kind of official job title if she's staying.
REECE: Think of me as a consultant (...) Oh, and I've given a positive review to my father (...) He's pleased, so don't lose any sleep over it, okay?
She leaves, just as Leo comes in.
PAUL: I'm not gonna be the one losing any sleep over Daddy Sinclair, I can tell you that.
LEO: You're still thinking about contacting him?
PAUL: No, not yet. But I still think we need to keep digging, though. In fact, I think we should bring Byron into this as well.
Harold's Café
JJ is staring at the photograph he's stolen when Dex comes in, having managed to convince Cara and Remi to let him come and help look for JJ's phone.
DEX: Which we both know is totally bogus.
JJ hands Dex the photo.
JJ: It's Philippa, with Andrew Rodwell. He could be my father.
No 24
Cara and Remi are concerned about where the boys are, as they don't want to make a big decision on buying No 30 without them. Remi asks how Cara's feeling about the plan. Cara has decided that Remi is right about not building a house in Werribee, as it would cost more and take longer than they think. Remi teasingly says she'll have to get a witness to this U- turn so Cara can't back out later.
CARA: I see the possibilities here. I just want us to be happy, boys included.
Harold's Café
Dex is panicking about what JJ has told him.
DEX: This is bad. Really bad.
JJ: Calm your farm.
DEX: How can I? This is like a bomb, waiting to go off.
JJ lays a calming hand on his shoulder.
JJ: Dexter! I'm not gonna say anything.
DEX: Can you promise that?
JJ: Look, I don't want to mess up our family, okay? We'll be leaving the street in a couple of days. Be out of here, and we will never have to see the Rodwells again. Okay?
No 24
Cara and Remi are still waiting for the boys. There's a knock at the door.
REMI: Wendy?
CARA: As if she'd knock.
Sure enough, it's Toadie. He explains he's had an offer on the house. He doesn't want to pressure them, but also doesn't want to lose the other sale - so tells them he can give them an hour to put in an offer of their own.
Ramsay Street
Toadie exits No 24, and he's joined by Andrew as he gazes across the road at No 30.
TOADIE: I keep telling myself it's just a house.
ANDREW: Well, you could always rent it out.
TOADIE: Terese said the same thing, but I dunno. It doesn't feel right. It's time to close this chapter.
ANDREW: Well, it's lucky you still have me, eh?
TOADIE: You don't come with a pool.
ANDREW: Ouch!
TOADIE: I reckon you would've loved the House of Trouser.
ANDREW: What, sitting around with other blokes in their undies? It's not exactly on the top of my bucket list.
TOADIE: Oh, don't knock it till you try it! They were good times... Best times were with Sonya, though. Oh... I remember bringing Nellyfish home from hospital, and thinking that this is our forever home. Well, for Sonya, it was.
He's becoming emotional, but reasserts that he's selling today, one way or another. Andrew puts a friendly arm around Toadie.
ANDREW: Fancy a drink? With our pants on.
TOADIE: Oh, thanks, mate. But there's something I need to do. Somewhere I need to be.
Lassiter's Hotel
Byron and Reece are in her room, getting dressed. Byron has been summoned to a meeting with Paul and (he presumes) Leo, to discuss Reece, but is filling her in on it. Byron isn't sure whether Paul still plans to call Reece's dad, but says the worst that could happen is her dad will just think Paul's a pest. Nonetheless, Reece is keen for Byron to go to the meeting and find out.
REECE: As long as it's not too much to ask.
BYRON: It is not too much to ask at all. Now that you're staying longer, I might start enjoying this.
He hugs her, but in the mirror we can see Reece is looking a little unhappy, perhaps even guilty...
Soon after, Byron has joined Paul and Leo in the office. Leo suggests they could get his half- sister journalist Elle to dig some dirt on Reece, as she has lots of contacts from the US East Coat, and has spent some time in New Hampshire where Reece's dad Conrad is based. Paul thinks it's a good idea, but also tells Byron he wants him to get Reece talking about Conrad.
PAUL: I know that he is a sensitive topic for her, but let's not forget how strange it is that she's even here (...) She is a senior member of his company, and she's here parading herself as a consultant?
BYRON: Maybe she likes it here...
Paul looks baffled!
BYRON: I mean, uh, why does it have to be something going on with her dad?
PAUL: Byron, this hotel is under siege. And I will not stand for it. Neither should you.
BYRON: No offence - I'm just the porter.
PAUL: No, you're more than that. Look, I know that your mum appreciated me taking you under my wings.
He tells Byron to keep doing what he's doing, while Leo says he'll call Elle. As for Paul...
PAUL: I think it's time I brought out my secret weapon.
No 24
Now under severe time pressure, Cara and Remi message JJ and Dex, to fill them in on the situation about buying No 30. Remi thinks they need to speak to the boys in person, but since they're not answering their phones, Cara points out that they might lose No 30 if they wait.
Harold's Café
Dex gets the message, but declares it the longest in history!
DEX: Build or buy, something about a ready- made house... school... or even Ramsay Street? I dunno. We need to go home right now!
JJ grabs the phone and, without reading the message properly either, starts writing a reply.
DEX: What are you doing?
JJ: I'm buying you time to breathe into a paper bag.
Cara receives a reply, which reads, 'Sorry, been on silent. Just found JJ's phone - low battery. Happy for you to decide everything. Buy, build, school - it's all cool.'
REMI: What - they're happy to change schools? Really? I mean, the hour's almost up - what do we do?
Lassiter's Complex
Paul is on the phone, presumably to his 'secret weapon'. He assures whoever it is that he wouldn't ask lightly, but...
PAUL: Reece is a very closed book, and I need you to pry her open.
He runs into Terese, who is also on the phone, and we quickly realise she is the one he's talking to!
TERESE: You've called me a number of things over the years, but your secret weapon isn't one of them.
PAUL: Yeah, well, there's nobody better to ask - you are top- tier.
TERESE: Oh, enough with the charm! What is it you actually want?
PAUL: I want you to find out her end game. Oh, and also if there's anything with her father that I can exploit.
TERESE: Oh, and then send her packing?
PAUL: Oh, come on, Terese, please. I'm sick to death of constantly being on the back foot with her.
TERESE: Okay, what's in it for me?
PAUL: I'll return the favour, of course.
Paul suggests he might be able to help with Terese's retirement experience development, and she concedes that he has been supportive so far.
PAUL: It's not just for me, it's for the hotel as well. And I know that Lassiter's holds a special place for you, hm? Go on, tell me I'm wrong.
Terese agrees to see what she can do - but only if the opportunity arises. Terese is carrying a cake box and Paul asks if she's celebrating. She explains it's to mark the sale of No 30. He remarks that it looks like their marriage is getting off to a great start - at which point Terese cuts the conversation dead, and walks off!
The Sonya Wall
Toadie stares up at the mural of Sonya, looking very emotional. He takes a piece of paper, which looks like a handwritten letter, from his pocket, and sits on the bench. Nell appears, and sits down too.
NELL: What are you doing here?
TOADIE: Hey, sweetheart. Umm... I just felt the need to see your mum.
NELL: You shouldn't rush the sale of the house.
TOADIE: Darling, we've already talked about this. Part of the money's going to the Foundation.
NELL: What about Melanie? Have you been thinking about her today, too?
Toadie puts the letter he's holding in his bag.
TOADIE: Not anymore. Let's go home.
They walk off together.
No 26
Sadie is lying on the sofa, while Andrew prepares for a dip in the spa. Wendy emerges with champagne, and suggests they can enjoy both types of bubbles. Sadie asks if Wendy got the job.
WENDY: Not yet. But Reece really liked me.
ANDREW: Rolls- Reece.
WENDY: Ah - we do not say that. At least not until I get the job.
Wendy then starts looking for her watch, which she swore she left on the table - but it's nowhere in sight. Sadie insists she hasn't seen it.
WENDY: Well, it hasn't grown legs and walked away!
ANDREW: Nah, that's the next model up.
A thought occurs to Sadie, as she recalls catching JJ in the house earlier.
SADIE: That lying jerk. He was here!
WENDY: Who was here?
SADIE: I think I know where your watch is.
Lassiter's Hotel
Reece is in her room, sending a text message. She leaves it on the bed to answer a knock at the door - we see there's a string of messages between her and presumably Conrad. Those that are legible show Reece saying, 'It's been a long day. Will call when it's morning here.' Conrad replies that there's no need to call if she has nothing new to report, and adds, 'Is there anything Tess can do to help?' Reece's last reply says that everything is under control.
Reece lets Byron in, who feeds back from the meeting with Paul. He explains that Leo has asked Elle to look into Reece and Conrad, but is sceptical as to how much she could find out.
In the office, Leo is telling Paul about what Elle has dug up; apparently, Reece didn't attend the annual Sincast Corp Summit, whereas previously she's never missed it and is usually a keynote speaker. The summit was about a month ago, just before Reece checked in here.
Back in Reece's room, she tells Byron she doesn't like Paul digging around about her family, as they begin to get intimate again.
REECE: I'm loving this time away from them. The longer I can string this out, the better.
BYRON: He also said something about having a secret weapon.
REECE: Oh, did he now?
BYRON: If only he knew you have one, too.
They kiss. Meanwhile, back in the office, Paul's still with Leo...
PAUL: Okay, she's sensitive about Daddy. She misses a key business event. She creates a job for herself here, when she's not even needed. What are we missing, eh?
No 22
Hugo is trouncing Toadie's high score on a computer game, when Terese comes in, finishing up a phone call. She has good news - the other possible site for Eirini Rising, her retirement experience, is looking likely. But there remains an unspecified complication, which Terese looks awkward about. Toadie gets a message from the painters at No 30, saying they've finished, and has a missed call from the estate agent.
Terese says they can discuss Eirini Rising later, and Toadie goes to call the agent back. Hugo asks Terese who the house has been sold to, but she doesn't know yet. Terese goes off to serve up the celebration cake, as Nell comes downstairs, and spies Toadie's bag...
No 24
JJ and Dex sheepishly return home, and Cara and Remi tease them for their lack of responsiveness. It becomes clear that Dex and JJ think they're moving back to Werribee still, and that they never read the message properly.
REMI: Guys, we just bought the house across the road (...) Mum put it all in the message, how we had to make a quick decision. How you would have to change schools.
CARA: You wrote me back.
REMI: Didn't you read the message properly? Guys, this is why you have phones, so we can contact you when we need to.
CARA: This was a really big decision.
REMI: And one we didn't want to make without you. But time was running out.
CARA: Toadie's accepted. He's taken our deposit.
REMI: You will love it here. Won't you?
JJ has taken a seat and has gone extremely quiet. Suddenly he rushes out of the house in panic...
Ramsay Street
... and walks into the street, glancing around at all of the houses - desperate for air, his heart thumping, seemingly having some kind of meltdown as his vision spins. But to make matters worse, he's set upon by angry Rodwells!
WENDY: Hey! Are you making a run for it?
JJ: What?
SADIE: We searched the entire house, and we know you stole Mum's watch.
JJ (panicked): No!
SADIE: You really expect us to believe you just broke in for milk?
ANDREW: Sadie, just hang on!
WENDY: You heard me say that our spare key was up at Jane and Mike's.
ANDREW: Wait, is that true, JJ?
SADIE: We should search his pockets.
But at that point, Cara, Remi and Dex emerge, to find out what's going on.
WENDY: Your son stole my watch.
JJ: I swear I didn't!
CARA: Okay, well if JJ says he didn't do it, then he didn't do it.
WENDY: Oh - oh, I'm sorry, are you one of these parents that think their child can do no wrong?
CARA: No, I'm a parent who has the ability to talk things through, like a normal person!
ANDREW: Okay, people, let's just take it down a notch.
REMI: I'm sure this is just a misunderstanding.
Wendy accuses JJ of waiting till his family was just about to leave Ramsay Street to make his move. He is now very upset, and swears again that he didn't steal anything. An oblivious Toadie appears, and hilariously asks if now is a good time to tell them what a good job the painters have done, and how happy they'll be in their new house.
WENDY: New house?
REMI: Yeah. We're not going anywhere. We're your new neighbours.
No 22
Terese is putting something in the oven, then heads into the back garden. Nell and Hugo are in the living room.
NELL: Do you ever think about the letter that Melanie wrote to Dad?
HUGO: Why are you bringing that up?
NELL: Do you?
HUGO: Dad didn't want us to read it (...) He destroyed it. Stop causing trouble.
Hugo heads upstairs, giving Nell an opportunity to go into Toadie's bag and retrieve the letter. But rather than reading it, she spills the rest of the contents of the bag on the floor, and puts the letter on top of them - so that it looks like an accident. When Terese returns indoors with the washing, she comes to help clear it up. Terese quickly finds the letter.
NELL: Is that Melanie's letter?
TERESE (upset): I recognise the paper, and... and it's her handwriting.
NELL: I thought Dad burnt it or something.
TERESE: So did I. I mean, he told me he had...
NELL: Then why does he still have it?
Terese is disconcerted, and Nell looks smug that her latest scheme is paying off...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Terese asks Toadie why he said he'd destroyed Melanie's letter, but hasn't, while Nell listens in
- Toadie says he couldn't go through with it; Terese asks if that's because he still has feelings for Mel
- Harold continues to worry about his memory problems, while Karl gets news about the tests they ran on him
- Wendy asks Cara and Remi, 'Where is it?'
- Remi challenges JJ, reminding him he was found in the Rodwells' house
- Andrew asks JJ if there's anything he wants to confess to
