Lassiter's Hotel
As the fire alarm continues to blare, Paul is still in Reece's room, taking photos of the affirmation card he's found. As he returns it to where he found it, on the floor, Leo bursts in.

LEO: What the hell are you doing?

Penthouse
Paul pours a whisky for himself and Leo, saying everything makes sense now it seems Reece is some kind of drug addict - the way she stayed under the radar when she arrived, shacking up with Byron, and her 'erratic behaviour'. Leo thinks Paul is making some big assumptions, but Paul says Tess must have been worried to fly all the way out here. He mistakenly thinks Tess gave Reece the affirmation card (when in fact she was just passing it back to her), and shows it to Leo.

LEO: Reece doesn't seem like the drug- taking type.
PAUL: She's not the first high- powered executive to slide down a rabbit hole, is she?
LEO: Well, even if you're right - I mean, it's a dog act to weaponise an addiction (...) Would you use Terese's to exploit her?
PAUL: Not really a fair comparison. Terese's not volatile or unstable.
LEO: I don't think Reece is either.
PAUL: Oh, Leo, read between the lines. Look, she's either on the run from the family, or she's been banished in disgrace. Either way, they do not want her polluting the business, just the same as I do not want her messing around with mine.

Leo asks how Paul intends to use this 'ammo'; Paul says approaching Reece directly would only prompt a denial. He has a much better idea, he says.

Harold's Café
Nell, Dex and some of their schoolmates have been having a study session. Dex asks Nell if she has seen 'that new anime movie' and she admits she hasn't, but is dying to. Dex suggests they go together, and Nell seems very keen.

NELL: Totally. I've been trying to get Hugo into it, but he just refuses to be cultured.
DEX: He's missing out. The Japanese do everything better. Can't wait to get there someday.

Nell goes quiet, and when prompted, says...

NELL: My family and I were meant to go to Japan on a trip.
DEX: It could still happen, I guess.

But Nell looks unconvinced that it will. As Dex leaves, Sharon Davies comes in, and asks Haz to 'surprise me' with a takeaway coffee!

HAZ: Can I interest you in a caffè marocchino?
SHARON: Ooh, me likey!

Sharon approaches Nell, having just been about to text her.

SHARON: Melanie got in touch this morning.
NELL: Is she okay? What did she say?
SHARON: She's fine. She saw an offer on a new apartment. I guess Madame Zolga gave her approval, because she up and moved.
NELL: What about her phone?
SHARON: She signed up to a new provider. They've bungled things. She called me from a payphone - classic Mel. I told you we didn't need to worry, right?
NELL: ... Uh, I've got a birthday card I'd like to send her. Can I have her new address?
SHARON: It's not her birthday.
NELL: It was when I got it. It's just been sitting on my desk gathering dust... It's just a card.

Sharon is very hesitant, but eventually agrees to text Nell the address.

Lassiter's Hotel
Reece and Byron return to her room. Byron has been trying to establish what the cause of the fire alarm was, but there's been no sign of any fire and it wasn't a drill. He notices the affirmation card on the floor and Reece puts it in her pocket for safe- keeping. She then gets a message with some intelligence on Krista's old car, from one of her contacts.

REECE: It was registered to a John Walton in Robinvale.
BYRON: Okay, well, I think that's near Mildura.

Reece has been given John's phone number, so she decides to give him a call.

No 30
Dex and JJ appear to have been tasked with cooking dinner, and are using an app to suggest recipes for the ingredients they have available.

DEX: According to this we have everything we need for something called... toad in the hole. I'll make it for fifteen bucks a serve.
JJ: Wouldn't eat that for fifteen hundred. Sounds gross.

Cara smiles as she listens to them. There's a knock at the door; it's Wendy with a dish of something. Cara doesn't look impressed, but Remi gets up to hear her out.

WENDY: I don't want to gloss over what I did when I called the Linwell Brothers. It's my famous chicken curry. Our family really like it, and I'm hoping you all do, too.
CARA: We've got plenty of food -
REMI: That smells delicious. We'd love to take it. Thank you so much.
WENDY: I know this doesn't make everything right. But I do hope you like it.

Remi thanks Wendy again and shows her out.

CARA: How long before she comes flying back in here accusing us of stealing it?
REMI: Wendy's trying to make amends for a mistake. You of all people should be sympathetic to that.

No 26
Andrew and Wendy are having their own serving of the chicken curry; Wendy explains there's no seconds, as she's taken the remainder round to the Varga- Murphys'.

ANDREW: That's really big of you.
WENDY: Yeah, well. I'm *trying* to be the bigger person.
ANDREW: ... JJ is not my son. I know that you think that I wanted him to be, but that is not true.
WENDY: Yeah, but on some level, you regret how our lives have turned out.
ANDREW: Have I ever wondered what it might be like to have another kid? Yeah. I have. Haven't you?
WENDY: Yeah, but the difference is, we couldn't. And it broke my heart. But you were prepared to have one with somebody else.
ANDREW: It was a moment of madness, and I thought that I put a stop to it.

Wendy gets up and starts raising her voice.

WENDY: You just want to put this nice little bow on it and forget it. But I'm sorry, Andrew, I can't!

She storms out.

Erinsborough High School
The next morning, Nell and JJ are catching up in the corridor.

NELL: So, what's it like not having a dad again?
JJ: Yeah, I dunno. It's, um... different to before? I stirred up stuff for a lot of people, you know?
NELL: Welcome to the complicated family club. I've got one weird dad, two half- brothers, two mums, now Terese. Don't even get me started on Hugo's rellos.

Nell gets a message, presumably from Sharon with Melanie's new address. She shows JJ the address and he tells her it's 'north- side', and 'a bit of a hike'. Nell declares she needs to get there today, to see Melanie, her 'second mum', as she's worried about her and just needs to make sure she's okay.

NELL: And maybe ask her a few things while I'm there.
JJ: Like what.
NELL: I just heard some things about how she feels about me and Hugo, and didn't add up.

Nell says she doesn't want to upset Toadie or hurt Terese, but she has to see Melanie.

No 24
Paul is trying to manipulate Jane into having a word in Byron's ear about Reece's purported drug problem.

JANE (teasing): Oh, yes, right away. And while I'm at it, I'm going to check Reece's bag, and perhaps snip off a bit of hair for drug testing.
PAUL: Oh, Jane, you are not taking this seriously.
JANE: Paul, I do not buy it. I've met Reece a number of times, and she's sharp and personable. Hardly an image of a drug user.

Paul tells Jane that addicts are 'the masters of deception' and that this will only end badly for Byron because she's using him.

JANE: Then why do I feel as though I'm the one being used? You just want to break them up so that Reece will leave.
PAUL: You know, what I want, what my motives are, shouldn't matter to you. This is about Byron. He's got himself a dodgy rust- bucket.
JANE: How rude!
PAUL: What?! No - a car, Jane. I'm talking about a car. He's bought himself a clapped- out bomb. Were you even aware of that?
JANE: Well, no, I wasn't... But what has that got to do with anything?
PAUL: There is trouble around this woman, I just know it. And Byron is in way over his head.
JANE: Well, even if I were to do your bidding, I think you're underestimating just how much Byron loves Reece.
PAUL: All the more reason for you to be concerned!

Erinsborough High School
Nell is telling JJ more about Melanie, and how Toadie said she left because she felt she wasn't cut out to be a stepmum - but how Sharon said that was 'way off'. Nell tells JJ she's over the idea of Toadie and Mel getting back together - she knows he's happy with Terese, and Nell likes her too.

JJ: So then, why are you stirring things up?
NELL: Come on. You of all people should know what it's like to need to get answers (...) That's all it is. Quick visit. Sure it'll be good for Mel, too.

Nell decides she has to leave now to get there and back in time before school finishes, so comes up with the idea of telling the school office she has a therapy appointment that Toadie forgot to let them know about. JJ tells her to grab her Oscar on the way out!

No 32
Reece is leaving a voicemail for John Walton, the guy the car was registered to. She asks Byron how far away Robinvale is; he says six hours or so, so she suggests a road trip so they can ask around there about Krista. Jane pops in, and Reece leaves the room to try and call John Walton again.

Despite what she said to Paul, Jane can't help but gently probe about Reece, asking Byron if her moods have been erratic! He says not.

BYRON: Why are you being weird?
JANE: I'm not.
BYRON: Alright, spill. What's this about?
JANE: Paul seems to think that... well, that Reece might have a drug problem (...) I should take it with a grain of salt, but I would be a bad mother if I completely ignored it.

Byron says it's rubbish. When Jane asks about the car, he covers for Reece, claiming he bought it.

BYRON: Look, I trust Reece. Paul's playing games. Don't let him win.

Jane looks somewhat reassured.

Harold's Café
Andrew is telling Haz about a potential new toastie variant he could sell - banana and mayonnaise!

HAZ: What is wrong with you?
ANDREW: Don't knock it until you try it.

Remi appears, and Haz tries to flog her a marshmallow and mascarpone toastie instead! But she settles on a muffin, and awkwardly tells Andrew how much they enjoyed Wendy's curry, promising to bring the dish over later.

ANDREW: Thanks. Umm... look, I thought I'd just say this - that, we live in the same street. We can't avoid bumping into each other. I don't want things to be weird.
REMI: I don't want that either. And from what I can tell, you're a victim in this, too.
ANDREW: It's not the way Wendy sees it.
REMI: Ah. Well, I've got to hand it to Philippa. Working her messy magic one last time.
ANDREW: Yeah. She'd be loving all this drama.
REMI: Oh, she'd have the popcorn out for sure. I don't know what she was thinking writing that diary, and then tearing out a couple of pages to add to the confusion.
ANDREW: I know, it's weird. I mean, do you think she left the diary for Cara on purpose?
REMI: It doesn't matter. Whatever the motive, we're just left cleaning up the mess.

Lassiter's Complex
Cara is doing something 'handy' with a tree, a pipe and a roll of tape (don't ask me what!) when Andrew emerges from the café.

ANDREW: I just had a chat with your wife.
CARA: Glad *someone's* having that pleasure.
ANDREW: Hey, you and I were mates with Philippa for a long time. It's crazy that we never met.
CARA: Yeah. I do remember her mentioning an Andrew, but I didn't meet too many of her friends. Remi hated her guts, so we mostly ran in different circles.
ANDREW: Yeah, Wendy never liked her either. On paper they should've been great mates.
CARA: Yeah. I can see some similarities.
ANDREW: I've been thinking about this diary... can I read it?
CARA: ... Are you sure you want to put yourself through that? I've read the whole thing, cover to cover.
ANDREW: I know it's personal to Philippa - but it's more for closure, more than anything.

Cara nods.

Lassiter's Hotel
Paul is on the phone, talking about a 'proposal' somebody has made - but he tells them it won't get his full attention until the person he's talking to has 'supplied everything I requested'. Byron approaches, interrupting his phone conversation.

BYRON: Paul. You're wrong about Reece. This theory that you've cooked up - you need to back off.
PAUL: This theory is based on some pretty strong evidence.
BYRON: Yeah? What evidence is that, huh?
PAUL: ... That's not important.
BYRON: Did you go through her things? What is it that you think you know here?
PAUL: Oh, so there *is* something to know?
BYRON: That's not what I said.
PAUL: Oh, Byron, you need to wake up to yourself (...) unless of course you're enabling her behaviour because there's something in it for you as well? You know, Byron, there was a time when I saw great potential in you. Don't forget, I am very fond of your mother as well, so it's not too late to reconsider your loyalties.
BYRON: No. I'm not going to help you gang up on her.
PAUL: Remember, I'm your boss. And also I'm gonna be here long after Reece goes on her next bender or whatever. Just think about it, alright?

No 26
Wendy finds Andrew on the sofa, reading Philippa's diary.

WENDY: What are you doing with that?
ANDREW: I just need to know how JJ came to the conclusion that he did, you know?
WENDY: What does that matter now?
ANDREW: Apparently there's some pages missing, and... look, I just need to read it so I can put it to bed.

Wendy leaves him to it.

The 82
Jane and Sharon are catching up over a coffee outside the tram.

JANE: It is good that Melanie has come out of the woodwork...
SHARON: Why do I smell a butt? And it's mine, and it's about to get a smack?
JANE: I did ask you not to talk to Nell about it.
SHARON: Well, I was trying to undo the damage I'd already done. I said Mel was doing really well... that might be a porky pie. Melanie is not her usual bubbly self. She said she was tired from moving, but it didn't sit right.
JANE: Well - now that you're back in touch, maybe you could do a subtle welfare check.
SHARON: Oh, I've got a bottle of red with her name on it. I'll make sure she's okay.

Sharon remarks that Jane isn't as bubbly as usual either; Jane says she's had a 'bit of a day'. She admits she's been worried about Byron, but just needs to have a bit of faith in him, as she's sure he knows what he's doing. She hugs Sharon goodbye, and they go their separate ways. But as Sharon walks down Power Road, she runs into a familiar face coming the other way...

SHARON: Eden?
EDEN (wolfish smile): ...

Lassiter's Complex
As they head to the car, Byron moans to Reece about what a 'weasel' Paul is.

BYRON: We should report him for going through your things. But then again, who would we report him to?
REECE: It makes me wonder what else he might be onto.
BYRON: If he had any knowledge about Krista, he'd be telling us all about it.

Reece sees Paul coming their way and decides she wants to speak to him, as he isn't going to let this go. She suggests Byron go and fetch them some water for the road trip, and he reluctantly complies.

REECE (to Paul): You've been in my room.
PAUL: I've owned this hotel a very long time - I'm pretty sure I've been in all of them.
REECE: Clearly you've seen something that makes you think I have a drug problem. I do not.
PAUL: So I'm supposed to just take your word for that, am I?
REECE: Look, I am gonna set this incredible breach of my privacy aside for a moment (...) because when I look at it from your point of view, then yes, I could see how you may have some questions.
PAUL (laughs): That's an understatement.
REECE: I didn't come all this way to rattle your cage. That was never my motive at all.
PAUL: Yeah, so what is? ... Reece, what's going on?

Reece has become upset, and begins walking away to cover this. She tells him she's going on a drive with Byron, and that they can discuss this later. Paul asks where they're going.

REECE: I'm just dealing with some personal stuff at the moment. It has nothing to do with you. Paul, please... let it go.

Paul looks perplexed as she walks off.

Penthouse
Paul reports the conversation he's just had with Reece to Leo, and that she had tears in her eyes while she was telling him to back off.

PAUL: The ice queen was melting. I mean, I definitely touched a nerve, and put her right off- balance.
LEO: I still don't think she's an addict.
PAUL: Well, if it's not that, there's something else very serious going on. You know, there's still an angle that we haven't tried. You and Byron (...) you must be able to win his trust, get him talking. Come on, he must know what's going on.
LEO: Yeah, or you could just let it go and find something else to fill this hole in your life.
PAUL: Hole? What hole?
LEO: The one that's causing you to fixate on Reece. Come on, Dad. She's a smart woman, she gives as good as she gets. Remind you of anyone?
PAUL: Oh, hey, don't you dare go there. Oh, and by the way, I do not appreciate you telling Terese that I need a girlfriend.
LEO: When did you last go on a date?
PAUL: Well, when did *you* last go on one? (...) Next thing you'll be telling me I'm attracted to Reece.
LEO: I don't think that. I just think you've got a massive void in your life, and maybe you should concentrate on filling it instead of worrying about Reece.
PAUL: You know, as soon as they get back, I want some answers.

Leo gives up on the conversation and walks off.

Lassiter's Complex
In the car, Reece dries her eyes having been crying, and is soon joined by Byron. They set off for their road trip.

No 26
Andrew is still reading Philippa's diary. He turns a page, and ominous music plays as his face falls... He looks startled.

Northern suburbs
Nell is making her way to Melanie's new address. She finds the house in question, and goes to knock on the door - but it's already slightly ajar, and swings open. Putting her bag down, she begins to look around the house - and gasps when she sees a hooded figure rifling through drawers! He turns to face her - it's Eden! He runs past Nell, knocking her aside as he exits the house. She falls to the floor, seemingly unconscious...

Coming up on Neighbours
- As she and Byron drive to Robinvale, Reece suggests perhaps the time has come to tell everyone about Krista
- Remi tells Cara that she's not the victim here; Cara asks how many times she has to say she's sorry
- Toadie and Terese are on a frantic hunt for Nell, as she's not answering her phone
- Terese reassures a shaken-looking Toadie that they'll find Nell