Previously
- Holly, Eden and Krista embark on their grand road trip together, with Eden promising it'll be really fun
- A year later, Krista's unconscious by the rooftop pool after an altercation with Mel, who thinks she's dead
- Terese asks Toadie if the revelations have changed things for him; he says no
- But Nell insists it's 'different now', as they know Melanie left to protect them
- Terese visits Melanie on remand and tells her to leave Toadie and the kids alone
- Likewise, Toadie tells Paul to back off from his attempts to contact Terese
- Jane wants Nicolette, Isla, David and Aaron to move back home, but David doesn't want Paul in Isla's life
- Reece asks Holly where Krista is; Holly's forced to break the news that she's dead
- Upset at the loss of her sister, Reece tells Paul he won't get away with his role in this
Lassiter's Complex
Wendy is telling Leo, reasonably enough, that she cannot have a Christmas fair at the Waterhole unless a Christmas fair plan is in place.
WENDY: We don't want Santa and the elves improvising, trust me.
A slightly harassed Leo tells Wendy that he'll take it up with Paul as soon as he can. No sooner has she shaken off Wendy, than Cara appears, shifting guests' baggage indoors and moaning to him that three hotel staff have called in sick, and nobody can get hold of Paul to replace them.
CARA: I'm happy to roll up my sleeves, but I don't have a clue how to check someone in. Or make a bed, if you ask my wife.
Leo promises to get onto it. Reece and Byron turn up, and Leo expresses his condolences for Krista's death, saying he knows Paul is really sorry, too.
REECE: Yeah, well, he's gonna have to live with what he's done.
Leo promises to keep his ears open at the vineyard for any leads on Eden, who we learn is still on the loose. Reece asks Byron if they can go back to his house, and he agrees.
Penthouse
Leo comes in, and Paul immediately starts trying to justify his actions over Krista, saying he was acting in everyone's best interests.
LEO: So you keep telling me.
PAUL: How's your brother?
LEO: He's angry. And so am I.
PAUL: Yeah, but you're here and he's not.
LEO: I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything... but it seems to me like you've already paid a big enough price for what you've done. So I'm gonna leave my judgement at the door. But I'm not sure I can say the same about Reece.
Leo also tells Paul that the hotel is 'falling apart' with Paul and Reece both unavailable.
LEO: Actually, I might have an idea...
No 22
Terese is looking fondly at a photo from her and Toadie's wedding day, when Toadie comes in. She's wearing her trackie bottoms and proposes a movie night tonight. Toadie's keen, but first has a confession - he went to see Paul earlier, to warn him to back off.
TERESE: What did he have to say for himself?
TOADIE: He... he does still love you. But he respects that you've moved on. He will leave you alone.
Terese is quiet in response - while at the top of the stairs, Nell appears, listening in.
TOADIE: I've done wrong, haven't I?
TERESE: We both have... I visited Melanie.
TOADIE: Wow.
TERESE: Well, after all the progress that we have made as a family, I needed to know. And she agreed that she wouldn't contact the children without our consent.
TOADIE: So, we've both been a little bit busy, then, eh?
TERESE: Just... trying to protect what we've built.
They kiss. In her hiding place, Nell looks concerned.
No 24
David and Sam are playing with Isla at the table, while Aaron helps Jane in the kitchen. Jane's glad that they've all decided to stay another night. Aaron seems happy to hang around, but David tetchily reminds him that they have guests leaving their holiday rental the day after tomorrow, so will have to be back home before then. Aaron isn't convinced that it's essential, though, and Jane senses tension on the issue.
Nicolette comes out of the bedrooms and heads for the front door, claiming she feels like a walk around the old neighbourhood. She promises she'll be back soon. Once she's gone, David tells Jane that she wants her, Mike and Sam to come and stay with them when Mike's back from Scotland, as they have before, seemingly as a means of convincing Jane that there's no need for him and the family to hang around now.
JANE: That is a lovely offer, but maybe we will wait and see, closer to the time.
DAVID: I know you're hoping we'll move back, but it's not gonna happen.
Aaron looks a little disappointed/put out that David is making this decision for them all. But the tension is somewhat dissipated by Isla chattering away to her toy octopus!
ISLA: Excuse me - Octopus, eat a spoon!
JANE: I suppose I am still coming to terms with... with everything that's happened. And it has also been crossing my mind just how committed Nicolette and Kiri were at the time.
DAVID: She didn't feel comfortable lying to her.
Penthouse
Leo gets a call from someone, who he thanks for calling back, and goes to chat in another room. Meanwhile, Nicolette appears from the lift to see Paul.
NICOLETTE: Are you decent?
PAUL: Oh, god, I knew I should've got that security pass changed.
NICOLETTE: Now is that any way to speak to your only friend at the moment?
PAUL: Oh, so we're friends now, are we? I suppose it's easy to be charitable from that high moral ground that you're standing on.
NICOLETTE: Pour me a drink.
PAUL (complying): Okay, let me guess how it all played out at Jane's today. I'm the big bad wolf, it was all me, and I was the one that drove you out of town, yeah?
NICOLETTE: Mum knows I was keen for the move, too.
PAUL: Hmm. But does she know the other reason why you left Kiri in Erinsborough at that time?
NICOLETTE: ...
PAUL: Why are you here, Nicolette?
NICOLETTE: ... I think it's in our mutual interests to support one another.
Paul considers for a moment, then clinks whisky glasses with her.
No 32
On the patio the next morning, Mackenzie, Haz and Byron sit around the table, while Reece is on the phone nearby.
REECE (on the phone): Look, I don't care. Money is no object. Just find him.
Byron explains to the others that Reece's father Conrad has 'deployed a small army of investigators' to track down Eden. As Reece ends the call and takes a seat at the table, Holly emerges from the house. She's printed some photos from her phone backup of Krista, taken on their road trip, and gives them to Reece.
REECE: Thank you. Even when she was a disaster, Krista always knew how to work her angles.
HAZ: Yet she never posted anything online?
HOLLY: That was her rule. Nothing her family could ever find... Sorry.
REECE: Look how happy she looks. Free, even.
HOLLY: She was. At the start. I think... she changed by the end of our trip. I guess Eden was manipulating her by then.
MACKENZIE: Did he ever take drugs?
HOLLY: Only a couple of times in front of me, and nothing hard. But I remember Krista saying she had problems.
MACKENZIE: Knowing Eden, he probably decided to use that to his advantage.
HOLLY (to Reece): I hate to say it, but I think his plan was always to get his hands on your family's money.
Byron decides that they should all put their heads together to track Eden down.
Goodwood Prison
David is visiting Melanie. He admits that when everyone went their separate ways a year ago, he, Aaron and Nicolette should have checked in on Melanie.
MELANIE: We all agreed to no contact.
DAVID: I know. But Aaron, Nic and I, we had each other. You had no one.
MELANIE: I had Sharon Davies. She was my new old best friend.
DAVID: But she wasn't able to stop Eden hassling you, was she?
MELANIE: I never even told her the full story. I just gave Eden all the money I had, and hoped he'd go away. He's a bad guy. I don't know how I feel about your dad, though.
DAVID: You should be angry.
MELANIE: I think he thought he was helping me.
DAVID: Don't make excuses for him. He made a decision on that rooftop that wasn't for you, and it wasn't for me. It was for himself.
MELANIE: Well... I have to own my part in it. Whatever punishment I've got coming to me - I deserve it.
No 32
Haz, Holly and Mackenzie come into the living area, discussing their plans to track down Eden. Mackenzie encourages Holly to think back to how Eden behaved on their road trip when things were desperate, such as when they ran out of cash.
HOLLY: There is something. Sometimes, he used to find places for us to crash through executors' auctions.
HAZ: Deceased estates do tend to be empty for a while.
MACKENZIE: Hang on - wasn't the last time you saw him a deceased estate?
HOLLY: Well, he wouldn't go back there - Andrew already checked.
MACKENZIE: (...) But he might go to another estate.
HAZ: Let's do some research.
No 24
David reports to Nicolette, Aaron, Jane and Sam that Melanie was 'in good spirits, considering'. Aaron says they need to speak to their lawyer today to find out how they will be affected by all this. There's a knock at the door - Jane opens it to find Nell there.
NELL: Sorry to bother you... do you know what jail Mel's in?
JANE: Oh, Nell. I'm sure this is something that your father would prefer that you discuss with him.
NELL: He won't talk about her! And I don't want to upset Terese, either (...) Mel - she's locked up. But she's not a bad person. Not really. Feels like everyone's forgotten that.
DAVID: They haven't. I promise.
NELL: She's got no money. I've heard Dad talk about public defenders. They're not always good.
Nell shows Jane the pocket money she's saved up - nearly $500 - which she wants to give to Melanie, so she can at least consult a good lawyer. Jane volunteers to go to the prison today to check in on Mel, and 'pass on your love'.
NELL: Tell her about the money.
Jane promises that she will. Nell leaves, and Jane turns to the others, who all look worried.
No 32
In the garden, Reece is waiting to hear from her dad, but he hasn't replied to her last message. Byron assures her that Tess will be with him, and keeping apprised of everything. Mackenzie, Haz and Holly come out and tell Reece about their idea that Eden could be squatting at a deceased estate. They've identified half a dozen properties he might be staying at. Reece says she'll pass them to the lead investigator.
HOLLY: We should start looking at them, too.
HAZ: But that's dangerous.
MACKENZIE: Not if we don't actually confront him.
HOLLY: If we see Eden or his van, we'll just call the cops.
Reece thinks it's a great idea, so Holly suggests they divide into two teams and each check out half the properties. The others concur.
No 22
Toadie comes downstairs and finds Terese searching for her sewing box. It was where Nell planted the invitation to Paul and Terese's vow renewal, as part of her earlier scheme to sow marital doubt for Terese and Toadie. Terese tells Toadie that having the invite in the house has been making her 'skin itch', and tears it in two before putting it in the recycling. But is she protesting too much?
Nell comes in, and Toadie asks her what she's up to today. She says 'not sure' and heads straight upstairs. Toadie glances worriedly at Terese.
Goodwood Prison
Jane is visiting Melanie. Mel says she'd never accept Nell's money for legal fees.
JANE: No, of course. She's worried. She cares a lot for you.
MELANIE: Please tell her that I'm okay. I can't reach out to her because... I gave Terese my word.
JANE: Melanie, I have to admit to you that I am still struggling with what you've done. The drowning, the cover- up, and not to mention the pain that you've caused Toadie, and those children. Why is it that you've decided to come clean now?
MELANIE: Nell getting hurt. I just couldn't keep up with the secrets and the lies. Everyone lost something, including you.
JANE: Yeah.
MELANIE: I'm so sorry.
JANE: I will tell Nell what you said.
MELANIE: Thank you. And thank you for visiting me. It's more than I deserve.
A road somewhere
Reece looks at photos of Krista, Holly and Eden while she and Mackenzie wait for Byron to check out the nearby deceased estate. He gets back in the car, and tells them there's no sign of Eden here. They have two more properties to visit, but Reece is looking upset.
BYRON: Look, if you're not up for it...
REECE: No, no, I'm just... I'm having a moment (...) It's like, I want to find Eden. I just... what has he done with my sister's body? Is there even a grave? Am I even going to get to take her home to her father? It's just a lot.
But nonetheless, she insists they should try the next address. They drive off.
Another road somewhere
Meanwhile, Holly and Haz are checking out the other half of the deceased estates, and also have two more properties to visit. Haz starts randomly praising Mackenzie, saying that she's 'so smart' and that it's 'awesome to see her in action'. Holly agrees, but the exchange has clearly left her feeling inadequate in Mackenzie's shadow.
HOLLY: You know, sometimes I wonder if I should go back to uni, finish studying medicine.
HAZ (laughs): I can't picture it.
HOLLY (laughs, disguising hurt): Well, try.
HAZ: Well, it's just hard to. You don't really give off doctor vibes.
Holly covers well and changes the subject, saying they should move on to the next house. But Haz's dismissiveness has clearly hurt her.
Harold's Café
David, Aaron and Nicolette are hanging out. They've had no word yet on whether the police will charge them for their role in Krista's death. Aaron asks if the lawyers think it's likely, and David just shrugs! Great legal advice they're getting, clearly.
AARON: So, we stay in limbo, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Nicolette is on her phone, reading the 'Save Erinsborough High' page on social media - there are over 10,000 comments from former staff, students and parents, she says, including from former headteacher Dorothy Burke.
DAVID: I mentioned the school to Jane - she shut me down right away.
NICOLETTE: She says it's too painful to talk about. It's just so wrong that it's closing with so much support.
Aaron asks the others what they think of the new- look Harold's. Nicolette says it's 'cool' but that she'd have made more changes herself when she was managing the place, if she'd been allowed to.
AARON: It feels good to be back.
NICOLETTE (to David): How do you feel?
DAVID: I'm trying not to feel anything.
NICOLETTE: Alright, I'm just gonna say it. I don't think that we should automatically shut down the idea of moving back permanently.
DAVID: Is this you or Jane talking?
NICOLETTE: Both. I mean, obviously, Mum's keen. She would love to have us move in with her.
David looks pained.
AARON: Alright, alright - I don't hate the idea either.
DAVID: We sold the house, and the Shed. We moved for a reason. Erinsborough isn't home anymore.
Nicolette says she's going to stay for a few more days, in any case - she isn't ready to leave yet. David grouchily tells her to suit herself. Aaron then gets a text, which appears to be a pleasant surprise.
AARON: You'll never guess who's back in town!
Lassiter's Hotel
In the office, we see that the surprise returnee is Aaron's sister Chloe, who is mopping up the mess left in the complex by Paul and Reece's absence. Having been briefed by Cara, she instructs Sam to take urgent papers to HR, and asks Wendy to provide a status update on the Christmas fair.
WENDY: Ho, ho, ho! I will tell you everything I know!
As Sam, Wendy and Cara troop out, Paul comes in.
CHLOE: Well, if it isn't the felon of the hour!
PAUL: Chloe, what are you doing here?
CHLOE: Leo said you were in a bind, Elly and I talked it over, and Lassiter's Sydney were happy to give me a sabbatical.
Paul thanks her for coming, saying she's exactly what the hotel needs.
Yet another road somewhere
Haz and Holly pull up outside the final property. Haz takes her hand, and says they shouldn't feel disappointed if Eden isn't here.
HOLLY: Thank you.
HAZ: I haven't done anything.
HOLLY: You're helping with a mess you had nothing to do with creating. Again.
Holly then spots Eden's van parked near the property. Haz goes to call the police, while Holly gets out to check they have the right place. Sure enough, she quickly comes face to face with Eden at a side door. He runs through the house and past her out of the front door, despite her calls for him to stop. Eden gets in the van and tries to reverse out, but Haz has blocked the driveway with his car.
As sirens approach, Eden tries to exit the van in order to escape on foot - but Haz and Holly block the doors on either side so he can't get out. Andrew and a team of colleagues pull up to take over.
Harold's Café
Jane has convened with Nell to report back on her prison visit, telling her that Melanie has sent her love.
JANE: And although she was moved by your offer, she said that you should hang onto your money.
NELL: Is she okay? Are they looking after her? Is she safe in there?
JANE: Yes, to all of the above.
Nell has more questions, but at that point sees Toadie arriving, and trails off. She thanks Jane for the update and rushes off, briefly greeting Toadie as she leaves. Toadie hovers over Jane.
TOADIE: What was that about?
JANE: Nell wanted to know how Melanie is.
TOADIE (annoyed): I am trying to move my family forward, away from the past.
JANE: I know.
TOADIE: Well, I would appreciate it if you didn't undermine that.
JANE: Nell wants answers that you refuse to give. Shutting her down will not stop that. It'll just stop her coming to you. That is how secrets fester.
TOADIE: I don't get it! Melanie hurt Nell as much as me when she left.
JANE: You can't stop her from caring. And trying to force that - it could just do more damage than Melanie ever did.
Eden's hideout
The cops put Eden into a police car, while Andrew gives Holly and Haz an obligatory official telling- off, along the lines that they were stupid and reckless to go after Eden themselves, and next time, to let the police handle it.
ANDREW (quietly): But between us... nice work.
He tells them they'll have to get formal statements from them to work out exactly what happened here - but at this point, Holly spots an item of clothing in the back of Eden's van which she recognises as belonging to Krista.
HOLLY: Why would he still have this?
Seizing on the idea that Krista might still be alive after all, Holly rushes into the house in search of her, shouting her name. Haz, Andrew and the other police follow.
Sure enough, Holly finds Krista in the basement, alive - lying blearily on a mattress, surrounded by food packets - and the remnants of a white powder are visible in a small plastic bag nearby.
KRISTA: Holly?!
ANDREW (on his radio): We're gonna need an ambulance, now.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Reece arrives at the hospital, only to be told by Holly that Krista doesn't want to see her
- Holly tells Krista that Melanie thought that she'd drowned as a result of their rooftop altercation
- Nell asks Toadie and Terese if this means Melanie didn't commit a crime after all
- At the prison, Jane tells Melanie what's happened; as she didn't kill Krista, she could be set free
