Erinsborough Hospital
Terese and Toadie are reassuring a distraught Nell that Melanie is in good hands, and that the doctors will do everything they can.

NELL (tearful): What do you mean by that? Everything they can to save her life? She can't die, Dad! I can't lose another mum.

Toadie hugs her.

TERESE: Listen, sweetheart, Remi is a fantastic doctor. And she'll have the best team on this. And Melanie, she's fit and healthy, and one of the bravest people around. You've got to remember that, okay?

Terese joins in the hug.

Nearby, Nicolette returns to Jane with coffees, and they sit in silence, waiting for news. Near the reception desk, Susan is still waiting too - when Karl comes in, suitcases and all, fresh back from his train holiday with Harold, and hugs her. A montage develops of the Ramsay Steet residents supporting each other as they all await further updates on Melanie. Terese stands alone, looking guilty.

No 26
Andrew joins Wendy in the garden. Jane's been in touch to say Melanie is still in surgery.

WENDY: If she dies...
ANDREW: She won't.
WENDY: Yeah, but she might. If Nicolette and I hadn't organised that stupid protest -
ANDREW: Hey. It's not your fault. What happened to Mel was a terrible accident.
WENDY: Because of an event I made happen.
ANDREW: Sometimes people do things with the best intentions, but it doesn't work out. So don't beat yourself up. Or anyone else. You just have to let it go.
WENDY: Actions have *consequences*, though, Andrew.

It feels like she's talking about their own marital situation, as well as the protests, and Andrew doesn't know what more he can say on that score.

ANDREW: Look, it's late - it's going to be another huge day tomorrow. I need some sleep.
WENDY (angry): Yeah, fine. You go in.

Erinsborough Hospital
In the reception area, Karl is on the phone to Summer Hoyland - some of the protesters are having a reunion down at The 82, and he tells Susan about this once he finishes the call. Susan already knows, as Michelle Scully has invited them to join.

KARL: That's nice. Obviously they understand why we can't be there.

Remi comes in - and the Kennedys, Jane, Nicolette, Toadie, Terese and Nell all gather round.

REMI: Melanie is out of surgery and on her way to recovery. The procedure went well.
KARL: I was told acute subdural haematoma.
REMI: Yeah, the bleed was the size of a five- cent piece. It's good we got to it when we did. We'll monitor her until she regains consciousness, but the team is cautiously optimistic.
NELL: So she's going to be okay?
REMI: Well, if there are no post- surgery complications - and we still need to fix her shoulder. But yes, I expect she'll make a full recovery.

Toadie is worried that this may have happened because Melanie was agitated before, when she saw him outside the room. But Remi assures him it was all a result of the head injury. Nell is desperate to see Melanie, but Remi says it will be tomorrow at the earliest - it's best if everyone goes home and gets some rest.

No 28
Susan and Karl are pleased to be reunited, and he goes to make her a chamomile tea while she sits down.

KARL: Quite a day, huh? Not what you were expecting last time we talked.
SUSAN: No, but I had to take a stand with Jane and the school. I've got to say, though, it was bittersweet being back there.
KARL: Hmm. As soon as the dust settles, I'll need to speak to Terese about accepting the job.

Susan looks unsure, and Karl asks if she's had second thoughts about him accepting it.

SUSAN: No, it's not that. It's just that after today, I think that Terese might be rethinking the development.
KARL: But she bought the land. She signed a contract.
SUSAN: I know, I know - and I'm probably wrong. So let's just focus on Melanie.

Karl encourages her to try not to worry.

No 24
Jane finishes up a call with Mike, and then joins Nicolette on the sofa. Byron turns up to check in on them after all that's happened - Jane remarks that he's up late, and he explains he was on the phone to Reece.

BYRON: I'm actually on standby to fly out to the States.
JANE (worried): Oh. And will you be gone for long?
BYRON: Not sure. I just figured it'd be best to see her face to face, you know. Sort out our future plans in person.
JANE: Right, so... so you might be moving over there.
BYRON: I dunno. We talked about her working from the company from here, so...
NICOLETTE: But that was before she was in charge of everything.
BYRON: Yeah, yeah. Well, we'll figure that out.

Jane looks miffed, and Byron asks if he has her support. She's smiling, but noncommittal.

JANE: Well, you know that I would be devastated if you were to leave for good. But I understand these things are complicated.
BYRON: Look, I don't know where we'll end up. But it doesn't matter. As long as we're together.

No 22
Toadie, Terese and Nell are back from the hospital. Mackenzie comes by with Hugo to drop him off, and he immediately asks if they can see Mel. Toadie hugs him, and says probably tomorrow after they've all had a good sleep. Toadie thanks Mackenzie for looking after Hugo, and she leaves.

NELL: Someone should be with Mel when she wakes up, don't you think?
TOADIE: Someone will be. Maybe Remi, or maybe even Karl.
NELL: How early can we see her?
TOADIE (sighs): Can we just please work that out in the morning?

Nell looks obstinate, but Toadie asks her to take Hugo up and help him get ready for bed. Nell complies.

TERESE: What if Melanie goes downhill again?
TOADIE: She won't.
TERESE: But what if she does? I'll never forgive myself.
TOADIE: It's not gonna happen. You heard what Remi said. Melanie is gonna be fine.
TERESE: How are you?
TOADIE: ... I'm tired.
TERESE: Other than that?
TOADIE: I'm just... struggling to get that image out of my head. Melanie lying there on the stairs.
TERESE: It must've been awful.
TOADIE: I thought, umm... she looked...

But Terese stops him as it's too distressing, and hugs him, saying they can talk about it later. Toadie is looking worried over her shoulder.

Ramsay Street
The following morning, Chloe welcomes Aaron, David and Nicolette back home to Ramsay Street. David admits it's weird not moving back into their old house, but Chloe reminds them they've had happy times in No 24 too.

NICOLETTE: Whole street feels like home to me, anyway.
AARON: Yeah, same.

As Chloe begins helping to take their stuff inside, David asks Nicolette if there's been any news on Melanie overnight - but there hasn't. They all agree to go and see her when she's well enough. Andrew pulls up in his cop car.

DAVID: Morning! Are you part of the welcoming committee too?
ANDREW: Afraid not. Nicolette Stone, you're under arrest for unlawful assembly, property damage and affray.
NICOLETTE: What?!
AARON: You're kidding!
ANDREW: We need to head down to the station.

Nicolette asks the boys to let Jane know what's happening, then gets into the police car...

Erinsborough Hospital
Melanie wakes up to see Karl looming over her; and rather than 'how are you feeling?' his first priority is to tell her she's had a very messy shoulder fracture that will need a reconstruction! Remi comes in to join them, and Melanie says her head hurts. Remi explains that she had a bleed on the brain, and they had to relieve some pressure - it will be sore for a while.

Erinsborough High School
We cut to Terese walking silently around the school in slow motion...

Erinsborough Hospital
Remi relays news to Melanie from her neurosurgeon, Dr Lim, explaining that she is very happy with her scans.

REMI: There will be extensive rehabilitation, but in time, you will make it back to normal. You're lucky.

Erinsborough High School
More of Terese walking around the school, which is still littered with protest placards - including the stairwell where Melanie fell. The hospital conversation with Melanie continues over this footage.

KARL: You are gonna have some visitors today, once you're feeling up to it.
MELANIE: Not Toadie, please.
KARL: Sure. You don't have to see anyone you don't want to.

Erinsborough Hospital
Melanie explains why she can't have Toadie visit.

MELANIE: You don't understand. I'm not strong enough. I don't want his sympathy. I can't.

Erinsborough High School
Terese looks upset as she appears to be examining her conscience...

No 22
Toadie is making breakfast when Terese comes in, and he's surprised she's been out so early.

TERESE: I just... I needed a walk, to clear my head (...) What would happen if I told the Education Department I wanted to withdraw?
TOADIE (shocked): Because of the protest?
TERESE: I just... I just went to the school, and I... I saw where Melanie fell, and I just...
TOADIE: She is gonna be okay. Remember that.
TERESE: She was critically injured, Toadie. And for what? A business opportunity?
TOADIE: It was an accident.
TERESE: They were protesting my project. The thing that I've been fighting for, losing a friendship over, dividing a community.
TOADIE: So you've got some opposition - every big project does. If you pull out now, you could lose a lot.
TERESE: It's only money.
TOADIE: There's also the legal issues with the Education Department and the construction company...

Hugo and Nell come in, keen to go to the hospital to see Melanie; Nell has found out that visiting hours begin in 20 minutes. Toadie says they can go as soon as they've all had breakfast. He suggests to Terese that they talk about the project when they get back, but urges her not to make any big decisions right now.

Erinsborough Police Station
Aaron and Jane are complaining bitterly to Andrew at the desk about Nicolette being arrested, and Jane threatens to call her contact at the Education Department. But Nicolette tells them to stop, as they're making things worse.

JANE: These charges are ridiculous!
NICOLETTE: Okay, but let's not add resisting arrest to them! I'll handle it.

At this point, an irate Wendy rushes in, having heard about Nicolette's arrest. Andrew says that the Department wants the protest organiser held accountable.

WENDY: Organisers - plural. I was one of them.
ANDREW: Yeah, but you weren't named in the complaint.
WENDY: Why not? I'm just as much to blame.
ANDREW (quietly): Can we just talk about this at home?
WENDY: No! I want to talk about this here. In the interview room. Arrest me!

She holds out her hands to be cuffed!

ANDREW: I am not gonna arrest you.
WENDY: Why, because we're married?! Well, that is... that's favouritism. No, nepotism. Whatever you call it.
ANDREW: What are you doing?! You're causing a scene, come on!
WENDY: No, no! I *wish to be arrested*!

To make her point, she deliberately knocks a container full of pens onto the floor!

WENDY: For damaging police property too!
ANDREW: Look, you're making a fool of yourself.
WENDY (yelling): I hereby confess to being a co- organiser of the school protest, and I am this *crazy* menace to society, and I want to be arrested!
ANDREW: This is not funny.
WENDY (shouting): I am *not laughing*, Andrew!!
ANDREW: Fine, you're under arrest! Someone take her out the back and interview her.
WENDY: Wait. Make it official. Under what charges?
ANDREW: Public nuisance. You have the right to remain silent - please, exercise it!

Wendy is bundled off into the interview room by Andrew's colleagues.

WENDY: Get your hands off me!

Erinsborough Hospital
Toadie, Nell and Hugo have arrived at the hospital, but Toadie tells the kids he'll wait outside, explaining that Melanie doesn't want to see him right now.

HUGO: Why?
TOADIE: Doesn't matter why, mate. Just got to respect her wishes, yeah?

At this point, Mackenzie turns up with some flowers for Mel, so suggests she go in with the kids. Toadie whispers to Mackenzie as they go in not to mention that he's here.

MELANIE: Come in, come in!
HUGO: We brought a present.
MELANIE: Look at your beautiful faces (... to Hugo) You might have to be my chief unwrapper- er.

Hugo removes the present from the bag - it's a stuffed toy pig, of course.

MELANIE: I love it! Oh, perfect for when visiting hours are over.
HUGO: There was a giant one at the shop. But Nell made us buy the small one.
MELANIE: (...) This is just perfect, I love it. Just snuggles in beside me here.

Toadie is sitting outside, listening to their conversation, looking sombre.

Ramsay Street
Nicolette, Jane, Aaron and David reconvene with Chloe, Nicolette having been sent home by the police. She's embarrassed to have been arrested on her first day back here.

NICOLETTE (to Jane): It's not too late to banish us back to the countryside.
AARON: No, please don't.
JANE: No, I wouldn't, of course!
DAVID: Isla will be happy to have her mummy back to read her favourite book.
CHLOE: There are only so many times we can hear her rendition of 'We Don't Talk About Bruno'!

Jane moans that the charges are completely unnecessary, but Nicolette assures her they're minor and that she'll only get a slap on the wrist, or a fine at worst.

NICOLETTE: Which is what I deserve.
JANE: There are others who have behaved far worse than you in all this.

Jane says this pointedly as she watches Terese getting into her car. Terese is on the phone, saying she'll 'be there shortly' to make a statement. Jane glowers at Terese from across the street. However, Jane's soon cheered up to see that she has a letter from Mike in the mailbox.

Lassiter's Complex
Toadie and Andrew are walking into the courtyard. Toadie admits he's still struggling with Melanie almost dying.

ANDREW: It's not simple, mate. How's Terese handling it all?
TOADIE: Well, she's stressed. It's her project that's in the middle of it all. But she's being a rock for me, and the kids. But, umm... I worry what she's thinking...

Nell and Hugo rush up behind and then past them, causing Toadie to briefly pause what he's saying.

TOADIE: ... watching me struggle.
ANDREW: Then talk to her. Tell her you're not handling it well. Mel was your wife.
TOADIE: How do I do that without hurting her?
ANDREW: Caring about someone that you used to be in love with isn't the same as being in love with her.
TOADIE: Because I'm not! I love Terese. She is the one that I want to be with. It's just...

He lowers his voice as they catch up with the kids again.

TOADIE: ... seeing Melanie, lying there. It's just...
ANDREW: It's awful, mate. Of course you're gonna have a big reaction to it, anyone would.
TOADIE: Well, if anyone would, why do I feel so terrible about it?

They take a seat outside the pub, while Nell and Hugo play around in the outdoor gym area nearby.

ANDREW: Look, I wish that there was a piece of advice that I could give you. Maybe go easy on yourself.
TOADIE: Oh, is it that it? (...) Well, now I've got to come up with a smart piece of advice for you, with your wife- arrest situation!
ANDREW: No, no, no - no point, no point. She is determined to be mad at me. I thought that we were in a better place, but apparently not.
TOADIE: Oh, well, I'll throw your advice back at you, then. You need to talk to her.

No 26
Andrew has taken Toadie's advice and come home to talk to Wendy.

ANDREW: About before - that wasn't just about the protest, was it? You're still punishing me for the Philippa business, again?
WENDY: Yes.
ANDREW: I thought we were in a better place.
WENDY: You might find it easy not to beat yourself up about it. But I can't let it go. It is still there for me, every day.

No 22
On the patio, Terese tells Toadie she's made a statement at the police station about the protest.

TERESE: On top of all the other disasters with this project, now our friends are getting arrested. This project is toxic. And I'm at the heart of it all.

Nell and Hugo come out to join them - they have questions to ask about Melanie.

NELL: When her arm's in a sling, how will she look after herself - work, cook?
HUGO: And get dressed. It'll be really hard to do that stuff with one arm and no one to help.
TOADIE: There will be people to help. From the hospital. And her friends will pop in, too.
NELL: But they won't be there all the time. And what about her house? It's awful.
TOADIE: Darling, it's not your job to worry about this kind of stuff.
NELL: Someone has to.
HUGO: We want to help her.
TOADIE: Okay, I tell you what. I'll call the hospital, and I'll see what kind of services are available.
NELL: People usually have family to help with this sort of stuff. She doesn't.
TOADIE: I'll make sure that she has everything she needs, okay?

Terese looks guilty.

No 28
Karl is describing a tuba solo that Harold did during their trip, at some kind of bonfire event.

KARL: That was history- making, said the guide.

Susan can't believe Harold took the tuba in the first place. Terese turns up at the door - Karl assumes it's to ask him whether he wants the job at Eirini Rising, but in fact it's not.

TERESE: I'm wanting your help.
SUSAN: Oh. Uh, what is it?
TERESE: Well, it's a bit of an ask. But I feel like it's the only way to fix things, or at least begin to. So, Melanie will be discharged at some point soon (...) Where Melanie's been living, it's... it's not good. In fact, it's awful. And she really has no one. So, I was wondering if maybe she could stay here - with you.

Karl and Susan look surprised.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Sadie tells Andrew she's worried about him and Wendy; he admits he's handled things pretty badly
- Nicolette accuses Chloe of lying her head off since she's been back in Erinsborough
- Melanie asks Terese if she's sure she won't be a problem for her and Toadie
- Toadie asks Terese how they're meant to move on as a family with Melanie across the street