No.22
Terese is pacing around silently looking conflicted. She eventually tells Toadie that she's been thinking about Melanie's situation and admits that she's asked Karl and Susan to have her to stay.

Toadie is stunned. Terese explains that she had to ask Susan and Karl before she changed her mind.

TOADIE: We're meant to be moving on as a family. You, me, Nell, Hugo... How are we meant to do that with Melanie living across the street?
TERESE: I know. But whether we like it or not, Nell still considers Melanie as family. And she's right to be worried about her.

No.28
Karl and Susan are putting up Christmas decorations and discussing Terese's request for them to have Melanie to stay. They're not sure whether it'll be too much for much for both Toadie and Melanie.

No.22
TOADIE: We'll bump into her every day!
TERESE: She has nothing, Toadie! She's got no savings, she's got no sick leave. I mean, she's not going to be able to work for ages...with one arm out of commission.
TOADIE: Does it have to be us that makes the sacrifice, though?
TERESE: Darling, it's not us. It's Karl and Susan.

No.28
Karl and Susan are still discussing the situation. They decide to check with Toadie first - and Holly as well.

No.22
TERESE: I know it's not going to be easy. But Melanie needs real help, from friends that care about her, not strangers. And just as importantly, it's going to be a huge weight off Nell's shoulders. Now, I can't stand in the way of that. Can you?

Hospital
Nicolette is visiting Melanie, who tells her she's having her shoulder re- construction operation tomorrow. They are just laughing about romance novels when Nicolette sees someone pass by the door.

NICOLETTE: Hey...I'm just going to nip out for a sec.
MELANIE: OK, take your time. I am going to get acquainted with this Outback Heartbreaker!

She opens the romance novel.

Nicolette follows the person down the corridor - it's Chloe. She calls after her, but Chloe doesn't answer. Chloe reaches a doctor's office and is invited in. Nicolette looks concerned.

Garden of No.26
Andrew tells Sadie that he's handled things really badly with Wendy - they've never fought like this before.

SADIE: I never knew you guys wanted more kids.
ANDREW: Well, you were so little when we accepted that was never going to happen. You would have never heard us talk about it.
SADIE: Yeah, but you and mum made me feel so special. Nothing ever felt like it was missing.
ANDREW: Nothing ever was missing. We knew how lucky we were to have you.
SADIE: So...why is mum so upset about it now?
ANDREW: Maybe because I...I made her doubt that I believe that.

He hugs her, and Wendy has overheard some of the conversation from the sidelines.

Hospital
Toadie knocks on Melanie's door. She looks up from her romance novel.

MELANIE: I don't want you here.
TOADIE: I'm not that keen on being here myself, to be honest. But someone's asked me to pass something on to you...so, if you let me speak, I'll be out of here so much quicker.
MELANIE: Fine.
TOADIE: When you get discharged, Karl and Susan would like you to go and stay with them.
MELANIE: Are you out of your mind?!
TOADIE: Just while you recover.
MELANIE: No! Thank you to the Kennedys, but...no.
TOADIE: Don't be stubborn, Melanie.
MELANIE: I am a grown woman with a broken shoulder, I am not a stray dog that needs to be taken in by somebody!
TOADIE: You don't have anyone to keep an eye on you at your house. You have osteoperosis, and what's going to happen if you have a fall.
MELANIE: I'm going to be really careful.
TOADIE:(scoffs) Come on. Alright, um, so, how are you going to shower yourself? Or, how are you going to get your groceries? Are you going to do all your own cooking too? And how are you going to get to all your rehab appointments if you can't drive?
MELANIE: I'll ask Sharon if I have to.
TOADIE: Sharon's a flake. Your words, not mine.
MELANIE: Well, then, I'll get my food delivered and use ride shares.
TOADIE: With what money?
MELANIE: I don't see how any of this matters to you.
TOADIE: It doesn't matter to me, it matters to Nell. She's seen where you live and she's worried sick about you going there in this state.
MELANIE: Just...tell her that I'll be alright.
TOADIE: You don't think I've already tried that? If you don't let Karl and Susan look after you, I'm worried that Nell is going to try and do it herself. She's already been incredibly stubborn about being in here with you.
MELANIE: Well, you can just stop her.
TOADIE: I'm not going to keep her away from someone that she loves.
MELANIE: So you have orchestrated all of this for Nell's sake? Is that it?
TOADIE: No, I haven't orchestrated any of this. This is all Terese's idea.

Melanie looks shocked.

No.24
Jane opens the door and isn't pleased to see Terese.

TERESE: Hi, can we talk?
JANE: Is this about the development?
TERESE: Yes, so I've got an idea!
JANE: Whatever it is, I'm not interested.
TERESE: Jane, please, come on!
JANE: I lost, and I'm moving on. All I want to think about now is enjoying an early Christmas with my family before I fly to the UK.

She closes the door in Terese's face.

TERESE:(through the door) Jane, please, just let me explain! Just open the door and hear me out.

But Jane just turns up her music and walks off.

A few minutes later, Terese stalks back down the driveway, but suddenly gets an idea.

Across Ramsay Street, Holly and Haz are putting baubles on a tree outside No.32. They see Terese returning to Jane's house and setting up a deckchair outside.

Office
Paul and Chloe are discussing business. Paul's off to an expensive lunch with an investor - he wants to buy Reece out of the hotel.

When he's gone, Chloe thinks about calling Reece, but before she can, Nicolette drops in. They agree to meet for a drink at the Waterhole later. Nicolette mentions that she saw Chloe at the hospital but she says she hasn't been there.

No.24
Jane and Sam are decorating the Christmas tree - there are some baubles with all of their faces on, including Mike's. Sam glances out of the window.

SAM: Terese is outside.
JANE: I beg your pardon?

Jane looks out and sees Terese sitting in her deckchair.

JANE: I hope she's made herself comfortable because she is going to be waiting out there for a very long time!

She continues to decorate the tree.

No.26
Wendy comes in with some shopping to find Andrew in the living room with a present for her.

She gingerly opens it and finds a drawing of herself, Andrew and Sadie. She laughs in spite of herself.

WENDY: It's us! Didn't I show you something like this online a few months ago?
ANDREW: Yes, in April. It was meant to be for your birthday, but it kept getting delayed. And then I didn't even think it was going to arrive this year, but it showed up this afternoon.

They look at the drawing.

ANDREW: This is all I've ever needed. You, me and Sadie. I'm so sorry that I ever made you question if that is the case.
WENDY: That is not the reason I've been lashing out at you. I was heartbroken when we couldn't have any more kids. And it was really hard for me not to blame myself. To feel like there was something wrong, or...that I wasn't good enough...or I didn't deserve to have another child. And sometimes I feel that way about anything I do. And I guess...when I found out what happened with Phillippa, it took me back to that time and my insecurities. And instead of dealing with it, I just got really angry.
ANDREW: So sorry.
WENDY: You know, you and Sadie are my world. But I need to find a place for myself within it. And really know that I deserve it.
ANDREW: And when you do, I'll be right there cheering you on. Because you do deserve it.

They kiss.

WENDY: I love you.
ANDREW: I love you, too.

Later at No.24
Terese is still sitting in a deckchair outside No.24. Sam suggests Jane goes and talks to her, but Jane isn't keen.

JANE: There is nothing more she could say about the school that would be of any interest to me.
SAM: If you're sure...

Ramsay Street
Terese has just received a text from Melanie when Jane finally comes out.

JANE: Alright. At the risk of you setting up a tent, I will hear what you have to say, but make it quick.
TERESE: I think I know a way to save Erinsborough High.
JANE: Are you pulling out of the deal?
TERESE: No, I can't, that'd be breaching contract.
JANE: Well, then, I fail to see...
TERESE: What if the school and Eirini Rising sat side by side.
JANE: Are you suggesting some sort of sub- division?
TERESE: There's not enough students for the school. So, it could downsize.
JANE: What about Eirini Rising?
TERESE: It could downsize too.
JANE: Well...we wouldn't have to worry about enrolment numbers.
TERESE: And being neighbours to a retirement community...that'd be such a wonderful experience for the students, it'd be groundbreaking.
JANE: The idea does have a certain appeal...the social and educational benefits...but it is very experimental and I have no idea if the Department would even go for it.
TERESE: Well, we could show them what a good idea it is.
JANE: What, you and I?
TERESE: Can you see a more formidable team than us?
JANE: We have been at each other's throats for weeks.
TERESE: Yes, over causes that we're both passionate about. But if we join forces and fight together...I mean, we could even get Susan on board...we'd be unstoppable.

Jane takes this in.

JANE: I'll have a little think about that.
TERESE: Well, you know where to find me.

Jane heads back into the house while Terese looks down at Melanie's text.

Hospital room
Terese has come to see Melanie.

MELANIE: So...why did you suggest this arrangement with Karl and Susan.
TERESE: Is it obvious? You were hurt because of someone I hired.
MELANIE: That doesn't mean that you were responsible for what happened.
TERESE: Yeah, well, unfortunately, my conscience doesn't believe you.
MELANIE: So you feel you owe me?
TERESE: Yeah, that's right.
MELANIE: Well, you're a better woman that I am. I don't think if the shoe was on the other foot, that I could stand to do what you're doing.
TERESE: So, you'll come?
MELANIE: I don't know. As everyone seems to have figured out, I don't have a whole lot of choice. It's not that I'm not grateful to you all, I am. Really. It's just the idea of my ex- husband and his new wife and all of our old friends standing around pitying me.
TERESE: That's not what's happening here.
MELANIE: Are you sure I won't be a problem for you and Toadie?
TERESE: I'm sure. We'll do our best to stay out of your way, and I'd be grateful if you could do the same.

Harold's Cafe
Nicolette is casually asking David if he's spoken to Chloe recently. Karl and Susan come in and they talk about the protest - apparently Elly saw it on social media and says she would have been there if she'd known. Nicolette is surprised to hear that Elly is free at the moment and doesn't have a big work project on.

Hospital
Karl and Susan are talking to Melanie about her staying at their house. While they're talking, Paul comes in with some flowers. He says he's not sure how much relaxation Melanie will get with Toadie and Terese just across the street.

MELANIE: We have discussed the situation and we're all going to be adults about it.
PAUL:(to Karl and Susan) I suppose this was your idea, is it?
SUSAN: Does it matter?
MELANIE: It was Terese's idea, actually.

Paul looks surprised.

MELANIE: Like I said, we're all moving on.

Paul's face shows that he thinks something else is going on.

Harold's Cafe
Paul approaches Terese in the cafe to talk about Melanie moving back to Ramsay Street.

TERESE:(irritated) What's it to you?
PAUL: I was just, you know...keeping your enemy close while you come out as a hero...that's a pretty impressive manoeuvre.
TERESE: Well, Melanie isn't my enemy.
PAUL: Oh, sorry, my mistake(!)
TERESE: What's your point, Paul?
PAUL: My point is, if I had a partner with a vulnerable ex, who also happened to have an emotional choke-hold on their children, yeah, I'd probably want to make sure they were somewhere I could keep an eye on them too.
TERESE: Well, thanks for the unsolicited reminder of how different you and I are.

She walks off to sit at a table with Toadie, but Paul words are clearly quite close to the mark.

Waterhole
Nicolette and Chloe are chatting about Christmas. Chloe is evasive and Nicolette asks why she's been lying about Elly and pretending not to be at the hospital.

CHLOE: Can we just drop it, please?
NICOLETTE: No. There's obviously something going on with you. Tell me what it is, let me help.

Chloe looks worried.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Paul watches Leo, David and the kids from a distance.
- Haz and Holly wearing matching Christmas jumpers
- Mack telling Byron that she doesn't want him to get hurt. He tells her he knows what he's doing.
- Nicolette asks Aaron for Elly's phone number.
- Nicolette calling Elly.