Waterhole
Byron is talking to Tamara about South Africa and other destinations. She recently lost her dog and wants to go to Tahiti for Christmas. Everything will be first class service if Byron agrees to accompany her - will he fly out with her tomorrow night?

Across the bar, Nicolette asks Tamara who Byron is talking to.

Back with Byron and Tamara, Byron has come to a decision.

BYRON: OK, let's do it!
TAMARA: Really?
BYRON: Yeah, really!

Tamara is very pleased.

Lassiter's
Chloe is shocked to hear that Paul has re- hired Tina Marron as manager of the day spa. He changes the subject quickly, inviting her to pop in for Christmas if she's at a loose end. Chloe looks confused.

No.30
Nicolette interrogates Byron about Tamara. She hopes he's not going to escorting as a rebound from Reece. He tells her that he'll be gone tonight.

No.22
Terese, Jane and Toadie are anxiously awaiting the Council decision. The phone finally rings and Terese answers it. She listens for a while and then rings off.

TERESE: We got the approval!

They all whoop in delight.

JANE: Now we just need is the Education Department on board!

They continue to celebrate.

Lassiter's Complex
Chloe is telling Melanie about Tina the awful day spa manager. She's wondering what Paul is up to. They will see each other at the Kennedy's tomorrow for Christmas

Paul sees Aaron playing with Isla and pops over for a chat. Aaron tells him that his Waterhole job is going well and he's enjoying it. Paul invites them for Christmas, but Aaron says they're having lunch at Jane's and then going to a party across the road.

No.30
Nicolette is berating Byron for leaving the family for Christmas.

Haz comes in and tells Byron off for talking to Holly about him and Mackenzie.

BYRON: I know that you feel like I sold you out...
HAZ: I've kept a *lot* of secrets for you. It clearly wasn't a two- way street.
BYRON: No, but you're my mate, OK, and so is Holly. It was a no- win situation.
HAZ: So I copped the short straw?
BYRON: Look, what you and Mack were doing, it was unfair.
HAZ: Sorry, what?
BYRON: Holly. She's a real person, OK, with real feelings! She deserved better from you and from Mack.
HAZ: Thanks for your thought- provoking analysis(!) Maybe you can share it with everyone at the party.
BYRON: OK. Whatever. Look, I've got a job offer overseas, so I leave tonight. I was going to ask if you wanted to sub- let my room, but maybe I'll just clear out.
HAZ: Do what you got to do.

Lassiter's Complex
Haz is a bit shaken by his fight with Byron. Chloe tells him that emotions are heightened at Christmas. Aaron thinks Paul is looking lonely.

They talk about the wedding and Aaron says it'll be the second best wedding ever, after his!

Aaron tells Haz that Jane won't like Byron leaving tonight.

Harold's Cafe
Jane tells Melanie that she's missing Mike and Sam, but she's happy that they got Council Approvel - and one of the councillors, Anthony Marron has reached out to the Education Department on their behalf. Melanie recognises the name Marron and realises that Tina is his daughter (confirmed by Jane)

No.24
Jane comes in and finds Byron and Nicolette there. Nicolette needles Byron, asking him what time he's coming over for Christmas lunch(!) Jane says she doesn't mind what time he comes over, she's just looking forward to spending time with everyone.

When Byron is helping Jane with something, Nicolette picks up his phone. There's a text from Tamara on it.

Penthouse
Aaron has brought Paul a picture that Isla did for him. Paul gives Aaron a present for Isla - a season ticket for the zoo. He asks him if he can put it in with the other Christmas presents. Aaron takes it, somewhat reluctantly.

Melanie comes up as Aaron is leaving and tackles Paul about the Marron coincidence. He admits that she's caught him out, but it's just a favour for two friends. He asks Melanie to keep it quiet.

PAUL: If you tell her, you'll only be shooting yourself in the foot.
MELANIE: Excuse me?
PAUL: Well, if you tell Terese, it'll probably be the final nail in the coffin for me and her.
MELANIE: There is no "you and her"
PAUL: And then...she'll be with Toadie. Who anyone can see you're clearly still in love with. Oh, come on, Melanie. You're on the street, you're in the perfect position to make this right for both of us. So, by this time next Christmas, everything could be back to how it should be!

Harold's Cafe
Nicolette has apparently messaged Tamara to meet at the cafe, pretending to by Byron(!)

Tamara says Byron is lovely - kind, sensitive and attentive - and gives her total and complete satisfaction.

NICOLETTE: Satisfaction?
TAMARA: I call him my love musician. He's the maestro and my entire body is his instrument. Sometimes a cello, sometimes a harmonica, sometimes a cello.
NICOLETTE: OK, please stop!
TAMARA: You've never hit those heights?
NICOLETTE: I am not Byron's client, I'm his sister. Byron's in no place to be your love musician right now, he just split up with the woman he thought was the love of his lift.
TAMARA: He said he'd had a rough time lately.
NICOLETTE: If he gets on that plane, it won't be because he wants to be with you. It'll be because he's trying to escape. And then one day it'll hit him, he doesn't want your instrument, he wants Reece Sinclair's instrument and he'll be a mess, you'll be a mess, nobody will be blowing any harmonicas...do you get it now?

No.24
Melanie comes to see Jane, who is basting the Christmas turkey. She's clearly come to a decision.

MELANIE: Paul's the reason why you got Council approval. He's bribed Anthony Marron.

Waterhole
TOADIE: Paul did what?
MELANIE: He did a deal. Reinstated Tina in exchange for Anthony backing the project.
TERESE: Are you sure?!

Melanie nods, firmly.

TERESE: This is...how did you find out?!
MELANIE: Well, I knew that Chloe was unhappy about Tina getting her job back and after I realised it was her dad who'd helped you, I confronted Paul. He said you guys didn't understand how Council works and he's just doing you a favour.
TOADIE: One which I'm sure he'll want to collect on at some point.
MELANIE: Weirdly, he claims that he's not wanting credit, but you all know him as well as I do.
TERESE: And now we're accomplices in something illegal.
JANE: What do you think would happen if we're exposed?
TERESE: It'd be the end of Eirini Rising and Erinsborough High. The whole project would collapse!

No.24, evening
Byron comes in.

BYRON: What did you do?
NICOLETTE: I'm going to need specifics before I answer that question.
BYRON: Tamara? Yeah, well, she pulled the pin on Tahiti. Apparently, you said I was too messed up to go!
NICOLETTE: So what part of it do you want me to explain, exactly...?
BYRON: Nic! You don't get to interfere with my life!
NICOLETTE: Yes, I do, that's the whole point of family!
BYRON: You don't get it, OK? I needed this.
NICOLETTE: Returning to escorting isn't going to help you get over Reece.
BYRON: There's nothing wrong with going back to a job that I enjoyed! What if I went to your boss and said that you had a bad break- up and that you were unfit to work?
NICOLETTE: That's not what this is about. My job doesn't take me away from family which is what you need right now.
BYRON:(exasperated) You...arghhh...

Jane comes in and asks what's going on. She's shocked to hear that Byron might be going back to escorting.

Penthouse
Terese storms in.

TERESE: Just when I thought you couldn't hurt me anymore, you go and do this!
PAUL:(calmly) Ah, you've been talking to Melanie.
TERESE: Do you have *any* idea what Jane and I have been through these past few months?! We are finally on the same page! Finally behind the same project, we were this close to it happening!
PAUL: And you still are.
TERESE: You bribed a councillor to swing the vote!
PAUL: Come on, Terese, you know how these things work...
TERESE: No, no, no, I know how *you* work. Lying, scheming, you had nothing to do with this.
PAUL: I had everything to do with this.
TERESE: I'm sorry, how? We're not married anymore.
PAUL: Because I still love you, and I always will.

No.24
Jane and Byron are talking things over.

BYRON: I didn't have the heart to tell you, Mum.
JANE: How could you even consider leaving?
BYRON: It's just, when Tamara asked me to go to Tahiti with her, it felt like fate. I don't have my job, I don't have Reece... You know, the future that I thought I had, it's not there anymore. I feel embarrassed and stupid for ever thinking it was ever an option.
JANE: Oh, Byron...
BYRON: No, it's my fault. If Reece loved me, Mum, if she really loved me, she would have found a way to make it work. Why didn't she try? Why did she give up on us?
JANE: Sometimes...even the greatest love is no match for what the world throws at you. But I am positive that she *did* love you. How could she not? You're amazing.
BYRON: Running away isn't an option now anyway, thanks to Nicolette.
JANE: So you stay right here, with people who love you. We will get you through this, I promise.
BYRON: Thanks, Mum.

Nicolette looks on.

Penthouse
PAUL: Now you might think that my motivations were sinister, but if Melanie hadn't made the connection, you would not have even known about this!
TERESE: And how is that remotely better?
PAUL: Don't you see Terese?! I was trying to help you, I was trying to make your dream come true! And I didn't want *anything* in return.
TERESE: You *always* want something in return, Paul! Even if it's to cause me more pain!
PAUL: That's not true. I just want you to succeed and to be happy.
TERESE: You know what I find really insulting? Why do you think that I need your help?! Before I met you, I was a success. After I divorced you, I was a success. I am who I am today because of *me*. You had nothing to do with it!
PAUL: Alright, I overstepped.
TERESE: Yeah. And now I could lose everything, Jane too.
PAUL: Mmm...only if you speak up.
TERESE: Oh!

She turns to go.

PAUL: Come on, look, why don't you just let this rest over Christmas.
TERESE: Christmas?!
PAUL: Yeah! Put it out of your mind for tomorrow and I will figure out a way to make this right, OK?
TERESE: You know, Paul, I will put it out of my mind. I won't let you spoil my day.
PAUL: Good!
TERESE: I'm going to be with Toadie. And the kids. People who I love. People who love me. Who are you going to be with, Paul? Oh...let me guess. No- one! Because, I mean David wants nothing to do with you and I'm sure Leo's made other plans. Nobody can stand being around you. Now, if you want to make this right, you stay out of my life for good. Merry Christmas, Paul.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Holly is worried about Haz and Mackenzie's flirtation.
- Richie at the Christmas Party
- Melanie is upset that she's lost everything with Toadie.
- Toadie tells Paul to let Terese go
- Paul tells Toadie that he and Terese are cut from the same cloth.