Previously on Neighbours
- Lucy returns to support Paul through David's funeral
- Chelsea tells Leo she's here to support Paul too, but Leo tells her he doesn't need it
- Lucy also tells Chelsea to back off
- Barred from David's funeral, Krista holds her own private memorial for him at the lake
- After spying on Leo and Krista for Paul, Sadie tells him she thinks they make a nice couple
- But Paul responds that he's not paying Sadie for her opinion
- Sadie later does some digging and learns Paul met Eden just before David died
- Sadie asks Byron if it's best to be kind or honest; he replies that he'd choose to be kind
- Krista gets a text from Leo, apologising for excluding her and asking if she wants to come to the wake
- But when she turns up, Paul launches into a vicious public tirade, blaming her for David's death
- Sadie snaps and screams at Paul to leave Krista alone, revealing to all about Paul and Eden's rendezvous
The Waterhole
Paul and Krista stare at each other in the wake of Sadie's revelation, while the assembled residents - Leo, Aaron, Nicolette, Wendy, Melanie, Jane, Byron, Terese and Toadie - look horrified.
LEO: This is a joke, right?
WENDY: Sadie?
LEO: Dad, what is she talking about?
TERESE: Paul...?
PAUL: Uhh... yeah, I saw him, yeah. He was looking for Krista, and I wanted to get rid of him.
LEO: What, it's true?
PAUL: I... I didn't think it was gonna play out like this, though.
KRISTA (upset): You told him that I was pregnant? You told him where I was?
AARON: Hold on. So you are the one who sent Eden?
PAUL: Oh, I didn't send him, exactly...
LEO: You told him where we were!
PAUL: Yeah, but I did it for you, son. Don't you see? I was trying to get Krista out of your life.
He turns to Krista, raging again.
PAUL: Because you are still the reason that he was in our lives in the first place!
NICOLETTE: You put all of us in danger?
PAUL: Yeah, but I... I didn't think anyone was getting hurt, least of all David.
NICOLETTE (yelling tearfully): What did you think that he was gonna do out there?!
PAUL (desperate): I don't know, alright - I don't know! But he was gonna find out about the baby sooner or later.
LEO: Stop lying to justify it. You told him where we were. You gave him a reason to hunt us down!
PAUL: Yeah, alright, it was naive. I understand that now. If I could take it back, I would - I'd take back every word.
LEO: If anyone's responsible for David's death...
PAUL: Son, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Paul reaches out to Leo, but Leo backs away. Still crying, Nicolette encourages Aaron and Leo to leave, to pick up Isla and Abigail (it's not clear where from!) Krista accompanies them out, as does everyone else, appalled by Paul's behaviour. Terese is the only one hanging around, while Toadie waits at the door for her - but Terese simply shakes her head in disbelief at Paul, before leaving herself. Paul looks panicked.
No 26
Sadie is explaining to Andrew and Wendy about how she realised she'd seen Eden's jumper before, when he bumped into her in the hotel, after Andrew brought it back from No 28 as evidence. Sadie explains she'd kept quiet because Paul's family had been through enough - but then when Paul attacked Krista, she had to say something.
SADIE: There's more... I think Paul ramped things up when he realised that Krista and Leo were in love.
ANDREW: Why does that involve you?
SADIE: I told him. I've been spying on them for Paul.
Lassiter's Hotel
Leo sits on the bed in Krista's room, while Krista is on the phone to Jane, whom she thanks for having taken Isla and Abigail home with her. After the call...
LEO: Thank you. I couldn't deal with any more questions from Abi about where Grandad was (...) I have to apologise.
KRISTA: What for?
LEO: The way I've been treating you.
KRISTA: You invited me to the wake.
LEO: Yeah, but... even before that.
KRISTA: Okay. At least we know why Paul was going after me so much. He's projecting his own guilt, I guess.
LEO: Yeah. So twisted.
KRISTA: He's hurting too.
LEO: No, no. Don't let him off the hook. Dad's the reason David's gone.
Penthouse
We see Paul going up in the elevator, looking sombre, and holding the order of service from the funeral - then we linger on photos of David, Leo and Paul on the shelf in the penthouse, as Paul comes in. Footage of Paul looking lonely in the penthouse is then intercut with the following scene, at...
No 22
Terese and Toadie have arrived home, and are discussing the extent of Paul's culpability for David's death. It becomes increasingly heated.
TOADIE: He basically caused the death of his own child.
TERESE: Indirectly. I mean, David died falling down an embankment. It's horrible - but an accident.
TOADIE: I can't believe that you are defending him!
TERESE: Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'm not - I'm not. And this sort of behaviour is why we divorced.
TOADIE (walks away): Good.
TERESE: hey, no one is gonna suffer more from the consequences than Paul.
TOADIE: I'd like to hear what Aaron has to say about that. And Leo. And Isla.
TERESE: They don't have the guilt on top of it.
Toadie simply scoffs and approaches Terese, holding David's photo from the order of service up to her face, then nods as if he's made his point.
TOADIE: I'm gonna check on my kids.
He scowls at Terese as he walks upstairs.
Penthouse
Paul is looking very broken indeed.
No 24
An agitated Aaron is talking to Nicolette about Paul, while Jane lingers in the background.
AARON: I hugged him, and I told him that we were lucky to have him in our family.
NICOLETTE: You are gonna drive yourself mad. We can't think about the past, but we can look to the future, and that means our daughter, right?
Leo and Krista turn up at the door, a little apprehensive - Aaron having asked to see Krista.
AARON: I just wanted to say, I'm sorry. I was looking for someone to blame - and Paul, he gave me you. It's only now that I realise that David... he was trying to protect you, and that's because you're part of our family.
Krista just hugs Aaron in response, and Nicolette and Leo smile.
Harold's Café
Wendy and Melanie have come in for a post- wake coffee, and take a table after placing their orders. Wendy explains to Mel that Andrew is taking statements from Paul and Eden following the revelation that they met one another, to make sure the police aren't missing anything. Wendy adds that Sadie's gone home, and that Wendy's avoiding her 'so I don't do any more damage'.
MELANIE: How is this your fault?
WENDY: Clearly I gave her a taste for deception and espionage.
MELANIE: At least she came clean quickly, as opposed to some people.
Chelsea comes in and is surprised to see that Wendy and Mel aren't still at the wake, asking if everything is okay. Wendy hesitates, before deciding to tell Chelsea what happened.
No 24
Jane, Nicolette, Byron, Leo and Krista are all hanging around, while Aaron is staring into space, looking very lost. Paul arrives at the door, wondering why Leo and Abigail aren't at home.
BYRON: Now's not a good time, Paul.
PAUL: Uh, look, I want you to know that I... I've given my statement to Andrew...
But before he can say any more, Aaron gets up and approaches him angrily.
AARON: Listen. What I said to you at the funeral earlier - I take it back. You are not a part of this family anymore.
PAUL: No, Aaron -
AARON (yelling): No, shut up! I'm gonna use the same words you used for Krista. What do you think your sorry is worth? What do you think it's worth to Isla? There is nothing you can possibly do to bring her father back!
PAUL: He was my son, though...
AARON: Yeah, and now your son is dead. And you will never, ever get to make up for it. Get out!!
Speechless for once, a shaken Paul has no option but to leave.
Lassiter's Complex
Paul is out for a walk with Lucy. He admits he was wrong to have blamed Krista for everything.
PAUL: I wrestled with it, believe me. Down at the lake, when you asked me what really drove me out there. I wanted to confess everything, but I just... I was scared.
As they walk by, Chelsea watches from a distance, but doesn't approach.
LUCY: And then you saw Krista?
PAUL: Yeah. Well, it was easy to put everything on her.
LUCY: (sigh)
PAUL: That's all you're gonna say, is it?
LUCY: Oh, I've got a lot to say, but I don't think it's gonna be really helpful!
PAUL: Yeah, well, anything's better than silence.
Paul begins to tear up, as Chelsea sneaks closer, unseen for the time being.
PAUL: You see, I would do anything to bring David back.
LUCY: I know you're not responsible for his death. But you are to blame for the poor decisions before and after.
Exasperated with her brother, Lucy goes off to call Chris and Annie, telling Paul she'll talk to him later. Chelsea now approaches, telling Paul she heard what happened at the wake. He replies that he doesn't need another lecture.
CHELSEA: I came to see if there's anything that I can do.
PAUL: Thanks, but I... I think I just need to be alone right now.
He walks away from her.
No 22
There's a tense atmosphere between Toadie and Terese following their row before. Terese decides to tackle the silence head- on, but Toadie is wary of another argument.
TOADIE: Seems it's unavoidable when it comes to some topics, though, doesn't it?
TERESE: What, are you just gonna punish me because I have compassion for Paul?
TOADIE: You're letting him off the hook.
TERESE: No, I'm not!
TOADIE: Sounds that way!
TERESE (emotional): Look... I know that you understand loss. But to lose a child... it's impossible to describe it unless you've experienced it. You're [not] supposed to outlive your children. You're supposed to guide them and protect them, not bury them. Paul's already lost one child. He's gonna be in hell forever, and I just don't see the need to pile on top of that, that's all.
TOADIE: I'm not saying that we tar and feather him. But it just sounded like you were minimising what he did, and I am allowed to challenge that.
TERESE: Sure. You're right. I think clearly there's just some things that we can't talk about without fighting.
TOADIE: ... Maybe we shouldn't talk about them at all then. And although I do know loss, I don't know what it is like to lose a child. And I recognise that this is just bringing everything back for you... and for that, I am sorry.
Lassiter's Complex
At a table outside the hotel, Lucy is venting to Jane about Paul over a much- needed bottle of wine, saying she feels like everything he touches is contaminated.
LUCY: Sometimes I feel so glad I live on the other side of the world.
Lucy is keen for another drink, but Jane is keen to get back to the family. They share a hug before Jane goes on her way. Chelsea, who has been lurking nearby, spies an inroad, and goes to chat to Lucy.
CHELSEA: I'm sorry about what's happened in your family (...) I heard about the wake. I know you want to give Paul time and space, but who's supporting him now?
LUCY: Well, unfortunately, he's alienated everyone.
CHELSEA: You'll be flying back to New York soon. Is it right that he's left all alone?
LUCY: Why do you even care?
CHELSEA: We spent a lot of time together before David died. I was even there when he found out. I saw how it affected him... I guess I feel connected.
Lucy lets her guard down somewhat, admitting she's worried about what will happen when she leaves.
CHELSEA: Can I buy you a drink? If anyone deserves it, you do.
LUCY: Hmm... I suppose I could stay for one.
No 22
Terese tries to break the ice with Toadie by suggesting a movie night in their trackies, but he says he has to head to the office to check some details on David's will, on behalf of Nicolette. But he suggests they watch the movie when he gets back, and Terese agrees to wait up. He hesitates before kissing her, then leaves the house.
Once he's gone, Terese gets a text from Paul, simply saying, 'I need you'. She looks worried.
Penthouse
Paul returns home to find Leo there, but he's only back to pick up one of Abigail's toys.
LEO: Abi's a bit unsettled. Go figure.
PAUL: Oh. Is there anything I can do to help, then?
LEO: Yeah. Never see her again. Or me.
PAUL: Oh, Leo, you can't ask me to do that.
LEO: You don't have a choice. I'll send someone to pick up our stuff.
Paul begs for five minutes to explain himself, but Leo replies that there's nothing he can say.
LEO: You know, I get you didn't want anyone to get hurt, and I understand that you're upset, but I don't care. You can't bring David back. We're done.
Leo glares at Paul as he exits via the elevator. Paul looks devastated.
Harold's Café
Toadie comes in for a coffee, and Melanie heads over to ask how Terese is doing. Toadie admits she's 'had better days'.
MELANIE: I can imagine. David was her stepson.
TOADIE: Well, yeah, that's part of it.
MELANIE: What's the rest?
TOADIE: ... Kinda had a fight. She seems to think that Paul is gonna feel so guilty that everyone should just lay off.
MELANIE (scoffs): Well, I wonder what Aaron, Isla and Nicolette would have to say about that.
TOADIE: Yeah. I thought that too.
MELANIE: I just found out that he was bribing Sadie to spy on Leo and Krista. I mean, maybe if Terese knew that, she'd think differently.
TOADIE: No, she'd probably just find some other way to rationalise it.
MELANIE: Yeah, well, I suppose her and Paul were together for a long time. It's understandable that she'd have a lot of empathy for him.
TOADIE: You've known Paul since the eighties. Do you feel that way?
MELANIE: No. But I wasn't in love with him. You know, we all make mistakes, don't we? But this? Next level.
TOADIE: Hmm. I know that. Everyone else knows that. Apart from Terese.
No 22
Andrew tells Wendy that Eden's confirmed Paul's account of events. Wendy asks if Paul could be charged with anything, but Andrew says not - Paul was reckless in sending Eden after Krista, but not criminal. Sadie comes in, looking sheepish.
SADIE: So, what's my punishment?
ANDREW: You're an adult. We're not gonna punish you.
SADIE: Well, getting the silent treatment almost feels like the entrée to the main course, so...
WENDY: Well, what would you like us to do?
SADIE: Be honest? Tell me how you are really feeling?
ANDREW: We're disappointed. I mean, you know that spying for Paul is wrong. Doesn't matter how expensive your course is.
WENDY: But... we've also realised that we set you a bad example (...) I asked you to take photos of Cara's résumé...
ANDREW: I covered up the Philippa situation. We've obviously taught you the wrong way to go about things.
Andrew suggests they don't talk about it any further, as it's been a big week. He grabs a beer and walks off. Sadie still looks troubled.
No 24
Leo and Krista are hanging out with Nicolette and Aaron. Leo mentions that the origami cranes Krista made for David are still in the lake. Nicolette suggests to Aaron that they take Isla to look at them tomorrow, but he remains quiet. Terese turns up to see Leo, and shows him the text message Paul sent her.
LEO (scoffs): What, he couldn't get me on side so he's trying it on with you?
TERESE: I don't think he's in any state to play games, Leo.
LEO: Well, it's not my problem! I told him I'm moving out, and he's not to see Abi.
TERESE: So he's gonna lose both of you as well as David?
LEO: Yeah. And if you have any sense, you'll do the same. Block his number and go back to the life you've built with Toadie. Dad's not worth it.
The Waterhole
Sadie is lamenting to Byron about her parents refusing to get angry with her, admitting she'd rather they yell at her than 'pour their guilt' on her 'with their sad little puppy- dog eyes' - as now she only feels worse. Byron tries to console her by telling her that it's Paul's modus operandi to get people to spy for him - he tried to use Byron to spy on Reece in the same way.
SADIE: And did you?
BYRON: ... I didn't.
SADIE: No. Of course you didn't, because you have a backbone. While I'm a soulless money- grabber who'll sell their principles for a make- up course.
He takes her hand.
BYRON: Hey, do you mind being easy on my friend Sades here?
SADIE: Why are you being so nice? And don't give me, 'It's better to be kind than honest'. Cos I need honesty.
BYRON: Fine. Look, I've just come from a house where people are grieving and angry. And they have every right to be, but... it's also nice to remember to be grateful.
SADIE: For what? That I'm not doing hard time?
BYRON: That we have people who care for us. David was a good friend to a lot of people, and that's what I want to be for you.
SADIE: Is it too much to ask for another hug today?
It isn't, and Byron duly obliges.
Lassiter's Complex
As Jack Savoretti's 'Deep Waters' plays, Terese walks into the courtyard via the alleyway by Harold's. Looking across towards the hotel and the law office next door, she can see Toadie working through the window, and looks conflicted. But her gaze inevitably turns back towards the hotel...
Penthouse
Paul's looking out over the balcony at the skyline. Relief falls over his face as he turns to see Terese, emerging in slow motion from the lift...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Melanie asks Karl if he thinks it isn't weird that Terese is focusing on Paul's loss rather than his guilt
- Paul tells Terese that it absolutely tears him up seeing her and Toadie together
- Chelsea tells Remi she isn't going to turn her back on a man who needs her support
- Terese is startled to run into Lucy and Chelsea as she exits the hotel; Lucy remarks that she's here late
- Terese looks nervous as Lucy asks if everything's okay