Ramsay Street
An emotional Melanie apologises to Toadie, acknowledging that she shouldn't have hit him.

TOADIE: I deserve it, for what I said.
MELANIE: This happened because you came to me, again and again.
TOADIE: I was confused.
MELANIE: Confused?! You told me that you felt something for me. We both did this.
TOADIE: Yeah, well, I mean, it doesn't help that you were actively trying to, like, get in my head.
MELANIE (crying): What, acted on what you said? I wanted our life back. And I've just been waiting for you to be honest with yourself.
TOADIE: Mel, you had that. And you gave it up a year and a half ago, when you weren't honest with me.
MELANIE: I will regret that for the rest of my life. But it does not give you the right to use me because you're frustrated with Terese. I deserve better. And so does she.

At this point, Nell and Hugo appear behind them, returning from staying at friends' houses. Nell asks what's going on, and Melanie walks back to No 28, leaving the burden of explanation to Toadie...

No 26
In the garden, Andrew is on the phone to Wendy, seemingly discussing the disintegration of Toadie's marriage. As he ends the call, he turns the corner to find Felix lounging in the spa.

ANDREW: I see you're just easing into the job- hunting, yeah?
FELIX: Yeah. Gotta be relaxed for the interviews, mate. It's all part of the prep.

But he admits he doesn't have any interviews yet. To Andrew's surprise, a woman then emerges from the water, gasping for breath!

WOMAN: Oh, hi! I'm Jools.
ANDREW: (bemused wave)
FELIX: Jools, this is my brother, Andrew.
JOOLS: Oh my gosh, it's so good to meet you! I'm so grateful for what you're doing for Lixy! Sorry about the splashy entrance. I'm practising my underwater skills...
ANDREW: Yeah, it's okay, I don't really need to know.
JOOLS: ... so that I can try snorkelling. We're planning on going on a little holiday.
FELIX: Not any time soon, obviously.
JOOLS: Yeah, still... practice makes perfect.
FELIX: Sure does.

They kiss, and Andrew asks Jools if he can have a minute alone with 'Lixy'. She steps out to give them some space to talk.

No 22
Toadie is talking to Nell and Hugo at the dining table. He tells them that he and Terese are having some time apart. When Hugo asks if they're getting divorced, Toadie says not, and insists they just need space for a few days.

HUGO: That's what Ollie's dad said when he moved out last year. He never moved back in.
TOADIE: Well, I'm sorry to hear that. But this is a very different situation, Hugo.
NELL: Did you and Terese have a fight about something, or... someone?
TOADIE: Terese is angry at me for something that I did. I crossed a boundary with Melanie that I shouldn't have.

Instantly realising what he means, Nell asks Hugo if he can talk to Toadie alone for a second. Hugo exits.

NELL: Did you cheat on Terese with Mel?
TOADIE: It's not something that I planned.
NELL: Poor Terese.
TOADIE: Yeah, yeah, she's very upset. And angry with me, and she has a right to be. I'm gonna fix it, though. I promise. I need to fix it.

Lassiter's Park
Terese is out for a walk and a takeaway coffee with Wendy. Wendy is being supportive over the situation with Toadie, telling Terese that she can always lean on her to talk, or as a shoulder to cry on. Terese asks how Felix is settling in. Wendy thinks 'so far, so good'.

WENDY: I mean, it's funny, watching the brothers work out their dynamic.
TERESE: But he and Andrew get along, yeah?
WENDY: Oh, definitely. But he does know how to push Andrew's buttons. Maybe even better than me.

Wendy says they're hoping Felix will get a job, and an idea occurs to her of something she thinks he'd be great at. Terese looks intrigued...

Nearby, Slade and some of his minions appear over a hill with a load of what look like stolen handbags and other items, acting very shifty. They find a spot on the grass and start rifling through the bags, with Slade instructing his gang to take any cash they can find.

JJ appears nearby with a basketball, and looks worried when he sees Slade and co. He turns back and walks in the other direction, luckily unseen by them this time.

No 26
Jools has found some goggles and is having another crack at her 'underwater skills' in the spa! Meanwhile nearby, Andrew asks Felix how they met. He says they met in a bar before he went to jail.

FELIX: She's a total sweetheart.
ANDREW: I'm sure she is. But we need to set some ground rules, mate, or this isn't gonna work.
FELIX: I thought the rules were 'no parties and no bad guys', not 'no girlfriends'.
ANDREW: She's your girlfriend now?
FELIX: Don't tell her that, but... yeah. She really stuck by me. When I cut you guys out, she was all I had.
ANDREW: Look, just... ask next time, yeah?

Jools cheers 'yes!' from the spa, seemingly having broken her own underwater record. Andrew leaves her and Felix to it, and Felix rejoins her.

JOOLS: Are you in trouble?
FELIX: No more than usual.
JOOLS: I don't want things to be weird with you and your brother. You've got enough on your plate with that kid- across- the- road business.
FELIX: Keep your voice down!
JOOLS: I can't stop thinking about that birthmark. Two of you, same marks, same place. It's crazy.

Felix snaps at her, saying he gets it, and then apologises.

FELIX: It's just, having a kid was not part of the plan, you know?
JOOLS: And you didn't think about that before you handed over your baby batter?
FELIX: I was still young myself. I only did it cos Andrew bailed, and Philippa offered me cash (...) I thought this would be the perfect place to get back on my feet, but...
JOOLS: Before you knew about JJ.
FELIX: Yeah. I don't wanna think about it.
JOOLS: Well, I can take care of that.

She starts splashing him with water, and he playfully protests.

Lassiter's Lake
Terese is sitting alone on a bench when Melanie approaches. When Mel calls out, Terese immediately gets up to walk away.

TERESE: I've got nothing to say to you.
MELANIE: Fair enough. I just wanted you to know that... I'm sorry.
TERESE: Well... you got what you wanted.
MELANIE: Toadie doesn't want me. He thinks what happened between us was a huge mistake. It's you he wants - he told me.
TERESE: ... So it was all for nothing.
MELANIE: How is that nothing?
TERESE: Oh, come on. Do you really think I want to be with somebody that would treat me like that?
MELANIE: He hates himself for it, and he hates me too.
TERESE (shouting): You're not listening to me, Melanie! I don't care!

Taking the hint, Melanie walks away, leaving Terese looking upset.

Ramsay Street
Felix and Jools are leaving No 26 hand- in- hand, and she suggests a picnic tomorrow. He agrees to it. He then gets a text from Wendy, saying that there are labouring jobs going at the school/Eirini Rising development; she's given him the details of the foreman, presumably from Terese.

JOOLS: Wendy sounds amazing. I have a very good feeling that we can be besties in the making.
FELIX: I reckon she'd be stoked.

We hear the bounce of a basketball nearby; it's JJ, on his way home. He waves at Felix, and Jools realises who he is. Felix looks uncomfortable.

FELIX: Hey, maybe you and I should take off, start that snorkelling holiday early.
JOOLS: But what about your parole conditions?
FELIX: I'll work for a couple of weeks. Save some cash. We can go to the Philippines.
JOOLS (excited): I've always wanted to go to the Philippines! It looks gorgeous!

She kisses him excitedly, and wishes him good luck with his call to the site foreman, before leaving.

No 22
Toadie asks Nell and Hugo if they have any questions about what's happened, or if there's anything they want to say. But both kids remain quiet. He tells them that whatever happens, he'll always be here for them.

NELL (quietly angry): Does that have to mean right now?

Toadie takes the hint that she wants some space from him, and prepares to head out. Nell flinches as he hugs and kisses her, and he does the same to Hugo.

TOADIE: I love you both very, very much.

Once he's gone, Hugo asks Nell if they'll have to move house again. She replies that she doesn't know.

HUGO: We can't go back to our old house. Does that mean we have to leave the street?
NELL: Whatever happens, we'll be okay. I'll look after you, Hugo.

The Waterhole
Slade and his fellow hoons are playing pool when Andrew comes in. He tells them the police have had several reports of thefts in the complex today, and asks if they know anything about it.

SLADE: No, but thanks for the warning. I'll keep an eye out.
ANDREW: There was one witness that saw a group matching your description leaving the car park after items in the car went missing, about 11 o'clock.
SLADE: It couldn't be us. You know, we were busy.
ANDREW: Doing what?
SLADE: Improv practice. You know, we're in a group. It's called, uh, 'Pigs Might Fly'. Think you might like it.

Slade and his gang walk off, chortling to themselves. As they leave the pub, Felix comes in; and Andrew explains they were the gang he's been telling him about, but that he doesn't have enough evidence to charge them yet.

FELIX: Well, in that case, forget 'em. Buy me a drink to celebrate my new job.
ANDREW: Whoa, that was quick. Well done!

But Felix then admits he hasn't actually scored the job yet, just got himself an interview, so Andrew tells him they can celebrate with a drink once it's in the bag. Felix leaves again, and Andrew spots Toadie sitting alone at a table, so sits down to join him.

ANDREW: Mate...

Lassiter's Complex
JJ emerges from Harold's with a drink, and is heading down the alleyway towards the lake, when Slade and his goons block off the exits both ways, trapping him. Slade knocks JJ's drink to the floor.

SLADE (sniggering): Oh, sorry, buddy!

JJ readies his fists for a fight, but Slade just laughs at him, then grabs him and slams him against a wall.

SLADE: Face or guts? You choose!

But at this point, Felix appears.

FELIX: Choose me. I've been looking for ways to keep my skills up. Less opportunities when you're not in jail.

Slade responds with a sulky 'whatever', but looks scared, and he and his gang scarper.

JJ (shaken): Thank you so much.
FELIX: Yeah, no problem. Lucky timing.

No 28
Melanie comes into the house to find Nell inside, waiting for her. Nell explains that Holly let her in before she went to work.

MELANIE: What did your dad tell you?
NELL: Enough to know you've blown up my family. Again.

Nell isn't shouting or even raising her voice, but there's an air of quiet devastation about her as she takes Melanie to task.

MELANIE: Nell, I'm so sorry.
NELL: Why did you do it? Why did you wreck everything?
MELANIE: Hang on, I...
NELL: Dad was happy with Terese. We were all happy. She's the reason you're living back on the street. She felt bad for you.
MELANIE: I know, and... I'm very grateful.
NELL: You tried to steal her husband.
MELANIE: No. No, I didn't want to do that.
NELL: You did. I warned you to stay away. I... used to think of you as this magical person who could fix everything. Make things more fun. I was wrong. You're just selfish.
MELANIE: I'm so sorry that I've hurt you.
NELL: Don't say that. You knew what you were doing... and you still did it.

Nell walks out, leaving Melanie looking guilty.

The Waterhole
Toadie tells Andrew that he's going to try and make things right.

ANDREW: What does that look like? Separation?
TOADIE: What?! No. No, god, I hope not (...) I'm giving Terese some space, and then when she comes home, we're gonna work through this.
ANDREW: Does she want that too?
TOADIE: Well, yeah, I mean, we're married.
ANDREW: A lot of marriages wouldn't survive this. And you seem very drawn to Melanie in a big way.
TOADIE: Terese is the one that I want to be with. She's the one that I love.
ANDREW: ... Are you sure?
TOADIE (teary): I wasn't. But I am now. I'll admit that I was very drawn to Melanie, and I know that that's not fair on her. I just couldn't - I can't stop this!
ANDREW: The question, Toadie, is why - why?
TOADIE: Maybe I just... I just needed to know. Oh, god, I'm not proud of that. But... I know now. It's very clear in my head.
ANDREW: Okay.
TOADIE: The thing with Melanie wasn't some romantic reunion. It was a mistake. I forgot what I had - Terese. I can't give up on her.

Lassiter's Hotel
Nell has come to see how Terese is doing, and they are sharing a hug. Terese says she's much happier now Nell's here.

NELL: Dad is such an idiot.
TERESE: ... So, he told you what happened?
NELL: I'm so mad at him for hurting you, after everything you did for him. For us. I went to go see Melanie. Told her what I thought of her.

But Terese sits Nell down and says she doesn't want her to get in the middle of all this.

NELL: But someone has to stand up for you.
TERESE: Thank you. But you don't need to. Your dad and I need to sort through some things, and they're not for you to fix. What did I do to deserve such a loving, beautiful, caring girl in my life?
NELL: Everything.

They hold hands. Nell is crying.

TERESE: You know, I know you're mad with your dad. But when I look at you... I see the best of him. And your mum, too.

This kindness tips Nell over the edge, and Terese gives her a comforting hug.

Harold's Café
Haz gives Felix and JJ free drinks, having heard what just happened with Slade. JJ also takes the opportunity to apologise to Haz for stealing his knife the other week.

JJ: I'm really, really sorry. It was super dumb.
HAZ: I did think it was a bit out of character for you (...) The best way to deal with violence - de- escalate wherever possible.
FELIX (once Haz has gone): Unless you can scare 'em off.
JJ: How did you know what to say, to get him to back down?
FELIX: Well, the first lesson you learn in jail is if you can't beat 'em, psych 'em out.
JJ: Andrew said it's always best to go on the defence.
FELIX: Yeah, but cops are protected. Weapons and backup... it's different when you're on your own.
JJ: Yeah, but I can't see me psyching out Slade. He's not scared of me.
FELIX: There are ways.
JJ: Like what?
FELIX: ... Pretty sure this doesn't match with what Andrew's been teaching you.
JJ: Please. I need all the help I can get.

Power Road
JJ and Felix are walking along together as Felix schools JJ in his 'psych- out' method. He tells him that when dealing with a bigger guy with a longer reach, he needs to use his feet.

FELIX: Come in quick, strike, and get out of the way (...) Then his balance goes, so even if your punch is weak, you'll do damage.
JJ: So just keep attacking?
FELIX: Yeah, sometimes it's the only way.

As they're talking, Slade and his gang pull up in a car nearby and get out, laughing and whooping.

FELIX: Just look 'em in the eye.

Felix stares Slade down, and Slade walks the other way almost immediately, his minions following.

JJ: Hey, forget the construction job! Do you want to be my bodyguard?
FELIX: What does it pay?
JJ: Uh, I'll split my pocket money with you.

Felix laughs, and says another good method is to use the bullies' own tactics against them. He grabs a stray nail from the ground nearby.

FELIX: I hear he likes to do a bit of damage to other people's tyres. Let's see how he likes it. Just keep an eye out, would you?

Felix approaches Slade's car, and hammers the nail into the tyre.

JJ: Hey, isn't that dangerous?
FELIX: Dangerous? Nah. He'll get a flat. Worst case is a blowout down the road, and a scare. One for the good guys.
JJ: Is it, umm... legal?
FELIX: Running over a rusty nail on the street, could happen to anyone. Hey, it's a prank, yeah? He'll have a busted tyre and a bruised ego. He deserves a lot worse.
JJ: Yeah. Yeah, you're right.

No 22
We go into a montage; an emotionally exhausted Toadie looks at photos on the shelf - first one of Nell, Hugo and Callum, and then one of Toadie and Terese, both from his wedding day to her.

Lassiter's Hotel
In her room, Terese is also exhausted, and looks tearfully into the bathroom mirror.

No 28
Melanie is also fighting back tears as she gazes at her wedding ring, then puts it back in its box.

Power Road
Nell and Hugo are walking down the pavement, when an engine revs nearby. It's Slade's car.

SLADE (to Nell): Hey, who's the muppet?
NELL: Get lost, he's my little brother.
SLADE (mocking): Awww!
NELL: We've had a really bad day. Go hassle someone else.
SLADE (to his goons): Oh, no. Did you hear that, guys? They've had a really bad day (!)
NELL: We just want to go home.
SLADE: Oh, cool. Get in, I'll give you a lift.
NELL: No!
HUGO: You'll be in big trouble if you don't leave us alone. Our dad's a lawyer!
SLADE: Oh, do you hear that, guys? Wow, a real live lawyer! Well, we'd better hurry, then!

The thugs leap out of the car, and while Slade holds Nell back, the thugs grab Hugo, and stuff him into the boot of the car! Slade pushes Nell to the floor while his mates close the boot, ignoring Hugo's screams to let him go. The hoons then start the car, Hugo still screaming from inside. Nell is powerless to do anything but watch, horrified, as they drive away...

Coming up on Neighbours
- At Harold's, JJ looks worried as Andrew tells Nell on the phone that they will find Hugo
- Remi, Cara and Dex are there too, and Remi asks Andrew what's going on
- Slade is hooning around in the car in an empty parking lot, seemingly to scare Hugo
- Toadie asks Andrew what will happen if Slade gets spooked and starts 'driving crazy'
- JJ frantically whispers to Felix, worried about what will happen if the tyre blows and the car crashes
- Felix tells JJ to cool it, telling him he has to keep quiet about the tyre, or Felix could go back to jail
- Terese hugs Nell at the pub, as Toadie looks worried nearby