Previously on Neighbours
- Holly tells the sharehouse gang that the police are tracking down Haz's family
- Mackenzie reflects on the fact that with Haz estranged from his family, the sharehousers are 'all he has'
- Krista is surprised to find Jeffrey in Chelsea's room; he tells her that what he and Chelsea have is real
- Krista tells Mel she wishes she could remember why she went to Chelsea's room the night she hit her head
- We go further back, to Chelsea telling Krista there have been complaints about the sauna
- Krista goes to investigate but when she attempts to leave, the door is locked and the room fills with steam
- Paul finds Krista collapsed on the sauna room floor
- Chelsea tells Krista she gave her a real scare
- Krista flashes back to her row with Chelsea, and remembers that Chelsea's responsible for her miscarriage
- Paul asks Chelsea to propose to him again - and this time he says yes
Lassiter's Hotel
Chelsea has champagne on ice in her room, and has covered the bed in rose petals in preparation for a visit from Paul. He turns up, but is surprised to see the room and Chelsea swanning around in her dressing gown, pointing out that they're supposed to be getting ready for the engagement party. Jeffrey calls Chelsea on her phone, but she declines the call.
CHELSEA: Consider it a pre- party amuse- bouche.
She kisses him and Paul is easily swayed, asking her what she had in mind. She pushes him onto the bed and then climbs on top.
CHELSEA: My plan is to remind you that getting hitched is the best decision either of us will make.
PAUL: I'm beginning to see that.
CHELSEA: Does that mean you have time to squeeze me into your busy schedule?
PAUL: Mm, ma chérie - always.
CHELSEA: Good answer.
They kiss some more.
Lassiter's Complex
Outside the pub, preparations are well underway for the engagement party. Aaron is working, while Jane and Nicolette hang around discussing it with him.
JANE: I'm surprised we're even invited.
NICOLETTE: I'm not. It's not like Chelsea and Paul are drowning in friends.
They spot Krista walking by and call her over. She looks very distracted, but blames it on her run- in with Shannon, her former drug dealer, rather than her memory coming back. She explains that Leo helped get rid of Shannon, and that 'he was amazing'. Nicolette smiles at this, evidently thinking there's still hope for Leo and Krista. Krista gets a mystery message and says she has to go. As she walks off...
AARON: Are we gonna see you at the party?
KRISTA: Yeah. No. I dunno, maybe.
No 26
Sadie and Byron are hanging out in the garden, talking about Haz. Sadie is worried that he'll never wake up from the coma, but Byron says there's no way Haz would let Trevor become an orphan. This gives Sadie an idea.
SADIE: That's it... We've been talking to Haz, we've been shoving coffee beans under his nose. We've been doing everything we can to try and get him to wake up - but what we haven't done is taken his best friend to go see him.
BYRON: Sades, we can't take a dog into the hospital.
SADIE: Then we need to make a plan.
The Waterhole
Terese and Toadie are waiting for coffees, and have a pointless conversation to the effect that they both have work to do. Toadie leaves for the law office to do his. Melanie emerges from the bathroom but, seeing Terese, hides from her behind a wall. However, she emerges too early and Terese spots her.
MELANIE: I know I'm being weird. I'm just trying not to make it so awkward for you and Toad. I heard you're making a go of things.
TERESE (awkwardly): We're trying.
MELANIE: I hope you work it out.
TERESE: Thanks, Melanie.
Terese goes to leave, but stops and glances back at Melanie before she goes, looking pensive.
Penthouse
Paul has changed into his suit for the engagement party. He looks contemplatively at his reflection in the door to the balcony. Finding the framed photo of him and Terese from their wedding day in one of the drawers, he gazes at it for a while until Chelsea comes in in a glamorous white dress.
CHELSEA: I'm here. And I'm ready to celebrate us.
She sees the photo he's looking at, and Paul doesn't attempt to hide it; nor is Chelsea overly perturbed by it.
CHELSEA: There's no such thing as just one love. You can find it with other people, too.
PAUL: ... My god, but you're lovely.
CHELSEA: I know.
Paul walks Chelsea towards the lift, dropping the photo into the rubbish bin as he passes it.
CHELSEA: Are you sure you want to do that?
PAUL: Never been surer in my life. Look at you.
Chelsea does a little twirl for him and they step into the lift. We get a close- up shot of Paul and Terese's photo in the bin.
Lassiter's Complex
Chelsea is impressed with Aaron's efforts with the party decor, telling Paul it's 'everything I wanted'. But while he goes to get them some champagne, Chelsea gets another phone call from Jeffrey. She declines it, so Jeffrey messages her, asking, 'Why aren't you answering?' She puts her phone away just in time to clink glasses with Paul.
Leo turns up with an engagement present for them, and offers his congratulations. Chelsea then spots Cara, and rushes over excitedly.
CHELSEA: Can you believe this is happening?
CARA: Uh, to be honest, no! But you look gorgeous, and really happy.
Cara explains that Remi is working, and couldn't change her shift.
CHELSEA: I bet she tried real hard (!)
CARA: And the boys didn't want to be here because they hate both their mums right now. Sorry, Chels.
CHELSEA: Well, given how quickly this has all come together, they're forgiven. But for my wedding day, now, that's a different story. No- shows will be dealt with harshly.
Meanwhile, Jane searches for nice things to say to Paul, acknowledging that he's a romantic deep down.
NICOLETTE: You know, seven's a lucky number, so maybe this marriage will stick.
PAUL: You know, I really value your judgement, Nicolette! How many spouses have you had now?
NICOLETTE: I miss our chats.
But not enough to stick around for this one, and Nic instead goes over to Leo to talk about the encounter between Krista and Shannon. Nic quickly fills in Leo on how happy Krista looked when she told her that Leo had stepped in to help.
LEO: It's over, Nic. She made that clear at the hospital.
NICOLETTE: Maybe you shouldn't give up, hmm?
But Leo doesn't look convinced.
Harold's Café
Penny Shrewster has grudgingly showed up to meet Krista, but makes it clear she's not interested in hearing more accusations about her locking her in the sauna. Krista insists she only wants to ask Penny about Chelsea.
KRISTA: I believe she's trying to frame you for what happened to me in the sauna, because I think she's behind it.
PENNY: So you believe that I had nothing to do with it?
KRISTA: Yeah. I just wanted to ask you, if you didn't do it, then why did you disappear?
PENNY: Chelsea organised for an all- expense- paid trip on Lassiter's coin. Said she felt bad because you sacked me, and, look, I wasn't gonna argue.
KRISTA: What?
PENNY: Chelsea's the one that sent me away.
Krista puts her head in her hands as she continues to piece together what's happened...
Erinsborough Hospital
What the subtitles call 'mischievous music' is playing, as Byron pokes his head around the door to the hospital waiting area. He tells Sadie that the coast is clear, and they wheel Trevor in on some kind of trolley - he's covered by a blanket but his nose and tongue are sticking out!
SADIE: This thing is so heavy.
BYRON: I told you, Trevor likes his food.
Sadie tells Trevor to stay down and be quiet, and they continue their journey towards Haz's ward. But at this point, Remi appears, and Byron and Sadie stand in front of the trolley to cover Trevor, looking very suspicious!
SADIE: What are you doing here?
REMI (perplexed): I'm a doctor. I work here.
SADIE: Yeah... of course. I mean, sometimes I just get your and Cara's jobs mixed up.
Bemused, Remi asks if they need a hand with their trolley, but Byron says it's fine - they're just dropping off some supplies for Haz to make him feel at home. Remi is confused by their suspicious behaviour, and more so when Sadie starts waving enthusiastically as she walks away! Byron whispers to her to tone it down a little, and Remi goes on her way, looking baffled.
No 22
Toadie is doing some work in the kitchen when Terese comes in. She mentions she saw Melanie at the pub after he left. Toadie looks nervous.
TERESE: Her instinct was to avoid me. She'd heard that we were giving it another go. She didn't want to make it awkward. But she wished us well, and I think she meant it.
TOADIE: Maybe she's trying to mend fences.
TERESE: Have you actually spoken to Melanie since you've been back?
TOADIE: No.
TERESE: I just want you to know that it's okay if you want to make peace with her. It'd be helpful in moving forward.
Toadie looks a bit apprehensive...
Lassiter's Complex
At the party, Chelsea tells Cara she's about to do something 'photo- worthy' - then goes over to where a microphone is set up, to address the guests.
CHELSEA: Don't worry, we're not diving into speeches yet. But there is something I need my future husband for.
She beckons Paul to join her at the mic.
CHELSEA: Paul knows I'm all about self- love. So when we decided to get married, I knew that the perfect engagement ring would be the one I'd pick for myself.
Much laughter, including from Cara, while Aaron just rolls his eyes! Paul does the honours, taking the lavish- looking ring from its box and slipping it onto Chelsea's finger. They kiss, then Chelsea shows off the ring to the attendees.
CHELSEA: I'm getting married!
Cheers all round, while Jane and Nicolette clap half- heartedly.
Erinsborough Hospital
The mischievous music is playing again; Sadie and Haz have safely smuggled Trevor into Haz's room, and Sadie closes the blinds so the staff can't see. Trevor seems pleased to see Haz, and puts a paw on his arm. Byron compliments Sadie on her great idea; but at that point, Remi appears at the door, and realises why they've been acting so suspiciously.
SADIE: We had to bring Trev in. We thought it would help.
REMI: I agree. The more loved ones around Haz, the better.
SADIE: So... we're not in any trouble, are we?
REMI: The hospital allows dogs if they're for therapy purposes. You haven't broken any rules; it's fine for Trevor to be here.
Lassiter's Complex
The party continues, and Paul's decided to make a speech.
PAUL: You know, life is a strange, cruel and generous thing. Well, that was my experience after losing my son David. And, you know, just as my heart was breaking, along came a woman who didn't care that I was in pieces. She wasn't interested in trying to put me back together. She just allowed me the space to grieve. So, you know, we may not be textbook - and I know a lot of people out there think that we are absolutely crazy... but what we have here is genuine.
However, at this moment, Jeffrey turns up, with Krista lingering behind him.
JEFFREY: I thought what *we* had was genuine, too.
PAUL: Umm, who's this man?
CHELSEA (stammers): He's no one. I don't know what's going on...
JEFFREY: I covered for you, Chelsea. I thought you were the love of my life.
Chelsea approaches Jeffrey, and asks to talk somewhere in private, but Paul wants answers.
KRISTA: Paul, Chelsea's having an affair. And that's just the start of it. I got my memory back.
Chelsea looks horrified. A little while later...
CHELSEA: Is anyone actually gonna believe this? I mean... Krista's an unreliable mess!
KRISTA: Paul, I knew she was hiding something. She's too connected to all of it. And then when I went and confronted her about it, in her room, she knocked me unconscious.
PAUL: And what's this man got to do with it?
KRISTA: He's from the software company.
CHELSEA: He's infatuated with me. He probably didn't like being turned down, and this is his retaliation.
KRISTA: No, she was sleeping with Jeffrey to try and convince him to hide the fact that she's the one who locked me in the sauna room!
CHELSEA: This is ridiculous.
JEFFREY: She's telling the truth. I see that now. (to Chelsea) You took advantage of me.
Krista hands Paul the original software report.
KRISTA: It shows Chelsea's login was used to lock me in the sauna room that day. She caused Hope's death. I'm not high, and I'm not delusional.
PAUL (to Chelsea): Explain yourself. And do not lie to me.
Chelsea glances around at the angry faces waiting for an explanation.
CHELSEA (tearful): I never meant for anyone to get hurt.
KRISTA (screaming): I lost my baby!
She starts to move towards Chelsea, but Leo holds her back, and then hugs Krista as she breaks down.
CHELSEA: Sorry, Paul - please, Paul - please. I made a decision that led to a tragic chain of events. It's not my fault that Krista lost her baby. It just happened - like David's death. You didn't mean for that to happen...
Paul stares at Chelsea for a long time, then looks back at Krista. Paul takes Chelsea's hand, giving her a moment of hope... but then removes the engagement ring from her finger.
PAUL: Pack your bags. I don't want to see you again.
Devastated, Chelsea does a hurried walk of shame through the crowd, as Cara looks on, disappointed.
Harold's Café
Melanie is having a cuppa when Toadie comes in. Seeing him, she gets up to leave, but...
TOADIE: Mind if I join you?
MELANIE: Welcome home.
TOADIE: Don't mean to ambush you. Umm... I wanted to apologise, for the way that I treated you and everything that happened. I didn't think about your feelings at all, and, umm... I was very, very selfish.
MELANIE: We both were.
TOADIE: Feeling insecure about Paul and Terese, and being confused about our past, is just no reason to lead you on.
MELANIE: Thank you. That means a lot. Wasn't all on you. We both had a lot of confusing emotions, and we both took the leap. I can see with hindsight that it was a mistake.
TOADIE: Terese tells me that you were trying to avoid her at the Waterhole?
MELANIE: I just wanted to give you some space.
TOADIE: We don't need it. Erinsborough's your home too, you know. Please, no more running away and hiding. Is that a deal?
Melanie nods and smiles awkwardly.
Lassiter's Hotel
A tearful Chelsea arrives back in her room to pack up her things - among which is a pregnancy test kit box, which we get a close- up of. There's a knock at the door; it's Cara.
CHELSEA: If you're here to lecture me, I'm not interested.
CARA: Wow. What is wrong with you? Do you understand the damage you've done?
CHELSEA: Life has been really hard for me. You know that... I was trying to win.
CARA: Krista lost her baby.
CHELSEA: It was an accident! I wasn't thinking about the room being hot. I just heard about all the common areas auto- locking, and I... I could have chosen anywhere!
Chelsea grabs her case, and makes for the door.
CARA: So that's it? You're just... you're just gonna run away?
CHELSEA: Are you gonna stop me?
Cara is crying too now, and shakes her head. But as Chelsea walks out of the door, Cara adds...
CARA: What you've done will always follow you. You can't run away from it.
CHELSEA: I can try.
She closes the door on Cara behind her.
No 22
Terese is headed to bed, and Toadie lingers in the corridor as they chat, clearly half- hoping to be invited into the bedroom with her. She asks how his chat with Melanie went.
TOADIE: It was uncomfortable. But you were right. It did help. Made me realise just how heavy I've been feeling. Hurting people does that, apparently.
TERESE: ... Thanks again for dinner.
TOADIE: See you in the morning.
Terese heads into her bedroom, and closes the door behind her. Inside, she looks conflicted.
Penthouse
Remi and Cara are with Paul, Krista and Leo in the penthouse. Cara says Chelsea's probably on a plane back to the Gold Coast by now, and that she doesn't recognise the person her sister has become. Remi asks when Krista is planning on going to the police; probably tonight, she replies. Leo asks if Paul is okay; he's staring contemplatively out onto the balcony. Paul says he's just tired.
PAUL: Krista... thanks for helping me dodge a bullet, hey?
Paul heads to bed, but as he goes, he retrieves the framed photo of him and Terese from the bin, and takes it with him. Cara and Remi head home. Leo asks if Krista's sure she wants to make a police statement tonight, as she 'must be wrecked'.
KRISTA: Yeah, I am. But I need closure, and this is the start of it. Thank you for pulling me away from Chelsea. I don't know what I would've done to her.
LEO: I know you would've regretted it, so...
KRISTA: You've never stopped caring about me.
She moves in to kiss him, but...
LEO: I think you should go.
Krista looks at him sadly.
Coming up on Neighbours
- 'Wonder what they're talking about?' Toadie asks Terese as they glance over at Paul and Leo in the pub
- Terese tells Toadie it's Krista that she feels sorry for; Paul glances over at Terese
- Cara tells Aaron that nobody can find Chelsea; he's sure she'll show up
- Susan is impressed with her and Terese's new office at Eirini Rising, as they start work together
- Krista asks Melanie what's next; Mel replies that she's made a really big decision
