No 24
Jane is in the kitchen, preparing a tea tray. We then follow her through the back door with it to a space that hasn't yet been seen since the revival - the sunroom - where Byron and Nicolette are at a table, talking about whether to accept Vic's money. Jane sits down to join them.

BYRON: Look, I say we still take the money, okay? It's his fault that we're saddled with all these massive repayments. If he wants to clean up some of the mess that he created, I say we let him.
NICOLETTE: I agree (...) We wouldn't have invested if it wasn't for him, and now we're living paycheque- to- paycheque.
BYRON: Exactly. I really thought I was gonna have to talk you round on this one.
NICOLETTE: Mum already did. (to Jane) And now it means you don't have to be the guarantor on our loan.
JANE: Well, I was happy to help, but I'm glad that you're taking the money. You shouldn't be carrying all that debt just to prove a point.
NICOLETTE: I know. And you're right. This doesn't mean that we've forgiven him. I just want to make that clear to Dad.
BYRON: Don't worry. We will.

Ramsay Street
Terese is walking along in the middle of the street. She turns to look at her house, No 22, and her lip begins to tremble...

No 32
Byron is showing off his progress on his individual 'special talent' section of Boylesque to Aaron, Melanie and Krista. Funky music starts up as he (badly) juggles some balls, while reciting a little rhyme as accompaniment.

BYRON: I used to be a concierge,
That would juggle every guest request,
And now, when I drop a ball,
I get a little undressed...

But he's dropped all the balls before he can get any further! Aaron gives him some tips on technique; and then gets a video message from Rhett, demonstrating his dance moves and asking for some advice. As Aaron goes out the back to call Rhett, Melanie and Krista exchange a glance - clearly they're as convinced as Leo is that Rhett has the hots for Aaron.

Byron is still struggling with the juggling, and Melanie suggests that all the business with Vic might be putting him off his game. But Byron says he and Nicolette have come to a decision on that.

VIC: Hopefully we'll see the back of him soon.
MELANIE (sadly): Right...

Krista gets a message from Sam, who has apparently just picked up some supplies for Felix's magic act as part of the Boylesque show, including props and some disappearing ink pens. Krista is excited to see what Felix has planned, and so is Melanie.

No 28
Jane and Terese are having a cuppa and a catch- up with Susan. Susan is apologetic for 'putting ideas in Paul's head' about Terese, explaining that he came looking for her at Eirini Rising.

SUSAN: But don't worry, I was very, very clear with him. I told him that you need him to give you some space.
JANE: Good.
TERESE (less enthusiastic): Yes. Thank you. I definitely think we need to stay away from each other. So, I made a big decision this morning. It's time for a clean slate.
SUSAN: As in...?
TERESE: As in, where I live. It's time for a change.
SUSAN: You're not moving?
TERESE: Oh, no, no. Just a freshen up. Starting with the front yard.

Jane thinks that's a great idea to have a fresh start, and it's got her thinking that she might do the same, now she's shipped the last of Mike's possessions to the UK and is about to sell his bike.

JANE: And after that...
SUSAN: Bungee jumping? New hair?
JANE: Why not both?

They all laugh.

The Waterhole
Paul is still stewing about what Susan said to him about Terese's feelings about him being 'complicated', and asks Leo for his perspective.

LEO: A lot of people have complicated feelings about you, Dad.
PAUL: Look, the reason I've been avoiding Terese is because I can't *just* be her friend, alright? Anyway, what if that's not what she wants either?
LEO: Well, you'd have to ask her... but don't. Susan's right; you need to stay away from her.
PAUL (grudging): Yeah, I know. I will.

Krista and Melanie come in, discussing arrangements for Boylesque. Krista puts up a poster to promote the event, featuring a topless Aaron, and Melanie says that ticket sales are coming along nicely.

MELANIE: Relax, Boylesque is going to be a huge success.
KRISTA: It had better be. Anything other than knocking it out of the park will look like failure to Paul.
MELANIE: Well, I am choosing to believe that everything is gonna turn out for the best.
KRISTA: Are we still talking about Boylesque... or Vic?
MELANIE (sighs): I know. I shouldn't have asked Byron about him...
KRISTA: Mel, I thought you said you were gonna let it go.
MELANIE: I have. And we have much more important things to focus on.

Ramsay Street
Susan, Terese and Jane are gathered around Mike's motorbike.

JANE: So, what's the going price for a vehicle that represents all the romance of a relationship?
SUSAN: Priceless.
TERESE (simultaneously): Zilch.
SUSAN: Has Mike said what he wants for it?
JANE: He's given me a ballpark. All I want is a quick sale, and the fewer tyre kickers, the better.

Right on cue, Karl turns up, and admires the motorbike, praising its torque and styling.

KARL: Overdamped suspension, I hear; that might affect the price.
SUSAN: Luckily, that doesn't concern you.
KARL: What's your reserve? And would you accept less for cash?
SUSAN: Ignore him. (to Karl) We're going - come on.
KARL: I was just taking an interest!

The Kennedys and Terese walk off, and Jane gets back to polishing the bike. Vic turns up.

VIC: Hey, Mike shouldn't be leaving you to tie up his loose ends.
JANE: *You're* saying that? Really?
VIC: I'm taking care of mine. Sorting things with the kids.
JANE: (...) Well, just let them do the talking. And don't try and win them over.
VIC: Thank you, by the way. For whatever you said to get them over the line.
JANE: Well, I didn't do it for you. No, you really hurt Nicolette.
VIC: Yeah. Things must be bad if *she's* turning on me. But I will do whatever they want to help make things right.
JANE (turning back to the bike): Alright. Well, I'd best give this a final once- over.
VIC: I say take the first offer and move on.

Jane looks wistful as she continues to polish the bike.

No 32
Vic, Byron and Nicolette are gathered around the table, discussing the transfer of the money he's giving them.

BYRON: You understand that us accepting this money isn't some trade- off for our forgiveness, right?
VIC: Yeah. Understood. I'll transfer it today, and then I'll leave you alone... but I want you to know that I'm not going far. I've been looking for a new business, in fact. Something within striking distance of Melbourne.
NICOLETTE: I told you he'd do this.
VIC: No, I'll stay away. I'll just be available, if you want to contact me.
NICOLETTE: We won't.
VIC: ... Okay. I hear you.

Vic gets up to leave.

VIC: But I'll be keeping the door open. Always.

Neither of the kids respond, so Vic leaves. On his way out, he views Melanie's dating profile on his phone, and looks pensive.

No 28
Jane tells Susan that she'd like to organise a dinner with Terese this week, as she feels bad for missing the fact that she's been struggling with Paul again. Jane then leaves, and Karl emerges from the bedroom - wearing an extremely tight pair of leather trousers! They're so tight, indeed, that he hasn't been able to zip them up at the front!

SUSAN: Ooh! Blue box?
KARL (laughing): Aren't they great? Dr Carter gave them away - part of the community marketplace page.
SUSAN (laughing): You're not getting a motorbike, Karl.
KARL: Can you help me with the zip?
SUSAN: Ugh, you're joking!
KARL: Come on, you've done it before!

Susan recoils as he shuffles up to her, laughing her head off!

Lassiter's Hotel
Paul is fiddling with the baby grand piano that's now in the foyer, part of the new piano bar that Krista is setting up. Paul seems to be impressed with the progress so far. Krista tells him and Leo that she's also having a meeting with a contractor to finalise changes in the courtyard.

KRISTA: So Lassiter's is about to get seriously luxe.

Paul thinks this will bode well for their star rating assessment! But at this point he spots Moira, one of the Eirini Rising residents, in the courtyard outside, handing out leaflets to hotel guests saying 'defend decency'.

MOIRA: Say no to smut! Sign our petition.

It seems she is campaigning to get the Boylesque event cancelled. Gino is hanging out with Moira, but doesn't seem to approve of her actions.

GINO: Oh, come on, Moira. It's harmless fun - and it's a good cause!

Paul, Krista and Leo rush outside, and Paul asks if he can help.

MOIRA: Certainly! Cancel this disgusting peep show you have planned!
KRISTA: No, it's not a peep show. The ticket sales will be going to charity.
MOIRA: As Hilary says, there is no cause that justifies pornography.
GINO: Well, lucky it's performance art, then!
PAUL: Hilary, eh?
MOIRA: That's right. Your own cousin's against it. And this is how we're going to shut you down.

Krista looks worried as Moira stamps off to accost more guests.

No 24
Nicolette is moaning to Jane about Vic's plan to buy a nearby business. Jane suggests that it demonstrates that Vic is willing to put in the effort.

NICOLETTE: For what? We're done.
JANE: Well, it doesn't cost you anything to stay open to the possibilities.
NICOLETTE: Yes, it does, every time he lets us down. Mum, I thought we were on the same page about this?
JANE: Oh, we were... We had a chat earlier, and - I can't believe I'm saying this, but - I think maybe he's being genuine this time.

Nicolette rolls her eyes. Jane gets a message; she's surprised to see that she already has an offer for Mike's motorbike.

NICOLETTE: A lowball?
JANE: No, it's... it's decent.
NICOLETTE: Go, Mum!

Jane is pleased, but also looks a little wistful.

Erinsborough Hospital
Vic and Melanie run into each other at reception. Mel explains she's here for her annual bone density scan, and asks why Vic is here; he explains he was just visiting. When Mel asks who, he's reluctantly forced to admit that he's doing some volunteering, spending time with patients who are going through chemotherapy during their sessions.

VIC: A woman did it for me while I was going through my treatment - just sat with me, told me stories about her grandkids, and her Cavoodle. Makes things bearable (...) So I wanted to pay it forward, now that I'm in the clear.
MELANIE: That's lovely.

Vic explains it's his first session today, but that he'll be back. Mel thinks it's incredibly kind of him.

VIC: Look, it's no big deal. I mean, please don't mention it to anyone - Jane, or the kids - in case they think I'm doing it for points.
MELANIE: They wouldn't think that!
VIC: They might... Promise?

Melanie assures him her lips are sealed.

Eirini Rising
Gino is struggling to get through the door with a box of wine and a cactus. Terese goes over to help him.

GINO: Oh, thank you. I thought I could manage it, but this door is trickier than Bob Fosse choreography.

He explains the box of wine has been delivered by a courier for Moira, and he offered to take it. The cactus, he explains, is for Terese!

GINO: In my day, we did roses, but...

There's a card with the cactus, and Terese takes responsibility for the wine, so Gino heads indoors. Terese opens and reads the card - it and the cactus are from Paul.

PAUL (voiceover): This cactus will survive just fine without your attention, but will be there in your corner if you need it.

Terese looks at the box of wine, and glances around as a shifty expression crosses her face...

No 28
Karl is still in his leather trousers and now a matching jacket too, and takes some selfies as he boasts to Susan about how 'aerodynamic' he feels.

SUSAN: Remind me again, how many motorcyclists did you treat in the ER?
KARL: I'm sensing disapproval.
SUSAN: You're not buying a motorbike, Karl. You don't even know how to ride one.
KARL: Well, I'll just learn!
SUSAN: Do you *really* need me to point out how *ridiculous* this fantasy is?
KARL: Come on, Susan - picture this. You, me, winding roads...

He grunts in agony as he tries, and fails, to sit down in the tight trousers!

KARL: I'm twenty years too late for this, aren't I?
SUSAN: Try forty. Darling, if you really want to potter about in the countryside, why don't we book one of those trike tours that go through wine country? Let a professional take care of the driving?
KARL (annoyed): Would Peter Fonda book a trike tour?
SUSAN: Well, I don't know, Karl - Peter's not here to ask. You are.
KARL (defeated): Alright. Would you help me get out of this?
SUSAN: Oh, no, I think I would much rather watch!
KARL: You don't understand. I'm stuck.
SUSAN (unimpressed): Of course you are.

Susan retrieves a large pair of scissors from a drawer!

KARL: What are you gonna do with those?!

Susan cackles as she holds up the scissors, a maniacal expression on her face, and snips at the air with them!

KARL: Oh, no...

Lassiter's Complex
Moira is still pestering hotel guests to sign her petition to get Boylesque cancelled. Krista asks if they can discuss this in private, but Moira tells her there is nothing to discuss. Nearby, Paul says to Leo that he was right all along about the event; Krista made a captain's call and is 'steering us directly into disaster'. Evidently, he says, he spoke too soon when he praised her good instincts.

LEO: Maybe you need to call Hilary.
PAUL: No, she's not answering.
LEO: Then go down to Eirini.
PAUL: I'm trying to keep my distance, as you are aware. No, I said right from the beginning that we should've gone family- friendly. And this... this proves me right.

Leo goes over to join Krista, who is threatening to call security unless Moira leaves.

MOIRA: Intimidation tactics, of course!
LEO: No, you can't harass hotel guests, okay? If you want to make an appointment -

At this point, Aaron appears behind them.

MOIRA: There he is - the stripper! I am not giving up. Not unless this depravity is called off!

Moira stomps off. Leo explains to Aaron that Moira has been 'riling up Hilary' and that it's best to ignore her. But Paul has come over to join them and disagrees.

PAUL: No, no. Both she and Hilary are very respected members of the community, and their take on this event is extremely valid. So when we start to lose business over this, I'll know where to point the blame.

He glares at Krista and walks off. Krista looks despairing as Leo tries to reassure her.

Eirini Rising
As they walk to work, Karl is moaning to Susan that he could have resold the leather pants if she hadn't cut them to ribbons!

SUSAN (laughing): You got them for free!

They come across Gino and Moira having another disagreement in the courtyard. It seems that one of the bottles of wine from Moira's box has gone missing, and she wants to call the police in.

GINO: You may even be a bigger drama queen than me!
MOIRA: It's theft, in broad daylight!

Gino suggests the company may have underpacked the box, but Moira says she's been buying from them for twenty years and never had any such issues.

MOIRA (to Susan): You assured us the thefts were a thing of the past!
SUSAN: Moira, if there's something missing, we will look into it right away.
MOIRA: Good! Because I want a full investigation!

Moira storms off, with a weary- looking Gino in tow.

SUSAN: This is the last thing we need.
KARL: Yeah, well, I'm sure we'll get to the bottom of it.

No 24
A guy called Lindsay has turned up with cash for Jane to buy Mike's motorbike. Nicolette is there too. Jane thanks Lindsay for making the sale so easy.

JANE: I was bracing myself for a day of very unpleasant haggling.
LINDSAY: Well, I know what the bike is worth. It's bad karma to try and cheat you out of it.

Jane wishes Lindsay many years of riding pleasure, and gives him the documentation for the bike. She watches him go out of the window.

NICOLETTE: How do you feel?
JANE: Like I just turned the last page on a very long, very romantic book (...) I know that Mike and I were over a while ago, but this feels like a full stop. He's not coming back. It really is over.

Jane looks sad as they hear the motorbike engine revving outside, and Lindsay drives away on it. Jane offers Nicolette a lift to work, but Nicolette suggests skipping work for the afternoon and doing something fun instead. Jane says that's very sweet, but she has plans; she's going to the hardware store to buy some paint, to replace the lilac on the kitchen cabinets.

NICOLETTE: That's one way to get over heartbreak (...) I thought you loved that colour?
JANE: No. I just thought that Mike did.
NICOLETTE: So what colour are you going?
JANE: Something that's me. And I'll know it when I see it.

No 22
Terese is just about to get started on drinking Moira's missing wine, when there's a knock at the door. She quickly hides the glass and bottle in a cupboard, and goes over to answer it; it's Krista, who wants some help on dealing with the campaign to shut down the Boylesque event, explaining that Moira and Cousin Hilary are behind it.

TERESE: Well, Moira's a handful. Hilary does what Hilary wants... did Harold have any ideas?
KRISTA: He's getting ready to visit Sky, so I didn't really want to bother him. But I was thinking maybe you could talk to them? Please?
TERESE: Oh, Krista... I don't really want to weigh in. Just back yourself. I mean, obviously I'm around if you want to run any ideas past me. But Boylesque is your event - I know you can handle any speed bumps on your own.

While delivering these words, Terese is physically ushering Krista out of the house! But Krista declares that Terese is right - a pep talk was all she needed! Glad to be rid of her, Terese closes the door and heads straight back for the kitchen, and the wine. She cradles the glass in her hands for a while, then takes a sip, and a sigh of relief...

Harold's Café
Byron is at the counter buying a coffee from Nicolette, when Vic walks in. He tells them he's transferred the money into their accounts, but their response is rather cold.

NICOLETTE: Okay.
BYRON: Is that it?
VIC: ... Yeah, yeah. I just didn't want you to think I was reneging.

But the kids clearly have nothing more to say, as Byron leaves and Nicolette goes back to work. Melanie has been watching from a table in the corner, and comes over to talk to Vic.

MELANIE: They wouldn't be so tough on you if they knew what you did in your spare time.
VIC: Hey, you promised, okay? Volunteering is what I do to deal with my survivor's guilt. I don't do it for brownie points.
MELANIE: But you might have once, right? Am I right in thinking that? That's why you don't want to broadcast it?
VIC: You're not just a pretty face.
MELANIE: Vic, you've learnt from your mistakes; I can see that. You don't think that you deserve any grace from your kids, but I happen to think you do.
VIC (smiling): You always know exactly what to say to me. Or maybe it's *how* you say it.
MELANIE: And how's that?
VIC: In a way that makes me very aware of what I'm missing out on.

He takes Melanie's hand, and she looks conflicted...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Leo tells Krista that if the protest gets enough signatures, she might need a contingency plan
- But Krista tells him there's no contingency. Aaron asks what they're going to do
- Sadie tells Andrew and Wendy that she just wants everything to go back to normal
- Andrew tells a counsellor that he feels he doesn't mean as much to Wendy as he used to; Wendy looks sad