Previously on Neighbours
- Gem tells Bailey she thinks he should replace Josie on the China exchange trip
- Josh is none too pleased when Amber becomes a meter maid in the Lassiter's car park
- Gem is rushed to hospital with suspected hypochondria. Suspected by Toadie, that is
- Paul is unaccountably annoyed when Terese hires Amber as a wedding photographer
Lassiter's Complex
Terese berates Paul for losing Lassiter's thousands of dollars, by revealing to the wedding couple that Amber wasn't a professional photographer - thus forcing her to refund their money, while still having to pay Amber. Paul blames Terese for trying to hoodwink the guests in the first place, but she challenges him as to why he seems intent on sabotaging his own business - first the paid parking, now this.
TERESE: Money's tight, Paul. Doesn't this worry you?
PAUL: You know, there are more things in life than running a successful business.
Despite her objections, Paul wanders off, smugly telling her he has a community to focus on.
Harold's Store
Terese comes in to talk to Amber, who's very apologetic for agreeing to the photo shoot since she isn't a professional. Terese tells her she has nothing to apologise for - and that despite being angry at first, the bride and groom loved her photos, which are indistinguishable from professional ones. Terese says Amber's exceptionally talented and should consider photography as a career, giving her the $500 fee to put towards a camera.
No 28
Karl is on his guitar, figuring out a mayoral campaign song.
KARL (singing): If you want clean streets and public toilets, that don't smell like...
Susan comes in, and is unimpressed that he isn't working on his platform instead. Karl is struggling with this as he doesn't have a big issue to focus on, unlike Paul's 'Ticketing Terese' campaign.
SUSAN: You're much nicer than he is; you could turn that to your advantage.
She advises Karl to get out amongst the people, and ask them what they want in a mayor.
KARL: That's a great idea. You got any more?
SUSAN: Yeah. Don't sing!
Erinsborough Hospital
Bailey turns up to see how Gem is - he's bought her an expensive box of chocolates. She quickly reveals she's more of a dark chocolate girl, and Bailey suggests the nurses might like them instead.
GEM: That's so sweet. Guess you're not just smart and cute.
Gem mentions that the staff are voting for which pupil should get to go on the China trip tomorrow, and Bailey admits that's why he's here. Gem has Bailey worried for a minute by slamming his assumption that she's planning on voting for him.
BAILEY: Sorry, I didn't mean to...
GEM: I'm kidding. Of course I am! And I'll be there for the vote, even if it kills me.
As she stretches her arm to get a drink, Gem yelps in pain, leading Bailey to attempt to come to her aid - but Toadie turns up to help Gem check out, and Bailey leaps away again guiltily. He makes a hasty exit, and Toadie follows him out of the room to fetch some paperwork. Bailey remarks that Gem seems like she can hardly move, but Toadie promises to keep an eye on her.
After Bailey leaves, Toadie looks back through the window into Gem's room and sees her getting out of bed effortlessly and walking across the room. He looks suspicious.
No 32
Amber is researching photography when Josh creeps in and surprises her. She's still sore about their argument earlier, and is even more annoyed when Josh assumes she's social networking when in fact she's reading up on career possibilities. Josh apologises; he just wants to spend time with Amber. But she implies he's self- absorbed, and sensing she's in a bad mood, he saunters off.
Charlie's
Terese is whingeing about Paul, for a change, and how he's harming his own business for electoral advantage. She's regretting having agreed to the performance clause in her new contract, but Brad says Terese can still help to stop Paul from winning the election by getting rid of the paid parking. However, Terese claims there is no more 'fat to cut' at the hotel, and that she needs the extra revenue. Brad tells her that if she wants to beat Paul, she needs to start thinking like him.
Lassiter's
Terese is reading over her employment contract, while Josh whinges to her about Amber giving him the cold shoulder - but she's not really listening to him. Josh spots the wedding photos on the desk, and is impressed with them - and even more so when Terese tells him Amber took them. Josh admits he had no idea Amber was into photography, but Terese says even she's noticed her taking pictures on her phone - and tells Josh he should have been paying more attention to Amber. Josh comments on an invoice on the desk, for lift repairs; and this gives Terese an idea. She rushes off, telling him their chat about Amber will have to wait.
No 30
Susan has come round to see Gem, and tells her there's no hurry for her to come back to school - but Gem insists she'll be back in work tomorrow. Bailey arrives, having brought Gem another box of chocolates - dark ones this time. But he's surprised to see Susan there, and passes off the chocolates as a present for Callum! Since Cal's not here, Bailey asks Gem to 'pass them onto him'. He leave quickly, and Susan is clearly suspicious.
Later, Gem is eating the chocolates and even offers Susan one, not even attempting to deny that Bailey meant the gift for her. Susan says Bailey obviously has a crush on Gem, but she insists he was just being thoughtful. Susan tells Gem it's important she doesn't do anything that might confuse Bailey about their relationship, and Gem swears she never would.
Harold's Store
Bailey is reading a book on how to speak Mandarin, and tells Lauren he thinks he's in with a good chance of going to China.
LAUREN: Been bribing the judges, have we? I always find choccies go down really well.
Assuming someone's told her about Gem's chocolates, Bailey assures her they weren't a bribe - but Lauren was joking, and hadn't heard of his present. Bailey's acting all guilty, but insists the staff will pick him because they know he's the best candidate. Meanwhile, Amber is still researching photography, and tells Lauren she's thinking of pursuing it as a career. Lauren, who's worriedly looking at some overdue bills as she talks to Amber, says that's wonderful - and is flattered when Amber says Lauren's own artwork has always been an inspiration to her. Lauren gets back to work but, looking around her, realises she still has no customers.
Outside, she runs into Karl. He's not planning on buying anything either, but wants her input for the mayoral campaign. However, the only issue Lauren's interested in is the paid parking, which Karl concedes only Paul can solve. Karl asks if there are any other issues she's interested in.
LAUREN: Oh, yes, I've got one. A new housing shelter.
KARL: Oh, good.
LAUREN: Yeah. For when Harold's goes bust and my family's tossed out on the street because of that stupid paid parking.
She stomps off, leaving Karl despondent.
Charlie's
Terese hits Paul with her latest counter- strike, informing him that she's increasing the maintenance fees on the Eclipse apartments at Lassiter's - including his - and that among the items she'll be billing him for is the lift maintenance, as he uses it for private access to his apartment. Paul complains that it's illegal for her to raise the fees, but she assures him it isn't - and that what's more, it will raise Lassiter's thousands of pounds, which will allow her to cancel the paid parking! Paul's furious.
No 32
Josh comes round to apologise to Amber, and to tell her how good the wedding photos were. But she's still annoyed, accusing him of always acting superior to her.
AMBER: It's like you think you're better than me!
JOSH: No, I'm not better. I'm more focused, for sure...
AMBER: I have focus. I want to be a photographer.
JOSH (laughing): That's good. That'll come in handy. Photographer? Focus?
Amber says she's fed up of him making jokes about her, but this only gets him laughing again about her stint as a meter maid at Lassiter's.
AMBER: You know what? I have had just about as much as I can take of you and your snarky comments.
JOSH: Oh, babe, come on!
AMBER: I think we need some time apart. Starting now.
Josh looks mildly annoyed and leaves.
Harold's Store
Bailey's working on his China trip application, but doesn't want to show Lauren until it's finished. Terese comes in, and Lauren thanks her for encouraging Amber, explaining that she's decided to study photography at university. Terese also explains that she's scrapping the paid parking, which Lauren's thrilled about, and offers to tell her the details over a barbecue at the Willises' tonight. However, when Brad is mentioned, Lauren looks shifty and makes excuses, saying she has to go over uni courses with Amber. Instead, Lauren suggests they go on a girls' night later in the week, 'no husbands allowed'. Terese likes the sound of that idea.
No 28
Much jubilation, as Karl relays the news to Susan that Terese is scrapping the paid parking. Karl's now confident he can secure victory in the election.
Toadie calls round, to none- too- subtly ask Karl's advice about 'a friend' who was in an accident a few years ago, and who is having relapses 'at convenient times'. He asks if there's any way of knowing whether this person could be faking the relapses. Susan, who is listening, immediately looks as if she knows who Toadie's talking about, and Karl suggests Toadie talk to his 'friend' about it. Once he's gone, Susan tells Karl she's going to keep a closer eye on Gem at work from now on, just to be on the safe side. Karl says that might not be a bad idea.
No 30
Bailey comes round to see Gem again - she's asked him over, telling him no- one else will be back for hours. However, she then tells him that she won't be able to vote for him to go on the China trip tomorrow. Bailey's upset as he's told all his friends he's going to China, and demands to know her reasons. She's cagey at first, but then offers an explanation.
GEM: Bailey, I - I might miss you if you're gone for three whole weeks.
Bailey starts smiling.
Tomorrow on Neighbours
- Gem continues to groom Bailey with an invitation to lunch - but Susan spots them talking
- Georgia and Kyle decide not to have an engagement party, but Sheila has other ideas
- Imogen is unsurprised to learn that Amber and Josh are on a break, again
- Imogen tells Susan that Gem favours the boys in class, and warns Bailey to stay away from her
