Penthouse
Krista and Paul are chatting enthusiastically about her forthcoming presentation to the Lassiter's bigwigs about the Longest Lie- In, while Chelsea sits in with a face like thunder. Chelsea says she'll prepare some questions for Krista in case no one else asks any after the presentation, to 'save you from embarrassment'.

KRISTA: How kind (!)

Krista has another topic to discuss with Paul - Penny Shrewster, a staff member who has been poor at timekeeping, damaged the wall in the foyer, and also made a coworker cry! She's also the one who moved Melanie's bed next to Toadie and Terese's during the Longest Lie- In, despite Krista having asked her not to.

CHELSEA: You can't fire her without warning.
KRISTA: Well, I've given her three already, all documented with HR.
PAUL: Okay, so how do we handle this, then?
CHELSEA: We review her performance -
PAUL (interrupting): Krista?
KRISTA: I say that we fire her.
PAUL: Right. That's what you'll do then.
CHELSEA (fuming): That should sit with me.
PAUL: No, no - it can come under her elevated responsibilities. (To Krista) You see, Chelsea and I both agree that your performance warrants more of a focus on senior management work. So if you're up for it, the ride starts here.
KRISTA: I'll strap myself in. Thanks - both of you.

Chelsea forces a smile.

Eirini Rising construction site
JJ and Felix have met up for a talk in the alleyway behind the site about what JJ overheard. JJ seems disappointed in Felix, having thought he was 'going straight', to discover that he's planning on robbing Andrew's friends.

JJ: Who does that?
FELIX: No one's gonna get hurt. You know, the site's fully insured. All it's gonna cost Terese is just a little bit of time filling out a form.
JJ: Okay, what about Andrew?
FELIX: ... Andrew's better off without me. Once I've sold the stuff from the site, I'm not gonna be anybody's problem anymore.
JJ: Except your own - living with yourself.
FELIX: I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't have to. I really need some fast cash.
JJ: What for?
FELIX: ... What I'm dealing with is... it's really big. You're better off not knowing.
JJ: Is it to do with your old mates? The bad crowd - the reason why you ended up in jail?
FELIX: ... Yeah, that's it. Hassling me, for cash.
JJ: So tell Andrew. Surely he can help.
FELIX: I can't tell Andrew. I can't tell anyone - I'm in a really difficult position. You kept quiet about Slade's car; you gave me an alibi. Just, please, don't stop having my back now.

JJ looks conflicted.

No 26
Andrew and Byron are chatting about Jools' cake attack on Holly as they clear up after the party. Andrew is thinking of shouting Holly a hairdresser's appointment, but Byron tells him it's just cake and will wash out!

ANDREW: Yeah? That's good, that's good. I don't really know much about women's hair, you see. I suppose you do, though, considering your old job?

Byron goes along with this, baffled, but it becomes clear Andrew's using this as an inroad into a different conversation!

ANDREW: Speaking of your old job, I don't suppose you could, uh... I dunno, give me some tips?
BYRON: ...
ANDREW: Not... not moves, or anything like that. More just kind of, you know, what women want in general.
BYRON: Well, that all depends on the woman, there, Andrew...

Byron tries to escape but Andrew stops him!

ANDREW: No, of course, of course. But, like, you know, are there any common requests, or maybe, like, themes?
BYRON: Umm...
ANDREW: Basically, mate - any words of wisdom for someone that spent half a lifetime in marriage and wants to mix things up a little bit? Be greatly appreciated. If it's not weird.
BYRON (weirded out): Why would it be weird?
ANDREW: Yeah!

Lassiter's Hotel
In the foyer, Leo and Krista are having a cuppa. She explains that she'll be ticking a 'big one' off the Sinclair family bingo card tomorrow - firing someone - adding that Paul's agreed to letting Penny Shrewster go. Leo is impressed that Paul is giving her senior management responsibilities.

LEO: Must finally be seeing he struck gold.
KRISTA: Yeah, well - still possible that he's only doing it to get in with you.
LEO: It's a little different to giving you more control of his business. He doesn't do that lightly. Him recognising your worth is overdue, and well- deserved. He might think winning me over's a cherry on top, but he's dreaming. He cost me my brother. There's no coming back from that.

No 26
Sadie is in the kitchen when Felix brings in a gift box that's been left for her, wrapped with a ribbon. Inside is an old- fashioned dress, and a note - 'my place tomorrow morning, 10am'. She asks Felix not to mention the gift to Andrew and Wendy, as it's private. Felix tells her her secret's safe with him, and Sadie takes the box off to her room, just as Andrew and Wendy come in from the garden.

Wendy begins a postmortem of Felix's 'bin fire' of a welcome party. Felix says it wasn't all bad - he enjoyed meeting everyone, and really appreciates all Wendy's efforts. Felix reports that Jools is sorry she caused a scene, and says he'll probably be apologising to Holly on her behalf.

WENDY: No 'probably' about it! Don't ever sic Jules on her again.

Felix goes into the living room and sits on the couch, where he sends a text message...

The Waterhole
JJ receives the text from Felix, which reads, 'Please mate. Stay quiet.' He's out with Remi, Cara and Dex for a meal; and Cara reminds JJ of the rule about having his phone out at the table.

DEX: Ma gets to smash it with a hammer!

So JJ puts it away, and Remi tells them they're going to have a family discussion.

DEX: About?
CARA: Communication, honesty and integrity.
DEX: Got it - JJ stuff. Mind if I play a game while you guys do your thing?
REMI: Haha, funny funny. You're in this too. The last few weeks have not been good. We want you guys to feel like you can come to us if something's wrong.
CARA: And if you're honest, you're not gonna get in trouble.
REMI: But if you're hiding things from us and not telling us...
JJ (exasperated): No, we've already talked about this. I've told you I wouldn't lie anymore.
REMI: Then why do you do it, JJ? Why do you keep lying?
JJ: Uh... well, I guess it depends on what it's about. Maybe I don't want to put someone down. Maybe I just don't want to look like an idiot.
CARA: You don't have to worry about that in front of us.
DEX: You always look like an idiot.
REMI: There's no reason to be dishonest with your family.
JJ: Okay. But what if I need to lie to protect someone? Like, if it's for the greater good? I know you both have done that.
CARA: Yeah, you're right, we have. Well, it's a complex issue.
REMI: But the things you've been lying about - Slade, the knife, Felix - none of those are for the greater good.
CARA: Do you get where we're coming from, JJ?
JJ: Yes. Yeah, I do.

But he looks quietly annoyed by their line of reasoning.

Lassiter's Hotel
The next day, Cara comes into the foyer, where Cara is at the computer on the reception desk. She's trying to fix a problem with the hotel systems playing up, including doors auto- locking by themselves. Chelsea, who has been fielding complaints from guests, rudely tells her to try harder.

CARA: Chelsea, I'm not an IT expert. I'm also not a minion that you get to kick around, so check yourself and be on your merry way while I figure this out, will you?

Krista emerges from the lift with Penny Shrewster, who is loudly telling Krista that she hasn't given her a fair chance. But Krista says this isn't the place for further discussion, and hands Penny her termination letter. Penny threatens Krista with a court case, but Krista is unmoved and tells Penny to clear her locker and hand back her access card to reception before she leaves.

PENNY: This is not the end.

As Penny marches off, Chelsea starts critiquing Krista's approach, saying that the trick to firing someone is making them believe you're doing them a favour!

KRISTA: There's no trick, Chelsea. This isn't a game, okay, it's what's best for the hotel. And hopefully, it's ultimately what's best for Penny.

Krista goes into the office to do some roster adjustments, but leaves her laptop on the desk. Chelsea looks at it schemingly, as if an idea has occurred to her...

No 32
Byron is wearing an old- school frock coat and breeches when Sadie arrives in her ballgown, tiara and gloves. He bows as she crosses the threshold.

BYRON: M'lady.
SADIE (curtsying): M'lord.

He shows her into the living/dining area, and Sadie gasps at the effort he's gone to. He's done up the house like a Regency- era British mansion, complete with cherubic statues atop ornate plinths, for morning tea.

BYRON (English accent): Well, I have been burning to see you again.
SADIE: As have I you.
BYRON: Would you care to dance?

They dance to ye olde music that's playing, but Byron isn't great at it, much to Sadie's amusement, and soon bumps into the sofa, causing his English accent to lapse briefly as he cries out.

BYRON: My apologies, m'lady. Your mere presence seems to have affected my calibration - made me positively dizzy. But, if you give me a second chance... it would be an honour.
SADIE (laughing): Of course, m'lord.

They dance again, more carefully this time!

Harold's Café
Krista is jabbing frustratedly at her laptop, something evidently having gone wrong. She explains to Haz that her file for the Longest Lie- In presentation won't open; the computer says it's corrupted, and she doesn't have a backup or time to redo the whole thing as the meeting is today.

HAZ: There might be a temporary version sitting in the back end. You could try and restore it from that.
KRISTA: Yeah, okay, umm... I'll Google that.

But seeing that Krista is out of her depth, Haz offers to step in and have a look for her. Krista looks anxious as she hands over the laptop.

HAZ: And if this doesn't work, there are other ways. Trust me, it's gonna be okay.

No 26
Andrew and Wendy emerge from their bedroom, scantily clad and very amorous, having apparently TITTNL™...

WENDY: ... three times!
ANDREW: Wasn't counting.
WENDY: No, you were, umm... I don't know what to call it!

Wendy is keen to continue their exertions in the shower. Andrew initially declines as he has a busy day ahead, but Wendy looks so disappointed that he agrees to her shower suggestion after all. As they disappear again, Felix comes in, checking his phone for a response from JJ - but JJ hasn't replied. However, he then turns up at the door instead.

JJ: Alright, so Mum and Ma were giving me hell about lying and keeping secrets last night; it's all I'm hearing right now. They're all, 'No lying, ever', but then admitted that sometimes, it's okay, if you're doing it for the right reason.
FELIX: They're absolutely right.
JJ: So they're hypocrites. Cos who are they to judge a good lie from a bad lie? They don't get to decide for me; I know right from wrong.
FELIX: I think keeping quiet for me is right. But you have to make the decision yourself. Just go with your gut.
JJ: Yeah, well, my gut agrees. You're under pressure, so I will keep your secret. Like you said, nobody loses out in the end.
FELIX: I owe you big time.
JJ: Mm. Yeah, you do.

JJ turns to leave, but then stops to say more.

JJ: You know how you could return the favour?
FELIX: Oh, yeah?
JJ: Stick around, after you pay those guys.
FELIX: No, that's not an option.
JJ: It's just, umm... I'll miss you. You're, uh, teaching me a lot. And I've got a lot to learn, so...

JJ hangs his head, perhaps sadly or perhaps ashamed at the masculine taboo he's just broken by admitting he'll miss Felix.

FELIX: Mate, I'd stay if I could, but I can't. I'd just bring trouble. And it's probably getting bad for you too.
JJ: Me?
FELIX: Yeah, being associated with me. You don't want that. Trust me.
JJ: Can we at least stay in touch?
FELIX: Yeah. Thanks for being my friend, JJ.
JJ: Thanks for being mine.

They shake hands awkwardly and laugh, and then JJ leaves. Felix sighs, conflicted.

Harold's Café
While Haz continues to help Krista with her laptop, Chelsea and Paul come in. Chelsea is filling in Paul on the hotel system glitches, saying Cara is working on it, though Paul isn't convinced it's really Cara's area of expertise. At this point, Haz declares Krista's file rescued, and she thanks him profusely.

KRISTA: Oh, who knew you were such a whiz with computers?
HAZ: I'm not a whiz, I've just been in a similar situation, and I learned the hard way.

Krista heads off to make a 'thousand backups', and says nothing can stand in the way of her presentation now. Chelsea looks peeved, presumably because she did something to the laptop and her plan has failed.

Harold's Lakeside
JJ is sitting at a table when Dex shows up, wanting to know why JJ didn't tell him about his latest run- ins with Slade.

JJ: None of your business, really.
DEX: It was before. Guess it just is when it suits you, huh?
JJ: I guess so, yeah.
DEX: You're so annoying. Seriously.

JJ smiles and Dex sits down. JJ explains how Felix taught him 'mind games' to scare off Slade; it didn't get physical, but if it does, he'll be ready, thanks to Felix's moves.

JJ: I can teach you if you want.
DEX: No thanks. I'm a lover, not a fighter.
JJ: Yeah, good luck fending off the bad guys with a hug and a kiss, Dex.
DEX: Anyway, Mum and Ma really don't want you learning that stuff. I don't want to upset them even more.

JJ suddenly turns angry.

JJ: Who cares what they think? I'm not following any of their stupid and hypocritical rules anymore. And do you know how many of their rules are just stupid and hypocritical?!
DEX (wearily): Let me guess - one hundred percent?
JJ: Pretty much. Yeah. But I'm done with them.

Penthouse
Chelsea is on the balcony when Cara emerges from the lift to give her an update on the systems glitch.

CHELSEA: Do you have any good news for me?
CARA: Do you have a polite greeting for me?
CHELSEA (sarcastic): Hello, dear Cara. What's up?

Cara reports that she can't do any more with the computers herself, but that the IT team is going to get back to her. Chelsea brusquely acknowledges this, and Cara's about to leave, when Chelsea appears to have another idea...

CHELSEA: You've been working like a demon, and you're off the clock. Go home and relax with your beautiful family. I'll take care of anything from here.
CARA: And just like that, you're my favourite sister again. Thanks. I'll text you if I hear about the IT thing.

Chelsea smirks as Cara leaves.

Lassiter's Hotel
Chelsea rushes into the office to tell Krista that guests are complaining about the sauna, and that Cara's gone home for the day. Chelsea claims she was going to go and investigate the sauna herself, but is having to deal with guests who are threatening to leave without paying due to the system issues.

CHELSEA: And we're stretched staff- wise because you sacked Penny.
KRISTA: Well, I doubt Penny working would've helped.

Krista says she has 20 minutes before her presentation on the Longest Lie- In begins, so she'll go and see what's going on with the sauna, and close it if needs be until they can get it repaired. Once she's gone, Chelsea sits at Krista's computer, seemingly pleased that her scheme is working...

No 32
Byron is obsequiously waiting on Sadie as ye olde date continues.

BYRON: Would m'lady care for another strawberry?
SADIE: I don't think my corset will allow it, m'lord. But your generosity is causing me to positively swoon.
BYRON: Well I, too, swoon for you. In fact, I would very much like to kiss you.
SADIE: And I shall die if you don't.

Ye olde music gets all dramatic and bodice- ripping as they pash, and Sadie kicks off her shoes and swiftly begins attempting to undress Byron, which proves challenging because of his flowery costume. We get a quick shot of a disapproving- looking cherub statue as they collapse onto the sofa together, Sadie climbing on top of Byron. They are engaged in another full- on pash when Andrew walks through the door.

ANDREW: Haz, are you here, mate? I knocked, but...
SADIE: ... Hi, Dad.
ANDREW (averting his eyes): ... Uh, yeah.

Andrew apologises and walks out again!

Lassiter's Hotel
Krista enters the sauna changing area to find the room full of hot steam. She goes to the control panel to see if she can resolve the issue - but the door clicks shut behind her.

Returning to the door, Krista tries her swipe card on the lock, but to no avail. She tries the handle again, increasingly frantic, then begins to knock and shout in the hope of getting someone's attention so they can let her out. She checks for her phone, but she's left it elsewhere.

Krista closes the door to the sauna itself in an attempt to contain the steam and the heat, then takes off her jacket, the heat already getting to her. She strokes her baby bump worriedly, before going back to banging on the door and shouting...

Back in the office, Chelsea stands waiting, looking nervous. Paul comes in, hoping to wish Krista luck, but is surprised to see she's not here, given the presentation is due to start. Without mentioning the sauna, Chelsea claims she came to wish Krista luck too, but that she's 'nowhere to be seen'. Paul is about to call Krista, but Chelsea points out she's left her phone on the desk alongside her laptop.

CHELSEA: It starts in one minute. I'm sorry, but this is the height of unprofessionalism.
PAUL: Yeah.
CHELSEA: ... I'll kick off the presentation. When and if Krista turns up, I'll hand the reins over to her. Unfortunate, but...
PAUL: Yeah, I know. We're gonna look like idiots if we keep everyone waiting. Go on, go for it.

Chelsea goes over to the laptop, and begins the online meeting, gushing to the (unseen) Lassiter's bigwigs about the success of the Longest Lie- In event. As she speaks, a worried- looking Paul leaves the room...

Back in the sauna, Krista has removed some of her clothing as she struggles to cope with the heat, and is still banging on the door and calling out for help, but now more weakly than before. Looking faint, she falls first to her knees, and then slumps to the floor, seemingly losing consciousness...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Melanie worries as Karl and Susan are due home; she hasn't spoken to them since the Toadie situation erupted
- Karl doesn't exactly look enthusiastic as Mel greets him when he walks through the door
- Haz finds Mackenzie and a rando looking shifty in the kitchen at work, and asks what's going on
- Mackenzie confides in Byron that Haz has been acting really strangely since the break- in
- At the hotel reception, Paul asks Holly and Byron if either of them have seen Krista