Synopsis[]
Summary[]
Despite her protestations, and those of Karl and Susan, Elly is lead away in handcuffs towards the waiting police car. Mark quietly warns Elly not to say anything without Toadie present. Susan tells her she'll go and call Toadie and they'll meet her at the police station.
The Canning's and Amy share a tearful video call. Amy is cut up that she can't be there to give them all a big hug, so Kyle asks that she has "a beer or two" for Gary in New York. It's revealed that the funeral is going to take place in Frankston where Xanthe and Ben already waiting there with Naomi.
After interviewing Elly, Sky suggests to Mark that if he is finding the situation tough he should step back from working on the case. Mark lets Sky know that he believes Elly is innocent as all the evidence they have on her is circumstantial. Sky disagrees and says that Mark isn't being objective. Toadie and Susan arrive at the station, and Toadie completely ignores Sky, opting to instead talk to Mark about putting in a bail application for Elly. He also wants a full list of the evidence they have against her. Mark goes off to work that request, as Sky quickly walks away too since everyone is giving her the cold shoulder. Susan is regretting what she said in her statement, as it is now proving to be damning against Elly. Toadie reminds Susan that she has to tell truth, before reassuring her that he's on their side. He also admits to Susan that he's concerned for her health since she doesn't look all that steady on her feet.
Arriving back on the street, Bea is concerned for her sister. Especially considering that Elly's bond has been set higher than what Elly is likely able to afford. However, Karl is sure they'll be able to find the money somehow. Bea is rather hesitant to go into No 28 but Susan reassures her that they've thrown out whatever the police didn't take during their investigation. Karl is trying to get Bea inside when they see Clive arriving, dressed all sombrely. Susan notes that it's Gary's funeral today. While it looks like Bea is trying to delay going inside, she explains that the reason for that is that Gary died trying to save her and Harlow, and she can't even thank him for doing that. But she can go and thank Sheila, telling her how much it means to her. Karl agrees to accompany her as she goes next door, but Susan uses the excuse that she needs to feed Aster as her reasoning behind not going. She instead asks for Karl and Bea to pass on her condolences and some meals she made up for the Canning's.
Terese, Roxy, Shane and Dipi are at No 26 ahead of the funeral. Sheila looks relived that they'll come back to the house for the wake. She is relieved to see Clive enter the house and while they head into the kitchen, Terese gets confirmation that the reason Toadie is delayed is because he is dealing with Elly. Shane suggests it isn't wise to mention that to the Canning's today. Kyle slips through the kitchen carrying some more flowers at the same time as Sheila and Clive, but when they return to the living room, Roxy heads through to the kitchen holding a care package for Kyle with tissues, eyedrops, a flask of whisky and whoopy cushions. Kyle questions the whoopy cushions, with Roxy saying she'll give him ten bucks if he's able to get Paul when he sits down. This helps lighten the mood a little bit.
Sky reads out the terms and conditions of Elly's bail. It consists of her surrendering her passport and checking in with the police every second day. If she fails to check in every other day, she will be arrested. Elly is annoyed by the accusation she'd flee abroad after Karl and Susan bankrupted themselves so that she could even get bail. Elly is grateful for Toadie's services, with Toadie saying that after reviewing the evidence, that there is enough there to prove reasonable doubt. Elly asks him if there's any bad news. Toadie mentions that it won't be easy since it's a high-profile case and that a lot of the evidence will become public. Which means it won't be long until everyone finds out what happened between Elly and Finn, He then subtly tells Elly to tell Bea so that she doesn't have to hear it from anyone else first,
Kyle tells Sheila that it's time to go after he and Clive come looking for her in the backyard. Before they get on their way though, Karl and Bea arrive to pass on their condolences. Karl says that Gary was a wonderful man who will be sorely missed; Sheila thanks him. Bea admits that doesn't know what to say, before Sheila tells her that they don't blame her. Karl passes on the food, and Susan's condolences, explains that she's babysitting Aster. Clive curtails the conversation as it's time to go. Kyle quizzes Sheila on informing Karl and Bea that the funeral was private, Sheila's explanation is that it's in case Susan decides to show up.
Bea is ripping pages out of song book that include songs and lyrics about Finn as Elly enters the house. They both ask each other how they're doing as Elly leads her sister to the sofa. She says she needs to Bea about something. Bea thinks the chat could be about how Finn died, but Elly ignores that and instead begins speaking. Elly talks about how Bea always saw the best in her even when she hasn't deserved it, and because of that it makes what she's about to say really hard. Bea reiterates that Finn deserved to die after everything he did, making it known that she thinks Elly did kill Finn. However, Elly confesses to Bea that she didn't kill him, and instead there was something going on between the two of them.
Once they've finished discussing a few formalities regarding Elly's case, Sky asks Toadie how he's going. Toadie is feeling guilty about him being the one to let Finn be on the island, despite being a victim too. He also feels guilty for trusting him enough to employ him at the Foundation - he is going to go and check that the Foundation hasn't implicated at all. Sky asks if Toadie should be taking on the case, which Toadie replying that he wanted to take it on. He says that Elly has been through enough and doesn't see any reason why she should continue, just because Finn's not around to be held accountable. He reminds Sky that Elly is a single mother who has been arrested for a murder she didn't commit. He then tells Sky that he thought she would have been more sympathetic to Elly's situation. Sky says that she does sympathise more than anyone, but they need to act on the evidence due to the fact that the OPP are scrutinising the case.
Toadie is furious. He reminds Sky, and Mark who also happens to be present, that Elly is the victim, just like he is, but even more so. He soon ends the conversation as he has to go to Gary's funeral. But before he leaves he tells Sky that having lived in the street before, she knows how things like this can impact everyone and now that Elly has been charged, the fallout will drag on forever.
Back at No 28, Elly who is still tearful, continues to explain herself to Bea. She tells her that the last thing she wanted to do was hurt her, admitting that she tried so far to not feel the things she did and confessing that it was the reason why she moved out, Bea reminds her that she moved out months ago, with Elly denying anything was going on when Claudia had suggested there was, and that it happened on Christmas Day after Robert held them hostage, and when Finn helped her give birth. Elly says emotions were high and she was confused. Bea asks how far things went, with Elly saying that they kissed; but only once after Aster's naming day ceremony. Bea, feeling hurt, asks how Elly could do this to her; they're sisters! Elly tries to touch Bea and comfort her, but Bea isn't having it, telling Elly to get out.
Everyone from earlier is back at the Canning house after attending to Gary's funeral in Frankston. Dipi and Shane pour everyone a drink. Sheila gets Clive to fetch Frank's ashes so they can be placed in the living room so that he is part of the day too. Sheila tells everyone that they're Gary's favourite people and thanks them for being here to honour his memory. Dipi cheers to the best chef in Ramsay Street, Roxy cheers to his bravery, and Terese cheers to his "beautiful heart." Terese puts her hand on Kyle's shoulder, telling him that both he and Xanthe meant the world to him. Kyle mentions how Gary didn't always make the best choices, and how most of the time he actually made the wrong ones. He continues by saying that his father was loyal, a fighter, his best mate, and that he will "miss him heaps." Clive proposes the toast and everyone raises their glasses.
In the backyard of No 28, Bea tells Karl and Susan what Elly said to her earlier. Karl wonders how they missed it, scoffing at Susan's take that Elly was only trying to protect her sister. Bea says that you don't protect people by keeping secrets, especially your own family. She says that when Finn turned, she lost the man she loved and now she's lost her sister. Karl believes they can work things out but Bea is adamant they won't because of the betrayal, telling Karl and Susan that she doesn't trust Elly. In fact, she doesn't know who to trust anymore. Karl lets Bea know her know that she can trust them.
Everyone else, except Roxy and Kyle, who isn't up to coming outside, have relocated to the backyard. Sheila says that during the day they've heard a lot of stories about the kind of man Gary was. That he loved his family and friends, that he really loved his birds. That he didn't like to be cooped up by himself, so to honour him, they've decided to let Gary's pigeons be free so they can soar just like Gary's spirit. With the help of Clive, Sheila lifts the kids and lets the pigeons fly away. Terese points out that they will come back since they're homing pigeons. Everyone watches the birds soar as Terese praises the eulogy that Toadie delivered at the service. Shane admits that he doesn't know what to say at funerals, he opens his mouth and spews out some "verbal diarrhoea", and just like that a pigeon poos and it lands straight in the bottom of his glass. Terese ends up with bird poo on her hair, and moments later Sheila also ends up with bird poo on her clothes. Dipi says that Gary would always say that bird poo was good luck. Everyone laughs at what has just happened.
Susan confides in Elly over knowing the truth about Finn and what the reaction will be if Bea and Karl find out. Elly says she never should have put Susan in that position, with Susan saying that it seems like every time she's honest lately it turns around and bites either her or Elly. Karl interrupts to let them know that Ben apologises for not stopping by, but he has to get back to Queensland with Xanthe. Karl says he can hear that everyone is back from Frankston and without actually saying it, suggests that they should pay their condolences since he went earlier with Bea. Elly responds by saying that she's not sure she could face them, adding that it's embarrassing enough facing her own family, and that they, her family, must hate her. Karl says that what he hates is that she felt like she couldn't to them. Elly tells Karl that they need to look after Bea, but Karl interjects, correcting her, by saying that they need to look after each other. He says that includes looking after Elly too. Despite the concerns Karl has, Susan gets up to go over and see Sheila, so that she can pay her respects and apologise because Gary deserves nothing less.
Elly is sitting with Aster at Harold's when Sky arrives. She's spots a toy that Aster has dropped on the ground, retrieving it as she tries to engage in a conversation (about kid's toys) with Elly. Elly would rather they didn't chat without Toadie being present but Sky attempts to reassure her it isn't an interview and that it's simply two mothers talking. Elly doesn't think it's wise though, so Sky lets her know that she doesn't have to talk, just listen. Sky tells Elly that she understands wanting to protect a child, especially when they're in danger. Elly doesn't want to listen to this, but Sky reminds her that if she pleads guilty the judge will take her circumstances into account and she will almost certainly get a lighter sentence. Elly tells here that she already has a lawyer, so she doesn't need legal advice from Sky. Sky isn't finished talking though, and says that if they go to trial, she believes Elly will be found guilty due to the evidence they have in her, which means Elly would get a harsher sentence. Sky tries to get Elly think about what will go down for Aster if the worst happens. Elly feels like Sky is trying to manipulate her, and she reiterates that she didn't kill Finn. Sky lets Elly that she's just trying to help her, which Elly replying, "No, you're trying to ruin my life."
Shane, Dipi, Terese, Clive, and Sheila are still outside in the garden continuing to reminisce about Gary when Sheila spots Karl and Susan arriving. Susan tells Sheila that she's so sorry and that today must have been awful. Sheila replies by saying it is awful; it's her son's funeral. Susan makes a comment about how she doesn't want to make it worse for her, with Sheila butting in asking what she's doing here. Susan wants to explain and apologise; she had no idea what would happen. Sheila says that no one should have to out-live their children, and that if it weren't for Susan, she wouldn't have to. She reminds her that Susan was the one who was campaigning to bring Finn back onto the street, even after what he did to Xanthe and Gary. Susan feels remorse, and that if she had any idea that this was going to happen she wouldn't have let Finn back on the street. Sheila tells Susan that if it weren't for her, she would still have her son. Then she says she will never forgive Susan and that Gary's death is on her hands.
Cast[]
- Elly Conway - Jodi Anasta
- Karl Kennedy - Alan Fletcher
- Susan Kennedy - Jackie Woodburne
- Sheila Canning - Colette Mann
- Kyle Canning - Chris Milligan
- Toadfish Rebecchi - Ryan Moloney
- Bea Nilsson - Bonnie Anderson
- Roxy Willis - Zima Anderson
- Shane Rebecchi - Nicholas Coghlan
- Dipi Rebecchi - Sharon Johal
- Terese Willis - Rebekah Elmaloglou
Guest cast
- Mark Brennan - Scott McGregor
- Amy Williams - Zoe Cramond (video link)
- Sky Mangel - Stephanie McIntosh
- Clive Gibbons - Geoff Paine
- Aster Conway - Isla Goulas
Writer - Nina Vlahovic
Director - Declan Eames
Producer - Andrew Thompson
Series Producer - Natalie Lynch
Executive Producer - Jason Herbison
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- First appearance of Amy Williams since Episode 8267 - 1 January 2020 and her final appearance until Episode 8894 - 20 July 2022.