The episode kicks off with Constable Adams (Liam Soden) arriving at the police precinct, accompanied by Kate Thorne (Michelle Keegan). A fleeting memory crosses her mind – Michael Thorne (Alastair Bradman) playing joyfully with a toy airplane. Adams promptly places her in a cell, securing the door with a resolute click and slamming shut the food slot with a definitive thud.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Peter Roberts (Finn Treacy) gets acquainted with the car controls, his eyes lighting up with curiosity. Terry Roberts (Warren Brown), filled with youthful exuberance, boasts that once he masters driving, the girl he has a crush on will be utterly captivated by him. Pattie Roberts (Hattie Hook), her tone tinged with sarcasm, assures him that the car might just distract the girl from his less-than-perfect appearance. Terry generously offers to give him a ride, aiming to impress his friends. Peter, however, vents his disdain for summer camp and gripes about the teacher singling him out. Pattie urges him to count his blessings, to which he retorts by suggesting she should attend summer camp herself if she hadn't gotten involved with a boy in England. She responds with a swift hit.
Elsewhere, Stevie Cartwright (Declan Coyle) offers to babysit Mary (Tahlia Rona), allowing Annie Roberts (Faye Marsay) to attend her school. Annie sits quietly beside baby Mary in her bassinet, lost in a nostalgic reverie of her days working alongside Harry Brewis (Ciaran Griffiths) in a bakery. His jokes never fail to elicit a genuine laugh from her.
Concurrently, JJ Walker (Stephen Curry) takes a leisurely swig from his flask just as the phone rings. He answers, his voice teasing when he hears Kate's voice on the other end. She requests to speak with Annie. JJ disputes his mother's characterization of him as a mere errand boy at the hostel and offers to convey her message. Kate persists, pleading with him to connect her with Annie. Reluctantly, JJ makes his way to Annie's house, informing her that Kate is on the line, desperate to speak with her. Annie, just about to confiscate the phone, finally answers the call. Kate's voice conveys an urgent need to be freed from her confines.
As Annie prepares to listen intently, the tension in the air is palpable, with Peter inquiring about the unfolding drama. JJ casually mentions that in three days, it will be Australia Day. Terry, eyeing JJ suspiciously, wonders if he's had one too many. JJ speculates that Kate might soon be deported back to the UK. Annie, on the brink of seizing the phone, is interrupted as Annie finally responds to Kate's plea for freedom.
As Terry toils away on the rooftop, Kevin Bailey (portrayed by Henry McWilliam) approaches, wielding a toy gun with playful intent. He fires, and Terry, ever the sport, feigns being hit, returning fire in kind. Christine Bailey (Taylor Ferguson), Kevin's companion, quickly apologizes for the Antics. Terry waves it off graciously and requests a soothing cup of tea, which they soon share together.
During their tea break, Christine inquires if Terry misses his hometown. His thoughts drift to his cherished friends and brother. She, in turn, unravels her tale, explaining how she arrived at their current locale following the loss of her husband. Terry reassuringly vows to discuss with his boss, Benny Bates (Marcus Graham), the possibility of repairing her hostel.
Elsewhere, Annie pays a visit to Marlene Chase (Cheree Cassidy), seeking her assistance for Kate. Marlene, cautious of entanglements, advises against meddling in others' affairs. Confessing to overspending on inventory and fearing her ex-husband Donald's reaction, Marlene proposes a deal: Annie will tidy up the books in exchange for free phone calls. Annie wonders aloud if Marlene's fall down the stairs was deliberate, aiming to trigger an audit. Marlene accepts Annie's help under these terms.
Kate, in a separate conversation with Detective Lee (Jasper Bagg), reveals that Kevin Board has stayed on in the UK. Lee inquires about Michael, wondering if he was taken from her. Kate admits struggles after Michael's birth, leading to a charity selling him to Fran and David Robinson. Lee informs her that such a breach warrants immediate deportation. Kate claims Fran broke her promise of weekend visits after reclaiming him. Just then, Lee learns that Kate's fiancé, Robbie Carter (Nic English), requests to see her. She declines, much to Robbie's disappointment. Lee inquires about their engagement timing, to which Robbie responds it was recent, mere weeks past. When Lee conveys Kate's refusal, Robbie asks to relay a message nonetheless.
Meanwhile, Benny tasks Terry with a retrieval mission, which unexpectedly unveils Valerie Vine (Sinead Chabowski). Terry transports her to an estate, where she issues a stern warning against betraying Benny. Upon entering, they find Benny already present. Valerie suggests inviting Annie to the Australia Day party. Terry seized the moment to advocate for fixing Christine’s hostel, emphasizing her son's asthma. Benny, however, firmly states that it can wait.
Annie, accompanied by Joan (portrayed by Gemma Dart) and Victoria (embodied by Kathleen O’Dwyer), meticulously counts inventory at Wilson’s Department Store. Joan stumbles upon a treasure trove: a carton brimming with 500 bikinis. Meanwhile, at the jailhouse, Lee hands Kate a letter from Robbie, which she hesitantly receives.
Elsewhere, Ray Skinner (played by Sam Delich) informs JJ of the impending arrival of their father, Sydney, and Padraig Skinner (brought to life by Tommy James Green). JJ generously offers them a stay at hostel 23, once Arty’s abode. Birdie Skinner (depicted by Clare Hughes) expresses her apprehension about its haunted rumors and bestows upon JJ a business card for her palmistry services. As the bus arrives, only Padraig disembarks. Later, Maggie Skinner (May Stange) and Birdie trail behind the solemn pallbearers. JJ informs Mrs. Walker (portrayed by Tina Bursill) of the Skinner family's Pagan tradition to keep a deceased loved one at home. She firmly instructs him to inform them that it's a one-day arrangement, stressing it's her duty as the hostel's supervisor.
Peter educates the children about Australia Day, while Terry adorns the space for the celebration, following Valerie's meticulous instructions. Pattie struggles to soothe a fretful baby, Mary, with Stevie lending a helping hand. Peter's mood darkens when a playful boy (Alex Parker-Knowles) teases him about being a "pomegranate," eliciting laughter from the campers.
At the jail, Robbie slyly slips a ring onto Kate's finger, outlining his future plans. Lee pressures her to sign a restraining order, but she skims it dismissively and pushes it back. Adams then returns her to her cell.
In another scene, Valerie praises Annie to Terry, describing her as a blend of strength, beauty, and intelligence. Over at Wilson’s, Annie places a bikini-clad mannequin in the display window, drawing a fascinated gaze from a cluster of women. Victoria voices her worry about attracting police attention, but Annie insists they admire the bikinis and hatches a scheme with Marlene. Soon after, Annie persuades Larry (Drew Parker) to feature the bikinis in his segment. She later consoles a melancholy Peter.
Birdie extends an invitation to Sydney’s wake, and while Annie expresses her condolences, she regretsfully declines due to a prior commitment. Peter, however, accepts the invitation. Shortly thereafter, Terry and Annie arrive at Benny’s party, where Annie wonders if anyone present could assist Kate. Terry cautions her to refrain from asking, fearing repercussions. Samuel (Tony Nikolakopoulos), in a humorous vein, suggests Australians should indulge in more sex to bolster the population. Annie gratefully acknowledges the opportunity, playfully responding that if it were up to him, he’d fortify the drawbridge and stock the moat with piranhas. She argues that Australia needs more inhabitants since its population matches London’s. Samuel jokingly urges Terry to hasten Annie’s pregnancy. Benny then tasks Terry with ensuring Dr. Charles Milne (Martin Crewes) enjoys himself, while Annie attempts to evade Larry’s gaze.
Stevie diligently attends to baby Mary as Pattie attends the solemn wake. Meanwhile, at the lively Australia Day party, Bill Anderson (portrayed by Leon Ford), Elizabeth Anderson (Miah Curran), and Margaret Anderson (Neve Curran) arrive, adding to the festive atmosphere. Stevie catches Ray's gaze amidst the crowd. Samuel captivates the gathering with a photograph depicting the future Bennelong Point, showcasing a grand concert hall and opera house. Terry, ever observant, notices Charles and Valerie slip discreetly out the back door and decides to tail them.
Larry introduces Annie to his wife, Elaine (Shalane Connors), sharing with her that the bikini segment of their show will air the following day. Elaine warmly invites Annie to a hush-hush meeting of her women’s group. Meanwhile, Terry eavesdrops on Charles and Valerie's conversation, only to be whisked away by Benny into a room where a tape player is silently recording their every word. The recording reveals Charles' intention to run against his friend Samuel in the mayoral election, criticizing Samuel's housing reform policies as potentially rendering rent unaffordable for the less fortunate. Benny pleads for Terry's assistance in combating Charles' stance.
At the wake, Birdie's haunting rendition of Sydney's favorite tune fills the air. Maggie tenderly kisses Sydney's forehead, an act mimicked by Peter. When Maggie kisses Peter's forehead in return, she realizes her shirt is damp. Padraig jokes that she's leaving a mark on his father, eliciting laughter from Ray. Embarrassed, Maggie tries to cover up her leak with her arms and dashes back to her hut, where she interrupts Stevie in the act of smearing pine tar on baby Mary's face, thinking it would make her skin lighter and more like theirs. Appalled, Maggie orders Stevie to leave immediately. With tears streaming down her face, she carefully cleanses Mary's face.
Elsewhere, Ray confides in Bill about Sydney, evoking memories of how Bill was deeply affected by his father's passing. Bill shares that his wife is currently hospitalized, prompting Ray to offer a sympathetic touch, which Bill jerks away from. Bill, somewhat startled, offers his condolences before abruptly excusing himself. In another corner, Maggie, deep in conversation with Sydney, empties one beer bottle and reaches for another, causing a drawer to accidentally tumble to the ground. As she picks it up, she discovers a title deed registered in Arthur Farthington's name.
At the jail, Lee urgently persuades Kate to marry Robbie, believing him to be a suitable husband for her. Upon returning home, Terry tells Annie that if they wish to escape their current circumstances, they need connections like those at the party. Posing seductively in a bikini, she playfully suggests pretending to be Rita Hayworth. As their lips meet, baby Mary's cries interrupt them. Annie rushes to attend to her, leaving Terry to doze off.
The next day, Terry hands Charles a tape, claiming it's from the Australia Day party. Charles accuses Terry of blackmail, to which Terry responds that Benny insists Charles publicly reverse his stance on housing reform. Charles argues passionately that the vulnerable deserve better living conditions. Terry promises to destroy the recording if Charles complies with Benny's demands. Charles, recognizing Benny's motives as purely financial and his rental properties as substandard, reluctantly agrees but warns that their hands may become stained with consequences.
Annie, donning a bikini, watches Larry's broadcast alongside Joan, Victoria, and Marlene. She declares confidently, with a touch of defiance, that men sport swim briefs, and women ought to have the liberty to wear whatever suits them, as long as it maintains a sense of dignity. Meanwhile, at the jail, Lee solemnly informs Kate that a restraining order has been issued, prohibiting her from venturing within a three-mile radius of Michael's residence until he attains the age of 21. Kate, tears streaming down her face, reluctantly signs the order and collapses into a sobbing fit.
Elsewhere, Benny bestows Terry with a roll of cash, lauding his efforts. Upon catching a glimpse of Annie on TV, Benny remarks that she's quite a handful. Terry, spurred by this, dashes home to confront Annie about her bikini-clad appearance on television. Annie responds by revealing that Wilson's store is facing financial hardships. Terry, reminding her of her grandmotherly status, hands her the money and insists she doesn't need to work. Annie counters that while she may not need the job, she desires it and finds fulfillment in it, transforming her into the person she wants to be. She asks if Terry prefers her as a silent, decorative companion rather than an independent individual standing on her own two feet. Terry simply believes she should have informed him of her decision.
Annie's mind drifts back to her days working at the bakery with Harry. Stevie's voice pierces through, calling for his father, Ivan (Travis McMahon), who is in the midst of preparing to depart. Ivan announces his intention to travel to Brisbane, instructing Stevie to pack his things and join him in the van. Stevie, however, declares his intention to stay with Pattie. Ivan warns him that he'll be alone, while Stevie insists on doing what he believes is right. Ivan dismissively asserts that Pattie will never hold him in respect. Pattie's arrival interrupts the conversation, and upon learning of Ivan's departure, she urges Stevie to accompany him. Stevie, eventually relenting, climbs into the van with his father, who speeds off. Annie and Terry are informed of the developments, with Terry vowing to confront Ivan with deadly intent.
Pattie removes her wedding ring, but Terry insists she keeps it on, fearing the gossip that might arise if she appears unmarried. When Pattie storms off in frustration, Terry rushes after her. Elsewhere, Maggie possesses the deeds and approvals for converting the boatshed into a business venture. She clutches Arty's deed tightly, seeing it as a divine gift destined for her success. As she witnesses a group exiting the shed, Ron Mahoney (Rob Collins) locks it up behind them, unaware of Maggie's ambitious plans unfolding around him.
