Original subtitles

Thank you, detective.

Isabelle didn't mention she had a partner.

Well, I might join you guys.

Sorry. Could you mind...?

Mia! Stop! Yeah, no worries.

Mia, Mia, Mia, Mia, Mia.

No more DNA, promise me.

Hi, Elvis. So, this is Pete.

I wondered if we could spend a little time together today.

Isabelle's lying about who she is,

and she's hitting on my husband, I know it.

She really loves that bunny. What's her story?

Rosie stole her from Mia. It was Mia's.

You'd be amazed the things you learn about a place if you pay attention.

He logged in with my ID number. He impersonated me.

Why can't you accept how much this means to me?

I do now. It means more to you than anything, including me.

(GASPS FOR BREATH)

(BREATHES HEAVILY)

(MACHINE PUMPS)

(DOOR OPENS) A-hoo!

Hi.

Today's the big day at council? Yes, we're calling it E-day.

And we're going to show those greedy developers what for.

Osprey Point is not for sale.

Sure. For somewhere like Eureka.

But this town definitely needs more housing.

You really believe that? Yeah.

Otherwise, how are people like me and Ben gonna afford to stay here?

Oh, there's a thing called intergenerational living.

Just saying.

Everyone helping each other.

(EXHALES) Sharing is caring, Essie.

Are you going somewhere? Yeah.

I'm going to look at a rental property.

You don't waste any time.

I can't stay here forever.

And this intergenerational thing, it's really not fair.

On who? Who's it not fair on?

Honey, you moved in here

because you want to save for a deposit for a house,

and I can look after the kids.

And you've been amazing, Mum. You've been really amazing.

But it's a bit of a tight squeeze and...

Oh, yeah, I know, I know. I am suffocating, I know that.

I'm just missing a sense of my own freedom.

I, um...

And Isabelle thinks it'd be good for us to have our own space.

Does she?

Well, sometimes when you're a mother, a good idea is

to put personal freedom way down the wish list.

Oh...

We can't all love being a mother as much as you do.

Sorry, I didn't hear that. What?

I said we can't all love being a mother as much as you do, Mum.

Oh, honey, it's not a competition.

Four grand. 14 foot of boat. Right.

50 horsepower outboard motor. OK.

What do you think? What do I think?

I don't know what any of that means.

So, I mean, it sounds impressive, it does.

But I don't know what I think.

No luck with the buyers? Um, Nige?

No. Absolutely not. Right. No, then.

Surely we can take it out for a fishing trip or something

before it goes?

Nah, she wants it gone before the street party.

Morning, lads. Neighbourhood watch meeting, huh?

Oh, no. That's Ange's domain.

We just, you know, get together and talk about our hopes and dreams.

Oh, that sounds nice.

Hey, when are we gonna meet your fella?

You are not, no. He had to head back for work.

Yeah, apparently the bad guys don't take summer holidays.

(LAUGHS) That's good.

I'll see you later. See ya.

Trouble in paradise, more like it.

Someone at the window this morning. Yes! Right.

And the lights were on late last night too.

Good to know you're both watching day and night.

Not watching. I'm not watching. You're not... I'm not...

No. I'm up late doing my thesis.

Oh, Essie's not here.

She's out looking for real estate, thanks to you.

I didn't tell her to move out.

Yeah, well, that's what she heard.

Gotta be very careful about what you say,

especially in front of Essie.

OK. Do you know when she'll be back?

Well, before the council vote, I hope.

Any reason?

Yeah. I wanted to ask her about Rosie's toy rabbit.

A rabbit?

It went missing. I wanted to get her a new one.

I was just wondering where you guys got it from?

Well, you should ask Fran about that.

Yeah I did. It used to belong to Mia.

Did it? Yeah.

So it might be you or Essie got it for her?

Oh, God. She's had so many soft toys over the years.

Yeah, this one's an old-looking one. It's a little bit feral.

Only family could love it.

Um, no. I'm sorry, I can't help you.

Are you sure?

It's got a little tie around the neck.

No, I don't know. Sorry.

Gonna be late now.

Oh.

Hello. Hi.

I didn't know you were moving out.

I finally decided to cut the umbilical cord.

Barb can't be the easiest person to live with.

She's been very generous, letting us stay.

Thought of living with my mother gives me a migraine.

She stayed with us for a while after Ollie was born.

I couldn't do a thing right.

Yes, well, that sounds very familiar.

If I get one more parenting tip...

You know Mum's coming from a good place,

and I agree we should protect the environment,

but this town really needs more housing.

I bet that makes for interesting dinner conversation.

Do you want to come see the kitchen? Yes.

And Ben agrees.

I mean, without new developments, we will never be able to buy.

You're lucky to have a husband who's on the same page.

Anyway, if you're interested, let me know soon,

because I've had a lot of inquiries about this one.

Really? You'd be surprised.

OK, well, I'll have a zip around. Take your time.

Oh! Hello, you.

Hey, Dad. There's Fran.

Oh, was it?

Alright, let's go, boys.

Oi! Slow down.

(PROTESTERS CHANT) Save our wetlands.

Save our wetlands.

Save our wetlands. (PHONE RINGS)

Save our wetlands. Hey.

How's the meeting going? Yeah, riveting.

Did you know that according to the Urban Chicken Bylaw Number 14.5,

you're allowed a maximum of three chickens in your backyard?

Jennifer...what about Eureka?

Oh, the councillors are just having a break, but it's up next.

It's going to be close.

OK, I'll be there soon.

Um, Clive's here.

Ange, should I be looking for another job?

(CHANTING CONTINUES OVER PHONE)

No, no, it'll be fine. I'm on my way.

I can have everything I desire.

I deserve my dreams.

I can have everything I desire.

(SHOUTS) I deserve my dreams!

(CALMLY) OK.

WOMAN: Do we want our beautiful town turned into a concrete jungle?

I will continue to fight against over-development.

CHAIR: Thank you, Councillor Greeves.

Would any other councillors like to speak to the item?

No?

With that, in the granting of a planning permit

for building and works known as Eureka, all those in favour?

All those opposed?

The motion is carried. (BANGS GAVEL)

Eureka permit is granted.

(MIXED RESPONSE FROM ATTENDEES)

That was a close one. Never doubted it.

BARB: You happy?

You've opened the floodgates now.

Clive, What did I tell you? Can't fight progress, right?

Pretty soon you'll be enjoying that beautiful view...

Can we have a word in private? Yeah.

You were in there. You heard, right? We got the permit.

This is great news. It's great news.

Great news for you, great news for the project.

But, uh, unfortunately, I still want out.

No, no, you said, "Get the permit," and we got the permit.

You can't just pull the pin like this.

No, I can, I can.

You see, I'm still within my cooling-off period.

Clive, you're making a huge mistake. Go back to the site.

Give it another look. It's special.

Exactly. My daughter was right.

Your neighbour and all her friends, they were alright.

It's special.

Sorry, but I'm going to need my deposit back by tomorrow.

You can't just demand to get your deposit back in...

24 hours or I'll have to call my lawyer.

Oh, grow up.

Smug cow.

Hope you're playing nice, Mum. Oh, why should I?

Well, 'cause Ange is our neighbour

and we have the street party coming up and we have to get along.

What do you care? You're moving out.

She's gonna help us find something.

Oh, you're not renting from her, are you?

Oh, you have no idea how hard it is

to find a decent rental in Osprey Point.

Look, honey, honey,

I know things got very difficult for you when Mia was born,

but they're only going to get more difficult if you rent again.

You're gonna have to go back to work, for a start.

Maybe that's gonna be good for me. (SCOFFS)

Listen, honey, you are very lucky.

You've got this chance at motherhood.

You don't have to make decisions you're going to regret.

Decisions I didn't even have. Oh, I get it.

You were an absolute saint raising me on your own.

Stop it, stop it! Just... It's not what I meant.

Honey, I'm just saying, can't you enjoy it?

Can't you enjoy it while they're little?

Enjoy it? Yes. Is it really that hard?

I really enjoy it, Mum. I enjoy it when they're in the bath.

And I enjoy it when they're asleep.

And I enjoy it when they're in your care.

Keep your voice down. No, you shut up.

I'm not good at this like you were.

I don't enjoy being a constant plaything

or a food source, or having no time and no space to be me.

You're right, Mum, I'm too selfish to be a good mother.

Stop! Please stop looking at me like that.

Oh, grown up. Oh!

God!

Oh, god.

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

(KNOCKING CONTINUES)

Oh, it's my favourite neighbours!

Oh, hi.

Are you OK? Yeah.

I just think I blew up my relationship with Mum,

but I'm good.

Oh. I'm sorry. Hey, do you want a water?

Yeah, thanks.

It had to happen.

Anyway, we're going to the shops now,

then we're gonna make cupcakes for the street party, if you wanna help.

Mum said you're sad.

That's only 'cause, um...

We saw Jules drive off quite fast. Oh, yeah.

Well, I, uh, came here to be on my own.

And now I am.

Not completely.

Yeah, well, that is me. Um, so what happened with you guys?

Well, I took your advice,

and I think I've found somewhere to rent.

Good for you.

Mum was not thrilled. Yeah, she said.

(VOICES RECEDE)

Yeah. She tried everything on - emotional blackmail, guilt trip.

The full 'Woe is me' act. The perks of being an only child.

It comes with strings, right? Ropes.

Definitely ropes. Ball and chain.

Look it's Penny..

Oh, my god, it is. How did you find her?

Oh, Rosie accidentally left her at the hospital.

Ah, OK. Well, I'll disappear her back to Fran later.

She's mine.

It's a very loved little bunny, isn't it?

Yeah. She's certainly done the rounds.

She used to be mine.

So you'll come? Yeah. I'd love the company.

Oi! Oi! Before you nick off, hose down your boards.

I bags first. I already baggsed it in the car.

Dad, turn it on. Alright, hang on.

You alright?

Yep.

You want to tell me what the hell's going on?

Nothing. I'm just tired.

And then, like I said, money's a bit tight.

A bit?

Car's maxed out, you're losing it over a boat

and you're getting all worked up over Barb and Eureka.

I'm not an idiot. We're in the shit.

So, you want to tell me how deep it is?

Ange..

I might have used a buyer's deposit to pay our mortgage.

And now he wants it back.

Which one?

Clive.

And his Eureka deposit.

Right. OK. Right.

So, you took it out of the agency trust?

I mean, can't you lose your licence for that sort of thing?

I was going to put it straight back,

but then the rise in interest rates and the repayments on the studio...

And now he's threatening lawyers.

That's a lot of money.

That's a lot of money. Are we going to lose the house?

That's not going to happen. I won't let that happen.

You mean 'we'.

We won't let that happen.

The puppy needs to go to the beach.

I wish I was going to the beach.

It'd be nice and cool in the sea. You can come.

You're going with Pete, and I think he's really excited.

(PHONE BEEPS)

What's going on?

Are we going to the beach? I got to go away for work.

Got to? Or want to?

I'll be at sea for a month, maybe six weeks.

After all of the bullshit that you just put us through,

you're leaving?

I'm sorry.

You can't just make promises and then not turn up.

She's a child. I know that.

Maybe she's better off with you and without me.

So, we're not going to the beach?

No.

Right. Are you going to go in there and tell her yourself?

It's better coming from you.

So...

Pete's not coming to the beach today.

And it's alright to be angry or sad.

Sometimes I like to put a name to my feelings.

Do you want to name how you're feeling?

Hungry.

OK. It's not an emotion, but it's still fine.

What about some carrots and hummus?

(READS) "..leaving only the purity of the moment.

"And she could lay still no longer but joined his motion,

"meeting him as he thrust and sunk deep.

"And then the sudden intense quiver in her pudenda

"as the rush of his seed pushed her into divine separateness."

Wow. Yeah. Really paints a picture. (LAUGHS) Yeah.

What's his name again? Uh, Boothby Turlington.

Yeah, he was, um, he was a contemporary of DH Lawrence,

but not as famous.

Actually, he wasn't famous at all. Yeah.

Which is the point of the thesis. Right.

Yeah.

So the government pays you to read that all day?

Ah... Well, not all day, but, yeah.

Do you think I should read it too? Sure.

Yeah, sure. Yeah.

We can start a book club. (LAUGHS) Yeah.

Uh, Fran thinks that I should, um, engage with more people, so...

Yeah, yeah. Uh, I'll...I'll speak to Lucas.

Oh, great. Yeah. Good. Great.

Loving all this community spirit.

They're in the kitchen.

Suit up. It's tense in there.

Yeah, Essie mentioned.

Essie, uh, told Barb we're thinking about moving out.

Right. So I'm steering clear.

Fair. Very clear.

Hello? ESSIE: Hey. Come in.

Just about time to cook another batch.

Yes. I love an undercooked cupcake. Hi.

Hey.

Alright... Hey. Look what I got you.

Ah... Sugar! (LAUGHS)

And one more. There's so many.

Oh, no. What happened to Penny?

She burnt her hand on the oven. Just like Mummy.

I wanna take her to... Wait. Where was I born, again?

Geelong Hospital, also like Mummy.

Well, I hope she doesn't need a fur graft.

They've done a very good job of patching her up.

We can have our own wine o'clock. Ooh.

I've expressed. Oh. Did you put the timer on that?

Yes, Mum. I'm just gonna take these away.

You are not going to need dinner tonight.

You have eaten so much batter. All that raw egg.

She'll get a stomach ache. Here, good girl.

We clean as we go. Do we?

How are you feeling about the Eureka decision?

Next subject.

I'm sorry.

Hey, have you asked Isabelle what her favourite cupcake is?

Um, I think I would say my mum's hummingbird cupcakes.

Do you, uh, still cook with your mum?

Yeah, I did. Um, she...she recently died.

I thought I might have told you that.

No. Oh, I forgot. Oh, I'm so sorry.

Well, to, um...

Whoops. What was her name?

Her name was Linda.

To Linda.

OK, here. We're gonna take that T-shirt off.

Get into the bathroom. Oh.

I'll throw that T-shirt in the bin.

I don't know why Mum's still got those on display.

What's this? Show and tell?

Mia's asking for a book. This was fun.

Yeah, it was.

One for the road?

Yeah.

Take two, if you like. Ah. I'm OK.

(CRICKET COMMENTARY ON RADIO)

Who's winning?

Oh, don't ask. Did Barb send you on your way?

Yeah, they're putting Mia to bed.

Definitely staying for another innings, then.

Isabelle, let me guess -

you're dropping the case and heading home?

You wish. God, it's hard doing a job for you.

Actually, I do wish, Isabelle,

especially since your last attempt

is now officially a matter for my New South Wales colleagues.

Yes, I admit,

I probably should have attended the meeting with HR.

Probably. Can you check something for me?

Seriously? Yeah, it's just a small thing.

It's a hospital record in Geelong.

It's just, they'll never give me the info.

For a good reason, Isabelle.

Please, Helen.

What do you need to know?

He just got the bargain of the century.

Thank you. I know that hurt.

Plenty more boats in the sea.

Look, I know it's not gonna fix it, but it's a start.

It's a good start.

Maybe we can trim back the street party.

No giant banner, no jumping castle.

It's too late for that.

Besides, what would people think?

Who cares what people think?

(CHEERFUL CHATTER)

I want it to be all over.

I'm going to cover you all the way up.

They're going to bring home half the beach in their hair.

Oh, there's always the hose down before they come inside.

I know it hasn't been easy having us stay, Mum,

but Ben and I do really appreciate it.

Oh, yeah, I know. Look, you need a place of your own.

And I'm annoying.

I just stick my nose in where no one wants it there.

And sometimes I treat you like a baby because you are my baby.

You're my baby. Oh, you're all my babies.

Lucky you.

Look, Essie, I'm gonna get serious with you now...

..because I've been hearing what you're saying,

and I've just been wondering how I can help.

That's the thing, Mum, you can't help how I feel.

I know. But I can help with the home.

So I want you to have the house before I die.

Oh, Christ. You're not...?

No, no. I just want you to have the house now.

Now, just, before anything happens.

Why would you do that, Mum?

Because you're gonna have it anyway,

so you may as well, you know, have it when you need it.

Yeah, but where will you live? Oh, don't you worry about me.

I might go travelling.

You barely leave town. I know, I know.

But I think it's time that I did.

No, no. This is really... This is crazy.

You can't give away your house. Too late.

Fran's already fixing it.

Seriously, Mum, where will you live?

Well, you know, I'll become a grey nomad.

Well, you're not grey. Well, that's what you think.

Now, come on, let's just sort this now so we can stop arguing.

Alright, so just repeat after me - "Yes. Thank you, Mum.

"That's very generous of you." Come on.

Yes... Yes...

BOTH: Thank you, Mum.

That is very generous of you,

but I can't say yes without speaking to Ben first.

Well...

Oh, well, if we can find him.

How many shells have you got in here?

I've got 28. 28?!

Come on, give us a hug. Come on.

Oh, sweetheart. Oh!

# Hey, George Hey, George

# Hey, George, I can see you. #

(CHEERFUL CHATTER AND LAUGHTER)

Look at this.

Come on. Keep going. There's a kid on the right.

Kid on the right. I see him. Dead.

Got sand in places I didn't even know I had.

Where's Barb? She's hosing down the kids.

So, what's the catch?

Are we gonna take on a massive mortgage or...?

No. She's paid it off.

I don't know, to watch her squirm when she comes back

and she expects to stay with us.

What did you say?

I said that you might have some concerns.

Oh, yeah, I'm concerned that we might be hallucinating

or living in an alternate reality.

If she wants to give us the house, is there a problem?

Yes. It's emotional blackmail.

I will be indebted to her forever. Better her than the bank.

Don't you think that this is a little bit weird

that she does this the moment we start talking about moving out?

It's no coincidence, Ess.

And she's never going to let you forget about it.

See, she's trying to get under my skin,

and she's trying to remind me that I can't do anything without her.

Even if that's true...

..this would be a game-changer for our family.

But if it's going to make you uncomfortable, Ess,

say no.

We're going to be fine either way. OK.

Come here.

(PHONE RINGS)

What did they say?

I'm well, thanks. How are you?

Sorry. I'm just, um, I'm just a bit distracted.

So I ran the family through the Geelong Hospital archive,

confirmed that Esther Akoto did have her daughter, Mia, in Geelong.

Yeah, it makes sense. Essie was born there too.

Not according to the hospital.

Isabelle?

Isabelle, are you still there?

(LOUD RUMBLING)

(BABY GURGLES)

(KNOCK AT DOOR)

Caffeine? Ta.

I need your opinion on something.

I have lots of those. What is it?

Mum wants to give me and Ben her house now as a gift.

Wow, that's...

Essie, that's amazing.

No? I know that it's generous.

And it will be amazing for the family.

I just don't know if it will be very good for me.

Not the idea of living with her until...

No, she's going away. She's moving out.

What? For good? On a trip.

She says she's not sure for how long,

but when she comes back, she's going to rent somewhere small.

Oh, and what's the problem, then?

I don't know, it's just...

And I feel bad saying this, but it feels like a cheat.

Like, I imagined a house

as a part of this life that Ben and I would build together.

Mhm.

I think this is going to give you the space to be even better parents,

because you're not going to have that financial strain

hanging over your heads.

You deserve it, Essie.

Yeah, yeah, maybe you're right.

Yeah, I think that you and Ben should take Barb out tonight and say yes.

Celebrate.

Just leave the kids some soup and a can opener?

(LAUGHS)

Um. No, I'll...I'll babysit them.

Yeah. This is my one-time-only non-negotiable, non-refundable offer.

Oh, man. That is so generous.

Yeah, we'll have fun.

(LEAF BLOWER WHIRRS LOUDLY)

Does she ever stop?

(STOPS LEAF BLOWER) Sorry. What was that?

Oh, just, uh, you're always on the go.

Well, it's for the street party. Mhm.

(STARTS LEAF BLOWER)

Hey. Hi.

Thank you. No worries.

Mia. Your special babysitter's here.

Hi. How's it going?

Oh, I thought we were taking the kids.

Oh, I'm sure Isabelle's got better things to do.

No, really, I don't. I love spending time with them.

Oh, let's not make a fuss.

Let's just get some Thai takeaway and...

Mum, this is a huge deal, please.

And we really want to say thank you properly.

Yeah. Dinner's on us.

Essie told me about the house.

What an incredible gesture.

Oh, yeah. What parents do.

Mine certainly didn't.

(LEAF BLOWER WHIRRS)

Ess. Ange...I'm going in.

OK, well, I'm gonna keep going out here.

OK.

MIA: Isabelle?

Shh, shh, shh.

Shh!

(WHISPERS) Do you wanna take Penny for a walk?

Oh! Penny for a walk. OK. Yeah, come on.

I'm gonna read you a book, and then we can tuck you both in, OK?

HELEN: Isabelle, you can't keep doing...

Hey, uh, I need you to call Greater Sydney Women's Hospital for me

and check... I can't right now.

..and check if a Barbara Walker gave birth there.

I can't, Isabelle, I'll call you later.

Just fucking do it.

Sorry. Please?

Please, Helen.

(ESSIE LAUGHS)

Hey! Hey.

Kids are fast asleep. They were perfect angels.

Oh, do you want to stay for a nightcap?

Uh, no, I can't, I have a deadline, but thanks.

Thanks, Isabelle. Yeah. Any time.

(CAT MEOWS)

I knew it. I knew she was suss and you all laughed at me.

Isabelle Hetherington, and she works for child protection.

They look out for kids in trouble, right?

This is Pleasant Court. We're good parents.

She's on holiday - probably lied about her name

so you didn't do what you're doing right now.

We have a right to know who's living across the road.

She could be a psycho.

What is it? Ange?

Well, now I just feel bad.

(EXHALES)

Jesus. Poor family.

(PHONE RINGS)

I pulled my last favour for you, Isabelle.

You're lucky it was a good one.

OK.

Barbara Walker was admitted on May 6th, 1993.

She gave birth to Claire Esther Walker,

7 pounds, five ounces.

But she died.

The baby died that same day. Neonatal infection.

Essie can't be her child.

Isabelle...

I've just got to get something from the car, Isabelle.

Can you look after your sister?

I'll be two minutes.

OK.

(BABY FUSSES)

(BABY CRIES)

Hey! What are you doing?

Where are you going?

That's my sister!

Photo time.

Ange wants to do the photo sooner rather than later.

Do we have to do it shirtless?

Ange she said she wants people in smart casual.

It's a Pleasant Court tradition and it needs to be upheld.

What about Isabelle? She has to be in the photo.

Oh, no. No.

Uh, she's technically not a Pleasant Court resident.

She's just been lying to us since the day she arrived here.

She works for child protection.

I know about your family. I looked you up.

That must have been truly awful.

I found her. I have DNA.

Promise me you'll wait.

You've got something of mine. And I want it back.

No.

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation