Bree’s worries about Mercedes are confirmed on the upcoming episode of Home and Away in the UK, and John and Irene find themselves at the centre of local rumours.
This week, Lyrik will begin recording their debut album, giving them reason to celebrate. However, there is some drama when Mercedes (Amali Golden) chooses to use the occasion to approach Remi (Adam Rowland)!
As a result of friend Felicity’s (Jacqui Purvis) assault, the band withdrew from Battle of the Bands, leaving them to question how they would raise the money necessary to finance the creation of their anticipated record. It was decided Mercedes, Remi’s longtime friend and violinist, would continue on to record the album with them after she was brought in to provide a little something extra for the performance.
Due to their shared boarding school experience, Mercedes and Remi have a long history together, and it is now abundantly evident that she has a soft spot for him.
Juliet Godwin’s character Bree, Remi’s girlfriend, hasn’t missed this and advised Mercedes to back off last week. Mercedes made no attempt to dispute it because she couldn’t see why Remi would date Bree given that they have nothing in common.
Bree told Mercedes that she did not perceive her as a threat—merely as a pampered rich girl with a pitiful crush—after Mercedes noted that Bree was becoming agitated about the slightest threat.
In the midst of all of this, Mercedes magically secured the band three free overnight studio sessions so they could record their album by making friends with the PA of a well-known record producer.
Bree will be there with them at the recording session and will even bring food because she is worried about Remi spending time in the city with Mercedes despite his promises that she need not be.
Xander (Luke Van Os) warns Bree that she can’t keep doing this to herself and that she needs to stop things in the bud before they become a problem when she admits that her imagination will run wild if she isn’t there with Remi.
Remi is upset when Bree says she still doesn’t like the notion of his hanging out with Mercedes; he had assumed this was resolved.
Bree promises him that she won’t allow Mercedes to touch her any longer, but he isn’t sure he can trust her. Bree decides to demonstrate this by announcing that she would remain in Summer Bay, away from the band.
The following evening, when the group arrives in the studio, their first session is not without its growing pains due to the constant fighting between ex-couple Theo (Matt Evans) and Kirby (Angelina Thomson).
As Eden (Stephanie Panozzo) and Remi remind Kirby that they are all under pressure this evening, Kirby becomes agitated. The task of recording an entire album in three sessions will be difficult.
Mercedes, who is managing affairs in the control room, notices Remi’s phone buzzing and realises it is Bree. Mercedes makes the decision to decline the call rather than inform Remi about it.
Lyrik finally begin recording the first song in a series.
Mercedes can’t take her eyes off Remi as we watch a montage of the session.
They are happy to get their first song recorded with plenty of time left over after the session goes far better than they had anticipated.
Mercedes chooses to stay behind to retake her final take as the fired-up gang decides to head home with the party. Remi agrees to stay with her while the others return to Summer Bay after she asks him if he’s up for it.
Remi listens to the recording afterwards and declares that it sounds wonderful. They both find it hard to accept that they have arrived at this point.
However, just as Remi is about to depart, Mercedes pounces and kisses him!
Pushing Mercedes aside in shock, Remi exclaims, “What the hell?”
Mercedes is informed by Remi that whatever she was thinking was incorrect, and she quickly leaves.
Remi is in disbelief; it seems Bree was correct the entire time!
While they continue to enjoy living together, John (Shane Withington) and Irene (Lynne McGranger) find themselves suddenly at the core of small-town rumours elsewhere in Summer Bay.
Irene welcomed John into her home after he was discharged from the hospital because she didn’t want one of her closest friends to spend his recovery time alone. When John insisted on going with her to work at the coffee cart and set up a chair so he could continue talking to her throughout the day, she soon started to question whether she’d taken on too much.
Irene finally said, “John, you’re driving me up the flippin’ wall,” after listening to him all morning.
She said, “I’ve got a job to do, I can’t babysit you!” and that was all John needed to hear to convince him to return home and take the rest he needed.
Irene was dreading going back to her house later that day, but when she entered and saw that John had prepared a roast dinner for her, all of her fears vanished.
John also wished to express his sincere gratitude to Irene for watching out for him, saying that he had missed being able to cook for someone (especially a non-vegetarian).
Irene was overjoyed because she hadn’t had food prepared for her in a very long time.
John prepares another special supper for Irene the next week, but he keeps his preparations a secret when asked.
John, however, is transparent to Irene, who points out that all he is doing is waiting to see what the shops have to offer.
John responds, “I feel like I should be offended by that.”On the other hand, it’s wonderful to be with someone who fully comprehends me.
Theo sits nearby, ears perking, and his expression suggests that he may have overheard one of Leah and Justin’s bedroom sessions.
Sadly, despite all his planning, John’s efforts are foiled when he discovers that the stores are already closed. But that doesn’t matter because he can treat Irene to a delicious lunch at Salt in its place.
That evening, Alf (Ray Meagher) and Marilyn (Emily Symons) are dining in as well, and while they amusingly observe the couple, Alf is amazed that Irene hasn’t grown tired of seeing Palmer yet.
When Marilyn remarks that they appear to be extremely cosy, she almost seems a bit worried.
Later on in the week, Irene assists John in purchasing a suit for his son Jett’s (Will McDonald) impending wedding. As they make their way back to the coffee cart, John compliments Irene on her bartering abilities. Marilyn avoids the subject because she finds it uncomfortable.
After Xander (Luke Van Os) points out that living at Irene’s is undoubtedly beneficial to him, John remarks that Irene will now be his shopping companion for all of eternity and then reveals that he hasn’t even considered returning home.
Soon after, Xander informs Mackenzie (Emily Weir) that John and Irene are dating, starting the rumour mill in full gear.
However, as they collaborate to covertly get more information from John and Irene, it only helps to confirm Xander’s suspicions despite Mac’s denial.
Since learning that Irene is meeting John at the surf club so they can enjoy the walk home together, Marilyn has started to think the same thing and is noticeably unimpressed. (We won’t feel sorry for you, Maz; you had your chance with JP!)
Irene and John are at the surf club when they both wonder why everyone has been asking about the two of them all day. Mali (Kyle Shilling) overhears them and tells them that everyone thinks they are dating.
John and Irene are shocked, and while John believes they should swiftly clarify the matter, Irene believes it is none of anyone’s concern.
The following morning, though, when Marilyn starts grilling Irene in a less-than-subtle manner, Irene becomes irate and decides to change her strategy.
Irene subtly thinks they might really give everyone something to talk about before John can tell Marilyn the truth.
