Next week on Neighbours in the UK, Melanie’s insecurity in her relationship begins to show, whilst a newcomer hides a sordid secret.
These scenes air in the UK from Monday 27th June, and in Australia from Monday 11th July.
Melanie is haunted by Sonya’s presence
Melanie Pearson (Lucinda Cowden) hasn’t always had good luck with guys.
Her movie career began in 1987 with a brief romance with Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlan), followed by a brief engagement to businessman Roger Walsh (Stefan Dennis) (Gregory Ross).
After the untimely death of her beloved friend and Joe’s wife, Kerry Bishop, Melanie found herself falling for widower Joe Mangel (Mark Little) (Linda Hartley-Clark). Happiness eventually won out, and the couple married in 1991. Sadly, the marriage did not work out. Melanie referred to their divorce as a “stupid mistake” two years later.
When Melanie returned to Erinsborough after thirty years away, it was a major surprise for everyone involved, especially the “rude, swinging tyrant” Paul, as Melanie had affectionately called to him in Annalise Hartman’s (Kimberley Davies) 2005 documentary.
Melanie not only became Toadie Rebecchi’s (Ryan Moloney) personal assistant, but she also began to develop feelings for the lawyer, which was maybe the biggest surprise of all.
The tension was palpable and the pair eventually gave into temptation – and, after a few weeks of fun while they kept their tryst secret from friends and family, they revealed their relationship to the world.
Fast forwards to the present day, and the couple has cemented their place as one of Ramsay Street’s most enduring couples, with Mel cherished by both Nell (Scarlett Anderson) and Hugo (Jamie Chung) (John Turner).
Toadie concluded that life was too short after the unexpected loss of Hendrix (Benny Turland) and asked Melanie the big question: would she marry him?
Melanie was taken aback and didn’t know what to say. After all, the couple didn’t even share a full-time residence. She recommended they move in together to test the waters, believing it was a knee-jerk reaction to the tragedy.
Thankfully, Toadie agreed and Melanie became a full-time resident of No. 30.
Melanie and Toadie have been enjoying life as a couple for the past few weeks. Unfortunately, there’s one word in Melanie’s mind that casts doubt on their relationship’s long-term viability: Sonya.
It’s no secret that Toadie’s late wife Sonya (Eve Morey) had a positive impact on everyone who lived on Ramsay Street. Three years later, it appears that the mark is still visible.
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Amy’s apparent affections for her best friend threatened to put their friendship in jeopardy last week. Melanie begins to feel overwhelmed by Sonya’s presence around town this week, in the aftermath of Toadie’s marriage proposal.
The continuous reminders of her link with not only Toadie but the rest of the town plague her, and she becomes flustered.
Even at work, she’s reminded of Sonya as the Drinks Divas park up next to the mural that Ned (Ben Hall) produced in Sonya’s memory.
Amy (Jacinta Stapleton) arrives home from a disappointing date the next day to discover an irate Melanie in No. 30 — the house that Toadie and Sonya shared for many years.
Mel is clearly overwhelmed by the notion of spending the rest of her life with Toadie, fearful that she would always be second best to his late wife.
Melanie reveals her feelings — she’s insecure as a result of all the Sonya reminders, and it’s causing her problems. When Amy leaves to clear her brain, however, she loses her cool and tells Toadie everything.
Amy believes that being honest with Toadie is the only way he and Melanie will be able to tackle the shadow in their relationship, despite the fact that she knows it will not be well received by Melanie.
While Mel is upset that Amy has abused her trust, she and Toadie eventually get down to talk about Sonya’s presence in their life…
Will they be able to work through things?
Byron’s secret side hustle
It seems another person in Toadie’s circle isn’t being entirely honest with him either.
This week, Byron Stone (Joe Klacek) arrives in Erinsborough, and it quickly becomes evident that he has a secret.
Jane’s (Annie Jones) son appears out of nowhere, and Jane is overjoyed when he informs her that he intends to stay. Fortunately, his professional qualities convince Toadie of his worth, and he swiftly secures a position at Rebecchi Law.
In fact, he helps Toadie learn that Paul has been using Sapiko & Bazz Holdings to hide money from Terese next week, and he uncovers the truth about one resident’s wrongdoings (Rebekah Elmaloglou).
With Byron, though, not everything appears to be as it seems.
As his first meeting with Rebecchi Law approaches, Byron thinks quickly to come up with a way out. Instead, he spends his time delivering confidential documents to a client by hand.
It’s not long before Byron’s appointment with his customer turns hot, revealing the truth: Byron works as a gigolo for additional income!
As the week progresses, Byron finds it increasingly difficult to balance his extracurricular activities with his job at Rebecchi Law, and he must work extra hard to keep Toadie on board and prevent an unpleasant near-miss.
With a secret so salacious, it’s bound to be uncovered. Just when and how will the golden boy’s golden goose be cooked?
