Number 32
Libby & Steph prepare the boys for bed. When they're gone, the women get out a hidden stash of chocolate, and catch up on the gossip. Libby feels she's been humiliated by 2 brothers in the same day, which she feels is a record. Steph says she had the right feelings, just the wrong guy. Suddenly Libby reveals she got back on the bike. Steph is surprised. 'It was amazing she says' They hear a noise outside and Steph asks if she should tell him to go. Libby says she'll see him, she just needs Steph's support. Lucas comes in saying he knows he doesn't deserve another chance. Steph says it's OK, she'll see him.

Libby's first question is of course why didn't he tell her Dan was his brother? He says he didn't know about her and Dan when they met, and by the time he did it was too late, he already liked her. So, she asks, why did he run away? Because he could see she still liked him. She says there's nothing going on; he says it didn't seem that way when he called, and he knows how Dan's been acting.

LUCAS: So, do I get another chance?

LIBBY (throwing him his keys): You'll need these, when you leave town.

He asks Libby to 'come on'; Steph says to him to 'come on' and he leaves.

The General Store
Elle is typing up her interview with Rachel. We hear her consider in voice over 'What if Angus Henderson had been a uni student when he and Rachel Kinski first met? Problem? What if he was also her tutor? Where do we draw the line?' Carmella comes over and starts wiping down the table saying she wants to go. Elle offers to lock up. Carmella reads the article and claims Rachel has fallen in love with the wrong guy. Elle says Rachel thinks he's the right guy. Carmella says it must just be the wrong time then.

ELLE VO: What happens if you fall for the right guy at the wrong time? Exactly how much should we sacrifice to make it work?

We see Angus & Rachel at 'home'

ELLE VO: Material comfort? Family? Friends? Reputation?

Rachel's mobile rings and she ignores it.

ELLE VO: Even if we do make these sacrifices, how do we know they will turn the wrong time into the right time?. Can there be a happy ending, when so much damage has been done along the way and so many people want them to fail. Against the odds, Rachel and Angus believe there can be. We've been taught to believe that love is patient and kind, that it endures all things. Does it?

Paul comes in to The General Store and reads over her shoulder.

PAUL: It's not Valentine's Day Elle.
ELLE: I'm thinking 'Teen's Dilemma: The Price Of Love'
PAUL: Well I'm thinking 'Schoolgirl's Forbidden Love Turns Sour'

She wants to say that they're getting on with things despite of opposition. Paul shakes his head. She thinks they can put a positive spin on it. Reluctantly, Paul tells her to email it to him at the office and walks out. Carmella comes back for another snoop.

Ramsay Street
Miranda comes out to get the paper and mail. Steve sees her from across the street and comes over and wants to talk. He says he doesn't know what to do. She suggests an apology. He says it wasn't what it looked like (at the party). She walks off. He begs her not to shut him out.

MIRANDA: Why not? You did. You drag up stuff about me that's 20 years old, you walk out like a toddler who's had his toy taken away, you plead with me not to turn your back [sic] now you're asking me not to shut you out.

Steve agrees and apologises. We see Zeke getting in the paper. Miranda asks how he's been keeping. Steve says he just wants to be a family again. Miranda says she knows. Zeke notices them and they all wave and he goes back in. Steve asks where they start.

Number 28/Angus & Rachel's Flat/Number 24/Charlie's Bar
Silently, Zeke opens the paper and shows the front page to Susan and Ringo. The headline is 'Teen begs family: Let us love in peace'. There's a picture of the whole family with a big rip separating them and Rachel.

We see Angus reading the article with a smile on his face, then Bridget and Declan reading it, then Paul reading the paper over lunch in Charlie's.

There's a really nice and appropriate song over this.

Susan reads the article to the boys.

SUSAN: Persecuted, by family, friends and the public at large, the young lovers ask for some understanding.
ZEKE: She's such an idiot.
SUSAN: It's us against the world, says 16-year-old Rachel Kinski.

Ringo says she'll be feeling pretty embarrassed right now. Susan wishes she could agree. Rachel asks Angus how the article is. He thinks it's brilliant. She reads over his shoulder and announces that she didn't say anything in the article.

RACHEL: It sounds like I'm having a go at Susan.
ANGUS: It sounds like you're standing up for yourself.

Bridget considers why Rachel would say any of those things. Declan says because she's a princess. Carmella comes over and reads. She says Elle didn't write it. Declan is dismissive of this. Rebecca comes over to read and agrees that Elle wouldn't write that. 'Poor Susan'.

Charlie's Bar
Elle comes in and says there's about 4 words of hers in the article 'They were good words' says Paul.Elle is worried about her byline. Paul says it now reads like a peice of journalism, not a peice of romantic fiction. Elle says it will have everyone up in arms all over again. Paul is hoping for a few more days out of it. Elle thinks Rachel will feel betrayed, because Elle believed her.

Angus & Rachel's Flat
Rachel is clearly still upset as she leaves for school. Angus tells her he's really proud, but she just says 'love you' and makes for the door. She opens it to find Susan standing there.

Susan and Rachel apologise to each other. Rachel says she never meant things to come out the way they did. Angus says she should be really proud. This causes Susan to round on him, asking if it was his idea. Rachel says Angus didn't speak to them. Susan points out he wasn't allowed to. Rachel says she can make up her own mind. Angus doesn't see what the big deal is. Susan says that's because he has no judgement. Rachel shouts at them to stop.

Susan says Zeke is upset, and it will make things hard for her at school. Rachel thinks it will be fine. Changing the subject, Susan says it's Parent Teacher night and offers to pick her up. Rachel says she wants to give it a miss. Susan pleads with her that it's important she go. Angus tells Rachel she has nothing to be ashamed of.

The General Store
Rebecca wants Declan to 'hand them over'. Also at the table are Bridget, Declan and Toadie. Rebecca says unless she gets a good report, they'll disappear for quite a while. He hands over his car keys and accuses Rebecca of treating them like a yoyo. Rebecca laughs and says they've come in handy.

Miranda walks in, followed by Steve. They want to talk to Bridget about Parent Teacher night. Bridget insists she's not talking to Steve, which causes everyone except the Parkers to make their excuses and leave.

Must pause at this point to say - YAY! - One Good Reason is playing!

Bridget tries to explain how disappointed she is with Steve, but he stops her to apologise for letting her down. She asks if they're now pretending everything is OK. Miranda says of course not, but they're still a family while they sort it out. They want to come to the evening. Bridget just says 'Do what you want'. With impeccable timing, Nicola walks in. She tries to get Steve's attention, but he just ignores her. Bridget asks her to leave them alone. Nicola says she just wants to pick up 'Bronty'. Miranda decides it's time to leave. She says goodbye to Nicola, but Steve and Bridget carry on ignoring her as they all walk out together. Toadie comes over and says 'so, how'd it go?' and Nicola looks down.

Erinsborough High
Dan approaches Susan, Ringo and Zeke and says he wants to talk to Rachel & her. Susan says she'll bring her over when she arrives, and Dan walks off. Zeke says she's not coming. Susan says they should give her more time.

Bridget hobbles up the steps to meet Steve & Miranda at the top.

MIRANDA: How are you?
BRIDGET: Good
MIRANDA: How's Declan?
BRIDGET: Good
MIRANDA: How are the interviews going to go?
Bridget walks off.

Susan comes over and says she saw the newspaper article and is sorry. Susan says they brought it on themselves. They both thought people were forgetting about it. Steve suggests they go inside, and they leave.

Libby passes Dan who asks if he can have a word. Libby asks if it's about work and Dan says it is: He's just been made
acting head of Senior School. As her boss, he suggests they make a real effort to be civil to each other.

LIBBY: Yeah, that's fine Mr Fitzgerald.
DAN: Right, Miss Kennedy.

Erinsborough High Classroom
Zeke and Ringo are playfighting in the background while Susan and Libby gossip about the bombshell that Dan just dropped. Libby thinks it will work badly. She turns to the boys and stops the fighting. She asks if they're happy to hear each other's reports.

RINGO: Yeah we all know he's the brains...
ZEKE: And I'm also the beauty.

Ringo slaps him across the head.

Libby tells Ringo he's a really well liked member of the class, which he likes. Libby says his participation, listening skills and helpfulness would make his mum proud. Susan agrees. But, Libby says, he's struggling in Maths & English (which surprises Susan) and Susan agrees to get him extra tutoring. Ringo agrees that he's not been coping too well. Libby says it's not a negative report though, as they're happy with his attitude, etc. Susan and Libby agree there's room for improvement.

When it comes to Zeke, Libby just says 'good work this term, well done'. Dan appears and says actually, they do have a problem with Zeke - there's not enough acceleration programs! Libby is not impressed with Dan getting involved.

LIBBY: Thanks, 'acting' head.

Susan and Dan shoot her a look.

Bridget remarks to Declan that his mum hasn't arrived. He says Toadie wouldn't let her leave until they found the stapler. They found it in box of Cheese Twists.

DECLAN: Next time I'll have to hide it better.

Miranda calls Didge over and they and Steve sit with Libby. Bridget cynically tells Libby that they've decided to form a united front. Steve says they're both interested in her school work. Libby says she's done some good work this term. Bridget looks at he parents and snaps 'surprising, isn't it?'. Libby continues with the glowing review and says she got an A+ for her last essay, a comparison between Mr & Mrs Smith and Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf? Which Bridget says are both about married couples who try to kill each other. Libby reveals that her and Declan have been skipping classes. Steve says that her attendance will be perfect from now on.

MIRANDA: You might even say we're a united front.

The General Store
Nicola and Toadie have been catching up. Toadie says it's a mess, even by his standards. Nicola asks if they're still mates. Toadie says they are and asks what she's going to do. She doesn't know. He asks if she still loves Steve. Again, she doesn't know. He says she should make up her mind not to, and go from there. They cross Paul on the way out and are obviously not pleased to see him.

Paul joins Angus & Rachel at a table. Elle joins them too. Paul says he pulled a few strings to get their electric back on. He asks if they're happy with the article. Rachel shoots Elle a look. Elle says there was some 'executive editing after I filed my piece'. Rachel says that wasn't their story and Elle apologises. Paul says you can only ever use about 5% of the subject's quotes. Elle says he's the Editor. Angus says he thought it was great and wants to thank them. Paul asks if they plan to celebrate. Angus says Rachel has Parent Teacher Interviews. Paul asks if Angus is going as well. He agrees, which makes Rachel feel uncomfortable. Angus suggests they leave, and they do.

Paul tells Elle to get down to the school and take her camera. She refuses to do any more of his dirty work and leaves.

Erinsborough High Classroom
Steve & Miranda tackle Bridget about her wagging. Steve says they're all going to sit down and discuss it. Bridget wonders how they can do that, when they don't even live in the same house. She says they're not a happy family anymore and walks out, followed by her parents.

Susan tells Libby that Rachel still isn't here. Just then she arrives with Angus, which doesn't please Susan. Dan asks her if he can see her in private. Rachel says anything he has to say can be said in front of Angus. He hands her an essay and asks if it's hers. She says it is, but Dan says he thinks Angus wrote it.

Libby closes the door as the only people left in the room are Rachel, Angus, Libby & Susan. Rachel pleads with Susan that she would never do something like this. Susan agrees with that and Rachel says it's her own work. Angus says Dan has had it in for him since day one. Dan comes back in as Susan says it's not about Angus. Dan tries to start formal proceedings, but Libby announces that 'this is stopping now. This has nothing to do with school work, this about your brother' Dan shakes his head.

Next we see Dan leaving the room followed by Libby, into a corridor full of people. Dan says it's not about his brother, this is a school matter. Libby says it's a Fitzgerald matter and he should leave her family out of it. Karl comes rushing in to say he came as soon as heard. Susan, Angus and Rachel come out and Karl asks Rachel if Angus wrote the assignment. Rachel denies it and Susan says that's what Dan thinks. Karl asks what Susan thinks. She says that Rachel says she wrote it. Rachel feels that Susan doesn't believe her. Susan says '....yes....we'll sort this out'.

Angus says he doesn't think it's fair. Susan pleads with him to stay out of it. Rachel says she was at Carmella's house when she wrote the essay. She swears she's telling the truth, but says no-one believes her. Libby says she believes her. She turns to Dan and asks if he's going to take it further. Dan says it's a serious matter. Libby agrees. Dan says she can try and convince him it was Rachel's work. Libby says 'good' and takes the essay off him. Angus leads Rachel out as she's obviously upset and feels that if Karl & Susan had any respect for her, they would know she would never cheat at anything.

Preview
Outside the school, Rachel & Angus try to get past photographers.

MVO: Have Rachel & Angus been pushed to the edge?

A shot of the newspaper

RACHEL: They're never going to leave us alone, they're just going to keep hassling us.
FVO: Tomorrow,

Various shots of Rachel & Angus

MVO: This is the moment their future is decided.
FVO: This is the episode you don't want to miss. Neighbours, 6.30 tomorrow.