No 26
Amy and Madison are drinking smoothies, and discussing how awful it is that Xanthe was assaulted by Cooper, and how it's her word against his. Amy explains that 'we' all believe Xanthe, but that 'the majority' (presumably non-Ramsay Street residents) are on Cooper's side.

MADISON: You don't think maybe there's a chance it got caught on one of those hidden cameras?
AMY: The ones Ryan put in? Yeah, that's possible...
MADISON: That's great. This could prove Xanthe's claim.
AMY: No, it's not. Me and Terese - we destroyed the footage.

Lassiter's Complex
Paul is talking to Sonya, trying to badger her about pushing his licence for the motel restaurant through council. His argument is that it's in Steph's interest for her to expedite matters. Sonya says her friends' interests don't come into this, and accuses Paul of using people to get what he wants. She walks off, but Paul keeps following and harassing her!

Amy comes out of Harold's. She sees one of the maids from Lassiter's talking to a customer, and looks worried.

No 28
In the kitchen, Elly is taking some tablets. Ned comes out of her room. She's a little cold with him.

NED: I know we agreed to keep things G-rated, but you didn't have to sleep on the edge of the bed all night.
ELLY: I didn't want to disturb you (...)
NED: Are you being weird because I *didn't* try anything? I thought you wanted to take things slow.
ELLY: I do. My love life's been way too complicated lately. What about yours?
NED: You know enough about me. What do you call complicated?
ELLY: Well, Derek, my ex - I'm not sure how I could've mistaken him for someone with real human feelings.
NED: It's a common trap.
ELLY: I was having too much fun to notice, till the fun ran out. What about you? Has there been anyone since Lauren?
NED: Nothing happened with Lauren.
ELLY: It doesn't matter. You still wanted her, so it counts. No-one else?
NED: Can we not do this before coffee? I'll make us some.
ELLY: No, I want tea. Let's go to Harold's.

Elly walks towards the door, and Ned looks bemused.

Harold's Café
Elly is giving Lauren very precise instructions on how best to make a pot of tea! Lauren doesn't look too grateful, but promises to 'take note'. Ned ushers Elly away to a table, and Lauren asks how things are going between him and Elly. He says it's early days.

LAUREN: I hope I get this tea order right, and don't muck up your chances (!)
NED: Yeah. She doesn't have much of a filter.

At the table, Elly surreptitiously looks at the lock of hair that she took from Ned's wallet. Brad is opposite her, and says the schoolkids are excited about the screening of their film projects at school today, which she's organised. Elly isn't really listening - she's too absorbed thinking about the hair.

The Waterhole
Aaron and Madison are at a table. Aaron is praising Madison's singing performance from last night, and says Terese wants her to do more gigs. Aaron admits it was his idea, but says Madison has real potential.

MADISON: So now you're Simon Cowell?
AARON: No! I'm just a small guy, with a small suburban talent company, and a dream big enough for the both of us.

Madison doesn't deny she's thought about being a musical performer before, but nonetheless tells Aaron it's a no.

MADISON: It's a silly dream. Okay, thanks - but no thanks.

Harold's Café
Elly comes into the kitchen, holding the lock of hair.

LAUREN: Don't tell me I stuffed up the tea?
ELLY: Oh, no, it was good.
LAUREN: Phew (!)

Elly uses a conversation about the film projects, and the possibility of doing a public screening at Harold's, to mask her true intention - namely, to follow Lauren around the room and surreptitiously compare the lock of hair to hers while her back's turned, to ascertain whether it's a match. Lauren is disconcerted by Elly following her around. She says she'll have to think about the film screening.

The Handywoman
Amy is just coming out of the yard, when Ryan Prescott pulls up in a car. Amy invites him to come into the office, but he tells her to get in the car instead. She reluctantly obeys, and he drives off.

Behind the Men's Shed
Ryan and Amy are talking in the car. He explains he's been living in the car since Terese broke off the Lassiter's cleaning contract with him - but the money he's got from the West Waratah Star for the hidden camera footage means he can afford to get a place again.

AMY: Why did you do it?
RYAN: Terese and I were seeing each other. And she fired me, like it meant nothing.
AMY: So it's revenge, then?
RYAN: Well, I thought of it as more of an insurance policy for when I ran out of money.
AMY: So the USB you gave Tim Collins was the only copy?
RYAN: ... Is that why you wanted to meet up? Worried there's still footage of you and that guy I set you up with?
AMY: Greg? Is he in on this?
RYAN: I still get a kick out of watching it.
AMY: So you did keep a copy? Where is it?

She starts searching the car, but Ryan claims it's on a hard disk, which she'll never get her hands on. When Amy finds that the glove compartment is locked, she guesses it's in there.

AMY: Open it.
RYAN: I don't think so.

Harold's Café
Ned is wondering what Lauren and Elly are talking about in the kitchen; he hopes there are no hard feelings after their recent clash over dinner. Brad assures him they'll work it out and probably end up best of friends, encouraging Ned to 'let it happen' with Elly. At that moment, Elly comes out of the kitchen, looking upset. She rushes out of the café, saying she has to go and will see Ned later.

The Waterhole
Amy comes in and finds Aaron sitting at a table; he's working on putting together a playlist to try and convince Madison to perform. Amy begins to explain what's been going on with Ryan; he's holding something over her again. Aaron asks whether her relationship with Ryan ever went beyond boss/employee. Amy claims not, but says Ryan was always asking her out.

Aaron tells Amy that she should use her feminine wiles to manipulate Ryan.

AMY: Are you suggesting I should sleep with him to get what I want?
AARON: No! All I'm saying is, the guy's got an ego, right? He'll buy any attention that you give him.

Erinsborough High School
Elly is in one of the classrooms, when Ned comes in to talk to her.

NED: Hello, Miss Conway.

She's still cold with him, saying he shouldn't be on school grounds. He asks if she wants to go for a drink after work, but Elly says she's busy with the film screening. Ned can detect something is wrong, and asks her whether it's about her ex, or something Lauren said to her earlier. Elly denies both.

ELLY: For the record, I think we should just cool it before things get any deeper.
NED: Why?
ELLY: Right now, I need to work, and you need to go.
NED: ...
ELLY: Bye, Ned.

Harold's Café
Ned marches in and demands that Lauren explain what she said to Elly in the kitchen earlier to put her off him.

LAUREN: Hey, Casanova, we didn't talk about you at all.
NED: What did you talk about, huh? Cos it's not like you guys are friends.
LAUREN: No. No, we're not.

Lauren explains Elly was asking about holding a film screening at Harold's.

NED: That's it?
LAUREN: That's it. Although, I have to say, she was a little odd.
NED: Odd how?
LAUREN: Odd as in, following me around the kitchen all the time.

In any case, Lauren insists she didn't say anything to undermine Ned. Ned apologises, and leaves.

Erinsborough High School
Brad comes into the classroom to help Elly set up for the film project screening. She seems less than enthusiastic about it all, and Brad asks if everything is okay, pointing out that she left Harold's pretty quickly this morning. Brad says that if it's about Lauren and him, they can talk it over and fix it.

BRAD: We just want Ned to be happy.
ELLY: That's over.
BRAD: What is, you and Ned?
ELLY: Yep.
BRAD: Since this morning?
ELLY: Correct.

Brad admits there's been some trouble lately between Lauren, him and Ned, but that it's over now.

ELLY: I don't think it's over, Brad.

She pulls the hair out of her bag.

ELLY: I found this in Ned's wallet last night. I matched it to Lauren's hair this morning, and that's why we have now broken up. I don't want to be with a guy who's holding a torch for his stepmum. I'm sorry - that's too weird for me.

Lassiter's Complex
Paul accosts Madison, telling her he's heard from Aaron that she's turned down more gigs at The Waterhole. Paul says that if singing is her passion, Madison should go for it. She says she doesn't want to, and starts to walk away. But Paul continues to try and persuade her. Madison says she can't 'risk it again'.

MADISON: I came here to be a journalist. And that didn't work out.
PAUL: Yeah, because of me.
MADISON: I had everything mapped out, and I failed. I've finally got my confidence back.
PAUL: Yeah, and I am sorry for my part in that, truly I am. But you know, maybe this is meant to be.
MADISON: Yes, this *is* meant to be. I'm meant to work for Terese as her EA.
PAUL: Hey, you know you can be successful at both. I was the one that ruined things at the paper for you, and for that I really am so sorry.
MADISON: That's the first time you've properly apologised.
PAUL: That's because I mean it. And you know what? You are allowed to have more than one passion. And if singing is one of them, then please, please don't let this opportunity pass you buy, eh?
MADISON: Thanks, Uncle Paul.

Paul grins smugly as she walks away.

Around the back of the Complex, Amy meets up with Ryan.

AMY: I wasn't completely honest with you. You see, I wanted the footage for myself.
RYAN: For what?
AMY: Oh, same reason as you. To get Terese. Only I was gonna pretend it came from you, and I was, like, the go-between.
RYAN: Really? And why would you want to do that?
AMY: Because, I'm desperate. My business is failing, and now I know how you feel.
RYAN: So you were trying to rip me off?
AMY: It only seems fair. Since you tried to make money out of exploiting me. Just following your lead.
RYAN: Okay. So what are you saying? You want in?
AMY: It's worth talking about, isn't it?

Harold's Café
Brad comes in. Lauren wants to talk about wedding cakes, but he has a more pressing issue to discuss with her - and shows her the lock of hair that Elly gave him.

BRAD: Is this yours?
LAUREN: What is that? Where did you get it?
BRAD: Elly found it in Ned's wallet. And she's claiming it's yours.
LAUREN (laughs): Seriously?
BRAD: Trust me, if there was an alternative I wouldn't be asking. But I wanted to run it past you before I speak to Ned.
LAUREN: How would he even get it without me knowing about it?
BRAD: Maybe when you were sleeping?
LAUREN: It's possible... I hope not, the whole idea is pretty disturbing.
BRAD: And I don't want to think he's creepy like that. But if he's carrying around a souvenir of you, it's a worry.

Ned comes in.

NED: What? What's going on?

Lauren shows him the hair.

LAUREN: Is there any chance you can explain this?

Shortly afterwards, Brad, Lauren and Ned go into the kitchen to discuss things. Ned insists it's nothing sinister, and not what they think.

NED: It belongs to a woman I've been seeing the last couple of months.
BRAD: Well, you've never mentioned her before.

Ned says he can understand it looks like he's making her up, but he just didn't want to talk about her with anyone.

LAUREN: Who is she?
NED: No-one you know. Look, the point is, it has nothing to do with you, Lauren, okay? On my grandfather's grave. I'm honestly over anything I felt towards you. And this other woman, we're done. I didn't even know that was there until the other day. And even though I'm not happy about Elly going through my wallet, she's the only one I'm interested in.

Ned puts the lock of hair in the bin, to prove he has no 'weird attachment' to it. Lauren smiles, but doesn't look 100% convinced.

Erinsborough High School
Elly is still setting up the classroom, when Ned comes back. He tells Elly that the hair is not Lauren's, but someone else's; he was seeing someone else before he came back, but it's not something he wants to get into with her right now.

ELLY: Is it a secret? Are you still seeing her?
NED: No. Seeing her is the last thing I want to do right now.
ELLY: So why didn't you tell me?
NED: I'm sure there are things you haven't told me, right?

Elly remarks on how weird it is that he has a lock of hair from 'another chick' in his wallet. He says the other woman gave it to him when they broke up, and he put it in there 'to keep her happy' and has just neglected to throw it away - but now it's gone for good. Elly's attitude changes, and Ned goes to kiss her. They share a brief pash.

ELLY: Okay. You need to go before you get me fired. Bye, Ned.

She smiles as he leaves.

Harold's Café
Brad comes in to find Lauren fiddling self-consciously with her hair.

BRAD: I thought you believed Ned's story.
LAUREN: I did. At first.
BRAD: Right, so you think it's your hair?
LAUREN: No. I dunno. It's just, last time he was here, he was so intense. And this time he's being so vague.
BRAD: Yeah, I clocked that too. But you know, I think he's telling the truth.
LAUREN: Good. Great. Then I do too.

Brad heads off to help with the film screening; but after he leaves, the incidental music begins to distort, and Lauren continues to fiddle with her hair, looking disconcerted.

Power Street
Amy and Ryan are outside Grease Monkeys, discussing the terms of their new 'arrangement'. Amy is being mildly flirtatious, as per Aaron's advice, to massage Ryan's ego.

RYAN: Just to be clear, I'm not splitting this with you.
AMY: That's fine, I don't expect that.
RYAN: But for the right information I can offer you a percentage.
AMY: What kind of percentage are we talking?
RYAN: Well, that depends on how nice you are to me. Seriously though, what about 15%?
AMY: Sounds reasonable. And what would I have to do?
RYAN: The higher the stakes are for Terese, the more she'll pay. So I need you to use your friendship with her to find out when the best time to hit her up will be.
AMY: How will I know when that is?
RYAN: When there's a board inspection, or a prestigious event. You'll know.
AMY: And then what?
RYAN: Give me a call, and I'll put the hard word on her. Maybe I'll put the hard word on you at the same time.
AMY: I could do that.
RYAN: Good.

Ryan goes to buy them lunch to celebrate their new agreement, but inadvertently leaves his car keys on the table. Seizing her opportunity, Amy grabs them and rushes to the car, where she tries to open the glove compartment with the keys. Just as she retrieves the hard drive from inside, Ryan leaps into the car next to her and grabs it from her.

RYAN: I'll take that! I should have known better than to believe that someone like you would try to extort money from anyone.
AMY: Look, it's my fault you got into Lassiter's. I feel responsible for you hurting them.
RYAN: Terese deserves this!
AMY: Okay. Okay, look - the truth is, there's a chance the footage on that can prove an assault charge. It's an attack on a young girl.
RYAN: Then you or Terese can pay for it. And the price just went up.
AMY: No, I need this!
RYAN: Walk away, Amy. From now on, this is between me and Terese. Get out of the car!

Amy does as she's told, and Ryan screeches away.

Promo
- Cooper is back in classes at school, much to Ben's anger and Xanthe's dismay
- Xanthe says that every time she sees Cooper she's reminded of what he did
- A tearful Xanthe begs Gary to 'make this better'
- Paige tells Amy that Jack's a man as well as a priest, and maybe he's sick of pretending otherwise
- Amy tells Jack that he's playing with fire by keeping Paige close. Jack says he needs to keep her safe
- A shadowy figure approaches Paige as she locks up Harold's...