Previously
- Hendrix loses control of Pierce's car and crashes into a marquee containing Harlow
- Pierce tries to scare Hendrix into better behaviour by threatening to tell the police he stole the car
- Harlow rejects Hendrix's apology, binning the discount flowers he gives her
- Pierce admits to Hendrix that he's struggling to be a parent; Hendrix apologises for crashing the car
- Kirsha comes out as Gifted™ and tells Dipi and Shane she wants to apply for a scholarship in Sydney
- Dipi and Shane think she should wait a year, but Kirsha wants to apply now
- Toadie agrees with Kirsha, leading Shane to remind Toadie it's not his decision
- Shaun promises to be around for his and Elly's baby; Shaun and Elly kiss
- Bea, Finn and Elly are shocked to learn Shaun is missing following an avalanche in Switzerland
No 28
Finn is on the phone, demanding to speak to his mum. His efforts prove fruitless, and he asks the person on the other end to tell his mum to call him as soon as she can. Hanging up, Finn joins Bea and Elly on the sofa. Bea has found an online news report about a group of work colleagues who got caught in a sudden avalanche while hiking.
BEA (reading): The missing party includes Australian Shaun Watkins.
FINN: Anything else?
BEA: The search teams recovered two bodies, but they're still looking for the other eight.
ELLY: But Shaun goes hiking all the time. He knows that terrain; he would've taken precautions.
FINN: Precautions? For an avalanche?!
Finn's mum then calls him back. He asks her what's happening...
Lassiter's
Hendrix is hanging out with Pierce in the office. Hendrix confirms he's settled back into school following his suspension.
HENDRIX: The whole place missed me. I'm kind of like a legend there now.
PIERCE: And your exam prep?
HENDRIX: Mr Muggleton was straight on my case with extra schoolwork, don't you worry.
Terese comes in for a meeting with Pierce; it's been a crazy day preparing for the Melbourne Cup tour which calls in tomorrow morning.
HENDRIX: I'll make sure there's no cars around.
TERESE: Please, don't even joke about it. Shoes?
Hendrix sheepishly removes his feet from the sofa - but he perks up when Pierce suggests the two of them could go and see the Cup together tomorrow, and get their photo taken with it. Hendrix seems quietly pleased at the prospect of spending time with his dad.
No 28
Elly and Finn are in the living area; Elly gets a text from Susan, saying she's coming home on the next flight to be with them. Finn also gets a message.
FINN: They've pulled another three bodies out of the snow.
ELLY: ... And?
FINN: They haven't been able to formally identify anyone.
ELLY: Okay, so it might not be Shaun. We just... we have to think that he still might be -
FINN: Still what? Alive? (!)
ELLY: Yes. Until we hear otherwise.
FINN: They have pulled five dead bodies out of the snow, Elly. Five out of ten. How are you ignoring the reality here?!
ELLY: The reality is, we don't know if any of those people are Shaun!
FINN: My brother is buried under an avalanche!
ELLY: He'll be okay - I know it, okay? I have a really strong feeling about it.
The Waterhole
The next morning, Pierce is getting a coffee when Chloe appears, back from her Adelaide trip. They kiss, and are thrilled to see each other, but Chloe admits she's in need of a break, having been with Fay and seen how her own future with Huntington's disease may unfold. They both admit they missed one another, and Chloe suggests they have breakfast. Pierce eagerly agrees.
Lassiter's
Hendrix is waiting for his dad to show up in the foyer, so they can go and see the Melbourne Cup as arranged. Terese, who's at the reception desk, tells Hendrix she hasn't heard from Pierce. At this point, James Gunn, the representative for the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) which hosts the Melbourne Cup, turns up, along with security guards holding the Cup itself.
Terese takes the visitors up to her office, saying they can store the Cup there until the event begins. As Hendrix watches them go upstairs, Harlow and Roxy turn up, wanting to see the Cup.
HENDRIX: It's been and gone. I guess you'll have to line up to see it with the other plebs.
ROXY: Did you get a photo with it?
HENDRIX: I will when Dad finally shows. Don't worry - I'll tag you for added FOMO.
HARLOW: I think you'll be waiting a while; I saw him and Chloe head to The Waterhole. I think they're about to tuck into a big breakfast.
HENDRIX: Chloe - is she back?
HARLOW: Yeah. You know, I'm sure they'll post a photo, and tag you for added FOMO (!)
Roxy and Harlow leave, and Hendrix looks frustrated.
No 30
Shane is minding Nell and Hugo, when Dipi comes in from having dropped Kirsha off at the library. Shane wonders whether they were too harsh in not letting Kirsha apply for the scholarship.
DIPI: She's not ready, Shane. We're on the same page. Waiting one more year won't do her any harm.
Toadie comes in, having just finished a phone call.
HUGO: Dada!
Toadie explains to Shane and Dipi that it was Susan on the phone, to tell him about Shaun and the avalanche.
TOADIE: It's looking grim.
The Waterhole
Chloe tells Pierce how Mark is settling in at Fay's place - namely, by organising a cleaning roster and taking command of the linen closet. We learn that Pierce has offered to help by getting a cleaner for Fay; Chloe says it's not needed yet, but that they really appreciate the thought.
PIERCE: I just wish there was more I could offer, y'know?
CHLOE: You've been great, seriously. All those late-night phone calls where I was a blubbering mess...
PIERCE: Don't be silly. You could've called me ten times as often and it still wouldn't have been enough.
CHLOE: I don't think I could've gotten through it without you. Anyway, if this has taught me anything, it's that... I can't take anything for granted anymore.
Chloe asks how Hendrix is, which reminds Pierce he's supposed to be meeting him at the hotel. However, at that moment, a shaken-looking Terese comes in, and tells Pierce...
TERESE: We have a problem.
CHLOE: Wow. Welcome back, Chloe (!)
TERESE: I'm sorry, Chloe - this is... The Cup is missing!
PIERCE: ... The Melbourne Cup?
TERESE: No, the other eighteen-karat gold, $200,000 trophy we keep at the hotel (!)
Terese explains she locked the Cup in the office, then took the officials down for breakfast - and when she returned, it had gone.
No 28
Elly reads good news on her laptop - the five bodies found have been identified, and none of them are Shaun. But Finn isn't reassured.
FINN: The only people they've found so far are dead. This isn't good news, Elly.
ELLY: There's nothing here to suggest that Shaun hasn't survived.
FINN: You're in denial! And in case you hadn't noticed, it isn't helping the rest of us.
ELLY: I'm not in denial!
FINN: You're not facing facts!
ELLY: We need to stay positive. Shaun needs us to believe that he survived!
FINN: Are you actually serious?
ELLY: Yes, I am!
Toadie comes in at this point, and encourages them to calm down. He explains Susan's filled him in on what's happened. Finn leaves the room, saying he needs time on his own.
The Waterhole
Pierce asks Terese how the Cup can have gone missing. She doesn't know, but says it's a nightmare. Hendrix comes in, and makes out that he's unperturbed about being stood up this morning. He asks if they can go and check out the Cup now. Pierce says he's sorry, but he and Terese have to deal with something. Hendrix responds unusually maturely, saying it's 'all good', and leaves them to it.
Pierce tells Terese he thinks they should come clean about the Cup going missing.
TERESE: No! The truth is not an option!
PIERCE: Terese, this is not a time to channel Paul!
TERESE: If it gets out that the actual Melbourne Cup has been stolen...
PIERCE: We don't know it's stolen.
TERESE: Oh, come on, Pierce. It didn't just get up and walk out! Somebody's taken it.
Hendrix has taken a seat at another table and is watching them coldly. Chloe comes in with an update; they don't have any answers from CCTV yet as the system's rebooting, and none of the staff saw anything. At this point, James Gunn from the VRC walks in, and asks if they're all on schedule.
TERESE: Absolutely! Umm, look, I was thinking, it's probably... There's no point bringing it out until we're ready to go. We don't want to risk any accidents.
JAMES GUNN: Okay, I'm in your hands.
Once he's out of earshot...
TERESE: We need to find that thing. Fast.
Hendrix smirks as he watches all this.
Ramsay Street
Roxy and Harlow are pulling up in Hermione. Roxy is giving Harlow stick about her hate/hate relationship with Hendrix.
ROXY: On your own, you're boring and he's tragic. But together, it's like, pass the popcorn, please!
Harlow denies she enjoys sparring with Hendrix, but Roxy is convinced that she 'loves it'.
HARLOW: Now you're starting to sound like him.
ROXY: Well, I guess I'd better shut up, then. Don't want you falling for me too!
HARLOW: Ugh.
ROXY: I'm joking! You clearly hate him, the way you served him one before. You should've seen his face when you said Daddy doesn't love him.
HARLOW: Don't exaggerate, Roxy - I said nothing of the kind.
When Harlow opens the boot of the car, the girls are in for a surprise - the Melbourne Cup is in there! They glance at one another, confused...
Lassiter's Lake
Bea and Finn are out for a walk, to distract themselves from the worry about Shaun. Bea mentions that she felt a weird vibe between Finn and Elly, and asks if something happened. Finn admits he's frustrated because Elly is acting like everything's going to be fine.
BEA: I guess she's just dealing with the situation in her own way.
FINN: I don't understand why she's not terrified, like I am.
Bea's sure Elly is just as worried, and offers to talk to her. Finn says it's fine - Elly knows what he's thinking.
FINN: I just want to be there. In Switzerland.
BEA: Well, maybe we can ask for an exemption to your release conditions. You know, on compassionate grounds.
FINN: No way anyone's gonna show me compassion. After everything Shaun has done for me, I can't do anything for him. I should be there - looking for him, helping.
BEA: Your mum is there. And you know she'll do everything she can to make sure they keep looking.
Finn gets tearful.
FINN: He's my brother, Bea. He's the only one in my family who's never given up on me. I can't lose him.
Bea assures him that Susan will be back soon, and they'll all get through it together.
FINN: I appreciate what everyone's doing for me. And I love you. But there's nothing you or anyone can say that's gonna make this okay.
No 28
Meanwhile, Elly is chatting to Toadie on the sofa.
ELLY: Shaun's body hasn't been found. To me, that means he's still alive. And Finn, he's just putting up this pessimistic brick wall.
TOADIE: Yeah. Well, you know, he's probably just trying to prepare himself if the worst happens.
ELLY: Shaun would never give up on Finn like this.
Toadie rubs Elly's shoulder comfortingly.
TOADIE: Hey - how are you doing?
ELLY: This has nothing to do with me.
TOADIE: Yeah, it does. It's okay to be scared.
ELLY: Yeah, I'm fine. I...
But Toadie's not convinced.
TOADIE: I need to know that you're looking after yourself. Cos that's really important. It's important for you and it's important for the baby, okay? And I know you're trying to be positive - I get that. But it is okay to be scared.
Elly starts crying, and Toadie is clearly emotional himself.
ELLY: He can't be gone, Toadie. He's the father of my child. I didn't know Shaun when I met him, and I didn't really understand what that meant. But it means everything. I don't want my child growing up without a dad.
She realises that what she's saying must be affecting Toadie, and apologises, saying she didn't mean it like that. Toadie assures her it's fine, and tells her 'I get it', hugging her as she breaks down.
Ramsay Street
Roxy and Harlow are discussing what to do about the Melbourne Cup! Harlow wants to call Terese.
ROXY: We are not calling Auntie T until we come up with a good lie!
HARLOW: (...) We don't have to lie. We didn't do it!
Roxy eventually agrees that they should take the Cup back to Terese. But she wants to have some fun with it first! Toadie comes out of No 28 and sees them standing there with the boot open; he wonders if there's a problem with the car. They innocently assure him all is fine and send him on his way! Harlow asks Roxy what she means by 'fun'.
HARLOW: I am not letting you chug beer out of the Melbourne Cup.
ROXY: I wasn't thinking that, but that is a good idea.
HARLOW: Come on, Roxy - this is not the time.
Roxy points out that they wanted a photo with the Cup - so they should take some exclusive snaps with it now! Roxy puts on some disposable gloves so they aren't putting their fingerprints on it, and Harlow reluctantly takes pictures while Roxy holds it up. They're about to set off back to the hotel, when Harlow suddenly decides she wants some pics with the Cup too, so Roxy dutifully obliges!
No 30
Toadie is hanging out with Hugo and Nell, who has been drawing unicorns and goes to fetch her pictures for Toadie to see. Dipi and Shane come in, and ask how it went at No 28. Toadie says Elly and Finn are struggling, 'knowing but not knowing' whether Shaun's alive.
TOADIE: It's brought up some stuff for me.
SHANE: Mate...
DIPI: We thought it might be hard.
TOADIE: No, it's not just about Sonya. What Elly's going through with Shaun, it, uh... it made me think about what would happen to Nell and Hugo and Callum. If I died.
DIPI: Toadie...
TOADIE: Well, it is possible.
SHANE: We'd look after them - you know that.
TOADIE: Yeah. Yeah, I do - thanks. But you know, I'm the only parent they've got left, so... I don't want them growing up without...
He gets emotional.
TOADIE: Anyway, I need to start focusing on my health. Make sure that I am there for those kids.
DIPI: There's nothing wrong with you.
TOADIE: Yeah, well, I've let things get in the way, haven't I? Work, and the books. But from now on, that all stops. Right now, I am on a health kick. I'm gonna make sure those kids don't lose me.
Lassiter's Complex
Harlow and Roxy arrive in Hermione. The Melbourne Cup tour photo opportunity event is just about to start, and extras are queuing up for their turn. Pierce and Terese are worriedly wondering what to do about the Cup, until Harlow approaches and leads them back to the car, showing them the Cup in the boot.
Terese rages at them, saying they've caused a lot of trouble. But Roxy and Harlow insist they weren't responsible for putting it there. Pierce takes the Cup back to the office, while Terese distracts James Gunn, who is just approaching. Roxy and Harlow sigh with relief.
No 28
Finn comes in, and Elly apologises to him.
ELLY: I shouldn't have pushed my feelings onto you before. I'm sorry.
FINN: Thanks.
ELLY: The truth is, I'm scared. I, umm... I don't want to think about what it would be like without Shaun.
FINN: I'm sorry too. I took my anger out on you, and that was wrong. I hate this - the waiting, the not knowing.
ELLY: So do I. I just need to know you haven't given up. There's a chance that we'll see him again, right?
FINN: I hope so.
Finn goes to his room, and Elly looks sad.
Lassiter's Complex
Terese is at her lectern alongside Pierce and James Gunn, and officially welcomes the Melbourne Cup to Erinsborough. We then see a brief montage, to the tune of the William Tell Overture, of all the excited extras coming up to get their photos with the Cup!
The Waterhole
Pierce and Terese come in, preparing to rage at Roxy again for stealing the Melbourne Cup. Roxy says that they found it in the boot; someone must have planted it there. Terese doesn't believe a word of it, but at this point, Harlow comes back from the bathroom and sees Hendrix alone at another table, smirking.
HARLOW: You think this is funny, do you?
HENDRIX: Just enjoying the free entertainment.
HARLOW: You did it! You put that trophy in our car.
HENDRIX (laughs): Yeah, keep believing that.
HARLOW: Roxy didn't do it. I know, because I was with her all morning. But the look on your face when I told you that your dad dumped you for Chloe...
HENDRIX: Oh, you really think I give a rat's about that?
HARLOW: I know you do. And that's why you did it to get back at us.
Harlow marches over to Terese, Pierce and Roxy and tells them that Hendrix is responsible for stealing the Cup. This is then confirmed when Chloe comes in and says they have the CCTV footage which proves it.
CHLOE: Clear as a bell. He even flipped off the camera.
Hendrix is about to beat a hasty retreat, but Pierce goes over and confronts him.
PIERCE: Why?
HENDRIX: Why do you think?
PIERCE: Because you don't ever, ever think of anyone else but yourself! It's just one stupid, reckless thing after another, isn't it, with you?
HENDRIX: Me? Me?! You reckon any of this would've happened, if you'd shown up to take that photo like you promised?
PIERCE: Are you serious?!
HENDRIX: You want me to believe that you care, but you dump me every time Chloe cracks the sads.
PIERCE: What did you just say?!
HENDRIX: Yeah, truth hurts, doesn't it, mate?
PIERCE: You want the truth? You have been nothing but trouble since you got here! We'd all be better off if you just never came at all!
Angry and visibly devastated, Hendrix walks out.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Finn tells Elly that the search for Shaun in Switzerland is being called off
- Sheila accuses Clive of not having broken up with Beverly yet
- Kyle asks Ned how long he's been hooking up with Scarlett; he replies 'not long'
- Yashvi asks Kyle if Ned and Scarlett are a thing; he asks if she really wants to know
- Scarlett tells somebody, 'when you know, you know'
- Scarlett looks scheming as she hugs a topless Ned