Number 30
Dipi washes the dishes with her back to Shane so he's oblivious to how frustrated she is while he rambles on about how good dinner was and how nice she looks. Dipi says she wouldn't have gone to all the effort if she'd known he'd be 'locked in a library' half the night. Shane replies that it couldn't be helped, which is the perfect segue way for Dipi to ask him what he was doing loitering in West Waratah, but she's foiled by Mackenzie returning home. Mackenzie lets them know Richie drove her back very safely and notes that Shane is in a more chipper mood this evening. Shane apologises for being cranky earlier, but Mackenzie isn't too phased by his behaviour as she's in a happy mood herself after foiling Paul. Mac and Harlow found out he was thinking about installing solar panels at the hotel, so they leaked the news to the West Waratah Star so he'd have to go through with it. Mackenzie asks Dipi and Shane if they want to read her article in the Star but Shane takes a rain check and walks away to study, leaving Dipi annoyed.

MACKENZIE: We need to talk china. (Off Dipi's confusion) Your twentieth anniversary! The traditional gift is china.
DIPI: Shane doesn't think we've got enough time to do our anniversary this year.
MACKENZIE: He told me and I will not stand for it. You love a celebration. And you two are my favourite couple; you so deserve it.
DIPI: Thanks, that's really sweet, but we're going to skip it.

Mackenzie takes this on board and heads to bed, leaving Dipi looking upset.

Number 26 Backyard
The next morning Roxy finds Kyle cleaning the spa and asks if he needs anything down the street. Kyle says he's fine but is pleased to see Roxy is in a happier frame of mind. He asks if that means her situation with her friend has been cleared up. Roxy says no, but if her friend doesn't want her help then what else can she do. Kyle wonders if the 'friend' might be Harlow or Ned, but when Roxy stays mum, he calls her "mysterious". Roxy smirks and turns the mysterious label back on him, wondering why he's voluntarily cleaning the spa. Kyle admits he's trying to win favour with Sheila because she's been fixated on Levi lately. Roxy bags him out for being jealous, and Kyle admits it sounds lame, but he misses being close with Sheila now that Levi's getting "special treatment".

Number 30
Shane quickly shoves his baggie of drugs back into his bag when he hears Toadie walk into the lounge room. Toadie cheerily asks if Shane had a good night with Dipi, but Shane's back to tired and grumpy again and gives his brother short, noncommittal answers. Toadie persists with their chat as he wants Shane's help sorting through all the messages he's received about potential dates - Yashvi's minding the kids so it's the perfect time. Shane gives him the brush off, though, and tells Toad to try Dipi, Vi or Kyle instead, before plonking his headphones on to end the conversation.

Number 26
Kyle has settled himself on the couch like a sad-sack, pretending to suddenly feel ill so that Sheila will lavish attention on him. He's pleased when his act works and Sheila offers to make chicken soup with extra noodles for him. Kyle comments that she hasn't put noodles in the soup for a while and Sheila says it's because Levi's doing keto, "but this is not for Levi, this is for you." Kyle grins just as his phone rings. He sees that it's Toadie and puts on a raspy voice to say hello.

Harold's Café
Toadie's devo to hear that Kyle's sick and can't be his wingman, and dejectedly says he'll try Ned next. He hangs up just as Karl, dressed in his bike gear, makes himself known after overhearing Toadie's call. He asks Toad what's wrong, and Toadie mistakenly admits he's in need of a date doctor. Karl immediately makes himself comfy at Toadie's table.

KARL: What about an actual doctor? Clearly I know what's what. How long have I been married for! (Off Toadie's concerned look) Oh all right, everyone makes mistakes, Toadie. Even you. But you know there's beauty in imperfection. And the important thing is when marriages have their ups and downs it's how you work your way through that. You have to show you're vulnerable.
TOADIE: I just want to ask them out for a coffee. Bit too soon to be my soulmate.
KARL: Okay, whatever you like.

Karl adds that Toadie's date should have a certain amount of compatibility, though, and that it could be quite difficult to remain objective. Toadie sighs when Karl asks for a squiz at his phone. Meanwhile, Jane is over the other side of the Café having a chat to Dipi, who has explained what happened with Shane last night. Dipi is so confused after finding her husband standing by a road staring at nothing. Jane tries to assure her that there'll be a perfectly good explanation, like something to do with the kids perhaps, but Dipi isn't sure.

DIPI: He's just so distracted and moody. He's chatty one minute, impossible to read the next.
JANE: Could it be depression?
DIPI: He's been under a lot of pressure lately. But why would depression take him to West Waratah?
JANE: That is a mystery.
DIPI: You know the thing that scares me the most, Jane? Is if I ask him he'll just lie to me again.
JANE: Well maybe he isn't the right person to talk to.

Number 30
Harlow asks Mackenzie if it's wrong she went through the hotel to find stuff for Paul to fix, but Mackenzie says she's their mole on the inside so it's fair game. Talk then turns to Mackenzie's new idea - throwing Shane and Dipi a surprise anniversary party. Harlow thinks it's a wonderful idea, "twenty years of marriage is such a massive milestone." Mackenzie is worried because she's never organised something like this before, but Harlow reminds her that she just pulled off a hugely successful protest so she'll be fine. Harlow offers to help her friend out but they'll need to think of a cover story first.

Harold's Café
Toadie is reluctantly going through his dating messages with Karl.

TOADIE: What about her?
KARL: (scoffing) She can't even spell! Toadie with a 'y', seriously?
TOADIE: (looking at another message) She seems nice - Kayla.
KARL: Nah, I'm not feeling it.
TOADIE: You don't have to feel it! I'm the one who's going to go out with her.
KARL: She's eating a huge pizza! Red flag.
TOADIE: With her kids, green flag.
KARL: I thought you were on a health kick?
TOADIE: Oh come off it. You and Susan had pizza with Bea last night, why can't I have some fun?
KARL: Well what about the muffin lady... Brinda?
TOADIE: No, she was Nell's kindergarten teacher. So, y'know, if things didn't work out it would get awkward if Hugo has her as well.

Karl suddenly sees a lady he thinks is a great match: an accountant.

KARL: Being careful with money is admirable, Toad. Besides she might be able to give you a little bit of a hand at tax time. Or help your friends!
TOADIE: (giving him a withering stare) I'm not dating someone just so that you can have free financial advice.
KARL: Are you refusing to go out with an attractive financially responsible woman just because she 'might' help your friends out with investments? That's churlish.
TOADIE: I'm going with pizza lady.

He accepts the invite and chucks the phone on the table in defiance. But Karl can't help but push the accountant lady once more.

KARL: Could you just ask the accountant one question? I mean how much sunscreen is deductible if you do a bit of work outside?
TOADIE: (he checks his phone after it beeps) Pizza's on its way!
KARL: (grinning) Ooh! I'm excited.

Lassiters Complex
Roxy is on the phone to Sheila who wants her to cover her pub shift that afternoon because Kyle's sick. This is news to Roxy but she says she'll do it. After she hangs up, Dipi approaches her for a quick chat about Shane. Roxy is apprehensive but can't think of a reason not to. Dipi wants to know if Shane mentioned anything else going on in his life when they were talking about meditation, apart from stress. Roxy says no, so Dipi then asks if he asked about other places outside of Erinsborough for meditation. Roxy shakes her head and notes that Dipi sounds worried, asking if something happened. Dipi brushes it off as just "married stuff". She asks Roxy if she wants a coffee but Roxy declines and says she needs to go. When her back is turned she looks frustrated by what Shane's putting his wife through.

Number 26
Kyle is doing paperwork on the couch but quickly hides the evidence under his blanket when Sheila walks in. She offers to pop an old classic movie on for him like she did when he was a kid, which pleases Kyle. But the jig is up when Sheila tries to fix up his blanket and finds the paperwork underneath. She's mad that he's been faking and doesn't understand why he's been making her wait on him hand and foot like he's "Lord Muck or Prince Harry." Sheila walks off in a huff leaving Kyle rethinking his 'brilliant' plan.

Number 30
Dipi is annoyed with Shane for not answering her calls but he says his phone has been on silent. She wanted to know if they could spend time together that evening but Shane immediately says he's got study group. She offers to host the group at the house, saying that she'd like to get to know them, but this makes Shane antsy and he says they're better off at the library. Dipi tries one last time, offering to bring Shane food at the library, which also results in a negative response. Mackenzie obliviously wanders over to them and asks what they're up to next week as she's got a school debate final on and she'd love them to come. Guess what Shane's answer is! But Dipi says Shane will be able to spare a few hours and promises Mackenzie they'll attend. Shane pops his headphones on, causing more frustration in Dipi. Mackenzie heads to the kitchen and makes a happy phone call to Harlow - "They're in!"

Harold's Café
Toadie is having a nice chat with pizza lady, Kayla, while Karl eavesdrops on them from behind the shelves. Toadie's all smiles until Kayla tells him she only allows her kids to eat pizza once in a blue moon as she doesn't believe in carbs. He gets a phone call from Yashvi and excuses himself before taking it outside. Unable to help himself, Karl pops his head over the shelving and says hello to Kayla, who is quite concerned about this random man speaking to her so over-familiarly.

KARL: Hello there! I'm Doctor Karl Kennedy. No doubt Toadie told you about me.
KAYLA: ... No?
KARL: I'm like a second father to him. So how's it going? Having a nice time?
KAYLA: Uh, yep!
KARL: Good! Tell me a little bit about yourself, Kayla. Apparently you don't like pizza, what's going on there?

Kayla just stares at him incredulously.

Lassiters Park/Number 30
Roxy is on the phone to Kyle telling him to apologise to Sheila for lying to her. "It's your fault for being stupid," she chides. She then apologises for sounding harsh, explaining that she's had a weird day. Roxy offers to pick up some treats on the way home so he can suck up to Sheila. Once she hangs up she searches for Shane's number and gives him a call. Shane actually answers his phone and very curtly asks Roxy what she wants. Roxy is angry and in no mood for his bad temperament, telling him she doesn't want to be involved in his life.

SHANE: Then why did you call?
ROXY: Dipi just pulled me up asking me questions about you.
SHANE: (worried) What sort of questions?
ROXY: Like if there's anything bothering you or if you've been thinking about other meditation locations outside of Erinsborough.
SHANE: Did she say why?
ROXY: No, just that it was couple stuff.
SHANE: And that was all?
ROXY: What more do you want, Shane? Just talk to your wife, you're stressing her out.
SHANE: No, you told me to handle this myself from now on. So that's what I'm doing.
ROXY: Yeah and you're hurting Dipi. You have a problem.
SHANE: Dipi will be fine. You're making a big deal out of nothing.

He hangs up on Roxy.

Lassiters Complex
Kyle finds Sheila to apologise and Sheila sarcastically replies that she loves being tricked into waiting on a grown man. Kyle says that wasn't the reason he did it and gives his "nutty" explanation of feeling like a second place getter ever since she made up with Levi. Sheila agrees it's nutty and Kyle admits he's an idiot, "good old Canning logic strikes again." Kyle adds that when he asked Sheila to back off when she was getting too involved with his love life, he didn't mean totally.

KYLE: It's not that I need you to do stuff for me, I can make my own soup! But when you do it, it makes me feel like, y'know, before.
SHEILA: I have a lot of ground to make up with Levi and that's why I'm giving him so much extra attention.
KYLE: I know, I get that.
SHEILA: But you'll always be my favourite Kyle... Unless you pull another stunt like this one.
KYLE: (smiling) I won't ever do it again.

Sheila tells him to make up for it he can do her shopping. Kyle starts to say that he should check in on Toadie after bailing on him earlier, but after one icy glare from his gran, he quickly agrees to shop first.

Number 30
Mackenzie asks Shane if he's read her newspaper article yet but Shane says he hasn't had time. She then thanks him again for agreeing to come to her debate next week, adding that it will mean a lot to Dipi. This puts Shane's nerves on edge and he asks why it would mean so much to Dipi too. Mac backtracks and says she meant herself and Dipi, "it's nice to do things the three of us." She then asks if everything is okay with Shane and Dipi, frowning when Shane gives her a "why wouldn't it be?" response. But Shane pretends he's just tired and says everything is fine.

The Waterhole
Jane finds Dipi sitting alone and asks if she had a chance to speak with Shane. Dipi sounds upset and says she tried but he was more concerned with study group. Jane thinks Dipi should have insisted, which Dipi had planned on doing, but then wondered if study group was just another lie.

DIPI: He's deliberately distancing himself from me.
JANE: Dipi that's a big assumption to make.
DIPI: (starting to cry) I hate that he's making me feel like this. Like an insecure, suspicious wife. What am I going to do? I'm sorry...
JANE: You have nothing to be sorry for.

Jane grabs her some napkins to use as tissues. Roxy walks in the door and comes to a standstill when she sees Dipi crying, looking heartbroken for her.

Harold's Café
Kayla looks overwhelmed as Karl sagely informs her that the key to any relationship is communication. Toadie finally gets back from his phone call outside and is mortified to see Karl sitting with his date. Karl says he was just keeping Kayla company, but Kayla very wisely makes a hasty exit from the Café. Toadie's annoyed with Karl but Karl reckons it's easier this way - if Kayla was truly into Toadie she would have stayed.

TOADIE: Any normal woman would flee from a creepy doctor in lycra giving her advice.
KARL: Toadie it was never going to work. She doesn't like carbs! She doesn't like wrestling!
TOADIE: Well there's more to life than those things.
KARL: She thinks that AFL is silly. Just a bunch of grown men running around a paddock chasing a piece of pumped-up leather.
TOADIE: Yeah, you're right, we were struggling to find common ground.
KARL: Yes, exactly. Why don't you let me find you someone more suitable?
TOADIE: No! You are fired from being my date doctor.
KARL: Your loss.
TOADIE: I'll live.

Toadie admits that this whole dating business is actually quite exhausting. Karl thinks it's fun but Toadie concedes only in small doses.

KARL: Tell you what, let's go and get a pizza just to cheer you up. My shout! Can't turn that down.

Number 30
Shane brings home a small arrangement of flowers he's presumably bought Dipi to say sorry. He tucks a card inside the bouquet just as Roxy barges into the house. She tells him she just saw Dipi crying to Jane at the pub, which Shane tries not to visibly react to.

SHANE: What about?
ROXY: I didn't ask! I figured that it might have something to do with her lying, drug using husband.
SHANE: Come on, don't call me that.
ROXY: Why? Is it too close to the truth?
SHANE: Just leave it, Roxy.
ROXY: Yeah you I can take or leave but this is about Dipi.

She makes a beeline for his backpack and rummages around until she finds what she was expecting - more drugs. Roxy has a shaky voice when she tells Shane she thought he had things under control. He says he does, but still asks for the drugs back. Instead, Roxy goes to the kitchen: "I guess you won't mind if I pour this crap down the sink!" Shane gets aggro and violently grabs Roxy by the shoulders, spinning her around and demanding she give the drugs back. Roxy shrieks and tells Shane he's hurting her just as Kyle sprints into the house and angrily demands to know what the hell Shane is doing. Shane lets go of Roxy, his eyes wild and a little shocked with what he just did.