Lassiters Hotel - Dipi's Room
Pierce and Dipi immediately break apart from their kiss, both wracked with guilt and shame. Dipi says she doesn't know what came over her and that she feels sick about it, worried that it'll tip Shane over the edge if he finds out. Pierce says they should keep their kiss under wraps, but Dipi isn't sure she can keep it a secret. Pierce reminds her that both of their marriages are on shaky ground right now so telling the truth is just going to make everything worse.

Harold's Café
Yashvi is telling Bea about how stressed Ned is about the art exhibit, and his recurring nightmares about Scarlett, when she sees her dad having a chat with Terese. Bea says she'll order while Yashvi talks to Shane. Yashvi asks her dad if he's speaking to Terese about returning to work, but Shane admits he was just at a meeting at the Community Centre after a fight with Dipi.

YASHVI: What did you do?
SHANE: Why would you assume it's my fault?
YASHVI: Because you're generally the reason she's upset lately.

Shane looks stung by his daughter's assessment. He thanks Terese for the chat and leaves the Café. Yashvi is about to rejoin Bea when Terese asks her to sit for a moment, not looking pleased with the conversation she just witnessed. Yashvi can tell Terese thought she was being too harsh, but explains that she finds it hard to be sympathetic when all her dad does is make her mum's life harder.

TERESE: I understand it's tough coming to terms with an addiction. I get that. But you need to understand that sobriety is constant work. And you're his family, you play a very important part of his recovery. Look, of course he needs to respect how you feel, but you should be ready to listen to him too. Okay?

Yashvi gives her a small nod.

Number 22 Backyard
Roxy is trying to relax on a sun lounger but serenity is hard to come by when Ned is absolutely pummelling the boxing bag. He tunes out her complaints, and even zones out on Terese speaking to him as well, too enthralled in getting into the boxing zone. Terese is taken aback when Ned finally acknowledges her presence by snapping at her. His mood isn't improved when Terese asks if Paul could get a sneak peek at his portrait before the exhibition opening. Ned firmly tells her Paul will have to wait. Once Terese goes back inside, Roxy asks Ned why he couldn't just throw Paul a bone. Ned explains he didn't want Paul accidentally seeing any of the other pieces he's working on.

ROXY: How is Scarlett going?
NED: She's making things difficult. Terese almost saw her earlier, it's like she wanted to get caught.
ROXY: I know how you can feel more in control. Let's find this rich fiance guy Basil. Then you can have some leverage on your side if you need it.

Ned doesn't even know where'd they'd start, but Roxy knows Basil is a 'big shot mining guy' and figures it can't be too hard to Google him. Realising he's late to meet Scarlett, Ned has to rush off but begs Roxy not to do anything too crazy.

Number 24
Chloe returns home and asks Hendrix if he's seen his dad. Looking a little downcast, Hendrix says he hasn't laid eyes on Pierce since yesterday but knows he stayed the night at Lassiters. He figures out that his dad and Chloe are still fighting, and Chloe admits they had another argument this morning. She sheepishly says she went over to see Aaron, but when he wasn't home she ended up having a chat with Nicolette instead. Hendrix doesn't understand why Chloe would do that. Chloe says that Nic has been really supportive, but unfortunately Pierce didn't take it that way.

HENDRIX: What is wrong with you, Chloe? You and dad are going through some really heavy stuff right now and you deal with it by talking to the one person that he hates.
CHLOE: His anger towards her is completely unjustified.
HENDRIX: That's debatable. And you shouldn't be hanging around someone that crushes on you.
CHLOE: Even if she's over it?
HENDRIX: It doesn't matter! Your husband should be more important, full stop. I can't believe I have to spell that out for you.

Lassiters Complex
Bea and Yashvi are sitting outside the Café talking about the Shane situation. Bea tells Vi that what Terese said wasn't wrong, but Yashvi doesn't like how unfair everything is on Dipi. Bea understands, but knows that if Vi supports her dad and he gets better, it's going to make it a heck of a lot easier on Dipi. With a sigh, Yashvi heads into the Café to get them coffees, just as Bea spots Ned walking by. She stops him for a chat, telling him that Yashvi needs his support right now. Looking agitated, Ned says he'd normally drop everything and help but he can't at the moment. Bea is taken aback but Ned says he'll call Yashvi when he can.

Number 30
Shane is appreciative that Toadie's got his back because he doesn't think he could handle all this on his own. Dipi quietly returns home but lingers in the hallway when she hears Shane speaking to Toadie. She overhears how upset Shane is with himself for the look on Dipi's face when he said he was thinking about using again. Toadie acknowledges it would be hard for Dipi to hear. Shane says they still haven't talked yet - last time it all went to hell, Dipi moved in with Gary. "What's she going to do this time? Move out permanently?" he wonders. Toadie doesn't have any answers for him, but luckily Dipi finally makes herself known and tells Shane that they need to talk.

Lassiters Hotel - Office
Pierce is stewing in his own guilt when Chloe walks in. He starts to speak, but Chloe is adamant that she wants to go first. She says that she messed up talking to Nicolette about their marriage problems and that it was a huge betrayal. Plus keeping the truth hidden about Nicolette's feelings for Chloe was wrong, and Chloe hopes that Pierce still wants to save their marriage. Pierce replies that of course he does, and that he loves Chloe. She's relieved, and tells Pierce that she's handled everything in a shocking manner. But Pierce says they're both to blame - he let Nicolette get under his skin. Chloe tells him this is why she's reached a big decision - she's not going to see Nicolette again. "Our friendship is over," she declares. Pierce looks uncomfortable that Chloe is being so accommodating after what he's done, but he just ends up thanking his wife, telling her he appreciates it.

Lassiters Day Spa
Hendrix has swung by to get a back massage from Rose, who comments on how stressed Hendrix looks. He says he's got a lot going on at the moment but Rose is just pleased Hendrix has come to see her and isn't still mad at her for what happened at the law office. Hendrix says that if Toadie's over it he doesn't see why he shouldn't be too. The teen then ends up telling her about Pierce and Chloe fighting and that he's worried they might be heading for a divorce. Toadie suddenly bursts in without warning, not realising Rose is with a client. But Rose doesn't seem too phased, even inviting Toadie to say hello to Hendrix and repeating his concerns about Pierce and Chloe in a blase fashion. Toadie then asks Rose if she's had any luck accessing her frozen accounts, but she says her ex wants to crush her and there's nothing she can do about it.

The Waterhole
Shane tells Dipi that accusing her of being the reason that he took drugs was "crazy and completely untrue", and he can't believe he said that to her. Dipi says that when he admitted he was tempted to use drugs again it really scared her. Then his behaviour at the cooking class wasn't great either.

SHANE: (defeated) Are you leaving me?
DIPI: No, I'm not leaving you!
SHANE: Do you want me to move out for a bit?
DIPI: (getting upset) No, we need to work on this together.
SHANE: I agree.

Shane sees Pierce walk in and goes over to him. Dipi and Pierce look incredibly uneasy, but Shane wants to apologise to Pierce for what he said last night.

SHANE: I shouldn't have behaved that way.
PIERCE: It wasn't all you. I flew off the handle because of my own problems.
SHANE: No, no, you were looking out for Dipi.
PIERCE: It wasn't my place to do that.
SHANE: Seriously mate, I messed up and you had her back. You're a good bloke and I'm sorry.

Pierce nods, glancing towards Dipi and sharing an uncomfortable look with her.

Erinsborough Hive
Ned finishes showing a guy around the place who wants to use The Hive for storage. Ned asks what the man will be storing, but gets an evasive "bit of this, bit of that" in return. Instead of asking more questions, Ned just reminds the guy he's got a key and to let himself in whenever. Once the man goes, Ned heads up to the loft to keep working on Scarlett's painting. Scarlett arrives a short while later, angry that Ned has been painting without her there. Ned tries to remain composed and explains to Scarlett that artists paint without the subject there all the time, but this doesn't appease her. She snarls at him that she wants to be there the whole time and warns him not to pull the stunt again.

Basil's Residence
Roxy wanders onto the property and finds Basil, a short older guy with an American accent. She asks if Scarlett's home, introducing herself as a mate of hers called Gemma. Basil is more than happy for 'Gemma' to hang around until Scarlett gets home - he hasn't met any of his fiancee's friends before.

Number 24
Hendrix is surprised to learn from Chloe and Pierce that they've made an appointment to see a counsellor that afternoon. Pierce says it's the best way for the both of them to work things out, which they both want to do. Hendrix wonders what that means for the "whole Nicolette thing". Chloe tells him she made the decision not to see her anymore, the friendship isn't worth it. Hendrix folds his arms and gives her a testy "good" in reply, then snarkily checks with his dad that he's not going to "spit the dummy at anymore cooking classes" either. Pierce says his dummy spitting days are over and he's apologised to everyone involved.

Erinsborough Hive
Scarlett is frustrated that Ned hasn't been talking to her and tells him she's bored, but is also surprised when Ned announces he's finished. She storms over to take a look at the portrait and isn't happy with the results. She tells him it's a rush job, but Ned says he did what she wanted and now it's over. Becoming more infuriated, Scarlett grabs the painting trowel and waves it at Ned. She growls that she's the one who decides they're done, before using the trowel to manically slash through the portrait. She demands that he start again. Ned shakily takes the implement from Scarlett before telling her that he doesn't care if she takes the painting or not - this is over and he never wants to see her again. He races down the stairs while Scarlett screams at him to come back and start another painting.

Basil's Residence
Basil walks around outside with Roxy and apologises that they couldn't invite her to their wedding. He says they're getting married in Mauritius and having a safari honeymoon in Kenya. Roxy says it sounds exotic, but Basil says Scarlett has always wanted to go to Africa.

BASIL: With her history I had to pull a few strings to get the visa.
ROXY: Yeah, I've heard about her brush with the law.
BASIL: You're very diplomatic.
ROXY: What was she charged with again? I can't really remember.
BASIL: It was a travesty of justice. She was convicted on a false testimony of a stalker and his cronies.
ROXY: Right... her stalker.
BASIL: The man was absolutely obsessed with her. She said he wants her dead.
ROXY: He sounds very unhinged.
BASIL: So I just want to give her a safe, happy life after the wedding.

He tells her that Scarlett is organising a huge surprise for him as a wedding gift - that's where she is right now. Basil gets a text from Scarlett, who is on her way home, and asks Roxy to stick around, but Roxy says she has to go. She thanks him, promising him she'll visit again.

Lassiters Complex
Yashvi and Bea are sitting outside the pub now, still chatting about Shane and what Terese advised Yashvi to do. Yashvi admits she's finding it hard to see the situation from Shane's POV when he's stuffed up so much. Bea reminds her friend that Shane's only human and he's going to stuff up whether drugs are involved or not. Yashvi says that it's really difficult not to react in a negative way when her mum cops it as a result. Bea says that Dipi's trying to put everything aside for the sake of Shane's recovery and to keep the family together, so instead of Vi charging to her mum's defence all the time, she should follow Dipi's lead. "I hate it when you're right," Yashvi mutters.

Number 30
Dipi is keeping herself occupied setting the table for lunch when Yashvi arrives home wanting a chat with her parents. Dipi says Shane's just out the back with Toadie.

YASHVI: Mum, I'm really proud of you.
DIPI: Don't be.
YASHVI: No I am. I'd understand if you were doing something crazy right about now, but I can't believe how well you're handling things.

Dipi can only give her a tight-lipped smile in response as Shane and Toadie return from outside with trays of BBQ meat. Shane says that Dipi's cooked enough food to feed the street, but Dipi replies that she wanted to make an effort.

YASHVI: Yeah, I should do more of that.
TOADIE: Cook? No thank you, I know what you're capable of.
YASHVI: No, I mean make an effort. Dad, I'm sorry for earlier. I'm going to be more supportive from now on.

Shane smiles and thanks Yashvi. She asks if they're all going to be okay, to which Shane replies with an emphatic 'yeah!'. "As long as we've got honest communication happening, everything's going to be all good," he grins, missing the way Dipi looks lost in her guilt.

Number 24
Chloe and Pierce return from their counselling appointment. Pierce seems enthused about everything, particularly the way the counsellor said they could put their future into columns. Chloe, however, seems less encouraged by the advice but puts on a smile and says that the counsellor had an interesting way of looking at things. Pierce says they could start on the visualisation map today but Chloe doesn't think they need to jump right in, maybe they could let things marinate first.

CHLOE: The counsellor threw out a lot of interesting ideas, and most of them really connected with me.
PIERCE: But...
CHLOE: No but. It's just a matter of working out what to do with them and when.
PIERCE: That's fair enough. Do you know where you want to start?
CHLOE: Actually I do. It's a bit out of left field. It's just all the talk about balancing the present with the future got me thinking about mum. You know I wasn't happy about her leaving but she was right. We needed space to work on us. And now we have made some inroads there...
PIERCE: If you want Fay to come and stay with us I'd be more than happy with that.
CHLOE: I want to go to Adelaide just to make sure mum's settling in and spend a bit more mother-daughter time, one-on-one.
PIERCE: Does that mean you want to go on your own?
CHLOE: Yeah. It'll give us time to mull over everything we talked about today.
PIERCE: Shouldn't we be doing that together?
CHLOE: I kind of think it would be better to do it separately. That way we won't influence each other or rush things.

Pierce doesn't look too sure, but Chloe says she loves him and she wants them to be happy. And she believes that taking some time out will help them reach that marital bliss. Pierce nods at her, but it's clear that he wishes she were staying.

Ramsay Street
Roxy is out the front of the house when Ned arrives home and she tells him she went to meet Basil. Ned is angry, especially since he told her not to do anything crazy, but Roxy says she had it under control because she knew he was with Scarlett. Ned asks if Basil's definitely legit and Roxy says Scarlett's fed him a story that Ned was the stalker. Ned says that it doesn't matter now anyway, he's finished the painting... although Scarlett did slash it up and order him to paint it again.

ROXY: You're going to do it, right?
NED: No, I can't take it anymore, Rox.
ROXY: What? But she's going to send out that video!
NED: Yeah, she's probably sending it to Vi right now but it doesn't matter, I can't do it.

Speaking of Yashvi, she strolls up the driveway and greets them, but her smile fades when she takes in their intense looks.

YASHVI: You guys look super sketchy, and I would know, I'm a cop.
NED: (to Roxy) She deserves to hear it from me.
YASHVI: ... Okay, now I'm worried.
NED: There's something I have to tell you.