Erinsborough Hospital
Bea is having a coffee with Nathan out at the front of the hospital; he's in a wheelchair, having come out to get some sunshine, but is being discharged later today.

BEA: It's gonna be kind of weird not seeing you.
NATHAN: Oh, we could still hang out. Maybe I could take you out for dinner - thank you for looking after me.
BEA: Yeah. That'd be nice.

Sheila turns up, and sees from a distance as Nathan gets some minor neck pain. Opting not to make her presence known, a worried-looking Sheila turns around and leaves, as Bea pushes Nathan back into the hospital.

As Sheila reaches the car park, she runs into Clive. She explains that she was going to go and visit Nathan, but that Bea was with him and she didn't want to interrupt. Clive says Nathan's recovering really well, and is being discharged today.

SHEILA: That's great news.
CLIVE: Well, he'd love to share it with you.
SHEILA: Maybe later.

Clive looks concerned as Sheila walks off.

No 28
Mackenzie, Harlow and Jay have come round to help Hendrix with some Christmas lights he's volunteered to sort out.

HENDRIX: Can't you see how full of festive spirit I am? (!)
JAY: Yeah, alright, then. Sucks to be you.
HENDRIX: Well, he's not wrong. Dad's gone, I've stuffed up Year 12, and if the Kennedys didn't take me in, I could be homeless. And to top it off, I have to find a job.
HARLOW: What about Lassiter's? They're taking casuals over Christmas.
HENDRIX (laughs): What?! Paul's not gonna give me a job.
MACKENZIE: Yeah, but we all know who wears the business cape in that power couple.
HENDRIX: What, you think Terese would give me a shot?
HARLOW: You'll never know unless you give it a go.

Hendrix agrees to go and talk to Terese.

No 26
Levi asks Kyle how the preparation for his trip to Germany is going. Roxy reveals she's been helping in this regard.

ROXY: I have sprayed his bag with my signature scent, and I have lined up hours of hilarious yet entertaining and informative podcasts.

Levi expresses his condolences about the imminent demise of Bossy. Kyle thanks him. Sheila comes in, and says she's changed her mind about talking to Clive about rekindling things.

SHEILA: I saw Nathan. And he is in so much pain, and he's trying to pretend that he isn't. I've caused so much damage everywhere. Who am I to think that I would have a second chance with someone like Clive?
KYLE: Gran, you need to stop beating yourself up.
LEVI: Yeah, Kyle's right. But I do get why you couldn't go there.
KYLE: You two are as bad as each other! (To Levi) You're too chicken to even talk to Bea... (To Sheila) And you're too busy beating yourself up to even face Clive. You both know what you want, so go out there and get it.
SHEILA: It's not always that simple, love.
KYLE: Yes, it is. Whatever happened to 'the Cannings are made of tough stuff'? Right now, you're both acting like a bunch of marshmallows.

Roxy gently suggests it's not Kyle's problem to fix, so he apologises and says he'll stay out of it. But Levi and Sheila are both thinking about what he's said.

Lassiter's Complex
Yashvi and Ned are having a coffee outside Harold's, when Toadie and Shane turn up. Yashvi gently teases Toadie about his new romance, suggesting that 'Auntie Audrey' might have a nice ring to it. Dipi emerges from the café to put the bin out, and cheerfully asks Shane whether he knows what Jay is doing this afternoon. Shane rather coolly says that he has no idea.

Dipi senses that Shane's annoyed with her, but Yashvi offers to text Jay and find out what he's up to. Shane makes an excuse to leave, and Dipi asks if he's okay. Toadie goes over to talk to her in private.

TOADIE: He's hurting, Dipi.
DIPI: But we've been getting along. I've been coming over; we've been helping the kids. We're actually talking. I don't get it.
TOADIE: He saw you after you said goodbye to Pierce. Can you imagine seeing your wife be so upset over another man?

It's a rhetorical question, and Toadie, evidently annoyed with Dipi himself, walks away from her. Ned remarks to Yashvi that he thought things were improving between Shane and Dipi.

YASHVI: Every day's different.
NED: I guess your dad's going through a lot.
YASHVI: So's Mum. She's reaching out, but Dad's mood swings are all over the place.

Ned replies that something could've happened. Yashvi says it always has, and wonders how long it's feasible to keep trying when both of them are so unhappy.

NED: You don't mean that.
YASHVI: All I know is, I want them to be happy. And if that means separating...

No 26
Levi is cleaning his boots in the garden, when Bea turns up to see him.

BEA: I just came to tell you that... I'm going on a date with Nathan.
LEVI: ... Right.
BEA: Yeah. So I know you said that you're cool with it. But if you're not, I won't even go there.
LEVI: Bea, I told you I was, and I meant it. You guys would be great together.

Levi makes an excuse to go inside, and Bea looks concerned. At this point, Roxy emerges. Bea explains to her that Nathan's being discharged from hospital, and that she's going to go on a date with him.

ROXY (subdued): That's great.
BEA: Levi said the same thing. Kind of. I dunno, Rox - Levi and I had this... this moment. Like, there was a vibe. Well, at least I thought there was. And then when I told him about me seeing Nathan... he acted totally fine. I don't know if it's all in my head.
ROXY: Levi likes you, Bea. He dropped serious coin on tickets to a concert that you really love. He's trying to hook you up with a guy who bashed him as a kid. Trust me - if anything, he likes you. I know he wasn't the quickest off the bat, but if you still like him, I think you should go for it.
BEA: You know what? No. Levi had his chance, and he's missed the boat. I'm gonna go out with Nathan - the guy who actually asked.

Roxy walks off without comment, and Bea doesn't look hugely convinced of her own decision, either.

No 22
Hendrix and Harlow are both asking Terese for jobs at Lassiter's. Terese says she'd hire Harlow in a heartbeat, as she knows how committed she is. But as for Hendrix...

TERESE: I remember what you were like last time. I mean, maybe you'd be better off in a less demanding work environment.
HARLOW: No, please, Terese - he's ready for this. Just hear him out.
HENDRIX: Last time I worked at Lassiter's, it was because Dad made me. He was trying to teach me a lesson, and I fully admit I didn't want to be there.
TERESE: Oh, but you do now?
HENDRIX: I do, yeah. Dad and I talked about me working at Lassiter's after school finished. If you give me a chance, I will prove that I'm serious.
TERESE: ... Alright. I'd better not regret this (...) And you've got a probationary period, which would be the ideal time for you to try and impress me.
HENDRIX: I won't let you down.

Hendrix's phone rings, and Mackenzie - who has randomly been spectating throughout this conversation - isn't pleased when Hendrix reveals it's Richie calling.

HENDRIX: What does he want?
MACKENZIE: Please tell me you're not gonna answer that.

But Hendrix does answer it, and Mackenzie looks upset.

HENDRIX: Richie, hi... Are you kidding me?

Erinsborough Hospital
Bea and Nathan are at the front of the hospital again. Nathan says he's shortly being discharged, but suggests they could still eat together. Bea looks conflicted.

NATHAN: I might've had a concussion, but it's pretty obvious something's up.
BEA: Umm... it's just, Roxy told me that Levi liked me.
NATHAN: Right. But... he pushed us together.
BEA: Yeah. Yeah, I know. But do you think there's anything to it?
NATHAN: Would it make a difference if there was?
BEA: No. Levi's my friend, that's it. So, no, it wouldn't make a difference between us.

But neither of them look convinced of this.

Lassiter's Complex
Shane is alone at a table outside the café, and Dipi comes to speak to him. She reveals she's heard from Toadie that Shane saw her saying goodbye to Pierce, and how upset she was afterwards. She says she had no idea Shane was watching when Pierce left.

DIPI: That must've been tough.
SHANE: You're right. But I can't unsee you like that. Over him. It really hurts.
DIPI: I'm so sorry... I don't really know what else we can do, other than keep being there for the kids while we sort ourselves out.

But at this point, Yashvi and Jay turn up, with Ned in tow.

YASHVI: Are you two talking again?
SHANE: Yeah. We're talking about you kids.

Dipi asks Jay what he's up to, and if he has a time for a coffee with her. He claims he has all the time in the world for her, and shoots her a charming smile. But at the same time he's looking at a text from Ollie Sudekis, which says, 'I'm bored. You free?'

When Dipi asks who he's texting, Jay claims it's a mate from Sydney. But Ned notices Ollie's name on the phone, and looks worried. Dipi remarks that Jay's Sydney friends must be missing him.

JAY: Yeah, well. I'm the most interesting person they know.
YASHVI: And the most humble (!)
JAY: Yeah, well, not all heroes wear uniforms.

Ned looks unimpressed by Jay's charm routine.

Erinsborough Hospital
Nathan is back in bed, and Sheila turns up with some flowers for him.

NATHAN: I was wondering if I'd see you again.
SHEILA: Actually, I was here earlier.
NATHAN: You didn't come and say hi?
SHEILA: I saw you, and it all got a bit much. I really hate what I've done to you.
NATHAN: I'd be worried if you enjoyed knocking me out. But you apologised.
SHEILA: I never used to think I was a bad person. But I just keep on doing really bad things.
NATHAN: Do you feel guilty that you never reported us to the cops, after we beat up Levi? You did the right thing. You couldn't have taken back the damage we did to Levi. But you could've made our lives hell, and got us sent to prison. I'd be a completely different man if it wasn't for you.
SHEILA: I'm just sorry that I stuck my nose in with you and Bea and Levi.
NATHAN: Do you think there's something between them? I know Levi likes her, but... what about Bea?
SHEILA: Well, Bea used to like him. But they haven't really been on the same page for a while. And for what it's worth, you and Bea have my blessing.

But Nathan looks worried.

The Waterhole
Ollie is playing darts by himself, when a veritable Ramsay Street mafia comprising Hendrix, Harlow and Mackenzie storm in to confront him.

HENDRIX: You're such a tool, Ollie.
OLLIE (laughs): What's your problem?
HENDRIX: You, dobbing me in to the cops for driving without a licence! Richie told me.
OLLIE: Payback.
HENDRIX: For what?
OLLIE: You wrecked schoolies, and you turned Richie against me, and went all informant about The Ladder. I copped heaps for that.

Hendrix gets right in Ollie's face.

HENDRIX: Yeah, you deserved all of it, too. That grubby app should've never been a thing in the first place.
OLLIE: If you had a sense of humour, it wouldn't have been an issue. I'm sure Mackenzie didn't mind being rated. And I bet Harlow wishes she was on it.

An angry Hendrix steps away.

HENDRIX: Yeah, you know, the olds showed up before I could take you down at schoolies. But there's nothing stopping me now.

Hendrix storms towards Ollie, but Harlow and Mackenzie intervene.

HARLOW: Don't do this!
MACKENZIE: He's not worth it.
HARLOW: Please. You do not need assault charges on top of everything else right now.

Hendrix is still seething, but doesn't punch Ollie.

Erinsborough Hospital
In the corridor, Clive notices that Sheila's back, and remarks that it's her second visit of the day.

SHEILA: Don't let anyone tell you you are not a lucky guy!
CLIVE: There it is. There's the spark that was walkabout last time I saw you.
SHEILA: Well, you bring it out in me.

Sheila confirms she's seen Nathan, saying he's got a good head on his shoulders 'despite me trying to knock it off'.

CLIVE: I don't know how he managed without you meddling (!)
SHEILA: Well, I like to call it guiding the people I love - but I get the gist. And I'm not going to say that I was wrong about Bea and Levi being a good match. But I am going to let Levi sort it out himself.
CLIVE: I'm impressed.

Clive says he has to get to an appointment, but suggests they 'celebrate'. He says he's having dinner at The Waterhole later, and asks Sheila to come. She says she'd love to, and Clive walks off. Sheila looks like all her Christmases have come at once.

No 26
Kyle is looking glum and nursing a beer in the garden. Roxy and Levi emerge from the house. Roxy tells Kyle his bags are all packed...

ROXY: ... and I'm pretty sure there's still time for you to take me with you.
KYLE: Actually, I'm pretty sure there isn't. But don't worry, babe - I'm gonna miss you.

Levi wishes Kyle safe travels, at which point Bea appears, and lays into Levi in front of Kyle and Roxy.

BEA: Were you ever gonna tell me that you were into me?

She explains that Roxy has told her everything, and demands an explanation from Levi. Roxy strategically exits, telling Kyle they need to head off to the airport. Once they're gone...

BEA: I need to hear it from you. Do you like me?
LEVI: (nods)
BEA: Why didn't you ever say anything?!
LEVI: Look, you're one of my best mates, okay? I didn't want to ruin our friendship.
BEA: So offloading me to Nathan was the answer?!
LEVI: I thought that was what you wanted.
BEA: How would you know what I want when you didn't even ask?

Bea storms off again. Levi sighs.

The Waterhole
Hendrix is calming down over a drink with Harlow and Mackenzie following his run-in with Ollie. Mackenzie assures him that Ollie brings out the worst in people. But Hendrix admits it felt 'good to take it out on someone'.

MACKENZIE: 'It' being...?
HENDRIX: Everything. Dad and Chloe. Richie. My life - or lack of.
MACKENZIE: Things aren't as bad as you think.
HARLOW: Yeah, Mack's right. Before you stopped yourself from rearranging Ollie's face, you argued your way into a job.
MACKENZIE: That's a huge achievement.
HENDRIX: I wish I was in Jay's shoes. He's got the whole summer to party. And a whole year before he has to be an adult.
MACKENZIE: Well, you still have plenty of time to drink too much and projectile-vomit.
HENDRIX: Then why does it feel like school is barely over, and I'm in the deep end without floaties?

Lassiter's Lake
Ned has been telling Yashvi about Jay pretending his text from Ollie was from a Sydney friend. Yashvi doesn't seem to think it's that big a deal.

NED: You okay with your brother hanging out with him?
YASHVI: Ollie's a disaster, but I guess Jay was just shielding the parentals from unnecessary worry.
NED: Yeah, well, the last thing your folks need is more conflict.
YASHVI: You're really stressing over them.
NED: Yeah. Yeah, I am. Because I see similarities between their relationship and ours.
YASHVI: Like what?
NED: Uh, Shane is this perpetual screw-up and Dipi's always picking up the pieces, holding it together. And she resents him for it.

Yashvi is disconcerted by this comparison!

YASHVI: Yeah, I guess the dynamics are similar. But it's just a chance for us to do things differently, and learn from their mistakes. Don't worry about it. We're fine.

But Ned doesn't look completely convinced.

The Waterhole
Sheila is all dressed up for what she believes is a date with Clive - and sure enough, he's waiting for her at a table.

SHEILA: Before we get started, I just wanted to say something -

But she's interrupted by the return of Jane from the bathroom, who sits down to join them, remarking on how famished she is! Clive goes to fetch the three of them drinks from the bar, leaving Sheila baffled as to what's going on.

SHEILA: Clive invited you too?
JANE: Actually, you're the one gatecrashing our dinner! But I'm so glad you could join us!
SHEILA: Right...
JANE: I had a blast with you last time. I think it's wonderful that you're mature enough not to let your past romantic history get in the way of your friendship.
SHEILA: Well, he is a wonderful... friend.

But Sheila looks deeply disappointed.

Harold's Café
Jay is working the late shift when Ollie comes in.

JAY: Hey. I'm glad you got back to me.
OLLIE: I'm still dirty on you for messing up schoolies. But on the flipside, for a Year 11, you know how to get lit.
JAY: So what's the plan?
OLLIE: I've got a few mates who want to catch up, but we don't have a place to meet up.
JAY: Well, my place is taken. Dad's going to be home.
OLLIE: What about here?
JAY: ... I don't know.
OLLIE: Let us in. After close. Come on - it'll be fun. And totally low-key. Don't let me down, Jay.
JAY: Sure. Easy as. I got ya... bro.

Ollie leaves just as Shane and Dipi come out of the kitchen. Concerned, Shane asks if Jay is hanging out with Ollie, but Jay claims he was just telling him to get lost. Dipi seems to believe Jay, but Shane looks a little less sure, and tells him he 'missed a spot' on the table he's cleaning. Jay looks worried.

Erinsborough Hospital
Bea comes in, having arranged to come and meet Nathan when he was discharged. But she finds the bed empty, and a note for her on the table. She reads it.

NATHAN (voiceover): Hey, Bea (...) Don't be mad, but I've made my own way home. Ever since I threw hot coffee on you, it's been pretty obvious that you're into me. And I like you. A lot. But there's another bloke that's into you, too. Levi's a great dude, and you'd be lucky to be with your best mate. And I don't want to get in the way. So I'm stepping back. I'm sorry to do this in a note, but... if I saw you, I reckon I'd chicken out. I hope you get the happiness you deserve. Nathan.

Bea looks sad, and conflicted.

No 28
Hendrix is just raiding the fridge when he gets a text from Pierce. It says, 'Heard about the job, I'm proud of you.'

HENDRIX (scoffs): So proud you can't call?

The phone rings. It's not Pierce, but Jay.

HENDRIX: Whoa, whoa - slow down, I can't hear you properly. Start from the start. Tell me what happened.

Harold's Café
Jay lets Hendrix in. The café is a bombsite, with beer bottles everywhere and broken furniture.

JAY: Ollie and his mates trashed the place.
HENDRIX: Trashed? This place is decimated.
JAY: I thought me and Ollie were cool.
HENDRIX: You let him throw a party at your parents' café. What did you think was gonna happen?

Jay explains it was only meant to be a couple of people; he went out to get some mixers, and when he got back, the place was full, so Ollie must've invited more friends.

JAY: Oh, I'm so screwed!
HENDRIX: Big time.
JAY: I just wanted to have fun. You and the girls weren't exactly letting the good times roll.
HENDRIX (laughs): Yeah, right. My bad, huh? Get over yourself, Jay.

Hendrix prepares to walk out, but Jay begs him to stay.

JAY: I need your help. I can't deal with this on my own. You have to help me.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Roxy has taken up yodelling
- Karl tells Nicolette it's not fair of her to spread untrue rumours about people
- We see Bea and Levi smiling at each other, and hear Sheila enthusing about something unspecific
- Roxy emptying a bottle of spirits into some punch in the No 28 garden
- Indoors at 28, we see Karl, Susan, Clive and Jane at the Kennedys' Christmas party
- Outdoors at 28, we see Ned, Roxy, Bea and Levi around a table, and hear Roxy praising the party
- Sheila appears in a Mrs Claus outfit
- Jane wakes up in bed and gasps