No 32
Brent tries to object to Emmett's false confession, but Emmett speaks over him, telling David, Aaron and Harlow...

EMMETT: I'm really sorry.
AARON: Hold on, Emmett - what do you mean, you set it up?!
EMMETT: I met this bunch of guys on Power Road who said they could sell stolen stuff.
DAVID: The ones who stole from the tram?
EMMETT: Yeah. And then I overheard Brent's teacher talking about power tools at the Hive, and I thought I could make some money.
HARLOW: Why?
EMMETT: I needed it.
AARON: What do you mean, you needed it?! And how did you know the alarm code for the Hive?
EMMETT: I got it from Brent without him knowing. It was easy.

David and Aaron can't believe what they're hearing.

EMMETT: No-one ever expects me to do anything bad, including Brent. I tricked him, okay?
DAVID: This is so unlike you. And those guys are dangerous - look what happened to Nicolette. You are going to tell the police the name of the person who hurt her.
EMMETT: I don't know.
AARON: Emmett, Nicolette could have been seriously injured.
EMMETT: I'm sorry!

Brent looks guilty, but says nothing.

Erinsborough Hospital
Nicolette is still in bed. She tells Jane she's feeling guilty about mentioning Emmett's name to Levi, but Jane assures her she had no choice - they have to find out who attacked her at the Hive. Jane has brought in some magazines with crosswords for them to do together, but Nic says she doesn't have the mental capacity right now.

NICOLETTE: Chloe's bringing me in a Raymond Chandler.
JANE: Sounds more your speed.

Jane's about to go and get them some food, but at this point, Chloe comes in with books for Nic, and a choice of food from Harold's. Jane's evidently feeling a little left out, and offers to bring in some clothes for Nic.

CHLOE: Oh, never fear - I brought her favourite loungewear!
JANE (secretly disappointed): Well, that's lovely, isn't it? You've thought of everything.

There's an awkward silence, and Jane says she'll leave Nicolette in Chloe's hands, while she goes to get an update from the doctor. Sensing an atmosphere, Chloe follows Jane into the corridor.

CHLOE: Jane... is it me, or did I just drive you out?
JANE: Oh, no! No, not at all.
CHLOE: If you want to spend time with Nic, you should. She needs her mum more than her girlfriend right now.
JANE: Nonsense.
CHLOE: Well, you seem a bit upset.
JANE: No, I'm just... I'm being silly. It is lovely that Nicolette has you looking after her. Go on, back in there with you!

But as Chloe goes back in, Jane still looks upset.

No 32
In hushed tones, Brent demands to know why Emmett covered for him.

EMMETT: I had to!
BRENT: No, you didn't. Besides, the boys aren't gonna believe you, anyway. They know who the real screw-up in the family is, and it's not you.
EMMETT: You're not a screw-up. You're not! I mean, you've been in trouble, but you've been doing really good since you got here. And if you say you did it, you'll go to jail! I'll just get off with a warning or something.
BRENT: Look, it's not fair on you, Emm, okay? I can't let you take the blame for everything that I've done.
EMMETT: (...) I've already lost Mum. I don't want to lose you, too. This way, you stay out of trouble, and you get to keep going out with Harlow. Brent, please...

No 22
Harlow has been filling in Paul, Terese, Roxy and Kyle on Emmett's shock confession. Paul insists he doesn't believe it; Emmett is not a thief, he says. But Kyle points out that Emmett had been behaving weirdly around Roxy, and if he was involved with the gang she was looking for, that might explain it. Roxy is annoyed at the thought that Emmett was protecting her attacker.

PAUL: Look, if Emmett is involved at all, we all know that he's doing somebody else's bidding, don't we?
HARLOW: Grandad, don't start.
PAUL: Yeah, and my bet is that it is Brent. He's never been anything but a bad influence.
HARLOW: You don't know anything about this, okay? That is prejudice, pure and simple.

Terese cuts the conversation short, saying that she and Paul should go and check on David and Aaron. Once they're gone, Roxy asks Harlow if she really thinks Brent's not involved.

HARLOW (unsure): I have no reason to believe that he lied to me.

No 32
Paul, Terese, David and Aaron are chatting on the patio. Aaron admits they're shocked by Emmett's behaviour, and Paul is quick to bring the conversation around to Brent. David says they don't want to assume the worst of him, but Paul makes it clear he thinks Brent's fingerprints are all over the power tool heist.

Terese provides a balance to this, saying Emmett's fourteen now, and that he has acted up in the past. She's also doubtful that Brent would let Emmett lie for him. David concedes that Brent has always been really protective of Emmett. Aaron and David aren't sure, but David says there's clearly more going on than Emmett is admitting. Paul says maybe Levi will get to the truth.

Indoors, Harlow has come to see Brent, to make sure he's okay. She asks him if Emmett has said any more about what happened. Brent is a little cagey, saying, 'No, not really'.

HARLOW: I was just wondering - do you think he might be in more trouble than he's letting on? (...) I mean, maybe he was forced into helping with the robbery by the gang.
BRENT (cagey): I'm not sure.

Harlow wonders if the gang has intimidated Emmett into not naming names. She points out that people don't make the best decisions when they're afraid, recalling Hendrix's involvement with the blackjack ring.

BRENT: Look, Harlow, you shouldn't be here.
HARLOW: What? Why?
BRENT: Things are really messed up at the moment, and Paul would want you to steer clear.
HARLOW: No. Grandad doesn't have a say, okay? I'm here for you.

But Brent abruptly tells her he just needs to be alone right now. Harlow thinks he's still annoyed about their conversation before her London trip. But Brent isn't very forthcoming, and just says he'll text her later. Harlow reluctantly leaves.

Erinsborough Hospital
Chloe is fussing around Nicolette. Feeling guilty, Chloe admits that while Nicolette was unconscious, she had a bit of a meltdown, and had to leave.

CHLOE: You were out cold, and I thought I might lose you or the baby, and I just couldn't deal.
NICOLETTE: It's a pretty natural response.
CHLOE: You were in ICU and I went and left you. Aren't you horrified?! You should be.
NICOLETTE: Chloe, you've had a lot going on lately.
CHLOE: Stop being so understanding. Are you sure I can't get you some more pillows?
NICOLETTE: What I want is for my beautiful, kind-hearted girlfriend to stop beating herself up, and just hang out with me (...) Despite everything that's happened, I'm feeling pretty lucky right now.
CHLOE: I feel pretty lucky, too.

No 32
Levi has arrived, and is interviewing Emmett in the garden, with David and Aaron present. A worried Brent is watching from the sunroom. Levi warns Emmett that what he's claiming is very serious, particularly given Nicolette's injuries - and anyone involved will be in serious trouble. Aaron asks if Emmett will need a lawyer; Levi says yes, if charges are pressed.

DAVID (to Emmett): Are you sure you're telling us the whole truth?
EMMETT: Yes.
LEVI: Before I go, I'm gonna need you to tell me the name of this guy. It's important.

Levi shows Emmett the sketch of Holden, but Emmett insists he doesn't know his name.

EMMETT: He was super-paranoid about giving away anything (...) but I did hear someone call him 'Smithy'.

Levi departs to do some digging, and says he'll be in touch. Unsure Emmett's telling the truth, David glances over at Brent, who looks nervous.

Ramsay Street
Jane is on her way home when Susan comes out of No 24, explaining she's just left her some food she can reheat. A troubled Jane thanks her, and Susan says Jane is welcome to take some time off work if Nicolette wants her around. Jane doesn't react well to this.

JANE: That would probably make things easier for you, too - not having to deal with me, or face up to the terrible call that you made over the Year 13 programme.
SUSAN: I just thought that you'd want to be with your daughter.
JANE: Well, what I want and what I get are often two very different things. And Nicolette wouldn't need any help at all, if you hadn't backed that stupid vocational programme in the first place. I told Curtis the Hive wasn't secure - but oh, no, you all ignored my concerns!
SUSAN: You've been through a dreadful ordeal, and understandably, you're still upset. I just don't think now's the time to go into it.
JANE: Well, yes, I am upset. But it doesn't mean that it's an opportunity for you to just brush me off!

But Jane then gets a phone call from the school in Mildura, and Susan uses this opportunity to get away, saying they'll talk later. She walks away, as Jane takes the call.

No 22
In the living room, Kyle is telling Roxy about Emmett claiming the man from the sketch was known as 'Smithy'. We learn Levi has told Kyle that he thinks this is a fake story to get Levi off the real culprit's case.

ROXY: He's still protecting those scumbags! I wonder why.
KYLE: Well, that's just the gang code, babe.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Harlow tells Terese that Brent didn't want to see her. Terese suggests that Brent is perhaps just overwhelmed with what's going on with Emmett. Paul comes in, and starts ranting about Brent again, telling Harlow she's ignoring what's in front of her face.

PAUL: Trouble and Brent go hand-in-hand, and if you stay with him, that's something you're gonna constantly have to deal with. So please, do yourself a favour, and just end it before you get seriously hurt.

No 32
A thoughtful Brent is sitting by the pool, while on the patio, David and Aaron thank Toadie, who's been round to discuss Emmett's legal problems. Toadie says they'll definitely need a lawyer if Emmett's involved in any way; Brent listens, concerned.

TOADIE: Look, I am just gonna play devil's advocate here. Things could've gone a lot worse for Nicolette and your unborn baby. No-one would blame you if you were rethinking fostering.
AARON: No, no-one's rethinking anything.
DAVID: No, Emmett's part of our family. We'll work through this with him.

Toadie promises to contact Levi, and stay in touch; and Aaron goes to show him out. Brent goes over to talk to David.

BRENT: Well, did you mean it?
DAVID: What?!
BRENT: Did you mean what you said about not getting rid of Emm?
DAVID (nonplussed): Of course! Why would we? Oh, because he made a mistake?
BRENT: Yeah.
DAVID: If Emmett really did what he says, then it's our job to help him through it. We'll always be there for him. Why would you think any different?
BRENT: Well, he reckons it'll be too hard for you guys to have him here - you know, once your baby arrives.
DAVID: Having a newborn is definitely gonna make things trickier. And we'll all have to make adjustments, but that doesn't mean we'll be any less committed to Emmett. And a part of that is helping him realise that he doesn't have to take the blame for something he didn't actually do. He doesn't have to ruin his whole future to cover for someone else's mistakes.
BRENT: ...
DAVID: And Emmett's not the only person we care about. We have your back, too. So if there's ever *anything* you need to tell us, please know you can.
BRENT: ... Okay. Cool, thank you.

Brent forces a smile, but clearly he's now feeling even worse about letting Emmett take the blame.

Erinsborough Hospital
David and Aaron are filling in Chloe and Nicolette on Emmett's interview with Levi, and in particular on the 'Smithy' name he gave him, which Chloe agrees sounds 'bogus'.

CHLOE: I hope you're keeping the pressure on Emmett.
NICOLETTE (angry): Why can't you just give him five minutes with me? He'll be begging to tell us the real name.
DAVID: I think Emmett responds better to a softer approach.
AARON: Yeah, he's pretty stressed out at the moment.
NICOLETTE (angry): *He's* stressed? We could've lost our baby.
CHLOE: Someone needs to take responsibility for that.
AARON: Yeah, definitely. And trust me, they will.
DAVID: Honestly, I think the truth will come out. We just have to be patient for a little while longer.

Ramsay Street
Brent is sitting in the front garden of No 32, deeply conflicted and seemingly considering his next move. Paul pulls up in his car with Terese, and Paul gives Brent the evil eye from across the road. Terese encourages Paul to head into No 22, just as Emmett turns up to talk to Brent.

Brent tells Emmett he's going to go and grab some food. Emmett wants to go with him, and Brent is quick to tell him 'no'.

BRENT: Aaron and David will be back soon, and they'll want to see you... I was *really* wrong about them. They're on the same page about wanting you to stay here. And they'll look after you, as long as you're happy to.
EMMETT: Do you mean you don't think we should run away anymore?
BRENT: Emm, look - I definitely want us to live together on our own one day, but... I mean, look at this place. You know, it's the best place for you right now. Anyway, we'll talk about this when I get back, alright?
EMMETT: Can you grab me a milkshake?
BRENT: ... I'll see what they have.

Emmett goes inside. But it now becomes clear that Brent has no plans to return, and that this was his goodbye to Emmett. He retrieves a rucksack from its hiding place between the trees, pulls up his hood, and sprints out of Ramsay Street...

Lassiter's Complex
Jane spies Susan walking through the grounds, and approaches her to offer an apology for how she was with her earlier.

JANE: You were right. What happened with Nicolette has left me on edge.
SUSAN: It would anyone.

But Jane wastes no time in laying into a weary Susan again!

JANE: That said... I still feel that my position is entirely justified. If you hadn't have let Curtis question my leadership of Year 13, then this awful mess would never have happened!
SUSAN: I don't know that it's productive to be pointing the finger right now.
JANE: Well, I *will* point the finger, Susan, and I am pointing it at you. I designed that programme, but you couldn't respect that I have the experience to know what's best.
SUSAN: This was never about respect, Jane. You're highly respected.
JANE: Well, by others, maybe, but... but not by you.

Susan protests that this isn't the case. Jane tells her that the reason the school at Mildura called her earlier was to invite her to visit for a few days, and consult on a similar programme there.

SUSAN: That's wonderful!
JANE: I know!
SUSAN: Well, if you want to go and help them set it up, you have my full support. Stay as long as you need.
JANE (moody): Well, of course you'd say that.

Jane walks off in a huff, and Susan looks astonished.

Meanwhile, Levi walks through the courtyard, on the phone to Kyle. He tells him the 'Smithy' lead is a dead end, as there are 'like, a hundred' of them on the police database, none of whom match the guy in the sketch. Levi tells Kyle he hopes David and Aaron can get through to Emmett.

No 32
Emmett is sitting sullenly on the sofa, while Aaron is on the phone. After he finishes the call, he explains to Emmett that it was Leila from the fostering agency; she's going to come and visit in the next day or so.

AARON: I had to let the agency know what happened, about your confession. They're really worried, Emm.
EMMETT: ... Okay.
AARON: Look, I don't understand how you can be so calm, when you're just creating all this unnecessary drama for yourself! Mate, I know there's things you're not telling us. Can you please just talk to us?

But it soon becomes unnecessary, as David comes in, with a note he's found in Brent's bedroom.

DAVID: He's gone. He's taken off.

No 22
Roxy, Paul and Terese are unpacking the shopping, when a concerned Harlow comes in, reading another note from Brent. His voiceover is overlaid.

BRENT (voiceover): Dear Harlow, sorry for not doing this in person, but I need you to know something important. I lied, to everyone. Yeah, the robbery at the Hive was my idea. Emmett had nothing to do with it.

Seeing Harlow's concern, Roxy goes to join her on the sofa.

No 32
David and Aaron are sitting either side of a forlorn Emmett, as he reads the other note from Brent.

BRENT (voiceover): I've let everyone down. People tried so hard to help me, and I blew it. I never meant for anybody to get hurt. Roxy got attacked because she was my neighbour. I've sent another letter to the cops explaining everything, so you guys don't have to.

No 22
Harlow is now reading the contents of Brent's letter to Roxy.

HARLOW (reading): The guy they want is called Holden Brice. I knew him from the streets. He attacked Roxy to send a message to me. Tell her I'm sorry.
ROXY (reading): Harlow, I like you so much, but I wrecked it. When Paul told me you wanted to break up, it killed me. But I never should've believed him, or let it send me off the rails.

Harlow's sadness begins to turn to anger.

No 32
A visibly upset Emmett continues to read. David puts a comforting arm around him.

BRENT (voiceover): Emm, I hate to leave you like this, but I can't end up in jail, and that's what will happen if I stay here. Emm, you mean more to me than anyone in the world. Just hang in there, mate.

No 22
Harlow storms into the kitchen to confront Paul. Telling Paul and Terese that Brent has confessed to the robbery and absconded, she then raves at Paul...

HARLOW: He wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for you! (...) You told him I was gonna break up with him. He was freaking out (...) This is on you, and I will *never* forgive you for it.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Mackenzie doesn't know where to look when Hendrix takes his shirt off
- Toadie asks Mackenzie if there's 'something going on between you two'
- Mackenzie asks Hendrix, 'Is this your idea of some sort of sick joke?'
- Yashvi and Bea show Roxy some kind of file; Bea says she needs to see it
- Yashvi tells Bea she can't use the police database for personal matters; Bea replies, 'do it'