Recap
Janae telling her parents to stop arguing and to behave like normal parents.
Karl explaining to Ned why he was round tidying up the garden on No. 28.
Kim finding the letter from Bree & Janae saying they're not coming back 'til their parents sort out their differences.
No. 26
Janelle tells Kim that the girls will be back when they are hungry but he is very concerned. Stinger appears and Kim tells him that the girls have run away but he doesn't appear concerned at all and tells his dad that they do that all the time. Stinger leaves and Janelle calmly tells Kim that he obviously doesn't know his kids well enough to know their tricks.
Allotments
Janae is trying hard to pierce Bree's finger with a pin so they can write a ransom note with her blood (to help convince their parents they've been kidnapped) but naturally Bree is dead against this and finally succeeds in preventing her from doing it and points out the obvious - that they wrote a note saying they were running away so why would anyone now suddenly believe that they've been kidnapped? Janae asks if she has a better idea and Bree suggests they go home and tell their parents to change, even writing a list if that helps but Janae doesn't think that will work because their parents only think of themselves and that attitude has got to change. Bree points out that she always runs away when things go bad and so nobody is going to be concerned so Janae says they'll stay away longer...all night even! Bree doesn't think that will work either but perhaps a month might do it but Janae is gobsmacked at that suggestion....because she'll run out of clothes!
No. 28
The intrepid explorers finally arrive home and Susan is surprised to see that there is a vase with some fresh flowers accompanied by an unsigned card, that the house has been cleaned and that the fridge has been stocked up too. Rachel wonders if Stingray was responsible for this and Zeke pulls Katya's name from a box of cards. Susan points out that she doesn't have a key before suggesting that Karl is their Goldilocks but quickly adds that Katya will be round soon to see them. Rachel wonders why she didn't meet them at the airport and Susan replies that she probably had a good reason. Zeke holds up a 'what?' sign up and Susan says that Katya said that she was going to be part of their lives before they left.
Zeke goes into his box of words to get a new one and Rachel gets annoyed over him not speaking, almost resorting to physical violence before Susan intervenes to say Katya will be round soon enough. Rachel wants to phone her but Susan hasn't her number so Rachel says to phone her at the clinic and Susan goes off to do this.
Scarlet Bar
Max comments on Karl looking miserable as he sits at the bar drinking his coffee. He wonders if 'they' are back yet.
Over in another corner Boyd gets a mystery phonecall and after telling the caller that he'll be there, he squares it with his dad to leave saying he's going to help Daniel with his drum kit. Max is just as surprised at the mention of Daniel's name too!
Back with Karl, and he asks Max if he should have volunteered to pick the travellers up from the airport and Max replies that it wouldn't have been the end of the world for them to get a taxi. Karl then admits that he's missed Susan and Max comments about the things he has been doing for Susan while they've been away and Karl comes to the conclusion that it was too much. He also mentions that Ned said as much too before adding that he is tragic. Max points out that Susan is recently widowed and as such will have other things on her mind. Karl then talks himself out of going round to Susan's, saying he should keep his distance...
No. 28
Well so much for Karl's statement a second ago as he turns up at No. 28! Susan thanks him for the work he did around the house as Rachel comes out thinking it is Katya. 'Good one!' Zeke holds up as Susan explains to Karl that Katya has left the clinic and don't have a number to contact her on.
Karl asks Zeke how the holiday was and he holds up a card to say 'very good'. Karl asks him another question and Zeke goes to get a word from his box but Karl stops him, telling Zeke that he wants him to use his vocal cords but Zeke goes into a huff and picks up his box of words and heads to his room.
Karl asks if he's said anything at all and Susan replies no and that she didn't want to pressure him either, so Karl suggests they pop by the hospital to have a chat about it.
No. 26
Kim is still worried about the girls being missing and wants Stinger's help to think of where they might be. Janelle comes in with the washing surprised to see Kim still there. They begin to have a bit of a domestic over it until Stinger tells them to stop and points out that the girls are just copying their parent's behaviour and adds that they are both selfish and that they do deserve each other but they (the kids) deserve better.
Scarlet Bar/Allotments
Kim arrives looking for Boyd because he thinks Boyd may be with Janae. Max replies that Boyd is with a male mate and is above running away from home! Stinger phones Boyd on his mobile (he wanted to do that instead of going to TSB) and when Boyd answers, asks if he's seen any of his stupid sisters. Boyd lies and says he hasn't and when Kim takes Stinger's phone and repeats the question, Boyd does the 'bad reception' gig to get him off the phone.
After hanging up he tells the girls that their father sounds pretty angry and Bree smugly tells her sister that her plan has failed - they are not concerned about them at all. Janae again tells them they'll need to stick it out but Bree picks up her things and heads home dismissing Janae's plea to stay. Boyd goes to follow her too but Janae announces he's not leaving because "if you really loved me you'll stay".
BOYD: I love you Janae but that doesn't mean I've to put up with your stupid little schemes.
JANAE: Oh, so now I'm stupid too?
She pleads with him that he doesn't know what it is like being a member of the Timmins family but Boyd points out the obvious - running away doesn't solve anything and that she should stay and fight.
Hospital
Karl asks Zeke questions about the holiday but he doesn't talk, instead going to the box for an answer. Realising that Zeke isn't going to talk; Karl asks him if he wanted to speak could he and Zeke shakes his head. Karl explains that he is trying to work out if silence has chosen him or if he has chosen silence. Zeke looks confused, so Karl tries to repeat it in a manner Zeke can understand but realises he's not getting anywhere so quickly stops. He then tells Zeke that he was just thinking out loud and that there are many things that are unexplained in life. Zeke goes into his box and pulls out 'Dad' and Karl agrees that losing your dad is hard and that no-one can replace him but reassures Zeke that he is there for him and that he doesn't have to suffer in silence as Rachel watches on from the corridor.
No. 26
Kim is still worried about the girls but Janelle plays it cool, re-writing the ending of her book since it isn't going to be the happy ending. They are about to have another domestic when Bree walks in the door. "Oh let me guess, fighting again?" Kim hugs his daughter as Janelle says "told you" and Kim is concerned about Janae in case she is hurt. "She's still hiding but she'll live," replies Bree as they head into the kitchen and after reassuring Kim that Janae is fine, she lays down the law to her parents:
BREE: Let's just get one thing straight - there will be no more false sentiments.
JANELLE: (from the livingroom) Tuh, she's got you pegged.
BREE: And you, youse guys you do whatever you feel like without thinking about anyone else. So, from now on I'm going to do what I feel like, when I want.
Bree then isn't happy to find out Janelle is altering the manuscript and removes it from Janelle's hands. She isn't exactly thrilled at the new Bree, so Bree tells her parents more:
BREE: That's my point. I don't care what youse do. If you are going to take off then go ahead. If you want to push him out then be my guest. I'm divorcing you. So from now on, I have no parents, I'm better off on my own.
Hospital
Karl asks Susan if he can have a word with Rachel because he thinks that there might be something deeper in Zeke's past that may be the reason for this silence. Susan just wants them to be happy and Karl replies that Zeke is a great kid and with the help of them both professionally working as a team, Zeke will get through this.
Outside in the corridor, Zeke sits with his box of words on his lap, and Rachel tells her brother that Karl is being nice to him and that he could give something back. Zeke reaches for a word but she stops him because she is speaking to him, not a card. Rachel pleads with him because she feels like she's lost her brother too. Zeke finds and holds up an 'I'm sorry' card. "Means nothing," replies Rachel and Zeke gives her a look.
RACHEL: Fine, stay mute, I'll cope just fine without you.
The General Store
Rachel tells Stinger that they scattered Alex's ashes at the town where his family came from. He thinks that must have been hard for them and she replies that it was for her but she hasn't a clue about Zeke. Rachel changes the subject by enquiring about how his video is going and he says that he's finished his film but admits to being under pressure because Kim sold the combi van to aid his entry. Rachel offers to help him edit the film and they decide to head to No. 30 to get some peace.
No. 28
Susan reacquaints herself with Audrey (Bree has brought her round) and enquires how things are at home. Bree tells her about divorcing her parents and mentions that Kim may be taking off too. Susan is concerned at the news but Bree says that she couldn't care if Kim takes off...because she could move into No. 28 instead. In the background Zeke gives a big 'thumbs up' to that idea but Susan rejects her idea.
Bree makes her way over to the table where Zeke is sitting and tells him she wishes her whole family was mute before telling him to pull his finger out and start talking because he is the only one she wants to talk to!
Scarlet Bar
Karl tells Max that he feels he was treating Zeke like he was their son at the hospital as a member of the 'Dr Rock fan club' walks into the bar. He quietly tells Max that he isn't in the mood for being polite and as she reaches the bar, he signs his name on a piece of paper, gives it to her and tells her not to let on to the others before leaving to have some 'me' time!
Turns out that Mystery lady just came to the bar to pay their bill didn't want Dr Rock's autograph. Max is a bit confused, so Mystery lady explains that Elle paid her and others to be 'rent-a-crowd' and make a fuss over the lead guy...and adds that Elle didn't pay her enough!
When she leaves, Karl comes back wanting to know what she wanted...his used napkin perhaps.
MAX: Yes, she was even prepared to pay for it but I said no, Dr Rock is not for sale.
No. 30
Rachel is watching Stinger's film and he is nervous about what she thinks. After thinking she is going to rip it to pieces, she tells him that it has given her something. "Hope" she finally says and adds that everyone is going to take something from it when they watch it. Stinger looks pleased as Rachel adds that happiness might be possible for her too one day. Stinger announces that she'll make the perfect ending to his film and goes to get his camera.
No. 30
Rachel does her piece to camera. She tells him that happiness in the purest form is when you notice who the most important person in your life is. Rachel wipes away a tear as Janelle enters the livingroom looking for Toadie (telling him that Bree is divorcing herself from her parents). Stinger tells her that couldn't care about her latest crisis and asks her to leave. Janelle looks a bit put out as she says "sorry" before leaving.
Ramsay Street
Kim and Janelle make their way down the stairs to see what the tooting is and notice Boyd and Janae with his combi van. They wonder what she is up to and Janelle wants to know if she's knocked the van off. Janae tells them that she has bought the van back from the guy Kim sold it to with her Stupid Aussie winnings and Janelle isn't impressed at Janae deciding to use the money to buy the van instead of paying off the Timmins family debt earlier. Kim tells Janelle to shut up before telling Janae that she should go and get her money back as he can't accept it. Janae explains that it isn't a suck up job but to make his departure easier. "You want me to go that bad," asks Kim.
JANAE: No. I want you to stay more than anything but if you do I need to know it's because you want to and not just because you don't have a set of wheels.
Kim replies that it isn't that simple, so Janae offers to clear it up for him.
JANAE: If you do leave you can't come back...ever.
KIM: Sweetheart.
JANAE: No! No! I am tired of being in the middle. You're either committed to us or you're not. And if you are you hang around even when things get tough because that's what dad's do.
KIM: Believe it or not sweetheart, it was agony for me to leave every time.
Janelle takes offence at this remark, informing him that it wasn't a picnic picking up the pieces when he left and taking the keys from Janae's hand, informs him that he can find that out himself. She announces that she is going to trade places and take off leaving him to raise the kids!
JANAE: Mum.
KIM: No you're not. Give me the keys.
Kim then tries to get the keys off Janelle but she forcibly pushes him away before going round and getting into the van.
JANELLE: I win again. Toodaloo.