Lassiter's Complex
Ringo chases Donna outside and demands to know how long the affair has been going on for. Donna tearfully tells him it started at Schoolies but it didn't mean anything. She sobs that she loves Ringo, but Ringo is distracted by Andrew and Paul exiting the bar. He rushes over and shoves Andrew up against the wall, but Paul eventually persuades him to let go. Ringo growls that this isn't over and storms away, leaving Donna calling after him.

Number 22
Paul is very angry with his son when he explains the initial Schoolies hook- up. He and Rebecca are also displeased that Andrew was just in it for "fun".

PAUL: Did it ever occur to you to think about the consequences? The fact that you and Donna were living under the same roof?
ANDREW: We were just mucking around.
PAUL: No you weren't. You were playing games. You were seeing how far you could push people.

Donna rushes downstairs on her way to see Ringo, but Rebecca and Paul try and dissuade her from going. Rebecca gently says that Donna's the last person Ringo would want to talk to, but Donna thinks she has to at least try and flies out the door. Andrew says that he's sorry but Paul and Rebecca just stare at him.

Number 28
Susan and Zeke are attempting to console Ringo, but he's too angry and humiliated to listen. He can't believe Donna would chuck their relationship away for someone she's known two seconds. Donna arrives, still crying, and apologises again to Ringo, hoping to explain. But Ringo walks out to the backyard in silence. Zeke follows him. Susan stops Donna from going after them and kindly suggests she leave Ringo alone for a while.

Number 24
Donna is sitting on the couch, hugging the book Ringo gave her, and pouring her heart out to Kate. She says she loves Ringo so much and has to try and make it up to him. Kate doesn't get why Donna snuck around behind Ringo's back in the first place. Donna says they were always fighting and she was lonely... But she really doesn't know why she allowed herself to stuff everything up. Kate gives her a hug and some tissues so she doesn't keep snotting all over her book. Donna says it will never be the same again between her and Ringo - she's ruined it forever.

Number 28
Zeke finds Ringo playing video games in the middle of the night and sits down on the couch next to him. Ringo hands him another remote and Zeke starts to play.

Number 22 - Next Morning
Kate sits next to Donna, who is surrounded by a pile of scrunched up paper. She's trying to compose a letter to Ringo but everything she writes sounds so wrong. Donna thanks Kate for putting up with her, but Kate figures she'd do the same for her.

Number 28
Ringo's packing a backpack and Zeke's surprised to learn that he's heading back home to Muttatang. Zeke's even more stunned when it sounds like Ringo is going to blow off his paramedic course, which starts next week.

ZEKE: You're blowing it off because of Donna?
RINGO: I just need some space.
ZEKE: She's the one who should be disappearing, not you.
RINGO: Can we just drop it?
ZEKE: No because this is dumb. You want to be a paramedic, don't let Donna stuff this up for you.
RINGO: I don't care OK? I don't want to see her, I don't want to hear her name, I just want to get out of here and pretend like nothing ever happened.

Number 22
Andrew tells Donna that he's sorry, even though it's not technically *all* his fault, but Donna tells him to go away. Paul sees them and tells Andrew to give it a rest. Donna heads upstairs, angry that she gave up everything for a creep like Andrew.

Ramsay Street
Andrew goes for a walk just as Libby and Ben arrive home in a zippy new red car. Susan and Callum are happy to see them, with Susan a little surprised by Libby's new purchase. Ben tells Cal that he learnt some awesome new knots at Scout camp, but Callum isn't too impressed. Susan tells Libby that she seems good, and Libby smiles and says that she is.

Number 30
Ben has Callum hogtied on the lounge room floor - Cal now thinks knots are pretty cool, even though he can't exactly feel his feet. Susan and Libby laugh and tell Ben it's probably best he unties Callum.

SUSAN: [to Libby] Your dad was always very good with knots.

You don't say, Kinky K! The kids go into the kitchen leaving the adults to have a chat. Susan tells Lib that she doesn't always have to put a brave face on around her, but Libby claims she isn't. She tells her mum that she likes having someone to share her life with but realised that her happiness doesn't depend on it. She's got Ben, her job, great family and friends - her life is actually pretty darn good. Susan hugs her daughter but still looks a tiny bit concerned.

Charlie's Bar
Andrew's trying to explain himself further to Paul. He can't believe Donna's putting all the blame on him, and it's not like he didn't bend over backwards trying to destroy the video evidence. Paul stares at his son then calmly says he left a message on Christina's answering machine - he's sending Andrew back home to Sydney. He doesn't want Andrew causing anymore trouble.

ANDREW: So what, that's it? Three strikes and I'm out?
PAUL: ... Yep. I'll book you a flight tonight.
ANDREW: Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dad. You know, before I came here I used to wonder if I missed out on anything not having you around. Shows how dumb I am.

Andrew walks out leaving Paul looking out of sorts.

Ramsay Street
Susan and Rebecca watch as Paul arrives home with Andrew, who gets out of the car, slams the door and heads inside in silence. Paul sees the women's disapproving looks and tells them to hurry up and say what's on their mind. Susan quips that a lot of men would be proud if their son followed in their footsteps, which annoys Paul.

PAUL: Well you'll be disappointed to know that I'm sending him back to Sydney.
SUSAN: Great, yep, that'll solve everything. Good on you, Paul.

Susan walks off with Audrey while Rebecca goes over to her husband.

PAUL: Why do I even bother?
REBECCA: Well she's right isn't she. Sending him away isn't the answer. What sort of message do you think that gives him?
PAUL: One that says his behaviour is totally unacceptable.
REBECCA: No, it's one that when the going gets tough his dad bails out. No one said this was going to be easy, but if you let him down then you're practically guaranteeing that he'll never learn any better.
PAUL: Yeah and I'm hardly one to give advice on how to live a good life am I?
REBECCA: You're his dad, and you've got me to help you. If we don't do it, darling, who's going to?

Paul nods and head inside, knowing Rebecca's right.

Number 28
Zeke answers the door to Donna, who asks if Ringo's around. Zeke curtly replies that Ringo doesn't want to see her, before trying to shut the door on her. Donna stops him and asks if he can pass on a letter to Ringo for her. Zeke says he doesn't want to play the middle man and Donna's hurt by his sharp tone.

DONNA: So what, everyone hates me now, is that it?
ZEKE: Ringo's our mate.
DONNA: What and I'm just some chick you all tolerated for his sake?
ZEKE: Doesn't matter anyway, he's heading back to Muttatang tonight.
DONNA: I thought he hated it there?
ZEKE: He does. It says a lot doesn't it.

Stung, Donna hands the letter over to Zeke and leaves. The camera pans back to reveal that Ringo's been sitting on the couch the whole time listening. Zeke leaves the envelope on the kitchen table.

Second Commercial Break

Number 28
It's Callum's turn to tie up Ben now, but he reckons it might take him a while to learn because Ben's had more practice than him. Susan sees Ringo with his backpack and tries to convince him to come home in time for his course. She also asks if he's going to see Donna before he leaves, but Ringo doesn't see the point. Susan reminds him that Donna isn't a bad person and that she didn't have the best start in life - she knows that doesn't make things better, but it might explain her motives. Ringo doesn't care and just goes back into his room. Ben asks Susan if he can have some chips and says that Libby let him eat whatever he wanted at camp. He adds that his mum kept telling jokes and laughing the whole time too - it was ace.

Number 30
Libby's not so jovial now as she tries to put some thread through a needle. She tries to remain calm, but after a few attempts she pitches the whole sewing basket to the floor in frustration.

Number 22
Paul orders Andrew to sit and listen. He wasn't sending him away to punish him, he was doing it to protect him. The last thing he wants is for Andrew to make the same mistakes he did.

ANDREW: Seems like you did alright to me.
PAUL: Yeah right. I've got a prison record, my kids don't know me, I've hurt the people I love so many times it's a wonder they want to stay in the same room as me... Do you know If you keep going the way that you have been you're going to end up very unhappy and very alone. Is that what you want?

Andrew says he doesn't so Paul lays some ground rules - no more games, scams, toying with people or lying. Andrew wonders if this means he can stay, and Paul says yes, but he'll be watching him like a hawk.

Number 28
Zeke has to head out but he'll be back in time to see Ringo off. He claps his mate on the arm and says he'll miss him. Zeke exits and Ringo sees the letter from Donna on the table. He opens it and starts to read - the visible section says:

Dear Ringo,
I know you're angry with me. I deserve everything you're thinking and more. I need you to know that I never stopped loving you, even when I was making the biggest mistake of my life.

I'd really like a chance to apologise in person and tell you how I feel. But I understand if you don't want to know about me right now. You put your whole world on hold for us. You turned down the course in Sydney to be with me and then I betrayed you.

Ringo keeps reading.

Third Commercial Break

Number 22
Donna's surprised (and happy) to see Ringo on the doorstep. She starts to say that she's really grateful he's giving her a chance to apologise, but Ringo cuts in and says he doesn't care if she's sorry or not.

RINGO: It's just words.
DONNA: That's not true, Ringo. I love you so much.
RINGO: It doesn't mean anything. What you did with Andrew is what counts and there's nothing that you can say or do that will change that.
DONNA: Can you just sit down and talk to me please? I'm begging you.
RINGO: I get it. You messed up. It's what you always do.
DONNA: (starting to cry) Ringo...
RINGO: I just thought that we were worth more than that. I was wrong.

Donna says they are worth more and that he can't just run away to Muttatang and give up on his career.

DONNA: Look you already gave up the Sydney course because of me, please don't give away this chance because of something I did.
RINGO: You're right, I did give that course up for you. It was a really good opportunity and I gave it all up for you. That's why I'm leaving for Sydney. I'm going to see if I can still get into that course.
DONNA: (stunned) When will you be back?

Ringo just responds by taking off his commitment ring and handing it back to her. Donna's devastated.

Preview
[Tomorrow on Neighbours]
(Rebecca talks to Donna out on the street)
REBECCA: Donna don't hate yourself too much OK?
DONNA: I deserve everything I get.
(Libby and Susan in #30)
LIBBY: When are you going to stop interfering? Haven't you learnt anything?
(Libby talking to Donna at Charlie's)
LIBBY: Sonya and I are going out tonight. It's my divorce party - you want to come with us?
(The bullies coerce Callum into picking on Sophie at school)
BULLY: Hey Jonesy, do you become a nerd because you're ugly or...
CALLUM: (reluctant) Or do you become ugly because you're a nerd?
BULLY: See ya, Ramsay.
(Sophie looks upset)
SOPHIE V/O: I hate high school.
(Rebecca's worried about Donna)
REBECCA: Kate hasn't spoken to her all day. Should we call the police?