Previously on Neighbours
- Ringo telling Naomi they should cool it for a bit.
- Dr Doug tells Steph the lump in her breast is a cyst, and benign.
- Steph upset because Lyn is her next of kin and won't respect her wishes.
- Toadie muses that Lyn doesn't have to be Steph's next of kin - what if he was?
- Toadie proposing to Steph and Summer overhearing.
Hospital
Steph asks Summer not to tell anyone about the proposal - they just want to keep it quiet for a while, until they can talk to Callum about it. Summer agrees, although it won't be easy to keep this a secret!
When Summer is gone, Steph worries what they'll say to Lyn - maybe they shouldn't get married. Toadie says it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks, they need to be in control of Steph's life.
Harold's Store
Summer asks Libby if she thinks Steph and Toadie will ever get married(!) Libby says maybe they will with the baby and everything, but Lyn overhears and says she doesn't think it's very likely.
At a table, Kate tells Declan, Donna and Ringo that Terry is so miserable these days, he just sits around his his flat on his own. As Ringo is leaving, Naomi comes in and acts like nothing has happened between them.
Donna wonders what happened between them and decides to go and ask Ringo about it.
Outside Lassiter's
Donna catches up with Ringo and asks him if she was anything to do with the breakup with Naomi. He assures her that she wasn't and she is relieved. They agree to be friend. Donna gives him his friendship ring back, just as a way of saying they're mates again. Ringo takes it.
No.30
Sophie and Callum are playing cards when Toadie and Steph get back. Toadie sits down with Callum on his own and explains that they had a bit of a shock at the hospital - but everything's OK, the cancer hasn't come back after all.
TOADIE: It got me thinking about our future, and our family, and I thought that it might be nice to make things a bit more permanent...so I've asked Steph to marry me. But before we go any further or tell anyone else, I want to know what you think.
CALLUM: Really?
TOADIE: Yeah! Well, I said I'd involve you in any future big decisions. So...what do you think?
CALLUM: I don't know.
TOADIE: Not much would change, really. It'd be the same little gang, really, you, me, Charlie, Steph, all living in the same house. We'd just make it official.
CALLUM: Can I um...think about it.
TOADIE: Yeah, course you can. Take as long as you want.
Callum walks off.
No.28
Karl is desperately missing Dahl and still thinks the Robinsons' cat ate her!
Just then, Naomi comes to the door. Ringo is speechless.
NAOMI: Hi! I was just in the neighbourhood, I thought I'd drop by. (to Susan and Karl, breezily) Hi there!
SUSAN and KARL:(woodenly) Hello.
NAOMI: So, I was wondering if you're free tonight, maybe we could go grab a drink.
RINGO: Er...I don't know, I said I'd meet some mates tonight.
NAOMI: You also said that we would see each other around casually. Us hanging out, no big deal. Come on, what's the harm in us being friends, right?
Bloke's Club
Apparently Ringo agreed to Naomi's demands and the rest can't believe it. Ringo says he was taken by surprise. Lucas advises him to fix things - quickly.
Charlie's
Paul is on the phone shouting at someone about a quote for sandwiches and advises them to take the organic produce out.
Ringo comes to find Naomi.
RINGO: I know this isn't easy, but you need to understand that we're over. So that means no more coming round to my house, no more casual drinks, nothing.
NAOMI:(brightly) Look, I know we've had a little bit of a hiccup, but I think we can push past it if we both just try to make an effort!
RINGO: I don't want to try. Look, I'm sorry, maybe I didn't make this clear enough last time, but I don't want to see you anymore.
NAOMI: Look, I know I was in the wrong, OK, it won't happen again, is that what you want to hear? I will be anything you want me to be.
RINGO: No, it's over Naomi. We're not going to see each other as friends or anything else, do you get it?
NAOMI: (suddenly angry) No, I *don't* get it. Why are you being so cruel to me? You know, I really don't deserve this.
RINGO: I've got to go.
He walks out.
NAOMI: Ringo, Ringo, please! (to other customers) What?! What are you staring at?
She stalks out.
25th anniversary picture - Nina Tucker in 2003
Harold's Store
Naomi comes in crying and sits at a table. Lyn sends Kate over to talk to her. Kate isn't keen, but relents and goes over. They start talking about Ringo and Naomi says Ringo was very rude to her. Kate says that everyone has relationship troubles, including her and Declan. As they're talking, Donna rushes in to show Kate some sketches, but she makes a sharp exit when she sees Naomi there. Naomi muses that it can be hard to move on from other relationships and looks hard at Donna, who is now sitting at the counter.
Gym
Callum and Sophie have just got back from a training session. Callum is distracted by thoughts of Steph and Toadie.
Summer comes over to talk to Callum.
SUMMER: So, how's things with you?
CALLUM: Alright.
SUMMER: Really, things OK at home? Nothing new to report with Steph and Toad?
Callum just looks at her.
CALLUM: Do you know?
SUMMER: Yeah.
Summer explains that she walked in on Toadie proposing and picks up on Callum's lack of enthusiasm.
SUMMER: Don't you think it would be nice?
CALLUM: Why do you care so much?
SUMMER: Because...Steph and Toadie are kind of like my parents.
(Perhaps someone could remind Summer that Max is only away on the rigs)
SUMMER: If they got married, it'd be like I was part of a family again.
CALLUM: You reckon?
SUMMER: Yeah! You, me, Charlie and the baby could be like the crazy bunch of kids. Together forever. Anyway, it's not for me to tell you what to think, but it'd be nice having another little brother. See you.
Callum looks thoughtful.
No.30
Steph and Toadie are in the kitchen when Callum comes in.
CALLUM: Look, I just wanted to say that if you two want to married, it's fine by me.
TOADIE: Are you sure?
CALLUM: Yeah, I've always wanted to be in a real family, with a mum and a dad and a brother or a sister. I've never had one before.
STEPH:(going over and hugging him) Well, you've got that now, buddy. Oh, thank you so much for your blessing, it means the world to us.
Callum goes off to bed, Steph is pleased, but Toadie looks less so.
TOADIE: I really wish that we were actually giving him a real family instead of a fake real family.
STEPH: Toad, you know we'll always be there for him.
TOADIE: Yeah, I know, it's just...you know what, forget about it, it's going to be fine.
STEPH: Hey, hey, if this is all getting too much...
TOADIE: No, it's my decision and we're not backing out, not now.
STEPH: OK. So when do we tell mum?
TOADIE:(groans) Tomorrow, I guess. Can we leave that till as late as possible?
Ramsay Street
Lucas is off to the Blokes' Club shed. Declan and Kate are just getting back from jogging. Lyn and Summer are getting into a rather nice light blue Nissan Micra when Callum calls Summer over. She goes across the street to him. He explains that he's given Toadie and Steph his blessing.
CALLUM: Now I can be your little brother!
SUMMER: I can be your big sister!
Lyn is making her way across the street too.
CALLUM:(to Lyn) And you can be my nan!
LYN: What's this?
CALLUM: Well, we'll be a proper family now that Dad and Steph are getting married!
LYN:(faintly) What?!
CALLUM: You didn't know?
SUMMER: Nan, they were going to tell everyone today.
LYN: You knew about it?!
SUMMER: Only by accident.
LYN:(speechless) ...right.
She walks towards No.30.
SUMMER: Where are you going?
LYN:(terserly) To offer my congratulations!
She stalks towards the house.
No.30
Toadie and Steph are in a good mood this morning and are having breakfast when Lyn storms in.
LYN: I have just heard the ludicrous story that you two are getting married!
There is a bit of a pause.
LYN: So, it's true?
TOADIE:(shortly) Yip.
LYN: Do you mind telling me why?!
STEPH: We have to.
TOADIE: Yeah. Yeah, some people were causing trouble.
LYN: Oh, what people?
TOADIE: Doesn't matter, alright? It's just important that we do this.
STEPH: Mum, it makes us look like a proper family, and you know how important that is.
LYN: Well, ye- eah! But, *marriage*? It's a holy sacrement!
STEPH: Look, we know it's a really big move, but we have to do it!
LYN: This is piling a lie on top of another lie, and what for? People have already accepted you two as a couple...
But they are interrupted by the sound of Libby entering the house.
TOADIE:(quickly) Lyn, you've been so supportive, please don't stop now.
Libby makes it to the kitchen.
LIBBY: Is everything OK?
TOADIE: Uh...we're getting married!
LIBBY:(joyously) Oh my God! Oh, God, that's fantastic.
Lyn just glowers.
University
Donna is setting up a display for her shrugaleros. Kate asks Ringo nosily what's happened between him and Naomi. Ringo is surprised to hear that Naomi has spoken to Kate about it. He goes over to help Donna with some shelves in her display and Naomi sees them laughing together. Her face is like thunder.
No.22 - front garden
Karl is looking in the bushes for "evidence" of Dahl being eaten(!) Paul sees him and Susan calls him out too. He starts ranting about Paul about the loss of Dahl. Lucas comes along.
LUCAS: What's going on?
PAUL: Karl here is accusing Cat of eating his bird.
LUCAS: Ah, wouldn't surprise me. That thing's got an evil streak.
PAUL: Whose side are you on?!
LUCAS: The side of truth, justice.
Libby, Steph and Callum come along and tell Susan about the engagement. Susan is pleased and hugs Steph. Karl and Paul look quite shocked, but Lucas looks the most shocked of all. He quietly walks off into the house.
University
Naomi comes up to Donna.
NAOMI:(angrily) Hey! I know it's you. I know you're the reason he broke up with me.
DONNA: Seriously, Naomi, get a life!
But Naomi won't be diverted and shouts at Donna that she knows she wants him back. Donna says she's just friends with Ringo, and anyway, whoever Ringo sees is his own business.
DONNA: Get over it!
No.22
Paul has given Donna a lift home. Donna opens an envelope that was apparently shoved under the door - it's a picture of Naomi and Ringo.
PAUL: Why on earth would someone send that to you?
DONNA: Because they want me out of the picture.
Tomorrow on Neighbours
- Donna realising that Naomi is out to get her.
- Lucas bringing Michael to the Blokes' Club.
- Donna going through Naomi's handbag and getting caught in the act.