No 22
Piper is sitting on the patio when Paige and David arrive. Paige is pleased to see her, but greets her with an almighty thump on the shoulder!

PAIGE: Next time you want to run away, tell me!

Piper says there won't be a next time; she and Tyler aren't talking since he brought her back. Paige says that returning home was for the best, but Piper insists they could have made it work on the run. Brad and Terese march in, with Ned following behind; they're furious at Piper for going 'half way to New South Wales' with Tyler.

PIPER: Well what other choice did I have? You won't let us see each other!
BRAD: Yeah, and this proves why. You were prepared to throw away your home and your schooling! Tyler was prepared to throw away his job too.

Ned intervenes, trying to calm Brad down. But Piper says Brad is in no position to judge Tyler after getting physical with him.

BRAD: I'm not proud of that, alright? But it doesn't excuse your behaviour, no matter how you spin it.

The Waterhole
Tyler is talking to Aaron over a drink, and admits that running away with Piper wasn't the smartest move. He adds that his boss, Lucas, is coming to town tomorrow, so they can speak in person. Aaron tells him he has to put his case forward, and says he'll help him do it.

Brad and Ned come in for a drink. Brad starts by apologising to Tyler for losing his temper and shoving him the other day.

BRAD: After what happened with your father, I should've known better.
TYLER: ...
BRAD: Is there anything you want to say to me?
TYLER: ...
BRAD: Look, I wish I could support this relationship, but try and look at it from my point of view, alright? If your young daughter ran off with her boyfriend, wouldn't you be worried too?
TYLER: I love Piper. I brought her home.
BRAD: Yeah, you did the right thing. But only when your hand was forced.
TYLER: Nothing I say will ever change your opinion of me, will it?
BRAD: This isn't about you. It's about my daughter who is out of her depth. Please, if you care about her, just back off. Let her be the seventeen-year-old that she is.

No 32
David and Paige are in the pool. Paige says how pleased she is that Piper's home, but suspects she won't have an easy time of it with Brad and Terese. David asks how Paige thinks her parents will react to her pregnancy; she jokes that she's thinking of investing in some 'really chunky sweaters' to delay them finding out as long as possible.

DAVID: I'd probably do the same.
PAIGE: What, if you were pregnant?
DAVID: You know what I mean. Even under the best circumstances, I'd be too scared to tell my family. They'd probably disown me.
PAIGE: For real?
DAVID: Don't get me wrong - they're not horrible people. They're just super-conservative. Not that I'm telling you to keep a secret.
PAIGE: Look, I don't think that Mum and Dad would judge me. That's not the issue.
DAVID: Then what is?
PAIGE: I don't want them to worry. And they're gonna worry. Especially when I tell them that the father's not in the picture.
DAVID: Or they could support you.
PAIGE: Yeah, but they've got enough on their plate with Piper at the moment. I will tell them. I will. Just when the time's right.

No 22
Xanthe is giving Piper a hard time for running away without telling her, but is being supportive, proclaiming that Tyler is 'dead to her' after what he did to Piper (omitting to tell her that Ned and Mark came to the motel). As Terese comes in, we learn that Xanthe is going to be attending summer school.

XANTHE: It sucks that I'm going to miss the stocktake sales, but it'll be worth it.
PIPER: So is your dad making you do this? Parents can be pretty pushy.
TERESE: Yeah, that's because they want the best for their kids.

But Xanthe explains that it was her idea to go to summer school, as she wants to get ahead. (She doesn't mention her vow to get better grades than Ben.)

Tyler arrives and asks to talk to Piper. Terese isn't happy about it and nor is Xanthe, but Piper and Tyler talk in the garden nonetheless. Tyler apologises for bringing her home under false pretences, but says he didn't want Piper to mess up her future for him. She says he still shouldn't have lied to her.

PIPER: I thought you saw us as equals.
TYLER: I do.

But Piper doesn't want to do this right now, and says she'll call him tomorrow. Tyler leaves, and Terese notices that things haven't gone well in their chat.

No 32
Next morning, Brad is briefing Ned on his community service, which will comprise doing odd-jobs at the school. Brad says he's allowed to be there as it's the holidays, but that there will be summer classes taking place so he'll need his clearance papers. He adds that today is set to be a 'scorcher', so not the best day for manual labour.

Terese comes in with Lauren, and updates everyone on the latest news about Piper - namely, that she and Tyler had an argument last night. Terese seems hopeful that it was more than a blip.

LAUREN: Yeah, well, hoping for a break-up probably isn't the healthiest approach.
TERESE: Well then, what do you suggest, Lauren?

Lauren suggests they arrange another family meal - except that this time, they all agree to hear each other out. Brad says talking won't change his view on the Piper/Tyler relationship, but Ned points out it will give him another chance to express his concerns.

Lauren offers to host the lunch, but Terese says they'll do it at her place. Lauren says she'll invite Paige, saying it may encourage Piper to open up a bit more.

Erinsborough High School
At summer school, Xanthe is telling another pupil, Li-Kim Chen, how she's always been an inspiration to her, as she knows the answers to everything. She asks what Li-Kim's secret is, but she just replies that she just studies a lot. Elly turns up to herd them into class, then sees Ned outside doing his community service.

Ned assures Elly that he had nothing to do with the placement at the school; she asks him if he'll be here all day. He says yes, but promises to stay out of her way. Elly asks if he can fix the broken air conditioning, but he replies that that's not his forte.

NED: I hope you get it sorted. It's gonna be hot.
ELLY: Yes, it is. I'll leave you to it.

Ned eyes up Elly as she walks away.

No 32
David is still at the house, Paige having let him crash there. Brad shows up, and invites Paige to the family lunch with Piper - he wants her to help Piper understand his and Terese's point of view on Tyler.

PAIGE: What if I don't share the same point of view?
BRAD: What, you can't think he's still good for her? Not after Glenrowan?
PAIGE: Dad, all they want is to be together. They're in love!
BRAD: How can you defend a relationship that puts her in so much jeopardy?
PAIGE: Because I'm not convinced that it does! What are you so afraid of?

Brad says Piper could drop out of school or have to deal with an unplanned pregnancy. Paige looks worried.

PAIGE: That's not gonna happen. And even if it did, there are a lot of people that have children at a young age, and it doesn't mean that their lives are over.

Sensing a row brewing, David leaves.

BRAD: You know, when you're a parent you might understand, alright? You want what's best for your kids, okay? You want them to have a better start in life than what you did. And Piper's not gonna get that with Tyler.
PAIGE: Well, I don't agree. In fact, I told Tyler a few weeks ago that if he had that strong feelings for Piper, he should go for it!
BRAD: You what?!
PAIGE: Yeah, Dad, I believe in them.
BRAD: On second thoughts, if you can't take this seriously, then maybe it's best you don't come to lunch.

The Waterhole
Aaron presents Tyler with a dossier he's compiled, of glowing testimonials from customers at the garage. Aaron contends that if Tyler shows the testimonials to Lucas when he arrives, his job will be safe.

Tyler isn't convinced it will make a difference; but Aaron says he's also negotiating a servicing contract for the garage with Sonya, for the council's car fleet. He's also compiled a list of potential apprentices to assist Tyler at the garage, so they could cover for him in a future emergency.

David arrives, and things are still a little awkward between him and Aaron. David's brought a testimonial from Leo, detailing the work Tyler did on his car.

TYLER: 'After Tyler changed my oil, the car purred with satisfaction like a panther on heat.' Laying it on a bit thick, isn't he?

But Aaron is convinced the strategy will work with Lucas. At that moment, Lucas himself arrives...

Erinsborough High School
Elly is talking to the students, including Xanthe, about the importance of choosing their subjects for Year 12. Xanthe says she wants to get a really high ATAR (Australian tertiary admission rank) next year, and asks if that means she has to do 'really hard subjects'. Elly says not necessarily, and that Xanthe should do what she enjoys, as that will help motivate her to do well.

Elly asks where Li-Kim is. Xanthe said she went to the bathroom, but should be back by now. In fact, Li-Kim is outside, talking to a topless Ned!

LI-KIM: I read that it doesn't hurt as much to get tattoos over muscle - is that true?
NED: Err, yeah, I guess so.
LI-KIM: You mustn't have felt anything!

Elly emerges and shoos Li-Kim back inside the building, before speaking to Ned.

ELLY: Where is your shirt? Did it just fall off?
NED: It's hot!
ELLY: Yeah, I am too!
NED: I won't argue with that!
ELLY: No, I didn't mean it like that. I meant, hot as in temperature hot. Hot as in heat. Temperature.
NED: Right(!)
ELLY: Stop it! Just put your shirt back on, before you distract someone else.
NED: Yes, Miss Conway.

Ned smiles as a flustered Elly walks away.

The Waterhole
Tyler is presenting Lucas with his mea culpa, saying he knows he's made big mistakes recently - but adds that profits are up since he took over at the garage, all without another mechanic helping. Tyler begs Lucas to let him keep his job, offering him the testimonials and the books as evidence of his hard work.

LUCAS: That's not the problem, mate. I let you stay on against my better judgement because I sympathised. I know what it's like to stuff up and be stuck paying for it. And you were doing really well - until you shut up shop and took off to the country.
TYLER: It was just an error of judgement.
LUCAS: Not the first one, though, was it? You lied to me, about being sick. About Tim Collins' car. You may be a good mechanic. But I need someone reliable, someone I can trust. And that's just not you.
TYLER: Please. This job is important to me.
LUCAS: Then you shouldn't have ditched it on a whim. There's no coming back from this, mate. You're fired.

Harold's Café
Terese is trying to persuade Piper to come to the family lunch, to sort through what's happened. Piper is sceptical, saying it sounds like an intervention. But Lauren butts in, saying it won't be like last time. Annoyed that Lauren is treading on her maternal toes again, Terese talks to her alone.

TERESE: Look, I know we all want to support her - Piper. But I just think that three adults discussing her love life might be a bit overwhelming for her... Perhaps, maybe you should just leave it to Brad and me. Look, I know you have an opinion on this. But at the end of the day, Brad and I are her parents. And we're the ones she needs to listen to.

Lauren agrees not to get in the way, but looks offended to have been excluded. She suggests Terese go easy on Piper, but Terese insists it's under control.

No 32
Paige Is sorting out the decorations from Christmas, when she comes across the miniature teddy bear that Lauren gave her as a baby. When Lauren comes in, Paige admits she was getting a little emotional over the teddy, saying it brings back so many memories.

PAIGE: Do you ever think back to when you were pregnant with me?
LAUREN: Yeah, I mean, all the time. On some level those memories will always be a part of me.
PAIGE: You must have felt so alone.
LAUREN: Yeah, I did. The worst part was, I had no-one to talk to about it. But you know what, it all worked out. You're here now, and your dad. Why do you ask?
PAIGE: ... I guess I'm just thinking about Piper. She's feeling really unsupported at the moment by Dad and Terese.
LAUREN: Yeah, well hopefully this lunch will help sort that out. Not that I'll be there, since I've been uninvited.
PAIGE: Oh, really? Same here.

Lauren says they should be a family, united not excluded. Paige looks worried.

Erinsborough High School
Summer school classes have finished for the day because of the stifling heat. Outside, Elly notices how much of a sweat Ned has worked up, and says he looks like a drowned rat - so he can take his shirt off if he wants now, because all the students have gone home.

ELLY: And I'm perfectly capable of keeping myself together around you. It's not like I haven't seen it all before.
NED: If you say so.

Ned whips his shirt off again. Clearly flustered again, Elly walks back into the school.

No 22
Brad and Terese are setting up for lunch. Terese is concerned that Brad uninvited Paige - she doesn't want Piper to think she's being ganged up on. But Brad says Paige supports the Tyler relationship, so would make things more difficult - and points out that Terese uninvited Lauren too.

TERESE: Lauren's heart's in the right place - but I need Piper to understand who her authority figures are.
BRAD: And since when has that made any difference?

Piper turns up, and immediately demands to know where Paige and Lauren are - concluding that they've been excluded so that it's 'two against one'.

PIPER: So how do you guys want to play this, hmm? Ultimatums, mind control?
BRAD: We just want to talk, okay? And make sure you are looking after yourself.
PIPER: Protective approach, yeah. Good choice (!)
BRAD: We love you, Piper. And you may think that you love Tyler...
PIPER: I do.
BRAD: Well it wasn't that long ago you were saying the same thing about Chas.
PIPER: What's he got to do with anything?
BRAD: Well, he's an older boy too.
PIPER: Yeah, and he was crazy and controlling.

Piper rejects any comparison of Tyler and Chas, but Terese challenges her on why she and Tyler were fighting last night. Piper points out that all couples fight, citing her parents as a prime example!

PIPER: I'm not breaking up with Tyler. Yes, we had a fight. But we love each other, and we're not ready to give up on that just yet, okay? So, now that's all cleared up - what's for lunch?

Brad and Terese look annoyed.

Erinsborough High School
Elly is sweltering in the heat, so stands next to a fan and unbuttons her blouse to get some cool air. At that moment, a still topless Ned appears.

NED: Excuse me, Miss Conway...
ELLY: Ned! Sorry, I didn't realise anyone else was here.
NED: Just finishing up. Is there anything you want me to take care of?
ELLY: Yeah, actually. There is something you can take care of.
NED: ...
ELLY: The bins at the other side of the Oval.
NED: Sure thing. Oh, and Miss Conway?
ELLY: Yes, Ned?
NED: Do you mind doing your button up? I'm finding it a little bit distracting.
ELLY: Of course.

They both smile as Ned walks away.

No 22
Lauren and Paige turn up together for lunch, despite having been uninvited. Piper thanks them for coming to support her, and says she hasn't heard from Tyler all day. She also complains that Brad and Terese were never like this with Josh and Imogen's relationships.

PIPER: They're just being so hardcore. Like, I wish they had something else going on in their lives so they weren't so fixated on me.

Piper gets a phone call and rushes away to answer it. Brad and Terese appear, and are annoyed to see that Lauren and Paige have shown up after all. They explain that they wanted to support Piper. Piper re-emerges, and tells everyone that Tyler has lost his job at the garage.

LAUREN: That's terrible.
TERESE: Yeah. Yeah, it is. But that's what happens when you ignore your responsibilities.
BRAD: How can you be interested in having a relationship with someone who's just so unreliable?
PIPER: Tyler's a good person.
TERESE: Yes. Yes, he is - but he is constantly making poor decisions. And it's just a matter of time that his choices will drag you down.
PIPER: Can you just please stop?
BRAD: We have given you options.
PIPER: Yeah - break up with him and then wait till the end of Year 12!
BRAD: Well if he loves you, he will wait!
TERESE: Yes, I agree.
PAIGE: Piper and Tyler are together. I just don't understand why you can't accept that!
TERESE: Paige, she's our child. And we're entitled to worry about her.
PAIGE: But you don't have to!
TERESE: We'll be the judge of that!
PAIGE: She has a good head on her shoulders!
TERESE: Oh, right, and now you're the expert?!
PAIGE: No, I'm definitely not. That is my point.
BRAD: What do you mean?
PAIGE: ... Nothing.
TERESE: No, no - if you're gonna weigh in, I want to know what you're talking about.
LAUREN: Paige?
PAIGE: I'm just saying that Piper isn't the one that you have to worry about. I'm pregnant.

Unmissable Neighbours
- Paige tells David how shocked her parents were at the news of her pregnancy
- Brad tells Ned and Lauren that 'there is someone else'
- An emotional Paige sketches a picture of Jack
- A tearful Piper tells Tyler that Paige is pregnant
- Lauren and Paige hug, just as Tyler appears at No 32
- Paige tells Jack he made the right decision to stay in the priesthood