Ramsay Street
Sheila is clearing up foliage in the aftermath of the storm, and Elly stops to help her. Mark, Aaron and Tyler pull up in the car, having returned from Russell's funeral in Port Lincoln. Mark reports to them that the funeral was "lovely... sad", and Aaron adds that Mark did them proud with the eulogy. Elly suggests she and Mark catch up later. He agrees, and Elly heads off to work.

Obviously digging, Sheila asks if there were any 'little surprises' at the funeral. But Tyler only confirms that their sister Chloe didn't show up.

TYLER: No surprises there.
AARON: Hey! You know she couldn't make it in time.

Sheila asks after Fay, but Mark only says she went home straight after the service. The boys take a huge box out of the car, of Russell's possessions from the hospital. Apparently there are letters addressed to each of them. Sheila looks concerned, but encourages them to go and open them.

AARON: Do we really want to know what he had to say?
MARK: Yeah. Well I certainly do.

The boys head off to No 24, while Sheila looks worried.

No 32
In the garden, Shane and Dipi are discussing the provenance of the condom wrapper. Dipi is convinced it's Ben's, and is regretting leaving Yashvi at home while they went on their date in The Citytm. Shane reminds her that Ben and Yashvi aren't even together - but Dipi points out that they could be seeing each other secretly; they didn't know about Evan either.

DIPI: Look, Shane - he hurt her pretty badly, so her self-esteem was low. Ben and Yashvi were together alone; they were bored; they could definitely -
SHANE: Will you stop?! You're talking way too many leaps.

Toadie turns up, and Shane asks him if the condom wrapper is his. Toadie's trademark laugh confirms not, but he quickly controls himself when Dipi and Shane don't look amused. Shane explains about Ben sleeping on the couch with Yashvi last night. Toadie suggests the condom may have been Mishti's. Dipi says she's not seeing anyone to her knowledge.

DIPI: The law of probabilities says it's Ben's - so we should talk to Susan.
SHANE: Don't you mean Yashvi?
DIPI: Absolutely not. Not until we know exactly what we're talking about.
SHANE: I think the words you're looking for are 'hornet's nest', love!

Toadie and Shane get to work cleaning up the yard, and Sheila appears to talk to Dipi. Dipi's not in the mood to play sounding board, but Sheila persists anyway. Recalling their previous conversation about the non-specific secret Sheila knows, she admits that she thinks the people involved are about to find out the truth, via the letters (from Russell).

SHEILA: The secret is gonna change everything for them. And I don't know whether to be around for them, or just forget about the whole thing. Tell me what to do!
DIPI: Secrets can be harmful. So if you're worried about it, then just support them.

No 24
Mark, Aaron and Tyler are holding the letters from Russell. Tyler suggests they go through the rest of the box before opening them. There are car magazines, clothes, and a model boat.

AARON: Dad always loved his boats.
TYLER: He used to talk about buying one when he retired.
MARK: Did he?
TYLER: Yeah, he used to go on and on about it. Back when I was working with him. How far he'd take it, and how many fish he'd catch.
MARK: I didn't know that.
TYLER: I guess there's a lot about Dad you don't know.
AARON: Do you think this might tie into his final words?
MARK: What, about Memory Cove?
AARON: Yeah. Maybe he was dreaming about our camping trips. Maybe he wanted to go back there, but on a boat.

Aaron suggests they read the letters to try and learn more, and passes one to each of his brothers. They all open them together - but look surprised by the contents.

Lassiter's Lake
Ben, Piper and Yashvi are walking to school, and Xanthe to work. Piper asks what Ben and Yashvi got up to - they explain they hung out during the storm, and that Ben played songs to stop Kirsha being scared.

BEN: Hey, were your mum and dad cool after I left?
XANTHE: Why wouldn't they be?
PIPER: Ben, what did you break?
YASHVI: Nothing. He just fell asleep on the couch. We both did.
XANTHE: You stayed over?
BEN: Yeah, by accident.
PIPER: Are your parents cool with that?
YASHVI: Yeah, no biggie.

Xanthe doesn't look happy!

No 28
Susan and Karl are attending to the greenhouse in the garden when Dipi and Shane turn up, to enquire 'how Ben was' when he came home.

KARL: Apparently your couch is a little lumpy - he was a bit stiff this morning!
SUSAN: Thank you for letting him stay the night.
DIPI: Actually, it was a lot more than that.

Dipi shows them the condom wrapper. Susan and Karl are surprised, but on learning Mishti isn't seeing anyone, seem to accept the verdict. They explain that due to Susan's MS flare-up and their trip to Thailand, they've dropped the ball lately as regards Ben.

SUSAN: To be honest, I thought Ben was more interested in Willow.
DIPI: So you think it could've been a one-night thing?
SHANE: No - no-one's saying that!

Susan tells them not to worry - she'll talk to Ben and get to the bottom of it. Shane asks her to take it easy with him, as they're not sure what they're dealing with.

No 24
Sheila comes in to find the brothers shocked, and Tyler in particular annoyed, at the contents of their letters - and immediately assumed that they contained the news that one of them was not Russell's son.

SHEILA: I was really worried about whether I should come or not.
TYLER: Well, apparently, you know more than we do.
SHEILA: Yeah, I'm sorry. Your mother did confide in me, but it wasn't my place to say anything to you.
AARON: ... About what?
MARK: What are you talking about, Sheila?
SHEILA: What are *you* talking about?
TYLER: Dad's letter. The fact that he couldn't be bothered writing to us the way he wrote to you!

Mark reveals that each of the boys' letters just contained a blank piece of paper, and a playing card. Realising she's put her foot in it, Sheila says that she's sure Russell wanted to write but just couldn't find the words!

SHEILA: But at least he gave you one of his very special cards!
MARK: Hang on. What did you think we'd found out?

No 26
The Brennan boys follow Sheila back into her own garden, demanding to know what it was that Fay confided in her, and then left town in a hurry. Mark explains that Fay was asking all of them at the funeral how much they'd seen of Sheila in the interim.

MARK: Sheila, if you are hiding something that we don't know, please just tell us! There are enough secrets in this family without you and Mum hiding one more!
SHEILA: I promised! I gave my word! (...) But I dunno. Maybe not knowing is hurting you more.
MARK: Not knowing what? Sheila, you can't say something like that and then not give us the rest.
SHEILA: (...) Look, I'm sorry. This is probably the worst possible timing. But according to your mum, one of you is not Russell's son.

The Brennans are shocked.

Erinsborough High School
Elly has just sent a text message to Mark checking up on him, but is worried she shouldn't have. She admits things felt awkward when they met this morning, and doesn't know where she stands, as she and Mark only got together just before he left for the funeral.

ELLY: Why do I feel like I'm in high school again?
SUSAN: All the good ones make you feel like that. You just need a bit of time together, then everything will be fine.

Ben approaches.

SUSAN: Which is more than I can say for some people.

Elly leaves them to it.

SUSAN: I had an interesting visit from Dipi and Shane this morning.
BEN: ... Yeah?
SUSAN: Anything you'd like to tell me about Yashvi?
BEN: Umm, she's got really bad taste in movies?
SUSAN: ... Right. They found something in the rubbish that concerned them. And they thought it might belong to you.
BEN: ...
SUSAN: Look, I'm pleased that you had the presence of mind to use protection. But if you and Yashvi have gone down that route -
BEN: What? No - no! We're just friends!
SUSAN: Well, yeah. But, you know, sometimes friends can -
BEN: Just stop! No - whatever they found, it's not mine!

Spooky music begins as Susan appears to use her ninja powers to read Ben's mind! He looks suitably creeped out, but Susan seems satisfied that he's telling the truth.

BEN: Good chat. Thanks.

Susan looks perplexed as Ben walks away.

No 26
Mark is leaving a voicemail for Fay, while Tyler questions Sheila for any more detail on what Fay said - but she doesn't know any more, other than that it's definitely one of the boys who isn't Russell's, and not their sister Chloe. The boys are forgiving of an apologetic Sheila, saying this was on Fay. Mark then gets the text from Elly, saying she's looking forward to seeing him later.

TYLER: It has to be me. I'm the youngest.
MARK: That doesn't mean anything. Mum and Dad broke up years after we were all born.
TYLER: Still, why else would he have given me such a hard time after Mum left?
MARK: Because he was broken-hearted. Look, the last thing we can do right now is put two and two together and come out with five, okay?
SHEILA: Your brother's right, love.
AARON: Bro, it could be any one of us.

An increasingly frustrated Mark calls Fay again, but it's still going to voicemail.

Erinsborough High School
Yashvi is talking to Li-Kim (you may remember her from such episodes as 7518 and 7550) about homework, when Ben rushes over and asks to talk to Yashvi. They go to one side, but are unaware that Li-Kim continues to listen to their conversation from a distance.

YASHVI: What's up?
BEN: Gee, I dunno - I might've just had the most disturbing conversation with my grandma I've ever had?
YASHVI: What's that got to do with me?
BEN: She's asking about my love life because your mum and dad found something in the bin after I stayed over.
YASHVI: What?

Ben makes a very peculiar face which apparently denotes the word 'condom'! Li-Kim, who is still earwigging, gets there before Yashvi, and looks shocked, before walking off!

YASHVI: ... Eww! Oh my god! I mean, no offence - but we're just mates!
BEN: That's what I said! But maybe you need to make sure your mum knows that!
YASHVI: You want me to *talk* to her?
BEN: Well, it's either that or move out of home!
YASHVI: Kill me. Oh my god - just kill me now!

Lassiter's Complex
Xanthe is walking through the courtyard, and comes across a forlorn-looking Sheila. Sheila doesn't want to talk about what happened - she just wants a mani-pedi, steam and massage! Xanthe sends Sheila into the spa and says she'll be with her shortly, then stops to talk to Li-Kim who has turned up with schoolgirl extras.

LI-KIM: Are you okay?
XANTHE: Yeah, why wouldn't I be?
LI-KIM: I didn't know if you'd heard (...) about Ben and Yashvi.
XANTHE: Yeah, what about them?
LI-KIM: They did it last night.
XANTHE: No, they didn't. They were just hanging out. I saw them this morning (...)
LI-KIM: I heard them freaking about Yashvi's parents finding out. From what I saw, it's fully on.
XANTHE: Well, Ben and I broke up ages ago, so whatever.

But she looks a lot more bothered than she makes out.

Shortly afterwards, Shane is sweeping outside Harold's when Yashvi turns up. Dipi emerges too.

YASHVI: I'm here to shut down some trash-talk about me (...) Trying to figure out why my parents have been blabbing about my love life without coming to me first!
DIPI: We were just worried about you, sweetie.
YASHVI: So talk to *me*.
DIPI: It's not always that easy, Yashvi.
YASHVI: I didn't say it was easy! But it's better than starting rumours about your own daughter!

Dipi brings up the incriminating evidence of the condom wrapper and says she's already spoken to Mishti, but Yashvi reminds her parents that there was a storm last night - it could have blown in from anywhere. Her parents look sheepish.

DIPI: We may not always get it right, but we're doing our best to protect you, okay?
YASHVI: All you did was embarrass me! So, thanks for that.

Yashvi storms off, but a relieved Dipi says that at least now they know.

No 24
Elly turns up to see Mark, but finds him still in a downbeat mood. He explains the Brennans have had some shocking news. Elly suggests they talk about it; Mark says it's kind of heavy.

No 22
Piper is keeping Tyler company in the garden, encouraging him to talk about how he's feeling.

TYLER: I'm feeling like this nightmare's never gonna end. I lost faith in my dad, and now I'm learning that my mother is keeping secrets from me.

Erinsborough Hospital
Aaron is having a similar conversation with David.

AARON: I was a mess for a long time. Just trying to figure out who I was, and where I fit into everything (...) Being his son didn't make it any easier.
DAVID: Made you pretty hot, though!
AARON: I thought I had it all worked out.
DAVID: You do. This doesn't have to change anything.

No 24
Mark is opening up to Elly.

MARK: It doesn't change anything. Not really.
ELLY: I think I'd struggle with something like this.
MARK: Yeah, well - if it's true.
ELLY: You don't think it is?
MARK: I don't know. Maybe Sheila got the wrong end of the stick.

Erinsborough Hospital
David continues to reassure Aaron.

DAVID: You're not wrong about who you are.
AARON: How can you say that? I don't even know who my real dad is.
DAVID: I get how important it is to know your past. But at least you know your future. You've found your path - and you have me by your side.

No 24
Mark seems to be moving into denial mode.

MARK: There's no way that we are not all Brennans.

Erinsborough Hospital
But Aaron tells David...

AARON: Maybe I was never a Brennan in the first place.

No 22
Tyler tells Piper that...

TYLER: I used to think that I was a Brennan. You know, I was tough. I could handle it.

Fitzgerald Motors
Xanthe finds Ben working on a car outside the garage, and says she wanted to talk to him.

XANTHE: What's up with you and Yashvi?

Ben bangs his head on the bonnet, before replying...

BEN: What have you heard?
XANTHE: Well, are you together now?
BEN: No.
XANTHE: Right, so it was just one night, then?
BEN: Wait, that's what's going around?
XANTHE: Ben, you hardly know her.
BEN: ... What's it to you?
XANTHE: Well, there are rumours going round.
BEN: So?
XANTHE: So, if people are talking, don't you want them to know the truth?
BEN: No, I don't care.
XANTHE: Such a gentleman (!)
BEN: Are you upset because you're worried about Yashvi?
XANTHE (upset): I'm not upset.
BEN: Good. Because there's no reason to be. You broke up with me, remember?
XANTHE: I know. But we were together for a year and nothing ever happened between us. And you've known Yashvi for, like, five minutes, and it's suddenly on?
BEN: You don't get to judge me. You didn't want to be with me. Now I get to choose what I do, and who I do it with. Got it?
XANTHE: Loud and clear.
BEN: Thanks for stopping by (!)

An upset Xanthe walks off, and an agitated Ben gets back to work.

Harold's Café
Toadie mischievously tells Shane that he's glad the condom wasn't Yashvi's - this time!

SHANE: Don't say that!
TOADIE: Well, she's getting older. No avoiding it - it's gonna happen sooner or later, isn't it?
SHANE: Well, for now, she's my little girl, alright? So shut up and drink your coffee.
TOADIE: Oooooh!

Freya comes in (you may remember her from Episode 7546), and talks to Yashvi who is on waiting duty. But she's not here to order - Freya wants to get the goss about Ben and Yashvi TITTNLtm!

YASHVI: What have you heard?
FREYA: That you're a total dark horse! So is it true? Did you guys... go there?
YASHVI: ... What do you think?
FREYA: You so did! You dirty little player - nice one! Phone me tomorrow. I want to know *everything*.

Flattered by the attention, Yashvi agrees, but looks worried as Freya leaves.

No 24
Tyler and Aaron get home. Mark tells them that Fay called him back - she's on her way to Erinsborough, as she wanted to speak to them in person.

AARON: That means Sheila can't have been mistaken about what she said.
MARK: Are you guys ready for this?

The silence suggests they're not.

Unmissable Neighbours
- Mark tells Fay they shouldn't put off learning the truth any longer
- Shane is surprised to learn Mishti is seeing someone
- Dipi looks suspicious, and asks what is going on between Shane and Mishti
- Mishti tells Shane that after Xander she was a mess, and Shane was there - but it's over now
- Dipi overhears this in the doorway
- Sheila tells Dipi grief can make people act up, adding Shane and Mishti have kept secrets before