Previously
- Finn leaps to Bea's defence by restraining creeper Alfie when he lets himself into No 28
- Dipi catches Elly putting alcohol in a pupil's locker
- Richie asks Elly if she could buy him alcohol like she did for Dean
- Evil guest parent Angela Lane lays into Elly for buying alcohol for a student
- And it seems other parents are following her lead, as Elly finds her classroom largely empty
- Pierce calls Chloe out on finding time to have drinks with Elly, but not with him
- Bea and Finn TITTNL™, but come back out of the bedroom to find their clothes have gone
The Waterhole
Bea finishes up her gig from the previous episode, to much applause from all, including the Keyboardist™. Bea goes over and kisses Finn, who congratulates her on an amazing set. He's looking forward to watching her perform her new song for the festival crowd next week, but she's worried that it might flop.
Elly turns up, followed swiftly by Mark. Finn asks Mark if there have been any break-ins reported lately, explaining how his and Bea's clothes got taken. Mark says it's probably a homeless person to blame and not to worry about it (!)
FINN: As long as they don't come back for the rest of my wardrobe.
BEA: Yeah, well, I don't think you'd pull off Karl's relaxed grandad look.
Mark tells them to let him know if the problem escalates. (The clothes thefts, not Karl's relaxed grandad look.)
Erinsborough High School
Yashvi and Harlow are chatting to Elly after class. Yashvi remarks about the class being half-empty.
ELLY: I like to think of it as two-thirds full.
Yashvi reports that Richie (who is Not In This Episode™) has been gossiping about Elly's alcohol-buying antics. Elly acknowledges there's an issue with some of the parents, but hopes it will blow over. Yashvi is sceptical.
Elly goes to talk to the acting principal, Marie Bermingham, in the office. Marie tells her that another six families have unenrolled their kids. Elly says she's been cleared to continue working and has been open with the PTA; she's not sure what else she can do. Marie wants to call Susan back from Sydney to deal with it, but Elly doesn't want to interrupt her MS treatment.
ELLY: Just leave it with me, okay? I'll fix it.
Marie shrugs exasperatedly; she doesn't look convinced. Elly leaves the office and looks worried.
Ramsay Street
Harlow and Yashvi are walking home, with Ned in tow. They're talking about Elly; Harlow agrees that the parents are overreacting, but says she can also see it from their perspective.
Bea and Finn appear on the other side of the street. Yashvi asks if they can hear her song for the festival next week, but Bea says it isn't ready yet; her head's not with it as there has been some 'weird stuff going on'. Finn explains that someone stole their clothes.
YASHVI: Really? *Your* clothes?
HARLOW: (...) Is it just me, or is there always something weird going on on this street?
NED: Yes. But you should still take it seriously.
Yashvi looks uncomfortable as Ned starts asking questions about how the police are investigating. Finn assures him they have it covered, and Ned backs off.
No 22
Ned, Harlow and Yashvi come in. Harlow goes to bring in the washing "before it gets snatched", and Ned offers to help - but Yashvi holds him back and kisses him.
YASHVI: You just can't help being the superhero.
NED: Well, half that washing probably is mine.
YASHVI: I mean about Bea. I know you said you'd stop worrying about her, but I still feel like your protective instinct is there.
NED: Oh, look, it's a habit I'm gonna break. I meant what I said.
YASHVI: It's who you are; you care. And you and Bea, you guys were together for ages.
NED: Yeah. And she always seemed to need rescuing. What I love about you is that you can be your *own* superhero.
YASHVI: That's me - your regular Wonder Woman.
NED: Yes - and my number one priority.
They kiss again.
No 28
Bea and Finn have come in, and Finn is checking that the windows are locked. The phone rings, and Bea answers it - but whoever it is hangs up without speaking. She decides it was a telemarketer. There's a knock at the door which makes them both jumpy, but it's only Toadie. Bea asks Toadie how he's doing since Dee left.
TOADIE: It's been a strange few months. It's nice to have some space, actually.
He's also been keeping himself busy, and he hopes Finn can help; he'd like Finn to talk him through all the admin systems he's set up for the Sonya Foundation while Toadie has been busy with Dee. Finn says he has spreadsheets for all of them, and a few other suggestions too. Toadie is keen to hear about them, and Finn is excited.
Lassiter's Complex
Elly sounds off to Chloe about the lack of support from acting principal Marie in the ongoing pupil exodus, meaning Elly has to find a way to bring the students back herself.
CHLOE: Tell me ideas - no matter how crazy.
ELLY: Resigning.
CHLOE: Crazy. You're not really thinking that, are you?
ELLY: Susan backs me all the time, and all I ever do is let her down.
CHLOE: Susan's there for you because she believes in you. If you quit now, those students lose an awesome, caring teacher.
Aaron's walking by, and sees Chloe and Elly chatting intimately. He looks worried. Chloe gives Elly a pep-talk, re-emphasising that her students need her. They hold hands.
ELLY: You always make me feel better. Thank you.
Elly has an idea, and rushes off. Aaron is still watching with concern.
Harold's Café
Elly is talking to Dipi and Terese; she wants to arrange another meeting with parents to allay their concerns. Terese and Dipi admit that Elly ought to know what 'some of' the parents are saying.
DIPI: One of them is starting a smear campaign. They've been emailing the other parents and suggesting they take their kids out of the school.
Terese says she's taking Harlow's lead in not being concerned about Elly's teaching, and she's sure other parents will do the same. Once Terese has left, Elly asks if Dipi can tell her who the parent is. Dipi admits it's Angela Lane, the evil parent from Wednesday's episode; even though her daughter has left the school already, she still has a strong influence.
No 32
Aaron has a chat to Chloe; he wants to know whether anything is happening between her and Elly. Chloe insists not; it's sweet that Aaron is worried, but she isn't that fragile.
AARON: Mark is, though.
CHLOE: I'm aware. I've been trying not to flaunt our friendship in his face.
AARON: Okay, okay - but what happens when it becomes more than that?
CHLOE: It won't!
AARON: Chlo, come on - be honest with yourself. Look, even if there is a tiny chance that things are gonna turn romantic between you and Elly, you're telling me that you wouldn't pursue it?
CHLOE: ...
AARON: I thought so. Look, you know this would shatter Mark, right?
CHLOE: I'm not planning on going there again. And you're forgetting that Elly would need to be open to it.
AARON: Look, the least you can do is just keep Mark in the loop. Just tell him how you're feeling; that way he won't be blindsided.
CHLOE: Isn't that jumping the gun a bit? It's not as if anything has actually happened yet.
AARON: The way you two were with each other earlier on, you guys are more than friends. Or you're about to be.
Chloe reluctantly agrees that she'll talk to Mark. Aaron thanks her.
No 28
Bea is practising her singing, with her headphones on - so that she doesn't hear the phone ringing a second time. She leaves the room, and Alfie creeps into shot, seemingly from the back door. He seems to be searching for something on the sofas; but is interrupted when Bea comes back in, singing to herself.
Alfie ducks behind the coffee table as she goes into the kitchen, but she turns around and sees him, demanding to know what he's doing back here.
ALFIE: Get out of the way!
BEA: You broke in while I was home?
ALFIE: Well, I rang the phone and you didn't pick up, so I guess I need a better plan next time.
He goes to leave, but Bea stands in his way.
BEA: Why are you doing this?!
ALFIE: It's not like I'm hurting anyone.
BEA: I'm the victim, and I'm the one who decides that.
ALFIE: I took your stuff by accident - it's only Finn's that I want.
BEA: Why?!
ALFIE: I'm not the only person trying to make money off of him.
BEA: You're selling Finn's clothes?!
ALFIE: No, that's for amateurs. I'm bringing together a community of fans to celebrate the life of Finn Kelly. We've got our first event next week; maybe I could squeeze you in.
BEA: No, you need to shut it down!
ALFIE: Doubtful. Attendance is gonna double when I post about his assault on me.
BEA: He barely touched you!
ALFIE: That's not my version.
BEA: So you're creating this fantasy for... what? To make yourself feel like less of a loser? If poring over Finn's clothes and making up stories about him gets you off, then I feel so sorry for you.
ALFIE: Well, I feel sorry for you. You're the one who's living with a psychopath.
BEA: That's not who he is anymore!
ALFIE: You saw him attack me!
Bea orders Alfie to leave, but he just stands there, looking creepy.
ALFIE: You know, we're learning more every day. We're always waiting - watching. We're never going away. Sooner or later, the final chapter in the Finn Kelly story will be told.
Creepy music as Alfie exits the house via the front door. Bea looks worried.
Erinsborough High School
Elly is talking to Marie Bermingham about the smear campaign Angela Lane has been waging against her. Elly wants to address Angela directly to explain that her concerns are unfounded; but Marie won't hear of it. She explains she's called Susan, despite Elly's request to the contrary, who is on her way back to sort things out. In the meantime, Elly is to take no further action, on Susan's instruction.
No 24
Mark is doing the washing up (of course) when Aaron comes in with Chloe. She explains that she wanted to let Mark know where her head's at as regards Elly. Awkward silence.
CHLOE: Maybe we should sit down? I feel like we're in a Wild West stand-off!
MARK: Just say what you need to say.
CHLOE: This is about our family. We've already fallen out once over this; none of us want that to happen again. If you tell me not to go there, I won't - I promise. Our relationship - that trumps everything. But hypothetically... if something were to happen between Elly and I, how would you feel?
MARK: ... Hypothetically... I just want you to be happy. You're gonna have a lot more challenges than most. I don't wanna be one of them. So whatever happens between you and Elly, I'll deal with it.
CHLOE: You're amazing. Thank you.
Lassiter's Complex
Toadie and Finn are walking through the courtyard talking about fundraising ideas for the Sonya Foundation, and come across Bea at a table outside Harold's. Finn is clearly grateful for the trust Toadie's putting in him, and is keen to agree when Toadie offers him the chance of more voluntary work.
FINN: Of course, I'd keep a low profile - stay in the background.
TOADIE: Yeah, you know what? You're actually really good upfront, on the phones and running classes, and drumming up interest. I don't think we need to hide the fact that you're involved.
FINN: Okay... thanks! I won't let you down!
Toadie walks off, and Bea congratulates Finn, who sits down to join her.
FINN: A few months ago, I never would've dreamed I'd land on my feet like this. I finally feel like I've got a place here. I'm accepted.
BEA: Well, you deserve it.
Not wanting to ruin the moment, Bea decides not to mention her visit from Alfie earlier...
No 24
Aaron hands Mark a beer, saying he deserves free ones for life for giving Chloe his blessing with Elly.
MARK: It was a hypothetical blessing.
AARON: Are you sure you're okay with this?
MARK: My ex hooking up with my sister? No. I'm not okay with it. It still hurts.
AARON: You know Chloe said, Mark, if you don't want her to go there, you just have to say so.
MARK: She's on a different timeline to us. She deserves happiness. And if that happens to be with Elly, then... I'm not gonna stand in the way.
Lassiter's Complex
Bea is telling Yashvi about Alfie's latest visit. Yashvi feels bad; Alfie wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for her Finn tour. But Bea reassures her that she didn't know how far Alfie would take it.
BEA: It's so twisted how obsessed he is with other people's pain.
She says she's decided not to tell Finn that Alfie came back; if she did, he would just freak out. She's not going to report it either, or else Alfie will report Finn for assaulting him, which could lead to Finn ending up in jail due to a perceived breach of his release conditions.
YASHVI: You can't let Alfie get away with it.
BEA: Yeah, I know - but what am I supposed to do? The guy has made himself untouchable.
YASHVI: With the cops. But maybe there's an unofficial option...
BEA: What are you thinking?
YASHVI: We will work something out, I promise.
Ned turns up; he and Yashvi have plans, and she rushes off to join him. Bea looks at them together, and has an idea...
No 32
Elly arrives to see Chloe, who has been searching the Doug-Out for leftover homebrew, as requested by one of the bands for the festival next week! Doug's own brew is long-gone, but apparently Shane has told her he and Toadie may have left some of theirs in here. (Let's hope she doesn't serve up leftover Tinkle by accident!) Elly expresses how much simpler things seem when she's around Chloe.
ELLY: I have so many complications in my life; and when I look at you, you've got your priorities worked out.
CHLOE: Hmm. Well, I hate to break it to you, but my life can get pretty complicated too! But you're right - when I'm with you, all that other stuff just melts away.
ELLY: ...
CHLOE: Actually, there's something I wanted to talk to you about.
ELLY: Hmm?
CHLOE: I've been thinking about Us™, and how good we are together...
The Waterhole
Yashvi and Ned are pashing at the bar. Yashvi heads to the bathroom while Ned grabs a table. Bea comes in, and goes over to talk to Ned. She tells him that Alfie was responsible for stealing the clothes from the house.
BEA: He's completely obsessed with Finn. And he's so hellbent on getting his story out there. He's willing to tell people that Finn roughed him up, and that he's still got violent tendencies. If this happens, it'll ruin Finn's life. I mean, I've tried to warn him off - but I have nothing to hold over him. And I'm not exactly a threat to him either.
NED: ... And that's what you want - him to feel threatened? Right, so you've come to me.
BEA: I don't want you to hurt him - just scare him. He needs to back off.
NED: I don't think that I should be involved.
BEA: I don't know what else to do. And I don't have anyone else to turn to. Ned, please, will you do this for me?
Coming up on Neighbours
- The Erinsborough music festival gets underway
- Hanson, Jess Glynne, The Living End, King Calaway and Bea Nilsson are the headline acts!
- Jess Glynne thanks Paul and a roomful of extras for having her
- Jess recognises Bea as one of her fellow acts, and they get chatting
- Dipi tells Shane that 'she' is throwing her weight around like she knows best
- Elly rhetorically asks Susan if 'this woman' has anything better to do
- Bea meets up with Alfie, to offer him a deal
- Ned tells Yashvi to 'take this to the police'