Previously
- In a moment of guilt, Roxy admits to Dipi that she kissed Shane
- Sheila invites Dipi to stay with her and Gary at No 26
- Shane begs Dipi to stay at home, but she's too angry and upset
- Chloe announces she's been made general manager at Lassiter's, and Paul is displeased
- Paul tells Aaron and David that Lassiter's has a float in this year's Mardi Gras, and they'll be on it
- Harlow finds herself entranced by Hendrix's shirtless display in the corridor
- She admits this to Mackenzie, but Karl overhears them talking about Harlow's crush
- Karl later mentions to Hendrix that he assumed Harlow's crush was on Finn, but was wrong
- Hendrix begins to suspect that Harlow's crush might be him
No 22
Harlow is packing her bag from school when there's a knock at the door. She says 'come in' and in walks Hendrix, topless again and all sweaty after a run. He's evidently here to test his theory about her having a crush on him; and sure enough, Harlow immediately gawps at Hendrix.
HENDRIX: Thought I'd drop in and see the cat. She around?
But Harlow is too focused on ogling him.
HENDRIX: Harlow, the cat?
Harlow eventually directs him to the kitchen, so Hendrix retrieves Clementine and picks her up for a cuddle, then goes and stands next to Harlow.
HARLOW: Get the cat out of my face!
But Hendrix just stands there, so Harlow starts sneezing and has to go and use her inhaler. Hendrix smiles.
No 24
Chloe is having a busy time of it following Paul's announcement that Lassiter's will have a Mardi Gras float, and moans to Pierce about it. However, she adds that no-one's more invested in the float than she is, because...
CHLOE: My brother's gay, and I put the 'B' in LGBTQI!
Pierce tells Chloe not to take Paul's micromanagement of the project to heart; but Chloe says Paul doesn't trust her to get it right. However, she plans to hit Paul with a great idea for the float - 'something epic'. Hendrix comes in, still smiling and holding Clementine, and heads for a shower. Chloe notes how positive Hendrix seems.
No 26
Yashvi is visiting Dipi in the garden, while Gary is barbecuing some sausages for breakfast. Yashvi says she won't hear back about her police exam results till the end of the week, but has a good feeling.
DIPI: I guess life is a lot clearer when you know what you want.
YASHVI: I miss you at home. So does Dad.
DIPI: I miss you, too. But I have to be here, honey - you know that, don't you?
YASHVI: I guess.
DIPI: It's giving me space to get my head around things.
Sheila and Clive appear, talking about a short trip to New Zealand he's making. He's trying to convince Sheila to go with him, but with Dipi in earshot, Sheila quickly changes the subject to her ideas for the Mardi Gras float. Yashvi looks displeased at how chummy Dipi and Gary are becoming, as they chat about tips for cooking mushrooms.
No 30
Shane and Toadie have just finished breakfast when Mackenzie calls round; she asks if Toadie would be free for a coffee sometime, as she's thinking of going into law and wanted to run a few things by him. Toadie suggests they catch up later today once school's over, and Mackenzie agrees.
Mackenzie asks Shane how he's been since Dipi moved out; Shane tells her not to worry, as Dipi will be home soon and everything will be fine. But Yashvi comes in, and tells Shane that Dipi seems 'settled' and 'comfortable' at No 26.
YASHVI: Gary and Sheila are treating her like a queen, and she's loving it. Don't think she's gonna come home any time soon.
Erinsborough High School
Harlow tells Mackenzie that she's left some cue cards at home, explaining that Hendrix came round and distracted her while she was packing her bag.
HARLOW: I mean, who visits a cat without a shirt on, actually?
MACKENZIE: Who gets distracted by someone without a shirt on?
HARLOW: What is that supposed to mean?
MACKENZIE: We both know you have a thing for Hendrix.
HARLOW: I do not have a thing!
MACKENZIE: What are you gonna call it, then? A crush? A yearning? A burning desire?
HARLOW: Okay, fine - a thing. It's a thing.
Mackenzie suggests that Harlow keep her distance from Hendrix if he's going to distract her. But at this moment Hendrix appears behind them.
HARLOW: Glad to see you've got a shirt on.
HENDRIX: Yeah. I have to go to the uniform shop, though - this one's getting a bit tight, the more I bulk up.
He flexes his muscles showily.
HENDRIX: I did four sets of fifty push-ups this morning. Barely felt it.
To demonstrate, Hendrix leaps onto the floor and starts doing more push-ups.
HARLOW: What are you doing?
HENDRIX: What does it look like I'm doing?
HARLOW: Well, it actually looks like you're making a muppet of yourself.
Harlow and Mackenzie walk off, and Hendrix laughs.
No 26
Shane comes to see Dipi.
SHANE: I know you've needed the space; that's why I haven't come round. But it has been a little while. And I'd really like to talk, if you're ready for that?
Dipi lets Shane in.
SHANE: So... how are ya?
DIPI: ... Fine.
SHANE: I've been doing a lot of thinking. About the choices I've made. About not listening to you when I should've. I've lost your trust, and I need to get that back for us to work this out.
But at that point, Gary comes in, jabbering on about mushrooms again. He quickly leaves again when he realises Shane's here.
DIPI: Shane, what you've said means a lot.... but I need more time.
She follows Gary into the kitchen, and Shane looks despondent.
Ramsay Street
Chloe is moaning to Elly and Pierce about Paul not liking her ideas for Mardi Gras; she emailed him five pitches this morning and he knocked them all back. They encourage her to keep trying. At this point, Sheila comes over, saying she's had a few ideas of her own for the float.
SHEILA: You look up 'Cranky Granny' online; I am a gay icon. And it should all be about your beautiful community, that'll be gold. You know, 'Everyone's welcome at Lassiter's'. That's the story you want to get across.
Sheila promises to put her ideas in an email, then bids them goodbye. Chloe tells Pierce that Sheila's ideas are 'perfect'.
Meanwhile, Harlow is running back to the house to retrieve her cue cards. Gary sees she's in a rush and offers to give her a lift back to school once she's got them. Harlow thanks him.
GARY: Have you heard anything from your mum yet?
HARLOW: I'm trying to let it go. But you know, your advice really helped, when you said that she's still thinking of me, even though she's not in touch.
GARY: Glad I could help.
Shane is hanging around outside No 30 looking glum, and Toadie comes to join him. Shane complains that his chat with Dipi was going okay until Gary showed up. Shane heads over to talk to Gary.
SHANE: I want you to convince Dipi to come home.
GARY: Oh, no, that's up to her, mate. I just... I just don't want to get involved.
SHANE: Come on, put yourself in my shoes. Imagine if it was your missus shacked up with some bloke -
GARY: Oh, no, there's no shackin' up!
SHANE: You know what I mean, Gary.
GARY: Well, I don't, actually - and this is why I wanna stay out of it, cos I don't wanna get involved or have an opinion!
Shane looks annoyed as Gary walks off.
Lassiter's
Chloe is working in the office, when Pierce comes in with coffees. Chloe explains she's sent Paul the pitch that Sheila outlined to her, but as an experiment, didn't tell him that it was Sheila's idea. She's not trying to take the credit, but wanted to check what Paul's reaction would be if he thought it came from Chloe herself.
PIERCE: And what did he say?
CHLOE: It was a straight 'no'. Anyway, then I clarified it was Sheila's idea, and attached the email she sent.
Paul then texts Chloe, telling her that another, separate round of ideas she's had are 'pedestrian', but that 'on second reading of Sheila's concept, I believe she's on the mark. That's the direction to go in'.
CHLOE: He hated it when he thought it came from me! As soon as he finds out it's her idea -
PIERCE: So, call him on it! Mardi Gras isn't your only opportunity to prove yourself.
CHLOE: You're right. What's to stop me launching something that's totally my own concept? Time to get cracking.
Erinsborough High School
Hendrix accidentally-on-purpose bumps into Harlow, who's in the corridor with Mackenzie. Hendrix claims it was because he was too busy reading a book of poetry by John Donne.
HARLOW: It's pronounced 'Dunn'. So, what's your favourite?
HENDRIX: I dog-eared a few that I thought you might like.
He hands her the book, and walks off.
MACKENZIE: Poetry?!
HARLOW: Yeah, I know, right? That boy has never read a book in his life, let alone a sixteenth-century metaphysical anthology.
MACKENZIE: I mean, the topless drop-ins, the push-ups, the poems - it sounds like *he's* into *you*.
HARLOW: No, he despises me. There's got to be another reason... He knows!
MACKENZIE: Knows what?
HARLOW: About my... my thing.
MACKENZIE: (...) I didn't tell him anything, I swear!
Harlow realises Hendrix must have been privy to Karl's misunderstanding about her crush, and put two and two together - now he's using it to wind her up.
HARLOW: He's not getting away with this.
We cut to the classroom, where Hendrix asks Harlow how she's getting on with the poetry book.
HENDRIX: I put a lot of thought into what you might like. I've been... thinking about that a lot.
Harlow gets up close to him, while Mackenzie watches from a distance, smiling.
HARLOW: You know, I did read one of them.
She quotes a passage from John Donne's 'To His Mistress Going to Bed', but swaps 'madam' for 'sir' in the first line.
HARLOW: 'Come, sir, come, all rest my powers defy,
Until I labour, I in labour lie.'
HENDRIX: What's that?
HARLOW: It's Donne, silly. It's probably one of his most seductive poems.
She quotes another section, right up close to Hendrix, while fiddling with the top button on his shirt!
HARLOW: 'Unpin that spangled breastplate which you wear,
That th'eyes of busy fools may be stopped there.
Unlace yourself, for that harmonious chime
Tells me from you that now it is bed time.'
Hendrix is speechless, and a little rattled!
HARLOW: What do you think?
HENDRIX: It's... it's poetic, yeah.
Harlow's still right in his face.
HARLOW: You know, I haven't thanked you yet for the anthology you got me.
HENDRIX: Umm, you don't have to say thanks, it's...
She whispers in his ear...
HARLOW: I wasn't thinking about saying *anything*.
Hendrix is left all flustered, as Harlow gets up and rejoins a laughing Mackenzie. Hendrix looks awkward.
No 26
In the garden, Clive is still trying to persuade Sheila to come to New Zealand with him, by mentioning the prospect of business class.
SHEILA: That is a cruel carrot to dangle before me, Clive Gibbons.
Dipi appears, and asks what they're talking about. Clive explains about his trip, which is for a work conference in Auckland. Dipi tells Sheila she has to go with him, but Sheila is reluctant to leave just now; Dipi correctly guesses it's because of her.
DIPI: Nonsense, I'll be fine.
SHEILA: Yeah, I don't want to leave you in the lurch.
DIPI: You're not leaving me in the lurch. Be selfish! You deserve it!
Gary takes Sheila aside for a word.
GARY: You can't go. Shane is not happy about me and Dipi being under the same roof. And you going would only make it worse!
SHEILA: If Dipi's happy for me to go, that's good enough for me.
Sheila tells Clive she wants to go with him to New Zealand, and kisses him. Gary looks worried.
Erinsborough High School
As the rest of the class leaves the room, Harlow offers to tell Hendrix about another one of her favourite poems.
HENDRIX (awkwardly): Ah, if you've heard one, you've heard 'em all!
He drops a pencil, so Harlow picks it up for him, and again gets very close.
HENDRIX: We need to get to maths, so...
HARLOW: Oh, well, let's just skip it.
HENDRIX: But you never skip class!
HARLOW: I do when it's worth it.
She has him backed up against the wall of the classroom!
HENDRIX: What are you doing?
She grabs him by the neck, as if about to kiss him.
HARLOW: What do you want me to do?
HENDRIX: No, no, no - not that. Not that!
HARLOW: Why not? The push-ups, the poetry - you half-naked at my house. I thought you were into it.
HENDRIX: I'm not, okay? I'm not! Not at all. Karl said some things, and I thought you were into me. So I was playing you this whole time. I'm... I'm sorry. Harlow, umm... I'm sorry.
Hendrix looks worried that he's upset her, but Harlow bursts out laughing.
HARLOW: That was way too easy! I mean, seriously - when was the last time you read a poem that wasn't in a public bathroom stall?
HENDRIX: What, so you don't - ?
HARLOW: No! No, I am not into you! And you know, the next time you try and stitch me up, try and be a bit more subtle about it, okay?
Ramsay Street
Sheila is telling Toadie and Shane about her trip to New Zealand with Clive, and leaves Shane in charge of The Waterhole while she's gone. Toadie points out that Dipi is really leaning on Sheila at the moment, but Sheila says Dipi is strong and doesn't need her around. However, Shane looks really angry as Sheila heads over to get in the taxi and say goodbye to Dipi and Gary.
No 24
Pierce comes home to find Hendrix in a far less positive mood than this morning.
PIERCE: Hey, I'm proud of you, mate - the way you've been getting on with everything.
HENDRIX: I went to school. Give me a medal (!)
PIERCE: Have you heard from your mum?
HENDRIX: I texted.
PIERCE: And how was that?
HENDRIX: It was fine. She uses too many emojis. Have you seen the cat?
Hendrix goes to look for Clementine in his room. Chloe remarks to Pierce is less chipper than he was earlier, but hasn't said anything to her about why.
CHLOE: Do you think it could be about Lisa? Or me?
PIERCE: I dunno. But whatever was good this morning isn't so great now.
Chloe goes back to moaning about Paul's criticism of her ideas.
CHLOE: When have I ever been 'pedestrian'?
PIERCE: Don't let him knock your confidence, alright? You've come up with great concepts before - why not now?
Hendrix re-emerges from his room, and says he's going out to look for Clementine. Chloe offers him help, but he glumly replies, 'no thanks'. Once he's gone, Pierce opines that there's more bothering Hendrix than his search for the cat.
Ramsay Street
Hendrix is calling for Clementine when Chloe emerges.
CHLOE: Why did you brush your dad off before?
HENDRIX: Uh, wasn't in the mood to talk. I'm still not.
CHLOE: Hendrix, what was one of the conditions that we set when you moved back home?
HENDRIX: Three-minute showers?
CHLOE: Total honesty. If there's something going on, we need you to be able to talk to us. You're not, umm, still thinking about me, are you?
HENDRIX: What? No, no, no!
CHLOE: Cos if you are, that stuff is better out in the open.
Harlow is approaching, and overhears this. She decides to intervene to spare Hendrix any further awkward conversation.
HARLOW: Hey, how crazy was maths today? I mean, you look as stressed as I felt! We had this surprise maths assessment, and everyone was flipping out.
HENDRIX: Yeah.
CHLOE: Is that what this is all about?
HENDRIX: Yeah. First week back, and I, umm... I just didn't want Dad to think I couldn't handle it.
CHLOE: Well, that's the sort of stuff you can talk to us about! I mean, I wouldn't be any help, because I suck at maths. But... don't let that stop you!
Hendrix promises to remember that for next time, and Chloe goes back inside.
HENDRIX: Why'd you do that?
HARLOW: I dunno. I guess I was feeling a bit sorry for you. Look, I understand this whole situation with Chloe isn't the easiest. So I thought I'd give you a break.
HENDRIX: As long as, uh, you don't think that this means I owe you one.
HARLOW: Please. The last thing I need is for you to be following me around like a little puppy-dog, thinking you owe me, okay?
HENDRIX: Good to know, Posh Spice!
HARLOW: Oh, could you be any less original?!
No 26
Gary has made tea for himself and Dipi (hopefully it's not Full Salute!), and they're just sitting down to enjoy it when a worked-up Shane appears at the door.
SHANE: Okay, Dip, look - whatever it is, whatever your terms, you just need to come home now.
DIPI: We talked about this, Shane - I thought you understood.
SHANE: No, I did, but that was when Sheila was here. And now it's just you and him, and... I'm not okay with that!
DIPI: What is that supposed to mean?!
SHANE: ...
DIPI: You cannot be serious!
SHANE: Please - please, just come home.
DIPI: *You* don't trust *me*?!
SHANE: Please come home.
DIPI: You - you, the guy who lied about the extramarital kiss?! Get out, Shane.
A crestfallen Shane hesitates, before obeying. Gary looks worried.
No 30
Mackenzie has come round for her chat with Toadie, as discussed. She asks him about family law; he says it's very rewarding, but also gruelling; you'd need a thick skin. Mackenzie thinks she'd be okay with that.
An agitated Shane comes in, and Yashvi, who's on the sofa, asks if he's okay.
SHANE: I've messed up. I've really messed up.
No 26
A tearful Dipi is confiding in Gary.
DIPI: How can Shane expect me to trust him again, when he never trusted me in the first place?
GARY: I'm not sure.
DIPI: I thought we were stronger than this.
No 30
Toadie tells Shane that he and Dipi have been married for 20 years - they're rock-solid. So whatever it is, they'll be able to fix it.
SHANE: No. You didn't see the look on her face.
No 26
Dipi tearfully tells Gary that she and Shane have 'completely lost our way'. He moves over to the sofa to give her a hug.
No 30
Shane tells Toadie, Yashvi and Mackenzie...
SHANE: I just don't see how we can come back from here.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Kyle is giving Bianca CPR by the pool at No 32
- Karl and Susan ask a shifty Bea and Finn if Kyle is seeing someone
- Toadie tells Ned, 'you're not gonna believe this'
- Elly says to David, 'you're kidding me?'
- Karl tells Shane and Toadie he lives next door, and offers to keep an ear out
- Gary tells Dipi he doesn't want to make things worse; she replies, 'me neither'
- Shane confrontationally tells Gary he's here to talk to his wife
- Elly asks Finn if he's okay, and if something bad has happened
