Previously
- Bea is hurt when Yashvi tells her that Levi thought she was 'too much baggage' to date
- After he has a seizure, Levi is forced to tell his family that his epilepsy never went away
- Kyle tells Ned not to send his Fandangle subscriber the requested video, but it's already done
- Ned tells Kyle that he's planning to come clean to Yashvi about the video while they're away
- But later, Ned gets a text from the subscriber, telling him they've come to the same place
- The subscriber tells Ned to meet him at sunrise unless he wants his secrets exposed
- When Ned arrives at the meeting point, he finds his subscriber is none other than Scarlett Brady
Holiday Retreat
Horrified by the sight of Scarlett, Ned has a flashback to his encounter with her in the maze last year - during which Scarlett insisted they were Meant To Be Together™, then stabbed him with a cheese knife! Back in the present, Ned still can't believe his eyes.
SCARLETT: Ned. It's nice to see you in the flesh. Well, the actual flesh, not - you know - the other thing.
Ned's about to leave, but...
SCARLETT: Where are you going? Don't you want to know why I've done all this?
NED (angry): Why you've been lying to me? Stalking me?
SCARLETT: I'm not stalking you! You're an artist, I'm a fan.
NED: You're crazy.
SCARLETT: No, I'm not. Okay, last year, things got a bit out of hand. I know that now, but I'm better. Psych wards - totally recommend.
NED: Whatever reason you've got for doing this, whatever you think is gonna happen between us, it's not.
SCARLETT: Oh my god, Ned, get over yourself. I'm engaged!
She shows off an engagement ring on her finger.
A road somewhere
Kyle and Roxy are driving towards the holiday retreat where they're staying with Ned and Yashvi. Kyle wants to visit the Blue Lotus Water Garden and a museum in a train station, but Roxy is bored by these suggestions, and is only interested in visiting wineries.
Conversation turns to Ned and his Fandangle subscriber; Kyle says he'd be freaking out if 'some loony' had his phone number and knew where he'd gone on holiday. Roxy suggests Kyle get the latest news from Ned when they arrive, while she makes amends with Yashvi over Roxy's involvement in keeping Shane's drug addiction secret.
KYLE: You haven't done that yet?
ROXY: No. I haven't found the right time.
KYLE: Rox, you said you were gonna do it before we got up here.
ROXY: Yeah, but then I figured, group holiday, perfect timing.
KYLE: Why, cos she can't get away from you?
ROXY: Exactly.
Kyle smiles and shakes his head.
Holiday Retreat
Ned is still with Scarlett, who is telling him about her engagement.
SCARLETT: His name's Basil. We met just after I was released. He has a certain... maturity. Plus, he's really rich. Mining - terrible for the planet, great for my credit card! I'm finally living the life I deserve. We chat, we walk along the beach, we garden together. He's everything I need.
NED: Then why go to all this trouble with Fandangle?
SCARLETT: I saw your username - NDW. The same initials inscribed on your sketchbook. Then I recognised your tattoos and I knew it was you. Ned, I love your art - I do, that's why I'm here. I want to give Basil the ultimate wedding present - a portrait of me, painted by you.
Ned shakes his head and backs away from her.
NED: No way.
SCARLETT: See, I thought you might say that. Which is why I got you to send me that last video. You'd hate for that bad boy to get out, wouldn't you?
NED: My face isn't in that video.
SCARLETT: No, but your tattoos are. And your family and friends would know it was you if it dropped in their inbox, not to mention Yashvi. How embarrassing!
NED: Why are you doing this to me if you've moved on? Why not pick any other artist?
SCARLETT: I don't like the way things ended between us. This could be closure - for you and me.
NED: This is twisted. That's what this is.
SCARLETT (smiling): Well, that's me. How about this? I'll give you twenty-four hours to make up your mind. And don't mention it to Vee, or anyone else. I always loved having our little secrets.
Ned looks horrified as Scarlett walks away.
No 26
In the garden, Levi is lying in a deckchair. Sheila turns up and accuses him of 'lounging around', but Levi says he can't go to work until his medical results get back - so in the meantime, he's a free agent. Sheila suggests he get up and do something, such as exercise.
SHEILA: Or you could always find yourself a girlfriend. A real one, perhaps.
But Levi is content with sitting around sulking. He tells Sheila there's nothing he can do to change the fact that he's going to get fired for failing to inform the police about his epilepsy.
LEVI: You know what ex-cops do? Security. My future consists of pulling up sixteen-year-olds with fake IDs. What a life.
Sheila looks frustrated.
Holiday Retreat
Ned has got back to the villa the gang are staying at, and is jumpy when Yashvi approaches, asking where he's been. He claims he's been out to check out potential activities for them to do today.
At this point, Kyle and Roxy arrive, still arguing about whether they are going to the Blue Lotus Water Garden.
ROXY: Me and Yashers will be too busy checking out the boutiques I saw down the street.
Ned suggests they all go, but Roxy insists it's a 'girls-only activity', saying she and Yashvi will meet the boys later to 'drink the arvo away'.
After Roxy and Yashvi leave, Kyle asks Ned if he went to meet up with his Fandangle fan. Ned claims he only called the fan.
NED: Turns out he just wanted to hear my voice.
KYLE: Really? So that's all? The whole meet-and-greet threat was bogus?
NED: I told him he was being too intense, and he said he'd back off.
KYLE: And I'm guessing by how chill Vee is that you haven't told her about the video?
NED: No, not yet.
Kyle offers to take Roxy for a hike, to give Ned and Yashvi some space to discuss it. Ned thanks him, and suggests they go for some food. Kyle agrees, but Ned looks worried as they walk off.
Lassiter's Complex
Bea is walking into the courtyard with David. David tells Bea that Aaron has been giving Chloe and Pierce some space following Chloe's miscarriage. Bea says that Elly is really 'feeling the distance' since hearing the news, and wants to be there for Chloe.
Sheila turns up and asks Bea if she could go over to see Levi, explaining he needs cheering up.
BEA: I don't really think I'm the best person for that.
SHEILA: What, just because your fake relationship got called off, you've washed your hands of him entirely, just like the police have?
BEA: Sheila, that's not what I meant.
SHEILA: Well, can't you just go over and give him a boost? He's convinced he's gonna lose his job, and nothing I say seems to make it any better. He really needs a friend, Bea.
Bea agrees to call in, and Sheila is pleased. In the meantime, Sheila says, she's going to 'handle the hold-up' with Levi's job. David queries whether this is a good idea.
SHEILA: Someone has to put a rocket up the backside of those pencil pushers.
DAVID: They're medical experts. You want them to take their time with Levi's evaluation.
SHEILA: What's there to evaluate? My grandson is a brilliant cop - end of story.
Sheila huffs off.
No 26
Bea has arrived to see Levi, who is still in the garden in his deckchair, on the pretext that she needs his help with something. Levi says he's busy, but then grudgingly relents. But no sooner is he up off the chair, than Bea has shoved him to the floor with one of her newly learned Krav Maga moves! She stands there laughing at him.
LEVI: Was that for the baggage comment?
BEA: No, I'm over that now.
LEVI: So, you're attacking me because...?
BEA: Because I just wanted to give you a taste (...) of what the rest of our day looks like. You and I, we're gonna train together.
LEVI: What, you've got nothing better to do?
BEA: No. And by the sounds of it, neither do you.
Levi laughs.
Holiday Retreat
Roxy and Yashvi are walking back to the villa after their shopping trip; Roxy has bought Yashvi a pair of shoes that she liked while they were exploring the boutiques. Yashvi is surprised, as they were really expensive.
ROXY: Consider it an early birthday present. Or a late birthday present. I don't know when your birthday is.
YASHVI: ... Thanks.
ROXY: They look really cute on you, and you loved them. And you're a cop, you're running on your feet all the time...
YASHVI: Roxy...
ROXY: What?
YASHVI: You're being extra nice to me to try and win me over?
ROXY: Yes, I am. Is it working?
YASHVI: You don't need to be.
ROXY: Your dad's life was falling apart and I said nothing.
YASHVI: Cos he told you not to.
ROXY: Yeah, still - I copped a blast from your mum. I can handle yours as well.
YASHVI: I'm not gonna blast you.
ROXY: Not even a little bit?
YASHVI: You obviously feel bad, and Dad didn't put you in an easy position (...) I came here to forget about all of that. So let's put a line under it. We're good.
ROXY: Are you sure?
YASHVI: Yes. But I'm keeping the shoes.
Roxy laughs. Yashvi gets a text saying Kyle and Ned want to meet them back at the villa, but while she's looking at her phone, Roxy briefly sees Scarlett in the street ahead of them, before she disappears out of sight down a path. Roxy's about to tell Yashvi, but then decides against it, perhaps assuming she's imagined it.
Lassiter's Complex
Sheila is standing outside the police station, shouting into a megaphone at the bemused police extras inside.
SHEILA (shouting): Any seizure small or great, you should not discriminate!
A makeshift placard nearby reads 'Levi stops corrupt cops'! Paul and Terese approach, wondering what all the noise is about.
PAUL: You are disturbing the peace and quiet of our guests!
SHEILA: That's the point, 'Bags. This is a protest. I need to stand my ground because nobody in there will speak to me.
Sheila's determined to hurry up the police decision on Levi's medical exam, but Terese suggests that Levi might not be too happy with Sheila haranguing his colleagues like this, and Paul says the police won't be swayed by her protest. Nonetheless, she continues to shout through the megaphone as policemen emerge and look at her with bewilderment.
Holiday Retreat
Ned, Yashvi, Roxy and Kyle are having a meal on the terrace, but Ned is still very distracted thinking about Scarlett. Roxy is still drinking, which annoys Kyle as she said she would be the designated driver.
ROXY (laughs): I am funny, aren't I?
While Kyle and Yashvi go inside, Roxy tells Ned that she thought she saw Scarlett in the town before. She's laughing at how ridiculous that sounds, when Ned surprises her by telling her that Scarlett is here.
NED: I'm freaking out.
Lassiter's Park
Bea and Levi are engaged in a Krag Maga training montage. Levi announces he's 'spent'.
BEA: Well, you would've been feeling a whole lot worse if we'd faced off like I wanted!
LEVI: I told you, we've got to stick to the basics - I'm still learning.
BEA: Translation - you didn't want to get annihilated again.
Bea pushes Levi to admit he's feeling a little better for their workout, and he admits he is.
BEA: Good. And you're welcome.
LEVI: I just wish I didn't care about this whole thing as much as I do. Being a cop is everything to me. It's all I am.
BEA: Levi, there is so much more to people than just their job.
LEVI: Not me. Being a cop is hardwired into me. Without it - who am I?
Bea tells him that he doesn't know what will happen, and that assuming the worst won't help.
BEA: The best thing to do is just stay positive, until life tells you it's not an option any more. And you can trust me on that. Because I'm the one with all the baggage!
Levi smiles.
Holiday Retreat
Ned has been telling Roxy about Scarlett's demands. Roxy declares that the situation is crazy, and that Scarlett is insane.
ROXY: I am going to put in a call to whatever psych ward let her loose, because they didn't do their job. You need to call the cops.
NED: And say what? I mean, she hasn't even done anything wrong yet. Everything she has on me, I gave to her.
ROXY: She's threatening to put out the video!
NED: No cops. Imagine how that'd be for Yashvi. If I upset Scarlett, she's just gonna make my life even worse.
ROXY: So what? You're just gonna say yes - you're gonna paint her portrait? (...) She is messing with you, Ned. That's what she does. There's no way that she just wants a painting. This old fiancé guy, he probably doesn't even exist.
NED: Then what's her angle?
ROXY: I'm gonna talk to her.
NED: No.
ROXY: Yes!
NED: No! You know what she's capable of. You cannot go anywhere near her!
ROXY: I'm gonna find out what she's up to, I'm gonna make sure that she knows you have people looking out for you.
NED: No, please, Roxy - Scarlett said no-one's to know. I do not want you being involved.
The Waterhole
Terese is working at a table when Sheila comes in from her protest. Sheila tells Terese that the senior sergeant won't reinstate Levi until all the medical papers are approved.
SHEILA: Protocols and procedures my foot! It's all ridiculous red tape. There must be something I can do for him. Oh, and don't look at me like that. You know damn well if it was one of your kids, you'd be onto the police commissioner straight away!
TERESE: That would still be better than a one-woman protest. Come on, Sheila - things will work themselves out soon. You've just got to wait.
Holiday Retreat
Ned and Roxy rejoin Kyle and Yashvi for a wine-tasting session on the terrace. Roxy corrals them all for a group photo, as a pretext to get her hands on Ned's phone, as it 'has a better camera'. Yashvi gives her the PIN to get into it; Ned's surprised she knows it!
YASHVI: I've got to know these things in case it comes in handy, like if you lie to me.
While the others gather for the photo, Roxy quickly texts Scarlett from Ned's phone, asking if they can meet up.
Shortly afterwards, Scarlett arrives at the rendezvous point, and is surprised to find Roxy there, rather than Ned.
ROXY: Ned doesn't know I used his phone. He hasn't told anyone.
SCARLETT: Oh, except you.
ROXY: The only reason he said something was because I saw you in town.
SCARLETT: So what? Have you come here to scare me off?
ROXY: I want to know what your game is.
SCARLETT: Excuse me?
ROXY: You've gone to all this trouble to get to Ned, making up this sugar daddy story.
SCARLETT: I didn't make up Basil.
ROXY: Well, prove it. Cos to me, it sounds like a bizarre trick to make Ned believe you're over him.
So Scarlett shows Roxy a picture of her and Basil at their engagement party. Roxy says the photo could be doctored.
SCARLETT: Listen, there is no game. I want the portrait - that's it.
ROXY: Are you sure you don't want to knife him in the middle of it?
SCARLETT: I'm not looking to do anything that could get me locked up again.
ROXY: Then maybe you shouldn't go around threatening people.
SCARLETT: I have no desire to hurt Ned. If I wanted that, I would've released the video already, wouldn't I?
ROXY: That's true. So what, you just want a painting?
SCARLETT: It's not entirely innocent, but it's all the revenge I need.
ROXY: How does that work?
SCARLETT: Ned ruined my life. I want to look at his portrait of me every day as a reminder.
ROXY: Of what?
SCARLETT: That in the end, I won.
Harold's Café
Levi and Bea are at a table, arranging further training sessions. He thanks her for 'kicking my butt into gear today', saying he needed it.
LEVI: I would've totally understood if you wanted nothing to do with me again. Especially after what I said.
BEA: Yeah, well - lucky I'm so forgiving. And awesome.
LEVI: I'm starting to see that.
BEA: Well, since they always say to leave them wanting more, I should get home.
They agree to meet up again for another session tomorrow. Levi smiles as Bea leaves.
Holiday Retreat
Yashvi and Ned are on the balcony of the villa, apparently after a massage session. Ned looks as if he's about to tell Yashvi about Scarlett, when Roxy shows up and interrupts. She claims she has developed a rash at the sauna she's supposedly been to, and wants to borrow Ned to have a look at it ('a quick check-up between family')! Yashvi goes inside for a shower.
NED: I don't want to look at your rash.
ROXY: I don't have a rash, you doofus. I need to talk to you. Have you told Vee?
NED: No. I was trying to, but the truth is so much worse than yesterday.
ROXY: Good. Even though I literally just apologised for keeping things from her, I'm starting to think the less she knows, the better (...) I met up with Scarlett.
NED: Rox! I told you not to!
ROXY: (...) She didn't try to kill me, which is a win! She was actually kind of calm. I don't know if it says more about me - but I get where she's coming from (...) I believe her. Yes, this is about revenge -
NED: She stabbed me!
ROXY: I know, but I think she'll stick to her word. If you do this, she will be out of your life for good.
Ned doesn't want to be around Scarlett, as it will bring back all the memories. Roxy says that he could tell Yashvi everything and ignore Scarlett - but if the painting will get Scarlett out of his life, it might be worth it.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Karl asks Toadie whether he's going to tell Rose's husband James about her looking at his files
- Rose is on the phone to someone, asking why her accounts are frozen
- Kyle teasingly observes to Levi that he won't shut up about Bea
- Levi asks Yashvi if 'she' mentioned anything else; Yashvi tells him Bea's totally over him
- We hear Clive saying Levi's not cured, and he can't have it on his conscience to say otherwise
- But Sheila appears to be accessing Clive's laptop and looking at the medical report...