Previously
- Sheila 2 reveals to Paul that she's been given access to the real financial data from the Hive
- Paul asks Ned if he's responsible for leaking the data
- Sheila 2 thanks Ned for leaking the data
- Sheila 2 gives Sheila 1 a gift to show there's no hard feelings between them
- Bea apologises to Sheila 2 for taking the file she had on Ned
- Sheila 2 has left a bad review for the garage, leading Bea to worry that Lucas will be annoyed
- Levi tells Bea she'll have to talk to Lucas; she agrees she will
- But it's Levi who Lucas bumps into first, and Levi inadvertently reveals Bea stole Sheila 2's file
- As a result, Lucas fires Bea from the garage
Fitzgerald Motors
Bea is angry, and we can tell because she's loudly rearranging spanners. Levi is the focus of her ire, as she accuses him of 'ratting her out' to Lucas about stealing the file from Sheila 2.
BEA: I'm not even surprised! Of course you threw me under the bus.
LEVI: Bea, come on!
BEA: No! You dobbed Kyle in for the mushrooms. It's just what you do.
LEVI: Oh, that isn't fair, babe.
BEA: Isn't it?!
Levi tries to explain that he thought Lucas already knew about what happened with the file, and that Lucas played along as if he knew. Bea says Levi should have anticipated Lucas pumping him for information.
LEVI: I told him that you had a good reason for taking it, and that you already apologised to Sheila. I'm really sorry, babe. I stuffed up.
BEA: 'Sorry' isn't gonna get me my job back. I just wish you'd stayed out of it.
She's right, Levi. 'Sorry' won't turn back time.
Erinsborough Hive
Sheila 2 is painting, while Ned watches. He tells her there's an exhibition in Collingwood that they should check out. Sheila 2 has heard it's really good, and wants to go and see it.
SHEILA 2: Seeing shows like that makes me so excited about relaunching this place. If you're keen to manage it, still?
NED: Yeah. There's a tonne of stuff I want to do, actually. Not that I'm counting my chickens.
SHEILA 2: Oh, don't worry. Paul's going to accept my lower offer. I always get what I want, Ned.
NED: Funnily enough, that's what he says as well.
Sheila 2 shows Ned a picture that Sheila 1 has just sent her (we don't see it).
NED: I didn't know you could do that with a lobster cracker!
SHEILA 2 (fondly): Oh, she reminds me of my nan. It feels like I've known her for years.
No 26
Levi is telling Kyle, Sheila 1 and Roxy about his faux pas with Lucas leading to Bea getting fired. Kyle thinks it wasn't his fault, but Roxy agrees with Levi that he should've stayed out of it! Levi tells them about Sheila 2 removing the bad review she'd originally left.
SHEILA 1: That's because Sheila's a saint.
Sheila 1 is sure that Bea will calm down, and things will be fine with Levi.
But Levi's worried that he and Bea keep clashing - over the mushrooms, Karl and Olivia, Ned and Scarlett... Bea doesn't think Levi's on her side, he says. Kyle thinks Levi should text or call Bea, but Roxy thinks he should probably just leave it for tonight. Sheila 1 agrees; Bea needs some space to let it sink in.
Harold's Café
Bea is chatting to Karl, Susan and Toadie about her newly unemployed status. She's not sure what she will do next, and is worried Lucas won't give her a glowing reference, but Toadie thinks he'll maybe come round.
KARL: With all your spare time now, you can focus on the podcast with me!
BEA: Yay (!)
Bea and Susan exchange a glance. Toadie gets a message, and Karl remarks that he's popular tonight. Toadie shiftily says it's just work matters.
SUSAN: Hey, did you sort out your possum situation?
TOADIE: ... Yes. Yeah, absolutely. Yep. All sorted.
Toadie has now got a message from Levi, asking if he could speak to Lucas and ask him to give Bea her job back.
BEA: Why didn't he ask *me* first?
TOADIE: So that's a no?
BEA: Oh, well, it couldn't hurt. Thank you, Toadie.
TOADIE: Anything I can do to help.
SUSAN: I'm sure Levi means well.
BEA: I know. But I just want him to stay out of my business.
No 22
Terese and Chloe are having a work session, when Terese gets the report from the forensic IT firm that was tasked with investigating who leaked the Hive financial data.
TERESE: It was Ned! (...) He plugged in a USB and copied the files across.
CHLOE: Yikes. Ned!
TERESE: Paul's gonna be furious.
CHLOE: Does he have to know?
TERESE: Oh, come on, Chloe - I can't wish it away.
CHLOE: No, but at least talk to Ned first. Paul is definitely gonna lose it, and he is not in the best headspace right now.
TERESE: Yeah, and it's not just about work. He's devastated that Harlow's moved out.
CHLOE: Then maybe you should keep it to yourself. To protect Paul, as much as Ned.
Terese looks conflicted.
Lassiter's Complex
The next day, Levi and Kyle are walking through the courtyard when they come across Bea. Levi apologises again, but she says it's fine - they should just move on. Bea wants to do some work on her podcast today, and asks if Kyle could keep Karl busy again, to keep him away!
KYLE: Nah, it's your turn. I had him yesterday!
BEA: Please, Kyle.
LEVI: Cous...
KYLE: Please don't make me do it, okay? I can't do two days in a row.
LEVI: (stares)
KYLE (sighs): Fine. Beats me how Susan's put up with him for so long.
Toadie appears.
TOADIE: Because they love each other, and the bickering is some kind of mating ritual.
KYLE: Yuck.
BEA: Ugh, I don't want that in my head right now.
Levi unsubtly tries to ascertain whether Toadie's had any luck with the favour he asked him (changing Lucas's mind on firing Bea). But Bea reveals she already knows about this.
TOADIE: I spoke with him just before, and unfortunately, he's not budging.
BEA: That's alright. I didn't have much hope anyway.
LEVI: Wait, wait. What about if I spoke to Lucas?
BEA: No! No, that's not happening.
LEVI: Babe, I'll just make sure everything -
BEA (shouting): Levi, just let it be!
Bea apologises, then heads off to meet Susan. Toadie and Levi look awkward, and Kyle remarks Levi has a bit of work to do to make things right with Bea. Levi says he's not giving up hope yet.
Erinsborough Hive
Sheila 2 is doing a painting of a butterfly, and tears are rolling down her cheeks. Ned appears behind her, and remarks that she's in early.
SHEILA 2: I woke up thinking about this painting.
NED: I'm ready to kick off when you are.
He notices she's upset.
NED: Unless you want to work alone?
SHEILA 2: No, no, no - the company's good.
NED: Are you okay?
SHEILA 2: I swear I could smell lavender in my room this morning. It was my nan's favourite scent.
NED: She sounds like a pretty special woman. Do you want to tell me about her?
Sheila 2 turns to him, so he can see she's been crying. She says she wants to experiment with colour today, so he says he'll fetch the colour charts so they can get started.
The Waterhole
At a table, Bea tells Susan that Toadie has confirmed Lucas won't budge on having fired her. Bea says it's a kick in the guts, but at least she knows she can now just move on. She's decided to take a break before applying for anything else, and focus on the podcast like Karl suggested.
SUSAN: And what about Levi? How are things there?
BEA: Yeah, he's trying to make it up to me.
Levi comes in, and Susan goes to settle the bill with Sheila, while he joins Bea. He offers to buy her another drink, but she wants to go and get started on the podcast. Levi says he's been looking at some job websites, and found some mechanic gigs that would be perfect for Bea.
BEA: I didn't ask you to do that.
LEVI: I know, but there are a couple of good ones, and they're not too far from here, babe. And -
BEA: Levi. Okay, it's really sweet, but you need to back off.
LEVI: Okay. I'm just trying to help.
BEA: I get it, and I appreciate it. But you need to stop.
She promises to call him later, and leaves. Sheila and Susan look sympathetic from the bar.
No 26
Levi returns home and starts whingeing to Roxy, who is randomly dusting, about how all his efforts with Bea are backfiring. Roxy's just offering some advice, when Kyle storms in, moaning about what a 'pain in the butt' Karl is.
KYLE: Karl's giving me fashion advice now. *Karl*! I mean, apparently my clothes aren't formal enough for work.
ROXY: What does he want you to wear? Chinos and boat shoes?
Levi continues to whinge about Bea. Kyle suggests Levi pay someone to get a professional résumé for Bea, and provide moral support by accompanying her to interviews. Levi thinks this is genius, but Roxy calls them both morons.
ROXY: Okay, incoming actual advice. Bea doesn't need or want you to fix this. She needs to figure this out on her own.
Levi continues to whine that he was to blame for her losing her job in the first place. Roxy tells him he's trying too hard, and just to be his 'sweet, supportive self'.
The Waterhole
Sheila 2 comes in with Ned, and greets Sheila 1 in Nyungar, saying (roughly), 'Hello, it's good to see you.' To Ned's surprise, Sheila 1 not only understands but replies in Nyungar, saying hello and asking how Sheila 2 is. Sheila 2 says she's good, and asks for a coffee to go - but Sheila 1 suggests they sit down for a chat together while she's on her break. Ned admits it was his idea.
NED: I noticed how upset you were before.
SHEILA 1: Yeah, and I thought it might help if we talked about it.
Ned leaves them to it, and the Sheilas sit down together; Sheila 1 says Ned told her that Sheila 2 has been thinking a lot about her grandmother.
SHEILA 2: My nan raised me as one of her own after Mum died.
SHEILA 1: Oh, I'm sorry.
SHEILA 2: What's that phrase you use? No parent should ever have to bury their child.
SHEILA 1: ... Must've been tough for you to leave her.
SHEILA 2: Well, everything I've achieved, I owe to her. She was my rock. And she would encourage me to travel, and pave my own way in the world (...) When Nan got sick, we didn't think it'd go downhill so quickly. By the time I realised how serious it was... it was too late. The state borders had shut.
SHEILA 1: And you didn't get to go home?
SHEILA 2 (emotional): Well, I couldn't. I called Nan, to let her know that I loved her so much. And that it was okay - she could go now. Be at peace, you know? She passed away not long after that.
Sheila 2 explains that her nan used to call her her 'bindi bindi', which is the Nyungar word for butterfly - explaining why she was so upset when painting one earlier. This was because Sheila 2 was always 'off fluttering about', she explains.
SHEILA 2: And yet I'd always find a way to come back home. Except for the time she needed me the most. I know Nyungar Boodja (Nyungar Country) calls to me. And I know I need to go back soon. But I don't know how to forgive myself.
A sympathetic Sheila 1 takes her hand.
The Flamingo Bar
Bea arrives to find Levi has bought them drinks. We learn he's summoned her here, and she's keen to know why.
LEVI: I've been trying to fix all your problems, and all I did was smother you. I should've realised that sooner.
BEA: Well, I should've been clearer about what I needed.
Levi says he thought Bea just needed some time to chill, so he's lured her here to do just that, and either to talk or not talk - whatever works for her. Bea suggests a game of bocce, the apex of all Erinsborough social activity; the loser pays for dinner. Bea becomes unaccountably excited as she sets about trouncing Levi at bocce.
The Waterhole
Sheila 2 is working at a table when Ned comes in, and asks if her chat with Sheila 1 helped. She says it did, and thanks him for thinking of it. Sheila 2 asks about Ned's own family, and he gives her a bit of background - but gets himself tied in knots describing the Brad/Lauren/Terese dynamic.
NED: Did I mention it's messy?
SHEILA 2: I'm one wife-stop away from asking you to draw up a family tree. So, what about siblings?
NED: My sisters are a big part of my life, but we're all miles apart at the moment. Imogen's overseas, which I know is really tough on Terese.
SHEILA 2: You care about Terese, don't you?
NED: Yeah, of course. I rocked up here in trouble, personally and financially. She had every right not to take me in, but she did. Gave me a job. Believed in my art, when not many others did.
SHEILA 2: And Paul?
NED: Oh, Paul would do anything to keep Terese happy, and that includes putting up with me! He knows what's good for him. Terese, she... she pushes us all to be better. Everything I have, I have because of her.
The Flamingo Bar
The bocce tournament continues, and Bea is in fits of laughter, finding it hilarious how badly Levi is losing.
LEVI: I love seeing you smile.
BEA: Aww, thanks. It has been a rough week. I'm sorry it's been so tense.
LEVI: No, no, no. It was my fault. I stuffed up, plain and simple.
BEA: No, no. This is not all on you.
LEVI: Look, I've been thinking about what you said earlier, and you're right. We have been having issues. And we just keep clashing over the different ways we look at life. But, babe, I need to be clear-cut on some things, you know? Especially when it involves the people that I love. It's not just my job; it's who I am. Can you ever accept that?
BEA: Well, can you accept that I need to be independent? I need answers to things - and sometimes, it's not always by the book.
LEVI: I guess we just come at life at two different angles.
BEA: I just - I don't think that's ever gonna change.
LEVI: So where does that leave us?
BEA: I honestly don't know.
The Waterhole
Sheila 2 and Ned are laughing and joking about Paul, when Terese walks in. She abruptly tells Ned that she needs a word with him, and they step aside to talk in private. Terese tells Ned about the findings of the IT forensics firm, and that she knows he leaked the Hive financials to Sheila 2. Ned admits it's true.
TERESE: Well, you *can* be honest. I guess it's good to know. You know, Ned, I have agonised all morning to work out what I'm gonna do about it. And I've finally decided that I'm gonna tell Paul.
NED: No, no, Terese -
TERESE: Oh, what, Ned? What?! What could you possibly say to make me change my mind?!
NED: Paul was playing dirty, alright? He was trying to manipulate someone.
TERESE: That is no excuse, I'm sorry, to sabotage your family. And you know that, otherwise you wouldn't have hidden it! Everything that I have done for you, you have thrown back into my face!
NED: I'm sorry, alright? But if you tell Paul, and he finds out it was me for sure, he is going to sack me again, alright? He'll probably kick me out of the house.
TERESE: Yeah, well, you should've thought about that before you went behind his back.
Terese marches away; and having seen the exchange from a distance, Sheila 2 looks concerned.
Lassiter's Complex
Susan and Karl are bickering about the lengths Karl has gone to to procure feijoas, and how the word is even pronounced, when they come across Bea and Levi in the courtyard. It becomes apparent that Kyle has sent Karl halfway across town to get the feijoas in order to get rid of him, despite them not being an ingredient on the tram menu.
Karl is keen to talk about the podcast with Bea, but Susan drags him on his way. Levi and Bea laugh as Karl and Susan leave.
BEA: They must be doing something right, because they've been together for all of these years.
LEVI: They're obviously in love with each other... Babe, it doesn't matter if we have different points of view. All that matters is what's underneath. I love you, Bea.
BEA: I love you, too.
They hug.
Harold's Café
Chloe and Terese are working at a table. Chloe notes that Terese seems distracted, and Terese admits she's decided she'll have to tell Paul about Ned; she can't hide it. Sheila 2 comes in, looking for Terese, and Chloe leaves them to talk.
SHEILA 2: I couldn't help but notice you and Ned having words earlier. It looked intense.
TERESE: Well, that's between Ned and me.
SHEILA 2: I think I know what it was about. Ned gave me that USB because it was the right thing to do. You and Paul should be proud of him.
TERESE (laughs): Hardly. I mean, Paul's gonna hit the roof when he finds out it was Ned.
SHEILA 2: Then don't tell him.
TERESE: Oh, well, that's non-negotiable. And frankly, Sheila, it has nothing to do with you.
SHEILA 2: Ned was helping me out, so I'm just returning the favour. And in my experience, Terese, nothing's non-negotiable. I have a proposition for you...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Mackenzie tells Karl that Toadie has been really distracted lately by something, or someone
- We see Karl not- very- subtly trailing Toadie through the Lassiter's Complex
- Terese tells Paul, 'Whoever did this was smarter'; he replies, 'Yeah, or they got lucky'
- Ned asks Terese if she's dragging this out to punish him
- Harlow using one of the computers at the school, and Hendrix watching her
- Hendrix asks Harlow what's going on, and whether it involves Brent