Previously
- Jesse asks Harlow if Paul might be interested in mentoring him
- Roxy declares Jesse a 'cheating dog' after seeing him canoodling with Curtis Perkins
- But Harlow explains to Roxy she's only fake- dating Jesse to hide the fact she's still with Brent
- Harlow finds out that Jesse is actually Julie Quill's son and has been spying on Lassiter's
- Paul instructs Harlow to slip Jesse incorrect information to sabotage the Quills' business
- Amy and Ned pash, but she later tells him she thinks they should move on
- Ned admits to Kyle that he's thinking of giving it another shot with Amy
- Amy tells Toadie that she slept with Levi, following their kiss at The Flamingo Bar
- Levi messages Amy, asking to catch up when she gets back from her visit to Cairns
- The Ramsay Street residents bid goodbye to Yashvi as she heads back to Sydney with Dipi
- Hendrix tells Mackenzie he wants to be her rock whenever she needs him, now Yashvi's gone
And there's an update to the opening titles today, prompted by yesterday's departure of Yashvi (Olivia Junkeer) - a fresh shot outside The Waterhole features just Harlow, Hendrix and Mackenzie.
No 30
Mackenzie cringes as Toadie loudly responds to a football match on TV. She glances over at Hendrix who smiles back at her. Amy comes in, back from her trip to Cairns to see her kids, and makes out that she had a great time. Seeing Mackenzie's not enjoying the football, Hendrix suggests to her that they head out, and she agrees.
Once they've gone, Amy joins Toadie on the sofa - and the moment the ad break comes on...
AMY: Attention, please. Have you heard about Shorts & Briefs?
TOADIE: Which one's Levi, and which one's Ned?
AMY: Ha-ha. The film festival, as you very well know.
She explains to him that the Quill Group dropped out, so Lassiter's has won the bid to host the festival.
TOADIE: So, that means less time worrying about romantic complications, then?
AMY: I don't know what you're talking about.
TOADIE: So, tropical heat brings on amnesia, does it?
Amy looks sheepish.
No 22
Terese tells Roxy and Harlow that they've all been invited to the surprise engagement party Jane is throwing for Nicolette. Terese suggests Harlow bring Jesse; she objects, saying he's probably working, but Terese says they can rearrange his shift, and goes to call Jane to tell her they can all attend. Once Terese has gone...
HARLOW: I hate this.
ROXY: Just focus on the takedown... That was probably the most Paul Robinson thing I think I've ever said.
HARLOW: I just feel so guilty whenever she brings up Jesse.
Harlow gets a text from Mackenzie, who wants her to come and hang out with her and Hendrix. But Harlow's not keen, because she thinks Mackenzie will ask questions about Jesse. Roxy suggests Harlow could tell Mackenzie the truth about the fake relationship, but Harlow says it's too risky.
HARLOW: Honestly, I don't know how Grandad does it. I feel like I need a flow chart to keep track of all my lies.
The Waterhole
Ned, Kyle and Levi are in the pub. Levi is waiting for a text from his mystery woman (Amy) but still isn't willing to share her identity with Kyle and Ned.
NED: We can't keep calling her 'hook-up chick', can we?
LEVI: I'll let you know once she gets back to me, alright?
NED: Dude, that is lazy.
KYLE: So lazy.
NED: You need to put in more effort than that.
LEVI: I'm not trying to scare her off, man.
KYLE: Well, your current strategy isn't really working, is it? That's what Dr Phil says - you have to recreate the magic.
Tired of their advice, Levi heads home. Ned thinks Kyle has a good point about recreating the magic.
KYLE: You and Amy?
NED: Mm.
Harold's Café
When Harlow arrives to meet Hendrix and Mackenzie, she's alarmed to find that Jesse is there too, and chatting to Mackenzie at a table while Hendrix waits to be served. Hendrix explains Jesse was here when they arrived, so they thought they'd invite him to join them for a double date. Sensing Harlow is uncomfortable with this, Hendrix asks her to stay nonetheless.
HENDRIX: Mackenzie's barely seen you lately.
HARLOW: Well, maybe we can hang out just the two of us?
HENDRIX: Are you scared I'm gonna embarrass you in front of your new boyfriend?
HARLOW: No.
HENDRIX: Okay. Well, now that Yashvi's gone, I think Mackenzie just wants to feel like her other friendships are solid.
HARLOW: Well, I think we are. We're good.
HENDRIX: Okay, so let her get to know your new guy. She'll really appreciate it.
Harlow reluctantly follows Hendrix to join Jesse and Mackenzie at the table. Jesse tells her he's already ordered for her, and Mackenzie remarks that they are 'so cute' as a couple.
No 22
Amy has come to talk to Terese about the Shorts & Briefs film festival, and Roxy is also present. Terese is keen to include Harlow's idea of the drive-in movies, and Amy agrees - she's keen to get started on preparation for the festival straight away, saying she wants to focus on it 100%. Roxy smiles to herself as a photo of Ned catches her eye from across the room.
While Terese goes to fetch some documentation...
ROXY: Were you hoping Ned was going to be here?
AMY: Sorry?
ROXY: Should I just go ahead and wipe the drool off this photo, or...?
AMY: Roxy, don't be ridiculous.
ROXY (laughs): He told me. I asked him why he quit his job, and he told me. Look, I think it sucks that you guys can't get it out of your systems and move on, but I also understand why it was complicated.
Amy is pleasantly surprised that Roxy is cool with it. Roxy confirms she's not judging, having been in a fair share of messes herself. Amy admits she feels bad for messing Ned around and causing him to quit his job.
ROXY: Are you sure you don't want anything more? You were asking a lot of questions on the phone.
AMY: No, I was just... worried about him. I think it's best that we both move on. That's what I'm gonna do - I'm gonna forget about it.
But Roxy looks incredulous. Amy calls out for Terese in the hope she'll return, to end the awkward conversation!
Harold's Café
Jesse is telling Mackenzie, Hendrix and a quietly fuming Harlow about his mother.
JESSE: She's awesome. She's always been my number one champion.
MACKENZIE: And so, you're not from Erinsborough. Where did you grow up?
JESSE: You're as full-on as Roxy! She grilled me too.
MACKENZIE: Oops, sorry!
JESSE: That's alright! You've got to make sure I'm good enough for your girl.
Hendrix goes to get some more drinks from the counter.
JESSE: I went to school in Sydney, but Mum and I travelled a lot.
MACKENZIE: Oh, that's awesome! Where is she at now?
JESSE: ... Oh, she's had a bit of bad luck lately. Which is awful, because she's...
But at this point, Jesse turns around and is alarmed to see that Curtis has come in, and is chatting at the counter with Hendrix!
JESSE: ... which is awful, because she's spent her life trying to help people.
Harlow continues to silently fume at Jesse's bigging up of his mother as a great person. Jesse is distracted watching Hendrix and Curtis chat, and Mackenzie explains that Curtis is Hendrix's schoolteacher.
JESSE: Wow, there really is no degree of separation around here, is there?
HARLOW: It can make it pretty tricky to keep secrets!
But Jesse keeps on forcing a smile...
Lassiter's Complex
The next day, Amy runs into Ned, who's working a shift at Harold's. He welcomes her back from Cairns, and offers to get her breakfast and coffee, which she agrees to. She remarks on how quickly he's found himself a new job.
AMY: Why wouldn't you? You're amazing. Who wouldn't want to snap you up?
NED: ... Well, you, apparently!
AMY (guiltily): Oh, Ned!
NED: How was Cairns?
AMY: So hot. Like, the *weather* was so hot. Yeah.
NED: Well, I'm sure Zara and Elijah loved having you there.
AMY: You remembered their names?
NED: Yeah, I listen when you talk. Didn't you know that?
Amy looks regretful at having let Ned go, and feeling awkward, says she'll just have a coffee to go after all. Ned says he may swing by The Flamingo Bar later, as there's something he wanted to run by her.
AMY (gulps): Actually, I'm gonna work from home. I've just... I've got so much work to do for the film festival, so... no-one's there, and I really want to utilise that.
NED: Okay. Another time, then.
As Ned goes off to fetch Amy's coffee, Levi turns up, and starts chatting to Amy.
LEVI: Did you get my text?
AMY: My phone was on silent.
Levi now suggests that *he* and Amy have breakfast! She makes the same excuse she made to Ned, about having to head home to work. Ned then returns with the coffee.
NED: I should've mentioned - we have some lunch specials, if you want me to whip you up something for later.
AMY (panicked): I'm good.
Ned and Levi start chatting amiably to each other about their night out last night, and do a little fist bump! Amy can't take any more!
AMY: You know what? Cancel that coffee. I'm... just gonna have a tea at home. Bye, boys!
They both watch her with interest as she walks off...
No 22
Harlow is telling Roxy how furious she is about Jesse's behaviour last night. Roxy has him down as either deluded or a 'garden-variety psychopath'.
ROXY: How can he say those things when he knows his mum killed someone?
She suggests that if it's all too much for Harlow, they could tell Paul she wants out of the campaign against the Quills. But Harlow says Jesse proved last night that he was complicit.
HARLOW: He really wants to screw us over (...) I'm doing this for Terese, and I'm not uncomfortable about playing Jesse anymore. I'm *way* too furious.
The Waterhole
Curtis is at a table, when Jesse comes in, looking troubled.
CURTIS: Hey! Long time no see.
JESSE: I know, I've been... I've been busy. I'm sorry.
CURTIS: You're always busy.
JESSE: That's why I thought we should talk... I don't think this is gonna work.
CURTIS (stammers): Are you ending it?
Jesse claims he's just too busy at the moment, but Curtis says they can work around his schedule.
JESSE: It wouldn't be fair on you.
CURTIS: Honestly, I don't mind. (takes his hands) I really like you, Jesse. (upset) Unless there's another reason? Are you not into me anymore?
JESSE: It's not that (...) I don't have the brain space for this. I have to go. I'm... sorry.
CURTIS: Jesse. Jesse!
Curtis looks gutted as Jesse walks out. Karl and Susan come in and find Curtis visibly upset. They ask him what's happened...
No 30
Amy is working on the sofa, when Ned walks into the house, shirtless and wearing the cowboy hat from their film festival video pitch.
NED: Howdy, missy.
AMY: Howdy!
Ned is keen to recreate the 'fun' they had during the video pitch, but says he doesn't want to distract Amy if she's busy.
AMY: It's a little late for that!
NED: Good. Cos I have a theory about us.
He takes her hand.
AMY: Oh, yeah? What's that?
NED: I don't think our moment's completely passed.
AMY (flustered): Really?
NED: And I think we should test the magic again... just to be sure.
He takes his hat off and puts it on her head. They're just about to embrace, when Roxy walks through the door, and laughs.
ROXY: I can see how working from home has really taken off (!)
Embarrassed, Ned puts his hat back on and rushes off to work, saying to Roxy as he leaves...
NED: Don't say a word.
ROXY: Yee-ha.
It transpires that Roxy is here to give Amy a USB with some documents containing research for the film festival. But she's more interested in talking about Ned.
ROXY: Remind me how you two are moving on?
Amy smiles.
Erinsborough High School
Susan asks Curtis if he wants to talk about his breakup, but he says it's fine, and she leaves, just as Hendrix turns up for Curtis's class. Hendrix quickly notices Curtis isn't his normal self, and Curtis admits he's had a tough day.
HENDRIX: If you want to talk about whatever's going on, I'm happy to listen.
CURTIS: Thanks, Hendrix, but that's okay.
HENDRIX: I feel like I kind of owe you. I've dumped my problems on you enough times.
CURTIS: 'Dumped' isn't my favourite word right now.
HENDRIX: Ahh. That sucks. I hope the guy at least gave you a good reason.
CURTIS: A teacher and bartender was always going to be a bad match. Anyway, I've thought enough about Jesse today - I need to see your assignment.
HENDRIX: Wait - you don't mean Jesse who works at The Flamingo Bar?
CURTIS: Yeah, do you know him?
Hendrix isn't sure what to say.
No 30
Amy walks into the sun room to find Levi in there; he's set up some candles and has brought some more marshmallows to woo her with, recalling their pash at The Flamingo Bar. He thought he'd try and lighten the mood, as Amy had seemed stressed earlier. Levi pulls her towards him, and they're again close to an embrace - but this time, Toadie walks in!
Amy and Levi try to make out nothing's going on.
LEVI: I got some marshmallows... for the kids, because kids like marshmallows.
TOADIE: ... That's a bit creepy, man.
LEVI: For real.
Levi quickly exits, and Toadie gives Amy a querying look.
AMY: What?!
Lassiter's Complex
Hendrix is updating Mackenzie following his chat with Curtis, having concluded that Jesse has been cheating on both Curtis and Harlow with the other.
MACKENZIE: The dirtbag!
HENDRIX: I didn't tell Curtis about Harlow. He was already pretty devo, so I didn't want to make anything worse.
They spot Harlow approaching, on her way to work, and Mackenzie decides they have to tell her what they know. Hendrix leaves Mackenzie to talk to Harlow about it.
MACKENZIE: I found out something, and I really wish I didn't have to tell you, but you deserve to know (...) Jesse's dating Curtis. They broke up this morning, but the whole time he was seeing you, he was seeing him, too.
HARLOW (feigned exasperation): Oh... right.
MACKENZIE: ... Are you not upset?
HARLOW: Well, it's... it's just we never really said that we're exclusive, so...
MACKENZIE: He also didn't say that he was seeing someone else!
HARLOW: Yeah, I know. But like you said, they broke up. So I don't really see much point in making a big deal out of it. But, anyway, thank you so much for telling me.
Mackenzie looks baffled as Harlow walks off.
No 26
Roxy and Kyle are in the spa, when Ned turns up. He's changed out of his cowboy costume, but Roxy is still teasing him about it nonetheless. But Ned says Amy loved his cowboy routine.
NED: If Rox hadn't walked in, I would've had a lot more to report!
KYLE: Babe!
Roxy points out that Ned seems to be trying fairly hard to rekindle things with Amy, which suggests he maybe wants more. But Ned insists it's just 'unfinished business'. Levi turns up, and Ned asks how he went with his 'mystery girl', still not clocking that it's Amy.
LEVI: It was all good. Just got to wait for the right time, you know?
NED: Mm. Same.
No 30
Toadie is not letting Amy off the hook yet.
TOADIE: Whatever pheromones you are giving off, we need to bottle them (...) We'd make a fortune.
AMY: No, I need a potion to scare men away, not encourage more of them.
TOADIE: Well, if that's what you really want, shouldn't you be telling Ned and Levi that you're not interested?
AMY: What if that's not entirely the truth? Look, a little bit of attention is kind of nice. I might've painted a rosy picture before, about Cairns. The kids barely even knew that I was there. It wasn't exactly the family time that I was hoping for. So, why wouldn't I like two gorgeous men throwing themselves at me, you know?
Toadie's just warning Amy that Ned and Levi are increasingly likely to find out that she's also seeing the other, when Mackenzie comes in. She tells Amy and Toadie about Jesse cheating on Harlow, but how she was 'weirdly fine with it'. Mackenzie questions whether she was right to get involved, but decides it's probably best she told Harlow the truth.
TOADIE: Absolutely, yes. Honesty is always the best policy.
He glances meaningfully at Amy.
No 22
Amy turns up to talk to Ned, who acknowledges their awkward situation with Roxy earlier. Amy says it's a good thing Roxy is up to speed, so she doesn't have to explain anything to her.
NED: Wait, so you're *not* here to tell me that was stupid?
AMY: ... No.
NED: Okay, well, I can put the cowboy hat back on if you want.
AMY: Oh, don't do that!
NED: Wait, have I been misreading the signals? Cos, honestly, if you want me to stop, you can just say the word.
AMY: Truthfully? I don't know. Like, to be honest, I've been a bit of a mess lately (...) When things were over between us, you know, because of Yashvi, I still wanted something kind of fun, and I, umm... I slept with Levi.
Ned is lost for words.
Lassiter's Complex
Curtis is having a coffee outside Harold's, looking pensive. Hendrix turns up, and Curtis explains he asked Susan if he could leave early. Hendrix sits down and offers an ear again.
CURTIS: I just can't stop thinking he dumped me because I'm deaf. He said he was okay with it, but it's happened before. People don't want to believe they're ableist, but they are.
Hendrix decides he can't keep the truth from Curtis knowing that's what he's fearing.
HENDRIX: That's not the reason. I found out Jesse's been seeing somebody else. It's been happening for a couple of weeks.
Curtis turns, and sees Jesse moving some customers' luggage into the hotel. Despite Hendrix's warnings, Curtis stands up and marches over to confront Jesse. Hendrix follows, trying in vain to persuade Curtis to calm down.
CURTIS (to Jesse): You liar! Why didn't you tell me there was someone else?!
JESSE: It's not what you think.
CURTIS: You're so gutless you can't even own up to it!
JESSE: No, please let me explain.
CURTIS: Oh, save it.
Jesse touches Curtis on the shoulder in an attempt to make him stay and listen, but Curtis sees red and tells Jesse to get off him, before shoving him into the luggage trolley. Curtis walks off as a shellshocked Jesse lies on the trolley - only for Terese and Harlow to appear.
TERESE (to Jesse): Do you want to explain what that was about?!
Jesse silently wonders how he'll talk his way out of this one...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Harlow and Paul further their plan to feed Jesse misinformation
- Terese tells Paul they have 'bigger problems now', involving Harlow
- Levi invites Amy to a party
- Ned invites Amy on a date
- David and Aaron find Chloe and Leo hugging at the gazebo, and ask what's going on
