Previously
- Amy, Levi and Ned convene at Amy's new apartment for a housewarming party, just the three of them
- Roxy mischievously puts the idea in Sheila's head that Levi and Ned might both have stayed over with Amy
- Amy is annoyed when Levi and Ned play along with Sheila's assumption that they've had a threesome
- Amy tells Ned and Levi that she's going to cool it a bit with them until the rumours blow over
- Hendrix tells Kyle he thinks he has cancer; Kyle insists he should go to see a doctor
- A brighter Hendrix tells Mackenzie he's 'no longer being a moody weirdo'
- Mackenzie sets up an opportunity for Hendrix with Greg, the owner of Lanzini's, to show off his culinary skills
- But Greg leaves Harold's without ordering after Hendrix has a meltdown and hides in the kitchen
- Hendrix accuses Mackenzie of being a control freak and tells her to back off
- Mackenzie tells Hendrix she's done being his 'emotional punching bag'; they need to take a break from each other
The Waterhole
Mackenzie and Hendrix both look upset in the aftermath of her decision that they should take a break. But Hendrix puts on a front and coolly tells her...
HENDRIX: If you want to take a break, we'll take a break.
MACKENZIE: Is that... is that all you have to say?
HENDRIX: I'll see you around.
He walks out, leaving Mackenzie in tears - but as he leaves the pub we see he's pretty close to tears himself.
Lassiter's Complex
Outside The Waterhole, Ned is at a table when Amy walks by. Not having seen her for a couple of days, he suggests they grab dinner - but Amy's already got a takeaway, and heading home to build a flat-pack bookcase for her apartment. Ned offers to help.
AMY: You miss me that much that you want to spend all night in an assembly line?
NED: Yeah, I do!
But at this point Sheila turns up to give them a dirty look from afar, and Amy cools on the idea of Ned coming round, saying it's 'too soon' following all the threesome rumours.
AMY: Hills have eyes, and they are watching everything that I do.
NED: Well, that hill is just Sheila.
AMY: Who spread all the gossip. I've been getting funny looks; I don't know about you.
NED: Yeah, a couple.
AMY: I used to get stared at for the right reasons - you know, my incredible fashion and my shoes. Not my choice of overnight guests. Hey, let's hang out when it all dies down, okay?
As Amy leaves, Sheila can't resist approaching Ned to gloat.
SHEILA: Rare to see Amy going home alone, isn't it?
NED: Lay off, Sheila.
SHEILA: I'm just making chit-chat.
NED: No, you're making trouble.
Ned walks off. Sheila smirks to herself.
Harold's Café
Kyle and Levi walk in, chatting, and find Levi's boss Andrew Rodwell at the counter. Rodwell observes that Levi has the day off tomorrow, and asks if he has 'plans with his partners', clearly curious about the rumours he's heard about Amy and Ned, and digging for more info.
LEVI: I actually don't have any partners, sarge. I just have a girlfriend that has another boyfriend, you know?
RODWELL: Sorry. Heard some chat around the water cooler.
LEVI: Yeah, doesn't mean it's true.
RODWELL (awkward): Course not.
There's an awkward silence, until Rodwell leaves with his takeaway. Annoyed, Levi tells Kyle that Rodwell and everybody else needs to pull their head in about the rumours; he says he's been getting a lot of stick at work about the supposed threesome.
KYLE: It can't be that bad.
LEVI: My workmates keep asking me about the beginning of the universe. The big bang?
Kyle stifles a laugh, and admits that it 'does suck', but assures Levi it won't be forever - people will lose interest eventually. Levi looks unreassured.
Lassiter's Complex
The next day, Karl and Hendrix are on their way to meet Susan for breakfast. Karl mentions the opportunity Mackenzie set up for Hendrix with the Lanzini's owner, Greg - but Hendrix tells him it's unlikely it will come to anything. He moans about Mackenzie organising it behind his back, and filling out SAC extension forms to persuade him to stay at school. Karl admits he and Susan hoped Hendrix would reconsider his decision to leave school.
HENDRIX: I'm not changing my mind, Karl.
KARL: Hendrix, it was such a sudden decision. With this Lanzini's opportunity, we thought you were back in the game -
HENDRIX: Well, I'm not, okay?! School, cooking, everything - it's a waste of time!
Karl asks Hendrix what Mackenzie thinks of this 'new attitude' of his. Hendrix admits she thinks it sucks, and tells Karl that Mackenzie 'dumped me... more or less'.
HENDRIX: If the people around me can't live with my choices, then, too bad!
Hendrix stomps off, telling a protesting Karl that he's no longer up for breakfast. Karl sighs.
Ramsay Street
Toadie is with Nell and Hugo, carrying some 'recycling art' they've been making, presumably for a school project. However, Sheila sees them from across the road, and looks suspicious.
Toadie looks sheepish as Sheila notices that the kids' artwork is made from the housewarming 'gifts' she gave to Amy, including the vase that Amy wasn't a fan of! Toadie tries to spin Sheila a yarn about Nell just happening to fall in love with the knick-knacks when she saw them at Amy's place.
TOADIE: And you know how amazingly giving Amy is, right?
NELL: We turned ugly into pretty!
SHEILA: Who said they were ugly?
NELL: Amy.
TOADIE: ... It was part of a much larger, nuanced conversation about, you know, art and design, and beauty...
SHEILA: Oh, save that for another chump, Picasso! I gave Amy those out of the very goodness of my heart! That woman is even worse than I thought!
Sheila storms off. Toadie winces.
Lassiter's Complex
Levi runs into Ned in the courtyard, and asks if he's heard from Amy lately. Ned admits he saw her last night, but explains Amy's still keeping her distance until the gossip dies down.
NED: I find it weird that she's so worried about other people's stupid opinions.
But Levi admits it's wearing him down too; people at work are talking, and it's impacting both their relationships with Amy. At this point Amy herself turns up. She admits that the gossip has thrown her a bit, and seems to be about to explain why the threesome rumours in particular have bothered her so much. But before she's able to finish what she's saying, Sergeant Rodwell turns up.
RODWELL: Sorry to barge in. This is slightly awkward.
He hands Levi a piece of paper which he explains he found taped to Levi's locker at work.
RODWELL: Someone's obviously got a bit creative with some photos... I don't know where they got the pictures of you three.
We don't see the doctored photo, but Levi, Amy and Ned all look at it, and are suitably appalled.
AMY (to Levi): What are you doing to Ned?!
NED (to Amy): That's obviously fake, cos you're not that flexible!
Rodwell asks Levi if he wants to make an official complaint, but Levi tells him to leave it, as it will just egg on whoever's done it. Rodwell leaves, and an upset Amy quickly walks off too, before Levi has a chance to reassure her. Ned and Levi look worried.
Lassiter's Hotel
In the foyer, Susan and Karl are having a coffee while discussing Hendrix's bizarre attitude shift; they observe that it seems like nothing matters to him anymore, not even Mackenzie, and just when he had been doing so well with school, too. Susan puts it down to the pressures of the final term, but Karl thinks there must be something more to it. Karl thinks they should call Pierce, but Susan doesn't see how he'll be able to help from Sydney.
KARL: He can fly down.
SUSAN: Before it gets to that, there might be someone else who can reach out to Hendrix. Someone who is a bit closer to home.
Harold's Café
Mackenzie is surprised to come across Hendrix, having thought he wouldn't be at work yet. There's an awkward atmosphere between them; Mackenzie tries to fill the silence by wittering about the fact that she's decided not to get a muffin with her coffee. Hendrix says he's busy and can't really talk right now.
MACKENZIE: So that's it?
HENDRIX: Unless you've changed your mind.
MACKENZIE: About us?
HENDRIX: About the muffin.
MACKENZIE: What's gotten into you?
HENDRIX: You're the one that asked for a break.
MACKENZIE: And I have no idea how you feel about it! You just shut down.
HENDRIX: It doesn't matter how I feel.
MACKENZIE: Of course it does! Unless you've stopped caring?
But Hendrix simply walks into the kitchen, and looks upset.
Amy's Apartment
Amy gets a text message from (presumably) either Ned or Levi, checking if she's alright, and asking her to call them. She sighs. There's a knock at the door.
AMY: If that's one of my boyfriends, I'm really not in the mood.
But it's not - it's Sheila! She lets herself in and immediately starts snooping around the apartment, taking a pointed glance into the bedroom.
AMY: Not that I don't love a strangely aggressive drop-in, but I'm kind of in the middle of something, Sheila, so...
SHEILA: Well, you should be used to that by now!
AMY: Really? Did you just come over here to make some threesome jokes?
SHEILA: Well, you're the one who brought it up.
AMY: No, *you're* the one that brought it up. To the whole town! Even if I did have a ménage à trois, it's none of your business! It's none of anyone's business!
SHEILA: I think you're forgetting that one of your ménages is my grandson!
AMY: I think you're forgetting that it's 2021, and no-one is as boring and vanilla as you!
SHEILA: I'll have you know that I have had plenty of wild adventures between the sheets, but with one man at a time!
AMY: TMI, Sheila - TMI! Why are you here, giving me grief?!
Of course, Sheila's really here to enquire into the whereabouts of the 'beautiful vase' and other knick-knacks she gave Amy as housewarming presents.
AMY: Oh, they're around somewhere - I haven't finished decorating.
SHEILA: Oh, come off it - I know you gave them to Nell!
AMY: I know you gave them to me to insult me! They're relics from the eighties!
SHEILA: So are you! It's a good match!
Done with the conversation, Amy curtly shows Sheila the door, and slams it behind her!
The Waterhole
Kyle is at the bar, and seems to be experiencing some back pain. When Sheila turns up, she sees him twisting and straining, and he explains he has a twinge. He asks if she has painkillers, but she doesn't. Sheila tells Kyle she's been to see Amy.
SHEILA: She couldn't have been ruder.
KYLE: How rude were *you*, Gran?
SHEILA: She is messing around with two fellas at the same time, leading our Levi a merry jig. How rude do you think I was?!
Kyle tells Sheila she needs to stop gossiping about Levi, Amy and Ned.
SHEILA: I'll say whatever I like, thank you very much.
KYLE: I mean it, Gran. The more you talk, the more it comes down on Levi (...) He's copping some flak from his workmates. Jokes, pictures on his locker...
SHEILA: What sort of pictures?
KYLE: Ones that belong on a dunny door.
Levi comes in, as Kyle heads off for work. Sheila tells Levi she heard about what happened at work, and concedes she might be 'a little bit responsible' for the rumours.
SHEILA: So I thought I might just march right over there, and set everybody straight.
LEVI: Oh, no, please don't, okay? I've copped more than enough for today (...) This thing is a mess, and it's making Amy get frustrated and anxious. She won't even talk to me.
SHEILA: But you got into this thing because Amy made you happy. How happy are you now?
LEVI: Not at all.
SHEILA: Hm, course not. Because your love-life is in freefall, your reputation is up the creek - so you've got to ask yourself now, is it really worth it?
Levi looks uncertain.
The 82
Karl is telling Kyle how he's worried that something is up with Hendrix, beyond the stresses of school, and mentions that Hendrix and Mackenzie may have split up. Karl suggests that maybe Kyle could have a chat to him again, as Karl and Susan are really struggling to get through to him. Secretly aware of what's causing Hendrix's mood, Kyle encourages Karl to keep trying, aware that the Kennedys need to know about Hendrix's cancer fears.
But Karl thinks he and Susan are too close to the situation, and reminds Kyle of how his last chat with Hendrix had a positive effect. Kyle reluctantly agrees to have another talk with him. Karl says he'll hold the fort at the tram if Kyle could go to Harold's and talk to Hendrix.
Amy's Apartment
A panicked-looking Toadie turns up and tells Amy...
TOADIE: Do not open this door.
AMY (closing it on him): Okay...
TOADIE (opening it again): When I leave, you need to shut it, and lock it. Because Sheila has seen the kids with those knick-knacks that she gave you, and she is on the warpath.
AMY: *Was* on the warpath. She's been and gone, my tardy friend.
TOADIE: Oh, really? I am so sorry.
AMY: Oh, whatever. She's all hot air. I'm surprised she doesn't float around on the ceiling.
Amy gets a text from Ned, but admits to Toadie that she's been keeping her distance from both her boyfriends ever since they spent the night here. Toadie says she can't let the rumours get to her, but she says it's not because of that.
AMY: I've been worried that Ned and Levi might be getting... close.
TOADIE: Isn't that what you wanted?
AMY: Yeah, not so much that they kick me to the gutter! (...) You know about my two ex-husbands, right? And how they turned out to be gay? That kind of thing, it leaves a mark.
TOADIE: Ned and Levi are just mates. They're straight.
AMY: That's what my ex-husbands said! Till they realised that they weren't.
TOADIE (sceptical): Okay, have Ned or Levi given any indication that they're into each other?
AMY: No, just that they get along.
TOADIE: Okay. Well, maybe you should talk to them - just let them know what's going on for ya.
AMY: I've been left for other men twice before. Like, Toadie, I just can't handle it again, you know?
Harold's Café
Kyle turns up to chat to Hendrix, admitting he's heard from Karl that he's still acting up. Hendrix dismisses it as him being sick of the Kennedys getting on his back about school.
KYLE: Well, we both know it's more than that. How did the appointment go?
HENDRIX: ... Why does it matter?
KYLE: Cos, mate, whatever it is, you should tell them.
HENDRIX: As if. They're bad enough already (...) I want them to back off.
KYLE: Did you want Mackenzie to back off too? Is that why you broke up?
HENDRIX: No, we're taking a break.
KYLE: But that's because you shut her out, though, right?
Hendrix tries to walk away, but Kyle stops him.
KYLE: Mate, I'm guessing that the news from the doc wasn't good? And, look, I can't even begin to imagine how stressed out you must be, but... just know that I am here, and they will be, too, if you just let us know what you need.
HENDRIX: Well, you're wrong. I didn't get bad news; I didn't get *any* news, because I cancelled my appointment.
KYLE: What?! Why did you do that?
HENDRIX: Because I'm not ready to be the guy with cancer, Kyle. It's too much for me. At least this way, I can pretend it's not happening.
Hendrix walks off.
Lassiter's Complex
Outside the pub, an upset Mackenzie is looking at her phone, debating whether or not to call Hendrix. She lingers over the 'call' button, but then decides against it and puts her phone down.
Meanwhile, an unknown woman (credited as Felicity Higgins) approaches the pub, preoccupied with her phone, just as Levi is emerging with a drink. They bump into each other and the drink spills all over Levi's shirt.
FELICITY: Oh my gosh, was that my fault?
LEVI: No, no, it's okay. Honestly, look, I just wanted to see what this drink would look like on my shirt.
FELICITY (laughing): Let me get you another one!
LEVI: Another drink, or another shirt?
He's joking, and says he's going to go home and change it. But Felicity, evidently detecting a connection, stops him.
FELICITY: Wait - we could have a drink together. If you're up for it?
Levi smiles at her.
Harold's Café
Kyle has followed Hendrix into the kitchen, and pesters him about rebooking his doctor's appointment. Hendrix is fatalistic about it, saying that if he's sick, he's sick. But Kyle gives Hendrix some home truths, saying he's putting everything in his life in jeopardy just because he has a 'what if?' looming over his head.
KYLE: You do realise that the test could come back clear? And how good would that feel? Then all you have to worry about is that stupid haircut you have.
HENDRIX: I've felt the lump. I know what they're gonna say.
KYLE: You don't know anything. It could be nothing.
HENDRIX: It's cancer, I know it.
KYLE: Okay, then if it is, you go and get treatment, before it spreads. Hendrix, you cannot ignore this.
HENDRIX: ... You're not gonna shut up about this, are ya?
KYLE: No.
HENDRIX: Alright, you win. I'll rebook an appointment.
KYLE: When for?
HENDRIX: I dunno. Tomorrow.
KYLE: Yeah, not buying that.
HENDRIX: Yeah, well that's your problem.
KYLE: Not for much longer. You have to tell Karl and Susan what's going on.
HENDRIX: No. I do not want them involved.
KYLE: They can help you in ways that I can't.
HENDRIX: No, they're gonna make it a big deal.
KYLE: It *is* a big deal! So tell them.
HENDRIX: Or what?
KYLE: Or I will.
Lassiter's Complex
Levi and Felicity are having a drink; she reveals that she's a firefighter, and in turn, he tells her he's a cop. They seem to be getting on really well, and share a similar sense of humour. They agree that this has been fun, but are oblivious to Ned watching them with suspicion from a distance. Felicity tells Levi she needs to make a quick call, but tells him not to go anywhere. She moves a little distance away, closer to where Ned is.
FELICITY (on the phone): Hey! Do you mind if I bail on you? ... Sorry, it's just I'm having drinks with this really cute guy I've just met. It's going really well!
It's not clear whether Ned can hear what she's saying, but he looks concerned about the situation.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Ned tells Harlow that Terese may be better off without Paul, but Harlow insists they belong together
- Paul tells Terese, 'I love you more than anything. I'm not gonna let you go without a fight'
- Ned asks Levi if he's going to tell Amy about something; Levi says there's nothing to tell
- Sheila tells Levi, 'Amy only cares about Amy. Stand up for yourself'
- Amy tells Ned, 'I hate it. I *hate* it!'
