Previously
- Jane tells Zara she owes her a huge apology for believing Sadie and Aubrey over her regarding the fires
- Roxy and Kyle resume their plans to have a baby, and Roxy in particular seems very invested in it working
- Ned asks Amy if they can talk about whether to resume their relationship when he returns from River Bend
- But Ned and Harlow get lost in the bush and spend a night together huddling for warmth
- Roxy, Terese and Kyle worry about Ned and Harlow's whereabouts
- But Ned and Harlow seem far less worried, and increasingly seem to be enjoying one another's company
- Amy and Toadie go to search for them; Amy admits she loves Ned, and worries she'll never get to tell him
- At a waterfall beauty spot, Ned and Harlow end up kissing, and by the looks of it, it's headed further...
The Waterfall
Ned and Harlow are in a state of semi-undress, having finished doing whatever they've been doing!
HARLOW: Wow!
NED: Yeah...!
HARLOW: That was, umm...
NED: Unexpected.
HARLOW: Nice.
But at that moment, they hear Amy and Toadie shouting their names in the distance. They hurriedly get dressed and move towards the source of the shouting. Nearby...
AMY: This is hopeless - we are never gonna find them.
But Ned and Harlow then emerge from the trees, and a happy reunion takes place. Except now Ned and Harlow are feeling guilty about what's just happened between them - and Ned looks awkward as Amy hugs him...
Community Centre
Zara is doing her volunteer shift for the Sonya Foundation when Jane approaches. Jane's evidently still feeling guilty about thinking the worst of Zara over the school fires, and asks Zara how she's doing. Zara herself is still feeling guilty about the other bad behaviour that she was responsible for, and says she's trying to make up for it.
JANE: Sometimes amends need to be made bit by bit. Would you like to come over to my place later, to talk about you starting back at school? I thought you might have a few concerns. I know that I may not be the obvious choice to confide in, given the way that I... I have treated you in the past. But I would like to change that.
ZARA: What happened to Sadie and Aubrey?
JANE: Well, they've been expelled, and... they've changed schools. And they're awaiting their court case. I'm surprised word hasn't got around?
ZARA: I haven't really talked to anyone from school. Sadie sent me a letter, but I haven't been ready to open it.
JANE: You certainly don't need to do anything that you don't want to about those girls.
ZARA: I don't hate them, or anything. I mean, I know everyone expects me to, but... I just want to move on.
Jane thinks that's 'very wise', and tells Zara to let her know if she can help in any way.
No 22
Terese and Roxy are enthusiastically welcoming Harlow and Ned home; Amy is still with them. Terese is relieved that Ned and Harlow didn't get caught up in the horrors with Gareth like the others. Harlow and Ned are feeling guilty about believing Gareth's story about Freya; Ned says he owes Freya an apology. But Terese thinks they should concentrate on enjoying some 'creature comforts' for now.
Harlow's about to head back to the Penthouse to get showered and changed, but Terese doesn't want to let her out of her sight - so Roxy suggests Ned can lend Harlow a t-shirt to sleep in, then they can have a family breakfast tomorrow. Harlow and Ned look awkward, but don't argue. Amy tells them she'll leave them to it; Terese thanks Amy for leading the search, but Ned and Harlow just go quiet.
AMY (to Ned): Catch up tomorrow?
NED: Mm, sure.
Amy leaves, and Roxy remarks that Ned and Harlow smell bad.
ROXY: I don't know what you were doing at that waterfall, but it clearly wasn't your laundry.
Ned and Harlow glance awkwardly at one another.
Harold's Café
Hendrix has had a message inviting him and Mackenzie to Ned and Harlow's welcome-home breakfast tomorrow at Terese's. They're just discussing how intense it must have been for them to be lost in the bush, when Aubrey comes in with her grandmother, Shannon. Aubrey sits at a table, while Shannon heads to the bathroom. Hendrix isn't pleased to see Aubrey.
HENDRIX: She can't seriously think that I'm going to serve her?
MACKENZIE: Just send someone else over.
HENDRIX: How are you so calm?
MACKENZIE: She's not worth it.
Zara comes in, and is also disconcerted to see Aubrey - but approaches her nonetheless. They greet each other awkwardly.
AUBREY: I had to leave school, you know.
ZARA: Yeah. Miss Harris told me.
AUBREY: Not Erinsborough High, my new one (...) Everyone found out about the fire, and they all turned on me, so I got pulled out. It must make you happy, knowing I'm an even bigger loser than you are.
ZARA: No. Actually, it... doesn't make me happy at all.
Zara walks over to the counter, where Mackenzie smiles at her, but Hendrix is less welcoming. He goes to fetch her takeaway order without a word.
MACKENZIE: Are you okay?
ZARA: Yeah, I'm great.
But Zara's clearly gutted about Hendrix not speaking to her. He gives her an unfriendly glare as he fetches the takeaway from the kitchen.
No 22
The next morning, Terese, Roxy, Kyle, Ned and Harlow gather on the patio for breakfast. Hendrix and Mackenzie arrive, and Mackenzie hugs Harlow, glad to see she's safe. As they all sit down, Terese decides a speech is called for in honour of Ned and Harlow's safe return.
TERESE: I just wanted to acknowledge that I... I care about you all. And you two being lost out there was as though it was my own kids missing. I'm really glad you're home. So, here's to family.
She raises a toast 'to family', while Ned and Harlow continue to look awkward and guilty.
HENDRIX: So, how did you get through it?
MACKENZIE: Yeah, it was so cold the other night. Were you two freezing?
HARLOW: Uh, yeah, a little bit.
NED: We just huddled.
HARLOW (quickly): To keep warm.
NED: Yeah.
MACKENZIE: Well, you're lucky you had each other.
But Kyle has noticed something awkward about Ned and Harlow's reactions, and looks suspicious...
Shortly afterwards, Kyle follows Ned indoors and asks him what's going on, saying that he and Harlow are 'acting super weird'.
NED: You know that Harlow and I aren't actually family, right? I mean, Terese treats us like we're brother and sister, but we're not.
KYLE: Right...
NED: Well, we slept together.
KYLE: Who?
NED: Me and Harlow.
KYLE (horrified): You and Harlow?! Far out! No, I thought you were gonna tell me that you had to kill a wombat for food or something!
NED: What? No. This needs to stay between us, alright?
KYLE: Oh, yeah, as if I'm gonna blab this around, mate! Hey, what does this mean for you and Amy?
NED: ...
No 30
Zara is having breakfast before her first day back at school, while Amy tidies up in preparation for Ned coming over.
ZARA: I don't think he's gonna care about the state of your cushions.
AMY: We're having a talk. You know - *the* talk. The one he said we'd have when he got back.
ZARA: Well, that's good. I mean, he wants to be with you. He basically said so, right?
AMY: I thought he did. He's just been acting a bit off since he got back. Look, what if he's changed his mind?
ZARA: I wouldn't stress about it. And of course he's off, he's just been MIA in the bush. You two were meant to be together.
At this point a still-shifty-looking Ned arrives, so Zara heads to the sunroom while he and Amy talk. Ned apologises that they haven't been able to talk sooner.
AMY: Well, that's okay; you've got a good excuse. Unless, of course, getting lost in the bush is an elaborate ruse not to have this chat.
NED: (awkward laugh)
AMY: You seemed a little distant last night. Was I too confident about where we stand?
NED: No, no, it's... just complicated.
AMY: Yeah, I know. And it's all on me.
NED: No. I respect that Zara's your number one priority.
Zara is listening as she finishes her breakfast in the sunroom.
AMY: It's just made it impossible for us. But she's all cool with us now, so, umm... did you have a chance to think about, you know, what I said before you left?
NED: Getting lost in the bush kind of got in the way.
AMY: Yeah. I get that. But... now?
NED: I'm sorry, I... I just need more time.
In the sunroom, Zara looks concerned as she hears Ned leave.
Erinsborough High School
Jane is in the corridor when she comes across Aubrey's grandmother, Shannon, who explains that Aubrey's mother has pulled her out of her new school, due to the bullying. Jane thinks Aubrey will find her feet in time, but Shannon says she'd rather look at home-schooling for her.
SHANNON: Aubrey's been so miserable. I know she has no-one to blame for that but herself. And I'm sure, quite rightly, you'd like to wash your hands of her.
JANE: ...
SHANNON: Aubrey's mother works a lot. And so I've offered to help. But I don't know anything about teaching, curriculum, or even where I should look to find out. I was hoping that as the head of the Year 13 programme, you might be able to give me some advice.
JANE: Uh, I'm not sure...
SHANNON: I understand why you're hesitant. I'm not proud of my granddaughter's behaviour either. But you know how bright she is. I can't stand the thought of her derailing her future because of this mistake. Will you help?
Jane looks unsure.
Ramsay Street
Harlow sees Ned returning from Amy's house, and remarks upon it in the street. Harlow suggests she and Ned should talk about what happened between them, but before he can reply, they're interrupted by Zara stopping to talk to Ned on her way to school.
ZARA: I heard you and Mum before, and I just wanted to let you know that what she said was true. I'm really cool with you and her being together, so if that's what you needed to think about then don't worry - I promise I won't cause any drama. I just want to see Mum happy.
NED (awkwardly): Okay. Thanks.
Zara heads off to school, blissfully unaware of the further awkwardness her words have caused between Ned and Harlow.
HARLOW: I see you haven't figured out what you want to do yet?
NED: No. No yet (...) We should touch base about what happened.
HARLOW: Actually, do we have to?
NED: It's probably wise.
HARLOW: Look, you've got a lot going on. Maybe it should just be a 'what happens at the waterfall, stays at the waterfall' kind of thing.
Ned looks disconcerted...
Erinsborough High School
Jane and Curtis are talking shop in the corridor when Zara turns up, looking chirpy. Jane remarks on this, and Zara replies that she's been taking Jane's advice and making up for the things she did bit by bit.
ZARA: I've also been thinking about Aubrey. I'm kind of worried about her.
JANE: Well, that is very kind of you, but there's no need.
Acknowledging Aubrey's already left her new school, Zara asks Jane if she thinks Susan would be open to giving her another chance at Erinsborough High. Jane says this is out of the question; the school board would never allow it. Curtis points out that this is best for Zara in any case; Aubrey returning might cause her a lot of stress.
ZARA: I don't want to be her friend. I just don't want to see her tank, either. I know what it's like to screw things up so badly, no-one's willing to give you another chance. Is there any way you guys could help her?
Jane admits that Aubrey's grandmother has already asked for her help with the home-schooling.
JANE: But I'm not sure that I'm inclined...
ZARA: I don't mean to be rude or anything, but you said you regretted being too hard on me. What happened to being less judgemental?
Jane looks thoughtful.
No 22
Harlow comes in to find that Terese has washed her clothes for her. Terese notices Harlow's distracted, and asks if she's still thinking about being in the bush. Harlow doesn't reply.
TERESE: I am so glad you and Ned were together. Oh, did you hear how his talk with Amy went?
HARLOW: He's still got a few things to work through.
TERESE: Well, if he's gonna take this long to work out whether he wants to be with her, then... I'm sorry, but that's not a good sign.
Harlow looks thoughtful.
Ramsay Street
Amy is doing some gardening out the front of No 30, when Toadie approaches and asks if this is a lifetime first for her!
AMY: I'm weeding.
TOADIE: Umm, no, no - you're pulling out the new seedlings that Mel planted yesterday.
AMY: Oh. Sorry. I'm just... trying to keep busy, you know? While Ned's doing some 'thinking' - about us being together. After I poured my heart out to him, and told him I was all in.
TOADIE: As in 'L word' all in?
AMY: I didn't say it, but, you know, it was in the fine print. And I'm starting to feel like an idiot.
Toadie's surprised things have changed so much, given Amy was so confident about their relationship a few days ago. She admits she's worried that what Ned's been through in the bush might've messed with his head, and that he might not want to get back together.
TOADIE: Nah. Nah, I don't think it's that. No, I'm sure that once he's fully recovered, that he'll realise that you were the one who went looking for him. And nobody does that unless they are serious about somebody, hmm? It is the ultimate grand gesture, Ames.
AMY: Mm. What if it's too little, too late? Like, I had this smart, hot, sexy man that wanted to be with me for so long, and I did nothing. I think I've blown it, Toad.
Erinsborough High School
Jane has called Shannon back in, and presents her with piles of learning materials and documentation that Jane's prepared to help Shannon home-school Aubrey. Shannon is grateful, and Jane says that as well as printing out the necessary home-schooling registration forms, she's prepared to offer Aubrey some 'out-of-hours assistance' to help her stay on track. Shannon says this is very generous.
Jane also gives Shannon an application for an extension on a piece of assessed coursework for physics, that Aubrey failed to hand in to Curtis before she left. Jane says it's Aubrey's accelerated VCE subject, so it's very important she completes it. Shannon assures her she'll get the form filled in; as she packs the documents away, Jane tells her that today is the last day it can be submitted, or she'll miss the deadline.
SHANNON: Thank you so much for your help. I am very grateful.
Harold's Café
Ned is working a shift when Harlow comes in. She acknowledges she wasn't in the right headspace earlier when they were talking.
NED: Yeah, it seemed like you didn't want to talk at all.
HARLOW: Not about us. About you and Amy.
NED: I told you, I still don't know how I feel.
HARLOW: Right. And I think you should listen to that. I mean, you were the one who said that you needed more time to make up your mind. There's a reason why.
NED (sighs): Maybe you and I shouldn't talk about this.
HARLOW: What, because we were together?
NED: Yeah.
HARLOW: But doesn't the fact that you were with someone else say something? Maybe being with Amy isn't what you really want anymore.
Ned just looks deeply uncomfortable. Harlow says she isn't trying to make his decision harder.
HARLOW: And I meant what I said about things staying between us at the waterfall. But I do think you deserve to be valued. Not strung along by someone who keeps changing their mind about what they want.
NED: ... I'll keep that in mind.
The Waterhole
Kyle and Roxy are chatting by the bar, excited about their attempt to get pregnant. Ned comes in, and asks if he can have a word alone with Kyle. They take a seat.
KYLE: Did you clear things up with Amy and Harlow?
NED: Uh, not exactly. I'm getting there. Yeah, Harlow wants me to forget about what happened, and Amy wants us to get back together, so...
KYLE: Winning! You do want that with Amy, right?
NED: Man, I don't know anymore. I did before we went away, but - I mean, maybe the fact that I did that with Harlow means I actually don't?
KYLE: Or, you weren't thinking with your brain!
NED: Harlow thinks Amy doesn't value me.
KYLE: Since when was she offering relationship advice for you and Amy?
NED: Since just now.
KYLE: Alright, Ned, no offence, mate - but she's not the one to be listening to. You need to make your own mind up about this.
Erinsborough High School
In the corridor, Jane asks Curtis if Shannon has been in touch with him, as she was supposed to hand in Aubrey's physics coursework extension form before the end of the day. But Curtis hasn't heard from her.
JANE: I went out of my way to help her. I was very clear about when it was due. For someone making so much noise about not wanting to jeopardise her granddaughter's education, she clearly has not taken this as seriously as she should have.
Harold's Café
Ned is at work, but is seriously distracted by flashbacks to the waterfall, and his time with Harlow there. He looks very conflicted, until Amy appears and snaps him out of his daydream.
AMY: Hey. I'm not here to hassle you or anything.
Amy starts telling him about some work matter to do with the drinks van - and is in the middle of a sentence, when Ned spontaneously kisses her on the lips. She kisses him back.
AMY (delighted): Does this mean... ?
NED: I'm all in.
But his face perhaps tells a different story...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Dean is lingering around Aaron's hospital room, and Aaron asks David why
- Dean asks an incredulous- looking David if he's told Aaron what happened between them
- We see Harlow watching Amy and Ned together; later, Ned suggests to Harlow she might be getting jealous
- Harlow sarcastically replies, 'What, you think I'm just dying to have sex with you again?'
- Ned asks Amy whether, if she could do it over again, she would choose him from the start? She looks unsure