Riley is angry that Nicola said his father's name when they kissed and Nicola tells him how much it would hurt Miranda if she found out. Paul decides that they should wait for the blackmailer to contact them again. Chris chases Bridget down the stairs. Declan says that Chris will get what's coming to him. Steve asks Bridget if Chris has threatened her and tells her that he won't show his face around anymore. Libby and Ty find Chris unconscious. Miranda asks Steve if he ran into Chris last night.

Steve is angry because he believes that Miranda is accusing him of attacking Chris Knight, but she says that she was just wondering where he was last night. He tells her that he was looking for Bridget and went for a drive and asks why she's interrogating. Bridget comes into the kitchen and Miranda explains the situation about Chris' attack. Steve tells her daughter that Miranda thinks he did it and walks off. Nicola backs Steve, but Miranda says that she is worried and only asked a few questions. Nicola tells her that most women would be grateful for a husband who stands up for his family.

..

At Charlie's, Steve plays darts and Miranda walks over to him, apologising and claiming that she knew Steve would never beat up someone like that. He says that if he gets fired up, it's only to protect their daughter and he feels like he's failing. Miranda says that he has never failed them and says that Nicola gave her a lecture, joking that she secretly likes 'cavemen' like Steve. But Miranda continues to ask questions about what happened the night before, saying that Steve can tell her anything, but he is disappointed by her lack of faith in him.

..

At number 32, Libby and Ty tell Steph about their discovery of Chris' body. Steph asks her if she mentioned what happened earlier at the formal to the police, but Libby is unsure if there is a connection. There's a knock at the door and as Libby goes to answer, Lyn enters, surprising everyone. Libby notes that Susan will be delighted to see her. Steph asks her if she is alright and Lyn nods, but quickly changes the subject to Charlie.

..

At Lassiter's, the police investigate the crime scene, finding the tyres of Chris' car flat. Inside The General Store, Declan tells Ringo and Zeke that the cops will be all over him, but the guys promise not to tell on him. Rachel comes over and they quickly change the subject. Paul asks them about the formal and Declan replies very unenthusiastically, but Paul says that says was home in plenty of time and that Rebecca would be very happy with him. Alec Skinner enters, wanting to speak to Declan and the other boys.

At the police station, Alec questions Declan, Ringo and Zeke. He asks Declan why he left the formal early. Ringo explains that Chris has a bad reputation, so Skinner asks if that is why he and his friends went looking for him. He explains to Declan that they found Chris' car in the Lassiter's lot, windows broken and tyres slashed. Declan tells him that he knows nothing, but Alec says that the hotel night staff saw a young man in the car park last night. They were able to make a detailed physical description and Declan fits the bill. And with his past record, his latest actions might blow Declan's good behaviour bond. Skinner explains the seriousness of Chris' condition and tells Ringo that he isn't blaming him, but if he knows something and doesn't tell him, Ringo will become an accessory to the crime. Ringo and Zeke have nothing else to add, with Zeke explaining that after they didn't find Chris, he hooked up with Taylah and went home. Skinner almost catches Declan out in a lie, when Declan claims that he, Zeke and Taylah went him together, but Paul corroborates Declan's story.

..

At number 28, Ringo tells Karl and Susan that he had nothing to do with Chris getting hurt and Zeke agrees. But Karl and Susan say that the time for making excuses for their friends is over, they have to tell the truth. Susan receives a call from Lyn but doesn't answer. Zeke promises that they never even saw Chris after the formal, but refuses to reveal their secret, as does Ringo, saying that he understands if they need to contact Prue.

At number 22, Declan tries to explain himself to Paul, who is furious that Declan trashed Chris' car. He explains that he did it for Bridget, as he thought Chris had hurt her. Paul offer him a deal: he won't tell Rebecca or the police, but Declan has to make it right. Elle comes in with the mail and as she sorts through it, finds a letter from the blackmailer asking for $12,400.

..

At Charlie's, Lyn admires the place, telling Steph that she's done a wonderful job. Steph enquires about the salon, but Lyn doesn't want to talk about work since she's on holidays. She asks Steph about what is happening with Toadie. Steph tells her that they're just friends, but Lyn is disappointed, saying that he's a good man and she knows that Steph loves him. But she disagrees, saying that she is happier this way and that Toadie has moved on - he's adopting a kid from East Timor. Toadie walks in, saying that Lyn had invited him and thought it just the two of them would be having a drink. She says that she thought it would be nice if the three of them caught up together and she goes to make a phone call to Susan, leaving Steph and Toadie to chat.

At number 26, the Parkers eat their dinner in silence. There is a knock at the door and Bridget goes to answer it. It's Rachel who says that she has been very worried abut her. Didge claims that she is fine, but that she feels like an idiot, after she was warned about Chris. Rachel tells her not to give herself a hard time and hugs her.

..

At number 22, Paul and Elle continue to discuss the blackmailer. Paul doesn't want to get Kirsten involved, saying that since she has already told Ned, she can't be trusted. Elle is worried but Paul assures her that Ned won't tell, however he thinks that they should handle the situation themselves from now on. They look at the letter for clues and notice the amount - $12,400 - is very specific and must hold some significance. Paul has a friend in accounts who could help trace the bank account number, so then they'll know the identity of the blackmailer.

..

Back at Charlie's, Lyn is still talking about Steph and Toadie's break-up. Toadie decides to go and Steph asks her mum to drop the subject. Then she tells Lyn that Paul is engaged again, but she thinks that Rebecca is way too nice for him. Lyn says that her relationship with Paul is ancient history, but Steph thinks that she should go and see him to give him a chance to apologise. Lyn mentions that she hasn't thought about Paul in ages and doesn't need an apology.

Nicola walks over to Riley, but he tells her that she is never going to get Steve, so she has to go or he'll tell. She doesn't think he has the guts and gets her phone to let him ring them. She tells him that they'll be so disappointed, that he likes her too much, so should forget about the threats.

..

The following morning at number 22, Paul is on the phone, but stops Declan from leaving the house, reminding him about their deal and gives him 48 hours to find a way to make it up to Chris or Rebecca will be getting involved. As Declan leaves, Paul continues his phone call and after some persuasion, his friend in accounts reveals the owner of the bank account - Rebecca Napier.

At The General Store, Declan, Ringo and Zeke discuss how they can make things right. Declan is worried that if the cops find out what he did to Chris' car, there's no way they'll believe that he didn't hurt him. Didge and Rachel come in and Declan explains what he did. Didge is angry that he took such a stupid risk and Ringo tries to calm the situation by saying that Chris could wake up and it'll all blow over. But Rachel reminds him of what Karl told them this morning, Chris hasn't regained consciousness and is in critical condition. They all face the possibility that Declan could go to jail for something that he didn't do and Didge looks very worried.

..

At number 26, Didge comes home and asks Steve if he has heard anything about Chris' condition. He explains that the last he heard, Chris was still on a ventilator and they were worried about him. Steve tries to tell Didge that it isn't her fault, but she doesn't reply. He asks her if Chris tried to hurt her and she nods. Didge reveals that he chased her, called her a tease and tried to force himself on her. She pushed him away, not knowing that he hit his head and thought that he had fallen over and hadn't been able to catch up with her again. Steve hugs her as Didge realises that Chris may die and it'll be her fault.

Regular Cast Credits