Lou's Place - Office/bar: Steph starts apologising and Max asks her to wait outside while he speaks to Alex. Steph waits at the bar, humiliated, while Max is heard shouting at Alex. Summer enters and greets Steph, explaining that she needs the bathroom while Steph attempts to make conversation. Alex apologises, and Steph looks guilty as she watches Summer listening to Max scolding him for “making out” with her.

Carpenter's Mechanics: Lou is closing up, when he sees Ruby walking on the other side of the street. He calls out to her, offering a lift, and she looks up at him before hurrying away.

The Coffee Shop: Harold is brushing the floor when Lou enters, and Harold offers him hot chocolate. Lou tells Harold what just happened and suggests they follow Ruby to see what is going on.

Lou's Place: Max is counting money when Summer asks about Alex and suggests that Max sack him since Max loves Steph. Max noticeably hesitates before denying it and they head home, Summer telling Max that she loves him.

No 26 - Living Room: Joe joins Lyn on the sofa, talking about his and Michelle’s stay at Henry’s farm. Lyn starts to talk about Connie and gets teary, saying that she does not want to forget her, before sitting up as she feels the baby quickening.

No 24 - Kitchen/living room: Harold returns home with Ruby, who is pleased that he found her. She starts to explain that she was staying with a friend and was walking home when Harold demands the truth. She does not want to get into it and he tells her to face up to her own problem.

No 26 - Kitchen/living room: Steph and Alex are left alone as Joe and Lyn leave for bed. Steph is curious that Alex wishes to stay on at the bar after what just happened, thinking that Max was overreacting. Alex then asks if there was ever something between them and she admits that there was, though she especially feels nothing for him after the way he treated Alex.

No 24 - Living room: Harold speaks to Derek on the phone, explaining that Ruby will be staying with him for a while. As she complains about being treated like an object, she complains about causing Harold trouble. She goes on to describe how hard it is to start over, and Harold encourages her to try.

Ramsay Street: Next morning, Boyd returns from skating when he sees Summer with a large box. She explains that she is busy and leaves.

No 26 - Kitchen: Joe is clearing up after breakfast when Lyn enters, getting annoyed by his determination as a stay-at-home dad. Steph answers the door to Summer, who gives her back the box with all of Steph’s gifts in it. She explains that she thought Steph was going to love Max and calls her mean, saying that they cannot be friends.

The Coffee Shop: Harold is at work when Lou enters and questions him about Ruby. Trying to keep Ruby occupied with work, Harold explains that she is trying to overcome her addiction. Lou goes on to tell Harold that he is close to outdoing the cheating customers who wrote the complaint letters to him, but will not elaborate. Boyd and Summer enter, Summer explaining that she no longer likes Steph because of Max and Alex, but will be able to put things right with one word: roster.

Lou's Place - Office/bar: Alex enters, asking why Max has given him only one shift a week. Steph then enters angrily, explaining what Summer did and thinking that Max put her up to it. She calls him irresponsible and tells him to put things straight with Summer before storming out. As she does, Max mutters that Summer is in trouble… Max shows Alex the new roster, allowing the pair to make up. Harold joins Lou in the office, confessing that things are bad with Ruby. Lou assures Harold that he will be there to help him.

Ramsay Street: Boyd and Summer are playing cricket when Steph joins them with Summer’s box, and Boyd explains that Summer is grounded, making her more grumpy. Boyd leaves them alone, and Steph says to Summer that friendships can sometimes get better again. She asks her to hold onto the box for just a bit longer until she decides whether or not to stay angry. She leaves Summer looking glum.

No 26 - Kitchen: Steph and Alex are having dinner with Joe and Lyn, joking about Joe’s cooking. Alex then praises Joe for deciding to be a stay-at-home dad and offers to help him clear up, while Steph and Lyn laugh to themselves about how charming Alex is compared to the forceful Joe.

No 24 - Kitchen/living room: Ruby and Harold are clearing up after dinner when Ruby decides to go to the shop for milk. As Harold offers to join her, she shouts at him to let her do it herself. She then stops, taking in what just happened and apologises for pushing him away. He apologises for being overbearing and she says that this solution may not work after all.

Regular Cast Credits

Guest Cast: Marco Pio Venturini as Alex Argenzio, Maureen Edwards as Ruby Dwyer

Trivia Notes
• Alex’s uncle is Frank Argenzio, who supplies concrete for Joe
• Summer is grounded for making up the fake roster

Summary by Brendan