Seasons & episodes

Mark investigates a threat against Paige and discovers that the person who broke into Number 32's backyard was not Jayden but Joey Dimato. Paige's parents decide to keep her under surveillance until the situation is resolved. Amy offers to babysit Nell so Sonya and Toadie can go to the movies, but they decide to try and sort out Nell's behaviour first.

In the wake of learning that Terese has decided to stay on Ramsay St, Brad and Lauren are faced with a dilemma: go through with Brad’s planned stay at No. 32, or not? Undecided, Brad confronts his family but Terese’s bolshie attitude pushes him to stick with his original plan. With Imogen setting the agenda, Josh and Piper agree not to visit Brad over at the Turners.

Brad and Lauren, meanwhile, are realising the tension and anger surrounding his arrival at number 32 is not going to die down in a hurry. However, despite their repeated arguments to themselves and others that they are just platonic friends, their commitment to keeping things in the friends’ zone is put to the test when they find themselves alone.

Imogen frets about opening the USB stick Naomi gave her; she’s curious to know what’s on it but worries whatever’s there was obtained illegally. However, Josh is still stinging from being framed by Paul and is willing to take the risk for a chance to get back at him. He’s shocked when he discovers a letter from the State Education Department regarding the closure of Erinsborough High.

Karl is shocked to see Steph, and worried about why she’s back. Steph assures Karl that she’s still in treatment and progressing well – all she wants is to return ‘home’, rebuild her life and make up for her past mistakes. While Karl confirms Steph’s version of events with her hospital, a shocked Tyler discovers the truth about Steph’s history.

When Steph comes face to face with Lucas she begs him to reconsider and give her another chance at a life in Erinsborough. Initially, Lucas refuses to give her a job back at the garage, claiming that she is out of second chances but desperate to make amends, Steph points out that she wasn’t herself when she kidnapped Paddy – she was sick. Toadie argues that it is not fair for Steph to be judge.

Josh convinces Amber to attend a general birthing class, but it only serves to remind her of the struggles her baby will face and the messed up state of her and Josh’s families. Despite Josh’s insistence that he will not let her and the baby down, Amber confesses that he’s also part of the problem – doing the class with him confuses their relationship.

Daniel comes up with the idea of a suspended coffee scheme to give Off Air a point of difference, but Karl is skeptical about it bringing more sales in and worried about the type of clientele it might attract. Sure enough, Daniel is soon giving away free coffees that no one has paid for, but when Karl tries to initiate a business discussion, Daniel brushes him off, assuring him it’s a one off.

It's Steph's first day at work in the garage and she's keen to prove herself. Toadie's support to get her paperwork together helps her confidence. However, her positivity is short-lived when both Paul and Kyle make it abundantly clear they don’t want her in Erinsborough or trust her around Jimmy. After a day of bonding with Jimmy, who reminds her of her son, Charlie, Steph is distressed.

Susan and Brad have called a meeting to brainstorm ideas to save the school. However, when Sue Parker blocks every idea they have, they can’t help wondering if there’s more to it. And indeed, when Brad discovers that Sue has failed to pass on information to the other committee members, Sue and Brad realise that Sue is purposely sabotaging their efforts.

Amy battles to control her anxiety as the search for Jimmy continues. All evidence points to Steph having snatched him – and when Kyle and Mark spot her, they’re quick to accuse her of the crime. Steph angrily defends herself and is ultimately exonerated. It’s all too clear, however, that the community still distrusts her.

Terese suspects Piper of deliberately breaking the ‘Piper Jar’ containing family memories. She calls on Brad to help talk to their daughter. When they confront Piper, she denies having issues, and when Brad and Terese bicker, accuses them of being the problem. Later, in a more calm and rational frame of mind, the three sit down for a family talk.

Aaron confronts Tyler with his suspicion that he’s trying to split up Mark and Paige, but Tyler denies it convincingly. However, later he learns that Tyler has known all along that Paige is very resistant to the idea of having children too soon. He again tears strips off Tyler, who reveals how genuinely miserable he feels.

Steph is using an office chair in a basketball game with Toadie, which shows how playful and carefree she is feeling at the moment. Toadie then invites Steph to a school sleepover, which she happily accepts. However, their happy moment ends when Steph sees Belinda coming out of Grease Monkeys, which makes her suspicious of Belinda's intentions.

The chaos caused by the fire outbreak is felt by all the characters in different ways. Sheila, the school's caretaker, takes charge of the situation, patrolling the corridors and trying to ensure everyone's safety. However, she too becomes trapped and faces the danger of the fire. Meanwhile, Terese's emotional turmoil is evident as she confronts Lauren and Brad about their secret relationship.

Brad's determination to rescue Terese despite the risks shows his deep love and loyalty towards her. Karl's warning highlights the danger of going back inside a burning building, but Brad's love for Terese overrides any fear for his own safety.As the fire rages on, Sheila, Sonya, and Kyle frantically search for their loved ones, adding to the emotional intensity of the scene.

Josh, Lauren, and Paige were anxiously waiting for news about Amber's baby. They were all worried about her and hoping for the best. Just then, Terese arrived and sympathized with Josh, scowling at Lauren as she did. Nate and Daniel were discussing the fire at the bar, and Nate asked Daniel how he was feeling about Amber's labor. Karl arrived and announced that the baby had arrived safely.

The tension between Kyle and Amy continues to build as they both struggle to navigate their complicated feelings towards each other. Later, at The Waterhole, they find themselves in the same group as Jimmy, Paul, and Terese. As the night progresses, tensions rise when Paul makes snide comments about Amy and Jimmy's living arrangements.

Mark is not convinced of Steph's alibi for the night of the Fitzgerald Motors fire. He questions her about it and points out that she was supposed to check in at the station every time she had a pass out. Steph claims that she was walking alone that night, but Mark doubts her story. He holds her on a technicality and demands proof of her whereabouts.

Belinda proves that she didn’t frame Steph for starting the fire, and is upset that Steph could consider her as a suspect. Later, Steph tells Toadie the truth about her relationship with Belinda, and he is taken aback by the revelation. Belinda misreads the closeness between Toadie and Steph and accuses Steph of staying in Erinsborough for him.

Daniel discovers Paul has bought up key properties surrounding Erinsborough High and intends to create an up market housing estate after the school becomes another Eden Hills Grammar campus. Incensed, Nate wants to expose Paul immediately, but Daniel insists they hold off until he’s given him a chance to explain.

Nate expresses his concern for Aaron to Sheila but feels that he can no longer intervene in his life. Sheila advises Nate to be there for Aaron as a friend, and Nate decides to ask Sonya to rehire Aaron as her assistant. Sonya is touched by Nate’s concern but is unable to rehire Aaron in his previous role. However, she offers him a job at the nursery.

After a run-in with Tyler over some missing wrenches, Steph feels as though everyone is against her. But Amy helps her to see things from a different perspective, strengthening the new friendship between the two women. Paul, however, is less than happy to see them spending time together, and wastes no time telling Amy so.

Brad’s still feeling guilty about his decision to save Lauren in the fire before Terese. Not only has Terese been injured, the relationship with his kids has been damaged. Feeling his guilt, Lauren suggests that Brad lend Terese a helping hand to get home from hospital. But when Brad spends more time with Terese than planned, Lauren can’t help worrying.