Neighbours most stand-up citizen Dr Karl Kennedy returns from his holiday to Thailand hiding something huge next week – and someone on Ramsay Street intends to use it against him.
Sheila Canning is determined to use whatever is bothering Karl to her advantage and resorts to a spot of blackmail to get her own way.
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As Karl and wife Susan come home from their break, something isn’t right between the pair. Friends and family soon notice the atmosphere is tense and awkward, yet neither will reveal exactly what’s gone on.
It’s clear something happened between them on holiday and while Karl just wants to forget whatever it is ever happened, Susan is particularly annoyed with her husband.
Karl decides to take his mind of his troubles by putting himself forward to take leadership of the “Liveability committee”, which has been put in place to make sure Erinsborough is named the most liveable suburb.
But he soon finds he has unwelcome competition when Sheila decides she’d be much better at the job and throws her own hat into the ring.
As the pair go to war, Sonya Rebecchi steps in a suggests the two present their cases to the community meeting and everyone will then vote on who’s the best to lead them forward.
As the committee gathers around a table waiting to hear each pitch, Sheila soon becomes suspicious that Susan isn’t there to support her hubby – clearly all is not well in the Kennedy household.
Playing an underhand game, Sheila confronts Karl over why Susan isn’t there and asks if it’s because of what happened in Thailand as Sheila knows all about it.
Thing is, she doesn’t have a clue what actually went on, she’s just bluffing to get her own way. She’d make a great politician!
As she vows to expose his secret to everyone unless he pulls out of the race, Karl feels he’s left with little choice.
Giving in to the blackmail, Karl withdraws, leaving Sheila to claim victory.
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But that doesn’t seem to be enough – the busybody still wants to know the truth about Thailand. Don’t we all!
She heads over to see Susan and offers her support, assuming Karl cheated on her while they were out there.
However, back at The Waterhole, Karl is revealing the truth to Shane Rebecchi, who’s absolutely stunned by what he’s hearing.
Just what is Karl and Susan’s secret? Is it really that shameful? And can they put it behind them and move on?