Hoping to distract herself from bigger problems, Steph keeps busy with housework, her café renovations, and by helping out at the garage. While Karl successfully gets her to open up about missing Charlie, Steph keeps her longing for Lucas a secret. When inspecting the new garage set-up, Steph inadvertently stumbles across Lucas's hidden stash of the men's magazine containing Vanessa topless.

Vanessa pleads with Lucas to reconsider calling off the wedding but he can't shake the fear that he would only be second best. He can't understand why she would keep such a secret from him, while Vanessa starts to wonder whether he's just looking for an excuse to break up with her so he can be with Steph. When Sonya has a go at Steph about it, a tearful Steph rushes to Lucas.