Author's Note: I know that straightforward relationships don't make good television. And I respect the writers' ability to gradually drip feed us bits of information about how Pete & Eliza's relationship ended.
But the whole thing is also driving me crazy. Just one decent conversation and the whole thing could have been sorted.
Also, I think Pete's too much of a decent bloke to keep things going with Chaya while he still has feelings for Eliza. So sorry to any the Pete/Chaya fans out there.
All the dialogue that you recognise comes from the show.
RFDS
The day of Eliza's return. End of shift.
Chaya: Coming to the pub?
Pete: (like a deer caught in headlights) Ah, I don't think so. Look, can we talk for a minute?
They go somewhere quieter.
Chaya: What is it?
Pete: (very uncomfortable) There's something I should tell you. (Chaya just waits) Ah, you know the other day at White Cliffs, when Taylor was carrying on about who's been out with who...
Chaya: (nods, waits, but he doesn't go on) You weren't very forthcoming about your previous relationships.
Pete: Mmm. One of them was Eliza.
Chaya: (eyes widen a bit) The Eliza who's just come back?
Pete: Yeah.
Chaya: Right. And that's... weird for you?
Pete: Ah, I guess you could say that, yeah.
Chaya: Is it over?
Pete: I think so, yes.
Chaya: You think so.
There's a long pause. Chaya decides to just rescue Pete from his inability to either process or communicate, and let him off.
Chaya: Right. Well, how about we just leave this (she gestures between them) where it is then.
Pete: Ah, yeah, that might be best. I'm sorry.
Chaya: It's ok, it was only one night. Thanks for the fun, see you tomorrow.
Chaya picks up her bag and goes. Pete vaguely wonders if he should be more disappointed that she's letting him go so easily. He finishes packing up then heads out for a long run.
The following morning, Pete gets Eliza's text suggesting that they talk. He's tempted to ignore it, but instead he sends her a quick "OK."
Soon afterwards, they're flying towards Narraga Station. The air is thick with tension, lots of quick eye contact then glancing away. Finally Eliza huffs and speaks into her headset.
Eliza: Ah, Mira, are you ok if we isolate for a bit?
Mira: (smirks) You and Pete? Sure.
Eliza: Thanks.
Mira: Just forget I'm here. (she presses the button)
Pete: Very subtle.
Eliza: Oh, I'm sure the excruciating silence wasn't noticeable at all. We can't just avoid talking about this forever.
Pete: What do you want to talk about?
Eliza: England. The trip that wasn't.
Pete: What's to say? You called it off. It's alright.
Eliza: I asked you for more time.
Pete: You know, my leave was booked. That's the time I had.
Eliza: And I had things going on. I told you that, and then you just ghosted me.
Pete: "Things?" You never told me what those things were. To me, it felt like a pretty clear exit strategy.
Eliza: Or you could have trusted me.
Pete: All right then. Try me. Why did you cancel the trip?
Eliza: Everything was complicated. Work and life and... I don't know, I guess I was scared.
Pete: Of what?
Eliza: If things between us went...
Pete: Badly? We'd be stuck in London together for two weeks?
Eliza: More if things went well. And we were together in London and at the end of two weeks I was stuck, again, wondering what the hell I should do.
Pete: So you just made a pre-emptive decision to not even try it?
Eliza: (puts her head in her hands) Look, it really wasn't a good time. Henry...
She stops abruptly, avoiding his gaze. After a moment, he prompts her.
Pete: What about Henry?
Eliza: (takes a deep breath and looks at him) When he heard you were coming… He said that if we got together, he'd move out.
Pete: Why didn't you just tell me?
Eliza: I thought if you thought that he hated you, then what chance would we ever have of working out?
Pete: And you didn't think that I might have liked to consider that for myself? I have no desire to ever come between you and Henry, but at least we could have had a go at working it out together.
Eliza: (nods) I know. I'm sorry.
Pete: It's alright.
There's silence for a long moment.
Pete: So what made you come back now? Did Henry relent?
Eliza: Not so much relent as age out of the discussion, which I suppose was always going to happen. He's currently in Thailand.
Pete: Huh. So you're free.
Eliza: (little grin) You'd love to be the sole reason I came back, wouldn't you?
Pete: (shifting awkwardly in his seat) Somehow I doubt it was the superior comfort of our aircraft.
Eliza: Well, this is actually quite spacious compared to a helicopter. And the scenery is spectacular.
He grins at her, conceding the point.
Eliza: But actually, it was…
Eliza pauses while she considers breaking Leonie's confidence.
Pete: (sees her conflict) Eliza, what is it?
Eliza: It's Leonie. She's got ovarian cancer. Pete: (shocked) She didn't say.
Eliza: No. She didn't want to worry everyone.
Pete: How is she?
Eliza: She's having surgery in Dubbo today. (Eliza's phone rings and she looks at Pete apologetically) RFDS, Dr Harrod speaking.
While Eliza talks on the phone, Pete stares out the window, processing.