Lassiter's Complex
Lauren comes outside to find Paige, who demands to know why Mary turned up uninvited. Lauren doesn't know, but hugs her. Mary comes outside, closely followed by Brad.

MARY: Happy birthday, Paige.

Brad introduces himself and Lauren. We learn that Mary has come all the way from Singapore to be here for Paige's twenty-first. Brad suggests he and Lauren give Mary and Paige some time alone - Paige agrees that she'll see them inside, pointedly referring to them as 'Mum' and 'Dad'.

Once they're gone, Mary explains that Ethan told her about the party, and that she wanted to surprise her.

PAIGE: Mission accomplished! I'm surprised!
MARY: Look, I won't stay long. I've got to get back to the hotel. Darling, for what it's worth, I really hope you had a beautiful day.

And with that Mary's gone, leaving Paige looking conflicted.

The Waterhole
Lauren and Brad are debating whether to go back out and check on Paige, but opt not to. Mary comes in again, saying Paige needs some time. Terese bustles over and introduces herself - Mary remembers her from when she called to let her know Paige had found her real parents, and Brad and Lauren exchange a glance.

Mary compliments Lauren and Brad's costumes.

LAUREN: Well, Paige's favourite film is Grease.
MARY: Yes, I know.

Mary offers to pay the bar bill as her contribution to the party, but Lauren and Brad insist it's part of their present to Paige. Saying it was nice to meet them, Mary bids them all goodnight, and Lauren follows her out to check on Paige.

BRAD: Yeah, I should probably come too. (To Terese) If that's alright with you?
TERESE: Yeah, it's fine. I'll see you shortly.

But Terese looks far from happy as Brad follows Lauren outside.

Lassiter's Complex
In the courtyard, Paige is on the phone to Ethan, giving him a telling-off for sending Mary to town without telling her.

PAIGE: Thanks for the awesome birthday present (!)

Lauren and Brad rejoin her, and Paige whines on about how Mary hasn't spoken to her in months, then suddenly parachutes into her party.

PAIGE: Who does that?!
LAUREN: Maybe she was missing you?
BRAD: She did offer to pay the whole bill.
PAIGE: She didn't!
BRAD: What's the problem?
PAIGE: When in doubt, flash the cash!
BRAD: She seemed pretty sincere.
PAIGE: Listen to this - on my sixteenth, she went to Europe, and just left me with her credit card. On her eighteenth, she came to my party for twenty minutes before going to another function.
LAUREN: Well maybe she just wanted to make up for that tonight.
PAIGE: The fact is, she never wanted me as a daughter.
BRAD: That's a bold statement.
PAIGE: I heard her say it myself.
LAUREN: What?
PAIGE: When I was ten. I overheard her saying to John that everything went wrong the moment that he brought me into the family.

Paige adds that Mary doesn't know she overheard that, so not to mention it to her. Brad tells her not to get worked up about it, and to go home and sleep on it - but Paige says it won't change anything.

No 28
Karl is in his pyjamas playing his guitar, but remarks to Susan that it sounds wrong, and might need fixing - a point he reiterates later in the scene. Nate and Tyler come in; Tyler thanks the Kennedys again for letting him stay.

Susan gets an email from the Celebrant Association; they want to meet her tomorrow to discuss Alistair's complaint against her. Nate apologises again for landing her in it, and Susan goes next door to sort it out.

Nate and Tyler are about to head out for the night; but while Nate's in the bathroom, Tyler takes an opportunity to say how grateful he is again for Karl's hospitality. Karl suggests that Tyler repay them by sticking on the straight and narrow; and Tyler agrees. Karl heads to bed, pointedly deciding to take his medical bag with him into the bedroom. Tyler looks concerned.

Off Air
Tyler, Aaron and Nate are playing Monopoly! But Nate is distracted by the presence of Alistair, who is hanging out in the background with some of his posse. Nate says he shouldn't even be here after trying to destroy Susan's career. Aaron says Alistair's just confused, and suggests they go over and talk to him.

NATE: I've tried. Failed.
AARON: I mean talk to him about his feelings. Not give him the evil eyebrow.
NATE: What evil eyebrow?!

Aaron says he wants to help Susan out, and Tyler agrees that if they help with Alistair, the Kennedys might trust him more - explaining how Karl took his doctor's bag to the bedroom with him rather than leaving it alone with Tyler.

NATE: I already told you, I tried.
AARON: Yeah, but - I'm more charming than you.

Nate decides to strop off home, calling Aaron 'ridiculous' - and warns Tyler not to let him do anything stupid. He leaves, and Aaron starts nudging Tyler.

AARON: Ooh, you just got the evil eyebrow!

Lassiter's
Mary is in her hotel room when Lauren drops by to talk. Mary says she understands Lauren must resent her, since her baby was taken from her - but Lauren assures her that she knows Mary and John didn't have any idea about the circumstances of Paige being stolen. However, Lauren does question why Mary turned up out of the blue. Mary claims she's just been busy with work.

MARY: I don't expect you to welcome me with open arms. But I love Paige.
LAUREN: I'm sure you do - but your actions over the years...
MARY: What's she said about me?

Lauren won't repeat what was said, but adds that Mary and Paige's relationship is obviously a distant one. Tiring of the conversation, Mary tells Lauren it's late, and shows her out. Lauren suggests they catch up tomorrow, but Mary says it's Paige she needs to speak to.

No 28
Breakfast-time. Tyler is quiet, and admits to Nate that he's worried about the police case - and particularly whether Michelle will implicate Paige when the police find her. Tyler tells Nate he has lied to Mark to pre-empt this, suggesting that Michelle might lie and say Paige was involved in the operation. Tyler then asks Nate to help him collect some stuff from No 24 after breakfast.

NATE: Is he gonna be there?
TYLER: Who, Mark?
NATE: The himbo.
TYLER: You know, you're the only person I've met who doesn't like him.

Tyler explains that Aaron helped him out loads in Port Lincoln, and is covering his legal fees.

NATE: Paying for it with all his tips, I'm guessing?
TYLER: You should just get to know him.
NATE: Why, because we're so perfect for each other? (!)

Tyler apologises for trying to set them up, but says Aaron's a good guy. Nate remains to be convinced, however. Karl comes in, and asks if Nate could help him out unpacking some supplies at Off Air later. Nate says he has to go to work once he's helped Tyler, but Tyler promises that he'll come and help Karl instead after he's collected his things from Mark's. Karl thanks Tyler.

No 22
In the garden, Paige is whining to Brad about Mary turning up and ruining her party. But Brad suggests Paige uses Mary's presence as a chance to clear up some issues with her.

BRAD: What you overheard when you were ten - that is a lot to carry round.
PAIGE: Talking about it isn't gonna change anything.

Paige says the Smiths only adopted her because they thought they couldn't have kids: when Ethan came along, she was just in the way, and they only continued to look after her out of obligation. Paige tells Brad not to try and make excuses for Mary; she's okay and can handle it. Brad gives Paige a hug, just as Terese comes out - and she swiftly walks back inside again.

No 28
Terese has come round to whinge to Susan about Paige; the text message she saw about getting Brad and Lauren back together is still playing on her mind. Susan thinks Terese should talk to Paige about it, but Terese is worried about how it will look if she brings it up now, with Paige so upset about Mary - who she says is 'another wild card'.

TERESE: I don't know what I'm gonna do.

Harold's Store
In the kitchen, Lauren and Brad are discussing the Mary situation. Lauren admits it can't have been easy for Mary hearing Paige call Lauren 'Mum' - but says she doesn't think Paige is exaggerating the distance between her and Mary, reminding Brad of Mary's failure to show up last year, and what she said when Paige was ten. They wonder whether they should encourage Paige and Mary to sort it out.

BRAD: In some ways it would be easier if Mary just packed her bags and left.
LAUREN: Yeah, but isn't that us just being self-serving, because we want Paige all to ourselves? No - no, we have to put aside our feelings and do what's best for Paige.

Brad agrees, and they decide to try to persuade Paige to take more time to consider the situation before driving Mary out of town. There's an awkward moment of chemistry between Brad and Lauren, before he leaves.

No 24
Tyler and Nate arrive to collect Tyler's things. Aaron wanders out of the bedroom (in a towel, naturally) and tells them it's not a good time - asking them to come back later.

TYLER: Oh, you dirty dog! You got lucky last night!
AARON: Can you just leave, please?
TYLER: What's wrong? Worried he's gonna find out there's a better-looking Brennan brother?

Tyler teases Aaron for coming over so shy all of a sudden, when the reason for Aaron's reticence emerges from the bedroom. It's Alistair, also in a towel!

NATE: You've gotta be kidding me!

Alistair clocks Nate and disappears back into the bedroom!

AARON: We got talking...
NATE: Oh, yeah, talking (!)

Aaron says he thinks he fixed Nate's problem with Susan, and that he'll thank him later - before following Alistair back into the bedroom! Nate looks annoyed.

Harold's Store
Paige is serving Susan, who weirdly doesn't use it as an opportunity to poke her nose in about the Terese situation. On her way out, Susan bumps into Nate, and tells him that Coco has called her - Alistair's dropped the complaint against Susan, and, following a big row, the wedding is definitely off. Susan wonders why he changed his mind, but Nate doesn't mention seeing him at Aaron's.

Mary comes in, and apologises to Paige for turning up unannounced last night. She says she knows it's been a difficult year for her due to everything that happened with Mark. Having not told Mary about this, Paige is annoyed to learn that Ethan has filled Mary in.

PAIGE: So now you're using Ethan to spy on me.
MARY: Well, how am I meant to keep up with what's going on?
PAIGE: How about we do something revolutionary like actually talking to me?
MARY: Well that's not going to work, because you don't answer my calls or respond to my emails!
PAIGE: Oh, the emails that you send to me when you're feeling guilty?
MARY: That's not true! It's not easy to be part of your life when you don't give me an inch.
PAIGE: Oh, that's right - I'm the problem. It's all me.

Paige storms off.

Off Air
Tyler is serving a customer at the bar, and Karl is watching him closely as he puts cash in the till. Afterwards, Karl comes over and tells Tyler about their 'new policy' for dealing with large cash denominations, like the $50 note he just accepted. Tyler visibly construes this as Karl not trusting him with handling cash, but promises to remember for next time.

Ramsay Street
Aaron is on the drive of No 24, working out with the punchbag. Nate comes over for a pop.

NATE: You must be proud of yourself?
AARON: Sorry?
NATE: Coco and Alistair have broken up. You must be over the moon.

Aaron simply remarks that Coco will thank him one day.

NATE: Oh, because you did such an amazing selfless thing, picking Alistair up and taking him home for the night?
AARON: Nothing happened! All we did was talk.
NATE: Pull the other one!
AARON: Hey, the guy was just confused. I just helped him look at things a different way. That's all.
NATE: Why was he open to talking to you, and not me?
AARON: I dunno. Maybe because I didn't lecture him?
NATE: Right - and after nothing happened, he just decided to stay over and go for a swim today?
AARON: He said he woke up a new person!

But Nate is still sceptical of Aaron's conduct. Aaron asks him what his problem is.

AARON: I went out of my way to help someone that you care about, and this is your way of thanking me?

Nate gives Aaron the evil eyebrow!

Harold's Store
Terese comes in, while Paige is in the kitchen, and spots Paige's phone on the counter. She picks it up and looks at it - but before she can read Paige's messages, Paige comes out of the kitchen and Terese quickly puts the phone down.

Terese probes Paige for information on Ethan, remarking that she must have been sorry he didn't come to the party. Paige replies that Ethan's not her favourite person right now, as he's been feeding information about her to Mary.

TERESE: Look, I don't mean to overstep, but... Mary seems like a nice enough person.
PAIGE: Well, not to be rude, but you don't really know the type of person she is.
TERESE: Yeah, but the fact that she came here to share your birthday with you - I mean, that must count for something?
PAIGE: Is that why she came here?
TERESE: What other reasons would she have?
PAIGE: I dunno. She's obviously come here for something. And I'm gonna have to find out why.

Off Air
Tyler is collecting glasses in the bar, when Karl asks if he's seen his guitar - he brought it into work so he could take it to the repair shop later, to get the dodgy bridge sorted out. Tyler says he hasn't seen it; but Karl seems irritable and sceptical, saying Tyler must have walked past it a dozen times today. Tyler offers to help Karl look for it.

KARL: Doesn't seem to be much point, does there? It's obviously been stolen! I'll have to notify the police, hope they can track down something that's been a huge part of my life for twenty years (!)
TYLER: If you have something to say to me, then you should just say it!
KARL: I beg your pardon?
TYLER: You think I stole it, don't you?!
KARL: I didn't say that.
TYLER: Well you didn't need to!
KARL: This is not the time or place to talk about this.
TYLER: Either you trust me with your guitar, and the till, and your doctor's bag, or you don't!
KARL: Okay. We'll just thrash it out at home, alright?

Karl walks away, but Tyler loses it and slams the tray of glasses to the floor, smashing them. Clearly rattled, Karl tells Tyler to leave. He does so, kicking things on the way out.

Lassiter's
Terese visits Mary's room to talk to her, and finds her already packing her bags to leave. Terese immediately tries to convince her to stay.

TERESE: I'm a career woman too. I know how hard it is to juggle work demands and family.
MARY: It doesn't mean I don't love her...
TERESE: No, of course not!
MARY: I even had this crazy idea that Paige would come back to Singapore with me.
TERESE: Singapore?
MARY: Well, not forever. Just for long enough for us to work on our relationship.
TERESE: I think some time overseas would be great for Paige. Maybe I could help?
MARY: Really?
TERESE: Yeah. I just want everyone to be happy! Look, don't give up, Mary. I'll do what I can to help you reconnect with your daughter.

Unmissable Drama
- Mark tells Karl he can't be around Tyler at the moment after everything he's done
- Tyler tells Mark he gets it - he's an idiot, like Mark's always said
- Imogen asks Amber what's going on with her and Daniel; she says he broke their no- baby- talk pact
- Amber fiddles pensively with her engagement ring
- Terese tells Lauren that Mary not being maternal doesn't make her a bad person
- Tipped off by Terese that Mary might leave, Lauren tries to convince her to stay
- Paige shouts at Brad and Lauren, telling them she doesn't want Mary here