Erinsborough Police Station
Wendy comes in and asks the officer on duty, Constable Jamie Neyland, where Andrew is, explaining that she's worried as he isn't answering his phone. Neyland assures Wendy that Andrew is fine and is at Lassiter's.

WENDY: Oh. Well, do you know what room?
NEYLAND: Pardon?
WENDY: Well, I know he probably asked you not to tell me, but I...

But at this point, Andrew comes in. He's still in uniform, and Wendy is relieved, presumably because she thought he'd decided to stay at the hotel rather than coming home - but is a bit lost for words.

No 32
Kiri and Haz are giggling about something on the sofa when Mackenzie comes in; she's been in her room busy preparing for her first court case. Haz tells her she has it in the bag, and asks what time Toadie will be getting there tomorrow.

MACKENZIE: Oh, he's actually not coming to court tomorrow.
HAZ: Wait, hang on. Isn't this case, like, a really big deal?
MACKENZIE: Yeah. It is. But Toadie's really busy, so I told him not to worry about.

Joining them on the sofa, Mack asks Kiri if she's talked to Nicolette yet about the church fundraiser. She admits she hasn't, as she's concerned Nic might be hoping for something from her in return.

MACKENZIE: Are you open to something happening?
KIRI: Honestly, I'm still trying to get my head around her explanation.
MACKENZIE: It sounded like she was really insecure at the time.
KIRI: Yeah, and what's gonna be different in the future?

Krista and Leo come in; they're in a good mood because of increased bookings at the vineyard. Krista then gets a call from Andrew - whatever it is appears to bring her mood down. She thanks him for letting her know, and then sighs when Leo asks what's happened.

Erinsborough Police Station
Wendy has been crying in the interview room, and Andrew brings her a cup of tea. He asks if she's ready to explain what's going on.

WENDY: We'd had an argument. You didn't come home.
ANDREW: The fight at the hotel broke out just as I was about to clock off. I'm sorry that I didn't call you; there was just no time.
WENDY: No, you don't need to explain. I should've thought it through before I raced down here and embarrassed you at work... again.

She starts crying again.

WENDY: I don't want to lose you, Andrew. I just don't think I'd be able to live with myself.
ANDREW: ... I really don't think we should have this conversation right now. You're dead on your feet, and I have a tonne of paperwork to get done before I'm allowed to leave.
WENDY: I really think we need to talk.
ANDREW: And we will. We just both need some sleep.
WENDY: Are you gonna come home?
ANDREW: Yeah.

Wendy looks somewhat reassured.

The Waterhole
Krista leads a load of disgruntled hotel customers into the pub, and offers them complimentary snacks and drinks while they get things sorted out. Leo is helping out with tea and coffee orders. Holly comes in and explains to Krista how the ruckus that Andrew attended to kicked off, though says nobody was hurt and no one is making an official complaint.

It was down to a booking error, says Holly; a guy called Doug Baldree, who Andrew had to take away, thought his group was checking in at midnight, but in fact another large group was booked in. Doug and the leader of the other group started arguing and it became really personal.

KRISTA: And it was definitely our mistake?
HOLLY: Yeah. Doug's group do have a reservation, for next month. Guess who took the booking?
KRISTA: Brett?
HOLLY: Mm- hm.
KRISTA: Great. Well, he'd better be working on a solution to fix this right now!
HOLLY: That's the thing. He's not even here (...) He left early.
KRISTA: Of course he did.

Holly goes on to explain that they've found emergency accommodation for everyone, partly in twin rooms, and will put them in their proper rooms tomorrow. Holly asks if she can leave, as she was supposed to be at the Back Lane Bar an hour ago. Krista says that's fine, and thanks her for staying back. Krista calls Brett, but gets his voicemail, so tells him to get back to the hotel ASAP.

No 32
The next morning, Mackenzie is preparing for her court appearance. Byron expresses surprise that Toadie isn't going with her, and Haz agrees that it's 'unbelievable'. Mack defends Toadie, saying it's mostly her case and he would only have been there for moral support. She's confident that she has got this.

Nicolette comes in with Isla, and tells Byron she needs him to take her; Nic needs to go to the vineyard, but there's a gastro outbreak at childcare so she can't take Isla there. But Byron says he has to go and work a shift at the hotel due to last night's incident; Krista needs all hands on deck. Nic's worried, as they're still on their trial period for the investment at the vineyard, and one of them should be there.

At this point Kiri comes in, and Isla runs towards her happily. Nic admits she's struggling to find someone to look after Isla, but Kiri suggests just bringing her along to the vineyard with them; she's sure Leo will understand, being a single dad. Nic agrees and they smile at one another, the other housemates seemingly noticing the improvement in relations between the pair.

Lassiter's Hotel
Byron is trying to placate the disgruntled guests from last night with complimentary meals, while Krista instructs the housekeeping team on the phone. Holly is at reception, and Krista remarks on the massive flask of coffee she's drinking from. Holly reminds her that she stayed late last night.

KRISTA: Yeah, and you went out afterwards.
HOLLY: Okay, hello judgement! I'm helping to fix Brett's mess, aren't I?
KRISTA: No, I know - sorry. I do really appreciate it.

But Holly looks a bit peeved that Krista is getting at her. Conversation shifts to the disgruntled guests' group leader, Doug Baldree - Krista is sure she knows the name from somewhere, so looks him up. It turns out he's the lead writer at a travel review company, the Traveller's Owl. Krista's now very worried - if he writes a bad review it could seriously damage the business.

No 26
Wendy finds Andrew in the garden looking pensive as he stares into his breakfast bowl. She sits down next to him and tries to explain herself better, saying that everything kept coming out wrong when they initially spoke about it.

ANDREW: I didn't give you much of a chance.
WENDY: You know, the whole time that I was playing this other Wendy, never once did I question my life with you or Sade. But you and I, we found each other and, you know, we had Sadie so young. So there's always been this part of me... that wondered if I missed out on a pivotal part of being 20. And then, when the uni kids mistook me for being this young and responsibility- free woman - yeah, I guess I just... I took the chance to see what it was like. But you know what I found? That that life - it's fun. But it does not hold a candle to the life that I've built with you.
ANDREW: ... But why didn't you just tell us?
WENDY: I didn't think you'd understand. I mean, I'm way too old to have these kinds of insecurities, Andrew. But I love you so much. And I love our family.
ANDREW: You just... you don't have to try *so* hard. The Wendy that I know, and Sadie knows, she doesn't have to try and fit in. She's perfect just the way she is.

Wendy smiles.

Yorokobi
Leo and Kiri are discussing their plans for the big event they're hosting today. Leo's surprised when Nicolette shows up with Isla, but Kiri says it was her idea and insists it will be fine with them all on board. Leo agrees, admitting he's just a bit stressed, and starts to go through the plans with Nic too. Kiri and Nic smile at one another again.

The Waterhole
Cara is doing an odd job behind the bar while Aaron serves. Wendy arrives and apologises to him for being late, explaining things came to a head between her and Andrew last night.

WENDY: We managed to talk through it this morning... and my biggest mistake was thinking that he wouldn't understand.
AARON: But he did?
WENDY: After I finally managed to string the right words together.
CARA (relieved): Wendy, that's... I'm really happy for you.
WENDY: Thanks. I'm happy for me, too. I made the wrong move lying to my best friend. I'm... I'm just lucky that he's the amazing guy that he is.

Cara looks thoughtful, presumably considering her own secret that she's been keeping from Remi.

Yorokobi
Isla is colouring in at one of the tables in the bar. Kiri finally brings up the church fundraiser, thanking Nicolette for organising it. Nic's surprised Kiri even knows about it.

KIRI: It was good of you to try and help.
NICOLETTE: Even if it didn't work out?
KIRI: It was, umm... it was a lot of effort for you to go to.
NICOLETTE (downplaying): Oh, no, no. Toadie had all this furniture he needed gone in a hurry, and there was this local building that needed saving, so it just seemed obvious to put the two together.
KIRI (sceptical): That's it? You weren't hoping for...?
NICOLETTE: Uh... no.

Kiri tries to hide her disappointment that there wasn't more to it.

NICOLETTE: Thank you for having my back with Isla.
KIRI: No, of course. I mean, I know it's hard when childcare's closed and your mum's away, so...
NICOLETTE: Yeah, and just since David died...
KIRI: ... Yeah, that must have been really hard for you guys. I know I'm still dealing with it. Hey, if you ever need to talk... I'm here.
NICOLETTE: Thanks. Same.

Isla asks Kiri to come and draw with her. She asks Nic if that's okay, then enthusiastically goes over to get involved. Nic looks pensive.

Harold's Café
Haz serves Krista a double shot espresso. Brett turns up.

BRETT (laughs): You look awful.

She really doesn't! But presumably we are supposed to think so because Krista has been up all night. She demands to know why Brett didn't return her call last night.

BRETT: I was asleep. My phone was off.
KRISTA: Oh, good. Well, while you were sleeping, the rest of us were up all night trying to fix your mistake (...) You booked a group in for the wrong month. Guess what? They showed up last night, and we didn't have any room for them!
BRETT: I must've put the dates in wrong.
KRISTA: Oh, you think? (!) So why weren't you on duty? You were rostered on to manage that check- in.
BRETT: Well if you must know, I had some hours in lieu owing, so I took them.
KRISTA: How could you have any hours?! You're never at the hotel!
BRETT: Just because I'm not always on site, doesn't mean I'm not conducting hotel business.

Holly comes in and tells them that Doug Baldree is now demanding they make his group's entire stay complimentary given all the stuff- ups. Krista says the hotel can't absorb that, so hurries towards the door with Holly. Brett's about to order himself a coffee, but...

KRISTA: Are you coming?!

Brett sighs and follows her.

Yorokobi
Isla is fed up with colouring in and, clearly her mother's daughter, throws her crayons to the floor in frustration!

NICOLETTE: Isla! We don't throw.

With the event guests soon due to arrive, Leo suggests to Isla that they go into his office.

NICOLETTE: That'll be fun. We'll take all your crayons into the office!
ISLA: No!

Nicolette tries to bribe Isla with promises of an ice cream later, or a trip to the beach.

ISLA: Can Kiri come?
NICOLETTE: I dunno, honey.
KIRI: Oh... of course I can! I've been dying for a beach trip.

This seems to seal the deal, and Leo carries Isla into the office to watch TV.

NICOLETTE: You are really saving me today.
KIRI: Oh, no, it's nothing. I'm just trying to make the situation work.

But there's hand contact as Kiri gives Isla's dropped crayons to Nicolette, and while neither of them act on the chemistry between them, they both feel it.

No 30
Cara comes in to collect her bag for uni, but is surprised to find Remi home, assuming she'd be at work. Remi suggests a lunch date later, offering to get Cara one of her favourite bolognese pies! But then Remi remembers that Cara said she had an offsite work meeting later. Cara looks awkward, but decides it's time to come clean.

CARA: There's no meeting. It's... it's a class.
REMI: Class?
CARA: Yeah. I enrolled in an IT course at Eden Hills a few weeks ago.
REMI: Oh, that's great, babe.
CARA: It's nothing.
REMI: Why didn't you tell me about it?
CARA: Because it's just for work. So it's not really a big deal.
REMI: Cara?

But unkeen to discuss it further, Cara grabs her bag and hurries out, claiming she'll be late otherwise. Remi looks bemused.

Yorokobi
Leo's event is in full swing when Aaron turns up to pick up Isla; he's heard that she's been pretty restless, but Leo says Abigail is always the same when she has to come to work with him.

LEO: She takes after me. David was always good on his own.

Nicolette comes in, and thanks Aaron for coming. She goes to get Isla from the office. On her way Nic has a laugh and a joke with Kiri, which Aaron immediately notices, and asks Leo what's going on.

LEO: No idea, but I hope it lasts. This is the first time I've thought this partnership could actually work.

Leo walks off, at which point Aaron furtively gets his phone out, and is about to send a message to Logan. But he decides against it, and puts his phone away again.

Eden University
Cara is working at a table in the courtyard when Remi turns up.

CARA: What are you doing here?
REMI: Supporting my wifey! Because apparently, she needs some convincing that furthering her education isn't stupid, and neither is she.
CARA: We both know I'm not the brains of this relationship (...) I barely finished high school.
REMI: So? Book smarts have got nothing to do with intelligence.
CARA: They do here.
REMI: Does this have anything to do with a milestone birthday coming up?
CARA: No... maybe. You know, I'm about to turn 40. I thought I just would've achieved more by now.
REMI: Hey! You have achieved plenty. And you've got so much more brilliance to come. You are a straight- shooting lateral thinker who might finally start looking her age.

Cara laughs.

REMI: If you need help... I'm pretty good with flash cards.

Remi starts pretending to do a striptease! But Cara suggests that helping her prep for class might be a better place to start.

Nearby, Andrew and Wendy are walking together, clearly having put all their issues behind them. Andrew jokingly asks when he's going to be able to get to know her alternate persona, 'Wild Wendy'.

WENDY (laughing): Well, you name a time, because she is gonna love you.

The Waterhole
The complex is still in chaos, and Krista is unimpressed to have seen guests wandering around the courtyard with plates of hot food. Brett, who's with Byron at the bar and seems to have requisitioned the pub kitchen to keep the hotel guests happy, tells her it's temporary and that he's about to get the rest of the meals sent to the ballroom.

KRISTA: There's a conference in the ballroom!
BYRON: That's what I've been trying to tell him.
KRISTA: Look, whatever you've got going on in the kitchen, just put a stop to it now.
BRETT: I'm about to go on lunch. I'll do it when I get back.
KRISTA: ... Actually, you won't! You're fired.
BRETT: You can't do that! You haven't even given me a written -
KRISTA: Watch me.

Yorokobi
Leo, Nicolette and Kiri are celebrating following a successful event, when Mackenzie rushes in.

MACKENZIE: Someone pour the champagne, cos I just won my first court case!

Leo is already on it, and he hands Mack a glass as they all congratulate her. Nicolette goes to call Aaron to see how he's doing with Isla.

KIRI: Oh, make sure you tell her I'm looking forward to that beach trip.
NICOLETTE: I will.

Mackenzie looks pleasantly surprised by the harmony between Kiri and Nic, and says it seems the three of them have finally found their rhythm. They all drink to that, and while Leo heads outside to talk to a staff member, Mackenzie has a chance for a private word with Kiri.

MACKENZIE: I saw that.
KIRI: Saw what?
MACKENZIE: That look that you and Nic gave each other.
KIRI: No... it was a good day, that's all.

Mackenzie smiles incredulously.

Lassiter's Hotel
There's more chaos in the foyer as a large group of guests waits around with their luggage, some of them eating food at tables - there's even a plate with a burger and fries sitting on the reception desk. While Holly looks after guests nearby, Byron tells Krista that Sam is on her way, though he can't get hold of any casuals to come and help too.

HOLLY: Where's Brett? Two guests just got sent to the same solo room. They did not think it was cute.
KRISTA: I fired him.

Doug Baldree the travel writer appears, handing Holly a further two servings of burger and chips.

BALDREE: I've booked our group into another hotel. I need your incompetent staff to check us out immediately.
KRISTA: Please, just wait a second. I can fix this.
BALDREE: Actually, you can't. You'd better pray my editor doesn't ask for an article on the worst places to stay in Australia.

Baldree begins to leave, but Holly has been riled by his rudeness, and storms after him to give him a piece of her mind, still holding the plates of food. But a receptionist is coming from the other direction and bumps into Holly, sending the burger and chips flying all over Krista, along with a generous splattering of tomato relish which covers her jacket, neck and face!

RECEPTIONIST: Oh my god, I'm so sorry.

It's the perfect moment for Tess Carmichael, the bigwig from Sincast, Krista's family corporation, to arrive.

TESS: Hello, Krista.
KRISTA: Tess?
TESS: I see things are going well on your watch (!)

Tess surveys the carnage unamused, while Krista gapes at her in horror.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Toadie tells Terese and the Kennedys that he's going to leave Cara to finish the rest of the No 30 sunroom
- Nicolette asks Kiri, 'Can we make this work?'
- Tess tells Krista she's concerned; Krista asks if her sister Reece, head of Sincast, is concerned too