No 24
We pick up where we left off, as Nicolette tearfully asks Jane what she's expecting will happen with Isla if Nicolette moves out.

JANE: Well, I think that Isla should stay here.
NICOLETTE: So you'd be separating me from my own child?
JANE: Considering the way that you've behaved, the least you could do is let her live with Aaron.
NICOLETTE: Where do you expect me to go?
JANE: Well, Nicolette, you need to sort that out. But we have to put Isla first.
NICOLETTE: How is sending me away achieving that? She's already lost one parent.
JANE: Look, you think I don't know that? That is why - she has had enough stress. No, she needs calm. She needs stability, more than ever.
NICOLETTE: Mum, please don't do this.
JANE: *You* did this, Nicolette. No one else.

No 28
Holly pretends to be interested while Karl shows her how to 'jostle the roots' of some pot plants - but she makes it clear she's not doing any jostling herself as her 'nails are new'. He's about to top up the plants with some potting mix, when Holly remembers that's where her stash of cash is hidden. She blocks his way to the greenhouse and claims she has to go and get ready for Mackenzie and Haz's party.

HOLLY: But please don't go near that potting mix without me. I really wanna do this with you.

Karl agrees, and walks off. Holly looks relieved at her close escape.

No 32
Mackenzie and Haz are discussing wedding arrangements as Haz fires up the barbecue. Mackenzie is panicking about various things but Haz says they have plenty of time and lots of helpers, including his sister Amira who is arriving soon.

Aaron is also here, and offloading to Byron, Krista and Leo about Nicolette's perceived betrayal. Holly arrives to join the group. Krista queries why Nicolette would even want custody of Isla, when Aaron's such an amazing dad. Just as Holly asks what's been going on, Nicolette herself shows up, still very upset.

NICOLETE: Umm... Mum kicked me out. I know what you think of me; I know what all of you think. I just need somewhere to stay tonight and to be close to Isla.
BYRON: What exactly did Mum say?
NICOLETTE (crying): That I'm no longer welcome in my own home, with my own daughter.
AARON: I can't listen to this.

Aaron leaves. Nicolette feels bad for ruining the party, but Byron insists that she hasn't, and tells her to come inside. Everyone else looks awkward.

No 24
Aaron arrives home. Jane tells him that Isla is almost asleep, and that Sam's sitting with her. Aaron thanks Jane for looking after her, admitting he was a bit wound up earlier. He asks if it's true that she's asked Nicolette to leave.

JANE: I just don't think we can all be in the same house right now.
AARON: Yeah, but she's your daughter. Maybe I should be the one who goes.
JANE: No. You haven't done anything wrong.
AARON: Yeah, well you clearly haven't read the list.
JANE: Any mistakes that you have made, you've corrected. Because when you turned to substances as a way to escape, I told you then to clean up your act or face the consequences. And you did just that, straight away, and you haven't wavered.
AARON: Yeah. It doesn't change the fact that I did all those things.
JANE: You were reeling from a devastating loss. You weren't in your right mind.
AARON: Any judge would rule against me.
JANE: Well, I disagree. And in any case, it won't get down to facing a judge - no, I won't let it.

No 32
Byron tells Haz, Krista and Mackenzie that he's set Nicolette up in the spare room. Haz objects that Amira will be here any minute and was meant to be staying in there - but Byron says Nic has nowhere else to go. Nic comes in and thanks them for letting her stay, and says it will just be for a couple of days. But Haz tells her about Amira.

NICOLETTE (crying): But what if... what if Isla needs me in the middle of the night?
KRISTA: Hey, I could comp Amira a room at the hotel. At least until things settle down.
NICOLETTE: Thank you.

At this point, Amira herself arrives, and we quick- cut to the patio, where everyone except Nicolette has gathered, and Haz is hugging Amira and telling her how glad he is that she's here. Haz tells Amira about the change of plans with Nicolette staying; Amira will be in a 'primo suite' at Lassiter's. Nicolette emerges from the house and apologises to Amira for stealing her room.

AMIRA: Hey, I love you all, but I love a bathroom to myself and room service even more.

Haz wishes his mum and dad could also have made it down earlier, and Amira is looking a bit shifty at this mention of their parents. When Haz asks what time their flight gets in tomorrow, she avoids the question, saying she'll have to check her emails - but suggests that that can wait, and instead raises a toast to Haz and Mack. Nicolette, who's been watching Amira, visibly senses that something is awry, but keeps quiet.

No 24
The next day, Jane has arranged for Nicolette to come round for a meeting with Aaron, with Jane herself playing mediator, in the hope that they can find a workable solution. When Nicolette arrives with Byron, she immediately asks to see Isla, but Jane coolly tells her that Sam has taken her to the park, as it's not appropriate for Isla to be here for this.

Deciding that full transparency is the best way to start, Nicolette admits that, in addition to making the list of Aaron's failings, she had also asked a lawyer to assess their parenting agreement.

AARON (scoffs): Is that supposed to make me feel better?
NICOLETTE: I never read the report. And I wish that I could undo all of this, but I can't. And I'm sorry if that made you feel like you can't trust me, or that I don't trust you - because I do.
JANE: Alright, no, that's a good start - because mutual trust is essential if we're gonna make this work.
NICOLETTE: I'll do whatever it takes.
JANE: Okay. So, one idea is one week on, one week off.
NICOLETTE: What?
BYRON: Hang on, I thought this was just for a few days?
JANE: Co- parenting across two households is very common these days.
NICOLETTE: So this is permanent?
JANE: Well, what choice do we have, if you can't live together?
NICOLETTE (tearful): What, so I'm just voted off the island?! After everything that I've done to try and make this work? Every compromise? Aaron, please! I said that I'm sorry - what can I do to fix this?!
AARON: Nic, you were plotting to take Isla away from me. I don't think we can come back from that.

No 28
Karl is telling Susan about his idea of undercutting the supermarkets by offering bunches of herbs from their garden to the neighbours for cheaper!

SUSAN: Oh, yes, of course. I mean, why would you just give it to them? (!)

Holly comes in from the shops, with an array of expensive grocery treats for Karl and Susan.

SUSAN: Sometimes it's hard to believe that you two share genetic material... Holly, nine dollars for a breadstick?!
HOLLY: With ancient grains. Worth every cent.

Karl and Susan exchange a concerned glance.

Lassiter's Complex
We cut to Karl and Susan sitting at a table outside the pub, discussing Holly's excessive spending. Karl wonders if it might be a coping mechanism after all her recent trauma. Susan thinks he should talk to Holly; retail therapy isn't a cure for anything, as Susan knows from personal experience.

SUSAN: It was only after I spoke to you about how I was feeling that I was able to stop my addictive spending.
KARL: Yeah, you're right. We need to address it somehow.
SUSAN: No, not we. You. And quickly. She's going through her paycheque faster than she can earn it.

Wendy brings them some coffees, and has overheard their discussion. She tells the Kennedys that Holly shouted the girls to a deluxe mani- pedi last week. Karl concedes that this has to stop.

No 32
Amira, Haz, Mackenzie and Krista are having coffee and cake; Haz asks Krista if there's been any news from Paul on her idea of Lassiter's buying the café from him. Krista doesn't admit that Paul has already said no to the idea, and simply tells Haz that they'll find out soon.

Nicolette walks by through the corridor with some belongings from No 24 to populate the spare room. Mackenzie remarks that it seemed like a lot of stuff for just a few days' stay.

BYRON: Yeah, I might have undersold that.
KRISTA: How long are we talking?
BYRON: A while...
MACKENZIE: Well, I suppose we don't get a say. We've already got one foot out the door.
KRISTA: ... I don't mind. As long as she does her bit.
BYRON: Definitely. And thank you - she really needs this.
AMIRA: Okay, so, I do have to ask - what has she actually done?

But at this point Nicolette walks in, and apologises again for mucking up everyone's plans. Amira says she's loving her hotel suite, but then Haz asks whether their parents are staying at the hotel too when they arrive, and Amira becomes shifty again. Mackenzie reminds Amira that they were going to pick her parents up from the airport once she'd checked their flight details, but Amira is evasive, saying they'll get a taxi.

HAZ: No, we want to do it. I haven't seen them since... it's been ages.
AMIRA: Yeah, then, the extra hour won't make a difference. They're so happy to get a taxi. Honestly, it's one less thing for you to do.

Haz and Mack seem to accept this, but Nicolette is looking suspiciously at Amira again...

The Waterhole
Karl and Susan are settling the bill when Holly comes in. She's bought them more expensive presents, this time from an upmarket boutique to spruce up their spring wardrobes!

KARL: No, no, we don't need anything. You should be saving your money, not spending it on... (rifles in the bag) ... ooh, what is that? Cashmere?
HOLLY: It's a silk cashmere blend. It holds its shape better than pure cashmere.
SUSAN: What your father is trying to say, is that rampant spending isn't a solution for anything.
HOLLY: Well, it is when you find a one- of- a- kind hand- dyed scarf that'll go amazingly with your blue jacket...

Susan looks as longingly at the scarf as Karl was looking at his jumper! She tells Karl and Susan to try on their gifts while she orders them some coffees from Wendy.

SUSAN (to Karl): Don't get attached. They're going back.

No 32
Amira finds Nicolette alone on the sofa, and decides to take the opportunity to find out what's wrong, telling Nic she's a good listener, if she needs one.

NICOLETTE: I could say the same thing to you.
AMIRA: Sorry?
NICOLETTE: There's obviously something going on with your parents.
AMIRA: What? No, there's not - they're just ironing out some travel issues.
NICOLETTE: You know, lie detecting is actually one of my superpowers, so...
AMIRA: Okay, just... you can't say anything. I don't know how to tell Haz and Mack. There's a good chance Mum and Dad aren't coming.

But Mackenzie appears at the doorway, having overheard this, and asks what's going on.

The Waterhole
Holly rejoins Karl and Susan at the table with coffees for them all. She's disappointed that Karl and Susan haven't tried on their gifts - Karl says it's because she's going to return them to the shop. Susan wants to know how Holly's paying for all this, and Karl reminds her that credit cards are 'not free money'.

SUSAN: I know it feels good in the moment to spend, but sweetheart, it doesn't heal trauma.
HOLLY: That's not what I'm doing.
KARL: We're worried about you. We don't want to see you getting into debt.
HOLLY: I'm not... I sold the necklace that Heath gave me, okay? It turns out it was worth a fair bit. Using that money to make the people that I love happy feels right, after everything that happened.
KARL: Oh, but nobody expects you to do that!
HOLLY: But I owe it to everyone.
KARL: No, no you don't - you are a victim of Heath's actions too.

Karl gives her a hug, while Susan goes to get some water from the bar. Wendy remarks that it looks like they may have got through to Holly.

No 32
Mackenzie tells Amira, Nicolette and Byron that Haz will be devastated if his parents don't come to the wedding.

AMIRA: I know. That's why I haven't told him.
NICOLETTE: Did they say why?
MACKENZIE: Yeah... is it the wedding they don't approve of, or me?

But Haz interrupts before they can get any further, asking for tips on the wedding playlist he's compiling.

HAZ: How do we feel about nineties classics?
MACKENZIE: Uh, originals, yes - house remixes, no.
HAZ: This is why I love you.

Haz ducks out again, without anyone having filled him in on the fact his parents may not be coming to the wedding. Once he's gone, Amira continues her explanation to the others.

AMIRA: Okay, so after the accident, when Dad invited Haz back into the fold, that was a big deal. And then when he chose to stay...
MACKENZIE: He had a business here. A life.
AMIRA: Which he chose over his family. At least, that's how Mum and Dad see it. But there's more than that - I may have oversold how much they've moved on. I don't think they've really forgiven Haz for the deepfake stuff.
BYRON: Hang on - I know that your brother's still frosty with him, but Haz has been chatting to your parents.
AMIRA: Yeah, well, he nearly died. Of course they're gonna pick up the phone and be polite. But flying across the country, that's a different thing.
MACKENZIE: Okay, so how do we fix it?
AMIRA: ... I dunno. Dad's stubborn, you know? He'd rather be right than happy. And the more that time goes on, the more he digs his heels in.

Haz appears again!

HAZ: Yay or nay to jungle?
MACKENZIE: Uhh... band or genre?
HAZ: Genre.
MACKENZIE: Oh, *hard* nay.
HAZ: Fair enough.

Once Haz has disappeared again, Mackenzie suggests to Amira that she could call their parents and see if she can get to the bottom of their concerns.

AMIRA: They don't know you.
MACKENZIE: Okay, well, then, I think we're gonna have to tell Haz what's going on.
AMIRA: No, I might still be able to convince Mum and Dad in time.
NICOLETTE: What if you can't?
BYRON: Yeah. Haz is gonna be heartbroken on his wedding day.

Amira tells Mackenzie it's her call...

Melanie's Apartment
Jane is having a cuppa with Melanie, who is sympathetic about the situation with Nicolette and Aaron, saying Jane's been put in a very difficult position.

JANE: There's only so many lines in the sand that I can draw (...) and kids pick up on this sort of thing, you know? Stress and tension (...) But Nicolette is my daughter. Am I meant to back her, no matter what?
MELANIE: Oh, Jane, you are such a good mum. If your gut is telling you to take a firm line... just try to think of the outcome that you're hoping for. Making sure that Isla has two parents, working together as a team, giving Isla some stability.
JANE: I'm not being unreasonable, am I?
MELANIE: No. Not at all. I feel like the only wrong decision would be indecision. Trust your instinct.

No 24
Jane, Aaron and Nicolette have gathered to tell Isla about the new living arrangements. First, Jane tells Isla that the grownups are sorry for the 'silly fights' they've been having, and that there won't be anymore.

JANE: Also, something new that we're going to try - Mama is going to go and live with Uncle Byron for a while.
ISLA: Can I come too?

Nicolette wipes away tears.

JANE (to Isla): Oh, darling, you can stay here with me, and Dada, and Sam. Because all your things are here, and your lovely room. And Mummy will just be across the road. And you know what that means? It means that you get to go for sleepovers, like you do when you visit with Abi.
NICOLETTE: You can come and visit me whenever you want, baby. Every single day if you want.
AARON: Isla, what we'll do is you'll get to have a sleepover a few nights every week, on the days you don't have Kindle. But, if you want to see Mum any other time, you just let me know, and I'll make it happen.
NICOLETTE: It's gonna be so much fun! It is, I promise.

Nicolette hugs Isla and laughs, trying her best to put a positive gloss on it - but as soon as she's out of Isla's line of sight, starts crying again.

No 32
Byron, Mackenzie and Amira are in the kitchen, feeling sorry for what's happening with Nicolette. Byron asks if Mackenzie has broken the news to Haz about his parents yet... clearly she hasn't, because Haz then comes in again, and announces that his wedding playlist is the greatest 'in the history of humanity'!

HAZ: I know you said not to put too many golden oldies in there, but I've chucked in a little Fleetwood Mac - it's like catnip to Dad! 'Rhiannon' comes on, and he can't help himself...

Haz mimics his dad's silly dancing, and everyone laughs. But as Haz leaves the room again...

MACKENZIE: We can't burst his bubble.
BYRON: No, it would literally kill him.
AMIRA: I mean, the irony is, if Mum and Dad could just see what he's built here - you know, the life, the friends, the community - they'd get it.
BYRON: ... Well, maybe we can show them. (to Mackenzie) This is a bit of a wedding spoiler, but we've been compiling a couple of video messages from everyone for you and Haz, as a wedding gift. And it wouldn't be too hard to put a couple of soundbites together about how far Haz has come, all the amends he's made, and how everybody's put this deepfake stuff behind them. (to Amira) And then hopefully, your dad could, too?

Mackenzie and Amira look hopeful...

No 28
Holly is in the greenhouse, retrieving another bundle of banknotes from her hidden stash in the potting mix. But as she emerges, Wendy appears, immediately sees the money, and grabs Holly's arm so she can take a closer look!

WENDY: Ooh! That's a lot of cash.

Holly is lost for words...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Andrew tells Cara, JJ and Remi that Felix is being released
- Holly asks Wendy to forget she ever saw anything. 'I'm married to a policeman!' objects Wendy
- But Holly retorts that Wendy has kept secrets from Andrew before!
- Toadie looks conflicted as he gazes at his old home, No 30
- Toadie tells Karl and Susan that he's made a decision