Erinsborough High School
In the corridor, JJ moans to Dex that Nell hasn't replied to confirm about their lunch date.

DEX: Probably got a better offer.
JJ: Yeah, impossible.

They both then get a message from Taye; he's turned No 30 into a very elaborate- looking miniature golf course, and has sent them a picture of it, inviting them to join!

DEX: Uncle Taye is the GOAT.
JJ: Yeah, at trashing the joint.
DEX: Chill. He's just having fun.
JJ: Not if Andrew finds him. He has a key to our place, remember?
DEX: Andrew's not gonna go over. He knows we're here.
JJ: Dex, he might this arvo. We need to go home and sort this out now.
DEX: What about your lunch date with Nell?
JJ: I'll do both.
DEX: Fine. But I'm telling you, you're worrying about nothing.

In her office, Jane is surprised when Aaron turns up with a lunchbox for her; he noticed she's left without one. She thanks him, but explains she's supposed to be having lunch with Clint, as another date.

JANE: Although I am thinking about cancelling (...) Curtis has called in sick, so I need to cover his lessons on top of all my own work. And then there's an induction for a new cleaner that he hired. I dunno - squeezing in a lunch date might just be pushing it.
AARON: I think somebody's getting cold feet.
JANE (laughs): Yeah, I think they're frozen solid (...) I mostly accepted the date to prove a point to Byron.
AARON: Jane, who cares about Byron? You need to take a chance. Your gut will tell you if you're right or wrong.
JANE: Like Rhett? Cos maybe he's the right guy?
AARON: Yeah, just... just at the wrong time. I think it'll be a while before I'm ready for another relationship. Anyway, now that that's all behind me, I can figure out what to do for David's anniversary.
JANE: Well... I'm sure that you will come up with the perfect way to celebrate his life.

Aaron leaves, taking the lunchbox with him so Jane can't 'chicken out' on her date!

Eirini Rising
Terese finds Nell on a bench in the courtyard looking upset. Terese passes Nell her phone; it seems she left it at home, and Terese was just going to come to the school to give it back. Terese notices Nell looks shaken and asks what's wrong.

NELL: Paul just went at me.
TERESE: What?!
NELL: He basically told me to stop trying to break you guys up, or else. It was full on.
TERESE: Why would he do that?
NELL: I don't know - it's not like I did anything.
TERESE: Surely this isn't because of the tracksuit pants?
NELL: Maybe. I mean, he did say I was using them to remind you of Dad.
TERESE: Oh, that's ridiculous!
NELL: Yeah. And I was just getting used to you guys being together as well.

Terese tells Nell to leave it with her; she'll sort this out. She suggests they have lunch together too, but Nell says she's meeting up with JJ so ought to go.

NELL: Sorry for bothering you with this.
TERESE: Darling, you're not the one that needs to be sorry.

Nell goes on her way, and an angry- looking Terese heads back indoors.

No 30
JJ and Dex come in and see the mini golf course Taye has set up in all its glory, built out of various old toys and household bits and bobs.

JJ: It's like a toddler went on a bender.
DEX: Lighten up!

Dex calls out for Taye, but he doesn't seem to be in. JJ gets worried, saying Taye had better be keeping a low profile, and goes to message him to find out where he is. Dex isn't worried, as nobody here knows Taye, but JJ is stressed.

JJ: If Andrew or our mums find out that we're secretly letting Taye stay here, we're gonna get grounded for life. I don't want to risk that.

Harold's Café
Jane and Clint come in for their date, talking about Edward VIII's abdication! Jane doesn't think he should have run off with a divorcee, but Clint chastises her for being 'judgy', saying they were in love.

JANE: It was against the rules. He had many responsibilities. He should've stayed on the throne.
CLINT: Well, I'm more of a heart- over- head kind of guy. Plus, I can relate to being attracted to a gorgeous woman of the world.
JANE: You stop that!

Jane says she really enjoys spending time with Clint; she's glad she came. She admits she had been considering cancelling, as she was a bit 'under the pump' today. Clint says it's a busy work day for him too.

JANE: But I must admit, being with you, it helps me to decompress.
CLINT: Good! I aim to please.

Byron comes in, seemingly having heard about the date and keen to check out Clint for himself. He introduces himself to Clint, to Jane's annoyance, but Clint seems pleased to meet Byron and gets up to shake his hand.

JANE: Don't you have somewhere to be, Byron?
BYRON: No. No, not at all.
CLINT: Well, you should join us for a coffee then, yeah?

Byron accepts the invitation, and pulls a chair over. Jane looks annoyed.

The Waterhole
Taye is playing a game of pool with himself. Aaron walks by with a tray of drinks and they almost collide.

AARON: Woah, careful!
TAYE: You're the one walking around with a full tray.

Aaron looks annoyed and walks off. Dex and JJ come in; they've been looking everywhere for Taye, and JJ asks why he hasn't replied to his text. Taye says he thought they'd be in school.

JJ: You left the house looking like a bomb site, Taye. What if Andrew came over?
TAYE: He'd probably think you were having fun, for once?
JJ: Or he might think that we need closer supervision and then move back in!
TAYE: Do you ever chill out?
DEX: Not often.

Taye promises to go home and clean up as soon as he finishes his game. JJ agrees. Nell turns up, wanting to know why the boys are in the pub. Dex introduces her to Taye as their uncle, much to JJ's consternation. Taye flashes Nell a charming smile.

NELL: Okay, what's going on?

Penthouse
Terese marches in and rages at Paul for yelling at Nell.

PAUL: I don't remember raising my voice. I merely pointed out to her that I will not tolerate her undermining our relationship.

He confirms it was about the tracksuit pants and the family sketch, which he's convinced Nell deliberately planted to make Terese nostalgic for her relationship with Toadie.

PAUL: But you know what? They're just two symptoms of a larger disease.
TERESE: Paul, there is no disease. And Nell is not trying to undermine our relationship. She was very upfront with me about that.
PAUL: Oh, yes, of course she was. Terese, this is the oldest trick in the book. And you are playing right into her hands by taking her side against me.
TERESE: Oh, now you're being paranoid!
PAUL: No, you are being manipulated.
TERESE: Look, even if I didn't believe Nell - you should have come to me with your concerns, instead of bullying a sixteen- year- old! The way you've handled this has been completely out of line!

But Paul just summons the lift for Terese, and tells her they should talk once she's calmed down! Fuming, Terese storms into the lift.

TERESE: You know what? You're wrong - and you need to own it.

Paul is left alone looking pensive.

The Waterhole
Nell is getting the lowdown on how Taye fits into the Varga- Murphy family; he and Remi have the same dad, but different mums.

DEX: It's a messy family tree.
NELL: Still not as random as mine! So, do you and Remi hang out much?
TAYE: We keep in touch on our socials, but we don't see each other much. Our relationship's, uh, complicated.
JJ: Yeah. That's why we can't really tell anyone he's here.
TAYE: Remi thinks I'm irresponsible, so she wouldn't be up for me using her house while she's away.
JJ: Well, she'd lose it more if she found out we'd let him.
TAYE: Even if she does, it'll be worth it, because I get to hang out with my favourite nephews.

Dex looks more pleased about this than JJ, who says they should get back to school..

TAYE: Take the arvo off. We can play pool.

Nell smiles back at Taye; it seems she's already charmed! But JJ insists they can't; everyone in Erinsborough knows each other, so if Taye wants to keep a low profile, they need to leave. Nell looks annoyed that JJ is ruining the fun!

TAYE: Fine. Apparently I have a house to clean anyways.

Dex looks miffed too as all the kids leave.

Harold's Café
Clint seems to have won Byron over completely in their short time together, as he recounts a tale of a trip to Mount Blanc when he was 19, which ended in him being 'winched to safety' by 'a passing chopper' (!) Byron says he used to travel a lot, and misses having those types of adventures. Clint recommends a podcast he might like, and Jane returns from the bathroom to find them exchanging phone numbers!

Jane seems a little disconcerted to see how friendly they've become, as she asks what they've been talking about but only gets vague answers and in- jokes by way of reply...

The Waterhole
Paul is sitting at the bar with a whisky, looking forlorn. Aaron asks if he's had a bad day. He moans about Nell forcing him and Terese apart - she's got him banned from the house, and has been dropping reminders of Toadie everywhere, then went 'running off to Terese' when Paul tried to 'defend myself'.

PAUL: Meanwhile, Terese is so hellbent on trying to do the right thing by Nell, that she can't even see the truth (...) that Nell is sabotaging our relationship.
AARON: Is she, though?
PAUL: Why else would I be sitting here in the middle of the day, knocking back scotch?
AARON: I dunno. Maybe... maybe because of David.
PAUL: ...
AARON: I get it, Paul. It's, umm... Isla's starting school. David's missing it.
PAUL: ...
AARON: Maybe Nell didn't do exactly what you think she did. Do you think you could be reading too much into it, just because you're desperate for distraction?

Paul doesn't deny it.

AARON: You know, I've got no idea what I'm supposed to do for his anniversary.
PAUL: Yeah. Well, we do know that he wouldn't want a fuss made.
AARON: Yeah.
PAUL: What about, I don't know, a picnic down by the lake? Something the kids could enjoy, hey?
AARON: Yeah. Yeah, I actually don't mind that.

Harold's Café
Clint has gone, and Jane isn't too thrilled to be paying for Byron's coffee given he crashed her date!

BYRON: And I'm kind of glad I did. Gave me a chance to suss out Clint.
JANE: And?
BYRON: And I can't believe I'm saying this, but... no, he's a pretty great guy.
JANE: So, was that so hard to believe? Does this mean that I have your blessing?
BYRON: Look, you and your unicorn are free to do as you please.
JANE: Well, good. Because I think I would like to see him again.

Byron gets a text from Clint with the info about the podcast, and refers to him Jane's 'boyfriend', but she denies he is that - yet. While Byron's texting Clint back, Taye comes in. He notices Jane's dropped an ID card on the floor, and retrieves it for her.

JANE: Oh, thank you!
TAYE: Happy to help. Especially when it's a beautiful woman.

Taye heads off to grab a drink.

BYRON: Why are all these young guys hitting on my mum all of a sudden?!
JANE: Well, I don't know, Byron - what can I say? When you've got it, you've got it.

Eirini Rising
Paul comes in and finds Terese working in the office area.

TERESE: I'm not ready to talk to you yet.
PAUL: Then, just listen... You were right, I shouldn't have lashed out at Nell.
TERESE: I wasn't expecting such a fast turnaround?
PAUL: Let's just say a wise man talked some sense into me. See, Terese, the truth is... as much as I've been trying to push it out of my mind, the anniversary of David's death has really been affecting me, and I'm just... I'm not coping emotionally, or... or at all, really. I guess I subconsciously tried to distract myself by seeing things that weren't there, you know?
TERESE: Nell wasn't trying to come between us.
PAUL: Yeah, I know that now. Funny, I thought you were the one being blind, and all the time it was me (...) We should be doing things differently this time around. And yet, at the first hurdle, I just fall into old habits... I'm really sorry, Terese. I just hope you and Nell can forgive me.

Terese looks sympathetic.

Shortly afterwards, Terese is preparing some lunch in the kitchen area when Nell comes in. Terese explains she had a big talk to Paul, and that he's come to his senses.

TERESE: He's sorry about what happened, and he knows that he misinterpreted the situation and overreacted, and it won't happen again.
NELL: Hmm. He couldn't say that to my face?
TERESE: Well, I said that I'd pass it onto you. I thought you'd prefer not to see him again so soon. And I also made it very clear that if anything like this happens again, then he needs to talk to me and not you (...) Look, Paul is going through a very difficult time. It's the anniversary of David's death tomorrow, so he's feeling particularly vulnerable. And I know it's not an excuse for his behaviour - but it does explain some things.
NELL: Okay. Yeah. It all makes sense now.

Terese adds that she's told Paul it's okay to pop over to the house and see her if he feels like he isn't coping, and asks if this is okay with Nell. Nell says it is, and that she understands. Terese thanks her and hugs her, but over her shoulder Nell looks unhappy.

Erinsborough High School
In the corridor, JJ is fielding a call from Remi, and insisting to her that he and Dex are doing fine in the house on their own. He tells her that Andrew is taking them out for dinner tonight. He sends his love to Cara, who is apparently feeling better. But once JJ ends the call, Dex - who is with him - complains about having to go for dinner with Andrew, as he wants to hang out with Uncle Taye instead.

JJ: Dex, if we blow off Andrew, then he's gonna get suspicious, okay? And also, it's gonna be, like, for an hour or so.
DEX: You go; I'll stay at home with Uncle Taye.
JJ: No, Dex, we're both going, okay? We need to be smart about this - end of story.

Dex looks annoyed as JJ walks off.

Meanwhile, Nell is coming out of the girls' toilets looking queasy as Jane approaches, chatting to Curtis Perkins on the phone, who is feeling better so will be coming back to school tomorrow. Once Jane hangs up, Nell complains to her about the state of the toilets, which have 'flooded again'. Jane says the new cleaner is due in an hour or so, and asks if Nell can hold on till then! But she can't.

They look over at the toilet door, from under which a murky- coloured liquid is seeping out into the corridor! Jane decides she has no choice but to roll up her sleeves and tackle the problem herself! She opens the toilet door and groans in dismay...

No 30
Dex comes home from school to find the mini golf course still very much in evidence; Taye is 'studying the course' so as to formulate a game plan for when they give it a test drive!

TAYE: You up for a game?
DEX: What would I use as a club?
TAYE: Pity JJ's not here. You could use the stick that's up his butt.
DEX: He's not always like that. He's just tired of getting in trouble, and he's worried about Mum.
TAYE: Yeah, fair enough.

Taye opens the fridge and offers Dex a beer.

DEX: Uh, I'll be alright.
TAYE: Said no teenager ever.

Taye takes two beers out anyway, and continues to hold one out for Dex to take.

DEX: It's just the last time I had alcohol, it was poisoned and I ended up in hospital.
TAYE (checking the ingredients!): Well, I promise this is poison- free. And it might help you putt better.

Dex finally takes the bottle.

DEX: I probably shouldn't...
TAYE: Oh, come on. Live a little.

Dex smiles and takes a sip...

No 22
Paul and Terese are chatting at the dining table over a cup of tea. Paul says he thought he was doing well with David's anniversary approaching, but was just kidding himself.

TERESE: Well, we both know that the first anniversary is always the worst. But we also both know that it does get easier with time.
PAUL: I don't know if 'easy' is the right word.
TERESE: Yeah, well. I think the pain always stays with you. You just get better at carrying it, I guess.

She holds his hand, just as Nell comes through the front door with JJ. Nell looks none too pleased to see Paul in the house.

NELL (to JJ): I knew it.
JJ: What?
NELL: The second she opens the door a crack, he pushes right back in.

JJ suggests doing their homework at Harold's, as he feels Nell shouldn't be here while Paul is.

NELL: I was right all along. Paul is the last person Terese should be with.

JJ steps out of the door again and Nell watches from afar, as Terese and Paul talk about David.

Erinsborough High School
Jane has just finished cleaning the toilets, when she spots the new cleaner from behind, tending to his trolley in the corridor. She walks over, introducing herself as the principal - but when the cleaner turns round, she's shocked to see who it is!

CLINT: Jane?
JANE: Clint?

Coming up on Neighbours
- Holly asks Nicolette whether she thinks the police will ever find Yasmine
- Sebastian tells Krista that he thinks Leo got Nicolette to fire him, but Krista says he wouldn't do that
- Jane tells Nicolette and Aaron that she has a reputation to protect as principal
- But Aaron asks if Jane's gone off Clint because he's a cleaner