Previously on Neighbours
- Darcy asks Terese if she'd take him on at Eirini Rising, job sharing with Karl
- But Karl is annoyed when he learns that Darcy has suggested taking half his job
- Krista comes to Yorokobi to check on Leo, who tersely insists that he's fine
- When the vineyard begins to receive cancellations, Leo decides to step back and give Byron the reins
- Both Holly and Taye volunteer to work in the new Lassiters on Tap cocktail van in the car park
- Max worries that Holly isn't into him anymore, and seems to be advised by Shane to play hard to get
- Holly tells Max she wants something real, with no more games; in response, he kisses her
Lassiter's Lake
Holly and Max frolic in the park in slow motion, all loved up. He puts flowers in her hair. We hear some dialogue from them overlaid.
MAX: Does this mean we can forget about our date, or catch- up, or whatever it was we were calling it?
HOLLY: No! It means that we're going on a date and we're calling it a date. You are not prepared for how good my custom Holly Hoyland dates are, watch out.
MAX: Can't wait.
We move back into real time, as Max kisses her on the cheek and puts his arm around her.
Yorokobi
There is a kangaroo (or maybe a wallaby? But I think a kangaroo) among the vines! In the courtyard, Leo and Byron are talking business at one table, while Krista sits alone at another. Leo tells Byron they'll have to tighten the purse strings and pull back on expenditure, starting with them clearing away the table for tomorrow's function rather than calling in staff to do it (!)
Leo asks if Byron can come in and help tomorrow. He says he will, straight after his call with Georgia. Krista comes over and offers to help too, as she has nothing on tomorrow - but Leo rudely interrupts her, saying they've got this. Krista rolls her eyes and walks off. Byron looks concerned.
The Waterhole
At the bar, Byron is talking to Aaron about Krista and Leo, explaining that Leo wouldn't even look her in the eye. They both admit they're worried about Leo, and Aaron promised to keep an eye on him.
Byron goes to join Taye and Sadie at a table. Taye is telling Sadie how he's going to beat Holly at the cocktail contest to become the new manager of the cocktail van. Byron has bought Sadie a 'green tea yuzu sour mocktail' rustled up by Aaron. But...
SADIE: I can't. I'm still funny about drinks that aren't made in front of me.
BYRON: Oh... sorry, I should've thought of that.
SADIE: No, I'm sorry. It's my fault. I should've told you.
Max and Holly come in, still all loved up, and excitedly confirm to the gang that they are now an item. Taye suggests a bottle of champers to celebrate, and they are all keen.
No 22
Darcy is cooking up Greek roast lamb with lemon potatoes for Karl and Susan, as a thank- you for their feedback on his presentation for the integrated health centre. Susan is impressed and Karl smiles along, but is very fidgety.
Darcy tells Karl he is meeting Dr Kayembe tomorrow, who is the retiring head of palliative care and very big on holistic medicine. Karl thinks if anyone will sign up to Darcy's project, it will be him.
Darcy gets a phone call from his mum (Susan's sister Carmel) so he goes to answer it. Meanwhile, Susan tells Karl she's very proud of him.
SUSAN: Putting Darcy in touch with all your old contacts. That's really kind.
KARL: I just hope he's worth it.
SUSAN: You're still upset about the job share thing?
KARL: It did have a strong whiff of underhandedness.
SUSAN: I know, I know. And of course he should have spoken to you first. But I honestly believe that he does have your best interests at heart.
Karl takes a large gulp of wine!
The Waterhole
Taye has bought champagne for Byron, Sadie, Holly and Max, and everyone is discussing what Max and Holly's couple name should be. For some reason, Holly has settled on 'Hoyram'.
TAYE: You two are so sweet. It makes me want to vomit.
Krista comes in to reveal the results of Taye and Holly's cocktail trials.
TAYE: It's me, isn't it?
KRISTA: Actually, it's Holly.
TAYE: What? How? I know for a fact my drink sold more.
KRISTA: Yeah. Only because you kept taking your shirt off.
Holly and Max snigger.
TAYE: Were you watching us?
KRISTA: Let's just say I have my sources.
Holly is officially appointed in charge of Lassiter's on Tap, and starts at 7am tomorrow. Taye jokes that at least he doesn't have to get up that early.
Krista goes to leave but Byron follows her to the door, wanting to check she's okay given the difficulties she's having with Leo. Krista says she understands the pressure Leo's under after Fallon's false confession, but wishes he wouldn't shut himself out as it's not good for him. Byron admits he's been going through much the same thing with Sadie.
BYRON: So, if you want to chat, I'm here.
KRISTA: Thanks, Byron, I appreciate that. Guess all we can do is be there for them, right?
No 26
Byron has walked Sadie home and comes in with her. The atmosphere is tense as they sit down together. They talk about how pleased they are for Holly, with things finally going right for her. Byron tells Sadie that if Holly's anything to go by, Sadie will eventually get through her issues too.
SADIE (coolly): I need to change my bandages and get ready for bed.
BYRON: Yeah... did you want any help with them?
SADIE: No. You can go.
BYRON: Sades, you can't keep shutting me out.
SADIE: Byron, it's not about you. *I* haven't even been able to look at my own burns, let alone do I want anyone else seeing them.
BYRON: Yeah, I know, but I'm not *anyone*, okay? I'm your boyfriend.
SADIE: Byron, please. Stop. Just go.
Despondent, Byron does as she's asked.
No 28
In the back garden, Karl and Susan are having breakfast but Karl still seems to be fidgety and in some discomfort. Susan asks if he's okay, but he insists he's fine. Holly and Max turn up.
HOLLY: So, I don't want to make a big deal of anything, but me and Max... we're now together.
KARL: Ah! Does this mean I can get my car serviced for free?
HOLLY: Dad!
But Max promises to talk to Hudson, his manager, about a family discount.
KARL: Well, I can see the two of you having a very bright future. But before I fully approve... this business in Queensland, with the crime family. Can you honestly tell me that's done and dusted?
MAX: Yeah, there's no more threat.
KARL: Okay. Can you give me that in writing?
SUSAN: Karl!
KARL: Well, I'm serious.
SUSAN: No. Max, we believe you. (To Holly) And I'm just happy to see you so happy.
Holly then tells the Kennedys about her new job at the drinks van, where she's headed now. As Holly and Max leave, Darcy arrives, all suited up for his meeting with Dr Kayembe. He wants them to cast their eyes over some information packs he's had put together for promoting his project, and they have a look. Karl looks disconcerted as he looks over the promotional material, but tells Darcy it's 'good'.
Yorokobi
Leo is clearing away the table for the function that was cancelled. Krista turns up.
LEO: I thought I told you not to come.
Krista doesn't say anything - just gets to work helping him. Leo looks uncomfortable as they clear the cutlery from opposite sides of the table, but Krista perseveres, determined to support him.
Lassiter's Complex
As he walks her to work, Holly is explaining to Max that the drinks van will be selling juices and wellness shots during the day, so it's not all cocktails. Max has decided that in return for Holly helping him at work when he was injured, he'll return the favour and be her assistant today.
HOLLY: Does that mean you have to do whatever I say?
MAX: I am completely at your service.
Yorokobi
Leo is taking the cutlery inside, but drops a load of it onto the floor by accident. Krista goes over to help him. Leo tries to refuse her assistance, but...
KRISTA: Leo, come on! Abby's more mature than you're being right now. So just stop being stubborn and let me help.
Leo looks awkward as they clear up together.
Harold's Café
Susan catches Karl downing an espresso shot, and asks if he really needs more caffeine, saying he's been jittery all morning; he should've opted for a herbal tea.
KARL (irritable): I know my limits, Susan.
SUSAN: It's coming from a place of love, darling.
KARL: Yes, yes.
Darcy comes in, and Karl asks how he got on at his meeting with Leslie (Dr Kayembe). Darcy says he turned him down, despite his pitch having gone perfectly.
DARCY: It was like he'd made up his mind before he heard what I had to say.
KARL: Oh, do you know, that's so odd - when I spoke to him, he was quite keen.
Darcy heads off to pick up some breakfast. Karl is confused and decides to call Dr Kayembe. It's the second time Darcy has been turned down, and Karl tells Susan he wants to know why.
SUSAN: Is that because you want to help Darcy, or is it more about competitive rivalry?
KARL: I'm gonna call him.
Susan heads off, leaving Karl looking stressed.
Yorokobi
Leo and Krista are taking a walk through the vines. He thanks her for all her help today, and apologises for not having accepted it earlier.
KRISTA: It's okay. But just... moving forward, instead of ignoring me, could you just tell me what you're thinking? I mean... only last week, after Fallon confessed, you said that you were open to working on us. But now I don't know where I stand.
LEO: Well, it's a little hard for me to focus on us, when I could be in prison in the next couple of months.
KRISTA: Leo, no matter what happens, I'm always gonna be there for you.
LEO: I know. I know, and... I appreciate the fact you're trying to put us back together. I do. But... I'm still hurting.
Leo becomes tearful.
LEO: And with everything else, I... I just feel like my life's falling apart.
Leo breaks down into sobs. Krista comforts him silently as he lets it all out.
Lassiter's on Tap
Taye turns up at the drinks van to find out how Holly is getting on and to continue their friendly rivalry from yesterday. Holly tells him the competition's over, but...
HOLLY: But if you want to be helpful, take your shirt off and start spruiking my shots.
Max, who is in the van, drops an orange on Taye by accident.
TAYE (to Max): What are you doing here, anyway? Oh, don't tell me you guys are gonna be one of those sickening couples that can never be apart?
Taye doesn't wait around for the answer, and saunters off, promising to catch them later. Holly joins Max in the van, and teases him about his clumsiness with the orange, flirtatiously telling him she thought he was good with his hands.
MAX: Oh, I'm *great* with my hands.
HOLLY: Do you think it would be really bad of me if, on my first day, I temporarily shut up shop for a more private demonstration of your handiwork?
MAX: You're the boss. You make the call.
HOLLY: As long as it's understood that I'd normally never say this, but... we have to be quick.
Max appears to be okay with that, and Holly pulls down the shutter on the van as they start getting frisky...
Harold's Café
Sadie comes in as Darcy is having a bite to eat. He asks her how things are going, and whether she's still using the reframing technique they talked about. She says she is, a bit, but admits she's still really angry at Byron for what happened during the fire, even though she knows it's not his fault - and she can't stop herself from being really horrible to him.
It's not just Byron, Sadie adds - she knows her parents want to help with her burns, but she can't bear the thought of someone else looking at them, or touching them.
DARCY: Look, I know I'm not your regular doctor, but... from what you've been saying to me, I think you need to seek some professional help.
Lassiter's on Tap
Outside the drinks van, Karl is talking to Dr Leslie Kayembe on the phone, and thanks him for sharing his concerns.
KARL: I'm just sorry I introduced you to Darcy in the first place.
Surprised to see the van shut up, Karl starts calling out to Holly. Inside, she and Max gasp. They're in one another's arms and looking somewhat dishevelled. Karl starts knocking at the door, but they decline to open it. Aaron then turns up, while out for a jog, just as Karl is opening the door to the van.
To Holly and Max's relief, Karl closes the door again to talk to Aaron - who jokingly threatens to dob him in to Cara for breaking and entering! Aaron says Holly must be on a bathroom break. Karl mutters that in which case she should've locked the door, and wanders off as Aaron jogs away.
MAX: Yeah, Holly - learn to lock the door!
HOLLY: Where's the fun in that?
No 28
Susan is in the greenhouse when Karl gets home. He tells her about his conversation with Dr Kayembe, who did some due diligence on Darcy before their meeting. Apparently Darcy was working for a wellness centre in Sydney before coming here, and he was fired.
SUSAN: Okay. Because?
KARL: Well, Leslie couldn't obtain precise details, but lawyers were involved, which makes me think I'm right to be suspicious.
SUSAN: Karl, you can't make assumptions based on such little information.
KARL: If Darcy hasn't done anything wrong, why wouldn't he tell us anything about this? No, I'm sure he's hiding something.
Susan admits it looks like something is afoot, but she'll reserve judgement until speaking to Darcy.
SUSAN: To be honest, I'm more concerned about you (...) You've been acting so strangely. You're edgy, you're irritable... and you're completely fixated on Darcy.
KARL: There's nothing wrong with me. Darcy is the concern here - if you can't see that, well... Yeah, well. Not the first time *you've* been fooled, is it?
Karl walks off, leaving Susan looking shocked.
Yorokobi
In the courtyard, Leo thanks Krista again for always standing by him. She promises that she always will.
LEO: You've never doubted me. Not even once.
KRISTA: I know you, Leo. And you're too good of a person to take somebody else's life.
LEO: Look, I know you need some reassurance on the future right now, too, but... I don't know if I can give it to you.
KRISTA: All I want to know is that you're still open to trying.
LEO: What if I'm in prison? That's no life for you.
KRISTA: *Not being with you* isn't a life for me. Can we try again?
Byron turns up to find they've already done all the work he was coming to help with. Leo apologises, and goes to make Byron a coffee. Byron tells Krista that she and Leo look to be in a better place. She confirms that they are; it took a while but she finally got him to open up.
KRISTA: That said, I think we've still got a long way to go.
BYRON: Yeah, well. The way me and Sades are right now, you guys are like a beacon of hope.
Krista puts a friendly arm around Byron.
No 22
Karl lets himself in through the front door, and shouts out to ask if anyone's home. Receiving no answer, he closes the door behind him and heads over to Darcy's briefcase, which he opens and begins rifling through. Darcy comes downstairs and catches him!
DARCY: Karl! What the hell do you think you're doing?
Karl looks shifty.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Paul angrily tells Detective Fox that Seb's real killer owes him a lot for his 'spectacular incompetence'
- Fox tells Paul that Leo will have an opportunity to prove his case in court. Paul calls him a moron!
- Fox tells Leo, 'I'd wish you luck (at the trial), but you know that I think you killed Sebastian Metcalfe'
- Darcy tells Terese that Karl has come around to the job share plan
- Terese is sceptical and can't see it working, but Darcy says he's come up with an idea to sweeten the deal
