No 26
Sadie tells Holly, Byron, Taye and Max that she is 'kind of bummed' she missed out on yesterday's party, and chastises herself for being a 'buzzkill'.

HOLLY: No you weren't; you were going through a lot.
MAX: Yeah. If anyone was a buzzkill it's Byron.
BYRON: Hey!
MAX: Oi, we all have our crosses to bear, remember?
HOLLY: Apart from Taye.
TAYE (pretending to cry): Oh, it's so hard being this awesome!

Sadie decides she's going to concentrate on her recovery rather than her insecurities, and Max suggests they kick off in that spirit with drinks at the Waterhole. Holly and Taye have to work, but they agree to all walk over to the Complex together. But not before everyone attacks Taye with cushions/tickling, teasing him for being 'so awesome'.

The Waterhole
Andrew and Wendy are discussing the job offer she's had from the school in Murrayville, which she's taken as a sign that she should keep teaching,

ANDREW: Well done, babe. You deserve a win.
WENDY: Thank you. You have no idea what a relief it is to have all my hard work recognised.
ANDREW: Well, remember this feeling, Wend - it's gonna keep you hanging in there until an offer you can accept comes through.

Wendy's smile fades.

WENDY: Why can't I accept this one? I mean... it's my dream job.
ANDREW: We haven't discussed it yet.
WENDY: Yeah... yeah, you're right. We'll talk about it on the way home.

Wendy goes to buy some champagne so they can celebrate when they get back. Andrew looks worried.

Piano Bar
Taye is working while a pianist plays. A woman walks in in slow motion, takes off her sunglasses, and approaches Taye, asking whether Byron is working today. Taye says Byron doesn't work here, and the woman decides her 'intel' must be out of date. She asks for Byron's number, claiming they're old friends. Taye is reluctant to give out the number to a stranger, so the woman decides to get a drink anyway.

TAYE: Take a seat, I'll make you my signature cocktail - a Manhattan. On the house.

While she waits, Taye texts Byron, telling him a woman is here asking about him...

Eirini Rising
Darcy has gathered Susan, Karl and Terese in the office to discuss his future at Eirini, following the reveal of the deal he struck with Terese to win the job share. Darcy says that he'd really like to stay on here, but acknowledges the way he landed the job was problematic - and Terese admits her own role was 'less than admirable', so wants Susan and Karl's input on the decision.

SUSAN: I think it should be Karl's decision.

Darcy and Karl exchange a glance.

KARL: ... Well, I'm not denying I've had concerns about Darcy. But he has been a huge help to me while I've been getting back on my feet.
TERESE: Well, in that case, I think you can stay.

Darcy smiles with relief, and thanks them, before heading off to see Agnes who apparently has a sore hand.

KARL: That would be from writing all those letters to Harold.

As Darcy exits, Jane's mum Amanda comes in, to ask Susan what time the courtesy bus leaves for the train station. Susan is surprised as she'd already told Amanda this, but reiterates the daily bus times. While she's here, Susan takes the opportunity to ask Amanda if she's had any more thoughts about telling Jane and the family that she's living here now.

AMANDA: If Jane calls me, of course I'll tell her. But she's got to make the first move.

Susan looks awkward as Amanda leaves.

No 26
Wendy and Andrew get back with the champagne. Wendy is texting her mates in Murrayville about the job offer; she thinks they will be 'stoked'. But Andrew suggests she's getting a little ahead of herself.

WENDY: I know we haven't discussed it yet... but I'm sure we can make it work.

But Andrew points out that Murrayville is six hours away - too far even to come back and forth at weekends, meaning they'd be apart for months at a time indefinitely.

WENDY: There is another option (...) We move to Murrayville.
ANDREW (nervous laugh): No - no way. Look, our life's here. I totally understand that you're really excited about this, but... it's unrealistic. I'm sorry, Wend.

Piano Bar
Byron meets Taye at the entrance, and Taye points out the woman who's been looking for him, who's still at the bar. Byron says the woman is a former escorting client of his called Lydia. Byron is surprised she's tracked him down, and asks if she referred to him by his real name or 'Harvey J'm his escorting pseudonym. Taye giggles at the name, as he hasn't heard it before.

BYRON: You try thinking one up. It's not as easy as it sounds.
TAYE: I could do better than Harvey J!

Byron heads over to talk to Lydia, and asks how she found him and knows his real name. Lydia replies that a friend tipped her off, and immediately grabs his hand, suggesting they go somewhere more private! But Byron is quick to explain that he's no longer in the escorting business.

LYDIA: Anything I can do to tempt you back? I'll pay double.
BYRON: I'm very flattered, but... it's still a no. Nice to see you one last time, though.
LYDIA: Does it have to be this final?
BYRON: Goodbye, Lydia.
LYDIA: Can't say I didn't try.

Byron walks off. Taye has been listening with interest to this conversation...

Eirini Rising
Karl and Susan are at the coffee hut. Susan is moaning about having to keep Amanda's presence at Eirini from Jane. Karl thinks Amanda must have her reasons.

SUSAN: Jane's told me a lot of stories about her mother over the years. But she's even more of a character than I imagined.
KARL: Well, none of us are strangers to challenging families.
SUSAN: Yeah. Must be something we can do...

But at that point Jane appears from nowhere and asks what they're talking about! Susan looks awkward and changes the subject, asking why Jane's here. She says she's come to collect some artwork that the residents have been doing in a joint project with the school pupils. Susan offers to go and get it, but Jane tells her to finish her coffee and she'll pop back later. Susan looks uncomfortable as Jane leaves.

Soon after, Susan pops in to see Amanda in her apartment, to try again at convincing her to tell Jane that she's here - enthusing that Jane would be really happy about it.

AMANDA: When you get to my age, you will understand how important it is to know who really loves you and wants to make you a priority.
SUSAN: But is testing her really the right way to go about proving that?
AMANDA: I just want Jane to show me a fraction of the devotion she showed my mother in her final years. I mean, really - is that too much to ask?

Susan is lost for words.

No 26
Wendy tells Andrew he's being unreasonable about the job offer, and they are now raising their voices at one another. She's annoyed that he's shut down the possibility of moving to Murrayville without even thinking about it.

ANDREW: It's impractical, Wend.
WENDY: Do you know how much I sacrificed for your career? Without one word of complaint.
ANDREW: Yeah, but I can't just pick up and leave at the drop of a hat with my job, and you know that!
WENDY: You could explore a transfer.
ANDREW: Yeah, but I won't be able to get as good a job as I have here.
WENDY: You don't know that! Look, all I want is a discussion.
ANDREW: Fine, let's have a discussion then. What about Sadie? (...) Have you even considered what she's gone through recently? She needs stability!
WENDY: Yeah, and she would have that in Murrayville.
ANDREW: You think she's just gonna want to ditch the life she's got here to move to Woop Woop with her parents?! At her age?
WENDY: There's got to be some way we can make this work without splitting up our family.
ANDREW: Well, I don't think there is.

The Waterhole
Holly is serving while Byron, Sadie and Max have a drink at the bar. Byron is telling the others about Lydia showing up, and how 'bummed' she seemed when he let her down.

BYRON: I just hope she got the message.
SADIE: I'm happy to talk to her to make sure!

Taye turns up to borrow some ice for the Piano Bar, and Holly goes to fill up his bucket. Taye takes Byron aside for a quick word, and tells Byron that Lydia is still hanging around back at the Piano Bar. Byron tells Taye not to tell Sadie she's still here.

Taye admits he overheard Byron's conversation with Lydia, and asks how much Lydia would have paid him for one night as an escort. Byron is hesitant, but whispers the amount in Taye's ear. Taye looks very interested, as the cogs in his brain begin to whir...!

Harold's Café
Nicolette is chatting to Jane when she gets a text from Cara, saying her police academy interview went well; she'll hear the results tomorrow. Jane then says Wendy is also doing well in her new career, having done a great job at the school today; it's a pity she can't offer her a full- time role.

Susan and Karl come in, and look awkward when they see Jane.

KARL: Whatever you're thinking, don't.

But Susan is already rushing over, on the pretext of telling Jane she'll get the art projects to her by the end of the day. Jane reiterates that she'll drop by Eirini later.

SUSAN: So nice to see you two having some mother- daughter bonding time.
NICOLETTE: We live together. We probably bond too much.

Susan laughs over- enthusiastically, and continues to try to drop hints about Amanda without breaking confidentiality.

SUSAN: Libby called me last night, actually. Just to say hi to her mum. She's so good at keeping in touch.
JANE: Oh. Very thoughtful.
SUSAN: Yeah. Rachel and Zeke contacted me recently, too.

Nicolette looks bored!

JANE: Right. I forget that you're a stepmother as well.
SUSAN: Well, life gets busy... It's easy to forget, isn't it? When's the last time you spoke to *your* mum?

Jane's smile fades - but at this point Karl intervenes, claiming they have an appointment to get to and leading an objecting Susan away. Once they've gone, Jane looks troubled, and Nicolette stares as if to ask, 'What was all that about?'

Piano Bar
Taye has returned and looks over towards Lydia, who is still at the bar drinking her cocktail. He approaches, and tells her he wasn't entirely honest with her before, explaining that Byron is his housemate. He says he's sorry things didn't work out.

LYDIA: Oh, you win some, you lose some.
TAYE: You don't have to lose.
LYDIA: ... You're an escort too? What websites are you on? I haven't seen your profile.
TAYE: It's a casual, offline gig.

He passes her a beermat on which he's written his phone number in case she needs it.

LYDIA: How very old- school. What's your name.
TAYE (glancing at the cocktail for inspiration): ... Sonny. Manhattan.
LYDIA: Well, Sonny Manhattan... I'll think about it.

Lydia gets up and leaves. Taye looks nervous.

Eirini Rising
Darcy calls to see Amanda at her apartment, having been summoned to discuss a 'medical issue'. But Amanda tells him that the malady she wants to discuss is 'a broken heart'.

AMANDA: Not mine, silly - yours! I'm worried about you. You've lost all that wonderful light.
DARCY: ... Yeah. I guess I'm a little beat up. But that's life, isn't it?

Amanda has bought Darcy a present to cheer him up following his split with Chelsea - it's a book, one of her favourites.

DARCY: Oh, 'The Graduate'. They made a film out of this. (Reading the blurb) 'An older woman seduces a much younger man...'
AMANDA (laughs): I thought it might give you some ideas.

Darcy laughs, and Amanda remarks that it's working already! Darcy thanks her for the present, and her kindness. She offers to continue her 'good humanitarian work' by buying him a coffee.

DARCY: Why not?
AMANDA: Why not!

Harold's Café
Nicolette has clocked that Jane has become troubled by what Susan said, about whether she'd been in touch with her mum lately. Jane admits that it has been a while since she spoke to Amanda.

NICOLETTE: Just call her.
JANE (groans): Yeah. Why is it always me that has to make the effort? I mean, she almost never does. It's such a one- way street with her.
NICOLETTE: When was the last time you spoke?
JANE: ... Before I broke up with Mike.
NICOLETTE: That long?
JANE: Well, I emailed her to tell her about the breakup, but then I never heard anything back. Which got me annoyed. I mean, I know she's never really liked Mike. But to not even wonder how I was doing... it's just rude.
NICOLETTE: I remember I almost called her to stick a rocket up her about that one.
JANE: It wouldn't have made any difference. No, the only person that Amanda Harris thinks about is -
NICOLETTE: Herself.
JANE: Exactly. I mean, look at the way she dumped me on Nan when I was a teenager, just so that she and Dad could live it up in Hong Kong.
NICOLETTE: I could never just leave Isla like that.
JANE: No, well, that's because you think of her as a child to love and protect. No, my mother just saw me as competition.
NICOLETTE: You do have a pretty messed up relationship.
JANE: Yeah. Yeah, we do. But... she is still my mother. Even though she's always made it perfectly clear that I'm nothing but an afterthought.
NICOLETTE: Okay. So don't call her.
JANE: ... You know what? I won't. No, if she wants to talk to me, then *she* can make the effort, for once.

The Waterhole
Byron and Sadie are about to head home when Taye turns up again; Sadie confirms she's still feeling okay, but has to head home as her mum has some big news. Sadie asks Taye if Lydia's still hanging around, but Taye claims he 'got rid of her'.

HOLLY: How, did you show her your pecs? I heard they could be bigger...
TAYE: Hilarious (!)

Byron and Sadie leave, and Taye joins Max at the table as Holly returns to work.

TAYE (mimicking Holly): Heard they could be bigger...!

Max asks Taye if he's had any ideas about clearing his debt to Fallon. 'Maybe,' Taye replies, and then gets a message from Lydia. 'We're on, Sonny,' it says, and she promises to send her address shortly.

TAYE (awkwardly): Sorry. I gotta run.

No 26
Wendy is telling Sadie and Byron about her job offer, and is extolling the virtues of Murrayville as a town. Sadie congratulates Wendy, but notes that Murrayville 'isn't exactly commutable'. Andrew comes in.

ANDREW: So... trying to get Sadie on side about the job?
WENDY: I'm just getting her up to speed with all the facts.
ANDREW: Whatever your mum has told you... it's not happening.
WENDY (annoyed): You were so mad at me for having a kneejerk reaction, and yet you're doing the same thing!
ANDREW: Look, fine - I will think about it. But I'm not gonna change my mind.

Wendy scoffs in disbelief as Andrew goes out.

WENDY: Just to be clear, I'm not changing my mind either. I'm taking this job - with or without your dad's blessing.

Byron and Sadie look worried.

Lydia's House
Outside the house, Taye is psyching himself up for his escorting gig with Lydia.

TAYE: You can do this. It's nothing you haven't done before for free.

He walks around the side of the house into the garden, where he finds Lydia relaxing on a sun lounger by a pool.

LYDIA: Sonny. You are right on time.
TAYE: That's because I'm a pro. I mean, a professional.
LYDIA: Don't be shy. Come closer.

He walks a few steps nearer and smiles at her...

LYDIA: Closer.

... then repeats the same move again.

LYDIA: I won't bite. Unless you want me to.
TAYE: This is about you, Lydia. Not me.
LYDIA: Why don't you, uh, make yourself more comfortable.
TAYE: Already?
LYDIA: Oh, I get it. Byron told you that I was into roleplay? I don't mind taking charge. Now get over here and take your shirt off.

Taye smiles and gets closer still, then unbuttons his shirt. Lydia looks impressed with what she sees...

Eirini Rising
Darcy has invited Amanda to join himself, Karl, Susan and Terese for drinks in the office - he describes it as a 'weekly drop- in mixer for staff and residents', which Terese has masterminded in a bid to improve the staff's connection with the residents. 'I'm all for that,' gushes Amanda, placing a flirtatious hand on Darcy's shoulder. Darcy laughs heartily, and Susan and Karl look uncomfortable.

While Susan pours Amanda a drink, Karl takes Darcy aside for a word.

KARL: Darcy, you shouldn't flirt with the residents. People might get the wrong idea.
DARCY (scoffs): What?! Come on, relax! I'm just humouring her.
KARL: And does Amanda know that?
DARCY: Absolutely.

Meanwhile, Susan hands Amanda a glass of red wine - but she claims she asked for a Chardonnay.

SUSAN: I'm sure you said the red?
AMANDA: You must have misunderstood me.

Susan backs down and says she'll get her a fresh glass. But at that point, Jane walks in, and is astonished to see Amanda there.

JANE: Mum? What are you doing here?!

Susan looks sheepish.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Taye comes home the next day; Max and Byron note he's in the same clothes, asking who the lucky lady is
- Agnes tells Susan she's got another letter from Harold; Susan says they're really hitting it off
- Jane suggests to Byron and Nicolette that they all go to Eirini and welcome Amanda 'in a new light'
- 'Let's go visit the old drama queen,' moans Nicolette