Eirini Rising
Amanda shows Jane her new apartment, and tells her that she moved in about a week ago.

JANE: A week? Why didn't you tell me?!
AMANDA: I didn't want to bother you.
JANE: What?! Mum! There's so much I could've done to help.
AMANDA: I've been managing on my own for years. I am quite used to it. Aren't you pleased to see me?

Jane hugs her and says that of course she is, but that she's just surprised.

JANE: I mean, you didn't say a word about moving to my suburb.
AMANDA: Oh, well, you haven't asked. If you'd bothered to pick up the phone and call, you might not be in so much surprise right now.
JANE: ... Right, well, umm... I'll talk to you a bit later.

Amanda smiles, and Jane leaves, looking flustered. She heads to the office, where she asks whether Susan and Karl were ever planning on telling her that her mother had arrived. Susan apologises but Karl says Amanda had sworn them to secrecy, putting them in an impossible situation. Susan explains that she was trying to drop her hints at the café earlier.

JANE: I'm sorry, Susan. I'm sorry that she's put you in this position.
KARL: How are you feeling about it all?
JANE: Well, I'm shocked! She's obviously trying to make a point (...) I mean, this is classic Mum. Making me out to be the villain.

Darcy, who is here too, says that he feels like Amanda is lonely but doesn't want to admit it, ever since Jane's father died.

JANE: My father died fifteen years ago.

She heads off to talk to Byron and Nicolette about it. Karl and Susan look concerned.

Lydia's House
In the garden the morning after, Taye is putting his shoes on to leave when Lydia emerges to ask where he's headed. He claims he has to go to work. She gives him his pay in cash in an envelope. Taye expresses surprise as he thought she'd do a balance transfer, but Lydia says that isn't typically how this works.

LYDIA: I know that last night was your first rodeo.
TAYE: It was that obvious?
LYDIA: You needn't have been nervous. You have nothing to worry about, Sonny Manhattan. You're a natural.

Taye looks pleased with himself.

Eirini Rising
Susan catches up with Agnes at the coffee hut. Agnes is reading another letter from Harold - the second since he left for Queensland. Susan thinks he's settled well back into life in Port Douglas.

AGNES: Yes. I was unsure about becoming pen pals when he suggested it, but he has a wonderful turn of phrase.
SUSAN: You're really hitting it off.
AGNES: Hmm. He's part puritan - but he's an amazingly modern thinker.
SUSAN: That's our Harold!
AGNES: It's a great way to get to know each other, particularly without the ghost of you- know- who hanging around.

Amanda emerges from the building, calling out to 'Sue'. Susan cringes!

AMANDA: Sue, I was wondering if...

She stares in amazement at Agnes.

AMANDA: Madge?!

Agnes rolls her eyes and sighs!

No 32
Byron and Max are hanging out by the pool when Taye comes home. He attempts to sneak past them into the house, but they see him and quickly clock that he's wearing yesterday's clothes.

BYRON: Who's the lucky lady?
TAYE: Oh, no one you know.
MAX: Oh, dude, come on - give us something.
TAYE: Umm... all I'll say is, I broke the golden rule, and hooked up with someone who doesn't live in the street.

Byron and Max laugh in disbelief!

BYRON: Whoa! No, you didn't!

Taye counts the bundle of cash from Lydia, and then tells them that he'll leave his first month's rent and bond on the table.

MAX: How did you get so cashed up?
TAYE: Uh... a friend finally paid me back for an old job.
MAX: Must've been a big job.

Taye awkwardly agrees, and heads inside to get ready for work. Byron tells Max he's had a text from Jane and needs to head over to hers.

Eirini Rising
In the courtyard, Susan tells Amanda how pleased she is that she and Jane have reconnected.

AMANDA: Is that what happened? Jane couldn't wait to get away fast enough.
SUSAN: No. No, I think she was just thrown to see you.

But Amanda isn't keen on discussing it, and changes the subject to Eirini's aqua aerobics offering. Susan, however, perseveres, suggesting Amanda head to Ramsay Street to pay Jane a visit. But Amanda sticks to her guns, and walks off.

Susan goes to talk to Agnes instead, who is disappointed that her daughter Jacqueline - who was due to be visiting today from Launceston - has had to postpone till next week. Agnes is also waiting for word from a prospective publisher on whether they like the manuscript for her book. She's supposed to hear back from them today, and was hoping Jacqueline would prove a good distraction from waiting for news.

Moira turns up to talk to Agnes, and Susan leaves them to it.

MOIRA: I've been dying to get you alone. Are you free now, dear?
AGNES (unenthusiastic): Uh...

No 24
Jane is telling Byron and Nicolette that Amanda was testing them by not telling them she'd moved into the area. Nicolette observes that Jane was the last one to make contact, to tell Amanda about the breakup with Mike, and she didn't bother responding.

JANE: I know. There is no point in arguing about that now. I always thought that maybe we'd be in each other's lives more once I moved back to Australia, and... well, maybe this is our chance.
NICOLETTE: Didn't you visit her once and she spent all that time with her boyfriend?
JANE: Yeah. Raoul. Guess he's no longer on the scene.
BYRON: Well, I think it's great news. I know I would love to see more of Nanna.
NICOLETTE: I just don't get why she has to play games.
BYRON: Oh, pot kettle black, Nicolette. You do realise you take after her?
NICOLETTE: Excuse me?! She makes me look selfless!
JANE: You know, in her own special way, I think she was trying to do a nice thing - moving closer to us. So I think it'd be lovely if we all went over there and welcomed her in a new light.

Byron's all in, and Nicolette grudgingly says...

NICOLETTE: Let's go visit the old drama queen!
JANE: Thank you. Cos we really need to get off on the right foot. Otherwise this is gonna be a nightmare for all of us.

Piano Bar
Taye finds Lydia sitting in the outdoor area. He tells her the bar's not open yet, but she says she was waiting for Taye.

LYDIA: I'm very thirsty.
TAYE: I can see.

At this point Taye spots Krista approaching, and goes over to talk to her. Krista wants to do an audit of the Piano Bar to see how it's getting on now it's been running for a few months. Krista promises not to get in Taye's way, but she may need his input. Taye forces a smile, but looks worried.

Just then, Leo turns up. He wants to whisk Krista away for a couple of hours for a romantic lunch. Keen to postpone the audit (perhaps because Lydia's there, and/or perhaps so Krista doesn't find out about the loan from Fallon), Taye butts in, saying Krista should take Leo up on his offer. Krista relents, and tells Taye they'll do the audit tomorrow. Krista and Leo leave.

LYDIA: I expect service the minute you're open. I think you know what I want.

Taye smiles.

Eirini Rising
Jane, Byron and Nicolette all call round to see Amanda in her apartment. Byron greets Amanda with a hug, and Nicolette welcomes her to 'the hood'. Jane says it's 'wonderful' to have Amanda living close by, and Byrona asks what inspired the move.

AMANDA: Well, you wouldn't know it to look at me, but I am getting on in years...
BYRON: No!
AMANDA: ... and a lot of my friends' families have invited them to move closer. And seeing as the invitation wasn't on the cards, I decided to take the initiative. Not that it was appreciated, though.
JANE: Oh, Mum. I am genuinely happy that you are here. It was just a bit of a shock to not be involved in such a big life move.
AMANDA: Well, you haven't involved *me* in your momentous life moments.
JANE: ... Well, I mean, I did email you to tell you about my breakup with Mike, and received no response.
AMANDA: Well, I didn't want to have to say 'I told you so'!

Everyone except Amanda looks uncomfortable.

Meanwhile in the courtyard, Agnes is visibly bored of Moira's ramblings about macrame and quilting.

AGNES: I'm not really the craftwork type.
MOIRA: Oh, that's right - silly me. You are our resident intellectual. Perfect for the debating team!
AGNES: Oh - politics? Religion?
MOIRA: Well, we girls prefer more scintillating topics. But I must warn you, it can get a bit racy!
AGNES (scoffs): Racy.
MOIRA: Who was dreamier? Frank Ifield or Val Doonican?
AGNES (folds her arms): What a question for the ages (!)

Max turns up and greets 'Great Great Cousin Agnes'. he's come to say a quick hi to Jacqueline, his 'fifth cousin six times removed or something', but Agnes explains she couldn't make it.

MOIRA: Her loss is my gain. We're having such a wonderful time, aren't we, Agnes?
AGNES: Just wonderful (!)

In the office, Amanda is moaning to Darcy about Jane, saying she can't do anything right.

AMANDA: I move away and I'm ignoring her - I move closer and she gets the hump.
DARCY: Hmm, yeah, well... I'm sorry you're off to such a rough start.
AMANDA: Mm. Some family reunion. I mean, Jane has already got in Nicolette's ear, and... it won't be long before Joe turns as well.
DARCY: Joe?
AMANDA (realising her mistake): Oh - Byron! See, Jane has got me so rattled, I can't even remember my own grandson's name.
DARCY: But he's pleased to see you, though, isn't he?
AMANDA: Oh, yeah. But perhaps he's the only one with his eye on the inheritance.

Darcy processes this as ominous music plays... but at that point Byron himself comes in to see Amanda, wanting to see how she was doing after 'not the smoothest of visits' with Jane. Amanda moans that she thought moving here would be a lovely gesture for her family. Byron says it is, and that once everyone is over the initial surprise, 'it's gonna be fantastic'.

AMANDA: Surprise? Why does everybody keep mentioning surprise? If your mother cared as much as she says she does, it was to be expected. I would have arrived to a welcome party, instead of a sad and lonely room.

Amanda stomps out. Byron's about to follow her, but Darcy stops him - offering to go and check on Amanda himself instead, since...

DARCY: ... we're developing a nice little friendship.

The ominous music continues.

Back in the courtyard, Moira continues to bore Agnes with her prattle about the various Eirini clubs and societies she wants Agnes to get involved in. Agnes looks like she has a headache!

MOIRA: 'The Golden Years of Gino!' It's where he makes us over as Hollywood stars of the 40s and 50s.
AGNES: No, I don't think so, Moira.
MOIRA: 'Fantasy Foliage'! We meet only once a month and pretend to redesign the botanical gardens.

Susan shows up and remarks on what a 'nice long catchup' Agnes and Moira are having!

AGNES (not quietly enough): Unfortunately.
MOIRA: I heard that! Here am I, trying to welcome you into our little community, but you're just not interested in anything!

Moira marches off.

AGNES: She is right. I'm not interested in *any* of it.
SUSAN: It's alright. Everyone takes time to find their groove.
AGNES: I didn't mean to be rude, but -

At this point, Agnes gets a message from the publisher about her manuscript. She looks disappointed, and says that she has to go.

Piano Bar
Lydia is working on a laptop when Taye comes over to talk. She asks when he's free for 'round two' but he's only prepared to talk in code and in a low whisper, as this is his workplace and Lydia being here is a risk for him.

LYDIA: I know. Isn't it fun?
TAYE: Only if I don't get caught. Look... Sonny Manhattan doesn't hang out at the Piano bar.
LYDIA: Yes, sir - I hear you.

Adopting a more detached tone, she asks for another drink, and he goes to prepare it. Max turns up, wanting to talk about the lease on No 32. Having noted that Taye has parted with a lot of money in one go to pay the rent and bond, Max tells him that if he needs to prioritise paying off his debt to Fallon instead, that's okay. But Taye insists to Max that it's fine; he's getting on top of his finances.

Max leaves, just as Krista returns with Leo. Taye introduces Krista to Lydia, who recognises her as the hotel manager and thus Taye's boss. Taye introduces Lydia as 'my new favourite customer'.

LYDIA: You have done wonders with this space (...) especially your choice of barman. This one is very talented.

Krista seems pleased to hear this and wanders off. Taye gives Lydia a look.

Eirini Rising
In the courtyard, Agnes comes back for a chat with Susan.

AGNES: You must think me terribly foolish.
SUSAN: No, not at all.
AGNES: I owe Moira an apology too.
SUSAN: Well, you're not the first person to find her... a little bit overwhelming.
AGNES: You know, for 40- odd years, I went to my practice, I helped people. I never stopped to think about what would happen after that.
SUSAN: I imagine the book was an outlet for you.
AGNES: Writing it gave me a reason to wake up in the morning. It was a decade in the making, you know.
SUSAN: What did the publisher say?
AGNES: Just that there was no market for it.
SUSAN: Hmm. Maybe you could self- publish?
AGNES: No. That was my fifth rejection. Quite telling.
SUSAN: Well, I would like to read it. And I know that Karl would, too.
AGNES: You don't have to humour me.
SUSAN: No, I'm not - it's impressive how much time and care you've put into it. Agnes, it's inspiring.

Susan puts a reassuring hand on Agnes'.

AGNES: Hmm. It doesn't really matter that my book isn't going to be published. My problem is that if I'm not into bingo, or water aerobics... what do I do with myself?

Ramsay Street
Byron and Nicolette look on as Jane chats to Darcy in the street. Jane apologises for being in such a state about Amanda last night, and says that Byron has told her about what a support Darcy has been to Amanda since she arrived.

DARCY: Well, we try to lend an ear. We take care of our newbies.

Karl approaches from across the street, and agrees that 'we do our best' for the residents at Eirini. Jane asks Darcy whether he has any idea why Amanda is being so difficult.

DARCY: Umm... look, I'm not sure I should get involved.
JANE: No, I appreciate your position - but I really would welcome any insight. I'm quite at a loss.
DARCY: Well, truthfully, umm... I think it's taken a lot for Amanda to leave her life in Sydney. And I feel she regrets the distance between you all. But I think she's too proud to admit that she's partly responsible... hence the little digs suggesting that you're turning Byron and Nicolette against her.

Everyone looks shocked at this suggestion.

DARCY: Oh, I'm sorry - I thought you knew.
JANE: But why would she say such a thing? I mean... why would I be turning her grandchildren against her?
NICOLETTE: Mum, like you said - as infuriating as she is, we're gonna take the high road here. We all know it's not true, so let's just try and let it go.
JANE: No. No, I will not roll over and be treated like dirt. I'm going back there and she is going to tell me what it is that I have done to deserve this.

Piano Bar
Byron and Nicolette turn up. Byron is wondering whether they should have accompanied Jane to Eirini but Nic says she's happy not to have to witness all hell breaking loose.

Meanwhile, Lydia tells Taye she had a great time here today, including having a little fun at Taye's expense in front of Krista.

LYDIA: You're cute when you squirm. But I won't do it again if you don't want me to.

She puts a little roll of cash in his pocket by way of payment 'for the entertainment'.

LYDIA: Plenty more where that came from. I hope to make you squirm again soon. See you later, Sonny.

Taye looks conflicted as she leaves - and Byron has noticed her presence too.

BYRON: Hey. What's Lydia doing here?
TAYE: Well, she just likes the bar.
BYRON: Okay. Hey, can we get two old fashioneds, please?
NICOLETTE: Are you ordering for me? Dry martini, gin. We are waiting out a family storm.
TYRE: Coming up.

Eirini Rising
Jane visits Amanda in her apartment.

JANE: We need to set some things straight.
AMANDA: Well, hello to you too (!)
JANE: This story that you've concocted where I am the villain is a complete work of fiction. And if you feel a distance with me or with your grandchildren, then that is on you for not putting in any effort!
AMANDA: Is it?
JANE: Yes. Because relationships are a two- way street. I've had to initiate every single one of our conversations for years.
AMANDA: Yeah. With the most perfunctory of messages. 'Hello, Mum. How are you? Life is busy.' Like I'm a stranger.
JANE: How is that suddenly my fault? Have you forgotten how you dumped me on Nan and just walked out of my life?
AMANDA (scoffs): Here we go again. I left you with Nan because I thought it was for the best.
JANE: Well, I would've thought a teenager having her mother close by would've been what's best.
AMANDA: Well, I'm here now, and I've basically been forced to come begging for some support in my old age.
JANE: I didn't even know that you were *looking* for support.
AMANDA: Cos it didn't even occur to you to be there for your own mother! I mean the way you were for your *precious* Nan in her final years.
JANE: Well, of course I was. Because Nan was more of a mother to me than you *ever* were!

Both mother and daughter look hurt by the frank exchange of words...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Nell tells Toadie that what happened with Seb at the lake is affecting her in weird ways
- Cara tells her family she got into the police academy. The boys congratulate her but Remi looks worried
- Amanda apologises to Darcy for being bad company. He says he has an idea to make her feel much better
- Karl listens worriedly as Darcy offers to drive Amanda somewhere