The Waterhole
Byron, Jane, Aaron and Amanda are at a table, discussing how competitive Isla is while playing Snap. Jane says Nicolette was just the same as a child. Amanda says she was the same too, and suggests a family board game sometime soon. Darcy comes in and butters up Amanda and Jane saying how 'fabulous' they look. He wishes them a lovely evening and walks off.

AMANDA: Well, maybe we should order.
JANE: ... We've already ordered, Mum.
AMANDA: Oh, no, I meant food.
BYRON: Yeah - Nan, it's coming.
AMANDA: Oh! Silly me.

But Jane looks concerned. Meanwhile, Darcy has rejoined Karl and Terese at another table, but Terese has to rush off for a Mother's Day virtual catchup with her daughters. Karl gets a text from Tess Bell and furtively reads it, saying she can do coffee tomorrow and asking where they should meet.

KARL: Terese, do you mind if I attend to a matter at the tram tomorrow?
TERESE: No, that's fine - maybe Darcy can step in for you.
DARCY: Yeah, what's happening?
KARL: Oh, there's just a... a fungus issue I need to investigate.

Karl smiles smugly at Darcy.

No 30
Taye is in the sunroom when he gets a text from Fallon, asking if he's still on track with the payment plan for the money he owes her. Taye makes a call to Lydia, putting on a suave American accent.

TAYE: Hey, it's Sonny Manhattan here. I was just thinking about you... Well, they're the kind of thoughts better discussed in person rather than over the phone... Oh, do you? ... No, no - I'm up for it. When? ... I look forward to it.

Remi comes in with wine for them, and Taye reverts to Australian!

TAYE: No, it's all good, cheers... Yeah, nah, good on ya.

Once he finishes the call, Remi asks if he's okay - he's seemed a bit jumpy lately. He says he's just keen to whip her butt at cards again, and Remi whips out a deck to show off her tricks...

Eirini Rising
The next day in her apartment, Amanda has some old photos of herself that she is showing Sadie, who identifies one that 'really captures your spirit'. Amanda says she was going to choose the same one.

Sadie notices the 'Best Nanna Ever' mug on the shelf that Byron made for Amanda, and says Jane has one just like it - but is surprised to see it, as Amanda apparently didn't remember ever having one. Amanda has now made the connection, saying she didn't realise that's what Byron was talking about the other day.

Amanda offers Sadie a cup of tea and suggests they talk about what Sadie's done with her old clothes. Sadie is keen, but seems to have clocked Amanda's memory issues too.

No 24
Byron and Jane are talking about the Mother's Day meal last night, which mercifully passed without arguments - but Jane admits she's concerned about Amanda's memory.

JANE: All of the odd things she's done since her arrival, I just thought that was Mum being her usual...
BYRON: Drama queen, centre of attention...
JANE: Yeah. But after last night, I've just got this niggle. Maybe there's something else at play.

Sadie comes in, and tells them that Amanda has found the 'Best Nanna Ever' mug. Byron's surprised as she was so insistent it didn't exist. Sadie says she must have forgotten; she seems a little absent- minded. Now Jane looks even more concerned.

Ramsay Street
Darcy comes over to talk to Karl, telling him he has a new prescription due soon. But Karl says he weaned himself off the painkillers a week or so ago, so now he's only taking the natural supplements. Darcy congratulates him but Karl coolly interrupts, telling him he's got a meeting to get to. Darcy looks suspicious as they walk off in separate directions.

Meanwhile Max and Taye are back from a run, and Taye starts doing push- ups in the street to Max's surprise, since they've already exhausted themselves. Taye says a little more never hurts.

MAX: What's with all the working out at the moment anyway? You're making the rest of us look bad.
TAYE: You gotta keep the ladies happy.

Max heads indoors as Aaron comes over. Taye asks Aaron's advice, aware he used to be a 'performer' - Taye explains he has a lady friend who wants to 'keep things fresh' and wants him to 'put on a show' for her.

TAYE: Any moves you're willing to share?
AARON: You must really like this girl.
TAYE: Yeah, you could say she makes it worth my while.

Aaron agrees to give Taye some tips on the way to work, but says the golden rule is creating a persona, and sticking to it.

AARON: Performing is as much about personality as it is your body.

Taye frantically grabs for his phone to make some notes...

The 82
Karl has arrived to meet Tess as arranged, but is surprised to find Susan waiting outside the tram. She was hoping they could have a coffee together, but Karl tells her he has a meeting, without specifying who it's with. Susan seems a little disappointed but accepts this and wanders off.

Karl goes into the tram, where Tess is already waiting for him and greets him with a hug. Tess asks if Susan is coming too, but Karl says he wanted to see Tess alone.

KARL: It's about Darcy.
TESS: Ugh, what's he up to?
KARL: What makes you think he's up to something?
TESS: Oh, the fact that he's Darcy.

Tess tells Karl she hasn't seen Darcy since 'the divorce' - which comes as a surprise to Karl, as he didn't realise Tess and Darcy were ever married.

TESS: Yeah. The woman who left him at the altar 20 years ago wound up marrying him after all.
KARL: Oh, well, umm... do you mind telling me more? It's just... Darcy's moved back to Ramsay Street. I could use any intel I can get.
TESS: It's... it's not a pretty story.

Eirini Rising
In the office, Jane is telling Susan, Terese and Byron about her concerns for Amanda's memory. Jane says she doesn't have the best relationship with Amanda so would appreciate an objective opinion. Susan admits that she's noticed 'a few moments of forgetfulness' with Amanda, and her using the wrong names for people. But Terese says it's not uncommon for people to need a period of adjustment when changing environments.

SUSAN: And there are a lot of explanations for memory loss. Harold - he thought he had dementia, turned out he was just mixing medication.

Terese suggests that Karl or Darcy could run some tests. But Jane's worried that with her and Amanda only just getting to a place of civility, bringing this up could cause more drama.

BYRON: Why don't I talk to her?
JANE: Well, yeah - you know, that might seem less of an attack.
SUSAN: Yeah. Be careful, though - it's a touchy subject. She mightn't be aware that there's a problem. And if she is, she might be afraid to have her fears confirmed.

Byron promises to be careful.

Shortly afterwards, he turns up to visit Amanda in her apartment, and asks if she's free for a catchup. She was just about to go to the pharmacy and asks if Byron can come back later. Byron notices the 'Best Nanna Ever' mug sitting on the shelf. He notices that she's been doing some paperwork - she explains she's been putting off doing her banking for ages. Byron offers to help her with it, and she gratefully accepts.

The 82
Tess is telling Karl the story of how she and Darcy were reunited.

TESS: About 15 years ago, Darcy and I ran into each other at a mutual friend's party. I wanted to leave straight away, but like a fool... I, uh, got to talking. He was lovely. He apologised for the way he treated me, said that he'd done a lot of work on himself... and wanted to make amends. I found myself falling for him again. Only this time, I didn't have Alice Jamison or Lyn Scully to step in.
KARL: So you got married.
TESS: It was the worst two years of my life. And that's coming from someone who was Mrs Brendan Bell.
KARL: What happened?
TESS: He cheated on me. Used me like an ATM. Gaslit me into thinking I was wrong all the time. It started to feel like I was back in Ramsay Street in... what, 2001? I half expected Dee Bliss to turn up.
KARL: I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. I'm just surprised I didn't hear about it from anyone.
TESS: I got so much grief getting back with Darcy, I wanted to keep the wedding quiet and the divorce even quieter. I haven't seen him since... I'm sorry.
KARL: No, no - there's no need to apologise.
TESS: And there's more...

Eirini Rising
In the courtyard, Amanda has good news for Darcy - he no longer needs to help her with her 'boring life admin stuff', because Byron has offered to help with her banking this afternoon. Darcy says he didn't mind helping, but Amanda feels she has to let Byron do it.

AMANDA: He was so touched when he realised I still had that silly mug he made for me. He wanted to do something nice (...) You know, I think moving to Erinsborough was a good idea.

But Darcy looks worried as Amanda walks away, perhaps fearing Byron will find out about the shares he stole.

No 32
Taye is practising his seduction routine - seemingly involving roleplay as a fireman - to his reflection in the patio door, while unbuttoning his shirt.

TAYE: Where's the fire? It's hot in here, isn't it? Ooh, it's hot (...) Where's the fire?
MAX (appearing from behind him): In your gorgeous eyes. No, dude, don't let me stop you! This is the first time I've seen a grown man try and seduce himself.
TAYE (embarrassed): I'm going on a date.
MAX: Oh, yeah? Who is she? I mean, clearly someone who has an appreciation of the fine efforts of our first responders.
TAYE: No one you know.

Max clocks the champagne and chocolate Taye has with him, and suggests it's a bit much for a daytime hookup. But Taye says he wants to make a good impression, and heads off. Max laughs as he goes.

The 82
Tess continues to tell Karl her story.

TESS: Marriage breakups are always messy. I said and did things I regret. But in the end, he owed me $15,000, and I doubt I'll ever see it again. He was juggling a few debts then.
KARL: Who else does he owe money to?
TESS: He was always cagey about it, but he was in business with another doctor - and things went south. Money was involved.
KARL: What was this doctor's name?
TESS: Anthony Halsworth, do you know him?
KARL: No. No, it's not ringing a bell.
TESS: You think I'm a fool, don't you?
KARL: No, no! I think you've been taken in by a very skilled manipulator.
TESS: Again.
KARL: He's done it to Susan, again. And me. And the Eirini residents think he's perfect.
TESS: Well, what are you gonna do?
KARL: I just don't know.
TESS: Well, look, just remember this. No matter what Darcy says or does, his true nature will always come out, eventually.

Eirini Rising
Darcy turns up at Amanda's apartment, and they flirt a bit. Darcy wants a quick word before Byron arrives to do her banking.

DARCY: I know you're an independent and capable woman, but I don't want to see you in a situation where you're vulnerable.
AMANDA: I'm sorry, I don't follow.
DARCY: Okay, well... one thing we're hyper- aware of at Eirini Rising are residents running the risk of elder abuse. Now if Byron, or any other member of your family, sticks their nose into somewhere they're not wanted, you know you can come to me?
AMANDA: What prompted this?
DARCY: Well, the fact that your grandson has ignored you for years, and now he's offering to help you with the banking. I mean, it might be innocent. But sadly, umm... when people with assets get on in years, their relatives can see it as an opportunity for themselves.
AMANDA: Byron's not like that.
DARCY: Look, they might couch it in terms of 'taking the burden off'. But they're actually wresting control of your assets. There's probably nothing to worry about. But just in case... I'm always here for you.

Amanda seems concerned, but grateful.

No 32
In the garden, Max takes a beer from the 'Trevsky' (presumably like an Esky, but named for Trevor!) while Sadie sits nearby in one of Amanda's costumes. Taye emerges from house in expensive new sunglasses, and Sadie and Max wonder how he afforded them. 'Tips,' he claims unconvincingly.

SADIE: I've seen you serve drinks. You ain't that good.
TAYE: You haven't seen all I can do.

Max asks how Taye's appointment with his 'lady friend' went.

TAYE: A gentleman never tells.
MAX: Which excludes you, so spill.

Taye changes the subject, suggesting they go to the pub. Sadie is trying to save money, but Taye tells her it's his shout, so she agrees to come. She notices some massage oil on Taye's neck; he claims he treated himself to a massage. They all head to the pub. As he goes, Taye texts Fallon, saying he has paid her the first instalment of what he owes - but looks a little conflicted.

Eirini Rising
Byron is in Amanda's apartment, doing her banking. Amanda admits that Peter, her husband, always handled the finances, so she never got the hang of it. Byron is surprised by how many bank accounts she has, and suggests she could combine them all. He offers to do some research and give her some options. Amanda seems pleased at this. Byron then raises the topic of the 'Best Nanna' mug, mentioning Sadie said Amanda forgot she had it.

AMANDA: Just slipped my mind!
BYRON: Ah, that's alright. It's just... look, I've just been speaking to Susan Kennedy, and she said that Harold Bishop had some memory issues from mixing his medications.

Darcy is lurking outside the apartment in the corridor, listening through the door! Amanda says there's no problem with her medications.

BYRON: Okay, it's just, umm... It's just that... you forgot that we ordered dinner last night.
AMANDA: What are you trying to suggest? That I've gone gaga?
BYRON: Uh... no, Nan.
AMANDA: Is that why you offered to help me with my banking?
BYRON: Oh, no, I just wanted to take some of the burden off your shoulders.

Remembering that these are the same words Darcy suggested Byron might use, Amanda's mood turns sharply. Darcy continues to listen.

AMANDA: I've been warned about people like you!
BYRON: People... Nan, I'm just trying to help you.
AMANDA: I was offering you the chance to make up for the fact that you've been absent in my life. If this is how you're going to behave, I'd rather you didn't.
BYRON: Nan...

At this point, Darcy walks through the door, and asks if everything is okay.

AMANDA: Byron was just leaving.
BYRON: Nanna, I really -
AMANDA: Ah! Darcy, please show him out.
DARCY: Maybe you should do what she says.

Byron relents, and leaves. Darcy closes the door behind him, and gives Amanda a look as if to say, 'What did I tell you?'

Byron returns to the office to update Jane, Karl, Susan and Terese on his chat with Amanda. Apologetic, he says he made a complete mess of it. Karl suggests that Jane might try talking to her instead. At this point, Darcy comes in, and changes sides, asking how Byron is feeling after what Amanda said. Byron's more worried about Amanda, and asks how she is - Darcy says she'll be alright. But...

DARCY: Your grandmother is a super- independent woman, and I think she gets a little triggered when someone challenges that.

Darcy is carrying something in a bag. He explains Amanda got a little agitated, and shows Byron the broken pieces of the 'Best Nanna' mug.

DARCY: I don't think she *meant* to do this...

Byron and Jane look upset.

The Waterhole
Max, Sadie and Taye are at the pub. Taye goes to pay Aaron for the drinks, and as he does, Remi arrives, noting with surprise how much cash Taye has on him.

REMI: Wow. Who even has cash these days?
TAYE: People who get lots of tips.

He asks Remi to come and join them for a drink, saying it's on him. She toys with the idea of advising Taye to save his money, but deciding that would be a wasted effort, orders a chilled red! While Remi goes to join Max and Sadie, Aaron asks Taye how his date went.

TAYE: Bro, your moves were so helpful. Thanks.

Aaron is also curious about how Taye makes so much in tips. Taye claims there was an influx of German and American tourists - he was just lucky. But Aaron looks a bit suspicious as Taye walks off.

No 28
Karl and Susan get home, and Karl decides now's the time to tell Susan that his meeting at the tram earlier was with Tess Bell. Susan's baffled as to why Karl didn't say so - she'd have loved to say hello to Tess.

SUSAN: Was this about Darcy?
KARL: Yep.
SUSAN: Karl, I thought you were gonna drop it.
KARL: Did you know that Tess and Darcy were married?
SUSAN: No!
KARL: Mm. Two years. Ended in divorce.
SUSAN: It's funny that he didn't mention it...
KARL: Yes. Exactly.
SUSAN: Well, maybe he was embarrassed.
KARL: Maybe his behaviour was appalling! He cheated on her and used her for money!
SUSAN: ... Is that what Tess said?
KARL: Yeah. And apparently he was in business with some doctor... Anthony someone. Anyway, that went sour.
SUSAN: That doesn't sound good.
KARL: No, it doesn't. Why hasn't he told us any of this?!
SUSAN: I dunno. We should at least hear his side of the story...
KARL (laughs): Darcy is a compulsive liar! He's clearly got an agenda. Susan, the man is a conniving snake.

But unseen by Karl, Darcy has walked through the front door and heard all of this!

DARCY: Tell me what you *really* think, Karl.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Aaron and Cara admire Dex's new trainers, and Cara asks how he afforded them. He glances at Taye worriedly
- Amanda tells Jane she knows she's after her money, but that there's hardly any at all
- Chelsea tells Paul that the specialist doctor has called, and wants to see Thomas
- Paul promises he'll be there, and invites Terese too, but she seems unkeen to be involved