Eirini Rising
Agnes is getting a drink at the coffee hut when Max turns up for another visit. She's surprised as it's the third time today, but he's come to give her something - the Ramsay- Robinson family tree he's been making, of which she is now established as a part. She says this is 'marvellous' but doesn't unroll it for now, as she needs to pack for her trip to Port Douglas.

MAX: Yeah. Uh, about that... I have a crazy idea. Can I talk to you about it?
AGNES: Mm?

No 24
Aaron has returned from his holiday and is being filled in on the latest problems with Amanda by Jane, Nicolette, Byron and Sadie. Byron wonders if Amanda overheard them talking about the power of attorney and that's why she turned on them. Jane thinks it's a possibility.

JANE: I really just wanted to have a nice day out with her.
SADIE: She wanted that too.
JANE: Well, we'll take her to the Dandenongs another day, when she's calmed down a bit.

The Dandenongs
But Amanda is already at the Dandenongs, admiring the view from a vantage point near the car park, and Darcy has kept his promise of coming to meet her there, having ostensibly been dealing with another resident at Eirini Rising, Mr Kumar.

AMANDA: This was a wonderful idea. I really wish Jane and the kids could be here, but they've got no one to blame but themselves.

Darcy is fiddling with his phone, but Amanda reminds him they're supposed to be enjoying the view. He explains he's 'meeting an old friend' and was just checking his texts. He then suggests going for a walk, and takes her by the arm as they wander off together.

Eirini Rising
Agnes and Max are discussing his 'crazy idea', which is apparently for Agnes to move to Port Douglas while she's working on her book with the publisher. Agnes says she couldn't possibly, but Max says it wouldn't be forever - just while she was reworking the book.

AGNES: That process could take months.
MAX: Yeah, and that's my point, right? Instead of having to fly back and forth, why not just base yourself up there for a while? Look, I'm only saying this because I know you're not happy here. And up there... you'd have a friend in Harold.
AGNES: And how do you think he's going to feel with me suddenly turning up?
MAX: Well, you've been writing to each other, haven't you?
AGNES: That doesn't mean he wants me living around the corner!
MAX: I think he would.

Agnes objects that she's only just bought her apartment at Eirini. Max suggests she could sublet it while she's away.

MAX: Look, I just reckon it's worth thinking about.

Meanwhile in the office, Jane is discussing Amanda's outburst with Susan. Jane's been to her apartment to try and talk it through, but found Amanda wasn't there, and asks Susan where she might be. Susan suggests she could have gone for a manicure, and Jane agrees that's likely. Jane asks how things have been for Susan since the revelations about Karl's drug dependency. She admits it's been a difficult couple of days.

SUSAN: I just want him to get better.
JANE: And this business with Darcy?
SUSAN: Honestly? Terese and I are both still trying to get our head around it all.

Max comes in, wanting to talk about Agnes's place at Eirini. Jane leaves them to it.

The Dandenongs
On a path up the mountain, Darcy is looking at his message history with Tess Bell. She's told him she's 'leaving now', and later she's added, 'I'm at Jerry's Cafe. Where are you?' Darcy replies, 'I said Jenny's Cafe', and sends the text. Amanda is nearby, and begins talking, so Darcy goes over to join her.

AMANDA: When Jane was young, she tried to climb one of these trees.
DARCY: Oh, she was an adventurous kid, then?
AMANDA: No, no - she was timid. She was always in her head, trying to create a reason to be terrified. And I suppose I didn't help.
DARCY: I thought you were mad at Jane.
AMANDA: ... Was I? Why?
DARCY (shrugs): You were saying?
AMANDA: I suppose I can be critical, and... since I came back I've been thinking about how my actions impact my family. If the truth be known, I was... I was jealous of Jane. My mother allowed her to get away with things that I could only dream of. All I wanted to do was be beautiful! She made me feel like a criminal... It wasn't Jane's fault, though, was it? She was always a really good daughter. She always deserved better than me.

Darcy stands listening, looking conflicted...

Ramsay Street
Wendy gives Max some misdelivered post, and notices the rolled- up family tree he's carrying. Max unravels it and shows it to Wendy, explaining Paul helped him to put it together for Agnes. Wendy is duly impressed, and asks if he knows many of his extended family. Max explains that when he was a kid, he'd go with his family to a function every second weekend in Brisbane and socialise with them.

MAX: I used to get pretty narky about it, especially if my cousin Gemma was hosting. But now, umm...
WENDY: Now it is nice to feel part of something.
MAX: Yeah.
WENDY: You know, in a way, everyone on the street is caught up in this family. And it's not just who you know. The history, it's... it's everywhere.

Wendy suggests that he should put the family tree in the Ramsay Street History Book. Max thinks that's a good idea. He says he's printed off a load of copies, and offers Wendy one. She thanks him and takes it home with her.

The Dandenongs
Amanda is on the edge of a sharp drop down the mountainside, and appears to think she is talking to Jane. But only Darcy is with her, listening from a distance as she talks, facing away from him.

AMANDA: Do you remember when we climbed the thousand steps? You were so young then, and you were so scared. And I promised to hold your hand and never let it go... But I did let it go, didn't I? I was never there for you. I... I'm sorry.

Amanda turns around and gasps, shocked to see Darcy there. He approaches her slowly.

DARCY (calmly): It's alright, Amanda.
AMANDA: No. It's *not* alright. I thought I was talking to Jane... It's happening, isn't it?
DARCY: ...
AMANDA: There's something wrong with my head. I, uh... things keep slipping away, and then I get confused... and then everything's okay again.
DARCY: Yeah. That's, umm... very common in the early stages of dementia. If that's what it is.
AMANDA: That's what you think it is, don't you?
DARCY: Well, it's the most likely explanation for your symptoms.
AMANDA (upset): Then why didn't you side with Jane?
DARCY: Because I thought you needed someone in your corner. I know what that's like.
AMANDA: It's only going to get worse, isn't it?
DARCY: Well, there's medication that can slow it down. But, yes.

Amanda turns from him, crying. Ominous music plays as we see the scale of the drop beneath them.

DARCY: I'm so sorry, Amanda.
AMANDA: (crying)
DARCY: I'm sorry...

Eirini Rising
Agnes is looking at Max's family tree when Susan turns up and congratulates her on the news about her book. Susan says she's loved reading it and that it deserves to be published. Agnes guesses that Max has been talking to Susan about his suggestion of Agnes moving to Port Douglas.

AGNES: The more I come to think of it, it would make the meetings with the publisher a lot easier.
SUSAN: Well, we'd hate to see you go. But your studio here shouldn't be a reason not to. We can make arrangements (...) Are you worried about your daughter?
AGNES: No, I'm sure she'd be supportive.
SUSAN: So, what's holding you back?
AGNES: Honestly? I suppose it's just Harold. He was so confronted by my resemblance to Madge.
SUSAN: Oh, no, he got his head around that. He wouldn't have kept up the friendship if he wasn't comfortable. You want to go, don't you?
AGNES: I do... but, could I? Could I?

No 26
Wendy is looking at her copy of the Ramsay- Robinson family tree on the coffee table when Andrew comes in. He comes over to sit next to her; she explains to him that Max made it for Agnes.

WENDY: And it's pretty cool to actually see all the local history laid out like this.
ANDREW: Yeah. It's pretty messy.
WENDY: Uh, welcome to Ramsay Street!

They both laugh.

ANDREW: God, there's so many of them.
WENDY: Yeah, and it looks like a lot of them are really close (...) And now we know for certain just how many kids Paul actually has.
ANDREW: Well, till the next surprise turns up.

Andrew looks thoughtful as he gazes at the family tree.

Jenny's Café
Ominous music is playing as Darcy arrives, looking warily around the place, now on his own and with no Amanda in sight. He sits down at a table where there is an empty coffee cup, and pulls it towards him, possibly so it looks like it's his and therefore that he's been there for a while.

Soon, Tess turns up to meet him. She doesn't look impressed at having been to the wrong place.

DARCY: I'm sorry. The line must've been really bad; I definitely said Jenny's Café.
TESS: This better not be a conversation that could've been an email, Darcy. I've been traipsing around for ages.
DARCY: I'm sorry.
TESS: You've already given me the money you owe. Why do you need to see me?
DARCY: Well, after you spoke to Karl, I realised just how much hurt you're still carrying (...) I just want to talk it out. Please, just let's have a coffee, yeah? And then I'll leave you alone.
TESS (sitting down): Do your worst.
DARCY: First, uh... I really regret how I treated you. I take full responsibility for hurting you. And that's why I paid you back as soon as I could.
TESS: I'm not gonna say thank you for giving me what I deserved, Darcy.
DARCY: No, no - that came out wrong. No, I mean... I hate how we're at odds with each other. And I was hoping that if we cleared the air, we could be friends again.

Tess appears to be softening...

No 24
There's still no news on Amanda's whereabouts, a Sadie confirms to Byron, Nicolette, Aaron and Jane following a phone call to work that Amanda hasn't been to the day spa. Jane's checked the Eirini Rising common areas, the Waterhole and Harold's, so doesn't know where else she could be (!) Byron says Susan is on her way over, so could have another lead.

NICOLETTE: She's probably gone back to the North Shore to buy a designer bikini and a cocktail.

Susan then turns up. She's been speaking to the other Eirini residents, some of whom say they saw Amanda getting into the back of a car a few hours ago, but she didn't tell them where she was going. Nobody recognised the car.

SUSAN: Jane, I spoke to Remi. And based on what you've said, how distressed Amanda was...
BYRON: You think we should call the cops.
JANE (worried): Alright...

Eirini Rising
In the courtyard, Agnes is all packed to leave for Port Douglas, and is chatting to Max on a bench. He thinks what she's doing is 'really cool'.

AGNES: I wouldn't be doing it without a nudge from you. You are a very special young man, Max Ramsay (...) You could be doing anything with your life, but instead of that, you're worrying about me. Thank you.

Agnes adds that she'll be 'devouring' the Ramsay- Robinson family tree on the plane (presumably, she doesn't mean literally!) Susan turns up to say goodbye to Agnes.

SUSAN: Does Harold know you're coming?
AGNES: No... I'm going to take him by surprise. That way I'll know whether he's happy to see me!
MAX: I've told her he'll be happy.
AGNES: Well, even if he isn't, that'll be fine. I'll just stay out of his way and focus on my book.
SUSAN: It's been so lovely getting to know you.
AGNES: The feeling is mutual.
SUSAN: And for what it's worth, I think you and Madge would have been great friends, too.
AGNES: Oh - if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here, with all of you.
MAX: Yeah, that's true. If JJ hadn't noticed the resemblance and invited you here, then...
AGNES: Yeah. I wouldn't have met Harold, and he wouldn't have recommended me to the publisher, and... well, it's all thanks to Madge.

They all smile as sentimental music plays.

No 26
Andrew is on the sofa, still engrossed in the Ramsay- Robinson family tree. Wendy comes in.

WENDY: You seem thoughtful.
ANDREW: Just thinking about family.
WENDY: Oh. Well, you know we can make one of these if you wanted. Get in contact with some of the cousins you don't see often...
ANDREW: Yeah, it's a great idea... Be missing a branch, though, won't it?
WENDY: Your biological family?
ANDREW: Guess this just made me curious.
WENDY: Well, you've had moments before...
ANDREW: Yeah, I have. But I've never really been ready to take it further. But maybe I am now. Maybe.
WENDY: I know it's not the same thing, but when I connected with my cultural heritage, I found that it helped me make sense of myself in some way. Maybe you could also get some connection...

But they're interrupted by Andrew's phone ringing. He confirms to whoever is calling that he does know Jane Harris - she's his neighbour.

ANDREW: What do you need me to do?

Jenny's Café
Darcy is standing and on the phone to Susan, while Tess remains seated at the table.

DARCY: No, I haven't seen her... I'm with Tess... Yeah. Yeah, if she contacts me, I'll let you know... Keep me posted.

He finishes up the call and rejoins Tess. She asks if everything's okay.

DARCY: Oh, just one of the residents - she's gone missing for a few hours. Susan's just being cautious. She says 'hi', by the way.
TESS: Well, I'm sad I didn't get to see her when I caught up with Karl.
DARCY: Yeah, she would've been happy to see you. Just like I am.
TESS: Darcy... I can't just switch off everything that's happened. You cheated on me. I don't understand. I did everything right in our marriage.
DARCY: Yeah. You did. And I sabotaged everything that was good for me. *You* were good for me. Tess, I'm... I'm a better man than the one you married.
TESS: Karl doesn't think so.
DARCY: Sure. Karl probably says a lot about me. But he's got his own issues. It doesn't matter what kind of place I'm at with Karl. I'm lucky that Susan forgives me.
TESS: Well, she's taken a big leap of faith.
DARCY: Yeah. She has. I understand if you can't.

He holds Tess's hands. She looks uncomfortable.

DARCY: But I want you in my life. Is there a... a chance we could start again, with a clean slate?
TESS: I'm... I'm not sure. But I do appreciate you making peace.

Darcy smiles at her, nodding.

No 24
Susan arrives, just as Andrew is telling Jane, Aaron, Byron, Sadie and Nicolette that they've identified Amanda leaving Eirini in a car on CCTV. It was a ride- share, and the driver said he dropped Amanda off in the Dandenongs.

BYRON: Was she with anyone?
ANDREW: Amanda was the only passenger.
NICOLETTE: She never usually does anything without an audience.
JANE: Not helpful!
NICOLETTE: Mum, you know better than anyone what she's like. I know that she's unwell, but she's still functional. This is probably just her sticking two fingers up at us.
AARON: Nic...

Susan suggests Amanda could merely be having a Devonshire tea in the Dandenongs, but Byron is worried she could be lost out there, given how massive the national park is and what happened with his dad Vic out there. Sadie tells him not to freak out, adding that she doesn't think Amanda would go anywhere she could get muddy! Andrew tells them all to stay calm and wait for her to get in touch, while the police search the Dandenongs.

Andrew goes to get the process started, while Jane looks worried.

Port Douglas
Agnes has arrived at an address in Port Douglas. She fans herself to combat the heat as she approaches the front door, then knocks on it. The door opens to reveal Harold.

HAROLD: Agnes!
AGNES: You got it right that time!
HAROLD (stammering): What are you doing here? I thought you'd be hard at work, working on your notes from your publisher?
AGNES: Well, she wanted a meeting in person, and it turns out there are going to be a few more meetings, so I thought I'd base myself here for a while.
HAROLD (stammering): Ah, yes...
AGNES: Well, is... is that alright with you?

But Harold's brief hesitation has been replaced by a warm smile.

HAROLD: Course! Come in. I'll make you a pot of tea... The perfect blend.

They both chuckle as Agnes walks inside. Harold smiles to himself and closes the door, as the music swells in sentimental allusion to the Neighbours theme tune...

No 24
Darkness has fallen on Ramsay Street, as everyone anxiously awaits news of Amanda. Nicolette is passing the time by grilling Aaron about his holiday fling with Colton. Aaron says he was amazing, and regrets stuffing things up by lying to him.

NICOLETTE: No judgement. I told a few porkies when I met Kiri.
AARON: Oh, great - I'm turning into you (!)

Meanwhile, Byron and Sadie are washing up. Byron wishes he'd told Andrew about some of Amanda's favourite spots in the Dandenongs so he could concentrate the search there. Meanwhile, Jane declines Susan's offer of a cup of tea - but at that point, there's a knock at the door. Jane opens it hopefully, but her face falls when she sees Andrew standing there with a police colleague, looking grave.

ANDREW: Jane... I'm so sorry.
JANE (bursting into tears): What? What? Oh, no! Oh, no...!

Byron and Nicolette support Jane as she sobs...

Coming up on Neighbours
- Karl tells Susan he's going to keep a very close eye on Darcy, and suggests she do the same
- Paul advises Karl to 'keep your enemies close'
- Susan reassures Jane, telling her 'you tried' - but a tearful Jane doubts she will ever forgive herself
- 'He was meant to meet her with another colleague,' says Wendy
- Holly tries to speak, but Wendy interrupts, adding, 'Why would he go back on his word, and not tell me?'