Previously on Neighbours
- Chelsea tells Paul that Thomas's biological father is Jeffrey
- Paul keeps quiet about it to Terese, as she says she's really looking forward to them watching Thomas grow up
- Paul later tells Chelsea nothing needs to change; he *will* be Thomas's father, and will take care of Jeffrey
- Krista is watching from afar and sees Paul and Chelsea talking
- Andrew concludes that someone has been using images of him to catfish Sandra
- Wendy tells Andrew she loves him and wants to get past this
- Phil Buffett from the self- defence class watches Wendy, Andrew and Nicolette from the end of Ramsay Street
- Amanda is spirited away to the Dandenongs by Darcy, leaving Jane wondering where she's got to
- Up a mountain, Amanda tells Darcy about her fears for her mental state. 'I'm so sorry, Amanda,' he replies
- Later, Andrew turns up at Jane's door and tells her he's 'so sorry'. Jane breaks down in tears
Agnes's departure yesterday has prompted a change to the opening titles. Her shot with the other Eirini Rising residents is replaced with a new shot, featuring Moira, Hilary, Gino and Vera playing lawn bowls in the Eirini courtyard.
No 24
Jane is still crying as Andrew tells her the results of the search for Amanda. Byron and Nicolette support Jane on either side, while Susan, Sadie and Aaron listen from the other side of the room.
ANDREW: The search party found your mum at the bottom of an embankment.
Jane flashes back to Amanda furiously telling her she's not interested in the trip to the Dandenongs; she's evidently feeling devastated about how things were left between them.
ANDREW: We believe that she veered off the paths and... fell while walking alone.
Jane guiltily recalls herself saying that Amanda 'thrives on the drama'.
ANDREW: Injuries sustained during the fall led to her death.
Jane then remembers telling Amanda that Mrs Mangel was 'more of a mother to me than you ever were'.
ANDREW: I'm so sorry, Jane.
JANE (sobbing): The things that she said to me... the last time I saw her...
NICOLETTE: Mum, no.
BYRON: Don't do this.
JANE (sobbing): And now she's gone. And it was my idea to go to the Dandenongs.
ANDREW: It was a terrible accident.
JANE: No, she was there because of me. She died because of me.
No 26
Andrew and Sadie return home. Wendy offers them a cuppa, but Sadie just wants the day to be over, so heads to bed after a hug from Wendy. Andrew then shows Wendy a text he's had from Sandra Jago, asking to meet up tomorrow.
ANDREW: Let's just hope that she finally realises she's being catfished and can help us track down the culprit.
Wendy isn't sure that his meeting Sandra is a good idea given she thought she was in a relationship with Andrew. He says he'll take one of his colleagues with him, but Wendy looks unreassured.
Penthouse
The next day, Paul is having a coffee when Chelsea drops by; she says she's surprised not to have heard from him yet about Jeffrey. Paul replies that all Chelsea needs to know is that Jeffrey 'got the message' to leave her alone from now on. But at this point they're interrupted by Terese, who wonders where Thomas is. Making up an excuse, Chelsea says she's just come to ask if Paul would like to have Thomas overnight again.
Paul says he'd love that, and Terese agrees. Terese says they've been discussing 'formalising' Thomas's visits, and Paul mentions the parenting scheduler app that Terese found.
PAUL: I think it's gonna be very helpful.
TERESE: Yeah - just so we're on the same page, set some boundaries...
Chelsea looks a bit worried at this! But she asks Terese to send her the details, then promises to bring Thomas round later, before leaving in the lift.
No 26
Andrew is on the phone to his colleague Tom. Once he's finished, he tells Wendy, Sadie and Holly that Tom will be coming with him to meet Sandra later. Wendy is pleased about this at least, and heads outdoors with Sadie and a coffee tray.
Meanwhile Holly asks Andrew what the 'latest' is in the catfishing investigation. He tells her they've been able to eliminate Archie, the cocky kid from the self- defence class, from their enquiries; he was on a train to Ballarat at the time the sting took place, so he couldn't have been the person messaging Nicolette. Holly wonders why it takes two cops to meet Sandra. Andrew says it's better that way for 'sensitive situations'.
HOLLY: You're gonna scare her off. Why don't I go instead?
ANDREW (scoffs): No way. Look, this is my identity that's been stolen here.
HOLLY: Yeah, but it's also about Sandra being lied to and heartbroken, which is kind of my forte! She'll open up to me.
Andrew looks at her uncertainly...
No 24
Jane is still very upset, and Byron, Nicolette, Aaron and Susan are still on hand for support. Byron offers to go and see the funeral director today, to start organising Amanda's memorial. Jane says Joe (her uncle) was asking her about that last night; he had lots of questions but Jane had no answers. After that she spent the night on the couch, she says, and couldn't sleep.
At this point, Darcy shows up to 'pay my respects', and Aaron lets him in. Darcy tells Jane how sorry he is for her loss, and she thanks him.
DARCY: I don't want to pry... I'm just struggling to understand. What happened?
BYRON: Uh... well, the police assume that Nanna fell.
NICOLETTE: They think she was alone, so there's no real way of knowing the details.
Seeing that Jane is now even more upset, Darcy apologises for asking. Though he now has the information he needs, presumably - that the police aren't currently treating Amanda's death as suspicious.
Lassiter's Lake
Sandra is sitting on a bench when Holly turns up to speak to her. Sandra awkwardly tells her she's waiting to meet someone.
HOLLY: Andrew? He's not the person who's been messaging you.
SANDRA: That's why I'm here. I'd like him to say that to my face.
HOLLY (sitting down): Does he really need to? He loves Wendy. He's not a cheater; you know that deep down. Look, love has kicked me in the guts a few times as well. This isn't Andrew's fault, but there's no blame on you either.
SANDRA: Except that I've sent this person intimate photos. Who knows what they've done with them.
HOLLY: We need to find out who's been catfishing you... Maybe if you show me what they've been saying to you online, there might be some clues in there.
SANDRA: I don't want you to read what I wrote to Andrew.
HOLLY: ... You're our only shot at finding out who this person is. Please?
The Waterhole
Paul and Terese comes in, Terese with Thomas in her arms. Terese is wishing she'd have known about Amanda last night so she could have gone over and supported Jane. Paul says she can go now if she wants, but Terese seems besotted with Thomas (or at least, more so than she was!) and says she'll set up his feed first.
Krista and Leo are having a coffee at the bar and watch Paul and Terese with the baby, smiling. But Krista soon tells Leo about the 'intense conversation' she saw Paul and Chelsea having yesterday. 'She was touching him,' Krista adds. She then heads off to work, leaving Leo looking concerned. Paul then comes over and greets Leo, who wastes no time in asking...
LEO: Is something going on with you and Chelsea?
He explains what Krista saw. But Paul tells Leo he can assure Krista that there is 'absolutely nothing going on', and that he can guarantee Chelsea won't overstep again.
PAUL: So we can just pretend that the kiss never happened.
But Leo looks unconvinced as Paul rejoins Terese. Terese says she's feeling sad for Jane.
TERESE: But you know what? Thomas is such a reminder of the good things in life.
They kiss. Chelsea comes in, sees this, and grimaces!
Lassiter's Lake
Holly has convened with Andrew near to Sandra's bench. Holly explains that Sandra has showed her the messages, but that nothing jumped out as a clue as to the catfisher's identity. Sandra is, however, thinking about handing her phone in to the police, Holly says. Andrew is impressed and wonders how Holly did it. Holly says she just related some of her own experiences and got Sandra to open up.
ANDREW: Thanks for believing me.
HOLLY: Yeah. Of course. You're one of the good ones.
Holly heads off to work, leaving Andrew looking over at Sandra apprehensively.
No 24
Terese comes over to see Jane and gives her a big hug, apologising for not being here earlier. Susan is still here too, and tells Jane that Karl is coming home from rehab having heard the news. Jane says Karl doesn't need to cut his rehab short - it's important for him. But Susan says Karl wants to be here for Jane, and besides is in a good place now.
TERESE: So how are you?
JANE (tearful): I just... I just wish I could have had more time with Mum (...) There's so much I wanted just to talk out with her. But I knew that she was becoming unwell, and I just wish that we could have had a better relationship, even if it was just for a little while. And then there's the way that she died - all alone, thinking that we'd betrayed her... I should have handled it differently, I should have!
SUSAN: Jane, you tried.
JANE (tearful): Well, I should have tried harder. I just... I don't know that I'm ever gonna be able to forgive myself.
Lassiter's Lake
Andrew now approaches Sandra and explains he's spoken with Holly since their chat, adding that he's sorry she got caught up in this scam.
SANDRA: I'm sorry too. I should've believed you. I'm so annoyed at myself.
ANDREW: Hey, no, don't be. Seriously.
Krista and Leo are walking by, unseen by Andrew and Sandra, and stop and stare at them for a while before walking on again.
Meanwhile, Sandra says she'll hand her phone in to the police station so they can examine it. Andrew asks if she would mind if he took a look at the messages himself first. Sandra isn't keen given the nature of the messages, but eventually relents when Andrew explains he may have more chance of spotting a clue, since he's the one being impersonated.
Sandra hands over her phone, and he scrolls through the message history. Among them is a picture of the sun coming up over the suburbs. The catfisher has captioned it with 'Gorgeous sunrise this morning, but still not as beautiful as you.' Andrew zooms in on the picture, and seems to recognise the house in it. He looks troubled...
Penthouse
Paul and Terese are still looking after Thomas. Terese tells Paul about Jane struggling with her mum's death and Paul trots out some platitudes. Thomas starts crying, but Terese successfully soothes him and he stops. Paul remarks that she's definitely found her groove in that regard.
TERESE: I think it's the other way round. He's comforting me.
Chelsea turns up with 'emergency supplies' for Thomas, but on looking through the bag, Paul realises there's no milk. Chelsea claims that she wasn't able to express any, and says she'll just have to hang around here until Thomas is ready for his feed. Terese looks annoyed.
Ramsay Street
Susan arrives in the car with Karl, back from rehab. They have been talking about Darcy, and Susan asks Karl if he's changed his mind about him.
KARL: No. Not exactly. [But] with the benefit of distance, I realised it's unfair to put you in the middle.
SUSAN: You made some very serious allegations.
KARL: Yes - I know, I know. And I can't prove them.
SUSAN: So you're just gonna let it go?
KARL: I am going to keep a very close eye on Darcy, and I would like to suggest you do the same thing.
SUSAN: Okay.
No 24
Jane is with Byron and Sadie, and also Darcy who has come to drop off some flowers from himself and the Eirini residents.
DARCY: Amanda was only at Eirini a short time - but we all miss her.
Sadie and Darcy go to put the flowers in some water in the kitchen, and Darcy takes the opportunity to ask how Sadie is holding up.
SADIE: Obviously I can't really feel the same as everybody else. But me and Amanda, it felt like we had a real connection. It's really upsetting.
DARCY: Yeah. I feel exactly the same.
Susan and Karl now come in, Karl keen to give Jane his condolences and a hug. Jane's still concerned about Karl cutting his rehab short, but he assures her he's no longer on any medication and feels fine. However, he's feeling guilty for not having been at Eirini to have kept an eye on Amanda. But Jane says there's nothing he could have done - not even Darcy knew she'd left. Karl glances over at Darcy and frowns...
No 30
Terese is with Chelsea, unloading baby supplies, while Paul puts Thomas to bed elsewhere in the house. It turns out Chelsea had to stay the night at the penthouse, as Thomas didn't want a feed for ages. Terese isn't very happy about it but forces a smile - until she goes to the fridge and finds a load of expressed milk in there after all! Clearly, Chelsea was just using that as an excuse to spend time hanging around Paul.
TERESE: I thought you said you didn't have any spare milk?
CHELSEA (unconvincingly): I must have completely forgotten! That's sleep deprivation for you.
Terese is not impressed.
No 28
Paul and Terese call round to see the Kennedys. Susan and Terese go into the garden to pick some flowers, giving Paul a chance to ask Karl how rehab went. Karl tells him it was good, and that his mind's now clear.
PAUL: And you're still determined to prove Darcy set you up?
KARL: Too right I am! You got any advice?
PAUL: Yeah, just one piece - keep your enemies close, okay? Make him your friend again. It's gonna be a lot easier to catch him out that way.
Karl takes this on board.
Ramsay Street
Terese and Susan are discussing Karl's allegations against Darcy while picking some roses from the front garden. Susan says Karl wants them simply to keep an eye on Darcy.
SUSAN: Honestly I don't know if he's wavering in his convictions or he's just trying to keep the peace.
TERESE: You know what? Maybe we're both too close to the situation. How would you feel if we brought in an assistant manager? You know, just somebody who can help us through this period.
SUSAN: Hmm, well, yeah - somebody from outside would be good.
TERESE: Yeah. I mean, junior to us, obviously - impartial, somebody that can keep an eye on Darcy, but also pick up some of the workload.
Susan thinks it would take the pressure off, so Terese says she'll advertise the position.
Harold's Café
Nicolette is working, to Holly's surprise given the news about Amanda. Holly tells Nic about her chat with Sandra yesterday, who now actually believes she has been catfished. Holly says she feels bad for her, and Nic is regretful that her fake account didn't flush out the culprit.
HOLLY: There's no reason a *new* fake account couldn't...
Nicolette smiles as Holly gets to work setting one up! Meanwhile, Wendy comes in with Krista and Leo, who are sticking their beaks in about Andrew. Wendy tells them about the fake dating profile, and Sandra thinking she'd been talking to Andrew. Leo murmurs that Sandra might have been the woman who they saw Andrew talking to on the bench, and tells Wendy that the woman looked 'a little bit emotional'.
WENDY: Well, were they alone?
KRISTA and LEO: Yeah.
WENDY: Well, he was meant to meet her with another colleague.
Holly comes over and has caught the tail end of this. She tries to explain that she convinced Andrew not to take a colleague along, but Wendy isn't listening as she's too busy ranting about Andrew.
WENDY: Why would he go back on his word? And not tell me? I mean, he was up and gone before I left. But is he meeting her again?
A house near Ramsay Street
Andrew has found the house from the photo he saw on Sandra's phone - which is just over the main road opposite Ramsay Street - and compares it with the image to double- check. He hears a phone ringing from within the property, and recognises the voice of the man who answers it, so goes into the yard. Sure enough, it's Phil Buffett from the self- defence classes. He's digging in his veggie patch, and greets Andrew with surprise.
PHIL: Come in. I didn't realise you made self- defence house calls!
Andrew tells Phil about the online account that's been impersonating him, and how it posted a photo taken out the front of Phil's house. Phil asks to have a look at the photo; Andrew shows him. Phil remarks that it's 'really weird' but says he doesn't know anything about it. Andrew doesn't challenge him on this, but asks Phil to let him know if he sees anyone hanging around taking photos. Phil promises he will.
But as Andrew turns to leave, Phil suddenly whacks him over the head with the spade he's been digging with! Andrew falls to the ground in a heap, seemingly unconscious...
Eirini Rising
In the office, Jane is looking forlornly at the mug that Byron made for Amanda, which she's holding. Darcy is with her.
JANE: I just couldn't stop thinking about it. I know it's silly, but I just wanted to take it home.
DARCY: It's not silly at all. It meant a lot to Amanda. She'd be happy that you have it.
JANE: Well, given the way things ended, I'm not so sure about that.
DARCY: I am. Look, again, I'm so sorry that you have to go through this.
Jane leaves with the mug just as Karl comes in, and asks for a word with Darcy.
KARL: I just want to apologise. Now that my mind's clearer, I can see how much the opiates muddled me. And even though I've got gaps in my memory, I know I said things that I can't justify.
DARCY: Well, thank you for acknowledging that.
KARL: And I want to withdraw properly, you know? So I was wondering if you could give me some more of those natural supplements?
DARCY: Karl, given the lack of trust between us, I don't think I'm the right person to help -
KARL: Please, please. You helped me before. I think you're the only person who can help me now.
DARCY: ... Okay. Let's give it another shot.
Karl thanks Darcy and leaves. Darcy looks inscrutable.
Lassiter's Complex
Sandra is walking through the courtyard when Wendy, who is working outside the café, spots her. Wendy fronts up to Sandra and demands to know where Andrew is. Sandra says she doesn't know.
WENDY: Were you with him?
Holly emerges from the café, and tells Wendy she's got this all wrong.
SANDRA: I saw him yesterday, and... ugh, I feel awful. We've both been tricked by someone who's clearly disturbed. I'm really sorry for any trouble this has caused. Andrew loves you. He never did anything wrong.
Sandra walks off, leaving Wendy regretting that once again she didn't trust Andrew.
WENDY (to Holly): Oh my goodness. Why do I keep doing this?
HOLLY: I tried to tell you, but you kept jumping to conclusions.
WENDY: I've got to go find him.
Phil Buffett's House
But the chances of this seem unlikely, as Andrew is currently tied up and gagged in Phil's garage! He has regained consciousness and struggles with his restraints, but to no avail. Phil stands over him, scratching his chin as if wondering what to do with him. Andrew speaks through the gag.
ANDREW (muffled): Please, Phil! Phil! Let me go. Seriously, I can help you. Whatever you need.
But Phil just stares at him as Andrew continues to struggle...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Terese tells Chelsea that she's been giving her the benefit of the doubt, but that she hasn't changed at all
- Taye tells Max the tips have been 'rolling in at work'. Max asks if it's the Piano Bar or his side hustle
- Wendy comes to No 28 to ask Holly if she's seen Andrew, as he's not replying to her text messages
- But Holly just tells Wendy that she needs to 'get past this and trust Andrew'
