Previously on Neighbours
- Lydia tells Taye if he keeps escorting for her, she'll be nice to Cara at the police academy; Taye agrees
- Sadie tells Byron that they're not getting back together
- Max tells Holly that his mum and sister are coming to visit
- Jane learns that one of her teachers needs leave to become a carer
- Andrew travels with Holly to meet his birth father Steven and sister Gretchen
- Later on the way home, Andrew and Holly stop off for a celebratory drink at a bar
- Wendy is annoyed that when she contacted Gretchen, Andrew was furious, but Holly's a hero for doing the same
- Andrew lies to Wendy, saying he and Holly 'got home before dark', neglecting to mention the bar drink
- He later justifies this to Holly, saying Wendy would have felt worse if she knew they'd gone to celebrate
No 26
Wendy is dressed up smartly for her job interview at the school, and Sadie and Andrew are enthusiastic for her. Andrew has made her breakfast but Wendy is too nervous to eat. She heads off to the interview. Sadie has sensed tension in the air between her parents.
No 32
Holly is on the sofa, watching a video on her phone of Andrew hanging out on the boat at Sandy Point with his birth father Steven and sister Gretchen. She smiles fondly. Max is trying to vacuum around her in preparation for his mum and sister arriving. Holly assures him the place looks fine.
There's a knock at the door and Holly goes to answer it - it's Sadie, and she wants an explanation for why Holly stuck her oar in by contacting Andrew's birth family.
HOLLY: How mad are you?
SADIE: I told you not to get involved, and you completely ignored me.
HOLLY: Well, it all went really well, if that makes any difference.
SADIE: Yeah. On one hand, my dad got to meet his biological father, which is pretty great. And on the other, you met my grandpa before me. And now things between my parents are really weird.
HOLLY: Okay, I'm really sorry, Sades. I was just trying to help.
SADIE: I'm not gonna make a big thing about it, but it just needed to be said.
Max comes over to find out what they were talking about, and is surprised to learn about the trip to Sandy Point, which Holly hadn't mentioned to him. Max says he was trying to call Holly all afternoon; she says the phone signal was really bad. Holly hopes Wendy isn't too upset; Sadie thinks she'll be fine.
No 30
Remi and Taye are talking about the impending visit of Max's mum and sister; he's taking refuge here, we presume to avoid the cleaning. Cara is studying at the desk, while Remi and Taye prepare for a game of poker. Taye then gets a text from Lydia, however, saying she has a few spare hours and asking if he can meet her in 30 minutes 'at the usual place'. He comes up with a lie for Remi, saying work has asked him to go in early.
REMI: What? Piano Bar's not open yet?
TAYE: Yeah, they, umm... they need me to wait for a package.
Taye claims he doesn't want to go but that work has him 'over a barrel'. Remi is disappointed that they can't play poker, but says work comes first.
No 32
Holly is telling Max about meeting Andrew's birth family, but he's distracted with the frantic tidying up in preparation for his family's arrival. There's another knock on the door and this time it's them - Max's mum Yvette and little sister Saskia. He greets them both with hugs.
YVETTE: What are you covering up? It smells like a hospital in here.
MAX: I just want everything to be perfect for you.
YVETTE: Oh, you know I don't care about that! The most important thing is I get to see you!
Holly offers to get them some drinks, while Max goes to fetch their cases. But he notes that they seem to have brought a lot of them for just a couple of nights! Yvette smiles cryptically and Saskia looks awkward...
Erinsborough High School
Jane is in her office, looking sadly at a photo of herself and Amanda on her phone. Wendy arrives for a pre- interview chat - Jane says the panel is ready for her, but notes that Wendy seems a little 'frazzled'.
WENDY: Oh, well, let's just say it's been a confusing morning.
Nonetheless, Wendy says she's ready for the interview, and follows Jane out into the corridor.
Lassiter's Complex
Remi is helping Cara prepare for her police academy law exam. Cara is struggling to remember the answers, and decides to book in another study session with Lydia. Remi tells her to stop stressing, but Cara says she doesn't want to let Lydia down as she's been good to her. Remi teases that it's a good job Lydia's straight, or else Remi might be getting jealous. Remi then heads off to find Taye to reschedule their poker game.
Cara has messaged Lydia, but gets a text in reply saying she can't talk right now - she's 'about to do a workout' - but is happy to meet up with Cara later. Remi comes out of the Piano Bar again, and tells Cara that Taye isn't there and hasn't been called in, despite having claimed he was heading to work.
CARA: Why would he lie?
Music of intrigue as they ponder the question.
No 32
Holly, Max, Saskia and Yvette are all talking. We learn that Holly never met Saskia when her dad Shane was dating Holly's mum Izzy.
HOLLY: I don't get too invested in Mum's boyfriends. They tend to come with an expiry date. No offence.
Saskia seems quiet, so Holly offers to introduce her to the 'cutest member of the house' in the garden - Trevor! Saskia and Holly head outside, giving Max the opportunity to ask Yvette if everything is okay with Saskia. Yvette says it's been 'a rough few months' - we learn Saskia's left one school due to bullying, but the issues she had there have followed her to the new one.
YVETTE: All the students knew people at the old school. The bullies got on social media and organised a welcoming party for Saskia on her very first day. That's why your dad thought it might be a good idea if she came down here for a while.
MAX: ... For a visit?
YVETTE: Well, being here has done the world of good for you. We were thinking it might work out for Saskia too.
MAX: Wait, are you saying you want her to stay here long- term?
Yvette shrugs as if to ask Max if that would be possible.
Erinsborough High School
Jane tells Wendy that she presented herself very well in the interview. Wendy admits she was worried she'd struggle to focus given the current tensions with Andrew, and explains about him and Holly going to visit Andrew's birth family after Holly contacted them - despite him being angry when Wendy did the same.
WENDY: It should've been me, Jane. I know I was on my way to Murrayville when this all happened, but if he would've called me, I would've turned around.
JANE: ...
WENDY: You think I'm being unreasonable.
JANE: No. No, Andrew could've been more thoughtful, for sure.
Jane asks how the reunion went. Wendy says it went well - Andrew's father has been really sick, so they're going to spend some time getting to know each other.
JANE: So, ultimately, it was the result that you wanted?
WENDY: ... Yeah, I suppose.
JANE: Look, I'm not dismissing your feelings, because I'd be hurt too. But... it is a big thing. I imagine Andrew wasn't thinking clearly. Maybe you should give him some grace, just as he should've when you originally told him about Steven and Gretchen.
Wendy looks unsure, but then smiles and agrees.
No 26
Wendy arrives home and reports to Andrew and Sadie that Jane says she's 'in with a shot' in terms of the job, but they'll have to wait and see. Andrew and Sadie enthuse about that, then Andrew takes Wendy into the living room for a chat. He apologises for not talking to her sooner. He was upset at learning of his birth mum Barbara's death, but says he shouldn't have taken it out on Wendy.
In turn, Wendy apologises for getting upset this morning. Andrew says it's totally understandable; he should've handled it better.
WENDY: I also want to say that I am so happy what Gretchen said wasn't true, and that your father is a lovely man. I mean, he's half you - how could he not be?
ANDREW (laughs): There's a lot to wrap my head around. I mean, he's a stranger, but he's also my dad. It's a weird feeling.
WENDY: Yeah, I bet.
ANDREW: And he's also sick, which... adds a lot of pressure.
WENDY: I know it's easier said than done to just live in the moment, but maybe that's all you can do.
ANDREW: Yeah. It's really good advice.
He asks for more detail about her interview; Wendy feels sure she's on the shortlist, but some of the applicants had way more experience.
ANDREW: Yeah, but they're not Wendy Rodwell.
WENDY (laughs): Let's hope that counts for something.
No 32
Max is still chatting to Yvette. He wishes she'd mentioned Saskia staying long- term before they got here, and isn't sure whether it's a good idea for Saskia to be moving in with three guys. But Yvette's more concerned about what will happen if Saskia is stuck in a school full of bullies; Yvette and Shane think it would be best if Saskia lived here. Max says he'd say yes if it was just up to him, but agrees to ask Taye and Byron.
Holly brings Saskia back in, who seems a bit smilier after having been 'covered in dog slobber'. But her faces soon falls when she notices Max's expression.
SASKIA: Has Mum done the big sell yet?
MAX: Yeah (...) If it's okay with the others, Saskia might be staying for a while.
Lassiter's Complex
Remi and Cara come out of the café and run into Taye. Remi asks if he's finished work and he says yes, then asks after the delivery he claimed he was waiting for - Taye says he's sorted it.
REMI: I know it wasn't the Piano Bar you spoke to this morning. They said they hadn't seen you. If you didn't want to play poker, why didn't you just say?
TAYE: ... It was one of my mates. he's going overseas next week and he wanted to catch up.
CARA: So, why not just say that?
TAYE: I thought you'd get offended.
REMI: What? Of course I wouldn't!
Taye gets a text, and tells them Max wants to talk about something, before hurrying off. But as he's walking away, a large bundle of banknotes fall out of his pocket. Cara calls him back and hands it to him.
CARA: That all yours?
TAYE (awkwardly): Yep.
CARA: Oh. Lucky night at the casino?
Taye appears to murmur in agreement, then heads into the café. Cara and Remi exchange a concerned glance.
Erinsborough High School
Yvette has come to see Jane, and thanks her for looking out for Max since he arrived in Erinsborough. She's also here on 'official business' - she wants to enrol Saskia at the school.
YVETTE: She's very studious and smart - wants to be an architect (...)
JANE: Right. Well, may I ask what's wrong with the current school?
YVETTE: There's a bullying situation. I am terrified where it will lead to if I don't get her out of there (...) Sending her to a private school hasn't made any difference to what she's experienced. And we've heard such good things about you and this school.
Jane says there are places available, if Saskia is living in the catchment area. Yvette says they're hoping she can stay with Max. Jane offers to drop some enrolment papers off later.
No 26
Holly is telling Sadie about how 'sweet and quiet' Saskia is.
HOLLY: She won't be asking us to get her a fake ID anytime soon, put it that way.
ANDREW (coming in): Glad to hear that!
SADIE (lying): Well, we've never done anything like that!
ANDREW (smiling): Yeah. Of course not.
Sadie suggests she and Holly head for coffee, and goes to her room to get her phone. Holly takes the opportunity to ask Andrew if things are still tense between him and Wendy. He admits they are, a little bit, but are getting better; however, when Holly asks, he says it's still best they keep their visit to the bar a secret.
ANDREW: I'm worried that if we tell her, she's gonna feel left out all over again. I really should've celebrated with her.
Holly is understanding. Sadie comes back in and says she's just had a message from Jane, so is going to need to cancel her coffee with Holly.
No 32
Saskia is talking to Max about the girls who have been making her life 'hell' at school, and the teachers who 'didn't want to know about it'.
SASKIA: I'm not trying to guilt- trip you. But when you left, I felt so alone.
Max gives her a hug.
MAX: You're here now, okay? We're gonna get this sorted.
Taye comes in, and Max introduces him to Saskia. Saskia apologises for being 'a mess' but Taye says he knows the feeling. Taye says that if it means less rent for him, he's happy for Saskia to stay! Max asks him if he's sure, and what he meant about 'knowing the feeling'.
TAYE: Nothing I can't handle.
No 26
We now learn what Jane wanted with Sadie - Wendy has got the teaching job, and they and Andrew have arranged a surprise champagne toast for her in the backyard to celebrate. When Wendy shows up she can barely believe it.
JANE: Well, I can. You were the best candidate by far.
WENDY: Oh, Jane! I promise I'm not gonna let you down.
Wendy hugs her excitedly and Andrew passes around the drinks.
Ramsay Street
Remi and Cara are walking home while discussing Taye's suspicious bundle of cash. Cara is worried about 'tax evasion and money laundering'. Remi teases her that she hasn't even graduated yet and is already seeing crimes everywhere. She agrees that it's weird Taye had so much money on him, but refuses to think the worst of him about it - adding that Taye isn't obligated to tell them about his finances.
Cara spots Holly and rushes over for a chat, asking her if she's noticed anything strange about Taye lately. Holly admits that Taye does seem to have a lot more money to throw around recently. Cara thanks her, and looks concerned as Holly walks off.
No 32
Yvette and Saskia are with Max, discussing Byron, who they need to ask about Saskia staying. Max warns them that Byron has lost his gran recently and so the whole family are 'pretty cut up' about it. But Byron is Not In This Episode™ so instead Jane turns up and says Byron's fine with Saskia moving in! She has also brought the school enrolment forms, and tells Saskia she's very impressed having looked at her academic records.
SASKIA (happily): Looks like you're stuck with me now, Maxy.
Max gives her another hug.
Ramsay Street
Cara is collecting the mail. She watches from a distance as Taye gets out of his car, but he's carrying a crate of beers, so he fails to shut the car door properly before heading into No 32. Seizing the opportunity, Cara gets into the car and starts searching it for evidence of what Taye might be doing for his wads of cash. She's hanging upside down over the passenger seat when Taye catches her in the act!
TAYE: What are you doing?!
But Cara's found something - Lydia's ID badge from the police academy. She asks what it's doing in Taye's car. Taye says it's none of her business.
CARA: Does it have anything to do with the amount of money that you've been spending lately? Or that huge wad of cash that you dropped before? That fake story that you gave Remi?
TAYE: Are you investigating me, or...?
CARA: I'm just trying to figure out what's going on.
TAYE: Why?
CARA: Because I'm worried about you. And I feel like you're hiding something.
Remi turns up and asks what's going on. Cara shows her Lydia's badge.
CARA: I found this in Taye's car. (To Taye) Look, you are stressed, you're lying, and you're acting defensively. You're obviously caught up in something.
TAYE: ... Okay. You're right. I am. Lydia's been blackmailing me to sleep with her. I've been doing it to protect you.
Cara and Remi stare at him in shock.
Coming up on Neighbours
- Andrew has a message from Holly, asking how he's doing and if he's phoned Steven
- Sadie quizzes Andrew about the Sandy Point trip; Andrew says he's been busy focusing on Wendy
- Byron confirms to Saskia that he has no problem with her staying
- Dex appears taken with Saskia. He asks JJ, 'How do I look?' JJ says, 'Normal'. Dex replies: 'Damn it!'
- Saskia then waves at Dex and he drops his school books in response
- Cara and Remi confront Lydia about Taye's allegations. She claims Taye is lying
