Previously on Neighbours
- Max is excited when little sister Saskia and mum Yvette come to visit...
- ... but surprised when Yvette admits she wants Saskia to stay with Max long- term
- Jane confirms that Byron is happy for Saskia to move in at No 32
- Andrew meets up with his birth father Steven and sister Gretchen on a day trip with Holly
- Afterwards, Andrew and Holly celebrate over drinks in a bar on the way home
- But Andrew lies to Wendy about this part of the day, claiming he and Holly got home before dark
- Jane tells a thrilled Wendy she's got the teaching job at Erinsborough High
- Lydia blackmails Taye into escorting for her by threatening to penalise Cara at the police academy
- Cara and Remi are surprised when Taye drops a huge wad of banknotes
- On further investigation, Cara finds Lydia's academy ID badge in Taye's car
- Taye admits that Lydia has been blackmailing him into sleeping with her
No 30
An apprehensive Taye is telling Remi and Cara about his escorting work. He says he only went into it as a fun way of making cash, but wanted to stop when it stopped being fun.
TAYE (to Cara): But Lydia made it clear that if I didn't keep sleeping with her, she'd have come after you. So, yeah - I'm not a criminal. I'm just a sex worker.
CARA and REMI: ...
TAYE: And should I leave Erinsborough now, or later?
REMI: Why would you do that?
TAYE: Well, your facial expression after I said 'sex worker'.
REMI: I don't care about that! I am just shocked about Lydia. And you are not going anywhere.
Remi sits next to Taye and takes his arm.
TAYE: ... You're not angry?
REMI: Well, I'm not thrilled you lied to me. But mostly I'm worried. What Lydia has done is inexcusable.
Cara looks totally shellshocked, and admits she's having trouble wrapping her head around what Taye says Lydia has done.
REMI: What she *has* done.
CARA: Yeah... are you sure it wasn't a bad joke, or mixed signals or something? This is a serious crime.
TAYE: I know.
REMI: And we believe you.
CARA: Yeah. Of course.
JJ and Dex come in, and sensing the tension, wonder what's going on.
TAYE: I'd like to tell them the truth.
DEX: Is something wrong?
No 32
Max, Holly, Jane and Yvette are watching Saskia who is road- testing her Erinsborough High uniform in preparation for her first day at school; Jane found it in the second- hand shop.
YVETTE: Could you find one for Max? They used to love dressing up together.
Byron comes in, and Saskia immediately looks taken with him. Max introduces him to Yvette and Saskia, and Byron confirms he's fine with Saskia staying here.
BYRON: Which is a good thing - you're already rocking the uniform, huh?
Max suggests Saskia could take a few days before starting classes, but Saskia doesn't want to miss any more school. Yvette assures Jane that this isn't just for her ears.
JANE (to Saskia): I think you're gonna fit right in. Your family is Erinsborough High royalty around here. Your father went to the school a couple of years ahead of me.
SASKIA: And so did Grandpa Max.
HOLLY: I thought Max the First was a Queenslander?
JANE: Oh, no - he grew up here with Jim Robinson. But your cousin Charlene, and Gemma, they went to our school as well.
Byron thinks they should celebrate Saskia's first day at school tomorrow with a barbecue party afterwards. Saskia is hesitant, saying she's not the party type. But Byron reiterates that as Ramsay Street royalty, she needs to keep her 'loyal subjects happy'. Max and Byron start singing 'Do you wanna party?', using a banana as a microphone - and a smiling Saskia is thereby convinced to go ahead.
No 26
Wendy is asking Andrew and Sadie for input on a possible outfit for her first day of teaching at Erinsborough High tomorrow. They think it's perfect.
WENDY: Well, you've kind of said that about all of them.
ANDREW: Yeah, because they all are!
Sadie suggests she wear the same outfit as for her job interview. Wendy admits that might be a good call, as the first day will be like an interview with the students.
ANDREW: Hey. I'm so proud of you.
WENDY: Oh. Thanks for saying that - it means a lot.
They hug, and then kiss. Sadie looks hopeful that her parents' recent spat is behind them.
No 30
Dex and JJ have lots of questions for Taye about being a sex worker!
DEX: Wait, so this is how you paid for my sneakers?
TAYE: Yeah. Any other questions?
JJ: Yeah... are you okay?
TAYE: Yeah, I will be. Is that it?
DEX: Well, how much did you charge? Or, do you need a special licence or something?
JJ: Yeah. And, like, how many clients did you have, and what exactly do you do with them?
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Cara and Remi are discussing Lydia. Cara is annoyed with herself for not picking Lydia as a bad apple - she thought she was great, and so is now doubting her police instincts. Remi tells her she can't be expected to be a mind reader.
REMI: If this was a case with strangers, what would you do?
CARA: Listen to the victim. Investigate it thoroughly. Look for corroborating evidence. Just like Lydia taught me.
REMI: Well, do that, then.
Dex is just in the process of asking Taye if he had to charge goods and service tax (!) when Remi decides that the boys are looking way too interested in Taye's escorting! So she intervenes and sends them to bed. Cara apologises to Taye if she didn't seem supportive earlier, saying she was just in shock. She asks if he has a record of his interactions with Lydia. He says they met in private and only paid in cash.
He shows them the text messages sent between them, but Cara says the phone number Lydia's been using is not her usual one, so they realise she must have been using a burner phone. Cara resolves to talk to Lydia about it. Taye offers to come with her, but Cara thinks it might antagonise Lydia. Remi offers to accompany Cara instead, and Cara agrees.
No 26
In the garden the next morning, Wendy shows off her first- day outfit, which Andrew again says is perfect!
ANDREW: Knock 'em dead - or, I mean, maybe something less violent.
SADIE: 'Yay, team Rodwell'?
ANDREW: Yeah! That's the one.
Wendy heads off to work. Sadie thanks Andrew for making an effort to support Wendy given everything else he has going on. Andrew gets a text from Holly, asking how he is and whether he's called Steven. Andrew looks uncomfortable.
SADIE: You didn't tell me much about your trip to Sandy Point.
ANDREW: Umm... I just wanted to focus on your mum.
SADIE: Well, when do I get to meet this new side of the family?
ANDREW: Oh, you will. I just want to take it slow.
SADIE: You know I'm here for you, if you need to download to anyone...
ANDREW: Thanks. Really, I'm fine.
No 32
While Yvette prepares to leave, Aaron and Holly are hanging out with Byron; Aaron agrees to come to the barbecue later and asks if he can bring a plus- one.
BYRON: Yeah, I met Colton recently - and between us, I think he is perfect for you.
AARON: I was actually bringing Rhett.
BYRON: That's what I said.
Max and Saskia come in. Max offers to take Yvette to the airport before running Saskia to school, but Yvette has already booked a taxi and Saskia says she's going to walk. Holly introduces Saskia to Aaron, but she seems more interested in ogling Byron, who is topless and eating cereal. Max has equipped Saskia with a contacts list in case things go wrong today, which seems to worry her. But he says it's just a precaution.
AARON: Hey, everybody around here looks out for each other. If you need help, it's not gonna be hard to find.
YVETTE: That's what Shane's always said about this place. It's gonna be good for you, darling.
Byron assures Saskia that Jane will take care of her at school too, and Saskia seems reassured. Byron and Holly then get a message from Taye, saying he needs to see them.
No 26
Sadie has also been summoned by Taye, and tells this to Andrew. She admits she's apprehensive about seeing Byron again, but decides she can't avoid him forever if she wants to keep her friends. A package arrives for Andrew, but he has no idea what he is - and he begins to open it as Sadie heads out.
It turns out to be from his birth father, Steven, who has sent a note with the package saying, 'Thought you might like these.' Andrew looks emotional.
Lassiter's Lake
Cara and Remi are confronting Lydia with Taye's allegations, and her immediate reaction is...
LYDIA: He's a liar.
CARA: Which part?
LYDIA: All of it. Paying him for sex, the blackmail... The first time I met Taye was when you invited me for lunch.
Cara then shows Lydia the texts she has sent Taye, but Lydia insists they're not from her. Cara then pulls out her trump card - Lydia's ID badge which she found in Taye's car.
LYDIA: That must've fallen out of my handbag when I was visiting you (...) Maybe he took it.
Lydia tries to take the badge back, but Cara puts it back in her own pocket.
LYDIA: I thought we had a good relationship.
CARA: So did I. You know, this isn't easy for me.
Lydia confidently shows Cara her own phone, challenging her to see if she can find any calls or texts to Taye. Cara confirms that there are none, but Remi asks why Taye would make something like this up.
LYDIA: I dunno. Maybe I arrested one of his mates and he wants revenge. Maybe he does this for kicks. You said he was spending a lot of money - maybe he's doing something illegal and wants a cover story.
REMI: Like what?
LYDIA: He works at a bar, doesn't he? He'd make a pretty good point man to sell drugs.
REMI: I know my brother, and you are reaching.
LYDIA: So you knew he was a sex worker this whole time?
CARA: ...
LYDIA: And you trust him - a skilled liar - over me? Making a false statement to the police can get you a year in prison.
REMI: Is that a threat?
CARA: I have to report this to the academy.
LYDIA: You're making a huge mistake.
CARA: Blackmail is a serious crime. I can't ignore it.
LYDIA: Just remember - I didn't start this.
Lydia walks away.
No 32
Taye has gathered Byron, Sadie, Max and Holly to make an admission.
TAYE: Well, that's it. My name's Sonny Manhattan, and I'm a sex worker. And now retired.
Max admits that he already knew, but that Taye asked him to keep it private. Byron thinks Taye should have told him too; he could have helped. But Taye says he wanted to keep Byron out of it.
BYRON: Well, from here on out - whatever happens, I'm here for ya.
SADIE: Same.
MAX: Yeah, me too.
HOLLY: Same.
They all share a group hug as Taye thanks them.
Erinsborough High School
As per Byron's advice to her, Saskia is quizzing Jane about nineteenth- century novels she can recommend. Jane suggests Wuthering Heights, Moby Dick, Madame Bovary and for an Australian option, For the Term of His Natural Life. Saskia notes down the titles.
SASKIA: That should get me through a month.
JANE (laughs): Might take you a little longer than that.
SASKIA: Oh, I go through a book a week.
Jane introduces Saskia to 'our newest teacher' Wendy, as well as Dex and JJ, who are in the corridor. At the mere sight of Saskia, Dex drops all his school books on the floor! Saskia helps the boys pick them up.
DEX: Max told us you were coming.
JJ: Yeah. Our orders - and they *were* orders - were to look after you, or else.
JJ explains why his girlfriend Nell is Not In This Episode™ but says she'll be coming to the barbecue later. Dex is smiling at Saskia, already besotted. Wendy asks Saskia how she's feeling - Saskia admits she has first- day nerves, and Wendy says she's the same.
WENDY: We can have each other's backs.
SASKIA (smiling): That'd be lovely.
Still smiling at her, Dex makes awkward small- talk about the barbecue.
DEX: Do you... have any dietary requirements?
Saskia looks nonplussed at this line of questioning!
Lassiter's Complex
Remi and Cara are hanging out with Taye. Cara has passed his allegations about Lydia to the police academy, who are looking into it. Taye admits he's feeling better about things now, and Remi hugs him.
CARA: That's the main thing.
Lydia approaches them. She's already been interviewed by the academy and says she has 'told them what really happened'. She's been moved to a different position while they investigate. She tells Cara that Jasper Crawford will be her instructor while Lydia's name is being cleared.
LYDIA (to Taye): You've still got time to withdraw this complaint. I will accept an apology.
TAYE: I'm telling the truth.
LYDIA: Then I'll see you in court.
Lydia walks away. Taye is worried at the prospect of this going to court, but Cara says Lydia is just playing mind games, as she teaches her students - 'show no fear, get on the front foot'. Deflated, Taye goes for a walk.
REMI: At least she's been suspended.
CARA: She's been reassigned, not suspended. It means they're not taking it seriously. And Jasper Crawford is an old friend of Lydia's. He's gonna make my life hell.
No 26
In the garden, Andrew appears to have been crying when Holly turns up to check in. He's looking through the package that Steven sent him. It's turned out to be a box full of family artefacts.
ANDREW: He wanted me to have it... This is the blanket that I was wrapped in when I was born.
There are also photos, and Andrew shows Holly one of his birth mother, Barbara, with Andrew as a baby.
ANDREW (emotional): You've probably got places to be.
HOLLY: ... I'd rather stay.
ANDREW: I don't want to sound ungrateful, but, umm... why?
HOLLY: Well, umm... I'm usually the one getting into trouble, so it's nice to be the one helping out for a change. Plus I also know from experience that it can be helpful to have an outsider to talk to about hard stuff.
ANDREW: Yeah. That's true.
HOLLY: Plus, I've done so much therapy, I'm pretty across what to say (...) And as your free, unqualified therapist, everything that you tell me is confidential.
ANDREW: Thanks, doc. Take a seat.
Holly smiles.
Erinsborough High School
Wendy is doling out sweets to pupils after a lesson and praising them for their work. Jane is with her, as is Saskia who has been in the lesson. Jane asks how Wendy's first day has gone.
WENDY: Well, no one mutinied or rioted, so it's well above my performance goals I set today.
SASKIA: She's being modest. She nailed it. One of the best teachers I've ever had.
WENDY: Aww, thanks! Your cheque's in the mail!
Dex and JJ are at the lockers nearby, and on seeing Saskia, Dex asks JJ...
DEX: How do I look?
JJ: Uhh... normal?
DEX: Damn it!
Saskia waves to Dex, and he promptly drops his books all over the floor again! Saskia takes one of Wendy's sweets and heads over to give it to Dex. Meanwhile, Jane tells Wendy she can tell she's made the right decision in hiring her. Wendy beams and gives Jane a sweet too!
No 32
Saskia is telling Byron about the novels Jane has recommended to her. He quotes Moby Dick and Saskia is impressed. Byron tells her to ask him if she ever needs help with anything. Taye then comes in and makes it clear he needs to speak to Byron privately, so Saskia heads to her room.
Taye tells Byron that Lydia has denied everything, and he thinks there's no way the police academy will take her word over Taye's. Byron offers to tell them that he's been with Lydia as an escort too - but Taye says he doesn't want to drag Byron into it, as she's a cop and this could 'get nasty real quick'. Byron repeats his offer, though, and says there's something else he could do too...
No 26
Andrew is still looking at the photos and mementos from Steven, and talking to Holly.
ANDREW (emotional): All this time, they were just... living their lives, and I was living mine. I had no idea. Steven, he looks just like me.
Holly looks at Andrew alongside one of the photos of Steven. But at this point, she gets a text from Max, asking where she is. Holly says she needs to go - she forgot she promised to help Max set up for the barbecue party.
HOLLY: But, great chat.
They smile fondly at one another, before Holly heads off.
No 32
Max is with Saskia by the pool, stressing that Holly isn't here yet to help out. Saskia offers to help instead, and at this point Aaron arrives to assist too. Saskia seems concerned when Max mentions putting some beers in the cool box.
SASKIA: People aren't gonna be drinking too much?
MAX: No, my sensible sister!
AARON: Don't stress. We'll behave ourselves.
SASKIA: I just don't want a big, loud party.
MAX: I thought you made loads of friends today?
SASKIA: JJ and Dex were nice to me because you asked.
MAX: Yeah, and that's just the beginning. I'm gonna help you crack out of your shell.
SASKIA: I love you, Maxy.
MAX: I love you too.
They hug. Holly turns up, apologising, and Saskia heads off to get changed. Max is annoyed when he realises Holly has neglected to bring a piñata (!) but she just stares at him blankly!
MAX: Holly, this is really important. That reminds me - I need, like, a whacking stick. (shouting) Aaron, do you have a whacking stick?
But this isn't even what Holly was apologising about - she says instead that she's been called in to cover at the drinks van at work, as someone's sick. She's the manager so can't say no. Max is disappointed that Holly won't be able to hang out with Saskia, but Holly promises they can hang out another time.
Lassiter's Complex
Byron chats to Lydia outside the hotel, while Remi, Taye and Cara lurk at a distance. The mood between Byron and Lydia is amicable in spite of the circumstances.
LYDIA: Let me guess - you heard there's an opening in my love life (!)
BYRON: I'm here as a friend of Taye's. I understand he told you that?
LYDIA: ...
BYRON: Look, Taye's been telling me what's happened. And I know you, and I know you don't want things to be like this. I think your work life's caught up to your private life; that might've scared you. But this stuff, it's got well out of hand. Do you really want to go down this road?
LYDIA: ... I can't lose my job.
BYRON: I get that. But going after Cara, it's not the answer. So please, just... just do the right thing here, and let her be.
Lydia looks thoughtful. A while later, Remi, Cara and Taye are wondering what's taking so long. They watch as Byron and Lydia share a goodbye hug, which Remi thinks is a good sign. Lydia goes on her way, and Byron rejoins the others.
BYRON: Lydia didn't admit to anything, but I don't think there'll be any reprisals at the academy for now.
REMI: Well, that's better than nothing.
CARA: Yeah, we'll see.
TAYE (to Cara): Hey, I'm sorry for getting you involved in all this.
CARA: I appreciate you trying to protect me. Means a lot.
TAYE: Well, you're family.
REMI: Next time you're in trouble, come to us.
TAYE: Agreed.
Taye pulls Remi and Cara into a hug.
No 32
Byron and Taye return to the party; Taye thanks Byron for helping him, and goes to get them some beers from outside. Meanwhile, Saskia comes in and talks to Byron about how the party's getting on.
SASKIA: Oh - you know how you said you would help me with anything?
BYRON: Yeah?
SASKIA: I've got a bit of a mini- crisis. Could you adjust my strap? I think it's a bit loose.
She turns away from him and takes off her blouse to reveal her bikini top. Byron looks a bit worried! But he does as requested and helps with her strap. While he's at work...
SASKIA (smiling): Do you like the outfit?
BYRON: Yeah, it's nice. Nice colour.
SASKIA: Know where it would look better?
BYRON: Where?
SASKIA: On your bedroom floor.
She turns and lunges towards Byron to try and kiss him! But he pulls back.
BYRON: Woah, Saskia... what are you doing?
Coming up on Neighbours
- Colton turns up at the No 32 party to find that Aaron and Rhett are there together
- Dex admits to Taye that he likes Saskia; she waves at Dex from a distance
- Saskia tells Sadie she's noticed things were awkward between her and Byron; Sadie admits they just broke up
- Nell asks Karl how he is doing; he says he's not feeling very sociable at the moment
