No 24
Jane handily recaps the last episode's events for the benefit of Cara, Andrew, Nicolette, Taye and the viewers - someone has plastered photos of Byron under his old escorting pseudonym, Harvey J, across the wall near the Community Centre, along with Taye's phone number. Cara thinks that escorting must be the connection, as Taye has been doing this recently. He and Byron must have a client in common - namely, Lydia.

CARA: The mixed- up information on the posters makes me think there's been some crossed wires.
ANDREW: So what you're saying is, someone went after Byron thinking he was Taye.
CARA: Well, Lydia was fine with Byron when they spoke yesterday, but she's still on the outs with Taye. So maybe she got someone to rough him up, and they fumbled it.
ANDREW: That is a very big, very defamatory claim against a fellow cop.

Taye is looking overwhelmed, and Cara asks if he's okay. He says it's just 'a lot' to process.

TAYE: The thought that Byron might've been attacked because of me...

Erinsborough Hospital
Saskia is still fussing over Byron. Max thinks he and Saskia should get going, but she wants to stay and help Byron eat his dinner! Byron is reasonably firm with her in saying he'd rather she didn't - he needs some rest. But he thanks them both for coming, and they head off. Saskia smiles back at him, and Byron looks worried.

No 26
The next day, Sadie and Holly are hanging out when Wendy comes in. Sadie has bought some treats from 'that fancy pastry place' which she intends to take to Byron. Wendy says it's really nice that Sadie is being there for Byron. Holly smiles, knowing what she's getting at.

Andrew comes in, about to head to work, and is surprised to see Holly there. Sadie asks him if he's spoken to his adoptive parents about finding his birth family. Andrew confirms that he has.

WENDY: But... you didn't tell me? I thought you were waiting until they got back from the cruise?
ANDREW: Yeah, they video- called me. It just felt right to tell them.
WENDY: Yeah, well, what did they say?
ANDREW: They were amazing. Yeah, it was a really nice conversation, actually.

Andrew reveals that his birth sister, Gretchen, has been in touch about a family lunch tomorrow. She's aware it is last- minute but wanted to see who could make it. Sadie can't as she's working. Wendy says she'll see what she can do about getting cover. Andrew says his birth family has asked if he can put together some 'life memorabilia', and promises to talk to Wendy about it tonight. He leaves for work.

Wendy decides to make a flask of tea for Byron to go with the pastries. She hints that they 'go perfectly together', none too subtly alluding to Byron and Sadie at the same time.

SADIE: We are not getting back together.

Sadie leaves, tea- less. Holly smiles at Wendy and shrugs.

Lassiter's Complex
Andrew is talking to Lydia about the suspected links between the vandalism on the wall and Byron's assault. He suggests she might have information relevant to the investigation.

LYDIA: Is this an interview, Senior Sergeant?
ANDREW: No, I'm just keeping you up to date.
LYDIA: Would you like an alibi? I can give you my friends' numbers I was with.
ANDREW: It's just that you've got a connection to both men. This completely justifies my enquiries.
LYDIA: I've met Taye a couple of times. And my relationship with Byron is my personal business.
ANDREW: Okay, fair enough. But I'm aware that you were in contact with him the day before the assault.
LYDIA: He initiated that. He just wanted to know there was no bad blood between Cara and I. Which of course there isn't, because I am a professional. You might have your views on my personal life, but my career is everything, and I would *never* risk that.

Lydia walks away. Andrew comes to join Cara and Taye who are sitting nearby. Andrew tells them she denied any involvement in Byron's assault - so unless they can get him some solid evidence, he suggests they drop it.

Erinsborough Hospital
Saskia turns up en route to school. She's wearing the earrings Wendy gave her, and has brought a snack for Byron. He's clearly not keen on her hanging around, and tries to get rid of her by saying he's being taken for tests shortly. But Saskia decides she'll read to him until then, having brought a book of his.

BYRON: That was in my bedroom. Did you go into my room?
SASKIA: Well, I didn't snoop. Promise.

At this point, Sadie comes in and sees Byron already has company, so offers to come back later. But Byron urges Sadie to come in, clearly uncomfortable alone with Saskia. He also recognises the posh pastries she's brought as among his favourites and declares Sadie 'the best' for bringing them. Saskia, however, is not pleased.

SASKIA: Well, he's just had breakfast, so maybe the nurses want them.
SADIE: Isn't school about to start?

Saskia reluctantly leaves, but gives Sadie a look as she goes. Sadie offers to leave too if Byron wants to rest, but he makes it clear he's keen for her to stay and share the posh pastries. She sits on the bed and he smiles at her as she starts doling them out.

Erinsborough High School
Wendy is teaching a lesson when Saskia walks in late. Wendy asks if she's signed in at the office; Saskia hasn't, explaining she 'wasn't wagging' and was at the hospital. Wendy tells her the reason doesn't matter - if she's late, she needs to either register on the app or sign in at the office, as it's an unauthorised absence. Saskia just stands there looking embarrassed as students laugh and chatter.

With no response from Saskia (who is still wearing the earrings), Wendy backs down a little and says that as Saskia's only a few minutes late, Wendy will inform the office herself later. But she warns her that next time, it's a detention. Saskia sits down, looking quietly livid.

Erinsborough Hospital
Jane, Nicolette and Taye have now joined Sadie and Byron, and are updating him on their suspicion that Lydia is somehow involved in his assault. Byron is surprised, as even when he saw Lydia last they were on good terms. Taye explains that it may be a case of mistaken identity and that the attacker meant to get him instead. Byron is sceptical that someone would have thought he was Taye.

Jane suggests they all leave him to rest and they start to file out - but Byron stops Sadie who is the last to leave. Byron asks if she could stay a bit longer, and Sadie agrees, as she doesn't start work till the afternoon.

BYRON: Hey, thanks for keeping me company. It means a lot.

He holds her hand, but she pulls hers away.

SADIE: Yeah, that's what mates do. I'd do it for any friend.

But the hand- holding seems to have cooled Sadie's willingness to stick around, as she suddenly remembers the errands she has to run before work. Byron looks sad as she leaves.

Lassiter's Park
Lydia is walking down the steps in the park, followed by a young man we haven't met before who is demanding to know where she has been. She tells him she doesn't have time to talk, but the young man replies that that's 'bull' - she has time, just not for him. Cara, who is lurking some distance away, notices the intense conversation between them.

LYDIA (to the young man): Just go home. Whatever it is, it can wait until tonight.

As Lydia walks away, Cara seizes her opportunity to go and talk to the young man, who is sitting on the steps looking despondent, his hands in his pockets.

CARA: I just saw you talking to Lydia Hardy?
YOUNG MAN: So? She's my mum.

Cara introduces herself as one of Lydia's students, and asks his name, which is Jesse.

CARA: Things seemed pretty tense there with your mum, Jesse. You know, she's under a lot of pressure lately, being reassigned at work.
JESSE: Nah, she never talks about work stuff. She'd probably want to know if an academy recruit was hassling me, though.
CARA: I was just checking in. I'll leave you to it.

Cara leaves, but glances back curiously at Jesse on her way.

Erinsborough High School
Jane is thanking Wendy for stepping in for the substitute maths lesson yesterday, and confirms that Byron will be okay once his bruises heal. At this point, Wendy notices that the homemade earrings she gave to Saskia are in the bin! Jane asks who she made them before, but Wendy tells her 'never mind' and that everything's good.

Jane leaves, and Wendy spots Saskia in the hallway. She calls her over for a chat, and shows her the earrings.

WENDY: If this is retaliation for me giving you a warning, I'm gonna remind you that I was just following school policy.
SASKIA: Oh - where were they? Some students took them from me. I'm so glad you found them.
WENDY: Hang on - which students?
SASKIA: I dunno. They disappeared from my pencil case. That's how it started in my old school. I can't go through that again.
WENDY: Well, you're not gonna have to. This school has a zero tolerance policy against bullying.
SASKIA: They said that in Brisbane, too.
WENDY: Well, they don't have the staff that we have here. Okay? We're gonna keep on top of it.
SASKIA: Thank you.

Lassiter's Park
Taye, Max and Cara are throwing a football about; she has told them about what she witnessed between Lydia and Jesse. Taye doesn't think it's that unusual that a teenager would argue with his mum, but Cara feels it may be significant as Jesse was very much on edge.

At this point Jesse walks by again and catches the football when it goes astray. This causes Cara to notice that his hands are in a bad way, all busted up around the knuckles. She asks what happened to his hands, and Jesse doesn't respond...

Ramsay Street
Andrew arrives home to find Holly gardening out the front of No 28. She thanks him for their chat yesterday, saying it gave her some new perspective; she's realised she shouldn't be so hard on herself for wanting more from her mum, while accepting her for who she is.

HOLLY: I stopped letting men control my sense of self; I should do the same with Mum.
ANDREW: Good for you.
HOLLY: Yeah. Can't promise I'll be any good at it, though.
ANDREW: Well, I'm always here to lend an ear, if you need one.

Holly thanks him; and at this point Wendy turns up, and she and Andrew walk across together towards their house. Wendy explains that she's going to be unable to make the lunch with Andrew's birth parents tomorrow - things are just too busy at school.

WENDY: I wanted to meet Steven and the rest of the family so badly.
ANDREW: Hey, I know it's not your choice. Responsibilities come with this job.

Wendy declares that she'll make it up to Andrew by arranging the 'life memorabilia' that his birth family have been asking for. Andrew is grateful, as this is not his wheelhouse! They head inside to discuss it.

Lassiter's Lake
At the rotunda, Lydia approaches Cara, and tells her she's 'seriously crossed a line' by talking to her son. Cara says Jesse is 'a mess', and was clearly holding something back.

CARA: His hands are a dead giveaway, and I'm guessing he doesn't have an alibi for Byron's assault. Does he know you see escorts?
LYDIA: You're unbelievable.
CARA: It's looking a heck of a lot like he found out, and he doesn't like it. That's motive.
LYDIA: None of this is evidence. It won't hold up.
CARA: I could've called it in already, but I figured you'd just deny it.
LYDIA: That's one thing you've got right.
CARA: Well, this is your shot to stop denying everything and really listen to what I just told you. Aren't you worried about your son?
LYDIA: About you harassing him? You bet I am.
CARA: No, I wasn't harassing him. Stop deflecting.
LYDIA: Don't tell me what to do.
CARA: Lydia, enough. Surely you can see this situation is unravelling on you. The truth is gonna come out. And look, I understand you wanting to protect your career - I do. But what about Jesse? He needs you. And you... you cannot be there for him without facing up to what you've done.

Erinsborough Police Station
Cara, Taye and Andrew are waiting in an interview room when Lydia and Jesse arrive. Jesse admits to assaulting Byron, and explains to Taye that when he saw Lydia's messages to an escort, he assumed it was the same guy she was seeing a few years ago - and then he saw Lydia and Byron together. Lydia hands over her 'burner' phone to Andrew in support of this story.

JESSE: I snapped. I mean, our family nearly fell apart the first time. We haven't been right since. I just wanted him to stay out of our lives. I didn't know it was somebody else.
CARA: So if Taye wants to make an official complaint, there'll be no more resistance?
LYDIA: Full cooperation.
TAYE: I want to.

Lassiter's Complex
Max, Holly and Sadie are speculating over whether Lydia was 'in on' Byron's beating. Saskia turns up and asks if Max and the others want to join her for lunch, but he has work to do at the garage so can't - and Holly and Sadie are due back at work.

SASKIA: That's cool. My timing sucks today. In every way.

Sadie tells Saskia that she hopes she didn't take it personally when she suggested she head off to school at the hospital earlier; it was just that Sadie could tell Byron was tired.

SASKIA: Is it weird - him being your ex, but still being his protector?
SADIE: ... Well, that's what friends do for each other. Well, that's what I *thought* friends did for each other until apparently, it came off too romantic.
HOLLY: Well, the pastries were a lot.
SADIE: Well, then, why didn't you tell me?
HOLLY: I was hoping for a relaunch - Syron 2.0.
SADIE: I don't want a relaunch!
SASKIA (annoyed): Well, so, stomp on his heart!
SADIE: Excuse you?!
SASKIA: The poor guy was just bashed half to death. You lead him on, rub in the salt...
SADIE: I did not do that!
MAX: Ease up, Sas. You don't know the full story.
SASKIA: ... Sorry. I didn't mean to. Just this whole situation's a lot.
SADIE: Well, I hope you know I would never, ever deliberately hurt Byron like that. Got it?

Saskia glares at Sadie, who glares back! Holly awkwardly makes an excuse to leave, and drags Sadie off with her. Max checks if Saskia's okay and she's all smiles again, so he follows Holly and Sadie. But Saskia stares after them angrily.

Erinsborough Police Station
Cara is on the phone to Remi, telling her that she'll bring Taye by the hospital for 'a hug from his big sister' once he's finished up with the police paperwork. Andrew then tells Cara and Taye that with the evidence from the phone, Lydia can be charged with perverting the course of justice, and sexual servitude. Andrew will be in touch about the next steps.

As Taye and Cara leave, Lydia - who is nearby with Jesse - stops them.

LYDIA: Wait... I'm sorry. I never planned this. My home life was a mess, and then when work started to spiral, I... I should've walked away when Taye said no. But I was just trying to gain some kind of control.
CARA: Over people. People that you're supposed to protect and serve.
LYDIA: I never meant to hurt anyone. Not Jesse, not Byron, not you. And definitely not you, Taye.

But before Taye can respond, Andrew reappears to tell Lydia they're ready for her, and his colleague leads her into the interview room. 'Great work today,' Andrew tells Cara. We close on Jesse looking sad in the waiting area.

Lassiter's Day Spa
Sadie is on duty when Nicolette comes in for a facial. Sadie decides to throw in a massage for no extra charge, and Nicolette declares her 'amazing'.

Sadie gives her a survey to fill out to highlight any skin sensitivities. Nic says that the citrus extract limonene is the only thing she has a bad reaction to, and points to a product which she says she can't use as a result. Sadie shows her another product without limonene which she says will be perfect.

While Nicolette goes to change and Sadie makes her a tea, Saskia creeps into the now- empty reception area. It seems she's been lingering outside listening, and she makes a beeline for the two beauty products with a sly look on her face...

Erinsborough Hospital
Cara and Taye are updating Byron and Jane on what has happened with Lydia and Jesse. Byron has decided not to press charges against Jesse for his assault, saying he's 'just a kid'. He feels bad for the pain he's caused the family in the past, saying he believed Lydia and her husband had 'an understanding' about her use of escorts, whereas in fact Jesse was suffering the whole time and blaming him.

TAYE: And me. He just didn't know we were two people.
CARA: No, this isn't your fault - either of you.

Cara and Taye go to find Remi, while Jane re- emphasises to Byron that he shouldn't feel bad for this - none of it is his fault.

BYRON (upset): It's not just that, Mum... I thought I could fix things. I thought Sadie just needed time.
JANE: Oh, darling.

Lassiter's Day Spa
Sadie has applied Nicolette's face mask as she explains the science of the process and the product.

NICOLETTE: Nanna was right. You're really good at this. You're gonna do a really good job with the scholarship programme.
SADIE: Thank you. That means a lot... You may start to feel some slight tingling.
NICOLETTE (alarmed): No, that's not tingling - it's burning!
SADIE: Oh - well, it shouldn't be burning.
NICOLETTE (sitting up and screaming): It's burning! It's burning, it's burning! Get it ooooooff! Get it off my face!!

Coming up on Neighbours
- Byron asks Saskia to respect his boundaries. She responds that she's into Dex now
- Colton and Rhett are hanging out; Colton asks Aaron to join them, telling him not to make it weird
- Karl tells Susan he wants to run a promotion to celebrate the tram's 82,000th customer!