Previously on Neighbours
- While drinking at V Bar together, Holly and Andrew's legs touch, and she rushes off to the bathroom
- Saskia locks Wendy in the school storeroom
- Susan and Karl tell Holly that Gavin Bowman has been released from prison
- Andrew reassures Holly that everyone has her back over Bowman's release
- At Sadie's party, Wendy accuses Gretchen of only wanting Andrew's family in her life on her terms
- Gretchen drags Steven away from the party, leaving Andrew annoyed with Wendy
- Scrolling through photos from the party, Andrew lingers on an image of Holly
- Abigail declares to Leo and Krista that she's scared of going to Jane's house
- Keen to uncover the cause of this, Leo impulsively decides to use Abby's tablet to film Jane's house
- But Jane finds the tablet and asks Leo if he's been filming her
No 24
While Isla and Abigail continue to play in the background, Jane is in disbelief that Leo has been filming her home without her consent.
LEO: I'm sorry. Look, it wasn't planned. I just... Abby's been feeling anxious about coming over recently, so...
JANE: But... but why?
LEO: Well, you haven't really been yourself lately. But I can tell you guys had a really nice afternoon today. Can we just... can we try and forget this ever happened?
JANE: I can't believe that you would do such a thing. I... I can't even look at you right now, Leo.
Accepting Jane's words, Leo tells Abby that it's time to go. Jane looks upset as they leave, and stares at the portrait of her late mum Amanda on the wall.
The Waterhole
At the bar, Leo is confessing about the hidden camera to Nicolette and Aaron. Krista is with them.
LEO: Please don't make me feel worse than I already do.
NICOLETTE: Mum actually has fine form when it comes to secret surveillance.
AARON: Yeah, it might not be the best time to remind her of that.
Nicolette is watching the footage on the tablet, though Aaron doesn't think they should be. In the footage, Jane is packing away all the photos of Mike, but then she fast- forwards and says she isn't seeing anything controversial. Leo confirms that the girls seemed very happy when he got there.
KRISTA: Okay, but Abby was afraid to go over there. We can't ignore that.
AARON: Hmm, that's true.
LEO: Look, all I know is I need to make things right.
Krista goes over and talks to Holly, who is at a table with Susan. They discuss the fact that they've had council approval to set up the drinks van at the Pavilion. Krista is surprised Holly isn't more keen as it was her idea to drum up clientele, but Susan points out that Gavin Bowman hadn't been released at that point. Krista offers to get someone else to cover Holly's shifts for a while.
HOLLY: But I made a commitment to you, taking on the van. I can't let you down.
KRISTA: You wouldn't be.
HOLLY: No, you know what? I can do this. I'm not gonna let fear rule my life again.
No 32
Taye, Max, Byron and Saskia are watching TV. Saskia asks if anybody knows Susan's preferred coffee order! Max suggests she ask Susan.
SASKIA: That'd ruin the surprise.
MAX: You never surprise me with coffee.
SASKIA: Yeah, well you have to be nice to me. She doesn't.
Taye is chuckling to himself while fiddling with his phone and Byron is annoyed, presuming that he's messaging Sadie.
BYRON: Do you mind? It's one thing sleeping with my ex - you don't need to rub my nose in it.
But Taye says he's messaging Krista about some 'interesting' performers they have lined up for the Piano Bar. Byron is still peeved, though, and walks off into the kitchen. Max gets up and follows him.
MAX: Hey, dude, listen. How you're feeling, it's totally valid - and I feel really bad saying this, but...
BYRON: Everybody has to live together.
MAX: Yeah. Something like that.
No 24
Aaron, Nicolette and Leo come in. Leo has left Abigail with Terese so that they can talk things through with Jane. They find the cake- making ingredients and implements left out on the side, which Leo notes is unusual for Jane. Aaron searches the house, but Jane is nowhere to be found. Terese then messages, saying that Jane has been round and dropped Isla off with her too. Nicolette says that's very strange for Jane.
Nicolette tries to ring Jane but gets her voicemail. They wonder where she's gone. Eagle- eyed viewers may have noticed during this scene that the portrait of Amanda has been taken down from the wall...
No 26
Wendy is moaning to Andrew about being locked in the storeroom at school. She's still convinced Saskia is to blame, and thinks Jane should be taking it seriously. But Andrew is distracted and not really listening.
WENDY: You're still mad at me! I thought we had a chat about Steven and Gretchen and we were all good?
ANDREW: Yeah, no - we are. We are.
WENDY: Okay, then. Well, I would really like your opinion on this. Something really terrible happened to me yesterday, and you've barely said two words!
ANDREW: ... Okay, well, you can't really make accusations without proof.
WENDY: Great. That is the same response I got from Jane.
ANDREW: What did you expect me to say?
WENDY (annoyed): Never mind.
Silence descends over the dinner table...
The Waterhole
Holly is working at the bar while Taye and Max have a beer. She admits to them that she's terrified of working at the drinks van while Bowman is on the loose. They suggest telling Krista she's changed her mind, but Holly insists she can't let Bowman win. Max reminds her she has everyone looking out for her, including two cops.
At a table, Remi and Cara are having a glass of wine after dinner. Remi says how proud she is of Cara for her achieving her dreams with her police career kicking off.
REMI: Yes, I struggled with it in the beginning - but seriously. You always strive for your goals. There is no obstacle too big. It's one of the things that made me fall in love with you. And why I stay in love with you.
Cara starts spoon- feeding Remi dessert. Taye and Max come past, and Taye accuses Cara and Remi of 'public indecency'! Max and Taye want to talk to Cara about Holly, explaining she's spiralling about Bowman. Cara insists the police have it covered.
MAX: Do you think she's really in danger?
CARA: We're watching Bowman. If he so much as breathes in the direction of Holly, Remi or Dex then he's gonna have me to answer to. Directly.
No 24
Aaron is still unable to get hold of Jane on the phone, and Leo is worried that he's seriously upset her. Nicolette suggests they start calling the neighbours, but at that point Jane walks through the front door. She explains she's just been out for a walk.
LEO: Jane, I'm so sorry. I really overstepped. You have every right to be angry at me.
NICOLETTE: That said, he only did what he did because he's worried about you. We all are.
JANE: Well, I am sorry too. I've apologised to Isla and to Abigail for losing my temper.
NICOLETTE: Can we just talk about what's been going on? We know you've had a run of things since Nanna died. Bowman, Mike, Angela...
LEO: Yeah, anyone would be upset.
But Jane seems unwilling to talk about it, so Aaron suggests he and Leo head next door to pick up Isla and Abigail, seemingly to give Jane a chance to talk to Nicolette. Leo apologises again to Jane as he leaves. Nicolette puts the kettle on so they can have a 'big old chat'.
JANE: Thank you, Nicolette, but I... I think I'd really rather just go to bed.
Nicolette looks worried as Jane goes to her room.
Erinsborough High School
The next morning, Wendy is outside Jane's office and knocks on the door. Saskia comes by.
SASKIA: You're here early. Trying to get in Ms Harris's ear before everyone else does?
WENDY: Well, locking someone in a storeroom could be called bullying behaviour.
SASKIA: So is having false rumours spread about you.
WENDY: But you have been bullied yourself, so... you'd be sympathetic if you saw it happening to someone else.
This seems to throw Saskia and she doesn't immediately know how to react.
WENDY: Come on, what is going on, Saskia? There was a time when you could talk to me.
SASKIA: Stop spreading lies about me.
Saskia begins to walk away, and then turns and says...
SASKIA: And I am sympathetic. Must've been awfully dark in there.
A mean smirk has crossed her lips and she walks away, leaving Wendy outraged.
No 24
Jane is looking for her keys so she can go to work. But Nicolette has swiped them so she can't leave!
NICOLETTE: You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on. Packing away the photos of Mike is one thing, but why did you take Nanna's portrait off the wall?
JANE: It's not important.
NICOLETTE: You must've had a reason.
JANE: Please just give me my keys.
NICOLETTE: We love you. There's something going on, and we want to help. Just tell me, please.
No 26
Andrew answers the door to Holly, and tells her Sadie's not in.
HOLLY: I'm not here to see her. I'm here to see you.
Andrew hesitates before letting her in. She explains she has to work at the Pavilion today and wonders if there's anything the police can do to help her feel safe.
HOLLY: I just hate that Bowman still has such a hold on me after all this time.
But Andrew seems unwilling to get into a deep- and- meaningful today. He promises that he'll ask some of his colleagues who are on patrol to swing by and make sure Holly's okay. But Holly seems disappointed at his lack of engagement.
Penthouse
Byron is telling Krista and Leo that he's decided to leave Erinsborough! After 'a chat with Trevor' and moping about the house last night, he's realised that there's nothing really keeping him here. Leo asks if Byron has told Jane. He shakes his head. Krista asks where he'll go.
BYRON: Trevor had a really bright idea. Remember how he failed his crate training?
LEO: When Haz and Mack wanted to take him to Paris.
BYRON: Yeah. Well, there's another option. We can go by boat.
KRISTA: Wait, you're gonna take Trevor to see Haz and Mack by sea?
BYRON: Yeah. I mean, they haven't found another dog, and Trev misses them, so... it's a win- win. And it'll be good for me as well, you know? Spend some time on the high seas, looking out at the water. Maybe it'll spark some inspiration.
KRISTA: Are we the first people that you've told?
BYRON: Yeah. I'm gonna do the rounds now.
Krista gives Byron a hug; she seems sad about him going away. Byron gets a message from Nicolette, who wants all of them to go round to No 24. Krista says this will be a chance to tell everyone about his plans. Byron looks nervous.
Fitzgerald Motors
Taye is chatting to Max while he works on a car, about whether Byron will ever forgive him for hooking up with Sadie. Max admits that in Byron's position, he wouldn't forgive Taye either!
TAYE: Yeah, it's complicated - but it's sad, you know? What once was our amazing 'broasis' is just a distant memory at this stage.
MAX: Dude, it's the 'brojo', alright? Accept it.
A customer turns up wanting his car serviced. It's Gavin Bowman, and when he gives his name Max's friendly demeanour changes.
MAX: You shouldn't be here. Leave.
BOWMAN: Excuse me?
MAX: I'm Holly Hoyland's boyfriend.
TAYE: And I'm Remi's brother. We know what you did.
MAX: You know Karl owns The 82, and Holly sometimes works there. You shouldn't even be on Power Road.
BOWMAN: I'm just trying to go about my life.
TAYE: Go about it somewhere else.
BOWMAN: This is where I live. You can't treat me like this; it's harassment.
TAYE: You want to talk about harassment?
BOWMAN: ... You know, the way this town's carrying on, it's almost like you *want* me to do something.
He has a staring competition with them for a few seconds, and then leaves.
No 24
Jane has gathered Nicolette, Leo, Byron, Aaron and Krista, and thanks them all for coming. Byron says he needed to talk to her anyway.
JANE: I feel as though I owe you all an explanation for the way that I have been behaving.
Jane admits she took the portrait of Amanda down because she's been thinking about her a lot lately.
LEO: You miss her.
JANE: Well, we had a complicated relationship. The same as I did with Nan. But if I am being completely honest, then... these last few weeks have been difficult. Because it's brought up a lot of things that I suspect have been in the back of my mind for quite some time. Because it didn't work out with Vic, and... Clint has moved on. And after my horrible date with Gavin, and with Sue Parker having a go at me, it's all led me to the terrifying realisation that I am turning into my mother.
BYRON: Mum, you're nothing like her.
JANE: Well, no, I don't mean her personality. I just mean... alone.
She looks sadly at the portrait, which is now on a stand by the window.
JANE: Because Mum died alone. And so did Nan. Just two lonely old women. And, I know, I'm not supposed to need somebody - a man - but...
NICOLETTE: It's okay to want one.
JANE: Well, I do. I *do* want that, and... well, as happy as I am for Mike and Angela, their engagement has just reminded me yet again that I am by myself, and... I guess the fear of becoming like Mum and Nan, it's just been eating away at me. And I'm so, so sorry - I've taken it out on all of you. And especially you, Byron - I've been very unfair. Please know, I love you more than everything.
BYRON: I love you too, Mum.
AARON: Jane, you have nothing to be sorry for. And you know you're not alone.
LEO: Yeah. You're surrounded by people who love and care about you.
Feeling buoyed by all this, Jane decides to put Amanda's portrait back on the wall.
JANE: And you know, there *should* be photos of Mike around the house, for Sam's sake.
KRISTA: You're gonna be okay, Jane.
JANE: Yeah. Yeah, I know. And actually, saying it out loud, I feel better already. And I'm not gonna be angry with the world anymore.
NICOLETTE: I'll just hate everyone on your behalf!
JANE: And in the meantime, I'm just gonna cherish each and every one of you.
Jane asks Byron what it was he wanted to say, but he backs out of telling her about his plans to leave.
BYRON: Just that I'm here for you too, Mum.
But once Jane's out of earshot, Byron asks for a word with Nicolette...
Eirini Rising
Holly and Susan are discussing the police plans to keep Holly safe from Bowman. Saskia arrives for work - she's somehow ascertained Susan's coffee preference and presents her with a skinny latte, extra hot, no sugar.
SUSAN (disconcerted): Oh! That's very thoughtful, but you don't need to bring me coffee.
Susan tells Saskia her first task will be set up the recreation room for 'games day', but warns her that the residents may get quite competitive. Saskia is disappointed as she was hoping she could do admin in the office with Susan. Susan says she has that covered, but Saskia pushes, saying she's really good at filing!
SUSAN: Saskia, your job is out there, with the residents.
SASKIA: ... Uh, right. I'll come and check in on you later anyway.
Susan looks concerned as Saskia reluctantly leaves. Holly gets a message from Cara, saying she'll make sure her colleagues call by the Pavilion. But Holly looks a little disappointed and/or nervous. Perhaps she's just worried about Bowman, or perhaps she was hoping Andrew would be the one checking in on her...
Fitzgerald Motors
Max and Byron debate whether to tell Holly that Bowman has been here. Max is worried it might put Holly even more on edge, especially given how intense it got.
TAYE: Yeah. Poking the bear wasn't our smartest move.
Byron and Nicolette turn up. Byron assures Taye he's not here to start a fight - he just wanted to let them know about his decision to leave Erinsborough, meaning the issues in the house won't be a problem anymore. Max asks how long he'll be gone, but Byron isn't putting a number on it. He says he'll deliver Trevor to Mackenzie and Haz and then see where the wind takes him.
BYRON: It's a one- way ticket.
TAYE: Look, I'm sorry that it's come to this.
NICOLETTE: We all are.
BYRON: Thanks. Can I ask a favour?
TAYE: Anything.
BYRON: Just don't tell my mum. She's got enough on her plate. I'm gonna find the right time to tell her.
Erinsborough High School
Wendy accepts Jane's apology for snapping at her lately, and says she's had her reasons.
WENDY: We're always preaching to the students about mental health. Ours is important, too.
JANE: Well, thank you. Thank you for understanding.
Susan turns up, wanting to talk about Saskia. She wonders if they thought she was 'maybe a bit intense'.
SUSAN: At first I thought she was just enthusiastic, but now... now she's reluctant to even leave my side. It's just starting to feel a bit odd.
WENDY: Same thing happened with me (...) And when I tried to set boundaries, she didn't take it very well.
JANE: Yes, well... we strongly suspect that it was Saskia who locked Wendy in the storeroom.
WENDY: I just feel like something isn't adding up here.
SUSAN: Yeah, I agree.
WENDY: Maybe we can contact her schools in Queensland? Perhaps they can try and shed some light on who the real Saskia Ramsay is.
Harold's Café
Taye tells Cara about his and Max's encounter with Gavin Bowman at the garage, and what Bowman said about the residents seeming like they want him to do something.
TAYE: The look on his face when Max mentioned Holly's name, it... it gave me a bad feeling (...) I'm worried that Max and I pushed a little too hard. That we put Holly in danger. Should we tell her?
Before Cara can answer, Holly comes over with a coffee. She has to go and get the drinks van ready, and asks Taye if he wants to come.
TAYE: Free cocktails? Try stopping me.
Cara promises she'll drop by soon to sweep the area.
CARA: Until then, Taye, you're on security detail.
HOLLY: Hmm. I feel safer already.
But Cara looks worried as they leave.
Lassiter's Complex
Cara is leaving a voicemail for Andrew, wanting a word with him about Gavin Bowman. At this moment, she sees Bowman himself walking through the courtyard. He stops and they stare at one another for a while. Then he smiles at her. This sets Cara off at a jog!
CARA: Oi! Bowman!
She chases him around the side of the café, but as she's running, she knocks straight into Remi, who's coming from the other direction. Remi hits her head hard on the wall, and crumples halfway to the floor - before losing consciousness. A frantic Cara supports Remi to stop her from hitting her head again, and calls out for help. Andrew is approaching and rushes over. They both tend to her.
CARA: Remi... It was my fault.
Cara has blood all over her hand from the wound on Remi's head...
Coming up on Neighbours
- Karl tries to revive Remi at the scene of the accident
- Later at the hospital, an upset Cara tells Taye that she's to blame for chasing Bowman
- Karl asks Holly if she should really be working at the drinks van. She insists she's fine
- At the van, Aaron asks if Holly's okay - but she has the sense someone is watching her from the bushes...
