Four characters are added to the opening titles today in a major update with six new shots. We kick off with the existing shot of Dex, Cara, Remi and JJ; followed by a slightly updated version of Sadie and Holly's riverside city shot, featuring the girls walking instead of static; followed by a fresh shot of Krista, Abigail and Leo outside the drinks van. Felix Rodwell makes his debut in the next new shot, walking away from the tram with Andrew and Wendy; followed by the existing Sam/Nicolette/Isla/Jane shot; and the familiar Moira/Hilary/Gino/Vera shot. The next new shot sees Taye and Max hanging out in the spa with newcomer Colton Keys; Terese and Paul are having breakfast in the garden with returnees Zac Willis and Elle Robinson; and we close on a fresh shot of Karl and Susan on Ramsay Street, which gives way to the sky and the title card.

V Bar
Inside the storeroom, Holly and Andrew are panicking and whispering to one another as they watch Sadie, Taye and Max chatting and laughing in the bar beyond the door. Andrew says he needs to get home really soon for Felix's return, and Holly points out that Sadie is meant to be going to that too - so perhaps she, Taye and Max will just have one drink and then leave.

No 26
Wendy gives Felix an enthusiastic welcome- back hug as he arrives with his bags. He tells her he was ready for a change after working as a church groundskeeper since he was last in town.

FELIX: When JJ called for help, I was always gonna come running.
WENDY: It's really nice that you two keep in touch.

Felix says things should be better for the Varga- Murphys with a few people around looking out for them.

FELIX: Whatever the Linwells try, we'll stop it.

Felix asks where Andrew is. Wendy doesn't know and he hasn't messaged, but Felix senses some tension from the way she replies. Wendy quickly changes the subject.

WENDY: You must be looking forward to seeing JJ in person.
FELIX: Yeah. I reckon this could be the start of a new chapter for us.

No 30
JJ arrives home and greets Cara with a hug, and then Greg. He reports that Dex is loving Apollo Bay. While Greg goes to take JJ's stuff to his room, JJ says they've missed Cara 'heaps'.

CARA: When you say 'we', does that include your ma?
JJ: ...
CARA: Sorry. Shouldn't ask you that.
JJ: No, it's okay.
CARA: Just get the feeling she's building a life for herself down there.
JJ: Oh, no - she's still taking things one day at a time.
CARA: So, feeling good about Felix?
JJ: Oh, yeah - I'm ready to have him around.
CARA: That's great, mate, really.
JJ: I'm glad you feel that way. So, just with everything going on in the street at the moment, I've had another idea that I just want to run past you...

V Bar
Taye, Max and Sadie are almost done with their drinks as they talk about the 'Sataye' skincare brand, which Taye is confident will be a success. They joke that Paul might become an investor.

Meanwhile in the storeroom, Andrew is still anxious to get back to Wendy and Felix. As he and Holly watch through the door, Sadie announces that she needs to go home, but she tells Max and Taye that there's no reason they can't stay. The boys decide to do just that as Sadie leaves, frustrating Andrew and Holly's hopes of sneaking out. Andrew gets a text from Wendy, asking where he is. He replies with a vague excuse.

No 26
The table is all set for Felix's welcome home dinner, and Wendy gets the text from Andrew, then reports to Felix that he's been held up. Felix asks Wendy if things are okay between her and Andrew; she says they are, but again changes the subject to what Felix will do for work while he's in Erinsborough. He says he may ask Karl for his old job at the tram back.

Wendy asks if Felix will be looking for a church to attend on Sundays. He says he's not as 'religious about that' as he used to be, but that his faith still 'keeps me on the straight and narrow', which is the important thing.

FELIX: So, what is it between you and Andrew? Don't tell me it's nothing.
WENDY: Well, I guess you're gonna be in the house, so I might as well warn you (...) since you were last here, Andrew and I, we had some issues.

She explains that she thought the problems were in the past, but the other day after Andrew accused her of meddling to bring his biological sister Gretchen back to town, all the old tensions resurfaced. But Wendy insists it's a good thing that Felix is here - she and Andrew will be fine, but they're just 'a bit off'.

At this point, Cara, JJ and Greg arrive for the dinner, and Cara introduces Felix to Greg. They shake hands, and then JJ and Felix shake hands too.

JJ: Hey, Dad.

The 'Dad' part has come out rather unexpectedly, and everyone glances at one another with nervous smiles. Felix and JJ hug. Sadie has just arrived home and thinks it's adorable.

SADIE: Oh, is this a moment?
WENDY: Yeah, this is a moment.
SADIE: Where's *my* dad? He should be witnessing this.

Wendy looks peeved.

V Bar
Time passes as Max and Taye continue to drink in the bar, while in the storeroom, Andrew and Holly look increasingly frustrated. Andrew sends another text to Wendy claiming that he's stuck in traffic. Holly decides they need to be proactive, and decides she'll go back into the bar when Max and Taye aren't looking in the direction of the storeroom, and distract them.

Holly manages to slip out of the storeroom door unnoticed and grabs a nearby abandoned drink, then goes over to Max and Taye, pretending she's drunk and has been here on her own all along. Acting wobbly on her feet, Holly successfully manages to get Max and Taye to share a cab home with her. They look concerned as they lead her out of the bar.

As soon as they've gone, Andrew slips out of the storeroom himself.

No 26
Wendy, Sadie, Felix, JJ, Cara and Greg are just finishing dinner.

JJ: Umm... was that okay before, with me calling you Dad?
FELIX: Yeah, I liked it.
JJ: Okay, cool. It just sort of came out, you know?
CARA: I think if it feels good, you should do it.

Andrew finally arrives home, apologising for his lateness. Wendy isn't thrilled but has saved him some dinner, and Andrew greets Felix with a hug, then sits down sheepishly with a beer. JJ then raises the idea he's had with everybody, since they're all here.

JJ: So, Pop, you almost lost your life a couple of weeks ago, and we all know how dangerous the Linwells are...
GREG: Yeah, but I'm still here, mate. You can't get rid of me that easy.
JJ: Yeah, but still - I think we'd all feel a bit better with some more security in the house. So, umm... (to Felix) how would you feel about moving in with us?

Felix looks surprised, and Greg looks worried...

No 32
Holly is on the patio with Max and Taye, who are getting her to drink water, still thinking she's drunk. Concerned, Max asks if she's been out drinking by herself regularly, but Holly insists it's not a big deal.

No 26
JJ continues to justify his request to invite Felix to live at No 30; he'll be around more than Cara or Andrew, and has more experience in 'being able to identify potential threats'.

FELIX: He means I've been in prison and I'm used to being around criminals.
GARY (guarded): So I hear.

Plus, having an extra person in the house will make it less likely the Linwells will try something, JJ says. Cara says she's okay with it if Felix is. Felix asks what Greg thinks; he simply responds, 'Oh, I'm a guest.' Andrew thinks it's a great idea, and Wendy is happy with it too - so Felix tells JJ, who looks pleased, that he'll move in tomorrow. Greg looks shifty.

While the others move off into the kitchen, Cara tells Andrew she didn't realise he was on shift tonight. He lies, claiming he went to check out one of the places in the city named on the hard drive they found in the hit- and- run car, but it turned out to be an empty office space. He adds that he didn't find anything suspicious.

Sadie gets a text from Max and Taye explaining that they brought Holly home drunk, and decides to go and check on her. Andrew looks worried.

No 32
Sadie arrives to check on Holly, and Holly looks even more uncomfortable than she already did. An awkward silence descends, and Holly thanks everyone but says she needs to get to bed. Max offers to walk her home, but Holly declines. However, Sadie insists on accompanying her, much to Holly's discomfort. Once they've gone, Max remarks to Taye how strangely Holly is behaving; she wouldn't normally go out drinking alone.

TAYE: Except she cut us all off.
MAX: Yeah, exactly. She's isolating herself, and drinking to take the edge off. Isn't that a bad mix?

Taye shrugs, but Max looks concerned.

No 26
Greg, Cara and JJ are preparing to head home following the dinner.

FELIX: Bye, son.
JJ: Oh. Bye, Dad.

They fist- bump. Once the Varga- Murphys are gone, Andrew remarks that it's nice JJ is calling Felix 'Dad', and Wendy agrees. Andrew apologises to Wendy again for being so late. Wendy's response is subdued, but she says it was still a good night, then heads to bed, leaving Andrew and Felix to wash up. Felix admits to Andrew that Wendy said some old stuff had come up between them lately, and says he's a pretty good listener.

But at this point, Sadie comes in. She reports that Holly's behaviour is 'weird' but that that is 'the new normal lately'. Sadie heads to bed.

FELIX: What's up with Holly?
ANDREW: Umm... less talking, more drying.

Felix looks concerned, and Andrew worried.

No 30
Greg is watching TV when Cara and JJ come in. JJ has just phoned Remi to tell her about Felix moving in, and bids Greg and Cara goodnight before heading to bed. Greg takes the opportunity to have a chat with Cara.

CARA: Ooh. Got your serious voice on.
GREG: How attached are you to Felix moving in?
CARA: I thought that you were okay with it?
GREG: Well, I wasn't really consulted.
CARA: Well, what's the problem?
GREG: Well, it's nothing personal. But I just don't know the bloke.
CARA: Is it cos I told you he's religious? He's not gonna ask you to confess your sins.
GREG: No, I don't care about that. He's a stranger.
CARA: Yeah. JJ's started calling him 'Dad'. I just want to respect his wishes.
GREG: Yeah, but he's just moved back in. I'd love some quality time with the boy. And having another person here will change that. Nothing's gonna happen under this roof with you and me here.
CARA: You know he's gonna be around, right? Even if he doesn't move in, he'll still be spending time here.
GREG: Yeah. All the more reason to carve out some time just for us. Please? Caraway? For your old man's sake?
CARA: Yeah. Okay. I'll let JJ and Felix know. Smooth it over.

Cara bids Greg goodnight and heads to bed. Greg's smile fades.

No 26
Andrew, Wendy, Felix and Sadie are having breakfast in the garden, as Felix tells an anecdote from his and Andrew's childhood about Andrew breaking someone's window with a cricket ball, and then falling to his knees and crying while Felix legged it! Everyone laughs as Felix continues the story.

No 28
Holly is listening through the fence to the Rodwells' conversation.

No 26
The story culminates in the neighbour whose window Andrew had broken giving him a Milo and fairy bread to make him feel better.

FELIX: No one could stay mad at baby Andrew, could they?
WENDY: How old were you when that happened?
FELIX: Oh, about 28, 29...

Everyone laughs again. Holly continues to watch through the fence. Felix gets a text from Cara, asking him not to move in after all. She wants him and Andrew to go round so she can explain.

Ramsay Street
Having pulled herself away from the garden fence, Holly heads out into the street, where she greets Andrew and Felix on their way to No 30.

FELIX: Hoyland! It's been a minute (...) Listen, I'm on a mission, but I'm coming for a cuppa with you soon.

Max appears, on his way for a run, to check in with Holly. She says she's good, and thanks him again for last night.

MAX: Yeah, of course. We're always here for you. You know that.
HOLLY: Won't happen again.
MAX: Yeah. Umm, hey, I was thinking - if paying me back for the earrings is stressing you out, just don't worry about it. I'm sweet. Cos, you know, it's stressing you out, right?

Annoyed by this line of conversation, Holly doesn't say another word and walks back into the house. Max calls after her, but to no avail.

No 30
Cara and JJ are explaining to Andrew and Felix why the decision on Felix moving in has changed - they haven't spent much quality time with Greg recently, so want to make some room for that. Felix seems disappointed, but says it's fair enough; he'll still be just across the road. Greg comes in with a bag of supplies; Cara explains that they're building a bird house. Greg suggests JJ help them, and he seems keen.

FELIX: I'm not busy, if you need another set of hands.
GREG: Oh, I don't think it's that big a project.

But seemingly unwilling for Greg to exclude Felix again, Cara tells him it'll be fun for him to join them. Greg relents and says they should get started, but the exchange has been enough to make Felix suspicious about why Greg doesn't seem to want him around...

Harold's Café
Max is moaning to Taye about how Holly cut their conversation dead earlier. Taye reminds Max that Holly's no longer his problem, but Max is convinced something is going on with her that's bigger than their break- up. Taye says Sadie will keep an eye on Holly, but Max reminds him that Holly's shutting Sadie out too. Taye says, in which case, it's down to Karl and Susan to help Holly - Max should only get involved if she asks.

MAX: I know, I just can't stop caring about her.
TAYE: No one's asking you to. You can't control what you regret, but you can control how you move forward.
MAX: I just said the same thing to Jane.
TAYE: Well, maybe you should take your own advice. Holly asked you to leave her alone, and the number one rule is always respect a woman's wishes. If she wants help, she knows where to find you.

No 26
Holly is waiting in the Rodwells' garden when Andrew emerges from the house. He's concerned to find her there.

HOLLY: I just need to talk to you.
ANDREW (panicked): Wendy or Sadie could've seen you.
HOLLY: No - I saw them leave, and I know that Felix is across the road. I just need to know that we're okay.
ANDREW: Holly...
HOLLY: You were really stressed last night.
ANDREW: Because it was a stressful situation.
HOLLY: But you won't take the pressure off. You won't leave Wendy. You keep saying you need it to be the right time, but I don't think it's *ever* gonna be the right time. I'm starting to wonder, are you stalling?
ANDREW: Can we not have this conversation right now, please?
HOLLY: Just tell me we're okay, and I'll go. Andrew, I love you. I'm willing to give up everything for you. But just tell me - are you having second thoughts?
ANDREW: ... It's a lot harder than I thought.

As they're holding one another, they hear the gate open, and rush off around the side of the house, as Felix appears from around the other side. Andrew then re- emerges alone with the hosepipe, trying to look casual. Felix is looking for a drill bit for the bird house project. Around the side of the house, Holly listens, panicked, as they discuss it. Andrew promises to look for the drill bit and then bring it over to No 30.

Looking as if he's perhaps discerned something isn't right with Andrew, Felix thanks him and leaves. Andrew goes to rejoin Holly, but she has gone. He sighs.

The closing credits are updated once again to add Felix Rodwell (James Beaufort) and JJ Varga- Murphy (Riley Bryant) to the first (daily- credited) tier of the regular cast (JJ having previously been credited in the second tier in episodes where he appears).

Coming up on Neighbours
- Paul asks Elle how she'd feel about embarking on a business venture together
- Holly tells Wendy she'll be moving away soon, so not to waste her time on her
- Felix tells JJ that Greg isn't much of a talker; JJ says Greg just thinks he can take care of them himself
- Cara tells Greg that a police operation is going ahead this afternoon; she feels it's all on her shoulders
- Cara is confronted at the complex by Tania Linwell, who tells her she hasn't changed a bit