Ramsay Street
Declan assists in taking Paul's luggage from his car when Andrew arrives home to hear the happy news that his dad has moved home. He is less happy though when Paul tells him about stepping down and that Declan is taking over! Rebecca can sense trouble brewing and wants them to continue the conversation inside but Declan cleverly avoids it by going to #24 with Kate.

Number 24
Kate isn't happy that Declan didn't tell her about the Lassiters gig earlier. She asks him about Uni (he'll defer) and India (he'll get more childcare if needed) and finally about his friends, especially Ringo's stagger. Declan reassures her that things are under control and that he will always find time for them, which was another of her concerns. "Trust me," he asks as he gives her a reassuring hug.

Number 22
Andrew is finding it hard to accept that Paul gave Declan the job, even when Rebecca points out that he is only 17! She heads off to make dinner and Paul in hushed tones lets Andrew into a secret - the board know that Declan is unqualified and have only agreed to him being there if Paul remains involved, quietly offering Declan "guidance" aka unofficially keeping an eye on things. This cheers Andrew up and even more so when Paul reassures him that one day Lassiters will be his, thus agrees to play along with the facade that it's really Declan that is in charge for the next 6 months, and then normal service can be resumed.

(Later)

Declan is preparing for his first day as boss and receives a text from Diana (big day tomorrow). Andrew tries to bait him by sullenly telling him to "enjoy it while it lasts," but Declan has the last laugh when he tells Andrew he'd better get to bed because its a school night!

Rebecca comes downstairs and tells her son not to let Andrew wind him up and to reassure him that Paul wouldn't have given him the job if he hadn't trusted him. "I think we both know there's more to it than that," Declan points out and while she does, she adds that she know Paul won't risk Lassiters and that he is the safe bet. "No I'm not" he quietly replies and she reminds him that he can pull out, but he puts it down to him just being nervous.

Declan's office
Ooh so Paul does have an office at Lassiters although you'd hardly think it given the amount of time he conducts his business either at Charlie's or Harold's Store! Anyway, Declan enters his office and a few seconds later Paul arrives with the paperwork for Declan to sign to take over control and he signs on as a proud Rebecca (and Kate) watches on. Paul then volunteers his services to help Declan with his first meeting but he rejects the offer, confidently telling them all that he can manage. Before she leaves though, Rebecca invites Kate to join them for a celebration meal that evening.

Outside garage/car yard
Susan and Karl gossip about the changes at Lassiters as they walk past Grease Monkey's when Karl spots that his posters about Dahl have been removed. He hurriedly goes over to speak to Lou but he isn't there (and neither is Toadie who beats a hasty retreat when he spots the K's coming over) and asks Lucas for his phone to call Lou, the theory being he wouldn't answer if Karl called from his own phone.

Karl gets short shrift over where his poster is (disposed of) and finds out that Lou's done a TV ad. Susan tries to get Karl to accept that Dahl is gone, never to return, but he refuses to give up on her and as they walk off to get lunch, he turns round thinking that he has heard her.

Charlie's
Despite having an office, Declan is working in the bar as Diana walks in and goes over to him (watched on by the gobsmacked Paul). Paul (with Andrew in tow) walk over to where they are, demanding to know why she is talking to Declan. "Just ordering a cab" is her reply to him and Declan sends Andrew off to get one for her, with Diana following a few seconds behind him.

Declan wonders why Paul isn't at home and his reply is that he is after some personal things from the office and wanted to check it was okay with him to go and get them. He signals that it's okay and just as Paul is about to leave, curiosity gets the better of him and he enquires about why Diana is there. Declan explains it as Diana needing some personal time, so Paul reminds him that Diana is dangerous. "She's no threat," Declan tells him and reminds him that he put him in charge and therefore has to trust his judgement.

And today's trip down memory lane is to 1986 with Charlene and baby Sam.

Charlie's
Rebecca is suspicious of Paul spending time in Lassiters but he has an excuse for every occasion before admitting the real reason - Diana is sniffing around. She tells him that Declan can handle her as she is more concerned about them and gives him an official warning - stay away from Lassiters or pack your bags!

She leaves him to think about what she's said, but his mind is back on Lassiters when a frustrated Andrew comes in ready to quit because he's had enough of Declan. He calms down though when Paul explains that he wants him to be his insider and report back what is happening.

Number 28
Lou is ringing to make sure the K's are watching his advert for the car yard and yes they are although neither would trust him to sell them a car! The ad begins and Lucas (complete with bad acting) is the star of the ad when he asks Lou for a car but Karl no longer cares about what the ad is saying, he's more concerned with the real galah that has appeared, believing it to be Dahl. Indeed so much so that he rushes out of the house to go and get her back!

Number 24
Lou isn't impressed with the advert, calling it "a disaster" because of Lucas' acting! Their debrief is curtailed when Karl (and Susan) arrive demanding the return of Dahl. Lou denies it was a real bird but Karl thinks otherwise and lets him know that he plans on camping at the car yard until he spots his beloved galah again despite his wife protestations!

Declan's office
Declan finishes a call to Rosemary and tells Diana that she has her concerns about him doing the job. "Understandable," she replies and admits she is pleased that Rosemary is going to be scrutinising the reports Declan has to do "while we can take her down and Paul with her." She notices some hesitancy and bluntly tells him if he wants to back out now is the time to do so but the conversation is interrupted with Andrew bringing in coffee for them.

Andrew tries to make conversation but is told by Declan to go and once he's out of the room, Diana quietly points out that Paul is watching him.

DECLAN: And I'd better not give him anything to see.

Harold's Store
Andrew isn't exactly complementary about Declan when he pops in to collect some dry cleaning (for a guest) from Kate but she laughs it off.

Declan trades places with him but its not good news - he's re- jigged his schedule and now it doesn't have any 'them' time before he goes off to the bucks night. She isn't impressed at that an is even less impressed at him referring to her as the 'First Lady of Lassiters' after he shows off his business cards with Declan Napier, General Manager on them. Declan admits there is reasons why he's so stressed out and after getting Kate to swear she won't blab, tells her that he is working with Diana to keep the job permanently. "What about Paul?" Kate asks but he doesn't get a chance to explain as his mobile goes summoning him back to work.

Garage
Karl enters the garage and rings Dahl's bell but Lucas firmly tells him that there is no bird there. "I know," he replies then asks Lucas to get him a drink since he can't leave because of the vigil... however a call from Lou to Lucas changes that one - Lou wants Lucas to keep Karl at the garage. "He's got Dahl," Karl shouts out once the penny has dropped and departs the garage in a hurry.

Number 24
And in Lou's hands is one galah as we cut to #24... with Karl catching him red- handed a few seconds later. Sadly for Karl, Dahl has escaped through the open door and after a brief ding- dong with Lou (over who will own it once they find it) Karl departs ringing his bell to attract her attention and behind his back Lou copies him but puts a slightly different slant on the facial expression!

Number 24 (at night)
Kate is ironing and looks round at the fridge to a photo of Declan and herself, she then picks up one of his business cards before looking at the pic again.

Number 22
Kate is round for dinner and Rebecca wants to know how Declan's first day has gone, so Paul takes the chance to ask about his meeting with Diana until Rebecca curtails it, saying "no business talk." Paul admits his fears that Diana is out to get him, so Rebecca asks Declan to put his mind at ease, which he does - Diana is simply staying on to have a well earned break and he's organised it so that Diana knows where to get some relaxation treatments. He adds in that its unlikely he'll see her again and drops in a little teaser - that he wouldn't trust Diana.

DECLAN: Seriously, you've got nothing to worry about.

Kate sits watching, unsure of what is going on, and Paul accepts what he says although is still a little wary.

(Later)

Meal finished and Kate is helping to clear up when Declan comes over to say he's off to the buck's party. He asks why she has gone quiet and she turns the table and asks why he lied to everyone at the meal and he replies back that he had no option. That isn't washing with Kate and he makes it clear that he would never lie to her.

KATE: How can I believe that when you just lied to your mother?
DECLAN: I'm sorry, things are really crazy at the moment but whatever I do, I'm still me.
KATE: (shaking her head) Then I don't want to be with you.

Declan thinks she is joking but she isn't.

KATE: Declan, I can't do this any more. We're over.

Tomorrow on Neighbours
Karl kidnapping Lou's galah.
Susan remaking on Karl's new obsession!
Ringo's bucks night.
Declan and Kate chatting.
Zeke having a go at Declan.
A stripper turning up at the bucks night.
Candace reacquainting herself with Declan.