Harold's
Steph meets Lauren and assures her staff that she knows they work well and she's not planning on making radical changes. Lucas asks about Charlie and Steph explains that he's staying with Max in Fiji. Vanessa tells a surprised Steph about Patrick then she and Lucas head off home to see him.

Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Vanessa comments that Lucas has been very quiet - he's just been trying to get his head around Steph's return. They talk about Charlie and Adam, it seems Steph hasn't seen either of them. Vanessa doesn't know the whole story as she's never wanted to pry as it seemed like a sensitive topic around Erinsborough. She does know that Lucas and Steph were together when Steph was sent to jail though and she wants to know how serious it was. Lucas explains that he asked her to go on the run with him.

VANESSA: You loved her that much?
LUCAS: It was a long time ago, a lot has changed since then. We agreed to get on with our own lives.

Vanessa thinks it is odd that she is back rather than staying with Lyn or going to see Charlie. Lucas assures her that Steph is a good person and he thinks she'll like her.

Charlie's
Susan and Karl are discussing Steph's return. Karl is bristly about the matter, not only is it bringing up a lot of Ringo memories, but Steph caused a lot of pain for Libby too. At that moment Steph comes in. Susan welcomes her warmly, but Karl is terser. They have a sort of strained chat about things that have changed -about Lucas and Vanessa - and Karl asks whether she has a place to stay. In the short term she does, but she's looking for something more permanent, Susan and Karl keep giving each other looks as Steph asks them to let her know if they hear of anything. Clearly Susan wants to ask Steph to stay with them, but Karl doesn't. Susan invites her to have dinner with them, but Steph needs to go and get unpacked.

SUSAN: Could you have made her feel any more uncomfortable?
KARL: I know what you were thinking, she is not staying with us.

Susan told Lyn she'd look out for Steph, but as they've just got back together, Karl just wants to spend time with her alone.

SUSAN: I know, I know, me too. But she's lost everything. How do you rebuild from that?

Just then Susan gets a phone call, Carmel has been involved in a car accident. I guess that means Susan is off for a while.

Number 30
Sonya is trying to sort out mismanaged paperwork completed or indeed, not by Penelope at the nursery. Callum offers to make dinner which cheers his mum up. Also not cheery is Georgia who slams in still in a temper about being on sick leave. Sonya doesn't help matters much by reminding her how much she has been working.

GEORGIA: Because I love my job, not because I've got issues!!
There's no reasoning with her. Off she goes to bed.

There's a new scene change indent thing - who knew that Erinsborough was straight ahead on the Monash Freeway? Nice bit of photo shopping Neighbours team!

Sonya's Nursery
Sonya complains to Kyle that Penelope is late, she was supposed to be in before 8. This seems strange to Kyle as he assumed Sonya had changed Penelope's hours. Sonya realises this isn't the first time this has happened. In addition to this the mulch Kyle has come to pick up isn't anywhere to be seen. Sonya gets on to doing a rush order for Kyle.

KYLE: Son, are you alright?
SONYA: Yep, yep, I will be once I fire someone...

Police Station
Steph is checking in with Matt as part of her parole agreement. She also has to see a psychiatrist. It turns out she applied for parole once before, but she was told she wasn't ready. Matt wants to know what makes her ready now.

STEPH: I've learned by my mistakes and I'm ready to make a fresh start. I know you have to ask all these questions, but I'm really committed to getting back on my feet. And since I'm going to be working with your wife...I'd just like us to be friends.
MATT: Well as long as you abide by your parole conditions, we shouldn't have a problem.

Lucas and Vanessa's Flat
Vanessa joins the father and son breakfast team. She's so happy for them all to be together and jokes they should have lots more. Lucas gets a bit tense at this. Vanessa gets a text from Steph asking her to go in early for a meeting.

VANESSA: It's pretty early for a meeting...do you think I'll still have my job when I get back?

Lucas tells Vanessa not to worry.

Harold's
The books have been kept immaculately. Before Lauren joins Steph and Vanessa, Vanessa wants to talk about the Lucas situation as she doesn't want things to be awkward. Steph reassures her that although she and Lucas have a lot of history, it was over a long time ago.

VANESSA: I was freaking out, I thought you'd called me in here to fire me!
STEPH: Because you're with Lucas?

They both laugh. Steph can't fire Vanessa because of her cakes. Lauren joins them and Steph explains that although nothing is going to change in terms of staff, the place really needs a makeover!

Nursery
Nell is grizzling and Sonya is run ragged covered in baby vomit. Callum wants to know what is going on. Sonya fired Penelope. They turn their backs for a moment and the sprinklers come on to water the flowers...and baby Nell in her pram who is less than happy about that. Callum rushes to switch them off and notices that they had been switched from am to pm. Penelope again! Sonya decides to close up early.

Lassiters Complex
Vanessa senses that Lucas is preoccupied with something. He says he's just fed up of working today, she tries to encourage him to stay at home with her and Patrick, but he can't. He tells her that he loves her and they kiss. In the background Steph sees them and looks crestfallen.

Number 30
Georgia is surprised to see Sonya home so early. Sonya explains about her day from hell and wonders whether Georgia knows anybody who could run a nursery. Georgia only knows about the baby nursery types. She can however help out looking after Nell. Sonya reminds her that she's supposed to be resting.

GEORGIA: It's just Nelly, I know her routine. Be easy!
SONYA: (looking shattered)Easy is it?
GEORGIA: Eeeeasierrr than nursing...yeah...?
Georgia remains keen, so Sonya agrees.

Charlie's
Karl has managed to book an appointment for Lucas to have a full scan this afternoon. He thought Lucas would want to know sooner rather than later. Huh, why have we been sitting around on waiting lists - let's all move to Australia! (Except those of you who live there already, stay put, we need somewhere to crash!)
Lucas isn't going to tell Vanessa until he has the results of the full scan, no point in worrying Vanessa unduly if it's not a big deal. Karl reminds him that he's around if Lucas wants to talk about anything - Steph included.

Garage
Steph drops by, nothing much has changed at the garage. Being a dad is quite a change though! Lucas still hasn't got his head around it. He admits that he and Vanessa did things "back to front". He comments that Steph seems to be a good place, but it must be tough without Charlie. Steph agrees and says that Max has a new lady and Charlie is being well looked after. Lucas reassures her that Dan and Adam are getting on well too.

STEPH: I'm glad. All I ever wanted was for them to be happy.

Steph wants to help out, its ages since she's been able to play in a garage.

Harold's
Lauren approves of some of Steph's decor choices. Steph checks that early starts on the rosters are o.k. for her and Laurent tells her that she lives on Ramsay Street, so it is nice and close. Steph is interested to hear where, and of course, Lauren et al. live in Steph's old house.

LAUREN: There's still so much history I have to catch up on.
STEPH: Me too. Did Lucas and Vanessa live there together?

Lauren explains that they weren't "together" at the time. Steph doesn't like to pry, but would like to hear what's been going on so she doesn't put her foot in it. Lauren advises her not to mention anything about Rhys and says that the most important thing is that Lucas stood by Vanessa and now they are really happy.

STEPH: Yeah, that's just like him to do the right thing.

Me thinks Steph has got the wrong idea about Lucas' feelings...

Preview
- Steph bumps into Paul.
- Lucas tells Steph about the cancer.
- Vanessa and Sonya look anxious.
- Rhiannon flirts with Kyle.
- Mason continues to chase Kate.
- Pete invites Georgia out.