Previously on Neighbours
- Kyle is disappointed to learn Georgia still just wants to be friends, despite the fun they've had
- The search for Lauren's daughter continues, as Kathy offers to put ads in the newspapers
- Paul is so against Kate and Brennan's reconciliation that she decides to leave the penthouse
- Sheila tries to talk some sense into Paul, to no avail
- Paul flirts with an attractive newcomer called Naomi
Charlie's
Paul and Naomi appear to be engaging in a debate about expressionist art, whilst sipping champagne. Predictably, Paul is dead against.
NAOMI: So you like to see the world as you view it? I wouldn't have picked you to be so conservative!
PAUL: Well it's the conservative ones you have to watch out for.
Paul flirtatiously asks what Naomi's doing in Erinsborough.
NAOMI: I'm catching up with someone. Someone I haven't seen in a long time.
PAUL: Someone I know?
NAOMI: Perhaps. But first, are you going to order us another bottle, or not?
Paul tries to tempt Naomi to have the next bottle up in his penthouse. Naomi says she's flattered, but that she hardly knows him. She hints that she'd be happy to drink with him again sometime, and Paul asks if she means a date.
NAOMI: Maybe. Maybe not. Call it what you like.
Paul leers at her, enjoying himself.
Harold's Store
Lauren is just closing up when Brad comes in. She apologises for the way Josh and Imogen found out about their half-sister, but Brad says it's his and Terese's fault for not telling them sooner. He says the kids seem to be coping with the news, but admits that Terese is still adjusting. Lauren explains that Kathy has started a search up in Queensland, and asks Brad if he wants to place ads in the local newspapers there to try and find their daughter.
BRAD: Do you think it's likely to work?
LAUREN: I don't know. But I'm willing to try anything that might help us find Lily.
BRAD: ... Lily.
LAUREN: That was the name I was gonna give to her. I've never said that out loud before.
Brad says they should tell Kathy to go ahead and run the ads, saying Terese isn't over the moon but respects his decision to look for their daughter.
No 32
Lauren discusses the newspaper ads with Matt and Lou - Matt doesn't want her to get her hopes up, but she says she knows it's a long-shot. Lou points out they don't even know the names of the adoptive parents, and Lauren adds that there's no official record of the birth either. Lou asks if they could consider getting the police involved in the search, but Matt says this could only happen if they officially reported Kathy for abduction, which could mean years in jail.
LOU: Kathy stole your baby and gave it to someone else.
MATT: The adoptive parents could also be charged, even if everyone's intentions were good. Serious offences were committed. Is that a path you really want to go down?
Charlie's
Georgia explains to Kyle that she's having to do a lot of admin after the Farm Day fundraiser, including writing thank-you letters to donors etc. Kyle offers to help her with it all, and she cautiously accepts.
Meanwhile, Paul correctly guesses that Naomi is an executive assistant by profession.
NAOMI: How astute! CEOs only.
PAUL: What about family? Any brothers or sisters, or a boyfriend?
NAOMI: Would I be sitting here if I did?
PAUL: Dunno - would you?
Naomi asks about Paul's family, and he goes quiet, saying he's had a few family issues. Naomi replies that she knows all about those. Paul goes to fetch her a coffee, when Sheila comes in - and immediately recognises Naomi.
PAUL: What, you two know each other?
NAOMI: Hi, Mum.
Paul grimaces.
No 26
Sheila and Naomi come in, with suitcases. Naomi confirms she's been working in Sydney.
NAOMI: This place is nice. It's very... you.
SHEILA: Oh. So you just pop in out of nowhere to turn your nose up at my house.
NAOMI: Of course not. I didn't mean it like that; why do you have to take everything the wrong way?
SHEILA: Okay, look - let's not beat around the bush. It's been five years with barely a Christmas card, so there's only two reasons why you would suddenly turn up now. One - you're broke, and need a handout. Or two - you're finally ready for us to sort things out.
NAOMI: I wanted to see you... But I can't lie; I'm having a run of bad luck too.
SHEILA: I see.
NAOMI: The truth is, I'm between jobs. And the lease on my apartment was up, so I thought this was maybe a good time to think about relocating... somewhere closer to family.
SHEILA: Let me guess, you want to stay here?
NAOMI: Well I wouldn't ask, but I've lost my wallet. Credit cards, access cards, everything. So I'm gonna have to reapply for the lot tomorrow. And so until the bank sorts me out, I'm sort of... financially embarrassed. Don't you hate being so reliant on plastic?
SHEILA: I wouldn't know. I'm not a plastic kind of person.
NAOMI: ... So is it okay, if I stay with you?
SHEILA: Of course it is.
Sheila goes to put the kettle on, but in the kitchen, looks worried.
The next morning, Kyle wanders in in his boxers, and is surprised to see his auntie Naomi appear and embrace him, before Sheila can explain what's going on.
NAOMI: Look at you - you are grown up! If you weren't my nephew...
KYLE: Oh, steady on!
NAOMI: I'm joking!
Naomi avoids Kyle and Sheila's attempts to question her about her career, and turns the conversation back to Kyle, asking how his fiancée is and apologising for not making the engagement party. Kyle's forced to admit he and Georgia have broken up, but are still mates. Kyle takes a call from a guy called Aaron, who wants to pick his brain about 'a back yard job'. He rushes off to get dressed.
Dial-A-Kyle
Kyle is talking customer Aaron through the timber options for his back yard, trying to upsell him to the teak. Georgia turns up as they are talking and notices that, while Kyle's back is turned, Aaron is checking out more than Kyle's timber samples!
AARON: Do you work out?
KYLE: Sorry?
AARON: It's just you've got great muscle tone.
An amused Georgia interrupts to say hello. Aaron makes his exit, suggesting Kyle drop round his place later, to discuss the options further. Oblivious to Aaron's flirtation, Kyle is dismissive when Georgia points it out.
GEORGIA: He was totally checking you out.
KYLE: He was checking out the teak. For his Balinese hut.
GEORGIA: Well I think he has other plans for his Balinese hut!
KYLE: Anyway, did you want something?
Georgia thanks Kyle for his help with the fundraising admin last night, and offers to buy him lunch later in return. Kyle is made up, and Georgia leaves, smiling.
No 32
Lou has had bad news from his daughter Mai Ling - there's been a flood at her orphanage in Cambodia which has caused some damage. Sensing it's that time of the quarter, Lauren correctly guesses that Lou wants to fly over and help her repair it. Lou says he shouldn't go now, just as Lauren is starting the search for her daughter, but Lauren says he should go.
Bailey suggests Lauren register with an agency that helps reunite long-lost family members, but Lauren and Matt look at him as if this is the wackiest, most offbeat idea they've ever heard - and Matt quickly shoots down the idea in flames, saying the girl would have had to register too, as if this is so unlikely a proposition as to be unworthy of exploration.
BAILEY: Social media, then?
LOU: Oh, sure. If you want every Looney Tune from here to Timbuktu to contact you!
MATT: Your Gramps is right. The Internet is no place to go looking for a missing relative. It's just asking for trouble.
With Bailey's entirely sensible ideas for locating his sister thus roundly dismissed, without anything by way of justification for Lou or Matt's blanket prejudice towards electronic communication, Bailey asks if there's anything Matt could do police-wise - but Matt and Lauren explain that Kathy could get prosecuted if they took the official route. Bailey is surprised to learn that his parents are actually considering this. Matt isn't comfortable with the idea of reporting Kathy, but tells Lauren it's a decision she needs to make with Brad.
Charlie's
Naomi takes a call on her mobile, but immediately hangs up - and Sheila asks if it was an unwelcome caller. She claims it was a telemarketer, and says she's fed up of them bothering her, and is considering getting a new SIM card. But she uses this as an opportunity to ask Sheila to loan her some money to buy a new one, adding that she's already looking for work in Erinsborough so will be able to pay her back.
SHEILA: Oh. Are you really gonna stick around?
NAOMI: Maybe.
Sheila reluctantly agrees to pay for Naomi's new SIM card.
Ramsay Street
Lauren talks to Brad about the possibility of reporting Kathy's abduction of their child to the police. Lauren points out there could be huge repercussions, but Brad is annoyed at the emphasis on keeping Kathy out of jail, and concerned that it might be the only way of finding their daughter. Lauren points out that Lily could be with a loving family, and that if they send her adoptive parents to prison, it could ruin her life. But Brad presents the opposite scenario: what if Lily's parents aren't good people, and she is feeling completely unwanted?
BRAD: She has the right to know that she was loved. And if that means legal consequences for your mother or anybody else, that's a price worth paying.
Sonya's Nursery
Sonya makes sympathetic noises as Lauren confides in her about her dilemma over whether to report Kathy for what she did. Lauren points out that what Kathy did was unforgiveable, but Sonya says punishing her won't undo the past. Lauren knows this, but is desperate to find her daughter, and gets upset at the thought that she's missed her entire life.
LAUREN: I've worked all my life to be a really good mum. I want her to know that. I want her to feel that.
Sonya tells Lauren that she needs to think about her other kids too, and how they'll feel if Kathy goes to jail.
Lassiter's Complex
Paul is on the phone, asking somebody to guarantee their 'complete discretion', no doubt regarding something entirely above-board. Naomi comes over to say hello, but Paul's interest in her has completely waned now he knows she's Sheila's daughter. She sits down and thanks him for the drink last night, saying she had fun - and offers to meet him for another one, now she's likely to be hanging around for longer. Paul says that would be inappropriate.
NAOMI: Are you giving me the brush-off?
PAUL: Call it what you like.
He gets up and leaves, as Naomi fumes.
Charlie's
At their lunch together, Kyle is telling Georgia about his auntie Naomi and how she was spoiled rotten, being the youngest child. He also explains how she used to sneak him and his cousin Dane out of the window and take them clubbing when they were sixteen. But he hasn't seen her in years, since her massive fall-out with Sheila. Kyle explains it was something to do with a guy she was going out with, who Sheila didn't like. Georgia says it's good they're reconnecting now, but Kyle thinks Sheila's working overtime to keep the peace.
Kyle gets his thousandth text of the day from Aaron, the customer who was flirting with him earlier, much to Georgia's amusement. Finally realising she was right, Kyle asks her what he can do to stop Aaron harassing him, without losing the contract to build the Balinese hut! Georgia looks mischievous and says she has an idea. She orders their lunch to go.
Power Road
Georgia and Kyle walk Bossy towards the yard, and sure enough, Aaron is hanging around outside waiting for Kyle. Georgia tells Kyle to relax and takes his hand in hers. As Kyle greets Aaron, Georgia reaches up and kisses him on the lips, to make it appear as if they're a couple.
GEORGIA: I'll see you at dinner, babe. Don't be late.
Kyle smiles and greets Aaron, who looks disappointed that Kyle is taken.
AARON: I've changed my mind about the teak. The Aussie hardwood's fine.
Lassiter's
Paul walks into reception, followed closely by Naomi, who demands to know why he's suddenly giving her the cold shoulder after being so flirtatious last night. Paul makes it clear it's because he now knows she's Sheila's daughter.
PAUL: And in the cold light of day, I'm seeing a few more red flags. So you have a very safe trip back to Frankston, won't you?
NAOMI: Excuse me! You're judging me because of where I grew up? Didn't you grow up at Number 26 Ramsay Street? I missed the gold leaf on the letterbox!
PAUL: Ah, and there it is, the temper. Another trait you share with a certain barmaid.
Paul smiles smugly as the lift closes, but Naomi pulls the door back open.
NAOMI: She's a bar manager. And don't pretend to be better than us just because you've got a fancy title and you own a big hotel.
Intrigued by her temper, Paul apologises for causing offence.
NAOMI: Too late! And for the record, your top-shelf champagne - not that special!
PAUL: Naomi, wait! I really admire a woman who stands up for herself. So, can we start again?
NAOMI: What are you suggesting?
PAUL: Peace offering. The hotel has a very fine restaurant.
NAOMI: Ask nicely.
PAUL: Alright, Naomi. I can think of no greater pleasure than us having lunch together. Would you?
NAOMI: I'd rather eat glass than share a meal with you!
Paul looks aggrieved, then even more intrigued, as the backing track reaches its famous denouement - I've never been to Cuba, I've never been to Cuba... BAM! BAM! BAM!
No 26
Naomi comes in, and is annoyed to find Sheila about to machine-wash some of her pure silk tops! But she quietens down a bit when Sheila presents her with a new SIM card for her phone, and says she's got her a new contract and a new number. Naomi thanks Sheila, but doesn't appreciate it when she goes on to demand to know what Naomi's been doing for the last five years - Sheila's sure she's not telling her everything.
NAOMI: Why do you always assume the worst of me?
SHEILA: I am asking these questions because I am your mother, and I think I need to know.
NAOMI: No, you're asking me because you don't trust me. And unless you want to lose me for another five years you need to back off. Choice is yours, Mum.
She storms out, leaving Sheila frustrated.
Tomorrow on Neighbours
- Sheila is still suspicious of Naomi, and starts snooping through her private affairs
- Bailey worries about an upset Lauren, and tells Cal he wishes they'd never heard of his half- sister
- Matt's uncomfortable when Brad suggests he use his police contacts to help find their daughter