No 32
It's evening, and Sadie is hanging out by the pool with Mackenzie and Haz, trying to decide what to do tonight. Byron arrives home from work, with an update on Josh's plaque - it still hasn't been found yet. Mackenzie suggests they all head to a rooftop bar.

HAZ: Oh, can we leave in 40 minutes? There's this stamp auction that's about to kick off.
MACKENZIE: I love how your new hobby is so social(!)

Holly turns up with a 'public service announcement' - she has free booze, having charmed samples from one of the drinks reps (specifically, the one who looks like Paul Mescal) at the hotel.

BYRON: I guess we've got a plan.
HOLLY: Somebody get me a glass before I start drinking from the bottle.

Sadie eyes up Byron as preparations for drinking begin.

The Waterhole
Aaron is having an angry darts session, and repeating to Krista and Leo his theory about how Nicolette 'is like Paul'. Leo acknowledges that Paul and Nicolette have a 'kind of love- hate thing' going on.

LEO: Well, it's not really love. But it's something. And she cosied up to him with that Veronica stuff as well.
AARON: Yeah, we should've seen that as the red flag that it was.
KRISTA: (...) Well, hopefully, you'll all cool down in a few days.
AARON: Yeah, I doubt that. It's just a massive betrayal.
KRISTA: Well I'm just thinking of my parents. They hated each other my entire life. So if you could avoid that with Isla, then -
AARON: Krista, the whole point of this is to protect Isla.
KRISTA: I know, I'm just saying -
AARON: I know what I'm doing.

He gets back to angry darts.

No 32
A house party is now underway on the patio (albeit with no guests except Holly and Sadie), and Holly announces that everybody has to do a dare, the first being for Sadie to put an ice cube down her top. She's not willing, so has to do an embarrassing dance move instead. We get a close- up of Byron looking fondly at her. Then Byron and Holly manage to get Haz with the ice cube instead, much to Sadie's amusement.

It seems Mackenzie has already turned in for the night, but Krista has arrived home and comes out to join them. Knowing she can't drink, they offer to get rid of the booze and 'just hang out' instead. She says they don't need to stop their fun, and volunteers to take an ice cube. Byron obliges.

HOLLY (to Sadie): You know, that could be you cosied up to him if you'd just ask.
SADIE: Oh, we're just friends. I don't want just anyone. I want the right guy.

Sadie then gets Holly with an ice cube too!

No 24
Aaron continues to be cold towards Nicolette when he comes in from the pub. She wants to discuss daycare tomorrow but he tells her just to text him the arrangements.

AARON: Hopefully I can trust you with that much.

Jane emerges from Isla's room and reports that she's asleep - the 'hideous portrait' of Paul that's now hanging in her room seems to have done the trick. Aaron replies by going straight to bed. Nicolette says to Jane that, given how Aaron has been behaving since David died, it was probably always going to end with him 'blowing his stack over something'.

JANE: Well, not unprovoked.
NICOLETTE: Right! Well, on that note of motherly solidarity, I'm gonna go to bed too.
JANE: Nicolette!
NICOLETTE: No, Mum, just don't! I can't.

No 32
The gang (now minus Haz) are playing poker, and Byron has an idea to spice things up - if Holly loses, she has to show them the last five things she searched for on her phone. She initially agrees, but then thinks twice, much to everyone's amusement. Holly soon decides she's tired and heads home, and Krista follows her example as she has a busy day of event organising tomorrow. This leaves just Byron and Sadie.

SADIE: I've got a dare for you.
BYRON: Shoot.
SADIE: Why don't you show me the last five photos on your phone?

Byron hands it over. There are multiple shots of Byron posing in only a towel, which flusters Sadie.

BYRON: Just trying to look good on socials.

Byron encourages Sadie to teach him the dance moves she was trying out before, and they end up holding hands as she shows him her moves.

BYRON: You're a really cute dancer.

She rewards this compliment with a little twirl, which ends in them standing very close together, face to face. Presently, they go for the pash, then laugh as Byron picks Sadie up and carries her over to the couch in the sunroom...

The following morning, Sadie and Byron are curled up on the couch together, wearing very little. Sadie wakes up and begins to get dressed, depositing a condom wrapper in the nearby bin and taking the remainder of her clothes outside to finish getting dressed, presumably so as not to disturb Byron. Haz comes into the sunroom and finds Byron still asleep. By the time Haz emerges onto the patio, Sadie has crept out of the side gate.

Ramsay Street
Sadie sits on the kerb and puts her shoes on, then stands up, looking pretty pleased and with perhaps a touch of newfound confidence after her night with Byron.

No 24
Aaron and Nicolette are both still in a foul mood with one another this morning, as Nicolette tries her hand at sewing buttons, while Jane watches with a cup of tea. Aaron heads out for a run, leaving Jane and Nicolette to talk.

JANE: This is horrendous.
NICOLETTE: Well, you say something if you're unhappy. There's nothing I can do.
JANE: Well, of course there is! You started this by taking Isla to see Paul, and only you can set things right.
NICOLETTE: Me? Because I did something to help my daughter? People have got to step off telling me what I can and can't do for her. Here's an idea, Mum - mind your own business.
JANE: What, and I'm not involved?
NICOLETTE: Poor you, you get a nice quiet house!
JANE: Yes, it's been wonderful living in the middle of a cold war (!)
NICOLETTE: So once again, I should cater to how Aaron's feeling? I thought you saw how selfish he was last week. But no, just a blip. I'll go back to being completely on my own again. Good to know.
JANE: You're alone? I can count on one finger the amount of times either of you have asked how I have been doing this week. My own home is now unliveable. But do you care?

No 32
Byron is still asleep on the sofa, but soon wakes up when Haz begins piling what look like either drinks coasters or oatcakes on his head!

HAZ: Hi, sleeping beauty.
BYRON: Yeah, yeah. Just cos you got an early night, Mr Stamp Man.
HAZ: Oh, what? You couldn't walk ten steps to your bedroom before taking all your clothes off?

Byron asks if Sadie's still here; Haz hasn't seen her. Byron admits that she stayed a bit later last night and that they hooked up. Haz is shocked.

BYRON: Yeah, it was a spur- of- the- moment kind of thing.
HAZ: (...) But you never looked at each other that way.
BYRON: So?
HAZ: Okay. So, do you like her, or is this just like a one- off thing, or...?
BYRON: I dunno, it's early days. But I feel strangely open to it.
HAZ: Okay. Nice. Just don't be like how I was, dating Holly.
BYRON: Oh, yeah. Pretending to like a girl more than you actually do.
HAZ: No - go with the flow and end up somewhere you didn't mean to. And if you think you can read someone's mind... you can't.
BYRON: Now, that's the kind of brilliant insight that's gonna turn my love life around.

No 26
Sadie is nursing a hangover on the sofa, when Byron turns up at the door to see her. She welcomes him in.

BYRON: I woke up this morning, and you weren't there. I just wanted to come and double- check that everything's... all good?
SADIE: Yeah, I just felt like my own doona.
BYRON: Good. Good. Umm, I was gonna go get breakfast if you... if you wanna come with me?
SADIE: Yeah, if you feel like it.
BYRON (nervous): Yeah. That'd be... that'd be good. Give us a chance to... to talk.
SADIE: ... We don't have to. Don't feel obliged.
BYRON: Oh, no, no. It's just, umm... you know, maybe we have some stuff to chat about?
SADIE: Doesn't have to be a big conversation, does it?
BYRON: No...
SADIE: I mean, last night was just... last night. You don't need to explain anything to me. It was just casual. It's a casual thing.
BYRON: Was it... casual for you?
SADIE: Of course!
BYRON: Right.

There seems to be disappointment in Byron's tone and body language.

SADIE: ... It was nice, but we're just friends. Full stop.
BYRON: If you're happy with that?

Sadie nods, smiling, but the smile fades and it seems she's putting on a bit of a front.

Harold's Café
Nicolette comes in to meet Jane for coffee.

NICOLETTE: About before...
JANE: I'm sorry. I'm sorry I lost my cool.
NICOLETTE: No, it's understandable. Like, I -
JANE: Darling, you are not alone. I want you to know that.
NICOLETTE: I guess I'm just not anyone's priority. Not compared to Aaron.
JANE: I've been thinking about what you're going through with him. And I know what it's like to try and co- parent with someone who isn't supportive of you. Your father and I had that problem when we were married, and there is nothing more frustrating and isolating.
NICOLETTE: That's the truth.
JANE: But you have done your best with Isla. Really, she's as well cared for as she could possibly be.
NICOLETTE: Thanks, Mum. You also had a point. I could've been more considerate of you.
JANE: I'm your mother. I do the looking after.
NICOLETTE: That doesn't give me and Aaron the right to make your home miserable.

Jane has a suggestion - that she could try to act as a go- between, so Nicolette and Aaron don't have to talk to each other, to give one another some space, and so the heat is taken out of the situation.

JANE: It might be best for everyone.
NICOLETTE: Including you?
JANE: And Mike, when he comes home soon.

Nicolette clasps Jane's hand and thanks her.

The Waterhole
Jane is running her 'go- between' idea past Aaron, who agrees that it would take the pressure off, if Jane doesn't mind doing it, and thanks her.

AARON: If only Nicolette had a heart like her mum.
JANE: You know, if you had have seen Nicolette the morning after you left, she... she really has been overwhelmed with the pressure.
AARON: Please, please, don't say, 'You guys will get over this'.
JANE: With a bit of empathy...
AARON: I've already had it from Krista, and it just makes my head spin. Why should I forgive Nicolette? She crossed a line that cannot be uncrossed.
JANE: Alright. Let's just agree to be civil, then. For everyone's sake. And just use me as a buffer when you need to.

No 26
Sadie, Mackenzie and Krista are hanging out in the spa. Sadie has news to impart to the others.

MACKENZIE: Oh, yeah, Haz did say he thought you might need to debrief today.
SADIE: So he knows?
MACKENZIE: Knows what?
KRISTA: Knows what?! Tell me, I hate suspense!
SADIE: Okay, fine. Byron and I had sex.
MACKENZIE: Oh, my gosh, what?!
KRISTA: Oh, my god!
SADIE: Alright, okay. I don't see it going anywhere, but it was really nice.
MACKENZIE: Wait, hang on. I thought you bailed on the whole plan.
SADIE: I did. It wasn't that.
MACKENZIE: Oh, good.

Krista agrees it's a dodged bullet, after Sadie explains to her about the initial plan to ask Byron to sleep with her.

SADIE: I know. But it happened organically, and it was everything I wanted it to be.

Mackenzie is happy for Sadie, and asks if she can message Holly to tell her what happened. Sadie doesn't object, so Mack sends the message. Krista asks Sadie if she actually likes Byron.

SADIE: Maybe... but I am not his type.
KRISTA: (...) Cos it kind of sounds like he likes you.
SADIE: He was obsessed with your sister, okay? I am the furthest thing away from that.

Sadie explains to the girls that Byron came over to ask her to breakfast so they could 'talk', but she straight- up told him she'd rather be friends.

MACKENZIE: And that's not killing you now?
SADIE: I had a nice night, and that's that.

Mackenzie gives Sadie a congratulatory hug.

Lassiter's Lake
Jane is having a video chat with Mike on her phone.

JANE: I can't believe how long your beard is now!
MIKE: Yes, I know. It's, uh, it's keeping me warm. I'm not sure how young it's keeping me, though.

He asks after Nicolette and Aaron. Jane reports that they're 'getting through it'.

JANE: We all are.
MIKE: Are you? I can always get a flight back, you know, if you need me to.
JANE: No, I told you. There's really nothing that you could do here.
MIKE: Are you sure?
JANE (brave face): I'm positive. You need to see that job out! They're gonna be sad to lose you.
MIKE (troubled laugh): Yeah.
JANE: What's that look for?
MIKE: ... Well, I've been asked about another tour. I mean, I'm not sure that I'm gonna take it. Angela, who - you know, she's a guide as well - but she owns the company. She keeps talking to me about a tour across Europe.
JANE (strained): Wow. That's incredible!
MIKE: Yeah, it'd be fantastic. And it would be totally up to me, she reckons. But I'm aware that I've already been away for a long time. Not that Sammy seems to mind.
JANE: Well, tell me more about this tour...

Ramsay Street
Haz and Byron are heading out on a run; Byron attempts to weasel out, but Haz tells him he needs the endorphins.

HAZ: You got punched in the guts by a girl you didn't even know you liked yesterday.

Holly rushes up to them, screaming excitedly.

HOLLY: Aggghh, heard about Sadie! ... Everybody knows, right? (...) Oh, I can't believe that she actually asked you. I mean, she told me that she'd decided against it, but I guess my girl came through! Now, I have to say, that it was kind of my idea. I mean, she wanted to lose her virginity, and I was like, 'Hello, who better?'
HAZ: Wait... so did Sadie, like, pre- plan this or something?
HOLLY: Yeah, but... it's not weird. It's sex positive. She wanted her first time to be good, and we were like, 'Byron's literally a pro'!

Byron looks gutted.

BYRON: So, that's what this was.
HOLLY: ... Oh, I'm so sorry... I'm gonna go talk to her.
BYRON: No, don't, Holly. I'll deal with it.

Holly wanders off, guilty- looking, and Haz puts a consolatory hand on Byron's shoulder.

Lassiter's Lake
Jane is still talking to Mike.

MIKE: Well, it'd just be up to me and Angela to design the course, but I reckon I'd want to kick it off in Portugal, and then just work our way across to the Alps.
JANE: Amazing!
MIKE: Yeah, totally amazing. And then down into Italy, along the Amalfi Coast. I mean, there's so many different ways that you could go.
JANE: Well, that company must really think a lot of you, to put you in charge.
MIKE: Yeah. But she knows my life's in Australia, and I'll - you know - probably say no...
JANE (dutifully): ... But should you say no? I mean, it is only for a few more months...
MIKE: Well... I mean, I wouldn't want to regret it later if I didn't do it, you know?
JANE: Well, the way that your face lit up when you were talking about it just then... this is a once- in- a- lifetime opportunity.
MIKE: I mean, if you have any hesitations, you've just got to say the word.

Jane shakes her head and maintains her smile, but we can see it's all for Mike's sake...

No 24
Jane tells Nicolette about Mike extending his trip. Jane insists it's a wonderful opportunity.

NICOLETTE: Does he know how much you miss him?
JANE: Yeah, he knows... but I didn't want to let on just how much we really are struggling, and spoil it for him. No - it's just for a few more months.

Aaron comes in, and Nicolette walks straight past him and to her room without a word. Aaron asks Jane who's looking after Isla next; Jane tells him that she is.

AARON: Really? Why not Nic? It's not like she has anything else on. At least I'm working.
JANE: Well, she has an appointment, and I wanted to do it.
AARON: Sure. If you say so.

Aaron slams his keys down. Jane looks worried.

No 26
In the garden, Sadie listens to music on her headphones while stalking Byron's social media on her phone. She then moves to looking at his 'Harvey J' profile, which is seemingly still live on an escorting website. Sadie smiles as she looks at it - but Byron has appeared unseen behind her, and looks even more hurt when he sees what she's looking at.

BYRON: I don't need to ask if it's true, then. Are you gonna leave a review of my performance?
SADIE (removing headphones): What?
BYRON: Don't bother, Sadie, okay? You've crossed the line. I know you used me. You wanted to go with the pro, and... you got your wish.

Coming up on Neighbours
- Toadie tells Melanie that everything feels a little bit out of control
- Things still look tense in the Rebecchi- Willis household
- Melanie tells him that she hopes whatever's going on with him and her isn't making it worse
- Andrew anxiously awaits news of the decision on Felix's parole
- Sadie asks Holly if she hasn't ever web- stalked someone she likes; Holly excitedly asks if she likes Byron