No 32
Vic, Byron and Sam have a toast to the Stones' plans for the family business, while Jane brings dishes to the table for dinner. She remarks that it might be bad luck to celebrate before the deal is done.

VIC: Says who?
JANE: I dunno. Murphy of Murphy's Law fame?
VIC: You worry too much.

Nicolette comes in along with Remi, whom she's convinced to come in and give Vic a check- up, as he's been coughing and sniffling the last few days. Sensing Vic isn't keen, Remi offers him an appointment at the hospital this afternoon instead, promising it will be 'quick and painless'.

NICOLETTE: As opposed to my constant nagging if you don't.
VIC: Alright, fine. I'll stop by on my way to the vineyard.

Remi leaves. Byron asks Vic if he's sure he doesn't want him and Nicolette to come along to the vineyard for the meeting with Leo, but Vic insists he knows what he's doing. Byron and Nicolette extol the virtues of the vineyard as a function venue.

SAM (to Jane): You should get married there.
NICOLETTE: You *should* get married there. That would be our big first event as co- owners.

Jane says 'maybe' but doesn't look at all enthusiastic, and Vic notices.

Eirini Rising
Susan has dropped by to tell Terese she'll be back at work tomorrow, despite Terese's offer of having some more time off. Karl is with them.

SUSAN: I think when I fell, I just got such a fright, and I lost my confidence. But I have been reminded that there's life in the old girl yet.
KARL: I don't see anyone old around here!

Karl orders three lattes for them from the on- site coffee hut, pointedly reminding the barista that the third one is free due to his loyalty points!

We learn Terese has just driven back from Colac with the kids, to see Toadie while he looks after his parents, Angie and Kev. Terese reports that Angie is struggling after her hip replacement, and getting on Kev's nerves.

Terese asks Karl and Susan if the residents' missing items have turned up while she's been gone, but Susan says not. The silver lining, Karl randomly reports, is that Shirley Burchmore has gone on holiday to Vanuatu. Terese hopes they can put their troubles behind them, as they 'certainly need a win'.

Famous last words, as resident Moira emerges from the building to call for security, telling them all that there has been an 'incident'! They all sigh.

Harold's Café
Nell is having a pre- or post- karate coffee, while Haz works in the background. JJ comes in and greets Nell. She smiles but says nothing, immediately returning to what she's reading, and a flummoxed JJ heads to the counter. Haz asks JJ if he's said anything to Dex yet about his feelings for Nell; JJ says not.

HAZ: Okay. Looks like no one's happy.
JJ: Mm.
HAZ: Hey, man, I know it's awkward. But someone has to take the first step.
JJ: Yeah... like, now?!

Haz shrugs, and goes to get JJ a juice. JJ returns to Nell and asks how her grandparents are doing in Colac. Nell replies, 'yeah, I guess', but JJ's attempts at further conversation are interrupted by the arrival of Nell's friend Jasmine. Nell and Jasmine hug, and Nell compliments Jasmine's new jacket, from upmarket brand Corrie & Sun. Jasmine says it's a birthday present from her sister.

At this point, Haz tells JJ his juice is ready, and JJ goes over to pay. Haz tells him, 'better luck next time'. JJ bids Nell goodbye as he leaves, but she barely responds.

Erinsborough Hospital
Vic is with Remi in an examination room. She's taken blood tests and says the results should be back in a couple of days. She asks him how long he's had the cold symptoms; only a couple of days, he tells her.

VIC: No big deal.
REMI: Yeah, for someone with a strong immune system, maybe. But the medication you're on limits your defence.
VIC: So, no more all- night ragers. Got it.

Remi asks Vic to make one more stop while he's here, at radiology.

VIC: I already know I have cancer.
REMI: It's just the progress of the disease we'd like to check.
VIC: Look, I'm extremely grateful that whatever stuff they put me on has bought me extra time with my kids. But it kind of defeats the purpose if I'm here analysing it with you instead of enjoying it with them.
REMI: Oh, well, this will just give you an idea of what the extra time looks like. I thought a smart man like you likes to be three jumps ahead.
VIC: Fifteen minutes.
REMI: Let's see if we can't do it in ten.

Eirini Rising
Moira is showing Karl, Susan and Terese a variety of unauthorised purchases on her online banking. Terese says cybercriminals are good at extracting bank details these days by getting victims to click on malign links; Karl adds it could happen to anyone.

MOIRA: I don't click links! This is theft, and that teenage gang is to blame.
SUSAN: I don't know that they're a gang.
TERESE: I don't think we should be jumping to conclusions.
MOIRA: But who except a bunch of teenagers would spend hundreds of dollars at E- Quest Games, Corrie & Sun, and Paisley's Pizza Palace?

JJ, who is sweeping nearby, overhears this and looks worried. Moira moans that she's supposed to be working on her campaign for residential representative, but instead she'll now have to spend the afternoon on the phone to the bank.

TERESE: We are very, very sorry about this.
MOIRA: Don't apologise. Just fix it. Oh, and if I don't get my money refunded, I am holding you liable.

Moira walks off. Terese looks worried.

Harold's Café
Melanie and Logan have arrived back in Erinsborough, and their first stop is for a coffee. Haz is pleased to see Mel is home, and greets her with a hug; she comments on how well he looks now he's out of hospital.

LOGAN: Do all cappuccinos here come with a side of hugs?
HAZ: Oh, Mel gets special friend privileges.

Mel introduces Haz to Logan, explaining how he was such a good drinks- maker that she's decided to 'kidnap' him and bring him to Erinsborough to work for her.

LOGAN: I've heard so much about you. And Byron, and Mackenzie, and Trevor, and...
MELANIE: It was a long drive!

Haz goes to get them some welcome- home coffees on the house. Logan asks for his to go, as he's about to head to the caravan park to book a spot there. Mel suggests that they could grab dinner after that, and can't wait to introduce Logan to more of her friends.

LOGAN: I can't wait!

Lassiter's Park
Aaron is emptying the recycling at the back of the pub, when Sam approaches via the park.

AARON: Nic just sent me the most beautiful photo of you. You were at the bridal salon; you were looking a million bucks.
SAM: Thank you.
AARON: You know you've got a pretty big job there, giving your dad away? It means you probably get to do the father- daughter dance.
SAM: But Dad can't dance.
AARON (laughs): Of course he can dance! You know there's a saying - if you can walk, you can dance.

By way of demonstration, Aaron decides to teach Sam the Merengue - a dance he showed David before their wedding. Sam takes his hands, and Aaron demonstrates the relevant moves, so that Sam can teach Mike how to dance. Sam seems to be enjoying herself as Aaron twirls her around. Logan appears nearby, and smiles as he watches Aaron and Sam dancing from a distance.

Yorokobi
Leo and Krista are giving Vic, who is still coughing a little, a tour of the vineyard. Vic is impressed, but wants to know if Leo's business prowess matches his good taste! Leo shows Vic the figures for the business, saying he's included the downturn following the poisoning, as honesty is one of the most important things to him in a partnership.

Looking over the stats, Vic says it's clear the downturn isn't due to mismanagement, rather bad luck. Leo says that the money from selling No 32 has kept him afloat, but an investment in Yorokobi would really help him to rebuild.

VIC: There is one thing that's holding me back... the idea that I'd buy into a vineyard without sampling its wares first.
LEO (laughs): Yeah, I think we can rectify that.

Leo goes to get Vic some samples to taste.

Eirini Rising
Nell is with Terese at the entrance, when Moira appears; Nell says she'll see Terese at home. Terese goes to deal with Moira who is asking for some money to cover her expenses until her replacement bank cards arrive. Terese says that's fine, and leads Moira inside to her office to organise it.

Meanwhile, Nell runs into JJ who's approaching with some cleaning supplies. JJ tells Nell about the random charges to Moira's credit card, including for Corrie & Sun - the same fashion label as Jasmine's jacket.

JJ: Pretty weird, right?
NELL: No, it's a super- popular brand.
JJ: Yeah, that no one can afford.
NELL: Her sister saved up. And Jasmine wouldn't steal from here. She knows it's Terese's business.
JJ: Maybe can you just ask her - you know, see how she reacts to it?
NELL: No, she's my friend.
JJ: ... So am I.
NELL: It's not the same.

Nell walks off, leaving JJ looking flummoxed again.

No 28
Susan and Karl enthusiastically welcome Melanie back from her tour. She tells them she's booked them a dinner table for four at The Waterhole later, as she wants them to meet Logan, her 'new partner in crime' for the Drinks Divas. Karl remarks that Melanie seems to have a new spring in her step.

MELANIE: It was so good to get away. And I did a lot of thinking. And I decided that my life is pretty fabulous.
SUSAN: Good for you!

Mel also reports that business is booming, and continues to praise Logan, reassuring the Kennedys that she did a complete check on his socials.

MELANIE: No red flags. You'll see. He's great.

But Susan and Karl are already looking a little sceptical...

Harold's Café
Jasmine is admiring her new jacket in the mirror in the toilets. When she emerges, JJ is just coming into the café, and sees her.

JJ: That's a cool jacket. You know, umm, it's pretty amazing that your sister can afford to buy that designer jacket on a part- time Grease Monkeys wage. It's also pretty weird that the exact same brand that you're wearing also just turned up on a credit card statement of one of the Eirini Rising residents.
JASMINE: Random.
JJ: No, I don't think it is. I think you have something to do with it. Which is off, considering that Eirini Rising is run by your best mate's stepmum. Or had you forgotten that?
JASMINE: Maybe rich old Moira had too many gins and went on an online shopping spree.
JJ: Sorry, who said anything about rich old Moira?
JASMINE: I have no idea what you're talking about.
JJ: No, I think you do.
JASMINE: Nell wouldn't like it if you accused her friend of doing something without better proof. And from what I've heard, you've already hurt her enough. You wouldn't want to make things worse, would you?
JJ: ...
JASMINE: Didn't think so. I'll see you around.

No 24
Byron and Jane are in the kitchen, while Nicolette finds Sam practising her dance moves for the wedding, following Aaron's impromptu lesson earlier. Nic starts dancing with Sam.

NICOLETTE: Next, we have to hassle Mum into choosing a date so we know how long we have to practice.
JANE: We can't do that until we know when Mike's job is finishing.

Vic is using his laptop at the table. Byron suggests that even if they don't buy into the vineyard, Jane should have the wedding there, as Leo needs the financial support; while Nicolette and Sam agree that Jane and Mike should set a date. But Jane still seems prickly around the topic of the wedding, and says they should focus on getting dinner on the table instead.

VIC: Hear, hear. Enough wedding talk, I'm starving.

Nicolette and Sam head off to the bedrooms to fetch Isla for dinner. Jane looks worried, and Vic looks worried that she's worried.

The Waterhole
Melanie excitedly tells Logan that she can't wait for him to meet Karl and Susan, though he says he feels like he knows them already thanks to all her stories. Aaron is working, and Melanie greets him with a hug. Logan seems a little uncomfortable, but shakes Aaron's hand when Mel introduces them.

MELANIE: Aaron was married to David.
LOGAN: Oh, Melanie has told me all about him. He sounded like a great guy.
AARON: Yeah. Yeah, he was.

Logan compliments Aaron's dance- teaching skills, explaining he saw him with Sam earlier. Aaron tells them to grab a seat and he'll bring over some free snacks. Once he's gone...

LOGAN: So, Aaron was married to David, and his brother was... Eden?
MELANIE: No, no. Leo. Eden was... the bad egg, shall we say? Krista's ex.
LOGAN: Right, sorry. Got my stories mixed up.
MELANIE: That's alright, there were rather a lot! Maybe we should do a quick recap. So...

No 24
Jane is alone in the dining area when Vic appears. Jane's had a text from Terese, about the latest incident at Eirini Rising - another thing to worry about, she says.

VIC: You know, you could make that list of worries one item shorter. Call Mike, tell him your concerns.
JANE: What concerns?
VIC: Okay, I get it - you don't want to talk about this with me. But I also know you. You put yourself second to keep the peace. You did it with me often enough. You're doing it with Mike.
JANE: Look, when I confided in you, I... I was just having a bad day. That's all. Mike and I have since spoken, and everything's fine.
VIC: Okay. I just don't want you having regrets.
JANE: Well, noted. Is that the only reason you came in here, to say that?
VIC: No. Also had a work email to send.
JANE: Oh, well. You'd best get on with it, then.

Jane keeps looking at Vic, conflicted.

The Waterhole
Karl and Susan have now joined Melanie and Logan. Karl is clearly a bit suspicious of Logan for some reason (possibly because he's not in the opening titles yet) and asks him where he hails from. Logan replies he's from Sydney, and when pressed on the specifics, says he was born in Parramatta, agreeing that it was at Glenhill Hospital when Karl asks. Karl says he has a colleague, Dr Wallace, there.

Susan asks after Logan's career, and he says he's done 'a bit of everything', branding himself a jack of all trades.

LOGAN: I was doing a very high- pressure job and got burnt out. So I took some time off to travel, see the country, just picking up work wherever. And it has changed my life.

Susan and Karl get messages from work - Eirini Rising is in crisis mode, they explain, so they have to leave, with Karl even volunteering to foot the dinner bill! Once they've gone, Melanie says the Kennedys are just like family, giving Logan the once- over. Logan says it's really nice they're so protective of her.

MELANIE: Well, you have passed, because Karl never, ever offers to pay for anything.

Logan's about to buy them drinks when Aaron passes their table on his way home; he says it was lovely to meet Logan. But Logan suggests Aaron stay and join them for a drink, and Mel echoes the invitation. Aaron seems keen, and sits down. A smiling Logan watches Aaron as he chooses a beverage...

No 32
Vic, Byron and Nicolette are hanging out when Krista shows an annoyed- looking Leo in; he wants to discuss Vic's partnership offer.

BYRON: You made Leo an offer?
LEO: Earlier tonight he did.
NICOLETTE: Why didn't you involve us?
VIC: Don't be offended. It's how I do business.
LEO: Is ripping people off how you do business as well? He's low- balling me for a 50 percent stake.
VIC: Would you rather lose it altogether?
LEO: I talked you through how we were going and you used it against me!
BYRON: Look, I'm sure we can find something that's a bit more suitable for everyone here.
NICOLETTE: Yeah, we're not gonna take advantage of you, Leo.
VIC (to Nicolette): You promised you'd stay out of this.

Vic turns to Leo.

VIC: This isn't a negotiation. Given where you're at, what I'm offering is more than fair. And it's final. I'll give you two days - then the offer's off the table.

Leo looks conflicted.

No 22
Terese briefs Susan, Karl and Jane on the latest Eirini Rising news - another resident, Elenora Santoro, has reported suspicious credit card activity. We learn English is not Elenora's first language so it took a while to work out what was going on; but Terese has looked at her bank statement and it's very similar to what happened with Moira's.

TERESE: I've updated the police, but we need to draw up a statement to reassure the residents.
SUSAN: Do you think we *can* reassure them?
TERESE: Well, we need to try. I mean, they're already talking about leaving. Our whole venture is at serious risk here.

The Waterhole
Melanie, Logan and Aaron are still at the table together, but Aaron's calling it a night as he has to get up for a run tomorrow morning. Melanie, who is ready for bed too, offers to drive Logan back to the caravan park - but he says it's a nice night, so he's keen for a walk. Aaron's about to pay the bill but Logan takes it, saying it's the least he can do after such a warm welcome to the neighbourhood.

After Melanie and Aaron have left, Logan looks thoughtful, and pulls his phone from his pocket. Dramatic music swells as he looks at a photo of himself... with his arm around David!

Coming up on Neighbours
- Holly tells Liv Bellen there's a chance she could help her; there might be more to this than they realise
- Harold has some news for Andrew at Eirini Rising
- Wendy asks Melanie about the 'stray man' she picked up on the road
- Logan tells Aaron he can't even imagine what he's been through after losing David
- Logan looking at pictures of Aaron and David at No 24