Neighbours

Miranda Parker has it all: enormous talent as an event organiser, two great kids (Riley and Bridget, both adopted) and a healthy marriage to Steve, the man of her dreams. The downside is that since Miranda is such a multi-tasking perfectionist, she somehow also finds the time to good-naturedly “organise” the lives of everyone she knows. She was only too delighted to find a fresh project in brother-in-law Ned and newly discovered nephew Mickey.

Glamorous Sydney-sider Miranda and down-home country Queenslander Steve occasionally seem to be something of an odd couple. However, Steve’s easy going nature is the perfect foil to Miranda’s feistiness… although she’d be the first to admit that sometimes she wishes he’d take life a little more seriously.

This was particularly evident when Steve bid way over their agreed budget to buy Number 26 at auction. Although Steve insisted he was just doing what was best for his family, Miranda thought that he had been impetuous, stubborn and selfish. Although they managed to patch up their disagreement, they’re still feeling the financial ramifications. Miranda had to give up her blossoming event business in order to concentrate on making Steve’s vet clinic a success and they both took second jobs as cleaners at Erinsborough High.

Miranda would do anything for her family. She adores both of her children but she and Bridget often fail to understand each other. Bridget is maddeningly impulsive and melodramatic whereas Miranda prefers to keep her emotions under slightly more control. Bridget is also a stubbornly messy tomboy who’d rather chop her arms off than go shopping and although Miranda tries hard to be supportive, her natural inclination towards style and sophistication means she just doesn’t get it. Though she’d never admit how much it hurts her, Miranda often feels like a third wheel when Bridget and Steve effortlessly bond over animals, sport and their private jokes.

Despite the lack of common interests, the two Parker women are as outspoken and dynamic as each other, so the upshot is one fiery and complicated relationship. Bridget will often be deliberately provocative, pushing Miranda into coming down too hard on her beloved daughter. Meanwhile son Riley is maddeningly opposite. So laid back he’s almost horizontal, Miranda is frequently frustrated by his overly relaxed attitude to life.

As a wonderful woman with a keen sense of community, it was no surprise that she bonded quickly with neighbour Susan Kinski. The wedge that was driven between them when Susan accidentally hit Bridget with her car doubled the pain of the whole experience and both women were relieved when they could put the incident behind them and resume their friendship.