Older entries link not working from homepage.

The older entries link is not working on my homepage, but does work on category and archive pages. I think it has something to do with the following bits of code but I’m not sure…any ideas?

<?php query_posts( 'showposts=2' ); if (have_posts()) :
while (have_posts()) : the_post(); $category = get_the_category(); ?>

<?php
	query_posts( 'showposts=4&offset=2' );
	if (have_posts()) : $counter = 0;
while (have_posts()) : the_post(); $category = get_the_category();
	if( $counter % 2 == 0 )
	$end = "";
 else
	$end = "last";
	?>

<?php query_posts( 'showposts=8&offset=6' );
	if (have_posts()) :
 while (have_posts()) : the_post(); $category = get_the_category();
 ?>