Office of the Robinson Corporation
Gail demands of Kevin furiously:

GAIL: What the hell do you think you're doing?
KEVIN: Gail, I'm sorry...
GAIL: Not as sorry as you're *going* to be.
KEVIN: It was an impulse thing; I never meant it to happen.

Kevin asks Gail if she's going to fire him. He adds that it wouldn't have happened if she wasn't so attractive. Gail snaps that his kind of behaviour is unacceptable. Kevin insists that it won't happen again. Gail tells him to keep it strictly business from now on and she won't mention it to Paul. She then suggests curtly that they finish the memos and then call it quits, as she has a birthday party to get to.

No. 26
Beverly is pouring Paul a drink as he apologises for Gail running a bit late. Helen emerges from the bedroom area and Jim asks her if Katie's OK. Helen nods thoughtfully that she's all curled up, and she asks if everyone else feels OK. No one else has any complaints. Nick finishes his homework and asks if he can go to Sharon's. Jim asks him if he's going to pass on the good news to her about Hilary coming home! Nick heads out, leaving Helen to turn to Paul and tell him that she's glad Gail talked some sense into him about hiring Kevin. Paul smiles that he's brilliant; in fact, he's going to ask him to stay on permanently. He then recalls that he has a present for Beverly. He hands over a small case and Beverly opens it to reveal a pair of earrings. She shows Jim, who comments that they go perfectly with the bracelet he and Helen bought for her. He suggests to Beverly that she *show* Paul the bracelet, but Helen says quickly that they don't want to parade Beverly like some shop-window dummy. She then changes the subject and asks Jim to open the bottle of wine that Paul bought them.

No. 30
Sharon, looking horrified, exclaims to Nick:

SHARON: You *are* joking?

Nick tells her to just ask herself what type of guy would go for Hilary! Sharon realises that she hasn't replaced the food they used for Chez Shaz. As she starts to panic, Nick says he thinks he can borrow enough stuff from the Robinson house to cover for her. Sharon adds that Hilary's going to freak when she finds out she lost her job from the Coffee Shop. She goes on bitterly that she's going to get her own back on Bronwyn for that. Nick suggests that she just worry about getting No. 30 fixed up before Hilary and Matthew arrive. Sharon mutters:

SHARON: 'Matthew'. He'll either be some hen-pecked wimp or a boring middle-aged jerk!

No. 24
Harold is doing the crossword as Henry peers over his shoulder, commenting that the clues just don't make sense. Harold sighs:

HAROLD: It's a *cryptic* crossword, Henry; I wouldn't *expect* you to understand. Your idea of intellectual stimulation is connecting the dots!

Madge suggests to Henry that he leave Harold alone and give some thought to getting that bracelet back. Henry replies that he's got it all planned: he's busking tomorrow and he's doing some landscaping on Sunday down at Lassiter's. Harold warns Henry that he's on very shaky ground here. Henry, however, insists that he did the right thing: he put the advert in the paper. Madge tells him that he could at least give some thought to the poor person who lost it: she must be dreadfully upset.

No. 26
Beverly blows out the candles on a birthday cake as someone knocks on the front door and Gail comes in. Jim smiles that he was starting to get worried: Paul told them all about the new secretary! A brief look crosses Gail's face, but she quickly hides it again. Beverly thanks her for the earrings and Jim adds that they match the bracelet that he and Helen bought. He suggests to Beverly that she show Gail. Beverly replies quickly that they should wait until Gail's had something to eat, but Gail insists that she's fine. Jim comments that he thought Beverly would be breaking her neck to show off the present. Beverly gives in and tells him awkwardly:

BEVERLY: Well I *would* be, Jim, but I can't: I lost the bracelet yesterday.

Jim, looking annoyed, mutters that he's been sitting there like a fool. He suggests to Beverly coolly that they go and talk about this in private.

No. 26
A short time later, Jim and Beverly are standing in the kitchen, Beverly telling Jim that she's so sorry: that bracelet meant the world to her; she knew he'd be hurt and upset and she wanted to spare him that. Jim accepts this and, smiling at her fondly, assures her that the last thing he wanted to do was ruin her birthday. He then kisses her warmly. Out in the lounge room, Helen is telling Paul and Gail that of *course* they contacted the police, but the odds weren't very encouraging. Paul suggests they try the 'Lost and Found' column in the local paper. Beverly and Jim come back in and Gail asks what the bracelet *looked* like. Beverly tells her that it was 18-carat gold, with a locket and a small diamond - and Jim had it initialled for her. Looking thoughtful, Gail comments:

GAIL: That's funny - because only this morning I saw one just like that...

No. 24
Henry is tuning his guitar. Harold sits down to carry on with the crossword, but Madge warns him that he's got to open the shop early tomorrow, so, once he's finished the clue he's working on, he and Madge head off to bed. There's suddenly a knock on the front door and Bronwyn goes to get it. She finds Jim and Beverly on the step and they come in. Henry asks what the problem is and Jim explains that Gail said she saw Bronwyn with a bracelet this morning. Beverly adds that it sounds like one she lost: gold with a diamond. Bronwyn realises:

BRONWYN: 'B' for 'Beverly'.

Beverly sighs in relief and asks where on earth they found it. Henry explains that he found it among the coins in his guitar case - but he didn't know it was Beverly's.

JIM: *We're* just glad you've *got* it.
HENRY (sheepishly): Well I *don't* have it, exactly...
JIM (blankly): I don't understand.
HENRY: I pawned it to cover my car rego. Well, it was an emergency. Look, I'll get it back for you first thing Monday morning, as soon as the pawn shop's open.
JIM (warns): You'd better.

With that, Jim and Beverly head back out. Bronwyn closes the door and says to Henry coolly:

BRONWYN: I hope you can get that cash together: Mr. Robbo looked ready to *thump* you.
HENRY (muses): Oh thanks, Bronwyn, you're most comforting...

No. 26
The next morning, Jim is commenting to Beverly, Helen and Nick that at least they know where the bracelet *is*. There's a knock on the back door suddenly and Sharon comes in dressed in a very drab cardigan and long skirt! As a grin crosses Nick's face, Sharon warns him that if he says one word, he'll never hold a paintbrush again! Helen asks if the sudden display of conservatism has something to do with Hilary coming back. Sharon sighs:

SHARON: Is it that obvious?

She then asks if anyone knows anything about this guy she's bringing back with her. She adds that he's going to be King Creep of the Universe. Jim, however, insists that he'll probably turn out to be a perfectly decent bloke - and he might take the abrasive edge off her personality.

NICK: I'd like to meet the guy who could do *that*.
JIM: Yeah, so would I! In fact, I'm going to be there when they arrive this afternoon...!

Office of the Robinson Corporation
Gail hands Kevin a file and tells him what she needs done with it. Paul comes into the office and tells Kevin gratefully that he's been able to find a file he was looking for for the first time in weeks! With that, he heads back out, saying he'll be at the hotel. When he's gone, Kevin asks Gail if he can apologise again for last night. Gail just mutters that it's forgotten. Kevin goes on:

KEVIN: I don't want there to be any tension in our working relationship - and one of the staff told me that you and Paul are trying to start a family in the IVF programme and so on.
GAIL (looking annoyed): That is nobody's business but *ours*.
KEVIN: I know, but I can imagine the sort of pressure that goes with making that kind of decision and I regret contributing to it - truly.

Gail accepts the apology. Kevin then peers over Gail's shoulder at some graphs she's working on and remarks that they look fascinating. Gail sighs that Paul hasn't seen them yet: the hotel can't afford an off-season, so she's trying to identify theirs and find out why, to counter it with special rates and target guests. Kevin tells Gail that he really admires her and Paul for working back late and coming in at weekends to achieve their goal. Gail sighs that her *doctor* strongly objects: she wishes she wasn't so tired. Kevin suggests that *he* could finish-up for her and Gail could go home and get some rest. Gail insists that it's all right. Kevin, however, tells her to get some rest and he'll explain to Paul. Gail accepts the offer gratefully and heads off. Kevin stands there, a sly expression on his face...

Shopping Centre
Henry is busking in the middle of the shopping centre - but his song is drowned out by a passing jazz band! Henry tries to sing more loudly, but it's no good and he has to give up.

No. 30
There's a knock on the front door and Nick opens it to find Jim and Beverly on the step. They head inside and Beverly remarks that the house looks nice. She hands Sharon a bunch of flowers and Sharon says:

SHARON: I'll put these in Hilary's room. I made up the spare room for Matthew, like she said, but who does she think she's kidding, huh?!

Beverly's pager goes off suddenly and she heads out, saying she'd better 'phone from the house. Sharon comes back and Jim remarks with a smile:

JIM: So... the countdown begins!

Sharon just sighs heavily.

Coffee Shop
Madge and Helen are sitting at a table and Madge is saying that Charlene was ecstatic. Helen nods that being together again was just what they need. Harold walks over and remarks that he just hopes Scott doesn't miss out on any work at the Erinsborough News. Helen asks him for one of his chocolate cakes. Madge remarks:

MADGE: Not doing your own baking?
HELEN: No... Surprise visitors. Hilary's coming back with a guest: a *man*.
MADGE (looking astonished): Will wonders never cease?!
HELEN: Don't *you* start. Jim's already organised a reception committee to check him out!

Harold returns with the cake and Helen says she'd better get going: she doesn't want to miss out on the visitor!

Reception area at the Robinson Corporation
Paul walks in from outside and asks Kevin - who's sitting at the reception desk - if he can put aside what he's doing for the moment. Kevin nods:

KEVIN: Sure - it's just a couple of suggestions I thought I'd pass on.
PAUL: Yeah? Like what?

Kevin stands up and hands Paul some sheets of paper as he says:

KEVIN: Forward-planning to eliminate the off-season...; targeting new guests... ; and working out when special rates would apply.

Paul looks at the papers and remarks that that's very impressive. He goes on:

PAUL: I *sensed* this kind of contribution from you, Kevin. How do you feel about saying on with us permanently?
KEVIN: As your secretary?
PAUL: Until Jane returns, yeah. After that, I think this type of creative thinking would be wasted on typing and filing. How does Corporate Planning sound to you?
KEVIN: Very tempting.
PAUL: You think about it. If you're interested, we'll talk salary later.

Kevin stands there looking pleased with himself.

Outside the Coffee Shop
Henry and Bronwyn are sitting at a table outside the Coffee Shop, asking how they're going to make up the money. Harold walks over to them and asks how the busking went. Bronwyn sighs that it wasn't wonderful. Harold tells Henry that there's a notice on the board in the Coffee Shop: Mr. Walker wants a sprinkler system installed in a hurry. Henry, looking delighted, exclaims that Harold's a life-saver!

No. 30
Sharon, Nick and Jim are waiting for Hilary's return when there's a knock on the front door. He opens it to find Helen standing on the step with the chocolate cake, and he grins:

JIM: I believe we were *discussing* stickybeaks!

Nick, who's looking out through the window, tells everyone suddenly that there's a taxi pulling up. Jim suggests to him that he go and help with the luggage. Helen warns Sharon that she's not to start sniggering: this is Hilary's friend and he's to be treated with respect. At that moment, Hilary comes in. Looking surprised to find everyone there, she remarks that she wasn't expecting a welcoming committee. Jim tells her;

JIM: We were looking forward to seeing you, Hilary - *and* your guest.

Nick comes in with some suitcases and Sharon asks him where the guest *is*. At that moment, a dark-haired teenage boy steps into view. Sharon has trouble stopping herself bursting into laughter as Hilary announces:

HILARY: Everyone, this is Matthew.