No.32
Dorothy pops in with a birthday present for Sky and Joe is very touched. She observes Sky's outfit.

DOROTHY:(to Sky) The TV station could use you as a test pattern!
JOE: It's Mel's present, it's loud, eh?
MATT: She made it herself.
DOROTHY: I could tell it wasn't off the rack. More off the wall! Still, it's better to be individualistic rather than just one of the crowd.
JOE: I suppose!

Dorothy is off to the dentist for a filling and Joe starts telling her terrible stories about an impacted molar!

JOE: I remember poor Dr Edison. I can't forget him screaming when I bit him! He had to have a tetanus shot cos people's bite is worse than dog's bite.
DOROTHY: I think it depends on the person.
JOE: Couldn't chew. Mum had to mash up all me food, the pain was shocking!

Dorothy looks a bit worried(!) When she's gone, Joe says that Dorothy isn't a bad old stick. He asks Matt to help out this afternoon, but he has to work. Toby and Sky are excited about the clown - they don't know yet that he's ill.

No.26
Harold brings Jim his paper which has been mis-delivered to him. Jim is in a very black mood, sitting at the kitchen table, Dorothy's words clearly weighing very heavy on his mind.

JIM: Harold...do you think I'm a failure with my personal relationships?
HAROLD: No, of course not.
JIM: It's just that a lot of people seem to think that way...I wondered if everyone did.
HAROLD: Why should they?
JIM: Why shouldn't they? It's true, isn't it? I made a mess of things with Beverly. I obviously haven't got the relationship I thought I had with Todd, Glen doesn't want to have a bar of me and Dorothy...ah, she's right. I'm a failure.
HAROLD: Come on, Jim, I think you're being far too hard on yourself. No, no, no, I may not know all the circumstances surrounding these matters, but I do know that you shouldn't blame yourself like this.

Harold goes on to say that there were a whole range of factors that led to Todd running away, that Jim has no control over. Glen has had a difficult life, but it's difficult to build bridges overnight.

HAROLD: This isn't like you. What brought all of this on.
JIM: Oh, it's just silly. I'm silly. I let a few words here and there destroy my relationship with Dorothy.

Jim explains that Dorothy has given him an almighty "serve" but Harold suggests that he goes and apologises.

HAROLD: I'm sure if you dealt with your problems individually, they wouldn't seem half so daunting. I mean, Dorothy is a sensible, thinking woman, despite of what Madge may think! I'm sure if you were sincere in your apology, that she'd be more than willing to accept it. And that would go a long way towards making you feel better, wouldn't it?
JIM:(breaking into a smile) Yeah...yeah, you're right. But it takes a certain amount of courage, though, Harold, I mean, Dorothy's...(coughs)...formidable, when she wants to be!
HAROLD: Yes. Good luck!
JIM: Thanks. Thanks, Harold.

No.24
Gemma and Aidan are looking through the newspapers for jobs. Madge is fed up of being harrassed by journalists on the phone. Gemma is planning to do some more exercises in the pool today, and Aidan is going to help her. Joe rushes in and tells them Zig the clown has cancelled and all the agency has available is a stripper(!) What are they going to do - Sky already knows about the clown.

No.30
Jim comes over to see Dorothy.

JIM: Look, there's been a bit of a misunderstanding.
DOROTHY: I don't think so. As a matter of fact, you made yourself perfectly clear.
JIM: No, I didn't, but that's what I want to talk to you about.
DOROTHY: Well, I don't want to talk to you about it. I've just come from the dentist, I don't want to talk about anything for that matter. Now would you please excuse me, I have to get back to school.

Jim slopes off, dejectedly.

No.24
Madge is making some cakes for Sky's party while Joe is off decorating No.32. Matt has popped around to see Gemma and Madge rather tactlessly tells Matt how well Gemma and Aidan get on, and how it helps if you grow up together - you have a better understanding and are more comfortable with each other. Outside in the pool, Aidan is supporting Gemma's body while she exercises.

No.24 - outside
Matt comes out to say hello. Gemma invites him to join them in the pool, but he hasn't got his swimming costume. He makes a spontaneous decision to skive off work.

Coffee Shop
Harold tells Glen that he's heard he's thinking about leaving Erinsborough, and that it would really disappoint Jim.

HAROLD: Why are you thinking of leaving now when you're just getting to know each other?
GLEN: Maybe I've realised there's no point in getting to know each other. Maybe there's nothing in it for either of us.
HAROLD: Oh, come on, I can't belive that. Oh, I know Jim can appear to be a little tough at times, but underneath it all, I think he's a bit of a softie.

Glen laughs derisively.

HAROLD: Now, come on, I know him better than you do. And I think if you give him time, you'll find out that I'm right. But if you run away, you may never find out. Have you thought of that?
GLEN: Yeah, I have. The way I see it, it's not worth the hassle. Anyway, I've already had this lecture from Helen.
HAROLD: I am not lecturing, I am speaking from experience. I had a falling-out with my daughter, Kerry. Didn't have anything to do with each other for years. I mean, luckily, we did patch things up, but...when I look back on the time that we lost, I realise what empty years they must have been for both of us. And I wouldn't like to see that happen to you and Jim.

It looks like Harold's words are reaching Glen.

No.32
Sky's friends have arrived for the party and Joe asks him to hold the fort for a while. Toby panics at the prospect of entertaining six three-year-olds!

Joe answers the phone to someone calling for Matt. it seems to be his boss, wanting to know why Matt hasn't turned up for work.

No.24
Gemma is surprised that Matt is off work this afternoon, but Matt doesn't elaborate. Madge pops out on "an errand". Gemma says she's getting sunburnt, and Aidan offers to put cream on her, but Matt does it instead.

Outside No.30
Jim has brought Dorothy some flowers. He says he understands why she's angry and she finally accepts the flowers. Dorothy allows that she didn't give Jim a chance earlier, as she was in a bad mood after the dentist.

JIM: What you said last night made me take a good, long, hard look at myself. And you're right. My record with relationships leaves a lot to be desired.
DOROTHY: I'm sorry, I went too far. As usual.
JIM: No, you didn't. Anyway, it's too late for my other relationships, but I was hoping that we might be able to salvage our friendship.
DOROTHY: I don't see why not. Apology accepted.

They agree to start cycling in the mornings again.

No.32
Toby's card tricks are not going down too well with the toddlers. Toby drags Bouncer in.

TOBY: And now, before your very eyes, I will make this dog disppear! Bouncer - bath time!

Bouncer runs off(!)

Just then, Joe the clown runs out of the bedroom, Madge the clown runs in through the back door and Harold the clown runs in through the front door! They look at each other in surprise, and then start to entertain the kids.

Joe: We're the three clowns of Erinsborough!

(Later)

The party is going very well and the kids are giggling and generally having fun. Finally Toby takes the kids off for lollies and the clowns collapse on to the sofa.

JOE: I'd kill for a beer! I'd kill for a beer!
HAROLD: Now, now, you can't drink in front of the children!
JOE: Oh, give us a break, Haroldo!

Joe answers the door and it's a very formal-looking journalist looking for Madge.

JOE: Madge, it's some clown called Douglas here to see you!

Madge gets up and introduces herself to a stunned Mr Douglas.

MADGE: This is my husband, Harold, and my son-in-law, Joe Mangel.
MR DOUGLAS: Well...I can see the family resemblance!

Madge immediately starts giving a very serious interview about how she isn't in to perks in the council, but for fair deals for local people on a range of issues.

No.24
Gemma and Aidan head off back to the pool, at the last minute, stays behind to help Matt clean up. As soon as they start, he tells Matt there isn't enough mess for two people to clean, so heads off to the pool too. Madge and Harold come in, Madge is in a strop because Harold told her that she "looked ridiculous".

MATT: So this is what you've been up to?!
MADGE: Yes...I don't know why I bothered, the clowns almost outnumbered the kids(!)

The party went well overall though. Madge asks Matt if he's had a good day. He admits that he feels a bit threatened by Aidan, but Madge says she didn't mean anything in what she said earlier - she's sure that Aidan and Gemma are just friends.

No.24 - outside
In the pool, Gemma gets a cramp in her foot and Aidan rubs it. Even when it's better, she tells him to keep rubbing it - she'd forgotten how good her was at foot massages. He says he's available whenever she likes(!)

No.26
Glen has come to see Jim.

GLEN: Er...well, I don't know how to say this. You're my father, and we're practically strangers. The thing is...I've changed my mind. I think I might hang around for a while, I mean, I've still got the job and everything.
JIM: That's a smart move. Be silly to throw it away.
GLEN: Yeah...anyway, I've got to move out of the house in a few days...and I was thinking, well, if the offer still stands, I'd like to take you up on it. I mean, move in here.

Jim is stunned.

GLEN: Don't worry about it, silly idea.
JIM: No, of course the offer still stands, you just took me by surprise, that's all!
GLEN: Surprised me, too.
JIM: I'd love you to move in. I mean, that'd be great - it'd be great!
GLEN: If it doesn't work out, I'll just leave and we'll call it quits, OK?
JIM: Right, right. At least we'll have given it a try.
GLEN: Yeah. Hey, and if you get sick of me, just tell me, and I'm out of here!
JIM: Absolutely, right down the middle.
GLEN: Well, that's all I've got to say. That's it.
JIM: Well. (He shakes Glen's hand) Welcome home.

He gives Glen a hug and a slap on the back.