No. 26
Madge is sitting at the kitchen table when Helen and Beth arrive home, chatting happily. She stands up and walks over to them, slowly. Helen remarks in surprise that she thought Madge and Lou would be away on their weekend. Madge explains that they gave it to Gaby and Simon. Beth smiles that they must be stoked! Madge just stands there. Helen, sensing that something's wrong, says nervously:

HELEN: Jim... What's happened?
MADGE: No, no, it's not Jim. Sit down. [Pauses.] Todd: he was hit by a car. He's had an operation and he seems to be doing fine.
HELEN (looking shocked): I can't quite take this in.

Beth goes to the kitchen get her a drink. Helen says she should go straight to the hospital. Madge, however, tells her that Dorothy and Jim and Phoebe are there - and Todd is probably still unconscious after the operation.

HELEN: How serious is it?
MADGE: Fairly, I think - but the main thing is that he's come through.

Beth rejoins them with a glass of water for Helen. She asks Madge if *Phoebe* is all right. Madge nods that Dorothy's there with her.

HELEN (sighs): Thank God Todd's all right. How exactly did it happen?
MADGE: I'm afraid I don't have the details.

At that moment, the front door opens and Jim walks in, looking upset. He tries not to look at anyone, and instead heads straight for his bedroom. Helen, however, says:

HELEN: Jim... Jim? How is he?

Jim starts sobbing. With tears in his eyes he turns and cries:

JIM: Something went wrong. We left him so that he and Phoebe could have a moment alone, and then suddenly...
MADGE: My God...

She puts her arms around a distraught-looking Helen.

No. 30
Toby is watching television when he hears the front door bang. He yells out that there was no one at the train station to meet him; he had to catch the bus. Dorothy and Phoebe walk into the room slowly, and Dorothy apologises to Toby for forgetting he was arriving home today. Toby looks at Phoebe, who's staring down at the ground sadly, and asks what's wrong.

DOROTHY (gently): It's Todd. He was struck by a car. He died a little while ago.
TOBY (gasps): Todd? Dead?

Dorothy tells him that she wants him to be as strong as he can be about it. Phoebe says she wants to be alone for a while, and she heads off to her room. Dorothy tells Toby that they need to be there for Phoebe and give her all the love and support they can.

Hotel in the country
Simon comes downstairs and comments to Gaby in surprise that the place seems deserted. Gaby suggests that maybe they're the only guests booked in there at the moment. Simon asks if they should go someplace else. Gaby, however, smiles that they should give it a bit longer, but check everywhere to make sure there are no dead bodies! The 'phone suddenly starts ringing. Gaby and Simon look at it in surprise. Gaby picks up and answers. She listens and then laughs:

GABY: Oh, I see - we were *wondering* what had happened! ... Yeah, the booking's under the name of Bishop - er, Carpenter - but they couldn't make it so we're here instead. And we'll need two rooms. Is that OK?

She listens and assures the caller that she and Simon can look after themselves. She hangs up and tells Simon that that was the owner: his car's broken down and he's been waiting for a tow truck, and now he has to wait until morning 'til it's repaired. She adds that Atkins asked if the two of them can look after themselves until then. Simon remarks that he's a trusting type!

SIMON (muses): At least now we can choose a room.
GABY (quickly): *Two* rooms!

Gaby then adds that Atkins said that, if the other guests arrive before he gets there, can they help out?

No. 26
Standing in the middle of the lounge room, Jim is saying slowly:

JIM: There must have been some damage to the main artery of the heart that went undetected. Anyway, it was ruptured and he had a massive heart attack.

Helen says through her tears that they must ring Annette.

JIM (sobs): How do I tell her?
HELEN (cries): I didn't even get a chance to talk to him...
JIM: If only I'd driven him it would never have happened.
MADGE (quietly): Jim, you can't blame yourself.
HELEN (angrily): How can you make any sense of it all... a lovely young man like Todd...? Oh Jim...

Helen breaks down.

Hotel in the country
It's night-time. There's a knock on the door of Gaby's room. She quickly runs and puts on a dressing gown and calls to Simon to come in. She asks him how his room is.

SIMON: Fine, fine - but lonely...
GABY (pointedly): Right from the start, I told you: separate rooms.
SIMON (sighs): I know, I know - but I've got to keep trying!
GABY: It's not that I'm a prude or anything; it's just I like to take things slowly, and we haven't known each other very long.
SIMON (smiles): I'm just happy to be here with you.

Simon then suggests that they go downstairs to where he's lit the fire and make some hot chocolate.

No. 30
Phoebe is sitting in the lounge room, stroking Bouncer. Dorothy comes in and asks her if she's all right. Phoebe murmurs that she can't sleep.

PHOEBE: I feel so empty...
DOROTHY: You're carrying Todd's child, don't forget. Part of Todd is still with you.
PHOEBE: I wish I'd known how he felt - that he really wanted to *keep* the baby.
DOROTHY: How *could* you know when he didn't tell you? You were doing what you thought was best for both of you.
PHOEBE (declares): I'm going to keep the baby. It's what Todd wanted.

Toby walks in, saying he saw the light on. Phoebe apologises to him for wanting to be alone earlier.

PHOEBE: I'm sorry about before: I felt if anyone was too sympathetic, I might break down.
DOROTHY (gently): Don't try to bottle it up, Phoebe. Let it go. You shouldn't hold onto grief the way you do.
PHOEBE: If I start crying, I'll never stop...

Hotel in the country
The next morning, Gaby and Simon are sitting having breakfast and Gaby is commenting that she slept like a log last night. Simon remarks that the beds are comfortable - and plenty big enough for two...! Gaby reminds him that she told him the ground rules!

SIMON (teases): I might just have to go sleepwalking tonight...!
GABY: You just might get a jug of cold water over your head if you do! I have ways of making men behave themselves!
SIMON: Oh, so you've done this before?! And I thought this was something out of the ordinary!
GABY (sincerely): It *is*.
SIMON: And what about me?
GABY: You are too.
SIMON: I hope you mean that - because you're becoming very important to me.
GABY: The feeling's mutual.

The two of them then kiss passionately. When they pull apart, Simon asks what Mr. Atkins had to say when he rang this morning. Gaby replies that he has to wait for some spare parts to come in - but he said they can have one of their rooms free. There's suddenly a ring on the doorbell and Gaby and Simon go to answer it. There's a woman in her forties standing there, and she says curtly:

WOMAN: I have been driving since 6am - and I tell you frankly: I expect to be waited on hand-and-foot, and nothing but the best. The bags are in the car.

With that, the woman heads inside, leaving Gaby to gape at Simon!

No. 26
Helen and Jim are having breakfast. Helen murmurs that she should have gone to church with Madge this morning, but she couldn't: she's just so angry with God. There's suddenly a knock on the back door and Dorothy, Phoebe and Bouncer come in. Helen puts her arms around Phoebe and tells her gently that she's so sorry. Phoebe says to her and Jim that there was a particular jumper of Todd's that was his favourite; she was wondering if she could have it. Jim assures her that she can have anything of Todd's she likes. Helen then says:

HELEN: I'm glad about the baby.
JIM (to Phoebe): You're not sorry?
PHOEBE: No. No, I want it more than anything, now. I just wish I'd known how he felt.

Looking upset, she turns and walks out. Dorothy sighs and tells Jim and Helen that Phoebe is trying hard not to break down - but it would be best if she let it out.

Hotel in the country
Simon is sitting on the veranda. Gaby joins him and he asks her who was on the 'phone. She explains that it was Mr. Atkins again: he's upset that the car is taking so long, but she told him everything was fine at the hotel.

SIMON (snaps half-jokingly): Did you tell him I nearly broke my back carrying that woman's cases upstairs? I reckon she's got a husband in there - in several pieces!

He then smiles that at least now they can get down to some serious relaxing! The two of them start kissing. At that moment, though, the female guest emerges from the hotel and says curtly:

WOMAN: Excuse *me*.
GABY (sighs): Can we help you, Mrs. Downey?
MRS. DOWNEY: Yes. When's lunch? I'm told the meals are excellent - it's one of the main reasons I chose this place.
GABY: Well, there's a little problem...
SIMON: I'm afraid it's everyone for themselves.
MRS. DOWNEY (indignantly): I beg your pardon?
GABY: We're not staff, we're guests.
MRS. DOWNEY: Well if you're not providing meals, I'll go somewhere else.
SIMON: Seems like a pretty good idea—
GABY (nudging Simon in the ribs!): We can arrange something; don't worry.
SIMON: Gaby...
MRS. DOWNEY: What time will it be?
GABY: Lunch will be on the table at 12:30 - sharp.
MRS. DOWNEY: I hope the food lives up to its reputation.

Mrs. Downey heads back inside, leaving Simon to ask Gaby what she had to do that for. Gaby reminds him that they *are* getting a room for free - and they'll be cooking lunch for themselves, so it can't hurt. Simon sighs that at least they'll have the whole afternoon to themselves. They start kissing again - but are interrupted by a man in his sixties who coughs loudly. Gaby looks at him and realises he must be Mr. Harris, the other expected guest. She explains about how she and Simon are helping out.

MR. HARRIS: I'm glad there are other guests - I thought I might be here by myself. What do you feel like doing this afternoon?
SIMON: *We're* going for a long walk in the mountains.
MR. HARRIS: Sounds good. I'll be in that! Let me know when it's time for us to go!

Simon and Gaby look at each other, wearily!

No. 24
Toby is making tea and Madge is folding washing. She suggests to Toby that he come and stay with her for a couple of weeks. Toby, however, tells her that he wants to be there for Phoebe - he's had experience of this stuff. He goes on that he'll tell Phoebe to remember all the happy times and be glad about them.

MADGE: I really am very proud of you for being so mature about all of this.
TOBY: I have to be - for Phoebe's sake.

No. 30
Dorothy sits down with Phoebe on the couch.

DOROTHY: Phoebe, remember when your father died and you were distressed because you couldn't cry for him...
PHOEBE: This is different. *Then* I couldn't cry - but now I know I can. What will happen to me if I give way?
DOROTHY: You might fall apart for a little while, but then you'll slowly pick up the pieces. I don't think that there's any other way to work through grief.
PHOEBE: I'm trying to deal with it *my* way.

Dorothy sighs and heads out to the hallway. Toby is just coming in with Rick. They walk into the lounge room, where Rick says hesitantly to Phoebe:

RICK: Look, I'm really sorry. I never knew anyone who... died... before.
PHOEBE: It's OK. It's difficult to know what to say.

Rick then tells Phoebe that he's brought her something. He hands her a photo of her and Todd in fancy dress. He adds that he can have it enlarged if she likes. Phoebe just stares at it. The tears then start to flow and she cries angrily:

PHOEBE: I want him *back*...

Phoebe's bedroom at No. 30
A while later, Phoebe is lying on her bed. Dorothy pulls some blankets over her, saying as she does so that she knows it's hard to believe now, but the grief will lessen in time.

PHOEBE (sobs): How am I going to bring up a child on my own? I need Todd with me.
DOROTHY: Just remember you're *not* alone. You're surrounded by people who care for you.

Veranda of the hotel in the country
Gaby, Simon, Mrs. Downey and Mr. Harris are sitting eating. Mrs. Downey is muttering that it's ridiculous that Mr. Atkins doesn't have other people working there. She adds that she doesn't think the meal is up to much. Mr. Harris says he thinks it's fine. Mrs. Downey asks what's for dessert. Gaby replies that they've made a rice pudding.

MRS. DOWNEY (derisively): A rice pudding?! That sort of food may be all very well for invalids, but it's hardly what one has been led to expect from a place like *this*.
GABY (angrily): Look, we may not be as good as Mr. Atkins, but we have done our best—
SIMON (interrupting): Mrs. Downey, you are the rudest woman I have ever met.
MRS. DOWNEY (aghast): I beg your pardon?
GABY (warns): Simon...
SIMON: We have gone out of our way to help you - and I happen to be a pretty good cook - but you have been totally unappreciative. I suggest from now on you look after yourself.
MRS. DOWNEY (standing up, snaps): I didn't come here to be spoken to like that. I'm checking out immediately.
SIMON: Fine. Just don't expect me to carry your bags for you!

With that, Mrs. Downey storms off. When she's gone, Gaby gasps at Simon:

GABY: What will Mr. Atkins say?

Simon retorts that putting up with her was beyond the call of duty. Mr. Harris smiles that he thought Simon and Gaby handled it very well. Simon thanks him, but adds that he's afraid he and Gaby won't be able to invite him to join them this afternoon: he and Gaby came there to get to know each other a little better and they'd like to have their walk alone. Mr. Harris suggests they can have a drink together later. Simon smiles that they'd like that.

Phoebe's bedroom at No. 30
Phoebe is still lying on her bed, staring into space. She eventually stands up and walks slowly over to the floor-length mirror. Bouncer, who's lying on the floor, suddenly lets out a whine. As Phoebe stares into the mirror, she sees Todd reflected in it faintly. She looks round behind her, but there's no one there. Looking back at the mirror, she stares as Todd says:

TODD: Don't worry, Phoebe - I'll always be here for you and our daughter.
PHOEBE (mouths): Our *daughter*?

There's suddenly a knock on the door and Dorothy calls out to ask Phoebe if she thinks she could eat something now. Phoebe doesn't respond. In the mirror, Todd lifts up his hand and holds it out to Phoebe. Phoebe holds out her own hand to his, so that they appear to be touching - only the image of Todd then fades, leaving Phoebe all alone. Dorothy knocks again. Phoebe looks round the room, but it's empty. The door opens and Dorothy steps inside.

DOROTHY (gently): Phoebe?
PHOEBE (sobs): Todd was here.

Phoebe looks around again, but Todd's gone...

[The closing credits run over the piano version of the theme tune, accompanied by a photo montage of Todd's years on Ramsay Street.]