Grounds of the Lassiter's complex
The truck driver hesitates and puts the dumpster back down.

Across the grounds, Melissa is walking with Brett, complaining that Billy has disappeared off the face of the earth. Brett shrugs that he's around there somewhere; he even *spoke* to him. They suddenly hear yelling - someone calling for help and banging. The refuse truck driver is lifting the dumpster up again - just as Mel and Brett realise that that's where the banging's coming from. They run over to the dumpster and manage to get the driver to lower the bin to the ground again. Billy lifts up the lid, rubbing his head as he does so and looking slightly dazed.

Youth centre
Marlene is telling Colin and Helen that she doesn't think they've forgotten anything. Helen comments that she hopes they get a good crowd. Marlene smiles that they must come with their chequebooks at the ready. Colin says he's 'phoned and faxed every gallery of note in the country; there can't be many art lovers unaware that tomorrow the Triple Mayor goes under the hammer. Helen says she just hopes the auction raises a tidy sum for the youth centre, then she'll feel that all is not lost. Marlene comments that she doesn't know too many people who'd be prepared to give something away that they've worked so hard on. Helen, however, shrugs that it's purely pragmatism. She gets up and heads off, leaving Marlene to sigh to Colin that she does hope the auction is a success. Colin smiles that she can celebrate afterwards at their special dinner - he has something to ask her...

Grounds of the Lassiter's complex
Karl is checking Billy's head and he tells him that he has a nasty lump, but he thinks he'll live. Billy thanks Brett and Mel for what they did. Sam strides over and asks what happened. Mel tells him that Billy could have been *killed*. Karl takes Sam to one side and tells him angrily that he should have been giving Billy proper supervision. Sam, however, retorts that Billy was forced on him as a punishment - by *Karl*; but he's a one- man disaster zone, and there's no way *he* can accept responsibility.

Holy Roll
Annalise walks into the coffee shop and Angie comments that she's dressed up smartly and looks good. Annalise explains that she's just been looking at some offices down the arcade. She orders a flat white and Angie goes to get it. As she does so, she comments to Annalise that a PR person is probably what she needs to sort through her suggestion box: the kids want everything from dope cookies to a health food bar! She goes on that the trouble with the coffee shop is that half of Erinsborough has owned it at one stage or another, so she wants to put her stamp on it. Annalise smiles that she'll give it some thought. Stonie comes in suddenly and Angie tells Annalise eagerly that he's got himself a new girlfriend! She adds that she wants to know when they're going to meet her. She suggests inviting her over to dinner, but Stonie says she's shy. Angie presses him to ask her. Stonie tells her not to hold her breath.

Chez Chez
It's evening- time, and from behind the bar, Cheryl is musing to Patrick and Lou that they'll be lucky to get $100 for the painting. Patrick, however, says he thinks it'll get at least $2,000. Cheryl bursts out laughing! Patrick offers her a $50 bet that it will get at least $1,500. Cheryl accepts! She walks away. Patrick then asks Lou if he fancies a walk to the TAB. The two of them head out.

Over at a table, Sam is sitting with Annalise, who comments that his father is a great guy but she can't help but think that he's not quite as innocent as he makes out. Sam, however, insists that his father wouldn't cheat on his mum; he *knows* he wouldn't.

No. 26
Marlene has turned up at No. 26, where Helen sighs glumly that she's tempted to stay in bed all day tomorrow: there probably won't be a single bid. Marlene, however, insists that of course there will be. Changing the subject, she tells Helen that she's in a quandary: Colin has arranged a big night out for them tomorrow night and he keeps hinting that he has a very special question to ask. Helen asks if the quandary concerns her answer. Marlene replies that she keeps changing her mind.

No. 24
Patrick and Sam are sitting together on the couch, empty bottles of beer in hand, Patrick commenting:

PATRICK: It's not easy, is it, after so many years?
SAM (quietly): No.
PATRICK: We should be making the most of it - deep and meaningfuls. It's hard to know where to start.
SAM: Well, you could start by telling me exactly what it is you're doing here.
PATRICK: I think I should really start with the mea culpas, Sam - get it all off my chest.
SAM (murmurs): Yeah. Guilt trip, eh?
PATRICK: Hmm... calling it 'guilt' might be a tad hypocritical - but I do have regrets.
SAM: About what?
PATRICK: Well, they all concern you. About spending so little time with you. About not being there when you needed me. About allowing the two of us to become strangers.
SAM: So what you're saying is you're sorry you've been such a lousy father.
PATRICK (shrugs): You think you could ever forgive me?
SAM (murmurs): Don't expect miracles.
PATRICK: I guess it *is* asking a lot.
SAM: *Quite* a lot, yeah.
PATRICK: You sound bitter.
SAM: Not anymore. But I do think that we should be honest with each other.
PATRICK: Yeah, you're right. Of course, you're right. I'll keep it in mind.

With that, Patrick stands up and heads to the kitchen. Sam follows him and says:

SAM: Good. So maybe you could tell me what's going on between you and mum.
PATRICK: What have you heard?
SAM: Well, nothing. It all just sounds a bit odd, that's all.
PATRICK: Basically, it was a misunderstanding.
SAM: What was?
PATRICK: She saw me with a mutual friend, and she got it - now she couldn't have been more wrong, Sam - but she got it into her head that this woman and I were having an affair.
SAM: So she's kicked you out?
PATRICK: Well, more or less. But I swear to you, Sam, nothing happened. I *adore* your mother. And we'll work things out - eventually. But we said a lot of very hurtful things to each other, so we just need a bit of space, you know? As for you and me, I can't change the past, but I *can* try to make up for it. I've got a feeling that we could be good mates, if we gave each other the chance. How about it?

He holds out his hand. Sam shakes it and murmurs:

SAM: I guess I'll just have to take the risk, eh?

Youth centre
The next day, a crowd is gathered in the youth centre - including Helen. Lou stands at the front of the room and addresses everyone, thanking them for their attendance this morning. He tells them that he'd prefer to see the portrait hanging in the council chambers, but it has caused so much controversy that this is not an option. He goes on that he hopes the sale will put an end to any discord that is threatening to tear the community apart. He then hands over the sale to the auctioneer, Jeremy Wentworth. Wentworth tells the crowd that the work before them represents a new direction for the artist, Helen Daniels, and will rapidly appreciate in value, making it a very worthwhile investment. Patrick and Cheryl look at each other. Wentworth asks for $500. No one raises their hand. Wentworth drops to $250. He gets a bid. Helen sits there nervously.

Holy Roll
Libby, Melissa and Billy are sitting at a table when Stonie brings over a toasted focaccia. He tells them that it's on the house as he stuffed up an order. Angie grins that he's hopeless - it's because he's in love! She tells Libby, Mel and Billy happily that that she's coming to dinner soon; she can't wait to meet her!

Youth centre
The bidding has gone to $7,500. Jeremy Wentworth sells it at that price. Patrick tells a grim- looking Cheryl that she can keep the $50 to put towards an Art Appreciation course!

No. 28
The 'phone rings and Libby gets it. The caller is Sonny and she takes the 'phone to her room. Billy and Mel are sitting at the table and Billy tells Mel that he wants to know about the caravan park. Mel shrugs that she told him: she had an all right time. Billy comments that there was a guy there. Mel insists that nothing happened. Billy asks what his name was. Mel replies that he was called Duncan. Billy asks if he tried anything. Mel admits that he tried to kiss her, but she told him to forget it. Billy murmurs that he wishes she'd told him earlier. Mel grins and asks if he's jealous! Billy insists quickly that of course he isn't. Mel says:

MELISSA: Just as well, because I trust you and I expect you to trust me, all right?
BILLY (unconvincingly): Right.

Outside Chez Chez
Helen, Marlene, Brett, Lou and Annalise are sitting at a table and Helen comments that the day's turned out better than expected. Marlene smiles that it'll be even be better before the day's over. Annalise asks if she means her dinner with Colin. Marlene grins that she thinks she's going to receive a proposal! Brett smiles that that's great! Marlene, however, tells them all to keep quiet, as she's not supposed to know.

Chez Chez
Colin sits down at a table with Karl and comments to him that Brett has been telling him about his visit to the Cous Cous caravan. He starts going on about the Masai diet, saying it's a fascinating culture and an intriguing country. Karl tries to get away from him, saying he had a bit of a medical emergency last night and had better get home and have a kip. He dashes off!

At the bar, Patrick is saying to Cheryl that if she doesn't mind, he thought he and Lou might have a boys' night out at the new casino in Wattle Bend. Cheryl mutters that Lou will lose a packet. Patrick insists that he'll keep an eye on things.

Sam sits down with Colin and, looking at a number of pamphlets in Colin's hand, comments that he's going on another trip, he sees. Colin asks him which destination he thinks will most appeal to Marlene. He starts reading out a list of exotic places. Sam, however, says he reckons his nan will settle for a week in Tassie. Colin smiles that that's a very good choice!

No. 24
Sometime later, Annalise and Sam are making some popcorn, Sam smiling that they've got the whole house to themselves at last! He muses on Colin having told his nan that she looked like a Botticelli painting...! Annalise smiles that she did look lovely! Sam admits that she *has* had that kind of glow about her lately. Annalise points out that Colin's all over her and she's got her little Patrick home. Sam comments that that reminds him: he and his dad had a really good time last night and got a lot of stuff off their chest. He goes on that his father isn't a womaniser; he's going to fix things up with his mum, no worries. Annalise remarks that it'll be good if they could both be there for Marlene and Colin's wedding. Sam smiles that he doesn't think they'll be getting *married*! Annalise insists that they *are*: apparently Colin has been hinting madly that he's going to propose tonight. Sam tells her that he isn't; he's got a question to ask her, but not *that* one. The two of them look at each other in sudden horror and Sam says:

SAM: Come on, 'Lise, let's get down there before Nan makes a fool of herself.

They dash out.