Recap
Lou and Cheryl are suspicious of Linda's motives.
Marlene tells Jo that she should mind her own business.
Kate kisses Karl and he reciprocates.
Sonny tells Libby that all she needs to do is say no. She kisses him, but looks troubled when he gets a bit heavier.
Number 28
Billy is unimpressed that Karl is late to pick Susan up from the airport and failed to meet him at Chez Chez earlier to set the surprise party up. Billy doesn't want to meet Susan at the airport anymore - he wants to be waiting at the party. Karl thinks that'll be impossible to explain, but Billy points out that Mal's not going to the airport either.
Libby comes in, looking quite upset, and interrupts their bickering. She asks Karl to pay for a taxi that's outside, and Karl's annoyed that Sonny didn't give her a lift back. As Karl rants on about not knowing where his wallet is, Billy comes up with the cash. Karl rushes off to meet Susan at the airport, and tells Billy and Libby to pull themselves together - Susan doesn't need to come home to this!
Libby is visibly upset. Billy asks if she's ok, but she tells him to leave her alone and walks off.
Number 24
Sam is sitting down when Annalise walks in.
SAM: Hi.
ANNALISE: Oh, hi. I thought you'd be at work.
SAM: Thought or hoped?
Sam quizzes Annalise over Suzie's illness - is it her ankle that's got better, or the flu?!
Annalise says she needed some time to think about them as a couple, and that things are changing between them. Sam tells her not to hug him if she's going to break up with him. Annalise insists that she isn't going to break it off but she says that they don't have fun together anymore.
Sam blames the fact that Jo has moved into Number 24 - but Annalise tells him not to blame Jo. She says that it's probably got more to do with the fact that they live with his grandmother! Sam says he feels like she doesn't want to spend time with him anymore. Annalise tells him to forget it and walks off to the bedroom to unpack!
The Coffee Shop
Mal, Danni and Stonie are sitting together and Mal orders some food. Angie tells Mal that he can have his on the house because of his good exam marks. Danni insists that she'll pay - she's just as proud of him. Angie realises her faux pas, given Danni's poor exam results, and says that everyone's food is on the house. She makes a quick exit!
Stonie apologises but Danni tells him to forget it. She soon perks up though, because Michael Martin walks into the Coffee Shop! She pushes Mal away and rushes over to him. They greet each other cheerfully, whilst Stonie and a perturbed Mal watch on.
STONIE: Woah! And they say history never repeats itself. You know who that is? It's Michael Martin. Him and Danni were a pretty big item.
Mal says he knows, as he watches Danni and Michael make a huge fuss of each other.
Airport
Karl and Cheryl watch as a plane lands.
Airport Terminal
Karl, Susan, Cheryl and Brett walk to their cars. Cheryl is pleased to see Brett, but he seems a tad more reserved. Karl and Susan seem a little strained. Brett and Susan smile at each other as they get into their respective cars.
The Coffee Shop
Michael is sitting with Danni, Stonie and Mal. Danni thinks it's really exciting that Michael owns his own house.
MAL: It's out in Marree, isn't it? That's right, they sent you to school there. For ex-offenders or something, wasn't it?
DANNI: Malcolm!
Michael doesn't seem bothered at all! He tells Mal it's the best thing he ever did and asks them how they've all done at their exams.
STONIE: Maaaaaaaate!
MICHAEL: Get out of here! You passed?!
Danni admits that she didn't do well, and Mal turns protective, telling Michael to change the subject. Michael softly tells Danni that it doesn't matter that much.
STONIE: Yeah, look at me - I failed twice!
Michael tells her that he's got heaps of mates in Marree who dropped out of school, and they've got the career thing happening for them instead - you don't have to pass Year 12 in order to be successful.
MAL: So what, you're saying your advice is for everyone to drop out of school?! Makes sense, doesn't it?(!)
Michael looks at Mal levelly. Stonie warns Mal to chill, but Michael remains calm.
MICHAEL: Look, I don't know, I could've stayed at school and done some degree if I'd wanted to but I got work with the Brosnan Centre. I got a house! Suits me!
DANNI: (adoringly) You have changed so much.
STONIE: Yeah, homeowner! Geek features!
They all laugh.
DANNI: No, no, I'm serious! You've...you've, I don't know, you've really settled down and you're not so rebellious and crazy.
Michael laughs.
MICHAEL: Boring, you mean?
DANNI: No way. I like it. You seem really happy. It's good.
Lou walks in and interrupts, telling Danni that she's wanted at Chez Chez. He's surprised to see Michael, and they greet each other warmly. Michael reveals he's just back for Christmas. Michael, Mal, Stonie and Danni all leave for Chez Chez as Linda walks in. She asks to speak to Lou in private, but he says that he's busy with the surprise party. She tells him that she's waited long enough.
Chez Chez
There's a sign on the doors saying that the pub is closed for a private function. Hannah pokes her head out to look for Brett and Susan. She thinks that Susan and Brett will be suss because they're coming straight to Chez Chez.
Angie offers Libby some food, but she's still upset from earlier and Angie takes her refusal of food to mean that she's worried about her weight! Libby gets up and leaves!
Stonie takes some handfuls of food and Sam joins him. Stonie asks where Annalise is as he hasn't had chance to tell her about his good exam mark. Angie says that Annalise has a big thank you coming her way. Sam thinks she'll still be at home trying to decide what to wear. Stonie says that he supposes the thank you can wait, but Angie tells him to go and get her camera from home. Stonie readily agrees.
ANGIE: Strewth! Such enthusiasm!
Hannah announces that Brett and Susan are here, and the surprise party kicks off.
SUSAN: (to Brett) So much for a quiet drink!
Number 24
Stonie tells Annalise that he did ok in the exams - in fact, it was one of his best subjects. Annalise is pleased that he passed and says she'd like to look at his results at some point. He tells her that he couldn't have done it without her and offers her a lift to Chez Chez.
STONIE: If you wanted, you could come over and see my results now?
He starts to nervously ramble but Annalise says it's ok.
ANNALISE: This just better not be a 'come over and see my etchings' line.
STONIE: Babe, the Stone has far more original lines than that!
Number 28
Karl tells Susan that the party was all Cheryl's idea. Susan says that they can carry on the party without them - if one more person asks her how Africa was, she thinks she'll scream! Karl says she's just tired.
KARL: I prescribe a long bath for two, followed by a massage a la Karl and an early night. How does that sound?
SUSAN: Nice.
He kisses her but the mood is clearly strained and Susan awkwardly sits on the sofa. He suggests that he put the kettle on and she tell him some travelling stories. She asks how everything has been in Erinsborough, but Karl is reluctant to talk - it's just been the same old people, same old places.
Karl tells her that he wants to hear all of her stories, but she just wants to go to sleep. They agree that they have a lot to catch up on. Susan leaves for the bedroom.
Number 22
Cheryl tells Brett that he looks scruffy - but after a bath and a sleep, he'll be back to his normal self! She hands him his exam results. She's ecstatic when he reveals that his results are fantastic.
CHERYL: Now we can both start planning your fabulous career!
Brett is very distressed by her reaction. He tells her that he's already decided what he's doing next year, and he doesn't think she's going to like it - but it's his life, so it's his decision.
BRETT: I'm going to defer next year and then take a year off. You know, just chill out and experience life. Different people in different places.
CHERYL: You've got a whole two months to do that! Oh, just you wait - you'll be itching to get back into it! You go, have a rest and we'll talk about it in the morning.
BRETT: No, Mum, I'll talk about it now, thanks very much! This has absolutely nothing to do with you, ok?!
Brett tells her that whilst he was in Africa, he did some thinking - and things are going to change around here.
CHERYL: Don't you take that tone with me! If you've picked up that rude and selfish attitude in Kenya, well that, my boy, is what's going to change!
Brett tells her that he knows what the talisman was all about - and that she doesn't own him, and she can't control him. He insists he's deferring university. Cheryl is upset and insists that she wasn't trying to control him - it's because he's her youngest boy, and she has big plans for him.
This clearly touches Brett, but he tells her that if she really cares about him, she'll let go - otherwise he'll have to move out. Cheryl is aghast.
Chez Chez
Danni is dancing with Michael and is clearly having a great time. Mal is slumped by the bar, looking bored and annoyed. Angie wonders where Stonie is and Sam decides to go and see if Annalise is ok. Angie's worried that Stonie might have crashed the car, so she goes with Sam on his motorbike! She gives Mal a platter of food and tells him to mingle!
Linda suggests to Lou that they make a move to go and see Cheryl. Lou asks Danni if she'll close Chez Chez for him. Michael thinks Lou should stay and dance, but funnily enough, he doesn't! Danni invites Hannah to dance with them, but Billy won't join her so Hannah turns to quizzing Libby about Sonny instead. Hannah says that all of the girls at school think he's hot, but Libby gets upset and leaves - Billy runs after her.
Mal puts the platter of food on the bar and forcibly grabs Danni away from Michael.
MAL: What do you think you're doing?
DANNI: Er, dancing!
MAL: You've done nothing, you've done nothing but flirt with him all night!
DANNI: And you've done nothing but be rude to him!
Mal admits that he has been rude to Michael and Danni explains that she and Michael used to be really serious. She says that she can't turn feelings on and off - and this upsets Mal.
DANNI: Oh grow up, Malcolm! I love YOU.
He doesn't buy this, and Danni asks him if he's trying to push her and Michael back together. Mal asks her if she needs a push(!) He storms off.
Number 22
Lou arrives home with Linda. Cheryl pointedly tells Lou that they have family issues to discuss but Lou says that Linda is here for something important. Linda says that it might change her life; Cheryl looks sceptical!
It transpires that Linda's Aunt Mavis has recently passed away, but she loved Lou. Mavis left Linda a large amount of money in her will, but only on the condition that she re-marry Lou. Cheryl laughs, and says that they must be kicking themselves that they divorced all those years ago.
Linda explains this is the reason why she's been hanging around - she suggests that she and Lou marry, they split the money, and then break up. Lou says they ought to think about it, as it involves a great deal of money.
Number 28
Karl is reading Jane Austen's 'Emma' when Billy and Libby come home. He tells them that Susan is in bed. Karl asks Libby about the fight she had with Sonny, but Billy tells him to leave it. Karl is grumpy about this, and when he hears Cassie making a racket, he tells them to go and check it out - he's going to bed! Billy stalls to find Cassie a treat and Libby goes outside alone.
Outside Number 28
Libby goes to investigate what's making Cassie anxious, but when Libby kneels down, she can see that Cassie is still tied up.
LIBBY: You're such a weird sheep. No wonder Billy likes you.
Sonny appears from the darkness.
SONNY: Hello, Libby. I think it's explanation time. Don't you?
He walks menancingly towards her - and Libby looks quite worried.
Number 32
Angie walks in, yelling hello - and then spies two glasses and an empty bottle in the living room. We hear Stonie laugh and tell someone he'll be right back - and then he appears in his boxer shorts. He's shocked to see Angie.
ANGIE: Well, you're a smooth one, aren't you?
STONIE: (loudly) MUM, what are you doing back?
ANGIE: A real Romeo!
STONIE: MUM! YOU'RE BACK. MUM! What are you doing back?
ANGIE: There's no need to shout, love!
She guesses that Stonie and Kerry have patched things up - and she's very pleased to hear it. Angie decides to pop into Stonie's bedroom to say hello to Kerry and then she'll be out of their way! Stonie protests, just as Annalise emerges from his bedroom, clad in only a sheet.
Oo. Er.
Annalise is stunned to see Angie - and then Sam rushes into 32, saying he can't find Annalise anywhere. He stops dead when he sees Annalise.
They all stand in silence.
ANGIE: I've seen her.
Stonie and Annalise look incredibly guilty.