No. 28
It's evening- time. Toadie heads inside No. 28 and Karl muses that he managed to miss out on the washing- up *again*. Toadie explains that he had to attend to a call of nature. Karl comments that he's had ten calls of nature in the last hour! Toadie joins Billy on the couch and tells him quietly that he's been checking on the mother- to- be. He adds that he's been researching mice on the internet and the average litter is nine babies but some can be up to forty! Billy asks him if he shouldn't be revising for the exam tomorrow. Toadie insists that he knows all the useless facts he'll need. He then suggests that they go out and see if the mouse has given birth. As the two of them head to the door, Karl asks them where they're going. Billy hesitates and then says:

BILLY: Call of nature!

Karl shuts the door behind them and asks Libby if she has any idea what the boys are up to. Libby doesn't respond. Karl asks her if she's OK. Libby, however, tells him that it's just something she has to deal with - she's OK.

No. 26
Ruth and Philip are sitting in the kitchen at No. 26, sorting out the details for Ruth and Lance's move into No. 32. Ruth tells Philip that the shower screen needs fixing and Philip says he'll do it personally. With that, Ruth heads out. When she's gone, Hannah smiles at her father that it's going to be great to have new neighbours! She adds that maybe they should make a casserole to welcome them. Philip exclaims:

PHILIP: When am I going to find time to make a casserole on top of everything *else* I have to do?
HANNAH (putting her arm around Philip): Daddy, dearest, you won't *have* to make it. *I* will. I *can* cook, you know!
PHILIP (suspiciously): This wouldn't have less to do with welcoming and more to do with impressing, would it?!
HANNAH: Dad! As if I've got nothing better to do than think about *him*!

No. 28
The next morning, Toadie walks into No. 28 and says to Billy:

TOADIE: Shake hands with the proud father of ten tiny, hairless, bright pink bundles of mouse, just welcomed into your garage!

Libby, who's sitting at the table, overhears and raises her voice deliberately as she retorts:

LIBBY: You wait until our dad finds out!

The boys head out to look at the mice as Karl emerges from the bedroom area and asks Libby if that was her he heard pottering around in the kitchen around midnight. Libby apologises for waking him. Karl sighs that he wishes she could tell him what's wrong. Libby, however, points out that he thinks Darren's a bad influence, so she's not going to get a balanced argument. Karl tells her that it's not *just* Darren; fathers tend to think that *no one* is good enough for their little girls. Libby gets up to head to her room. Karl stops her and tells her that he *can* try to be objective. Libby replies that Darren's just got so many problems at the moment and he's still pretty cut- up about his mum dying; she doesn't know how many chances she should give him. Karl says:

KARL: You know, if this is the real thing, you don't need to rush it. It'll sort itself out. I'm not going to give the guy a glowing reference, but I just want you to be careful.

He gives Libby a hug as Billy comes back in and asks if anyone has made his lunch. Karl says if anyone wants him, he'll be in the garage, repairing some tools. Billy, however, dashes back to the front door and says quickly that *he'll* get them!

Driveway of No. 24/Ramsay Street
Darren and Brett are walking down the driveway of No. 24, towards Darren's ute, carrying some tools. Darren sighs that Libby's got an exam today and should be out by now. Brett looks over at No. 28 and says she's probably doing some last- minute cramming. He adds that she'll do all right: she's *good* at writing essays. The two of them climb into the ute, where Darren says:

DARREN: You're still keen on here, aren't you?
BRETT: We're just mates. Anyway, even if I was, it's obvious she's in love with *you*.
DARREN: You reckon? I tried to talk to her yesterday and she didn't seem too keen.

Darren starts the truck and drives off down the street. Meanwhile, Toadie is standing with Ruth as a number of deliverymen unpack furniture from a lorry outside No. 32. He's telling Ruth that she's lucky he's there, as he knows the place backwards and can supervise. Ruth, however, insists that it's all right.

No. 32
A few minutes later, inside the house, Toadie tell Lance which room to take. He then tries to tell the deliverymen where to put the furniture. Ruth, however, ushers him out as quickly as she can!

No. 28
Toadie walks into No. 28, exclaiming:

TOADIE: Some people... you offer them a helping hand...!

Karl comes in suddenly from outside and says sternly:

KARL: Jarrod Rebecchi! I want an explanation!

He goes on that he wants to know why it is that when he finally convinced his youngest son to grant him admission to his garage, he should find it infested with rodents. Toadie exclaims that that's a bit harsh. Karl tells him that they're going: some cotton wool and a dab of chloroform and it's painless. Toadie frowns in horror that that's murder. Karl retorts that it's pest control. He tells Toadie that either the mice are out of there by the end of the day or *he* is.

Erinsborough High
Billy is asking Libby how her exam went and she tells him that she thinks she did all right - after she got her mind on it. She adds that their dad blew her away this morning: he actually talked to her like a human being for once. Billy suggests that maybe now he's given up medicine he'll get a sense of humour back. Toadie, however, joins them and mutters that Karl has put his mice on death row; what's he going to do? - he can't *kill* them. Billy just tells him to face it: they've got to go.

No. 24
Brett opens the front door to find Libby standing on the step. She asks him if he's got a second. He lets her in and she tells him that she wants to talk to him about what they were talking about yesterday. She then says:

LIBBY: Do you think that I'd be crazy to want to get back with him?
BRETT (hesitates): That's not for me to say.
LIBBY: I'm sorry - I shouldn't be asking you.
BRETT: Of course, I'd prefer it if you wanted to get back with *me*.

Libby tells him that she doesn't want to hurt his feelings, but she's just so used to coming to him for advice. Brett assures her that it's OK. He goes on:

BRETT: All I can say is that deep down he's got a good heart, but he's pretty much an act- now- think- later kind of a person, if you know what I mean.
LIBBY: Yeah.
BRETT: It probably helps to understand *why* he does stuff, not just react to *what* he does.

Libby thanks him. Brett tells her to hang in there. She heads out as Brett looks after her longingly. Marlene comes in through the back door and Brett sighs at her:

BRETT: Nan, it's *so* hard playing Cupid to your older brother.

Marlene realises that Libby still has a place in his heart. Brett says he hoped he and Libby could pick up where they left off, but it's obvious she's in love with Darren, and it won't be long before they're back together.

Chez Chez
Darren is eating lunch at the pub when Karl comes in and asks if he can join him. Darren mutters that he wouldn't mind finishing his meal before Karl gives him a big lecture. Karl, however, says:

KARL: I'm here on a peace mission, actually.
DARREN (disbelieving): Yeah, right.
KARL: I thought it was time we buried the hatchet.
DARREN (sarcastically): On yeah? Where? In the back of my head?
KARL: I realise I've done my fair share of interfering in yours and Libby's relationship...
DARREN (mutters): Clever analysis.
KARL: ...but I wanted you to realise that it's out of parental concern.
DARREN (shrugs): Whatever you say.
KARL: Maybe, when you're a father yourself, you'll understand that Libby's happiness means a *lot* to me. I can't stand by and watch her get hurt.
DARREN: I'd *never* hurt her.
KARL: In that case, we've got a lot in common.
DARREN: Look, I'm still waiting for an ultimatum here.
KARL: There *isn't* one. I want you to realise I'm on your side: yours and Libby's. Now, if you decide to make a go of it, I won't stand in your way.

He then tells Darren to enjoy his meal and he leaves, leaving Darren sitting looking astonished!

Ramsay Street
Toadie, Billy and Hannah are walking home from school when they come across Lance sitting outside No. 22, holding a puppy. Hannah starts fussing over it, but Lance tells her not to touch it: he heard a car screech its brakes and then he found the puppy yelping. Hannah suggests that they get a vet. Karl drives up the road at that moment and Toadie exclaims that they've got a vet of their own. Billy points out that his dad's not a vet! Toadie shrugs:

TOADIE: People... puppies... what's the diff?! He'll have *some* idea!

No. 28
A short time later, Karl is examining the puppy on the table as Toadie, Billy, Hannah and Lance crowd round. He then tells them that, given that he's more used to treating people than animals, he'd say her most serious injuries are substantial bruising and a bit of shock. He then asks what the kids are going to do with her, as she doesn't have a collar on. Billy suggests that they keep her there. Karl, however, retorts that No. 28 isn't an animal shelter. Hannah says *she'd* love to keep her, but her dad wouldn't let her, with Holly. Toadie looks at Lance, who murmurs:

LANCE: I suppose mum won't mind - much...

Grounds of Erinsborough High
Darren is erecting fence posts when Libby walks over to him and asks him if he's working hard. Darren nods that he had to dig the holes by hand, as the machinery's loud and he didn't want to disturb the exams. Libby tells him that she was *hoping* he'd be hanging around: it's probably a good idea that they have a talk after what he said yesterday. Darren tells her that he was out of line: he shouldn't be messing with her head while exams are on. He adds:

DARREN: Just forget I ever existed.
LIBBY: You see, the thing is, I've tried that and it just doesn't work.
DARREN: What are you saying?
LIBBY (shrugs): I missed you, I guess.
DARREN: Well, why didn't you say that yesterday?
LIBBY: I don't know what I was *thinking* yesterday. I'm still not *completely* sure.
DARREN: But?
LIBBY: But... you were right: I can't just walk away from what we have without giving it another chance.

Darren gives her a hug of relief.

No. 32
Lance and Hannah are telling Ruth how horrible dogs' homes are. Lance holds out the puppy and tells his mum that the dog really likes her. Ruth, however, retorts that if they want to spin a sob story, spin it to Philip: he's in the bathroom, replacing the shower screen - and he's also the landlord, and she seems to remember something about a 'no pets' clause. There's suddenly a crash of glass and Philip emerges from the bathroom, having cut his hand. Ruth picks up a cloth to wrap round it. Lance shows Philip the dog and explains that they found her outside - she's been hit by a car. He asks if they can keep her. Philip shrugs:

PHILIP: Why not?

Lance and Hannah, looking delighted, go to find something the dog can use as a bed. Ruth *doesn't* look so pleased!

No. 28
Karl and Philip walk into No. 28, Philip asking Karl if Handy Sam's can fix the shower screen! He then shows Karl the cut on his hand. Karl looks at it and says he'll put a dressing on it. Philip smiles:

PHILIP: You know, I'll probably always think of you as a doctor, you know!
KARL: Yes, well, the money would be nice right now, but there is no way am I going back to it.
PHILIP: Is Lou going to refund your deposit?
KARL: I haven't heard yet.
PHILIP: How's the family taking *that*?
KARL: Oh, much as you'd expect.

He then adds that it's not *all* doom and gloom: this new career choice has given him the chance to lean back and observe: he's realised that once children reach a certain age, you have to shut your mouth, let it all go and let them make their own decisions.

Holy Roll
Darren and Libby walk into the coffee shop, Darren telling Libby that if she hadn't have given him another chance, he'd probably have passed out! Libby grins that she'd have had to have given him mouth- to- mouth then, right?! Darren then tells her that her old man knocked him for six this afternoon: he reckons that he's on *their* side. The two of them sit down and Darren goes on:

DARREN: Look, um, I know that I've done some pretty stupid things.
LIBBY: Yeah!
DARREN: You're not meant to agree! Seriously - I want you to trust me again. I know it'll take some time.
LIBBY: As long as you're completely honest with me and tell me what you're thinking, instead of running off and doing crazy things!
DARREN: Well, can I be crazy about *you*?!
LIBBY: I think that's allowed!

No. 28
Karl sees Philip out as Toadie comes in. Karl smiles at him that he's just the man he wants to see: the end of the day is drawing nigh, so where are the pests? Toadie says through a glum face:

TOADIE: They're gone, just like you ordered.
KARL: Excellent. Where are they?
TOADIE (close to tears): Well, I put a notice up at school, to try and find them a home. Lunchtime came and I hadn't had any offers yet, so I took them to the pet shop. They didn't want them either, so I took them to the only place where I was sure they'd at least get fed.
BILLY (from over by the kitchen counter): Where?
TOADIE: The University Science Department. They said they want them for, um, 'experiments'. Excuse me.

He walks off, looking upset. Karl comments to Billy in surprise that he's never *seen* Toadie like that before. Billy tells him that Toadie really *loved* those mice.

No. 24
Marlene is beaming at Darren and Libby that it's wonderful: she *knew* the two of them were meant to be together! Unknown to anyone, Brett is standing out of sight by the bedroom doors, listening as Darren suggests to Libby that they'd better go start celebrating. The two of them head out. Brett emerges from where he was standing and Marlene's face drops. She then tells him comfortingly:

MARLENE: Darling, you're the one I should be thanking, you know. You've got your brother thinking straight again and back with Libby. You're nearly there.
BRETT: No. *Love* sorted things out between Libby and Darren. Not *me* - I had nothing to do with it. And nan, I don't think I've got what it takes to patch up his damage with Lou and Mal and everyone else. I don't think I want to play counsellor anymore.
MARLENE: But... you've been doing so *well* so far.
BRETT: Yes, but I can't do it, nan, OK? I've tried. He can sort out his *own* problems.
MARLENE: But what about if Darren *can't* sort out his own problems and he ends back in jail? You don't want *that*, do you?

Brett stands there looking uncertain as to what to do.