No. 28
Susan arrives home and comments that she hopes she doesn't have to go through *that* again in a hurry - Nick was devastated. The 'phone rings and Karl answers. He then hands the 'phone to Libby, telling her it's Geoff Reiner for her. He then complains to Susan that Sarah's still causing chaos - he may have to make Harold full- time. Susan remarks that maybe a week off will do her good. Libby hangs up the 'phone and mutters that she's got another assignment: the local blood- bank drive. She adds bitterly that it's the sort of assignment you give to someone you don't really like...

No. 30
Caitlin asks in astonishment who would take Mickey's word over Nick's. Jacquie, however, says she thinks it's the fact that Mrs. Dalton's complained that carries the weight. Nick adds that they've got to pursue any allegation. Sarah tells Nick that he should have let the boys rip each other to pieces, *then* Mrs. Dalton would have something to complain about! Caitlin assures her brother that they're all on his side.

Lou's Place
Toadie sees some customers out of the bar and asks Libby if she reckons her editor's given her a dud assignment on purpose. Libby asks how she's going to stop her readers falling asleep: blood is boring. Toadie, however, exclaims that blood is magnificent: if it wasn't for blood, their customers would be nothing but skin and bone; it's the lifeblood of their very existence; he can't think of a better cause than donating blood - and it's the one gift, however rich or poor, man can give to his fellow man: the gift of life. Libby smiles that she'd love to come down to the blood bank with him next week. Toadie, however, says he doesn't think so: needles freak him out!

No. 30
Sarah is looking at job ads in the newspaper as Caitlin remarks that she thought she *loved* her job at the surgery. Sarah, however, points out that she doesn't have to stay there forever. She spots an ad for a Personal Assistant and goes to make a call. Meanwhile, Jacquie tells Nick that she'd better get going - but he did the right thing, and she'll do everything she can to let Susan know that.

No. 28
Susan hangs up the 'phone and tells Karl that Mrs. Dalton thinks her child's been injured by a teacher and she's angry about it. Karl remarks that Nick doesn't strike him as the violent type. Susan, however, points out that Nick is young and inexperienced. Karl asks if he could have acted over- zealously. Susan nods that it's a possibility. Karl remarks:

KARL: Not a lot of laughs in your job.
SUSAN: Not really, no...

No. 30
Toadie arrives home to find Sarah preparing for a job interview tomorrow. He murmurs that he hopes she gets it. Sarah sighs and asks if he's going to get all heavy on her again. Toadie points out that Karl lives next door - getting a new job isn't going to fix everything.

Coffee Shop
The next morning, Sarah is standing at the counter in the Coffee Shop when Karl comes in. He comments to her that the surgery isn't the same without her. Sarah tells him that she's not coming in today - she's got an appointment with a recruitment agency. Karl comments that she's throwing her career away: she's a nursing student playing a cartoon character at Little Tommy Tucker's. Sarah, however, points out that he knows why they can't work together anymore.

Erinsborough High
Amy walks past Caitlin in the corridor and ignores her. Caitlin asks if it was something she said. Amy turns back to her and reminds her that she *warned* her about coming onto to Lance like a tropical cyclone - she's supposed to be in love with Josh, but that doesn't stop her going after anything in pants. The bell goes and everyone heads to class. Susan pulls Paul aside and asks for a word in her office.

Erinsborough High - Susan's office
Susan tells Paul that Mickey Dalton has made some very serious accusations against Mr. Atkins, so she needs to hear his version of what happened yesterday. Paul tells Susan that he and Mickey were having a blue, then Nick pulled them apart and Mickey somehow ended up with a broken ankle. Susan asks him if he thinks Mr. Atkins used excessive force, but Paul says he didn't. Susan asks what the fight was about, adding that she heard it might have been about a spate of thefts at the Coffee Shop. Paul, however, sits there in sudden silence, refusing to respond.

Coffee Shop
Libby sits down at a table with Toadie, who asks how the blood bank front page is coming on. Libby admits that, between Lou and uni, it's not going very well. Toadie asks her if she's working as well tonight. Libby nods that she is. She then adds that she's sick of working behind the bar while he just stands there inventing drinks. Toadie challenges her to a cocktail shake- off!

Recruitment Agency
The recruitment consultant asks Sarah why she left her last job. Sarah explains that she felt she needed a move and wanted new challenges. The consultant tells her that they'll put her on their books, but she doesn't know what they can do for her at the moment as she doesn't have the experience. She warns Sarah that she has to be patient: it's not a great time to be looking for work.

Erinsborough High
Susan stops Jacquie in the corridor and tells her she needs her version of events. Jacquie supports Nick's story, adding that he did what any teacher would have done.

Coffee Shop
Sarah is sitting staring into space when Karl walks in and sits down with her. He asks if the interview was no good. Sarah retorts that they politely told her that she doesn't have enough qualifications to compete with girls who are barely out of High School. Karl suggests to her that she come back to the surgery - they can work things out. Sarah, however, retorts:

SARAH: You want it all: your wife, your family, your career... and me. My life's been turned upside down because of this. Can't you *see* that?

She storms out.

Erinsborough High
Jean Dalton is sitting in Susan's office, telling her that Mickey isn't a liar - and his ankle wasn't just sprained, it was broken. Susan agrees that it was a very unfortunate accident. Mrs. Dalton insists that it was no accident. Susan tells her that she's collected statements from Mr. Atkins, from Paul McClain and from another teacher, Miss. Boyd and they all agree it was an accident. Mrs. Dalton comments that they're hardly likely to say it was anything else. She goes tersely on that if she can't get any justice through the school system, she'll have to go elsewhere; this matter is not over.

No. 30
Nick opens the door to Susan, who tells him that she's finished her report and it should clear him of any wrongdoing. Nick beams that that's fantastic! He asks if he can start back at school, but Susan explains that she spoke to Mrs. Dalton this afternoon and she wants to file charges - only this time with the police: she wants to have him charged with assault. Nick's face drops.

Lou's Place
A bunch of loud young women are in the bar, and Toadie grins at Libby that it seems like he'd better whip up another batch of Flaming Toads! Libby says she thinks they prefer her Liberators! Two of the women come up to the bar and ask for more drinks all round. One of the women asks for Flaming Toads. Another asks for a Liberator. Toadie asks the women which they prefer. Libby suggests they make a round of both and the women can have a vote!

No. 30
Jacquie is sitting with Nick as he comments bitterly that it had to be the shortest teaching career in history. Jacquie points out that he's got eyewitnesses who can vouch that he was in the clear; she doesn't think it'll even get to court. There's suddenly a knock on the front door and Nick goes and opens it. He finds Paul on the step. Paul tells him that he wanted to say he was sorry about how everything turned out: he thought Mickey was a mate of his, but he was wrong. Nick thanks him, saying he knows it hasn't been easy.

No. 28
Karl is massaging Susan's neck and shoulders as she remarks that Nick is probably wondering why he ever became a teacher. She adds that it's probably more difficult when you live in a close- knit neighbourhood - but she loves that feeling, although when the personal and professional overlap, it's tough. Karl looks suddenly thoughtful as Susan asks how you keep your co- workers at arms' length.

Lou's Place
A montage of cocktail- making by Toadie and Libby is followed by the loud female customers judging the cocktails. One of the women stands up and announces that the winner is the Flaming Toad! Libby sighs that Toadie is going to be totally unbearable now!

No. 30
It's very early the next morning. Sarah emerges from her bedroom, carrying a suitcase. She has tears in her eyes. She goes and hugs Bob and sobs that she'll send for him when she can. She then places a note for Toadie on the lounge room table. Bob runs over to her and Sarah hugs him again, crying at him to be a good dog for her. She then walks out, closing the front door quietly behind her.