No. 28
Karl muses to Susan that that could have gone better... He suggests that he should go. Billy pleads with him not to let Libby chase him out, but Karl insists that it's OK.

SUSAN (to Karl, softly): It's not easy, is it?
KARL: You were right. It's going to take time. See you soon?
SUSAN (smiles): Night.

With that, Karl heads off. Susan then turns to Billy and tells him that if it hadn't been for him, the night would have been a complete disaster. She adds that she was stupid for thinking it would all go smoothly: she knows what Libby's like: she feels things very deeply; she finds it hard to forgive.

BILLY (angrily): It's time she got the knack. I feel like going in there (he indicates the bedroom) and having it out with her.
SUSAN (quickly): No, no, I'll talk to her. We certainly don't need any more dramas.

No. 24
Harold is admiring the silver beet he's grown, and enthusing to Madge about it. He suggests that maybe they could sell some of it.

MADGE (sarcastically!): Ooo, what a good idea. We can take it to the market and maybe you'll get some magic beans for it!

She then apologises and adds that she just doesn't know what they're going to do with all of it; it's not the world's favourite veggie! Harold tells her that it's about time they changed its image!

No. 28
Billy is wiping up dishes. Susan emerges from her bedroom and sighs that she doesn't think she's going to be able to sleep. Libby follows Susan and muses:

LIBBY: Billy's washing up. Is the world coming to an end?!

Susan and Billy both just stare at her, wordlessly.

LIBBY (rolling her eyes): Obviously it *is*.
BILLY (sourly): Dad's *gone* - thanks to you.
LIBBY (shrugs): I don't see what the big deal is.
SUSAN (coolly): Oh come on, Libby.
LIBBY (snaps): It's not like you were going to ask him to stay the night, were you?
SUSAN (glaring at Libby): I am trying very hard to understand your feelings and to justify them, but don't you think you're being just a little bit childish?
LIBBY: That's not fair.
SUSAN (angrily): *You're* not being fair. You're not even making an effort.
LIBBY: Doesn't anybody care about my feelings?
SUSAN: You have made your feelings perfectly clear. This is our family we're talking about, Libby. It's our family we're trying to put back together again.

She then warns Billy not to stay up too late, before turning back to Libby and adding:

SUSAN: And I know you don't *really* hate your father.

With that, Susan walks off to her room. Billy stares at his sister. Libby just stares back and mutters that she can't believe what a suck he is. Billy snaps that Susan is trying to move forward, so why can't Libby support her and do the same? Libby retorts that it's not that easy.

BILLY: Why is it so hard to forgive dad? After all, you forgave Darren for cheating on *you*.
LIBBY (angrily): No I didn't. That is completely different: Darren's not my father. I didn't spend twenty years thinking that he was one thing and then find out that he was another.
BILLY: Come on, Libby, open your eyes: there is a very good chance mum and dad could get back together. They don't need you to make it any more difficult.

Libby just sits there, a thoughtful look on her face.

No. 28
The next morning, Billy is talking on the 'phone to Anne. He has his new work overalls on, and as he hangs up, he tells Susan that Anne rang to wish him luck. Susan then points a camera at him and takes a photo of him on his first day at work! Libby emerges from her bedroom at that moment and says to Billy mutedly:

LIBBY: Your first day at work. You nervous?
BILLY: No! Yeah! A little!
LIBBY: You'll be right.

Susan then hands Billy a package, explaining that she found it on the doorstep this morning. Billy opens it, looking at the accompanying note as he does so and commenting that it's from Karl. The package contains a watch, and Billy gasps that it's great. He then dashes off to catch the bus. When he's gone, Libby says to Susan:

LIBBY: I guess we need to talk about last night.
SUSAN (pointedly): I guess we *do*.

The 'phone rings at that moment, though, and Susan answers it. Karl comes on from the reception area at the surgery and asks if he missed Billy. Susan replies that he just went. She adds that he loved his present. Karl then says:

KARL: What are we going to do about Libby? I've tried, but I just don't seem to be able to get through.
SUSAN: I don't know - although I do understand where she's coming from.

At the Kennedy house, Libby looks at her mother angrily and then storms off to her bedroom. Susan tells Karl that this really isn't a good time to talk. Karl asks if they can have dinner tonight - just the two of them. Susan accepts, but looks worried.

Jack O'Connor's carpentry workshop
Jack is asking Billy how he's feeling about his first day. Billy smiles that he's pretty nervous. Jack insists he'll be fine. He starts showing Billy around, saying as he does so that Billy should learn everything he can from the ground up. Billy nods that he will. He then asks where he starts.

JACK: I did want to run you through all the various jobs that we've got on at the moment.
BILLY: Great!
JACK: Unfortunately, I've got a new client coming - but we'll get back to that later, anyway.
BILLY: Right. So, um, what do I do, then?
JACK (chuckling and pointing to a broom): Sweeping will keep you busy for a while! It's a constant battle keeping ahead of the sawdust! This is where I got *my* start in the business, son. So did all the others.

Billy starts sweeping!

No. 28
Susan is packing some files into her bag when Libby emerges from her bedroom and says:

LIBBY: I'm sorry I upset you last night - I was way out of line.
SUSAN (coolly): This is our family. We're trying to get back together, Libby. It's important.
LIBBY: Yeah, I know that.
SUSAN: So - what do we do?
LIBBY: It's not that easy. I don't know about you, but I can't even look at dad without seeing him and Sarah together.
SUSAN: This isn't *about* Sarah.
LIBBY (looking upset): Mum, please, will you just let me get this out? Dad *hurt* you. And he hurt *us*. And Sarah was a friend. We live in the same street. It's not as if we're never going to see each other again. And now you just want me to forgive and forget? I don't think I can *do* that.
SUSAN (gently): I'm just asking you to try...
LIBBY: What - and *he* gets off scot-free? I always looked up to dad. And now I've seen this side of him that I really don't like - and how can you love someone if you really don't like them?

Tears well-up in Libby's eyes and Susan puts her arms around her.

SUSAN: Your father and I share over two decades of history... of *life*. We share three beautiful children... Do you know, I can barely remember what my life was like before him? That's hard to throw away.
LIBBY (sniffing): I don't know if I can change my feelings...
SUSAN (nods): I can't ask you to do something that isn't in you - but if you can't forgive him, can you at least *talk* to him; explain to him why you're finding this so difficult?
LIBBY (sobs): I don't know what to say...
SUSAN: I can't force you - but it's not just for me, Lib; it's for you too.

Jack O'Connor's carpentry workshop
Billy empties a pile of sawdust into a bin. One of the other guys says to him suddenly:

GUY: Hey, blondie.
BILLY: It's Bill. And I'm not blond, all right? Well, not *that* blond, anyway!

The guy introduces himself as Shaun, Jack's second in command. He goes on that seeing as Bill has finished the sweeping, he might have a little job for him.

BILL: Sure - what is it?
SHAUN: Nip up the hardware store and get me a bipolar ratchet, will you?
BILLY (staring at him, coolly): You con many people with that line?
SHAUN: Yeah.
BILLY: I think it's time you thought up another one, eh?

Billy goes to walk off. Shaun, however, calls after him:

SHAUN: You think you're smart, kid?
BILLY: Not especially, no.
SHAUN: You want to do it all one day? Design your own pieces?
BILLY: I'd like to, one day, yeah.
SHAUN: Maybe you could come up with some better design for brooms - 'cos after a few months on this floor, you'll be an expert.

At that moment, Jack walks over to them and tells Bill that he'll find him something a little more challenging than sweeping. He points out a set of drawers and asks Bill to give them a light sand and prepare them for waxing. He adds that there's a spare set of safety glasses in the office, Shaun will show Billy how to do the first sanding, then he's on his own. Billy goes to get the safety glasses. When he's gone, Jack asks Shaun what he reckons.

SHAUN (shrugs): He's all right, I guess.
JACK (chuckles): He'll be sick of the old sanding by the end of the day!
SHAUN: He will if *I've* got anything to do with it!
JACK (warns): Just give him a go...
SHAUN: Oh, he's all right - he gives it back.
JACK: That's what I'm counting on!

Lou's Place
Harold and Madge walk in. Lou stares at Harold and gasps that something important must have happened to make Harold come into the pub! Madge interrupts quickly and tells Lou that it's about this rumour that he's selling up.

LOU: It's true, as a matter of fact. I'm just about to head over to the solicitor's office to check the contracts.
MADGE: And what about the rumour that the pub's going to be turned into a nightclub with a late licence?
LOU: That's the plan, so I hear.

Harold stares at him and gasps:

HAROLD: Where's your moral standards?
LOU: What have morals got to do with me selling my property?
HAROLD (rants): Aren't you the least bit concerned about what kind of person this club will attract? What sort of impact it will have on your community? Yes - *your* community: have you thought of that?
LOU (shrugs): Can't say I have, actually.

Madge points out to Lou that he knows what will happen if the sale goes through.

LOU (sighs): Who made me the moral guardian of Erinsborough, eh? Look, I'm a businessman; I've been offered top dollar for this pub. What Keith Nicholls chooses to do with it is none of my business - and none of yours, I might add.
HAROLD (snaps): Whatever affects the community this way is *everyone's* business.
LOU (angrily): Then I'm sure the community will feel a lot safer than when *you're* on the case, jelly-belly.

Madge tells Harold that he's wasting his time, and she tries to pull him away. Harold, however, just glares at Lou and snaps:

HAROLD: I just want you to know you haven't heard the end of this, you know. I'm going to do everything in my power to block these proposed changes; *everything in my power*.
LOU (smiles dismissively): Good luck sunshine!

Surgery
Karl is digging out some files in the reception area at the surgery when the door opens and Libby walks in slowly. He comments that this is a surprise: is she sick? Libby retorts that she's fine. Karl muses that, given the reception she gave him last night, he couldn't think of any *other* reason she'd want to visit him.

LIBBY: Mum wanted me to talk to you.
KARL (rolling his eyes): Did she?

The two of them head into the treatment room, Libby going on:

LIBBY: She wanted me to try and explain how I'm feeling and why I don't find your reconciliation easy to accept.
KARL (shrugs): Frankly, Libby, I'm not interested.
LIBBY (looking astonished): What?
KARL: Not if the only reason you came to see me is to please your mother.
LIBBY (snaps): Fine, then. Sorry I bothered.

Libby goes to walk out. Karl, however, calls after her quickly:

KARL: If you don't want to try and rebuild our relationship, that's up to you - but I will always love you, as long as we're both alive. I can't force you to feel the same way.
LIBBY (tersely): This isn't about whether I *love* you. This is about being able to like you and respect you, and right now I can't do that.
KARL (nods): I understand that.
LIBBY: Do you?
KARL: Oh yeah. But I want you to know I'm hurting too.
LIBBY (coldly): You deserve it.
KARL: Yeah, well, maybe I do. I made a mistake; you heard about those, Lib? People make them all the time. 'To err is human'.
LIBBY (sarcastically): Yeah, 'And to forgive, divine'. I'm sorry - I haven't joined the angels yet.
KARL: No - but you're not above sitting in judgement, are you?

Libby stares at him as he goes on:

KARL: Maybe that's a youth thing. God knows *I* was judgemental: everything was black and white, good or bad...
LIBBY: So what happened? Did the lines blur with age?
KARL: No. It's just that, with every passing day, you get more chances to stuff-up. Look, Lib, I can't undo the past, but I *would* like to think we had a future - all of us: the family.

Libby doesn't respond. Karl sighs:

KARL: I can't talk anymore now - I've got work to do. I just hope *you* don't make a mistake like this; I wouldn't want you to know how painful it is.

Libby turns and walks out. Karl stands there, looking worried.

Jack O'Connor's carpentry workshop
Shaun invites Billy for a drink at the pub. Jack asks Billy how his first day was. Billy smiles that the sanding was better than the sweeping!

JACK: Any questions? Problems?
BILLY: I don't think so.
JACK: I bet you Shaun tried to stir you up a bit!
BILLY: Oh, he's OK.
JACK: That's funny - he said the same thing about *you*!

Jack adds that Shaun can teach Billy a lot. Billy suddenly notices a number of certificates hanging on the wall and asks Jack if they're all his. Jack replies that they represent thirty years of hard work. They start talking about whether Jack regrets not having done anything else. When Jack says he doesn't, Billy comments that it's a good thing to have lived life without any regrets. Jack, however, says he does have *one* regret: his son decided to become a stockbroker, and not follow him into the business. He then adds that he hopes Billy will feel part of the family there too. Billy shakes Jack's hand and smiles that he'll see him tomorrow.

No. 28
Karl is sitting on the couch at No. 28, waiting for Susan to get ready for dinner. She asks him where they're going. Karl replies that he thought they'd go to the little Italian place round the corner. Libby emerges from her room and mutters that she hopes they have a good night. She then heads out. When she's gone, Karl muses that that could have been worse. He then tells Susan about Libby coming to see him today.

SUSAN: How'd you go?
KARL: We didn't get very far. At least we tried.

Billy comes in at that moment and Susan smiles as she asks him how he went. Billy beams that Jack and a couple of the guys took him out for a beer. He then thanks Karl for the watch.

SUSAN: So nothing negative to report?
BILLY (muses): I could live without the sweeping...
SUSAN: Now that you have this new skill, you might like to practise it a bit around *here*!

Billy then realises that Susan and Karl are dressed to go out, and he asks what happened to his first-day-at-work dinner. Susan and Karl's faces drop, and they both begin apologising profusely. Karl says he'll call the restaurant. Billy, however, tells them quickly that he's joking! Susan and Karl head off, leaving Billy to run his hands through his hair and dislodge a ton of sawdust!

No. 24
Harold is talking on the 'phone, saying that it's nice to know someone else shares his concern. He hangs up and Madge asks what the caller said. Harold replies that he *told* her he wasn't the only one worried about this. At that moment, there's a knock on the front door. Harold answers it and Lou comes in.

HAROLD (curtly): What can we do for you?
LOU: I won't take up much of your time. I thought you might be interested to know I've been doing a little survey on the changes to the pub.
MADGE (dismissively): Oh yeah?
LOU: Yes. I've interviewed a lot of young people in the area, and despite your prophecy of doom and gloom, Harold, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive.

Madge, however, tells Lou that they've just had the manager of Lassiter's on the 'phone, and he is very concerned about the new owner's proposals. She adds that nobody questions Lou's right to sell up, but is he sure he's selling to the right people?

LOU (curtly): Yes, I'm sure. Now, if you have a problem with that, I suggest you take it up with the new owners. In the meantime, I would be very grateful if you would keep your collective noses out of my affairs.

As Harold starts to protest, Lou goes on:

LOU: This deal is going through whether you like it or not, and there is nothing you can do about it.

No. 28
Susan and Karl are sitting on the couch, drinking coffee and laughing. Susan giggles that they should be quiet or they'll wake Billy!

KARL (grins): If only we'd known all those years ago the way to get him to bed at a decent hour was to send him out to work!
SUSAN (warmly): He looked happy, didn't he?
KARL: Yeah, yeah, he did. I'm proud of him.

There's a brief silence before Karl muses:

KARL: I've made this cup of coffee last longer than any cup in history!
SUSAN: Maybe we should check the Guinness Book of Records?!

There's another silence. Karl then stands up and suggests that he'd better go. He puts on his jacket and makes his way to the front door, where he turns to Susan and says sincerely:

KARL: Thank you - it was a lovely evening.
SUSAN (nods): Yes. Yes, it was.
KARL (awkwardly): I feel like a kid on my first date! I don't know what to do...!

After a few seconds, however, Karl leans in towards Susan and the two of them start kissing passionately...