Hoylands
Max walks into the kitchen carrying a box of things. Izzy asks if they are Steph's. She says she will bring them to Steph for him. Max tells Izzy he wants to do it, he needs to talk to her, she's had time to cool off and they might be able to work something out. Izzy gives him a look and tells Max he won't get to hear what he wants to and he'll just get kicked in the teeth. She tells him he's the good guy, that Steph's selfish and immature and it's not fair on him. Max tells Izzy she barely knows Steph. Izzy says that she knows that Steph walked out on Max and the kids and left them hurt. She asks Max if he really thinks she's still worth fighting for. Max tells Izzy that he loves her. Izzy says that he only thinks he does but he'll move on. He'll find someone else who will appreciate him and he just hasn't met her yet. Max says maybe.

Kennedys
Susan is cooking breakfast. Karl is searching for some pinenuts he asks Susan where they are saying it's important. Susan tells him to stop obsessing about a stupid cooking class. Karl tells her he's not obsessing, they have to create their own recipe and he wants it to be a success. Susan asks him what he's making. Karl says Risotto "Zuca El a agra dolce" - Sweet & Sour pumpkin.

Susan says it sound lovely. Karl says he can tell by the tone in her voice that she doesn't like it. He tells her not to worry about breakfast he'll get something form the coffee shop. Susan wants to know why he's being so grumpy. Karl's tells her he enjoys his cooking lessons and she should support him.

Coffee Shop
Karl is telling Izzy about his Pumpkin Risotto recipe. Izzy says she'll make a trial one and he can come in at lunch and try it.

School
Susan is about to start a timed assessment that will go towards their final grade and Jack runs in late and sits down. He's looking stressed and Susan asks him if he's ok. Jack says he's alright and she starts the exam.

Libby's
Max comes over with the box of Steph's stuff. Max asks Lib if he can see Steph, Libby tells him that she's asleep. Steph walks in and sees Max then walks out but Max calls after her. Libby leaves the room to get Ben ready. Max tells Steph he just brought her stuff over. He comments that she's looking exhausted. Steph says she's not sleeping much. Max says "Nor am I" Max apologizes for what he said to her last time. Steph says he had a right to be angry. Max tells her he's sorry anyway but he's not angry now, just lost. He tells her they need to talk. Steph tells him there's nothing to talk about. Max tells her he can't believe there's nothing left between them. Steph tells him he has to, she's sorry but he has to believe she doesn't love him anymore.

Pub
Max is putting out the chairs when there's a knock at the door. Joe says Lou asked him to come over and fix the door to the office. Max says it's ok, he fixed it the other day. Joe says that Lou told him that Max tried but it's still not right.

School
The rest of the students are writing, Jack is starring into space. He can hear Steph's voice in his head "I don't have to do anything. Hey, if I'm going to die, I want to die with a bit of dignity at least." Jack gets up and runs out of class. Susan runs after him saying he's not allowed to leave the class during an assessment. Jack tells her he doesn't care. Susan says she knows he's got a lot to worry about with Lyn and she will make an exception and let him go back in. Jack tells her there are more important things in life than a pointless essay.

Pub
Max tells Joe he put bigger screws in the door and that it's an old and the woods had it. Joe says it's not the wood, the screws split it wide open. Max asks Joe if there's a problem. Joe walks out saying he'll get his toolbox.

Coffee Shop
Izzy asks Karl if he's ready for a taste. She takes him into the kitchen and spoon-feeds him a bit and saying how good the recipe 1s. Susan walks in and orders a sandwich and sees Izzy feeding Karl and wiping a bit of food from around his mouth. Karl sees Susan, waves and runs out to her. Karl tells Susan that he was just trying the recipe he was telling her about his morning, Izzy made it. Izzy tells Susan it's awesome and asks he if she's like a taste. Susan says she'll stick to her sandwich. Izzy says she doesn't know what she's missing. Izzy says that any man that knows his way around the kitchen is a treasure and hopes that Susan knows how fortunate she is. Susan replies "I'm sure she does".

Pub
Max asks Joe if he's finished and comments of Joe taking his time. Joe says it does to fix other people's mistakes and everyone things they are tradesmen. Max asks Joe what's bugging him. Joe says he is, he didn't think that Max and Steph would work out from the start but he wanted Steph to be happy but he didn't think she'd be happy with Max. Max tells Joe he had no idea what went on between him and Steph and reminds him that Steph left him. Joe says he knows his daughter and she has guts and would have given it her best shot. Max says that she didn't she walked out at the first sign of trouble. She won't even talk to him and he doesn't know why. Max says that Steph told him say doesn't love him anymore and she probably never did. Joe says he can't answer that but if its true Max needs to accept it and stop spreading misery. Everyone has problems.

Coffee Shop
Susan tells Karl that Izzy feeding him with a spoon was very seductive and she can't believe Karl can't see what sort of person she is. Karl says she's being paranoid. Izzy comes over with their coffees and tells Karl that she's thinking of putting his risotto on the menu as everyone is raving about it. Izzy leaves and Karl says that Susan is too quick to judge. Susan tells Karl to quit while he's behind and they'll have to agree to disagree. Susan says there's someone else she'd like to talk about. She tells Karl about Jack leaving class and she's worried about him. Libby walks in telling them she has been offered a teaching job thanks to Candace. Karl points out to Susan that she didn't like Candace at first either. Susan says that everyone makes mistakes just like he's going with Madam Hoyland. Libby tells them the job is further away than she hoped. It's in Adelaide.

Libby's
Libby is telling Steph about the job and that she hasn't agreed to take it. It's a big thing for her and Ben to leave Erinsborough. Steph says they've done it before. Libby says it so far away, for so long. Steph says she might come. Libby says it's a good theory. Steph says she's serious, she could help look after Ben. Libby reminds her that she has treatment to go through yet. Steph says she's not sure, she's been thinking and it's not worth the stress.

Ramsay Street
Jack is walking up the street and Karl pulls up commenting on it being late and asks Jack if he's ok. Jack says he's a bit of a mess, Steph keeps saying how pointless everything is. Karl tells him people with a life threatening illness go through a range of emotions like denial, anger and depression. Jack tells him that Steph won't have chemo. Karl says he didn't know that and he'll talk to her. Jack says he' just wants to help her. Karl tells Jack that even though he and Joe have their arguments that they really care about each other and his door is always open.

Coffee Shop
Susan is picking up dinner. She has Ben in the pram. Izzy comments how much babies keep you on your toes. Susan pays for dinner and Ben spills a milkshake on the floor. Susan says she'll clean it up but Izzy says she'll do it. Susan apologizes and leaves. Her purse is still on the counter.

Libby's
Karl comes over and Steph tells him that Lib isn't home. Karl says he knows, that Susan has Ben and he's come to talk to her. Steph keeps changing the subject to Ben then the cooking classes. Karl says he wants to talk about her, he's come as a friend. Steph tells him she doesn't want to talk about the cancer, she just wants to put it out of her mind and her life.

KARL: When the treatment is over, you can.
STEPH: I'm not having anymore treatment, Karl.
KARL: Yeah I know, Jack told me. Stephanie, this is not a smart decision.
STEPH: Well, it's my decision. Karl, I've always been an active, fit person, you know. I don't want to be a sickly helpless person.
KARL: No, it's not like that and after a course of chemotherapy you've got a good chance of beating this.
STEPH: For what? To live a few more years? What for when I've made such a mess of everything already.
KARL: Mess, what mess?
STEPH: Well, I've let a lot of people down. I mean, look at what I did to Max. At the time I thought it was the right thing to do, but I can see now how much I've hurt him.
KARL: You were just sparing him pain, no one questioned your motives.
STEPH: No I was stupid. I've stuffed everyone's lives, Max's, Summer's, Boyd's, completely. I don't give a damn what happens to me.
KARL: Stephanie, Stephanie, It's alright to be afraid of dying most people are but to give up because you don't see any point that's not the answer. What if you went into remission?

Steph starts crying.

STEPH: No I won't, I know I won't!
KARL: Steph you could, there's every chance. Roberta Marley was thrilled with the results of the surgery. Steph, you're strong enough to fight this cancer and beat it. Do it. Do it for the new life that's waiting for you out there. If you won't do it for yourself, do it for all the people who couldn't bear to lose you. You can't give up. You're much too loved, you are, you are, Steph.

Karl hugs her.