Recap
- Jim asks Max to reconsider moving out. Max tells Jim it's none of his business.
- Max leaves the Ramsay house. Shane is very upset.
- Scott tells Danny they can make a go of it on the farm - they can't go home because the police are looking for them.
- Shane rants at Maria for keeping secrets.
Robinsons
Helen hears Jim coming and quickly hides a hat under a cushion. She pretends to be relaxing when Helen comes in. She tells him that a bloke called Nick Burmond called round to see him. Jim sees the hat and decides to play a joke on Helen, He pretends that he isn't pleased and says Helen should have told Nick he was overseas. Jim says he owes him money, and when he comes back, Helen should tell Nick he's out and isn't coming back! Helen looks very worried!
Just then Nick comes out of the bathroom. Jim greets him cordially and says he's very pleased to see him. Jim apologises to Helen - he explains that he and Nick are old mates from school. He's a pilot now and doing international routes now. Nick asks after Maria and Max, but Jim is evasive. Nick says he always wanted Maria for himself(!) He says that Max is a lucky devil!
Max's bedsit
Poor old Max comes into his bedsit. He has tidied it up a bit, but it still looks dreadful. He looks around, sadly.
Ramsay
Maria is cooking dinner. Shane is sulking in front of the television. Shane apologises to his mother and suggests that they eat in the lounge for a change.
Max's bedsit
Max tries to cut a tomato in half. He fails.
Robinsons
Nick is giving presents to Jim and Lucy. Lucy gets French perfume! She is very pleased.
Nick tells Jim that he's never had a family and he's married to the airline now. The last time he saw Jim, he's just got engaged to Anne. Anne would have been very proud of Jim for bringing up four kids on his own. Jim says he couldn't have done it without Helen.
The Bank
Greg has reprogrammed the computer badly. Des is attempting to rectify it, with no help from his manager who thinks his son Greg is wonderful! Julie is defending Greg, saying that it's Des's fault, not Greg's. Des says that Greg hasn't got a clue. Julie accuses Des of trying to get back at Mr Arnold for the tension between them lately(!)
The manager comes out and tells Julie to stop bickering. He also has a go at Des about the computer. Poor old Des!
Max's bedsit
Max gets a beer out of the fridge. He turns on the radio, but it doesn't work very well. He opens the beer and says, "Cheers" to no-one in particular.
Ramsays
Shane and Maria have had a nice meal, in stark contrast to Max. Maria asks Shane to help wash up, but Shane says the doctors have advised him to avoid strenuous activity(!)
Robinsons
Jim and Nick are talking about old times and old friends. Helen invites Nick to stay for dinner. Julie comes in and moans about the bank. She doesn't see Nick, but then Jim introduces her. Lucy shows Julie the perfume that Nick gave her - he's brought one for Julie too! Nick offers the girls a ride in his hire car - a Mercedes.
When the girls and Nick have gone, Jim wonders if he should have told Jim about Max and Maria. Jim says that he thought Nick would Maria marry at one point but Max beat him to it. That's why Jim thinks Nick went overseas. Jim thinks Nick is lonely and is looking for something to complete his life. That's why he's come back to Ramsay Street.
Max's bedsit
Shane calls round to see Max. He is doing his invoices, but puts them down to talk to Shane. Shane says he's come to ask Max to fix the tap by the back door. Max says it's Shane's job now and he'd better get used to it. Max gives Shane a beer and asks him cheerfully what he's been up to.
The Bank
Des is still working on the computer program. Greg is making out that it's all Des's fault. Des says Greg has rewritten the program badly. Greg says that Des just finds it easier to blame someone else(!) Greg starts going on about Daphne. Des tells him he's had enough - he's trying to get away with murder because he's the boss's son. Des tells Greg he is a useless, incompetent idiot (Go Des!) Des says if he had his way, Greg would be out.
Mr Arnold comes back and says that Des is just bitter about turning down Daphne's loan application!
Max's bedsit
Max and Shane are having a good laugh and a catch up. Suddenly Shane starts talking about the split, but Max tells him to leave it alone. Shane reluctantly agrees. He heads off. Max says he hopes things won't change between them just because Max doesn't live at home any more. He gives Shane advice on how to fix the tap.
Shane heads off. Max looks very sad to see him go.
Robinsons
Nick is back from taking the girls for a ride in his car. Nick wonders where Scott and Paul are. Jim says that Paul will be home soon, but Scott is "away" at the moment. Nick twigs that Scott has run away from home. Jim doesn't want to talk about it.
Nick decides to head off to see Max and Maria. Julie tells him that Max and Maria have split up - and very recently. She says Jim wouldn't have told him because he doesn't like to talk about other people's business. Nick goes straight over to see Maria(!)
In the kitchen, Helen serves up dinner, but Nick has gone over to the Ramsays. Jim and Julie are nowhere to be seen and Paul still hasn't arrived home.
HELEN: Lucy, go and wash your hands. And I hope you're very hungry!
Ramsays
Maria is washing up when there's a knock at the door. She's stunned to see Nick on her doorstep and invites him in. They hug. Nick says that Maria hasn't changed a bit.
Nick tells Maria that he's heard about her and Max. He thinks Max is crazy and asks Maria what happened. She doesn't want to talk about it, but does say that she didn't want Max to go. Nick says to give it time - Max will come round eventually. Maria says Max is too proud - whatever they had is all gone. She starts to cry in Nick's arms.
Just then, Shane comes in. He is shocked to see Maria hugging another man.