Number 26
Scott doesn't understand why Paul's getting so uptight about everything; their dad and Zoe could have just stopped off for a meal. Paul scoffs at his brother for being so naïve.

PAUL: Scott, the basic scenario is this. While our sister is desperately ill in hospital, our father is off in the bush chasing a bit of fluff.
HELEN: Paul, don't talk about your father like that.
PAUL: I know Zoe: she's a piranha.

Nikki walks in on a high after her Mexican fiesta with Mike. But her mood is dampened when she finds out what happened to Lucy. Helen chases after Paul (who exited in a strop) while Scott sings Clive's praises to Nikki, "You should have seen him, he was brilliant."

Number 22
Poor Clive doesn't believe in his own brilliance, however. He thinks things could have easily gone awry, but Daphne believes that Clive is a hero. She doesn't understand why he's wasting his talent by not practicing professionally. Clive explains that the whole doctor thing feels too superficial to him. He doesn't want to be "locked in" to something that is all about money and power.

Number 24
Max and Laura barrel in after their date and interrupt Madge's wild night of... knitting. Laura thinks that Madge is making something special for a fella - and she's right. It's a jumper for Jim Robinson! Good Lord, why is this man pulling all of the chicks? I see now where Paul gets it from... Madge assures Laura that it's "purely platonic" but still wants to keep it a secret from Max. Laura heads home to try and catch Nikki for a chat before she goes to bed.

Number 26 - Motel Lobby
Daphne stops by to check on the family, just as Helen hangs up from the hospital - Lucy's going to be fine. Laura and Max bustle in all, 'Oh my God, you all look so depressed! Who died?!' Eyeing off her mum with Max, Nikki coldly informs Laura that Lucy nearly did die. Helen takes another phone call, but this time it's from Jim. They swap "where the heck have you been?" banter and Jim puts his foot in it.

JIM: Don't worry about me. I'm in a motel with a very beautiful and charming young lady.
HELEN: (scornful) Well, I'm very pleased for you I'm sure. However, if it isn't too much trouble, I suggest that you get here immediately.
JIM: Helen, is something wrong?
HELEN: Yes, Lucy's ill, she's in hospital. She's asking for you.
JIM: She's what?
HELEN: She's in good care, there's nothing to be alarmed about, but get here!
JIM: (shocked) Of course.

Flash forward to Paul's continued anger that Jim was off gallivanting with Zoe. Max, however, thinks that it's great Jim's found himself a "fountain of youth". Daphne takes this as her cue to drag Max out and leave the family alone.

Nikki heads off to bed, but not before giving her mum some sass. Laura calls Nikki on her snotty attitude and thinks that she disapproves of her date with Max. But Nikki only retorts that, "you and max and very well suited to each other."

Number 24
Max has just told Madge about Lucy - and the fact that Jim was out at some "seedy motel" with Zoe. Madge is stunned; Jim is a perfect gentleman and Zoe can be flighty but is a good girl at heart. It can't be true!

MAX: That's what you said about Fred's secretary before he ran off with her.
MADGE: Max Ramsay, that was unfair and uncalled for.

Max tries to apologise but Madge gets fired up and brings up Max's own failed marriage to Maria.

MADGE: You're going to end up a lonely old man, Max Ramsay.
MAX: Oh yeah? What about you, ay? I don't exactly see you rushed off your feet with offers; indecent or otherwise!
MADGE: Maybe not, but at least I still have my dignity.
MAX: What dignity? Running around after Jim Robinson like some lovesick schoolgirl? Ahh, that's what it is.
MADGE: I don't want to hear any more...
MAX: As soon as I mentioned Zoe and Jim you fell to pieces. You're jealous!
MADGE: (upset and angry) I... oh, you disgust me!

Max immediately looks regretful.

Number 26
Jim finally gets home, only to be confronted with angry (and irrational) Paul. Jim calmly informs his son that their car broke down and they were going to spend the night in separate hotel rooms. But Paul doesn't believe a word of it, "I happen to think the whole thing is pretty damn sordid." Jim wants to talk about it in the morning when they're both feeling more rational.

PAUL: Well I happen to feel perfectly rational now. I also have a rational interest in my family, it's a pity you don't feel the same way... dad.

Jim is stung by Paul's words and broods into commercial break.

Ramsay St - Next Morning
Laura - looking very Violet Beauregarde as a blueberry in her all-blue jogging ensemble - psyches herself up for a brisk jog, all the way from #26... to #24.

Number 24
Max is wondering who in the hell is visiting so early, but is pleased to find Laura on his doorstep. Giving him a kiss, Laura tells him that she just wanted to thank him properly for their date. Max invites her around for dinner that night, but Laura wants to see what Nikki's up to first.

Laura leaves and Max is surprised to find Madge sitting at the kitchen table, unpicking her Jim jumper. He tries to make conversation with her like normal, but she's still holding a grudge from last night's barney.

MAX: What are you doing? Un-knitting?
MADGE: I made a mistake - several in fact.

Number 26
Scott and Nikki have made a gigantic breakfast for Helen to eat in bed, but she's already up and about. Jim joins her as the kids head off to school. Helen apologises for her attitude on the phone yesterday and thinks that Jim should go and see Lucy by himself so she can have quality dad time. Paul (who was just on the phone) snidely informs Jim that his "lady friend" just called and wants to speak to him later. Jim leaves and Helen wants to know why Paul has his bloomers in a bunch: "For heaven's sake Paul, be your age."

Number 22
Jim stops by to thank Clive for his doctoring skills. I want to thank Clive for only wearing stripy pyjama bottoms with the cuffs rolled up - so cute! Jim wonders if Lucy could have a strong reaction to a bee sting like this again, and Clive thinks that it's possible. Like Daphne, Jim is also wondering why Clive isn't putting his magnificent medico gift to good use.

CLIVE: Gift? You mean the gift of healing? That, pal, is not a gift. That's years of hard yakka day and night.
JIM: All the more reason to persue it.
CLIVE: I suppose most people would see it that way, but it has been noted, sometimes not too friendly, that I'm not like most people.

Jim wants to know if Clive will ever go back to medicine, but Clive knows it's not for him. People get expectations, which only lead to disappointments. No, Clive is quite content to leave it all behind. Jim has to ask - what *does* Clive want from life then?

CLIVE: Just to dance to my own tune. Nothing more, nothing less.

Number 26
Helen finishes up her monster brekkie (where on earth does this tiny woman store food?), just as Madge calls in to chat about her Jim woes. Madge doesn't want the sympathy vote, however, she got hurt but it was her "own stupid fault". She's come to the conclusion that she's no longer going to wear her heart on her sleeve.

MADGE: I'm going to be more independent, my own woman.
HELEN: Good for you!

Yeah! Destiny's Child ain't got nothing on you, Madge!

Daniels Corporation
Zoe's surprised to find Paul is already at work, but probably wishes he wasn't when he directs his anger her way. Paul demands that she stop seeing his father, but Zoe is having none of his attitude. She'll do what she damn well likes! Paul asks how far things have gone with them, and Zoe admits that it's gone nowhere so far - but she'd like it to. His emotions getting the better of him, Paul grabs Zoe by the arm...

PAUL: I don't know what you're after, but if it's a man you want...
(He lays a big pash on her. Breaking away, Zoe glares at him).
ZOE: Thanks but no thanks. You're really not my type.

Paul looks crushed. Not exactly your finest moment, I have to say Paul.