Outside the coffee shop:
Mrs Mangel is disgusted to find Scott and Charlene kissing instead of at school. They protest that they only had sports that morning and she screeches that that's what they need - good, healthy exercise. She storms off to have a word with Daphne.

At Clive's:
Des is moping about Bradley going away. Daphne tries to perk him up and says Bradley can stay with them whenever he likes once they're married. He is thrilled.

At the office:
Paul is grumpy with Debra and she asks what's wrong - trouble at Lassiters? He protests that he can handle it. She asks what's happened with Shane and the landscaping? She still thinks he should fire him. Paul is adamant that he won't but she presses further, saying Shane works harder for Home James than for Lassiters. In fact, she bets he's working for them now instead of Paul... Paul takes the bait and picks up the phone to check.

At the Robinsons:
Jim answers the door to Madge and Mrs York's dog, but has to rush off to answer the phone. It's Paul, checking up on Shane. Of course Jim tells him he's off on a job for Home James... Job done, he goes back to Madge who tells him Mrs York has died. She's terribly upset and he hugs her, then sits her down for a nice cup of tea.

At the coffee shop:
Mike is worrying about Nikki. Charlene thinks if things aren't working out between them he should cut his losses and find someone else (I thought Nikki was her best mate??) She tells Scott she's never been sorry she dropped her old boyfriend. He kisses her and says neither has he. Mike interrupts them to point out that Charlene's dad is there. She is delighted and runs to give him a big hug. In the background Mike reminds Scott that Fred practically told her to get lost last time he visited, now he's all over her. Scott warily says that he's a con artist. Fred tells Charlene he's worried how her mother will react to him being back but Charlene is sure she'll be fine if she talks to her first.

At the Ramsays:
Madge is too upset about Mrs York to eat. Her mood is hardly improved by Charlene coming home early from school with a surprise - Fred. He begs her to give him a hearing, for Charlene's sake. Madge reminds him that he didn't want Charlene just a couple of months ago. She thinks he should go back to Susan and the baby but he answers that he can't - Susan has walked out on him. Madge is pleased, then asks if he thinks he can just come back to her to have someone to do his cooking and washing? He protests that he misses her but she's having none of it. Unfortunately for her Charlene isn't so hostile and invites her dad to stay for dinner.

At the hotel:
More problems with the landscaping job - the men had no-one to supervise them so dug straight through a main which is now flooded. Debra points out that Shane should be there to take charge. Even more problems arise when a man comes up and says there's an old bid out the back screaming her head off because she's fallen and possibly broken her ankle - her name's Mangel. Paul looks aghast and Debra mutters slyly that Shane had better have a very good explanation.

On Ramsay Street:
Charlene grabs Billy who's escaped from Jim. Charlene rambles on about her dad deserving a second chance, without actually explaining what she's talking about, and Jim looks on in confusion.

At the Ramsays:
Madge lectures Fred about how he only has himself to blame. He tells her it was just a mid life crisis and it will be different this time. He's learnt a thing or two now - and she comments "haven't we all". She reminds him that the kids are messed up because of him and he guiltily tells her he needs them all now. She sticks to her guns and replies that it won't work, although not as frostily as before.

Outside the hotel:
Debra and Paul are fussing over Mrs Mangel who is taking full advantage of the situation. Paul comments that a twisted ankle isn't all that bad but Mrs Mangel is thinking of taking it to Court. Debra placates her with offers of compensation and they get her into a taxi, albeit still muttering about lawyers. Shane arrives just in time to take the brunt of Paul's frustration.

On Ramsay Street:
Mike is grumpy that Nikki's stayed at school studying instead of walking home with him. Charlene is in a hurry to get home too, to see her dad. Scott isn't happy and points out that he's just using her. She gets upset and accuses him of only thinking of himself - if her dad comes home she won't spend as much time with him and he doesn't like that. He tries to tell her that's not true but she walks off home sulking.

At the hotel:
Paul is still yelling at Shane who can't understand why his workmen didn't turn up that morning. Paul thinks he should have listened to Debra when she said Shane couldn't handle working two jobs. He wants Shane to cancel the contract. Shane accuses Debra of cancelling his workmen behind his back and vows to prove she's behind all this.

At the Robinsons:
Billy is pining for Mrs York and Jim can't get him to eat. Scott comes home pining for Charlene and takes over trying to feed Billy. He tells Jim that Charlene hasn't stopped talking about her dad and can't see a bad thing about him. He's worried what will happen if Madge and Fred patch things up. Jim confides that he is too.

At the Ramsays:
Madge has baked a cake for Fred, then coldly tells him to eat up quickly because it's a long trip back to Coff's Harbour. She thinks he has to get back to the business. Charlene bluntly asks her dad if he hasn't told her? He tries to squirm around things so Charlene tells Madge that the bank won't give him any money, forcing him to admit the bank are also going to foreclose on his mortgage. In fact, he's got a bit of a favour to ask - her engagement ring is worth ten grand and he thought they might sell it and clear his debts. Madge is horrified.