Ramsay Street
Jane tells Mike that she has thought about it and she has decided to go with Shane. Mike is disappointed and remarks that he didn't know that Shane had asked her. Jane looks uncomfortable and replies that he had before she made her decision.

Mike makes his excuses to leave as Shane joins them, but not before giving Shane a bitter look. Shane wants to know "What gives" Jane explains that Mike had asked her to the party and that he had asked her first. Shane looks after a despondent Mike and shrugs and says that he will get over it, you have to get used to knock backs. Jane looks far from happy about the situation.

Clive's House
Clive is feeding baby Sam when Susan slightly burns herself while cooking the breakfast. Clive takes her to the tap and puts her hand under the water. Susan remarks that she thought putting butter on it was the best. Clive corrects her and says plain water is the best and kisses the burn and asks her how it is. Susan smiles at him and replies that he is always there when she needs him to look after her. Clive tells her that he wants to look after her because he loves her. Susan replies that she loves him too. Clive earnestly says that she has never said that before and they tenderly kiss one another.

Ramsay Street
Jim is washing the car as Charlene walks up to him carrying a load of newspapers. Jim laughs asking if she has time to read all the newspapers. Charlene replies that she hasn't they are for the people inside and that she has only one more exam left. Charlene asks after Scott and Jim tells her that he has now finished all his exams and is now writing a biography of his mother who was a journalist. She has sent him a whole load of clippings from around the world and Scott is compiling them into a book. Charlene says that after tomorrow she never wants to see another book again. Jim replies this is different; it is a labour of love.

Lucy comes running up to join them saying that she has an urgent message. Charlene makes her excuses and leaves. Lucy shouts after her see you at Des' party, then covers her mouth when she realises what she has said. Lucy continues that the message came from Mrs Clark, Mrs Mitchell, Gran and Daphne. Jim laughs and says that it sounds like a real hen house. Lucy continues that they don't want Des to know about the party and that they are to keep an eye on him and she has his present: a box of chocolates. Jim feels that Lucy should calm down a bit before they go and see Des otherwise she will let the cat out of the bag.

Clarke House
Mike is practising his saxophone as Des comes into the living room and remarks that it sounds like a moose drowning. (No idea how Des knows what this actually sounds like!) Mike looks at him and tells him that he looks terrible; Des replies that he sounds terrible. Des rubs his stomach and looks rather green and comments that he feels crook. Mike suggests that he goes and sees Clive but Des feels that Clive is entitled to his Sunday privacy and that it is probably just a weird bug he has picked up.. Mike then suggests that he sucks on an ice cube because Clive had told him that was the best thing to do. As Mike goes to the kitchen Des says that he better make it two ice cubes!

Mike gets the ice cubes out of the fridge, as Des asks him what Jane has done now. At first Mike denies that Jane has done anything. Des scoffs that he can pick women trouble...he wrote the map...he was born there. Mike moans that there are thousands of other girls in the neighbourhood but that Shane has to move in on Jane. Shane is an absolute drop kick! Des, with a mouthful of ice-cubes, mumbles that he had to battle Shane for over a year to get Daphne. Des suggests that Mike plays it cool. Mike rants that that is exactly what he has been doing and how is he supposed to compete with Shane and his motorbike. That Shane thinks he is Marlon Brando or something. Still with ice-cubes in his mouth Des mumbles that he is an expert on Shane, when it comes to work or women that all he is interested in is the thrill of the chase, he will then get bored and start looking for someone else. Des feels that Jane will need him sooner or later. Mike shrugs and moans that Jane has been sort of hypnotised since she has never come across one of these middle aged zombies before.

Des says that he is older than Shane is. Mike replies "So!" Des starts ranting"Where is Daphne? I am half dead, it's my birthday and she is out gasbagging with the neighbours." A bit shocked Mike tries to defuse the situation by telling Des that Daphne is helping Helen with the school fete. Des feels that he is more important that any school fete and taking another mouthful of ice-cubes says that it is unfair and he is going around to see her.

**

A few minutes later Mike is pulling at the door handle of the front door as Des goes towards it. Des (still eating ice-cubes) wants to know what he was doing, trying to stall Des Mike lamely says that he was going to open the door for him but it is stuck. Des suggests that he has a look, but Mike quickly tells him that he is too sick. Des replies that the ice cubes are working and he feels better. As Des finally opens the door Jim and Lucy are standing on the door step and come in to wish Des a happy birthday.

Lucy gives him the present and they go and sit down in the living room. Des asks what the present is and Jim tells him they are liqueur chocolates and Des goes a little greener and explains that he isn't feeling too well. Des explains that he was just going over to the Robinson house to find Daphne, Jim tells him not to bother it is a mad house; they are waist deep in chocolate crackles and toffee, the last time he looked. Lucy lets slip that they are even making a special cake. Jim quickly butts in that they are cooking for three stalls a real ladies day.

Mike suggests that they have some tea and goes to the kitchen to make it. Des wants to know why Helen and Daphne are doing all this cooking. Jim lamely says that they are the best cooks he guesses. Lucy lets slip that Eileen is over there to. Des scoffs and asks why she is there, she hasn't has anything to do with the school for ages, the kids make her nervous they give her the horrors. Lucy pipes up that she knows the real reason Eileen is there. Jim jumps up and looks nervous at this and says that they don't need to know her theories. But Lucy continues that now Eileen has got her voice back she just wants to talk. Des smiles and says that she doesn't miss a trick. When Des takes another mouthful of ice-cubes and isn't looking Jim winks at Lucy.

Mangel House
Shane is fiddling with the television adjustment control and fixes the television. Jane thanks him but he suggests that maybe she should tell her Gran that she fixed it otherwise Mrs Mangel might never watch it again. Shane asks Jane if she would like to go out on the bike for a ride, he has fixed it now so they shouldn't break down. Jane replies that she has to study, it is her last exam tomorrow and after that he won't be going out with a school girl anymore. Shane tells her that she has not been just a school girl she has always been someone really special. They kiss but Jane pulls away and then apologises for being stupid. Shane tells her that he doesn't want her to do anything she doesn't feel comfortable with. There is awkwardness between them and then Shane suggests that he helps her study and picks up a book and turns it side wards saying that things have changed since his day. Jane laughs and gives him another book and says that maybe he can help her with ancient history.

Clarke House
Des is still ranting to Jim, Lucy and Mike about the fact that it is his birthday, he is sick and Daphne is out cooking for an entire school fete and they don't have any kids! Lucy pipes up that she likes birthdays and surprises are fun. Mike and Jim jump in immediately and say "Presents" and try to chance the conversation. Des asks them wouldn't they be annoyed, Jim looks uncomfortable and says that we all make commitments and that Daphne just likes to stick to hers. Des snaps back what is more important to Daphne him or the school fete. Jim replies that that is one way of looking at it.

Des then wants to know when the school fete is and whether it is at the school or the reserve. Lucy is a bit sketchy with the details but finally says that it is at the school next Saturday. Des feels that then gives all the "real" mothers one whole week to cook chocolate crackles and toffee for this high priority happening! He then goes on to ask what the money is for. Jim says Sports equipment as Mike says Maths equipment. Lucy pipes up Maths and Sports equipment. Des moans that the school spends a fortune on sports equipment; the school has an account at the bank. He then ponders for a minute and says "Hang on the fete wasn't this time last year...I remember they bought in bags of coins and it took us ages to count it all even with the money counting machines.

Mike, Lucy, and Jim look even more uncomfortable and take a sip of their tea in unison. Lucy suddenly asks Des if he wants her to have a good education. Des says he does, but he can't see why Daphne cooking for the school fete... Lucy suddenly jumps in that they should play scrabble it will help her learn new words. Jim thinks it is a fantastic idea; Des is rather bemused by the whole idea as Mike jumps up to get the scrabble board.

Clive's House
Clive is sitting on the floor, telling baby Sam a story of cowboys and Indians, while Susan lies on the couch listening. Susan laughs at the end of the story and tells him that he is wonderful company and she is sure that Sam will tell you the same thing if he could speak. Clive gets serious and says what kids need from parents is time. His father was a great doctor, the top of his profession, saved hundreds of lives but had no time for his family. The phone rings and Susan goes to answer it, it is Paul who wants to talk to her urgently.

Ramsay House
Charlene is studying at the kitchen table as Shane comes in, he notices that she is studying ancient history and tells her that she has just been helping Jane. Although he wasn't much good just looking up references. Charlene wants to know if it bothers him that Jane is so into studying as he has been better with his hands than his head. Shane just scoffs and says that after tomorrow it won't matter as Jane won't be at school anymore. Charlene points out that that will only be for a year and then Jane will be off to Uni. Shane tells her that he will give all the help he can if they are still going out together. Charlene thinks he is being negative seeing how he has just stolen Jane off of Mike. Shane says that he isn't being negative just a realist that you never know what will happen. Charlene reminds him that Jane is only young and it would be easy to hurt her feelings. Shane scoffs and says that she sounds like old Mrs Mangel and that he should call her Nellie from now on. Charlene playful hits him.

Shane changes the subject by asking how Scott is. Charlene rolls her eyes and says the usual. Shane continues that at least some people are getting their acts together around here like Clive and Susan. Charlene tells him that Susan is over the moon. Shane thinks Clive has Susan on a pedestal which is a bad place for a woman.

Clive's House
Clive is rocking baby Sam to sleep as Paul knocks on the door; Clive takes Sam off to bed. Paul tells Susan that Rosemary has just rang the States, there is a big meeting set up first thing in the morning in Adelaide, the negotiator has fallen ill and he has to take over. Susan shrugs and wants to know what that has to do with her. Paul tells her that he can't do it alone and that the flight leaves later tonight.

Paul tells her that he knows it is short notice and explains to her the business problem he has; he has no choice in the matter and has a pile of work to do. He is going to the conference and flying by the seat of his pants he needs all the help he can get. Susan is reluctant to go and explains that her hours are from 9 to 5 and she has other commitments like baby Sam. Paul puts pressure on her by telling her that her hours are what ever he says they are. They all have to chip in when there is an emergency. Susan tries to explain that she has to think of Sam, she doesn't like leaving him overnight. Paul scoffs and says that he has his problems she has hers. When she took this job she told him that she could cope. Susan reasons with him that she can but she didn't expect anything like this. Paul dismisses her argument and tells her that they will be leaving at 7pm which gives her plenty of time to organise something.

Clive comes back in the living room and Paul looks at him and tells Susan there is your answer you spent all day telling me how well he can cope. Susan thinks it is totally unfair, she will think about it and let him know. Paul sneers at her that that he will drop by later if she isn't ready then they both know where they stand!

As Paul leaves Susan tells Clive it looks like she has no choice. Clive argues that she shouldn't let him kick her around like this, if he gets away with it once he will do did again. Susan sadly admits that it is a very good job, she has responsibilities, she makes decisions and she works at her own pace. She feels that Paul is right if there is an emergency then they should all chip in. Clive starts to get annoyed and tells her it is BLACKMAIL and he doesn't know why she is even considering it.

Clarke House
As Des, Mike, Jim and Lucy are playing scrabble, Jim asks what Des is eating. Des tells him that is banana custard; He offers it around but the others turn there noses up at the smell. Mike tells Des that he thought he felt sick but Des replies that the ice cubes worked wonders then he suddenly got a craving for banana custard and...he looks around the table....gherkins. The rest of them look on in disgust as Des rushes off to get the gherkins.

Charlene walks in (without even knocking and without a key!) and tells Jim that he is wanted at home. Lucy suggests that she takes Jim's place otherwise the others will cheat. As Jim leaves, Des tells him that he will be over in a minute. Charlene replies that she wouldn't go Eileen has taken over and has them all working as slaves. As Des finally puts down his letters on the scrabble board the others object to the DAPH. Des looks at them and tells them that you would think there was a conspiracy going on. The others look very guilty.

Clive's House
Clive is peeling the potatoes in the kitchen for lunch as Susan comes in, the atmosphere is very frosty and it is clear that Clive is far from happy about Susan going to Adelaide with Paul. Susan assures Clive that nothing could possible happen between her and Paul if she could get out of it she would. Clive angrily tells her that it is just an excuse set up by Paul once she is in the same hotel...Susan stops him that tells him that he has to trust her, isn't that what he wants a relationship built on trust. Clive assures her that it isn't her that he doesn't trust it is Paul Robinson. Susan reasons with Clive that she can handle Paul she has ever since she started working there and it is only for one night. What exactly is he worried about looking after Sam or her going away with Paul...he just has to trust her. Clive sighs and looks miserably at her.

Clarke House
The Marathon scrabble competition continues and Des finally puts his letters down C.A.T the others groan and asks why they have waited so long for him. Mike admits defeat and says that he has had enough and Lucy chips in does that mean I have won and the others agree that she has. She tells them that she is going home, but when Des says he will come with her, she changes her story and says that she is going to a friend's house. Lucy leaves and Des wants to know why they didn't let him use DAPH he would have beaten her and now he will never hear the end of it.

The phone rings and Mike goes to answer it, he whispers down the phone that it has been very difficult. The caller asks him to do something and he says how is he supposed to do that and that he will try.

As Des goes into the living room, Mike runs around to the kitchen table and whispers to Charlene that it was Daphne on the phone and she wants to bring all the food over and they have to get Des out of the house without going to the Robinsons.

Des who is still eating gherkins asks who was on the phone, Charlene and Mike join him in the living room and tell him that it was Daphne and that she is really worried about him being sick and that she wants him to go and see Clive. Des sarcastically says that is nice to hear. He insists that he doesn't need Clive and he is going to go around to the Robinson and tell Daphne that he is ok. He goes to stand up but Charlene and Mike push him back down onto the couch with Mike saying "No...No...Daphne wouldn't want that at all" Des gets angry and goes to stand up saying what is wrong with your guys I am going to go around the Robinsons....then he looks very dizzy... his eyes roll back into his head and he passes out onto the couch.... Mike and Charlene look on anxiously trying to wake him up.....