No. 28
Edith Chubb is sitting with Des on the couch at No. 28, listening as Henry tries to explain to her about the murder- mystery. Des adds that it's an acting game - like charades. Mrs. Chubb says coolly:

MRS. CHUBB: Oh, I see - and some of us decided to play at dress- ups, did we?
SHARON (sheepishly): Um... yeah...
BRONWYN (quickly): I wouldn't normally let Shazza be seen *dead* in an outfit like that, Aunt Edie.

Edie gives Bronwyn a dark look and she corrects quickly:

BRONWYN: Sharon, I mean.

Henry adds that that's right: Sharon is very reserved most of the time. Bronwyn goes on that Erinsborough has calmed Sharon down heaps. Mrs. Chubb, however, retorts that she does not believe in miracles, especially when all the evidence points to the contrary. She stands up and Henry grins at her and says:

HENRY: Listen, Mrs. Chubb... or can I call you Edith?
EDIE (firmly): No, you may not.
HENRY: Right!

Henry then explains about how they were trying to cheer Scott up because he's missing his wife. Bronwyn adds that Sharon is developing community spirit. Mrs. Chubb says disbelievingly:

MRS. CHUBB: Sharon? Developing community spirit?
HENRY: Yes! We're full of it.
DES (murmurs): I'll say!

Mrs. Chubb then announces that she intends to accompany her nieces home now, meet Mrs. Mangel and inspect her premises. Bronwyn says Mrs. Mangel will probably be in bed. Mrs. Chubb sighs that she'll go to her hotel, then, and return in the morning, when she hopes to find a more encouraging picture of the life the girls are living here. Des tells her:

DES: Don't let that game put you off - it was just a bit of fun.
EDIE: Mr. Clarke - we do not *do* things like that in Narrabri.

Bronwyn tells her aunt that she's sorry if they gave her a shock: they weren't expecting her to arrive tonight. Sharon asks Mrs. Chubb how long she's planning on staying. She replies:

MRS. CHUBB: Long enough to find out what you've been up to down here and to make sure that your lodgings are suitable - but I've got to be back in Narrabri tomorrow night, though: I've got a CWA meeting.
SHARON: Oh, gee, what a shame!

Bronwyn tells Mrs. Chubb that she's sure she'll feel much better about them staying down there once she's met Mrs. Mangel. Des muses:

DES: Yeah, you'll have a lot in common with her, I'd say!

No. 32
Mrs. Mangel is sitting with Jane in the lounge room, telling her angrily that she had no right; it was a wicked thing to do, telling Joe to come there. Jane replies that she *asked* him, that's all; it was *his* decision. Mrs. Mangel cries:

MRS. MANGEL: But for what reason? To tell me the same lies he told me all those years ago?
JANE: He could be telling the truth. *I* think he is.
MRS. MANGEL: He's told nothing but lies since the day he learned to speak.
JANE: Nan, that was over twelve years ago. You can't judge him by the past.
MRS. MANGEL: He hasn't changed. I judge him by the company he keeps: rogues and good- for- nothings. I can only thank heavens that he's gone now and taken that wretched pistol *with* him.
JANE: Yeah, well, it wasn't really his, I'm sure of that.
MRS. MANGEL: He possessed it - that's ownership in *my* eyes.
JANE: Well, *I'm* not sorry he came. I just wish you'd given him the benefit of the doubt.
MRS. MANGEL: I've done it once too often.

The front door opens suddenly and Bronwyn and Sharon come in. Jane asks how the murder was and Sharon replies that it was wonderful - until Aunt Edie turned up. Bronwyn tells Mrs. Mangel that Mrs. Chubb has gone to a hotel, but she'd like to call on her in the morning. Mrs. Mangel sighs that that's very well, and she heads off to bed. When she's gone, Bronwyn asks Jane how she went with her uncle. Jane replies that he came over - but after all that work, she doesn't think he'll be back again. With that, she heads off to bed as well, looking glum.

No. 24
The next morning, Madge is in the laundry, muttering about trying to wash her costume for the Waterhole and adding that they should take them to the *tip*. Henry, who's sitting having breakfast, says he doesn't know why Paul doesn't spend more time in the pub so he can see what's going on for himself. Madge joins him and comments that Paul is completely snowed under at the moment. Henry comments that the problem's not going away: now the regulars know they can get a rise out of them and the other staff, they won't leave it alone. Changing the subject, he asks what time Harold hit the road. Madge tells him that it was 6:30am. Henry grins:

HENRY: You'd better get used to it, mum: when it comes to Scouting, Harold's like a little kid!

Madge muses that he and Scott last night were like a couple of kids going off in their party clothes to play party games! She then asks how it went and Henry smiles that it was great - until Aunt Edie arrived! Madge explains that she and Harold had the pleasure briefly last night. Henry remarks:

HENRY: What a dragon. She makes Mrs. Mangel look like Mary Poppins!

No. 32
Edith Chubb, Bronwyn, Sharon and Mrs. Mangel are all sitting in the lounge room at No. 32. Jane serves tea and Mrs. Chubb asks her to put the milk in first. Mrs. Mangel says *she'll* pour. Mrs. Chubb says to her:

MRS. CHUBB: How have my nieces been behaving themselves, Mrs. Mangel? You may speak freely.
MRS. MANGEL: Bronwyn has been a pleasure to have. She's been most helpful and very considerate for a young person.
BRONWYN: Thanks, Mrs. Mangel!
MRS. CHUBB: And Sharon...?
MRS. MANGEL: Sharon... er... also has good intentions, I'm sure. We have had a few small problems - but nothing we can't rectify in time. I take pride in helping young people to be socially aware, Mrs. Chubb. There's nothing much I can't handle.
MRS. CHUBB (warmly): Oh, I can see that, Mrs. Mangel! I must say, I'll be able to give my brother a glowing report of the environment you're providing. You have a most attractive home.
MRS. MANGEL: Thank you!

Sharon chips in and asks her aunt if that means it's all right for her and Bronwyn to stay there. Mrs. Chubb retorts:

MRS. CHUBB: Well, *Bronwyn* can stay if she pleases, but *you'll* be coming back to Narrabri with me this afternoon.

Sharon exclaims in horror that there's no way: she's moved out and she's *staying* out. Mrs. Chubb retorts that any thoughts she had about Sharon approaching maturity vanished last night when she saw her performing in that 'circus'. Bronwyn says:

BRONWYN: What if Sharon stayed for another week or two and let dad think about it?
MRS. CHUBB (firmly): Bronwyn, your father entrusted me to make the decision, and I've done so. Sharon is coming home with *me*.
SHARON (snaps): I won't - and that's final.

With that, Sharon marches out of the room. When she's gone, Mrs. Mangel remarks:

MRS. MANGEL: Well, really! It's plain to see that *that* young lady hasn't learned any respect for her elders.
BRONWYN: She was upset. She didn't mean to be rude.

Bronwyn and Jane head off to try and talk to Sharon. Left alone with Mrs. Mangel, Mrs. Chubb tells her that she apologises for Sharon: clearly she needs some firm treatment.

Ramsay Street
A short time later, Sharon is standing outside No. 28 with Bronwyn and Jane. Bronwyn tells her sister that she should have let *her* do the talking. Jane adds that Mrs. Chubb's like Mrs. Mangel: once you yell at them, they switch off. Sharon insists that she won't go back. Bronwyn says she'd better go and talk to Aunt Edie and see if she can get a stay of execution. Jane, however, spots Mrs. Chubb emerging from No. 32 and tells the girls that it's too late. Mrs. Chubb marches up to them and says to Sharon tersely:

MRS. CHUBB: Sharon - your outburst in there was embarrassing in the extreme. However, you're still coming back to Narrabri with me, so you may as well stop the rot.
SHARON (pleads): Can't I stay *here*, Aunt Edie? *Please*?
MRS. CHUBB: No. You're not old enough to manage your own life.
SHARON (snaps): That's not true!

Bronwyn and Jane look on in concern. Sharon calms down and goes on quickly:

SHARON: I've found a place to stay - you said yourself you liked Mrs. Mangel's house. And I've enrolled in the High School and I've got a part- time job, so I'll have money to pay my board.

Across the street, Henry and Madge walk down the driveway of No. 24 and stop and watch what's going on. Madge comments that she wonders what they're arguing in the street for. Back outside No. 28, Bronwyn tells Mrs. Chubb that she'll keep an eye on Sharon; she wouldn't let her go off the rails. Mrs. Chubb, however, just retorts that their father specifically gave *her* the authority to decide what's best. Des emerges from No. 28 and tries to intervene, but Sharon and Mrs. Chubb talk over him, Sharon snapping that what's best for *her* is staying *there*. Des manages to interject, finally, and he tells Sharon, Bronwyn and Mrs. Chubb that he can offer them *his* place to come in and sit down and talk. Mrs. Chubb thanks him and nods that it *would* be preferable to continue their discussion out of sight of the neighbours. She glances across darkly at Henry and Madge. As she and the others head inside, across the street Henry chuckles to Madge that Des is a sucker for punishment! Changing the subject, Madge suggests that they get to work before Paul chews them out. They climb into Bertha, Henry sighing:

HENRY: What a way to spend a Saturday...!

Office of the Daniels Corporation
Paul and Gail are both in the office, sitting at their desks, working. Gail remarks lightheartedly:

GAIL: Remember the good old days, when you used to have weekends off?
PAUL: When was *that*?
GAIL: Oh - must've been a dream!

Paul sighs at Gail that his In Tray is no dream. Gail reminds him that they've still got the Lassiter's Best competition to sort out, but Paul replies that that's not urgent; he's not even going to think about it until he has to. Gail shrugs:

GAIL: All right - but the staff are hanging out to see who's won that trip to Expo.
PAUL (tersely): Gail, I'm only human - I can't do *everything* at once.

Gail smiles that there's light at the end of the tunnel: a few more days and they'll be back to normal. She gets up and picks up a file from Paul's desk. She glances through it and then asks him if he's yet checked out the company the file is about. Paul, however, replies that he hasn't: it's further down the track than the competition. Gail warns him that it's overdue. Paul, however, snaps:

PAUL: Gail, will you get off my back? Look, I know there's work to do and I'm trying to do it. I've made a start on that thing for Rosemary. I can't do the legal searches until Monday, OK?
GAIL: OK, OK! I was just reminding you. Look, we're in this together, remember? We'll get through it.
PAUL (calming down): Yeah, right. I'm sorry.

No. 28
Sharon, Bronwyn, Des, Jane and Mrs. Chubb are all standing in the lounge room at No. 28. Sharon is snapping at her aunt that she's just slave labour; that's why her dad wants her home: ever since Bronny left, all she's done is work her fingers to the bone looking after him and Bill. Mrs. Chubb tells Sharon that she's being over- dramatic. Sharon, however, insists that it's the truth. Mrs. Chubb just declares:

EDIE: Men work and women keep the home.
SHARON: Then why don't *you* do it? You're there half the time, looking over my shoulder anyway.
EDIE (firmly): I have a duty - and in time you won't *need* my supervision.

Bronwyn chips in that it doesn't really seem fair: *she* did the work *before* Sharon. Mrs. Chubb retorts:

MRS. CHUBB: Yes, and when Sharon is old enough, perhaps she'll choose to abandon the family as *you've* done. For now, she is *needed*.
SHARON: I won't do it, Aunt Edie. You can drag me back, kicking and screaming, but you can't make me stay. I'll run away again and next time you won't find me.

Mrs. Chubb just stares at her niece. Des steps forward suddenly and asks if he can put in his two cents' worth. He then tells Mrs. Chubb that it seems to him that Sharon would be better off being in Erinsborough with her sister rather than running off somewhere to be alone. Mrs. Chubb exclaims that she can't understand why Sharon should *want* to live anywhere else but Narrabri. Des tells her:

DES: *Most* kids her age like to branch out a bit. Did you find everything to your liking at Mrs. Mangel's?
MRS. CHUBB (smiles): Oh, I did! It would be difficult to find other lodgings as suitable.
DES: Then why don't you ask Mrs. Mangel if she'll take Sharon on as a permanent boarder? Bronwyn could keep an eye on her. So can Jane.
BRONWYN: And dad could always visit us and see for himself.

Mrs. Chubb comments warily that Sharon's a very headstrong girl; she'd hardly like to inflict her on Mrs. Mangel. Jane tells Mrs. Chubb that her nan might be interested; they could give her a try. Mrs. Chubb accepts:

MRS. CHUBB: Well... I suppose we could have a trial period - but only if Mrs. Mangel agrees.
JANE: I'll talk to her. I'm sure I can persuade her.
MRS. CHUBB: Very well, then, if that's the case.

With that, Sharon throws her arms around her aunt and exclaims that she's ace! She starts jumping up and down excitedly. Mrs. Chubb, however, says:

MRS. CHUBB: Sharon, for heaven's sake restrain yourself. You know it's not becoming to show your emotions so freely.

Outside the Waterhole
Henry emerges from the Waterhole, wearing his colonial outfit, and he offers more beers to a couple of blokes sitting at a table. One of them, Bob, stares at him and laughs that it's the tooth fairy! Henry sighs at Bob to give him a break: the outfit's for the tourists. Madge emerges from the Waterhole wearing *her* outfit and she tells Henry that *she'll* look after the guys. Bob says:

BOB: Oo, I wish you *would*!

The other guy laughs that if the Waterhole ever goes topless, let him know, as it's something he wouldn't miss. Bob, staring at Madge's chest and making a cupping motion with his hand, leers that it's something you *couldn't* miss. Henry storms back over suddenly, grabs Bob and lifts him to his feet. He snaps angrily:

HENRY: Right, I've had ya. One more filthy comment to my mother and I'll deck ya. Now, go home and sober up.

He pushes Bob to the ground and repeats his order to go home. The second guy helps Bob up. As Bob climbs to his feet, he warns coldly:

BOB: You shouldn't've done that, Goldilocks. You'll be *hearing* from me...

Henry looks at Madge in concern.

No. 32
Mrs. Mangel is sitting in an armchair in the lounge room. Sharon, Bronwyn, Jane and Edith Chubb are all standing around, while Des addresses Mrs. Mangel and tells her that it's up to her, but Sharon can't stay in Erinsborough unless she's prepared to have her. Mrs. Mangel remarks:

MRS. MANGEL: I was under the impression she was only here temporarily. And she's not the *easiest* lodger to accommodate...
SHARON: I'll be good, I promise. I can use my wages from the Coffee Shop to pay my board... and I'll get the keyboard fixed...

Mrs. Chubb tells Mrs. Mangel that she must decide realistically: this is a strong- willed girl they're talking about. Mrs. Mangel, looking thoughtful, says:

MRS. MANGEL: I suppose she and Bronwyn could sleep in the same room. Tell me, Mrs. Chubb: would *you* be happy leaving her in my care?
EDIE: Well, I wouldn't if it was anybody but *you*, Mrs. Mangel.

Mrs. Mangel comments that she could reduce the rent slightly for each girl as they'll be sharing, but she'll expect them to take on additional household duties. Bronwyn says quickly that they'll do that. Des asks:

DES: Is it settled then?
MRS. MANGEL: Yes, we'll give it a try.
SHARON (beams): You're a ripper, Mrs. Mangel!

With that, Sharon goes and kisses Mrs. Mangel on the cheek and tells her she'll be the best boarder she's ever had!

Office of the Daniels Corporation
The 'phone rings and Paul answers it. He listens and then whispers to Gail that it's the boss. He then asks Rosemary what he can do for her. He listens and says:

PAUL: The whole Udagawa package will be forwarded to you early this week. ... [His face dropping] The pastoral development company? Yeah. Yeah. ... No, I've done it ... No, I'll forward that with the rest of the information. ... A buyer? Good, good! ... Yeah, I will. Don't worry about it. ... Bye. Bye.

With that, Paul hangs up and sighs in concern:

PAUL: Oh no...

Gail asks what all that was about. Paul explains that it's those blasted company searches Rosemary wanted: he just told her they've done them. Gail gasps:

GAIL: Paul, you shouldn't've *lied* to her...
PAUL (retorts): I got *rattled*, Gail. She said she's got a buyer that's interested and she wants the information ready to fax through when she calls.
GAIL: Well, there's no hope of that before Monday.
PAUL: Well, I couldn't *tell* her that, could I; not when I said I'd already done it.
GAIL: Well, why did you lie to her, for goodness' sake?
PAUL: I don't know, Gail. Look, she was pressuring me about everything and it just sort of slipped out.

Paul then tells Gail that they'll get the legal search done first thing on Monday morning. He adds distantly:

PAUL: Just don't worry about anything. You worry too much, Gail.

He sits at his desk, looking worried.

No. 32
Sharon is talking to her father on the 'phone in the hallway, asking him how much he got for the car. She listens and then asks if he can send down some more money. She adds that she won't spend it all on make- up! She smiles that she'll be good, and she hangs up. She then heads into the lounge room, where Mrs. Mangel asks her:

MRS. MANGEL: How was your father?
SHARON: He went to the cattle sale this morning. Did all right.

Mrs. Chubb asks if he'll be visiting. Sharon just smiles that she knows her dad. Mrs. Chubb nods:

MRS. CHUBB: He can't bear to leave the farm - in which case, *I* shall be returning to ensure that Sharon's honouring her promise regarding her behaviour.
SHARON: Trust me, Aunt Edie - I'll be an angel!
MRS. CHUBB (muses): That, Sharon, stretches credibility.

Mrs. Mangel assures Mrs. Chubb that she may safely leave Sharon in *her* hands. A car horn sounds outside suddenly and Mrs. Chubb says her cab's there, so she won't linger. Sharon gives her a hug and Mrs. Mangel goes to see her to the door. She wishes her a safe trip home and Mrs. Chubb heads out. When she's gone, Sharon sighs in relief:

SHARON: Thank goodness *that* all worked out all right. I'm going to get changed.
MRS. MANGEL: And why is that?
SHARON: I'm going down the Coffee Shop. Mike should be there soon!
MRS. MANGEL: I see. Well, when you've finished your *chores*, I may consider letting you go.
SHARON (exclaims): Chores? What, here and now?
MRS. MANGEL: You surely haven't forgotten that you made an agreement to take on extra household duties?
SHARON: No, but do I have to do them *now*?
MRS. MANGEL (looking at the front door): I haven't heard the taxi leave yet. Shall we call your aunt?

Sharon gives in and says she'll do the chores. Mrs. Mangel tells her to start with cleaning the oven.

Office of the Daniels Corporation
Madge is sitting in the office with Paul and Gail, telling them:

MADGE: Anyway, I got a call from this Mr. Birch - he's Bob Hughes' solicitor. Apparently they're going to sue for damages because Bob says he hurt his back.
PAUL (hisses): Oh damn.

He then leaps up and snaps angrily:

PAUL: Henry had no right to touch him, Madge.

Gail points out to Paul that he can't blame Henry for defending his mother. Paul, however, asks her coolly if she knows what sort of compensation is awarded for back injuries. He turns back to Madge and says tersely:

PAUL: I'm sorry, Madge: Henry gets his notice.
MADGE: You can't do that!
PAUL: Madge, I have no *option*.
MADGE: Paul, this was caused by those costumes. I've been trying to warn you for *days*.
PAUL: That still does not excuse Henry from overstepping the mark.
MADGE: He's got all the bar staff on his side. They know the costumes are responsible. They'll walk out if you sack him.
PAUL: Are you threatening me with a strike now?

Gail says quickly that she's sure Madge didn't mean that, and Madge tells Paul that of course she didn't - she's just telling him the way it is: they're all behind Henry. Paul hisses:

PAUL: Then talk some sense into them.

Gail suggests to Madge that she go back to work, she and Paul will talk it over and they'll speak to Henry later. As Madge stands up, she tells Paul that she's sorry: this is the last thing any of them wanted to happen. With that, she walks out. When she's gone, Paul exclaims to Gail:

PAUL: This could be a first- class disaster. I mean, all Henry is going to lose is his *job* - but the Daniels Corporation could lose *everything*.
GAIL (lightly): Oh, it never rains but it pours!
PAUL (snaps): Thank you for those consoling words, Gail.

A man knocks on the door suddenly and tells Paul that a fax has just come in. Gail says *she'll* take it. The man hands it to her and leaves. Gail looks at the sheet of paper and then murmurs:

GAIL: Oh no...
PAUL: What?
GAIL: Rosemary wants you to fax back that file on the pastoral development company.
PAUL: Gail, I *can't*. What am I going to do?
GAIL: I think you're going to have to face the music.
PAUL: Yeah, but how? How am I going to tell her *that*? Oh no... what have I done? She's going to have my hide for this...