No. 24
The next morning, Harold says a cheerful 'morning' to Madge in the kitchen - but Madge is more concerned about the fact that she can't find the porridge. Harold goes to the 'fridge and takes out a plastic box, explaining that it was Henry's idea: he said it makes it crispier! Madge puts her hand to her brow and sighs that she can't go on like this. Harold says sympathetically:

HAROLD: Oh yes, love, I can imagine: all that intrigue with Charlene, and then the boys just taking off up to Brisbane, you know, at such short notice. It's a very worrying time.
MADGE (stiffly): That has nothing to *do* with it. Harold, I haven't had a decent night's sleep in a *week*. I'm a walking *zombie*. You tell me the porridge is in the 'fridge and I'm not even *surprised*.
HAROLD (mutters): Oh, I see. Right. Yes. Good. This is another go at *me*, is it? - just because I've got a slight respiratory complaint.
MADGE (bluntly): Harold, your snoring is like the Queen Mary in fog. It's a wonder our light bulbs don't explode!
HAROLD: I see - and that would account for *this*, would it?

He holds up a golf ball and goes on tersely:

HAROLD: You thought if you surreptitiously put it into the collar of my pyjamas, I'd be forced to sleep on my side.
MADGE: Well I had to do *something*, didn't I? After that argument with Des was over, I thought things would get better, but your snore worse than *ever* last night.
HAROLD: In *your* opinion.
MADGE: What do you want: witnesses?! Harold, I can't go on like this - I'm a gibbering mess.

Harold tells Madge wearily that her complaint has been registered. He goes to sit on his exercise bike, but Madge snaps at him that the bike is the *worst* of it: the harder he pedals, the more tired he gets. Harold retorts that it is his principal form of exercise - and besides, he enjoys it. He starts trying to pedal - but discovers to his surprise that the wheel won't move round. He climbs off to examine the bike and then, looking at Madge, exclaims coolly:

HAROLD: How very convenient.
MADGE (exclaims): You are accusing *me*?
HAROLD: Well, you must admit it is very coincidental.
MADGE: No, Harold, I would say that it is the work of some kind person who realises that I need a decent night's sleep - and if you want porridge for breakfast, you'd better make it yourself: I don't do crispy!

With that, she storms off to her room, leaving Harold standing there looking annoyed.

No. 26
Katie is sitting at the kitchen table, having breakfast. Jim asks her where Todd is, as if he doesn't hurry he'll be late for school. At that moment, Todd walks in. Jim looks at him and remarks on how tired he looks. Beverly comes in and asks disinterestedly what the problem is. Jim replies that it's a bit of insomnia, he thinks. He adds that it must be catching: he felt sure she'd sleep in today. Beverly retorts that she's not staying in bed: she has patients to see and a surgery to run. Jim shrugs that he guesses she knows best. As Beverly goes and sits down at the table, Jim puts a tray in front of her and tells her that he has a little treat for her for breakfast - and he even managed to get some raspberry jam. Beverly, however, murmurs that juice will be fine. Todd then says:

TODD: Uncle Jim, could I ask a favour? I need $5.

Kate gives him a look. Jim says to him:

JIM: You had your pocket money, mate.
TODD: This is different - it's for a school excursion. Remember I told you about it last week?
JIM (uncertainly): It's news to *me*. [To Beverly] You remember?
BEVERLY (mutters): Jim, it's $5. It's hardly going to break the bank.

Jim hands $5 to Todd as Katie looks at her brother suspiciously.

No. 32
Mrs. Mangel is sitting at the writing desk in the lounge room, preparing wedding invitations and saying to Jane cheerily:

MRS. MANGEL: Oh Jane, who would've thought this day would come again? I feel like a teenager!

She then adds in concern:

MRS. MANGEL: These invitations are very short notice - are you sure they'll get there in time?
JANE: They will if they're hand- delivered.

Joe walks in, towelling his hair after a shower, and smiles that that's what *he's* for - and he's looking after the flowers as well. Jane asks where they're from. Joe smiles:

JOE: Don't you worry, Jane, don't you worry! They're gonna be beautiful.
JANE (warily): Uncle Joe, no offence, but when you say 'don't worry', it only makes me worry *more*!
JOE: Look, this wedding's gonna go with a hitch. Nothing but the best for my mum!

Mrs. Mangel hands Jane the envelopes containing invitations and then sighs:

MRS. MANGEL: If only this England business wasn't praying so heavily on my mind.
JANE: Nan, I thought being with John was the most important thing.
MRS. MANGEL: Not at the expense of my family. Just doing the invitations has made me realise that - particularly with Isobel on the sick list.
JANE: Yeah, it's a shame to lose your Matron of Honour.
MRS. MANGEL (smiles): But at least I have you as bridesmaid, and that's a great comfort to me.

Joe then asks hesitantly if Amanda's coming. Jane tells him that they're not sure. Mrs. Mangel, however, tells her granddaughter to be realistic: they know how hectic Amanda's schedule is, and one wouldn't expect her to find the time to visit her mother on her wedding day; it's out of the question. Jane smiles that it's still going to be a wedding to remember. Mrs. Mangel heads off to the kitchen to get on with the washing- up. When she's gone, Jane remarks to Joe:

JANE: She's so amazing.
JOE: Eh?
JANE: Saying she's worried about the washing- up when she's obviously upset about mum - not to mention all the upheaval of maybe moving to England.
JOE: Pity there isn't something we can do about it.
JANE: I think there *is*. I've arranged to go into work a bit late today. I'm going to 'phone Hong Kong.
JOE: You're wasting your time, kiddo. I know what your mum's like: there's no way she's gonna come all this way just to go to a wedding.
JANE: Yeah, well, maybe she will if I ask her.
JOE: Ha!
JANE: Joe, this is important to me and it should be important to *her*, too.

Ramsay Street
Todd marches down the driveway of No. 26 and turns onto Ramsay Street. Katie runs after him and asks him why he's so mad at her; she hasn't even *done* everything. Todd just retorts that if she's smart, that's the way it'll stay. Katie cries:

KATIE: Why are you being so awful? You shout at me last night and now you're telling lies all the time.

Todd just glares at his sister. Katie presses:

KATIE: It's true, isn't it? You lied about the excursion, didn't you?

Todd stops and stares at Katie. He says to her:

TODD: Look, I'd tell you if I could.
KATIE: Why's it such a big secret? Where did you go last night?
TODD (warns): Katie...
KATIE: What did you need the $5 for?

Todd doesn't answer. He instead tells Katie that he won't be around to take her home from school today - so when she gets home, she should just say the excursion was late back. Kate cries:

KATIE: But *why*?

Todd doesn't answer - he just walks off down the street.

No. 26
Beverly is in the lounge room, getting ready to leave for the surgery. Jim joins her from the kitchen and asks her if she's all set. She nods that she thinks so. Jim stands there, watching her, but Beverly snaps at him not to stare at her. Jim insists that he wasn't, but Beverly tells him tersely:

BEVERLY: I'm quite capable of dealing with this, Jim. Life goes on.

She then smiles weakly and adds that that's a platitude she uses with her patients every single day. Jim tells her that he just worries that she's expecting too much for herself; she wouldn't be human if she didn't. He goes to kiss her, but Beverly takes a step away. Jim murmurs:

JIM: And now you're shutting me out.
BEVERLY: It isn't *you*...
JIM (raising his voice): No? What do you call *this*, then?
BEVERLY: I can't help the way I feel. I don't know if I'm angry or not facing up to things... I just don't know, Jim.
JIM: Well, you need to *see* someone: a counsellor or something.
BEVERLY (coolly): I think *I* am the best judge of what I should or shouldn't do. Right now, I just want to take things one step at a time. I'm sorry - I can only do that on my own.
JIM (mutters): Fair enough.

Beverly asks Jim to please understand: she just doesn't need any other complications right now. With that, she picks up her medical bag and heads to the door. She pauses, turns back to Jim and says softly:

BEVERLY: Be patient with me.

She heads out, leaving Jim looking worried.

No. 24
Madge is sitting on the couch, looking at a magazine, and Harold is sitting in the armchair, reading the newspaper. Madge tells Harold that it says in an article in her magazine that camphorwood oil or eucalyptus oil might do the trick. Harold, however, just mutters:

HAROLD: Why don't you just shove me up a gum tree and be done with it, eh?

Madge tells Harold curtly that he's carrying on as though she's only doing this for *her* - but chronic snoring can be very serious... not to mention infuriating. Harold stands up and says tersely:

HAROLD: Has it ever occurred to you that I just might be *embarrassed* about all this? I mean, how would *you* like it if the shoe were on the other foot?
MADGE: Harold, *I* don't *snore*.
HAROLD: Neither did *I* until *you* started complaining about it! Least, I wasn't *aware* of it. Now I'm so paranoid, I'm not game to shut me eyes!

There's suddenly a knock on the front door and, looking irritated at the interruption, Harold goes to answer it. He finds Joe standing on the step and he asks him coolly if there's something he can help him with. As Joe steps inside, he tells him that Des wasn't in, so he's come to see Harold to see if he's got his quotes in yet for the Coffee Shop refit - he's all ready to go. Harold retorts that, as he explained, they won't be making any decision until they get a few quotes. Joe chuckles and Harold asks him tersely if he finds that amusing. Joe grins:

JOE: Well... no. It's just that, well, you're gonna need a carpenter and plumber... someone to fix the sparks... then a painter... By the time you hang around getting quotes on all that, you're gonna be waiting a fair while - then you've gotta get them working in sequence. You could be throwing good money after bad, Harold.

Harold points out that they'd be getting the benefit of their professional expertise. Joe assures him that there's no argument *there* - and they never forget that when they put their bill together. He goes on that if it was *his* business, he'd want a quick, efficient, sensibly- priced job handled by a craftsman. Harold muses:

HAROLD: You...?
JOE: Now there's a thought, Harold! See, at least I'd get in there, get out, get your job done.

Harold replies that he won't be making any snap decisions; he'll talk it over with Des first. Joe tells him that he won't regret it. As he heads back to the door, he looks at the exercise bike and smiles that Henry was telling him about it. Harold comments that the pedals don't seem to be working: he was just about to call the rental company. Joe says he'll duck home and get his tools; he'll have it fixed in a jiffy. Harold insists that there's no need, but Joe just tells him to consider it done.

No. 32
Jane is talking on the 'phone in the hallway, tears in her eyes as she pleads:

JANE: Mum, all I'm asking is for two days of your time. ... Yeah, I know you're busy and I appreciate that. The wedding really does mean a lot to nan - and apart from that, I've been missing you; I'd really like to see you.

Joe comes in as Jane tells her mother:

JANE: Well, if booking the flight's a problem, I can do it from work. ... Yes, of *course* it's important. I wouldn't've 'phoned you if it wasn't-.

Joe grabs the 'phone suddenly and says to Amanda:

JOE: Is that my useless sister? ... Yeah, yeah, it's me: your useless brother! What's this I hear about you not coming to the wedding? ... Oh yes? Yeah? Very considerate of ya. ... Yeah? Yeah? Well, do you want me to tell you something for free? You're an incredibly selfish woman, you know that? You know what? The simple fact is all you care about is you. Just *you*. You don't give a tuppenny about anybody else.

Mrs. Mangel comes in through the front door and overhears the end of the conversation. She asks Jane who Joe's talking to. Jane murmurs that she thinks it's something to do with work. Mrs. Mangel asks Jane if that's why she's been crying. Jane gives in and admits that she 'phoned her mum to see if she'll come to the wedding, but she won't. Joe is still talking on the 'phone, and he snaps at Amanda:

JOE: On yes? Yeah? Well, the same to you with knobs on!

He slams down the 'phone. Mrs. Mangel says to her granddaughter:

MRS. MANGEL: It is a disappointment, Jane, but I've long since become accustomed to Amanda letting me down.
JANE: You know, I even asked her for *me*. I just about *begged* her.
MRS. MANGEL: Oh, courage, child. As they say: these are the sort of things that are sent to test us - and in a sense, there's a valuable lesson here: John envisaged a life for us both in England - but I could never leave you. [She looks at Joe as well] *You're* my only family now.
JANE: Oh nan...
MRS. MANGEL: I'll simply have to tell John to revise his thinking.

Ramsay Street
Harold is polishing his car outside No. 24 when John Worthington walks over and remarks that that's quite a brilliant sheen he's worked up there. He adds that he takes it there's some reason for all the activity. Harold explains that it's his alternative workout: the exercise bike is momentarily out of action. John smiles:

JOHN: Don't let Nell catch sight of you working so hard - she might expect it of me too!

Mrs. Mangel tells John that that's a wonderful woman he's getting there: she'll be a great loss to the street. Jane walks over at that moment and tells John that her nan's inside if he's looking for her - but she then adds sadly that she thinks she's ruined everything. John says:

JOHN: Surely not. *How*?
JANE: It's a bit of a long story. I 'phoned mum to see if she'd fly over from Hong Kong for the wedding. She refused - and now nan's all the more determined to keep the rest of the family in Erinsborough. Sorry.
JOHN: Nonsense, Jane, that's hardly *your* fault.
JANE: You had such romantic plans to go away...
JOHN: I'm sure it's nothing that can't be resolved with some intelligent discussion. Besides, I want you to realise something: your nan comes first in all of this. I'm not forcing her into *anything*.

With that, he heads off across to No. 32, leaving Harold looking thoughtful and Jane looking worried.

No. 32
Joe is standing with Mrs. Mangel in the lounge room, saying that it's no probs: *he* can look after Jane. Mrs. Mangel nods that she's sure that's very well intended, but that's not the *only* reason for her decision. Joe sighs:

JOE: Oh, I get it. You don't reckon I'm responsible enough, do ya?

Before Mrs. Mangel can answer, the doorbell rings. She goes to answer it and Joe heads out to fix Harold's exercise bike. John steps inside and he and Mrs. Mangel head into the lounge room and sit down. Mrs. Mangel then says hesitantly:

MRS. MANGEL: It seems that we have a... a slight problem.
JOHN: Let me put you out of your misery, Nell. I've already spoken to Jane outside: she told me your concern about the trip.
MRS. MANGEL: The *trip* isn't the problem; it's just the permanent nature of it all. Ramsay Street's my home, John: there are people who *need* me here.
JOHN: How about I suggest a compromise? We take the trip as a honeymoon - visit England, Wales, Ireland, Loch Ness... the whole tourist bit - then spend a short time with my daughter.
MRS. MANGEL: Then...?
JOHN: Then we very calmly evaluate the situation. Nell, if this is your home, I wouldn't want it any other way.

Mrs. Mangel sits there with a smile of relief on her face.

Erinsborough High
The school bell rings to mark the end of the day. Todd starts dashing out to the gate, but another boy catches up with him and asks what the big rush is. Todd replies that he's got to go somewhere. The boy invites him back to his place to play French Cricket, but Todd says he can't tonight. He dashes off. Unknown to him, Katie is watching and starts following him...

No. 26
Beverly arrives home with Madge in tow. Madge is telling Beverly that she'd normally never bother her with anything so trivial, but it's driving her up the wall - and Harold's attitude isn't helping, either: he's becoming downright belligerent. Beverly says she imagines he's a little embarrassed. As they head through to the kitchen, Madge retorts:

MADGE: For heaven's sake, we're man and wife. If *I* can't tell the man he sounds like depth- charges being dropped, who *can*?!

Beverly asks Madge if she's tried to stop him sleeping on his back. Madge nods that he got quite upset when he realised she'd put a golf ball down the back of his pyjamas last night! Beverly tells her that there's some recent research to suggest weight loss might help. Madge, however, sighs that that's half the trouble: Harold's keeping fit now just makes his snoring *worse*. Beverly says in irritation:

BEVERLY: Then I'm sorry, Madge - it doesn't really seem like I can help you then, does it?

Madge apologises and comments that she's caught Beverly at a bad time. Beverly nods that she's had better weeks. She then goes on that there was a paper she glanced at recently which mentioned a respirator that might be of some use; she'll see what she can find out about it. Madge thanks her, exclaiming that *anything* would be an improvement - she doesn't think she can stand it much longer.

No. 24
Joe has fixed the exercise bike and he smiles at Harold that it's always good to get an expert in - just like that Coffee Shop: he could rip through the place in no time. Harold points out that he still hasn't discussed it with Des yet. Joe tells him that he doesn't want to wait too long: work could come in just like 'that' and he could get rushed off his feet. Harold shrugs that they'll just have to risk that! He then asks Joe what the damage is for fixing the bike. Joe, however, tells him:

JOE: Gratis, Harold, gratis. Just part of a friendly neighbourhood service. You can treat it as a bit of an old demo of me expertise, if you like.

Harold thanks him and Joe heads out. Harold looks at the exercise bike and starts saying aloud to himself:

HAROLD: Day three of the Tour de France. Bishop still defies them in his yellow jacket, eh? He seems unstoppable!

With that, he climbs onto the bike - only to find that the pedals still won't go round! As he presses down on them with his feet, he stands up and causes the bike to topple over. He lands on his back by the side of the couch.

Amusement arcade
Todd is sitting playing a video game at the amusement arcade. Katie walks up to him and taps him on the shoulder. Todd turns and glares at her and demands:

TODD: Where'd *you* come from?
KATIE: I followed you. So much for a school excursion.
TODD: If you had a brain, you'd just turn around and get out of here - and mind your own business.
KATIE: You're not even supposed to *be* in a place like this, Todd.
TODD (warns): Katie...
KATIE: You're lying *all* the time. *Why*, Todd? What's happened to you?
TODD (snaps): Look, if you don't shut your face, I'm gonna shut it *for*you.

Katie looks at him in shock. Todd calms down and tells her that things haven't been going too well at home; he only comes to the arcade because he *likes* it - it makes him feel good. Katie asks how. Todd shrugs that he doesn't know; it just does. He adds:

TODD: I want to see my name up there on the screen with the top score and then I'll stop.
KATIE (dubiously): Yeah - until someone *beats* you again.
TODD: No - just once, so I can prove I can do it.
KATIE: But Uncle Jim and Aunty Bev said-
TODD: *Forget* them. Look, they might care, but they don't understand. This means heaps to me - more than stupid school... sport... just about *everything*. If you go and blab, you'll ruin *everything*.
KATIE: But why *lie* all the time?
TODD: Look, it's only for a little while. Every time I play, I get better. What do you say?

Katie stands there, looking thoughtful. After a moment, she says:

KATIE: I guess I can keep quiet about it.
TODD (grins): Great - I *knew* I could count on you!

Katie looks worried, though.

No. 24
Harold is lying on the couch when Madge arrives home. She looks at him and remarks that she thought he was going to let Joe fix the bike for him. Harold, however, retorts that that is what's known colloquially as a very sore point at present. Madge says:

MADGE: Ah. Well, I just think I might have some good news for you. I was having a little chat with Beverly about your... your affliction, and she-
HAROLD (gasps): You *what*? Well, that is lovely to know there are still some secrets left in a man's marriage.
MADGE: Harold, let me finish. She says-
HAROLD (angrily): Oh yes, go on, then, tell me: what is it *this* time, eh? Ice cubes in the socks? Red peppers on the end of the tongue? Enough is enough, Madge.
MADGE: Harold...
HAROLD: No. No. I have put up with the sniggering derision... I've put up with the low- key humour, the accusatory comments - but I have *had* it.

He goes on angrily:

HAROLD: What is next on the agenda for the neighbourhood chit- chat, eh? Ingrowing toenails? Warts? A man's home is supposed to be his *castle*.
MADGE (tersely): All right, Harold, all right - if that's the way you want it, that's the way you're going to get it - because I am pulling up the drawbridge. I am fed up with being sympathetic to your sensitivities and your snoring. I need a good night's sleep and tonight I'm going to *get* it. You'll find your things in Henry's room and you can damn well stay there until you're prepared to do something about your snoring.

With that, she storms off, leaving Harold looking most frustrated!