Robinsons
Helen is worried about Todd and Katie reports that he's locked himself in his room. Helen decides to make a cake for him to surprise him. Meanwhile, Todd creeps out of the front door with a bag and disappears into the night.

No.32
Jane and Joe are having a picnic on the floor because all the furniture has gone. Joe says he'll move his stuff in tomorrow and then they'll be alright. Joe is worried that Bouncer is off his food a bit and Jane thinks he's pining for Mrs Mangel.

Arcade
Todd is at a game watching a dodgy-looking bloke called Skinner. When Skinner has finished, Todd puts some money in himself and has a game. He's quite good at it.

Robinsons
Beverly sends Katie off to bed while she has a cup of rose-hip tea with Helen. Helen tells her about Jamie falling into the pool and that Todd is in disgrace because he was meant to be watching him. Helen tells Beverly that Todd is sulking in his room and they should just let him be and see how he is in the morning.

Nick is going out to "get batteries for his calculator" and Helen is suspicious. She wants to know what's going on and Nick is forced to confess that Todd isn't in his room. Helen says he's most likely at the amusement arcade. She heads off to look for him there.

Bishops
Henry is playing the guitar badly, much to Madge's displeasure. Madge says she's bored of sitting at home alone night after night and makes Henry play Rummey with her. Henry suggests that Madge gets some outside interests, just like Harold.

Harold comes in from Scouts and says he's got good news - the DC has invited them to his place for a slide night.

MADGE: Ooooh! A slide night! Be still my beating heart!

Apparently the photos are from Harold's last jamboree (oh how thrilling!) Harold tries to talk her round and even tries to get her to be a leader for the Brownies!

Arcade
Todd is still playing, but he can't beat the top score which is held by Skinner (the dodgy bloke). Skinner comes over to talk to Todd, but Todd sees Helen and Nick come in and hides. Skinner talks to Helen and Nick and covers for Todd, saying he was in there earlier, but that he's gone to another arcade in Church Street.

SKINNER: They your family?
TODD: Not really.

Skinner reckons that people on the street stick together and offers Todd his help.

Squat
Skinner lets Todd into his squat and tells him he's homeless - he just hangs out in the squat. Skinner wants to know if Todd is in trouble with the police, but Todd reckons he's just sick of his family hassling him. He tells Todd he'll have to find himself a place tomorrow.

TODD: Don't worry, I'll be alright.
SKINNER: If you say so.

No.32
Bouncer is playing with one of Mrs Mangel's old slippers rather mournfully. Jane and Joe get on to the subject of love for those around you. Joe reckons it's all rubbish.

JANE: How can you say that? Don't tell me you've never loved anyone, what about your little boy?
JOE: What about him? Haven't seen him since he was three.
JANE: Don't you keep in touch? I mean, you're still supporting him, aren't you?
JOE: you think I'm stupid? My wife runs off with some other bloke, he can support the kid! Nothing to do with me anymore.
JANE: Aren't you curious? I mean, don't you want to know what sort of little boy he's grown into?
JOE: No, I don't. And I don't want to hear any more about it, alright?

Robinsons
Helen and Nick are back from the arcades, not having found Todd. Beverly has rung all of Todd friend's, but not had any luck. Nick reckons Todd will be back in the morning anyway, they might as well just wait.

Bishops, the following morning
Helen comes to ask if anyone has seen Todd - he's run off. They agree to keep an eye out.

MADGE: Helen, don't worry. If he's anything like Henry he'll be back as soon as he gets hungry.
HENRY: Oh, thanks, mother(!)

Squat
Todd is sleeping restlessly on an old mattress. He wakes up and staggers to the boarded-up window, waking Skinner up. Todd is hungry and Skinner reckons they'll go shop-lifting to get their breakfast! He calls it Todd's "first lesson in survival".

Shopping Mall
Madge is looking around the sale and Harold is moaning that he wants to get back to the Coffee Shop. Harold sees a ballroom dancing exhibition going on and admires the dancers very much. Madge suggests that they could give it a go - then they'd have an interest they could do together. Harold isn't totally against the idea.

In another part of the mall, Skinner steals some fruit off a stall and gives some to Todd. Todd isn't sure but Skinner says if he doesn't take what's going he'll starve.

Robinsons
Beverly has rung Todd's father and he isn't concerned in the slightest about Todd's disappearance! Katie is staying home from school today and they send her off to tidy her room. Meanwhile, Beverly is off to the police station.

Nick muses that the kid at the arcade was lying - the times didn't add up because he said he'd seen Todd "about an hour" ago and Todd was still at home then. Nick offers to take the morning off school to have another look down the arcade.

No.32
Henry and Joe are moving Joe's furniture in. Jane is speechless, and not in a good way(!) Joe takes down the Mrs Mangel portrait and Bouncer immediately starts barking at it.

HENRY: Well, it looks like Bouncer's missing the old...your mother.
JANE: I know how he feels!

Squat
Todd and Skinner are back from the shops. Skinner pretends to see the cops outside then laughs raucously at Todd's reaction. He reckons that Todd's had all the freebies he's going to get now - Todd will have to earn his keep by helping Nick with "a job".

SKINNER: Either you help me out, or you're back on the streets. What's it going to be?