Recap
Beverly telling Todd that he was very brave to come forward to confess; and apologising to Nick for not being comfortable with him moving into the house.
Helen having a stroke.
Bishops
Henry is full of the joys of love and is singing as he makes his breakfast. Madge suggests that he invites Bronwyn over for lunch - it's the only way she can get to see her son!
HENRY: Oh, poor mum, left all on her own with old Harold baby.
MADGE: I like being on my own with old Harold baby. You haven't got a monopoly on love you know.
HENRY:(shudders) I thought all that finished after 30!
Henry says he's really serious about Bronwyn and would never do anything to hurt her. Then they hear sirens. Rushing to the window, they see an ambulance coming up Ramsay Street.
Ramsay Street
Nick tells Madge and Henry that Helen has had a stroke. Todd tells them that it's probably his fault. Madge is beside herself with worry and Beverly asks her to look after Todd while she's at the hospital with Helen.
The ambulance speeds off with Helen inside.
Mangels
Jane is telling Joe and Toby what's happened to Helen.
JOE: Oh, poor old chook!
Joe shouts at Toby to go and clean his room.
JOE: And stop playing with that doll!
TOBY: It's not a doll! It's a he-man!
Jane tells Joe off for his bad parenting skills and tells him to be a bit more friendly.
JOE: I didn't ask to be landed with the kid.
JANE: Well what about him being landed with you?
JOE: What's wrong with me?
JANE: Hff!
She suggests a game and urges Joe to take and interest in his son. He finally relents, as long as Jane joins in too. Jane says she'll try to recruite some of the other kids, but she's not sure they'll want to with Helen being sick.
Bishops
Madge is panicking - she needs to let so many people know like Jim, Scott and Charlene. Bronwyn says she'll go over and pack a bag for Helen while Madge goes to see if Jane has a contact number for Paul and Jim in America.
When the girls have gone, Henry tries to reassure Todd.
TODD: What if she dies? What if she dies, it'll be my fault!
Todd reckons that Helen was worrying about him so much it's brought on the stroke.
TODD: If it wasn't for me, she'd be fine.
(Later)
Henry is trying to tempt Todd with a sandwich but he's very depressed. Jane comes round to see if there's any news but there's none - Jim is flying home today though and Paul will follow soon.
Jane tells them about her plans for a game of cricket - she's trying to cheer up Joe's son, Toby.
HENRY: Joe. Your uncle, Joe? (laughs) Joe Mangel's somebody's father?!
Jane explains that Joe and Toby are having trouble settling in to each others ways. Henry drags Todd out to join the game.
Hospital
Nick is pacing the floors when Madge arrives. There's still no news yet. Nick is particularly upset - he's doesn't know what he'd do without Helen.
NICK: If it wasn't for her, I'd have no-one.
MADGE: A friend like her only comes along once in a lifetime.
She starts to cry again.
Beverly comes out and tries to send Nick home - there no news other than that Helen has suffered a hypoxic injury. Nick finally slopes off home.
MADGE: She's got to pull through. I know Helen, she's too full of life to give up now.
BEVERLY: I don't know Madge, it's close. It's touch and go.
Ramsay Street
Henry, Sharon, Bronwyn, Todd have joined Joe, Toby and Jane in playing cricket. Jane introduces everyone to Toby. He isn't keen to bat and Joe bosses him around, telling him to stop whinging.
Hospital
Todd has arrived at the hospital. He goes straight into Helen's room unseen by the nurses and takes her hand. He tells her how sorry he is for worrying her. Presently Beverly comes in and tells him off for being there. But she sees how upset he is and says they just have to hope for the best. She assures him that it isn't his fault - there are all sorts of reasons for having strokes. She tells Todd that he doesn't need to run away ever again - they all love him.
Ramsay Street
Toby is bowling now and Joe isn't offering any encouragement whatsoever! When Toby drops a catch Joe calls him a one-eyed arthritic donkey. Everyone is shocked at the way Joe is treating Toby.
TOBY: I hate you!
He runs off.
JANE: Good one, Uncle Joe.
JOE: What? What have I done?
JANE: Oh, what have you done. (rolls eyes)
Mangels, later that evening
Toby is still very upset about the way Joe has spoken to him. Jane puts a plaster on one of his blisters and he goes dejectedly off to bed. When he's gone, Jane tells Joe off saying he should accept Toby for the way he is, not for how Joe would like him to be.
JOE: My dad played merry hell with me - turned out alright, didn't I?
JANE: Hff!
JOE: What's so funny? Nothing wrong with me, is there?
JANE: No, no. Perfect(!)
She tells Joe that he's a hopeless parent and he should try to show Toby a bit of love. Joe reckons that boys need to be treated like boys, but Jane says that everyone needs a bit of love.
No.30
Henry and Bronwyn are cuddling on the sofa while Nick and Sharon try to study. Nick is dreadfully worried about Helen and after Henry and Bronwyn have gone to bed, they talk about Helen and then turn to their own relationship.
NICK: I don't know what I'd do without you.
SHARON: What would I do without you?
NICK: That's original
SHARON: I mean it.
NICK: Yeah, I mean it to.
SHARON: Does this mean we're in love.
NICK: Well...
SHARON: I am.
NICK: I guess I am too.
They kiss.
Bishops, the following morning
Beverly drops round to see Madge with bad news - Helen lapsed into a coma during the night. Beverly starts to cry and tells Madge she doesn't know if Helen will pull through. They cry together.
No. 30
Sharon and Bronwyn are having breakfast. Sharon is saying that the only good thing about going back to school is seeing Nick every day. She goes to get her school things - but rushes back into the kitchen, yelling that their Aunt Edie is pulling up in a taxi outside. Bronwyn stands there looking worried.