No.22
Katie is still being restrained by Skinner to ensure Todd's cooperation. Todd is unhooking the video player so that Skinner can nick it.

Just then, Gail comes in. She quickly assesses the situation and grabs Katie from Skinner. Then she calls the police as Skinner races out of the back door, with Todd in pursuit.

Ramsay Street
Skinner races down the street, chased by Todd. Fortunately, Nick is walking up the street from the other direction and helps to restrain Skinner.

No.22
Gail has sat Katie down with a drink to recover, and then Nick and Todd manhandle Skinner in through the front door. Skinner is struggling and reckons he hasn't done anything. He begs Gail to give him a break and then appeals to Todd. Todd says that Skinner doesn't care about him - he only cares about himself.

No.28
Malcolm is lying on the sofa while his girlfriend Leanne fusses over him. Des isn't impressed and tells Malcolm that Leanne is up to no good. Leanne comes back from the bedroom and tests Malcolm on some quiz questions. Des rolls his eyes.

No.22
The police have been and gone and taken statements. Skinner is being charged with quite a few offences. Gail takes Katie off to bed while Todd thanks Nick for his help in catching Skinner.

TODD: I didn't really like you when you first came along. But I'm glad we're mates, practically brothers now.
NICK: So am I. I've never had a brother before. Feels pretty good.

They joke about helping each other with chores and homework.

Outside No.22, the following morning
Gail sees Nick and comes out for a little chat with him. She thanks him for his help, but Nick reckons that Gail had Skinner scared stiff(!) She tells him that Nick is a good role model for Todd - he's a good person. Everyone had their doubts when Helen took him in, but they've been proved wrong.

No.28
Bronwen is dressing Jamie and Des asks her to keep an eye on Malcolm today. Malcolm says there no need because Leanne is coming over. Des tells him he'd better come clean with Leanne by telling her who really owns the house, to see if she really does like him.

When Des has gone, Malcolm says Des is just jealous of him having a younger girlfriend(!) Malcolm asks Bronwen for a big favour - would she whip up a meal for him and Leanne - he wants to take her on a picnic as he's decided to propose(!) Malcolm shows a shocked Bronwyn the ring he's bought.

BRONWYN: Do you think she'll say yes?
MALCOLM: Well, you never can tell, of course...but I'm quietly confident!

No.26
Gail, Katie, Todd and Nick are waiting for Beverly to come back from the airport with Jim. Finally, they arrive. They tell Jim how sorry they are about his mother and Katie gives him a hug. Paul sends his love and will be home in about another week. Beverly sends the kids off to school and Gail goes to give them a lift. Jim and Beverly hug and then Jim sinks down on the sofa. Beverly goes to make him a cup of coffee so she can fill him in on what's been happening since he's been away.

Coffee Shop building site
Bronwyn drops by with Jamie looking for Henry. Des is there, and Bronwyn tells him about the special dinner and the prospective proposal. Des is horrified and tells Bronwyn that Leanne is taking Malcolm for a ride. He awkwardly tells her about Leanne's flirting. Bronwyn is skeptical and tries not to laugh when Des tells her that Leanne made a pass at him. Des thinks Leanne is milking Malcolm for everything she can get. Suddenly Des gets an idea - he should get evidence of Leanne's flirting!

No.26
Jim comes back from visiting Helen, very depressed and worried. He asks Beverly what the prognosis is, but noone can predict the outcome. But she thinks Helen is tough and will pull through. Jim feels he's been through so much with his mother dying, he can't go through the same thing with Helen.

(Later)

Todd, Katie and Nick come in from school. Todd talks to Jim in the kitchen about his running away. He apologises, but Jim is calm and just says it must have been quite an experience. Todd assures Jim he's not hooked on video games anymore and they agree to put the whole thing behind them. Todd thought Jim would be more mad, but Jim says life is too short to spend fighting with one another. He tells Todd that parents are important, and he thinks that he and Katie should go home for Christmas and spend time with their mum.

Ramsay Street
Des has a plan and asks Bronwyn to distract Malcolm. In theory, Leanne will play up to Des and be caught red-handed.

No.26
Todd asks Katie how she feels about going to Adelaide for Christmas. She is quite keen, although Todd doesn't seem so sure. He wonders if Jim and Beverly are trying to get rid of them, but Katie tells him decidely that they aren't.

In the kitchen, Jim is going through the family accounts. He tells her that his mother's medical bills are going to be very expensive. Beverly isn't bothered - they'll find the money. There was nothing else Jim could have done - she was his mother after all.

No.28
Bronwyn invites Malcolm to tuck Jamie into bed. While they're out of the room, Des offers Leanne a drink and she calmly accepts. Then he asks her to keep an eye on the dinner. She is reading a magazine and doesn't make any attempt to play up to Des. But suddenly she says:

LEANNE: You know, it's a great pity you're not interested.
DES: Who says I wasn't?

Leanne puts her drink down and puts her hands on Des's face and kisses him. Malcolm comes out of Jamie's room and sees this, but quick-thinking Leanne slaps Des and runs to Malcolm for comfort.