Recap
Joe and Kerry arguing about whether they should get married, after Kerry loses her engagement ring.
No. 24
The next morning, Madge and Harold are getting ready for church, Madge sighing that she doesn't know why they have to go rushing off to the 8:00 sermon: she was looking forward to a lie-in. Harold tells her that if they get there early enough he'll be able to speak to Reverend Sampson about getting his place back in the church choir. Madge insists that she's sure he won't have a problem. Henry and Bronwyn emerge from their bedroom as Harold and Madge head out. Bronwyn heads to the kitchen to make breakfast, but Henry stops her and escorts her to the table, asking her how he can serve her. Bronwyn tells him:
BRONWYN: I'd like some Corn Flakes!
Henry grins:
HENRY: Only the best, and coming right up!
He then asks Bronwyn if she's still got a study session with Mike today. Bronwyn reminds him that *he* set it up - she thought he didn't mind. Henry insists quickly:
HENRY: Look, I'm not trying to hassle you, Bron, and I'm trying to be as flexible as I know how, but I just... well, a guy gets lonely without his best girl, you know?
BRONWYN: If I want to do well, I have to study. It's that simple.
HENRY (murmurs): Yeah, I know.
Bronwyn tells him that, if it'll make him happy, she'll stay at home and study on her own. Henry smiles:
HENRY: Terrific!
BRONWYN: But you have to co-operate. No interruptions!
HENRY: You won't even know I'm here, I promise!
No. 32
Joe is sitting at the kitchen table, looking at the newspaper, when Jane comes in, yawning. He remarks that it looks like *someone* had a good night last night! Jane asks him if he and Kerry had fun, but Joe tells her:
JOE: No - we had a blue instead.
JANE (groans): Oh, Joe, not again.
JOE: Look, you'd be really upset if you lost that ring Des gave you, wouldn't you?
JANE: Yeah, of course.
JOE: Yeah, well, that's the difference. I gave Kerry a real humdinger and you know what? She lost it.
Jane comments that Kerry must be frantic. Joe, however, retorts:
JOE: Oh no, that's the point: I mean, your ring means something to you, doesn't it? Not *her*. No. She thinks it's just metal and rocks. She doesn't even want a wedding ring.
Jane asks if that means the engagement's off, and Joe admits that it's not looking too rosy. Jane asks if the real issue is the ring or how he and Kerry feel about each other. Joe retorts:
JOE: She knows what it meant to me. Now, I don't know if I've got a suspicious mind or what, but I think she did it on purpose.
JANE (exclaims): You didn't *say* that to her, did you?
JOE: Too right I did!
JANE (admonishes): Joe! No wonder the engagement's off!
Toby comes in at that moment, telling Joe he had a great idea! Joe doesn't look interested, but Toby persists that he was writing to his mum to tell her about Joe and Kerry getting married and he thought it would be fantastic if he could send her a video like Joe sent Mrs. Mangel; he could tell her all the things that are going on in Ramsay Street. Joe says he doesn't think there's much worth taping in Ramsay Street at the moment, but Toby tells him there's *lots* of things she'd like to see, like him playing footy... the school... the stuff they're doing at Lassiter's... Bouncer... Joe points out to Toby that he doesn't even know how to *use* a video camera. Toby says:
TOBY: *You* could show me.
JOE (gruffly): Yeah, I could, but not now - I'm not in the mood. And don't go getting ideas about doing it yourself, get it?
Over by the sink, Jane goes to use the garbage disposal. It makes a strange noise, though, and Joe sighs that he's just *installed* the flipping thing. He stands up and says he'll get his tools. Jane says:
JANE: Don't you think you'd be better off mending fences rather than garbage disposals?
JOE (asserts): Oh no. If a certain lady wants to find me, she knows where I am.
No. 28
Mike is sitting at the table and Des is sitting at the kitchen counter, doing some accountancy. Kerry joins him and tells him that the kids are playing in the nursery, and she asks him if he can look after them. He nods that he can. She then heads to the door - and opens it to find Jane about to knock. She asks her if Joe's home. Jane replies that he is, but he's not very happy. Kerry mutters:
KERRY: Neither am *I*.
Jane then heads inside and smiles at Des that she knows he asked her to come over, but he looks pretty busy. Des kisses her and replies warmly that he's always got time for *her*. Mike looks at them and mutters:
MIKE: I think I'll *pass* on the young lovers bit, thanks.
DES: Mike...
MIKE: Well, it just gets a little old hat - especially when you've been on the receiving end of it.
With that, Mike walks to his room. Des charges after him, though, snapping that that's way out of line. Jane, however, tells him not to make a scene. Des asks furiously:
DES: How much flak do we have to take?
JANE (softly): Enough for him to get this out of his system.
No. 32
Joe is working under the sink when Kerry comes in. Toby is just heading out through the back door with a carton of milk. Kerry asks where he's going with it, but he just tells her:
TOBY: Out!
Kerry then turns to Joe. She crouches down next to him and says:
KERRY: I wanted to say I'm sorry about last night.
JOE: Oh yeah? What about? Losing the ring or the way you carried on?
Joe removes the garbage disposal unit and takes it over to the table as Kerry replies:
KERRY: Well, both. Honestly, Joe, I didn't do it on purpose and I was really mad that you thought I *had*.
Joe says he guesses a bloke can be wrong. Kerry tells him that she hates it when they fight. Joe grins:
JOE: Yeah - but it's pretty good fun making up, though!
With that, the two of them hug and Joe says he's sorry. Toby comes back in and puts down the milk. Joe empties the contents of the garbage disposal unit into a bowl - and as he does so, spots Kerry's ring in amongst the peelings. It's in pieces. Kerry exclaims that it must have slipped off last night when she was peeling the veggies. Joe comments that most of the diamond must have gone down the drain. Toby says:
TOBY: They told us at school that real diamonds don't crush. It must have been glass.
A grin crosses Kerry's face as Joe says 'angrily':
JOE: Yeah? Well, I've been ripped off! This cost a packet!
No. 32
A short time later, Joe and Kerry are back under the sink, Joe sighing that he should have known: the bloke told him it was the real McCoy. Kerry insists that she's perfectly happy *without* a ring, but Joe retorts that he's going to get her the genuine article from a legit jeweller's shop right *now*. Kerry, however, points out:
KERRY: Joe, it's Sunday. The shops are closed.
JOE: Ah, right. Um... airport shops: *they* won't be shut.
KERRY (sighs): Can't we wait 'til tomorrow?
JOE: No siree! Come on - I want that ring on your finger right away.
Kerry tells him that Sky's got to have a nap and she's got a million things to do. Joe asks her if she's stalling again, but Kerry retorts that she's just being practical - so they'll go shopping for the ring this afternoon. Joe tells her that, this time, they'll get a ring that *fits*!
No. 28
Jane and Des are sitting watching TV when Mike emerges from his room and says he might take his bike out for a run. He heads out. When he's gone, Des turns off the TV and sighs that he hates to say this but he looks *forward* to Mike going out: this is *his* home and he feels like he's walking round on eggshells. Jane, however, points out that it's been Mike's home too for a long time. She then adds:
JANE: He must feel really isolated, seeing the two of us together. We've got to think of some way to make him part of the family again.
DES (muses): That's a pretty tall order.
JANE: What's the most family thing you can think of?
DES (declares): Sunday lunch. Everybody's sitting round the table... you know... telling each other what happened during the week... laughing...
JANE (smiles): Good idea. What's Mike's favourite meal?
DES: Lemon chicken. Fortunately, that's *my* favourite too!
JANE: Good - you can help me cook it! We'll start right now. We'll make it really special; it's *bound* to win Mike over.
DES: We can't fail!
No. 24
Harold and Madge arrive home from church. Henry asks them if Harold got to warble, but Madge tells him that Reverend Sampson feels the choir has the right balance of voices as it is. She and Harold sit down and Henry sympathises that it's the church's loss. Harold, however, says his replacement *has* got an excellent voice. Madge assures him that it's not as good as *his*. She then takes off her shoes and heads off to get changed. When she's gone, Harold asks Henry:
HAROLD: Why do you suppose women never buy shoes that fit them properly?
HENRY (shrugs): Beats *me*! The longer I'm around them, the less I understand them!
HAROLD: Oh dear... you *are* down in the dumps, aren't you? What seems to be the problem?
HENRY: Bron.
HAROLD: Where is she?
HENRY: Getting more books, of course.
HAROLD: Oh well, at least she's home today and not out studying with Mike.
HENRY: Yeah, yeah, I won *this* one - I think. Well, she's here, but she's not 'here', you know what I mean? It's like she hasn't got time for me anymore, like I'm not important in her life; she... she spends so much time studying, she hardly gives *me* the time of day.
HAROLD: Well, I'm afraid you're going to have to accept that her education *is* her first priority.
HENRY: Oh yes, Harold, I know.
HAROLD: Yes. Still, all work and no play - that is the key.
HENRY: Pardon?
HAROLD: Well, there has to be a balance in all things, Henry, and there *is* a danger that you two could be taking yourselves just a little too seriously.
HENRY: You reckon?
HAROLD: That is the beauty of my relationship with your mother: it doesn't matter *how* hard things get at times, we can always manage to have fun together.
Harold then tells Henry to show Bronwyn what good company he can be. Henry asks if it would work. Harold muses:
HAROLD: Well... one doesn't always appreciate your rather 'offbeat' sense of humour - but one can only assume that that's what attracted Bronwyn in the first place.
Henry smiles at Harold that he reckons he's hit the nail fair and square on the head!
No. 28
Jane takes the lemon chicken roast out of the oven and places it on the table, saying to Des that all they need now is the guest of honour. Des tells her that Mike won't be a tick: he could've run out of petrol or got a flat tyre... He looks at Jamie, who's sitting at the table waiting. There's silence. Jane then says this is crazy: they should eat or it'll get cold. Des, however, insists that they should wait for Mike.
No. 24
Bronwyn is sitting at the kitchen table, trying to study. Henry joins her and grins:
HENRY: Hey, what did the dog say when he sat on the sandpaper?
BRONWYN (warns): Henry...
HENRY: Ruff! Ruff!
Bronwyn glares at him and mutters threateningly:
BRONWYN: Just one more interruption...
Henry gives in and rejoins Harold in the lounge room, telling him wearily that *that* didn't work. Harold shrugs that it wasn't a very good joke! Kerry emerges from the bedroom area suddenly and tells Harold that Sky shouldn't give him any trouble. She goes on that the airport's a strange place to buy an engagement ring, but she's not going to argue with Joe. She then notices that Harold looks depressed, and she asks what the matter is. Harold explains that he's just a bit disappointed about not getting back into the church choir. He goes on:
HAROLD: It's not the singing so much as the feeling of, well, contributing to the life of the community.
KERRY (looking thoughtful): Well, Erinsborough Hospital is organising a Walkathon as a fund-raiser for the children's ward. *There's* an opportunity to really contribute.
HAROLD (looking interested): Walkathon, eh? Yes, I might give that some thought.
No. 28
Jane is washing up dishes. Des joins her and tells him that Jamie's in his playpen, happy as Larry. Jane mutters:
JANE: At least *he* enjoyed his lunch.
Des puts his arm around her and tells her that she did her best. Jane asks him if Mike stayed away on purpose. Des, however, just tells her to leave the washing-up. He adds that she tried; what more can she do? At that moment, the front door opens and Mike comes in. He asks if they mind if he puts some music on. Jane just hands Des the tea-towel and walks out. When she's gone, Mike asks Des:
MIKE: Something I said?
DES (coolly): Why didn't you come home for lunch?
MIKE: Because I rode to the beach and got a hamburger from the kiosk.
DES (yells): Well you could've at least 'phoned. Jane went to a lot of trouble to make a special lunch for you.
MIKE (curtly): Yeah, well, no one told *me*. Anyway, what's the big deal? The less you see of me around here, the better, isn't that right?
DES (coldly): Yeah, that's right. You have been doing your damndest to make things uncomfortable for Jane and me. [Raising his voice] I don't have to wear it forever. Now, if you don't get your act together, maybe it's best that you *do* move out - permanently.
Ramsay Street
A while later, Des is playing with Jamie and a remote-controlled hovercraft out in the street. Mike walks over and asks Des if he's got a minute. Des retorts that he doesn't reckon there's a lot to say. Mike tells him:
MIKE: Look, I'm really sorry about the lunch - *and* the way I've been acting towards you and Jane.
DES: You've left your apology a bit late, haven't you?
MIKE: Yeah, I know. I was so busy feeling sorry for myself, I didn't register what I was doing to you both.
Des snaps at Mike that Jane practically went home in *tears*. Mike insists that it won't happen again: this has been his place for such a long time and he'd hate to lose contact with Jamie. Des calms down and murmurs that he supposes they can give it another try.
No. 24
Bronwyn is trying to study at the kitchen table, but Henry is sitting in the lounge room, strumming his guitar, and she calls to him in irritation. Harold emerges from the bedroom area wearing a tracksuit and smiling that this is just what he needs: a new challenge. Henry asks what he means and he explains that he's talking about the Walkathon. He goes on:
HAROLD: I was the best walker at my High School. Did I ever tell you that? Yes, I used to do race walking.
Madge joins them and tells Harold that she'll walk with him while the cake's cooking. Henry grins and tells Madge to make sure Harold doesn't get nabbed for speeding! When they've gone, Henry dashes into the kitchen and sits down with Bronwyn. He has his guitar and tells her quickly that this won't take one minute: he's written a song for her. He then proceeds to sing a song about how she's studying so hard and how he's trying to understand. When he's finished, he explains that he wrote it to try and put a smile on her face. Bronwyn, however, just sits there and says coolly:
BRONWYN: Henry, we had a deal: *I* would stay at home and *you* would let me study - but you're not *going* to, *are* you?
HENRY (annoyed): You know, I'm starting to think this studying ploy is just a polite way of saying you don't want to spend time with me anymore.
Bronwyn stands up suddenly and snaps:
BRONWYN: I've just about *had* it with your paranoia and your interruptions.
She heads for the door. Henry asks her where she's going. She retorts:
BRONWYN: Mike's. *He'll* give me peace - *and* understanding.
A look of exasperation crosses Henry's face.
Ramsay Street
Mike is sitting with Des on the edge of the pavement, controlling Jamie's toy hovercraft. Bronwyn walks over and picks up the hovercraft and smiles that it's a great toy! Mike comments that he thought she was studying at home, but Bronwyn explains that Henry keeps interrupting; she can't concentrate. Mike tells her that he'll give her a hand, and the two of them head into No. 28.
Back yard of No. 32
Toby is using Joe's video camera to film Cujo running around the yard. He hears Jane calling suddenly, though, and he quickly puts down the camera, picks up Cujo and puts him in the storeroom under the house, pleading with him not to bark. He picks up the camera again and hides it behind his back as Jane comes down the outside steps and asks him what he's doing. She then asks what that is behind his back. Toby reveals the camera and murmurs guiltily:
TOBY: I only used it a *little* bit.
JANE: Your dad told you not to use it at *all*. He'll be cross.
TOBY: Oh don't tell him - please? I won't do it again.
Jane takes the camera and suggests they put it away before his dad and Kerry get home. She heads back inside. Toby goes and checks on Cujo and then follows her.
No. 32
Jane is in the kitchen when Joe and Kerry arrive home. Toby comes in as well as Kerry shows Jane her engagement ring. Jane smiles that it's lovely. Kerry says she loves it - now that she's used to the idea!
No. 28
Mike is lying back on the couch as Bronwyn sits on the floor with her books, saying:
BRONWYN: I suppose I was a bit rough on Henry - I know he gets lonely - but I've put in such a lot of hard work, I don't want to just throw it all away.
MIKE: Yeah, that would be crazy.
Mike stands up and goes to the kitchen counter to get a drink as he goes on:
MIKE: You know, I think he *means* well; he just overdoes it sometimes. I've got a kid like him in my class: he's really likeable, but he drives all the other ones who want to study right up the wall.
BRONWYN: So what do you do about him?
MIKE: Well, I thought I'd better isolate him from everyone else, but he thinks that's an even bigger joke than ever.
BRONWYN: He won't think it's very funny when he can't get a job.
MIKE: No.
Mike pauses before then saying:
MIKE: You know, that's one of the first things I really liked about you: you were great fun to be with, but I could also sit down and have a really sensible conversation with you.
BRONWYN: Oh, come on! I'm nowhere *near* your league when it comes to brains.
MIKE: Yeah, but you're way ahead of *Henry*, aren't you? And if you keep on studying, the gap between you two's going to get even bigger. It could become a bit of a problem.
BRONWYN (admits): Yeah, I do worry about it sometimes. You can't just kid around 24 hours a day, can you?
MIKE: No. How was I ever dumb enough to let you go, eh? What would I have done over the last week or so if you hadn't've been around? You know, it's true, isn't it: when things get tough, you really find out who your friends are.
BRONWYN (shrugs): You've given me a lot of help; I'm just really grateful.
Mike looks at Bronwyn and asks seriously:
MIKE: Is that *all* you feel, Bronny?
He then leans in and kisses her. Bronwyn doesn't resist...