No. 26
Jim demands angrily:

JIM: What is she playing at?
HELEN (warns): Jim...
JIM: Well, haven't those kids been mucked around enough?
HELEN: She's their *mother*.
JIM: They're part of *this* family, now. I mean, try to remember the state they were in when they first came here.
HELEN: I *do* remember. I am just as worried about this as you are.

Beverly chips in that *she* doesn't like it either, but Annette has a right to ask for her own children back. Helen points out that they've had Katie and Todd in trust, and if Annette's recovered it's only natural that she wants her children back.

JIM: Yeah - *if* she's recovered.

Beverly asks how she can tell without seeing Annette in person. Jim says they've got to get this sorted out fast, so Beverly will have to go and see her - tomorrow. Beverly sighs that she'll try and organise a locum. Helen asks Jim what he'll do if Beverly is satisfied that Annette is fully recovered. Jim mutters that they have to think about the kids: they've settled into a new family... fitted into a new school... got new friends.... Helen points out that Katie and Todd are Annette's children: they can't keep a family apart when they want to be together.

HELEN: It's going to be hard - hard for *all* of us - but you'll have to face it: we may lose them...

No. 30
Matt, Nick and Sharon are in the kitchen, after the dance, and Nick is talking about the girl Matt danced with. Sharon is stomping around as she makes a cuppa, muttering that she made *one* little mistake...

NICK: Sharon, you went to the dance with *two guys*!
MATT: Talk about trying to play the field!

Sharon sighs that she had no choice: she didn't want to let either of them down. Nick grins that they'll let her off this time, but only because they had such a good time. With that, he looks at his watch and says he's got to start painting bright and early.

SHARON: You're going to leave me alone to face Hilary?
NICK: Sharon, you're not alone - Matt's here.
MATT: That's right!
NICK (to Matt): I want to hear all the gruesome details.
MATT: You will!

No. 24
The next morning, Harold and Madge are getting ready for their brisk morning walk, but Madge mutters that it's only eight degrees out there. They start warming up, doing stretching exercises, but Harold tells Madge that she doesn't *have* to do this.

MADGE: Harold, I am up, I am in my tracksuit, I'm *doing* it.
HAROLD: Yeah, well, you don't sound very enthusiastic - and you did pull up pretty stiff and sore yesterday.
MADGE (admits): Yeah, I'm not denying it...

Harold suggests to Madge that she give today a miss: he won't mind. Madge, however, sighs that, as Henry said, no pain, no gain - and anyway, she's got to keep *him* up to scratch: she's got money on him!

HAROLD (wagging his finger): Of which I totally disapprove. This is a charity walkathon, not the Melbourne Cup!

Madge sighs that this isn't a question of money, it's a matter of family honour! With that, she suggests they hit the pavement. They head out.

No. 26
As Helen sets out the breakfast things, Beverly tells Jim that she couldn't get a flight before four o'clock. Jim says he doesn't think they should mention this to the kids until they know how things stand. Todd, Nick and Katie come in from the back garden and sit down at the table, Nick asking Todd about the movie he saw with Melissa last night and whether he has any hickeys! Todd sighs that he's broke now. Jim asks what happened to his pocket money.

TODD: Gone. A night on the town isn't as cheap as it used to be, Uncle Jim, in your day!

Todd then goes on that yesterday he was reading in the newspaper that the cost of living has gone up and he was wondering if he could have a *rise* in his pocket money! Jim asks what in it for *him*!

JIM: I'm a conservative businessman, Todd. No wage rises without increases in productivity!
TODD (sighs): We're talking chores here, aren't we?
JIM (nods): I believe we *are*! I think the garage would be worth an increase.

Todd looks resigned to having to spend the weekend cleaning it! Katie reminds Beverly that she's taking her to Kirsty's this afternoon, but Beverly asks Helen if *she* can do it, as she hast to catch a plane. Todd asks where she's going and Beverly explains that it's to Adelaide, to see Annette. Todd asks if she's OK. Beverly assures him that she's fine: it's just a quick visit to keep in touch.

Ramsay Street
Kerry and Joe are washing Joe's ute, Kerry muttering that all Joe believes in is what he can see and touch. Joe tells her that she can pick up those horoscope things whenever she wants to, but she's just not to ask him to take them seriously. He suddenly spots Madge and Harold walking slowly up the street and Joe laughs at them that they look like Wills & Burke without the camels! Looking annoyed, Harold says to Joe:

HAROLD: I take great exception to the fact that you're holding bets on this Walkathon.
JOE: Oh do you, now?
HAROLD: Yes - the Walkathon is a *charity* event.

Madge says she's going to have a shower, and she heads off. Joe tells Harold:

JOE: You've got the wrong idea, Harold: I'm not betting on the Walkathon, I'm betting on *you*; well, I'm betting *against* you, to be more exact.
HAROLD (looking annoyed): I see - so you don't think I'll make it?
JOE: Exactly. I reckon you're stupid for doing so.
HAROLD: Well, I refuse to be used as a source of gambling profit, so you just cancel your bet with Madge.

Kerry turns the hose on suddenly. Joe is holding the nozzle in his hand, and the water shoots all over Harold, who's standing in front of him!

Garage of No. 26
Matt and Sharon join Todd in the garage of No. 26. Sharon asks where Nick is, as she thought he was going to start painting early. Todd snaps that he *did*, and now he's upstairs pigging out.

MATT: Do I sense a bit of domestic aggro?!
TODD: Yeah, well, I take Melissa out to the movies and he thinks it's just a big joke - and because I'm broke, I have to spend my weekend cleaning up his mess.

Todd picks up one of Nick's paintings and goes to put it down on a pile of boxes, but he stumbles suddenly and the painting is speared on an upturned rake. Looking shocked, Sharon snaps at Todd that he's an idiot. Todd retorts that it was an accident. Sharon releases the painting and cries at Todd:

SHARON: This took him forever to do. He told me it was the best work he'd ever done.
TODD (murmurs): I'm dead...

No. 30
A while later, Matt, Sharon and Todd are in the kitchen at No. 30, and Sharon tries putting some new backing board behind the holed painting, but it's no good: the damage is still obvious. Sharon sighs at Todd that he's just going to have to *tell* Nick.

MATT: If you want to write it down, mate, I'll witness it.
TODD (blankly): What?
MATT: Your last will and testament!

Todd demands to know why, if the painting was so important, Nick left it lying around. Matt muses that that's a pretty good argument, but he doubts Nick will be in any mood to listen. Todd suggests that Nick could re-do it.

SHARON (nods): That could work.
TODD: You reckon?
SHARON: Not Nick; *us*. You and Matt can re-trace this painting onto another canvas and then re-do it using Nick's paints.

Matt tries to protest, but Sharon just asks him if he can think of anything better. Todd sighs that Nick's going to be in the garage in ten minutes: he'll notice it's gone. Sharon ponders a moment and then tells Todd to tell Nick that he found little weevils in the garage, and that he let off a bug bomb and that he can't go in there until after lunch.

MATT: Neat plan, Sharon. Crazy but neat!

No. 24
Harold is sitting in an armchair, towelling his hair dry. Madge, walking in with hot drinks, muses that he got a bit wet, that's all. Harold, however, retorts that he was *drenched* with icy-cold water. He goes on angrily:

HAROLD: It was sabotage. It's the old story: big event draws near, the favourite's in the peak of condition and then the ruthless gambler strikes.
MADGE: Harold, you've been telling everybody that this is just a *charity* event; don't you think you're taking it a bit seriously yourself?
HAROLD: At work or play, if it's worth doing, it's worth doing well. When I think of my Kerry engaged to that lout...
MADGE (rolling her eyes): Harold, don't bring Kerry into this.
HAROLD: Well I mean... what future? A gambler's wife?

Madge tells Harold to calm down and she'll get him some honey and lemon.

No. 26
Beverly is vacuuming and Jim is trying to read the newspaper when Nick comes in. Jim remarks to him that he thought he was spending the day painting. Nick nods that he was, until Todd got the bright idea to fumigate the garage. Looking surprised, Jim remarks that he didn't tell Todd to fumigate the garage. Beverly starts packing away some of Jim's rocks, which he's had out - but as she does so, she drops one of them, which is quite large in size, and it falls onto her foot. She cries out in pain. Jim dashes over to her and asks in concern if she's all right. Beverly retorts through gritted teeth:

BEVERLY: No, I am *not* all right. I think one of your lovable rocks just broke my foot.

No. 30
In the kitchen, Sharon has finished tracing the outline of Nick's painting onto a sheet of tracing paper. She tells Todd and Matt that all they have to do is get it back into the garage, re-trace it onto a fresh canvas and then paint it out using the same colours, while she keeps Nick *there*. Todd says he's too nervous to paint, but Matt assures him that he'll help him.

SHARON (looking surprised): Can you paint?
MATT: Well, I did the front fence once. Two coats!

They suddenly hear the front door open and Sharon says it'll be Nick. Matt and Todd head out the back as Nick comes into the kitchen and tells Sharon that he can't stay too long as he's lost enough painting time as it is.

SHARON: But can't we watch the football together?
NICK (looking surprised): Sharon, the football *bugs* you. The last time I wanted to watch the footy on a Saturday, you told me I was being totally boring!

Sharon explains quickly that after she messed things up at the dance, she just wants to spoil him a bit. Nick gives in, commenting as he does so:

NICK: You know, the more I get to know about you, the less I understand!

No. 32
Joe is listening to the horse racing on the radio. Kerry comes in as he turns off the race in frustration, muttering that he hasn't backed a winner since Mary left. Kerry doesn't respond. She has a serious look on her face and Joe asks her if she got what she wanted from Madame Zelda! Kerry corrects him, telling him the astrologer's name is Josephine, but she then goes on that she's sorry she did it, now. Joe asks what's up.

KERRY: She did everybody's charts. She said all three couples were compatible, but... she wouldn't tell me about the future.
JOE: Well, she's no fool, is she? You make no predictions, you cop no flak!
KERRY: But she had *charted* for the future; she just wouldn't *tell* me, that's all.
JOE: Why not?
KERRY: She's good, Joe. She obviously saw something. When I wouldn't leave, she told me this much: two of the couples will work out - but the third couple don't stand a chance. She wouldn't tell me which one; she said it was best not to say.

Joe gives Kerry a hug as he tells her:

JOE: It's rubbish, love. It's rubbish.

No. 26
Jim, Helen, Beverly and Katie come in through the front door and Jim helps Beverly to the couch. Helen hands her a pair of crutches. She puts her foot up on the coffee table: it's covered in a cast. She then sighs that she supposes this puts paid to her trip to Adelaide. Helen, however, suggests that *she'll* have to go instead. Katie asks Helen in surprise why *she'd* want to go to Adelaide: she doesn't even *know* her mum. Helen replies quickly that it would be a shame to waste the plane ticket, and she has some business with an art gallery there, and she'd like to meet Annette after all this time. Katie accepts this and heads out to play. Beverly apologises to Helen for being stuck with this.

HELEN: Oh... well... I know I couldn't judge Annette's state of mind as well as *you* could, but if she's determined to have those children, we have to have *some* idea as to what condition she's in.

No. 30
Todd and Matt have finished re-doing Nick's painting and have brought it into the kitchen of No. 30, where Todd is about to use a hair-dryer to set the paint. Matt tells him that Sharon has got the TV on loud, so Nick won't hear the dryer. He then looks at the painting and remarks:

MATT: You know, if this is the best work he can come up with, I reckon he's kidding himself!

Todd starts the hairdryer, but at that moment Matt looks out through the kitchen door and spots Nick and Sharon coming their way. Todd quickly puts the painting on one of the kitchen chairs and sits down on another one. Matt grabs the hairdryer and pretends to be drying Todd's hair! Nick and Sharon come in and Nick comments in surprise that he didn't know Matt was home.

MATT: Yeah, well, I've just been thinking about a career in hairdressing and Todd volunteered to have a go at being a model for me!

Nick, looking bemused, just goes to grab a drink from the fridge! Sharon tells him that they're going to miss the game, but Nick shrugs that it's boring: he'd rather chat to the guys. He pulls out a chair to sit down on - but it's the one that Todd rested the painting on, and it falls to the floor. Nick picks it up and says suspiciously:

NICK: This is one of *mine*. What's going on?
MATT: Truth time, Todd. Nice knowing you!

Todd stands up and admits nervously that he wrecked one of Nick's paintings and they tried to patch it up and re-do it so that Nick wouldn't miss it. Nick snaps:

NICK: How *could* you? My *best work*, Todd.

Todd stands there, looking guilty. A grin then crosses Nick's face as he adds:

NICK: ...Or it *was*- a year or so ago!
TODD (blankly): What?
NICK: Well, I've come a long way since then - at least, I *hope* I have. See, I was going to paint over this piece of junk - and you went to all that trouble! Haha, what a wally!

Todd doesn't look impressed!

No. 24
Harold has his feet in a bowl of hot water and his head over another bowl of hot water and is coughing as he mutters that he *told* Madge that Joe sabotaged him. Madge, however, warns him that if he's really that crook, he can forget about the Walkathon.

HAROLD (aghast): And let that man get the better of me? Never!

Madge tells Harold that if it really *is* the 'flu, he's not walking *anywhere*. Harold, however, retorts that the Bishops are made of sterner stuff than that, and he's going to finish that Walkathon if he dies in the attempt!

No. 32
Kerry is pacing the lounge room floor, saying to Joe:

KERRY: If she's a fake, all she had to do was say nice, safe things about the future. Why would she want to scare me?

Joe points out that, even if she *is* good at what she does, isn't there a way her imagination could have got the better of her? He goes on that they're going to have a really good double wedding with Des and Jane, and if their future isn't in their hands, it doesn't make sense. Kerry sighs that she wishes she'd never had the stupid idea in the first place! The 'phone starts ringing suddenly and Joe heads out to the hallway to answer it. Kerry follows him. He picks up the 'phone and says:

JOE: G'day, Joe Mangel speaking... I'm sorry, you're going to have speak up... Mary? Mary, is that *you*? You're going to have to speak up, love: I can't hear what you're saying.

Joe then takes the 'phone away from his ear and stares at the handset. Kerry asks:

KERRY: Mary?
JOE: I couldn't be sure. I think so. There's something wrong, Kerry. I think she's in trouble; real trouble...