Recap
Jim telling Todd and Katie that their mother has made a full recovery and that she wants the two of them to return home. Todd retorting that he can't because Melissa will think he's dumping her because of her epilepsy. Katie crying that she doesn't want to go home without Todd; she wants to stay with Jim and Beverly.
No. 26
Beverly insists to Todd and Katie that they can still keep in touch with each other; they can write and 'phone; Todd and Katie will always be a part of the Robinson family. Todd asks how they can know their mum is OK. Beverly explains that Helen has been seeing a lot of her while she's been there and she says Annette is completely stable again. Todd points out curtly that their *dad* won't be there. Jim suggests to him that he give it some serious thought. Todd insists that he wants to stay in Erinsborough. Jim tells him that Annette is waiting to hear back from them, so he suggests Todd weighs things up carefully.
No. 24
Madge serves dinner. Harold smiles that it looks delicious. He adds that Madge has made a wonderful effort adjusting to his vegetarian diet. Madge just retorts coldly that meat is expensive anyway. The front door opens suddenly and Henry bursts in, grinning.
HENRY: Groovers! I have done it. I have made the breakthrough!
MADGE (curtly): Henry, would you stop talking in riddles, please?
HENRY: I've sold my first funeral!
MADGE (sourly): Congratulations. Who's the lucky soul?
HENRY: Rob. He was very impressed with the whole plan!
Harold says coolly that he hopes Henry isn't using questionable methods here; people don't normally like talking about death. Madge adds that the commission from one funeral is hardly a steady income.
HENRY (shrugs): The money will roll in once I start my new sales pitch!
HAROLD (disgustedly): 'Money roll in'... 'sales pitch'... Honestly, I find your turn of phrase most distasteful, considering the subject.
Henry just retorts that money talks: he explained the savings that can be made by buying a husband-and-wife plot and Rob jumped at it. Madge muses that she doesn't know how Gloria will feel about it. Henry smiles that it's very romantic: you go down together and love lasts forever! Bronwyn emerges from her bedroom suddenly and tells Henry that they'd better get going, as Jane and Des will be waiting. The two of them head off. Harold and Madge look less than impressed.
No. 26
In the kitchen, Jim is telling Beverly that Todd has been on the 'phone to Melissa for half an hour. Beverly shrugs that it's his way of sorting things out. She goes on that she doesn't think Annette will be impressed with his reason for wanting to stay; she'll probably be very hurt. They sit down at the table and Beverly continues that she always knew it would be terrible if they lost the kids, but she didn't realise how difficult it would be for them. Jim points out that their place has become home to them. Todd hangs up the 'phone and joins them. Jim asks if he's sorted things out. Todd retorts that it's not just Melissa; it's everything: if he changes schools now, it would really mess up his assessment, and it would be hard on *him* too. Jim nods that he appreciates that.
No. 28
Henry joins Bronwyn, Des and Jane on the couch. He tries to sell Des a funeral, but Des resists! Bronwyn tries to put Henry off, but Henry persists. Des says eventually:
DES: Henry, you can't carve out a sales career by just relying on your friends and your neighbours. You're going to run out of them quick smart - believe me.
BRONWYN (to Henry): He's right: I've had it up to 'here' with it.
Henry asks if Des thinks he should go after a wider field. Des nods that that's right. Henry suggests that he could get some stuff printed: a leaflet; set himself up as a consultant. Des replies that that's a good idea: smart but dignified. The 'phone suddenly starts ringing and Des gets up to answer it. After a few seconds he hands the 'phone to Jane, telling her that it's John Worthington, from London.
JANE: Hi, John. Can you get the early flight?
She listens and her face suddenly drops. She cries:
JANE: Oh no... Is she all right? ... Right ... OK. Thank you.
She hangs up.
DES (looking concerned): What is it?
JANE: Nan's had another heart attack.
DES: Is she going to be all right?
JANE: I don't know. She was on her way to the airport and she just collapsed...
She looks upset.
No. 28
A while later, Jane, Des, Henry and Bronwyn are sitting round the dinner table and Henry is trying to cheer everyone up with jokes. No one is in the mood, though, and Bronwyn suggests to him that they'd better get going. Jane apologises for having been awful company. Bronwyn says she hopes there's some good news soon. She and Henry leave. When they've gone, Des tells Jane that the doctors will take every precaution at Mrs. Mangel's age - and it probably isn't all that serious. Jane murmurs that she hopes not. She then sighs:
JANE: One thing's for certain, though: nan won't be coming to the wedding.
DES: Maybe she can visit us later?
JANE: Yeah...
She hugs Des tightly.
No. 24
Henry and Bronwyn come in through the front door. Harold and Madge are sitting on the couches and Bronwyn tells them about Mrs. Mangel having had a heart attack. Harold says he's sorry to hear that. Madge comments that Nell's a tough old bird. Bronwyn heads off to the kitchen to make tea. Henry asks Harold if he's watching something good on TV.
HAROLD: Yes, very interesting documentary on early fossil findings in Ecuador.
Henry looks at Madge and rolls his eyes! She just shrugs coolly and then announces that she's off to bed. She gets up and leaves them. Harold follows a few seconds later. When they've gone, Henry asks Bronwyn what's going on between Madge and Harold, as things seemed chilly.
BRONWYN: It's a bit involved. The thing is, Harold met someone through the Walkathon and they're just pretty upset about it.
HENRY (sounding astonished): The big guy's been playing up?
BRONWYN (quickly): Of course not. They just got friendly. The whole thing's blown up in Madge's eyes and she just can't seem to handle it.
HENRY: What's got into her? She knows she's number one with Harold; always will be.
BRONWYN: When she's herself, she does. Right now, she's not seeing things too clearly. I did try to talk to her, but I didn't get far. Maybe you could have a go at talking to Harold, man to man?
HENRY (looking horrified!): No! No...
BRONWYN: *They're* not doing anything about it - so someone's got to step in now or it could be too late for them to ever sort it out...
No. 32
Des walks up the driveway leading to the house. Jane is sitting inside and she answers the doorbell when it rings. She lets Des in. He asks if there's any news from London, but she shakes her head. Des then suggests to her that she call Paul and let him know that she won't be in today. Jane explains that she's already done that; he wasn't very happy, but she won't be any use to him, feeling the way she does. She then sighs that she can't help feeling that she should be with her nan. Des points out that it could be just a *minor* attack.
JANE: Every time I've needed nan she's been there for me - and last time when she was sick, I really felt that my being there made a big difference; that's why she made such a quick recovery.
Des points out that they've got a lot of arrangements to make for the wedding, and her nan wouldn't want to spoil it for them. Jane accepts this reluctantly.
No. 26
At the kitchen table, Beverly is telling Jim that she doesn't know what to do about work: she's tried to get a locum but can't seem to find one. Todd walks in and sits down next to Katie, who asks him if he's coming back to Adelaide. Todd just replies that he doesn't know yet. Katie turns to Jim and asks if she can take Rupert with her if she goes. Jim says he doesn't see why not. Katie runs outside to tell her rabbit the news. When she's gone, Jim tells Todd that they have to know today so they can make arrangements. Beverly assures him that he's more than welcome to stay in Erinsborough. Todd sighs that Katie's giving him such a hard time. Jim suggests to him that he go and have a chat to her.
Back garden of No. 26
Katie lifts Rupert out of his hutch. Todd walks over and says:
TODD: Katie, we've got to talk.
KATIE (retorts): *Rupert* wants to go to Adelaide with me. He doesn't want to hang around here just because of some stupid girl.
TODD: Melissa's *not* stupid; she's really nice. And anyway, I don't want Melissa thinking I'm dumping her just because of her epilepsy.
KATIE (snaps): You don't care about me or mum, though, do you?
TODD: Katie, it's not just Melissa. I want to finish this year at school, seeing I'm going so well; it would be really hard changing over now.
KATIE (cries): I'd *miss* you, Todd.
TODD: It won't be for long; I'll probably be going back home later in the year.
KATIE: What if mum gets sick again and she can't look after me?
TODD: I'm sure Uncle Jim and Aunt Bev wouldn't be sending you back unless they were absolutely positive that mum was OK. Hey, you're not frightened of flying by yourself, are you?
KATIE: No, it's just--; well, *dad* left us, and now you're not going to be there either. I'll be miserable all over again.
Coffee Shop
Henry bursts in and tells Bronwyn, who's behind the counter, that he put an ad in the Erinsborough News.
HENRY: 'Henry Ramsay, Bereavement Consultant' looks pretty spiffy, if I do say so myself!
Bronwyn sighs that he's been too busy thinking about his job to talk to Harold, hasn't he? She adds that Harold is in the kitchen *now*. Henry murmurs that he doesn't know what to say. Bronwyn gives him a look! A few seconds later, Henry walks into the kitchen, where Harold is busy cooking.
HENRY: I suppose you're too busy to talk?
HAROLD: Is there something special you want to say?
HENRY (backing away): No, no, not if you're snowed under.
HAROLD: Everything's pretty well organised for the lunchtime rush - so, what seems to be the problem, eh?
HENRY (reluctantly): It's about you and mum.
HAROLD: Ah. Bronwyn's been speaking to you, has she?
HENRY: Yeah.
HAROLD: I'm afraid I have hurt your mother very deeply.
HENRY: From what *I* hear, she's making a mountain out of a molehill.
HAROLD (quickly): No, no, Henry: I betrayed her trust and I can't expect her to forgive me that.
HENRY: *She* loves *you*; *you* love *her* - don't you?
HAROLD: Of course I do-
HENRY: So what are you talking about? Kiss and make up!
HAROLD: It is not that simple, Henry.
HENRY: And it's not that serious - yet. Let this thing drag on and get out of proportion, then maybe it will be too late.
HAROLD: Henry, the very last thing I want to happen is to lose that lovely lady - but the situation is out of my hands now; surely you can see that?
HENRY (sighs): How come you can't take your own advice, big guy? 'Get in there and fight for Bronwyn': that's what you told *me*.
HAROLD (pauses then chuckles): I did, didn't I! You're quite right, of course. All right - I'll give it my best go! Thank you, Henry!
No. 26
Jim opens the front door to find Madge on the step. He invites her in and she asks if Helen's back yet. Jim explains that she won't return until tomorrow. Madge says she'll catch up with her then. She goes again. Beverly remarks to Jim that Madge doesn't seem her usual self at all. She then heads into the kitchen, where Katie is laying the table. Katie asks Beverly if Annette will be upset if Todd doesn't return home. Beverly explains that it's more *complicated* for Todd. Katie sighs that he doesn't want a kid sister hanging around him anymore. Beverly assures her that Todd will always want her around, but he's getting older and he has to do what he thinks is best. At that moment, Todd walks in through the back door.
KATIE: Todd... I've been thinking. It would be pretty difficult for you to change schools right now, and so if you want to stay here, that's OK by me.
TODD: Are you sure?
KATIE: As long as you promise to miss me!
Todd gives her a hug and assures her that of course he'll miss her. He then turns to Beverly and says:
TODD: If it's all right with mum, you and Uncle Jim, I'm staying.
No. 24
Henry arrives home. Madge asks what a busy tycoon like him is doing home at lunchtime. Henry explains that he talked to Harold: he's really miserable. Madge just sighs that this is between Harold and herself. Changing the subject, she asks Henry if he's managed to sign up any more customers this morning.
HENRY: No one's signed on the line, but I did some great PR. I don't know why I didn't think of the nursing home in the first place.
MADGE (aghast): You're not trying to sell funerals to people at the Erinsborough Nursing Home, are you?
HENRY: Mum, would I barge in where angels fear to tread if I thought it was going to upset anyone?!
He goes on that Madge would be surprised how many of those nice old folk were only too happy to listen. Madge mutters that she hopes he knows what he's doing...
No. 32
Des is sitting at the desk, looking at some accounts, while Jane sits in an armchair looking at a magazine. The 'phone suddenly starts ringing and Jane heads out to the hallway to answer it.
JANE: Hello? ... Yes, you're very clear. ... When did that happen? ... And they think it--?... I see. Thank you, John. Please ring again, won't you.
She hangs up, looking upset.
DES (joining her): What did John say?
Jane turns to him slowly.
JANE: She's got worse. Oh, Des - I don't think she's going to pull through...
She then bursts into tears and cries:
JANE: I have to be with nan...