Recap
Nick telling Sharon that they're through.
No. 32
Joe is lying asleep on the couch and Bouncer is lying on top of him! Kerry comes in and gently tries to move Bouncer. Joe stirs as she does so, though, and tells Kerry that he dreamt he was being squashed by a sumo wrestler! Kerry looks around and comments that the furniture's starting to look really lived in - they'll have to train Bouncer to stay off it. Joe, however, tells her:
JOE: Fair go! I've been through all that! There's no way - I can't do *anything* with him: he won't sit, eat, heel, nothing. He's un-trainable! He only listens to the voice of doom: mum's!
Kerry laughs that they could put some covers on the chairs, but Joe sighs that his mum did that: it was horrible. Kerry insists that they have to do *something*. Joe suggests that they could hoik the current furniture into storage and get something a bit more modern - a new suite, maybe; something to suit the new family. Kerry muses:
KERRY: Did we win the pools and you forgot to mention it?!
JOE: Oh, you must have lived a sheltered life! Haven't you ever heard of credit? The power of plastic?
KERRY: Yes, but it still costs money, Joe - *more* money in the long run.
JOE: Yeah, but if we pay it off in little bits, it'll be a piece of cake if we budget. Look, if we're going to have kids and dogs jumping around on everything, we've got to get something more suitable - quick smart, I reckon.
No. 26
Todd is helping Helen with the washing-up when Nick comes in. Helen comments that he's late, and she asks if he ate with Sharon. Nick just mutters that the delivery boy *never* gets to eat. Helen gives him a look. Todd then asks Nick if he wants to do some lawns tomorrow. Nick declines, though, and goes and sits down at the table. Helen tells Todd that *she'll* finish the dishes. Todd heads through to watch TV, leaving Helen to sit down with Nick and say:
HELEN: I dropped into the gallery this afternoon. Do you think it's wise to be rude to people - especially those who've been so good to you?
NICK (shrugs): They made their fair share out of me.
Helen points out that the gallery took quite a risk on him. Nick stands up and goes to head through to the lounge room, but Helen says curtly that she's not used to being walked out on. Nick goes and sits back down as Helen asks what happened. He explains that he's just broken up with Sharon. Helen asks what brought *this* on. Nick tells her that she's just been getting on his nerves - and there's no law that says they have to stay together forever. Helen says sympathetically:
HELEN: If you want to talk about it, I'm always here.
NICK (murmurs): Thank you.
With that, Nick heads through to the lounge room, leaving Helen looking worried.
No. 30
Sharon is sitting at the kitchen table with tears in her eyes, as Matt tells her that Nick had a bad day and having a flat tyre was probably just the last straw. Sharon cries:
SHARON: Is that any reason to turn on *me*?
MATT: No... but you know how you sometimes just turn on the people who are closest to you; take it out on them. You know.
Sharon shakes her head and says there's got to be more to it: she must have done something or upset him in some way. Matt insists that she didn't - Nick just needs time to cool off and tomorrow everything will seem completely different. Sharon sobs:
SHARON: It's like I've lost *two* people, you know? My boyfriend and my best friend.
Matt tells her that it will blow over, but Sharon just snaps:
SHARON: Didn't you see the way he looked at me - like he hates me?
The front door slams suddenly and Hilary calls:
HILARY: Anyone home?
Matt calls back that they're in the kitchen. Hilary comes in and puts down her suitcase. Matt comments that she's back so soon. Hilary tells him:
HILARY: 'Getting away' is harder than you think - especially as one can't really get away from *oneself*.
MATT: Are you all right?
HILARY: Yes, I'm sure I'll be fine after a good night's sleep. I think I'll go straight to my room.
Matt offers to make her a warm drink, but she declines and heads off to bed. Matt turns back to Sharon and comments that Hilary seems no better than when she left - and hearing about the piano certainly won't cheer her up. Sharon just sits there in tears and mutters that, at the moment, Hilary's piano is the *least* of her problems.
No. 32
The next morning, Joe and Kerry are lying on the lounge room floor, looking at newspapers and magazines. Joe points out an advert for furniture, and Kerry says it's nice but she still thinks they should go for something second-hand. Joe, however, tells her that he went for that with Noelene, and nothing matched; he wants *their* furniture to be all their own - plus garage sales don't give credit! He picks up another leaflet, but is shocked at the $5,000 cost of the furniture advertised in there. He then goes and lies down on the couch and smiles:
JOE: While we're at it, we might, er, get a new bed too, eh? Still looks like an old duck lives in there!
KERRY: It's quality furniture you know, Joe. It's Queen Anne.
JOE: I don't care if it's the Queen of Sheba! It's too old-fashioned!
Kerry comments that beds are very expensive, and she suggests a futon instead. Joe, however, retorts that that's just like sleeping on the floor. He then adds that they're not getting a water bed either, because he gets seasick! Kerry sighs that *she* still wants to know how they're going to pay for all this. Joe tells her:
JOE: Oh, that's OK. My credit rating's fine - I paid the ute off, no probs. As long as we don't get carried away, we'll be sweet.
KERRY (warily): I hope so, Joe, I really do...
No. 26
Todd walks into the kitchen with Nick and asks him if he wants to do those lawns that he told him about last night; they can go halves. Nick mutters that he doesn't know. Todd tells him that they're not very far away - one is Des's place. Nick gives in. He heads off to clean his room. The doorbell rings and Todd goes and answers it. Melissa is standing on the step and he invites her in. Looking at the expression on her face, he asks her if she's all right. Melissa tells him:
MELISSA: Dad started getting stuck into me about my attitude - *and* everything else. I walked out.
TODD: Yeah? Radical!
MELISSA: I just walked out of the house, down the street. He kept calling me to come back, but I just kept walking. I thought he'd get the car out and beat me here.
Todd tells her that he's glad she came over, as he was wondering how he was going to see her today. He adds that he's got her another present: something her old man can't bust. With that, he takes a little cloth case out of his pocket and tips a friendship ring onto Melissa's hand. She puts it on, but then tells Todd that she won't be able to wear it, as if her dad sees it she's history. She then adds that she could wear it on a chain around her neck, though. She gives Todd a hug and beams that she loves it! Looking suddenly serious, she says she'll have to take it off. She starts pulling at the ring - but it won't budge. Todd has a go as well, but the ring refuses to move. Melissa snaps eventually:
MELISSA: Great - this is *all* I need.
No. 26
A short time later, Melissa and Todd are standing by the kitchen sink, and Todd is about to pour cooking oil onto the ring. Melissa, however, tells him curtly that he can't pour oil down the sink, as it wrecks the environment. Todd tries washing-up liquid instead. Melissa tries to move the ring, exclaiming as she does so:
MELISSA: Come on, Todd: if we don't get it off, dad'll *kill* me.
TODD: Well, at least he won't be able to stop you from wearing it, will he?!
MELISSA: I never thought of that! Oh well - it looks like we're friends forever!
TODD: Suits *me*!
No. 30
Sharon is sitting at one end of the kitchen table and Hilary is sitting at the other end. Both are looking glum. Matt puts cups down in front of them both and says:
MATT: What *is* this, huh? A competition to see who can act the most depressed?
HILARY: I know you're only trying to cheer me up, Matthew, but I'm afraid I'm not in the mood.
SHARON: Me either.
Matt goes to pour some tea, but Hilary declines, saying she needs to be on her own. She wanders off to her room. Matt offers tea to Sharon, and she mutters that she might as well drown her sorrows. As he pours, Matt remarks that the piano isn't the *only* thing they have to worry about: what if someone rings up and orders pizza? Sharon sniffs:
SHARON: Tell them we've gone out of business.
Matt then tells her to go and *talk* to Nick. Sharon just retorts that *he's* the one who called it off; it's up to *him*. Matt sighs that that's fair enough. Changing the subject, he goes on that he'd like to know what's upsetting his mum so much. Sharon explains that it's the letter: Hilary went to see Muir about it and he didn't have a clue what she was talking about. Matt exclaims sympathetically:
MATT: She would've felt like a complete moron.
SHARON: I reckon.
MATT: Who would've done *that*? No one *we* know, I bet. Eh?
SHARON (murmurs nervously): Yeah...
MATT (demands): Who, Sharon?
SHARON (admits): It was Todd.
MATT: You're kidding! *Why*?
SHARON: He wanted to get back at her for dobbing on him and Melissa.
MATT (snarls): But he *humiliated* her. I'm going to *brain* the little moron.
Garden of No. 28
Melissa is sitting on Des's front lawn as Todd and Nick mow it. Todd runs over to her and drops a pile of grass down the back of her top! Melissa leaps up and starts chasing him around! Nick sighs at them to stop mucking about, but Todd retorts that he's done the heavy stuff and they're just having a bit of fun. Nick tells them that they're carrying on like a pack of morons, but Todd retorts that he'd probably be doing the same thing if Sharon was there. Nick mutters that he doubts it. Nick suggests to Todd that he and Melissa go and get a couple of drinks and he'll finish up. As they head inside, Melissa grabs some grass and puts it down the back of *Todd's* top!
Furniture store
Kerry and Joe are wandering around a furniture store. Kerry comments that maybe they should have bought everything from the *last* place, but Joe tells her that the furniture there was definitely shoddy. A salesman walks over and asks if he can be any help. Joe tells him:
JOE: Sure can, China! We're in the market for a lounge suite: something comfy, you know, and kid-proof as well; and Bouncer-proof - that's our dog! And, er, nothing like my mum would buy, you know what I mean?!
The salesman asks what price range they have in mind. Joe, however, tells him that there's no problems: they're carrying plastic. Kerry indicates a suite across the store and says they quite like *that* one. The salesman, however, says it's acceptable for what it is, but he'd like to show them the Mediterranean Suite. He salesman strides away. Kerry lingers with Joe and warns him not to forget the budget. Joe assures her that he won't.
No. 26
Todd is sitting with Melissa at the kitchen bench. Melissa is asking if they shouldn't take a drink out to Nick, but Todd tells her that he'll be in in a minute. Melissa laughs:
MELISSA: I've still got some grass down my back!
TODD: *I'll* get it out for you.
MELISSA: No you will not!
Matt comes in through the back door suddenly and says to Todd curtly:
MATT: Just the man I've been looking for. I hear you've been writing some poetry.
TODD (blankly): *What* poetry?
MATT: You know - in that love letter you sent to mum?
TODD: Oh...
MATT (demands): What did you think you were doing?
TODD: I was just paying her back.
MATT (snaps): For *what*?
TODD: For all the trouble she caused me and Melissa.
MATT (angrily): Stupid little mongrel. Have you any idea what she's been going through?
TODD: I don't care - she *deserved* it.
Matt grabs Todd's top and pulls him forward, snarling as he does so:
MATT: Maybe I should give you something of what *you* deserve, eh?
Melissa dashes over and tells Matt to pick on someone his own size. Helen comes in from the lounge room and asks sternly what's going on. Matt says quickly:
MATT: Sorry, Helen. I think *Todd* will be able to explain the gory details to you. [To Todd] And don't think I'm finished with *you* yet, either.
With that, Matt walks out. Helen glares at Todd and demands:
HELEN: Well?
Todd sighs and admits that he sent Hilary that love poem and signed it from Mr. Muir. Helen asks Todd in horror if he has any idea the embarrassment that's caused. Todd retorts that *she* started it. Helen tells him that, believe it or not, Hilary thought she was acting responsibly. She then warns Todd that Jim won't be too happy when he hears. Todd pleads with Helen quickly not to tell him - he's already in his bad books. Helen muses:
HELEN: I don't suppose there's any need to bring Jim into this.
TODD: Thanks.
HELEN: Provided you apologise to Hilary.
TODD (looking horrified): You serious?
HELEN: Very. It's either one or the other. The choice is yours.
No. 32
Joe is removing the old bedstead from the bedroom. Kerry asks if it wouldn't be better to wait for the *new* stuff to arrive, but Joe tells her that he's going to get it today: he's got some mates with a van. Kerry, who's sitting at the desk in the lounge room with a pile of receipts in front of her, asks Joe in concern if he has any idea what they bought today: it's going to add up to a fortune. She starts totting up numbers on a calculator, sighing as she does so that they really got carried away. Joe insists:
JOE: Look, it's sweet. The honeymoon's over, I got me job back, I'm earning good bucks... we'll be able to pay it off in no time, you'll see.
KERRY: Really?
JOE: Yeah, don't worry about it. What's it all add up to?
Kerry's face drops as she totals the receipts and then exclaims:
KERRY: Oh Joe - it's over $3,000 worth.
Joe's jaw drops.
Ramsay Street
Nick is hosing-down the lawnmower on the pavement outside No. 28 as Matt stands with him and tells him that he and Sharon are *good* together. Nick just retorts that they *were* good. Matt asks what happened, but Nick snaps back that it's none of his business. Matt points out that it's his business because he's a friend to both of them: he can't just believe why Nick wants to dump it all like this. Nick shrugs that things change. Sharon walks over suddenly and says a nervous 'Hi' to Nick. Matt says he's going to go and see if his mum's OK, and he heads off. Sharon asks Nick if they can talk. Nick retorts that there's nothing to talk *about*. Sharon cries:
SHARON: What have I done wrong? Why have you changed so suddenly? Why don't you want to go out with me anymore?
NICK: I don't know. You know, it just doesn't feel right anymore. I need some space to do what *I* want to do; to sort myself out without having to worry about someone else. I'm too young to be tied down, anyway.
SHARON: I don't understand what's changed so suddenly.
NICK: Look, Sharon, there is no easy way to break up. You've gotta face it: it's over. Now, I've got things to do.
With that, Nick picks up the lawnmower. Sharon stands there, looking upset.
No. 26
Helen is sitting on the couch, sketching, when there's a knock on the front door. She goes and opens it and finds Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett on the step. Mrs. Jarrett comments that they're probably the last two people Helen expected to see: they were wondering if the Robinsons were home. Helen replies that they aren't at the moment, but they shouldn't be long, and she invites the Jarretts to come in and wait. Mrs. Jarrett says it's really important that they talk about the kids. The three of them sit down and Mr. Jarrett tells Helen that he and Melissa had a bit of a confrontation this morning, and she stormed out of the house. Helen nods that Melissa was there earlier; perhaps she should have sent her home? Mrs. Jarrett, however, says:
MRS. JARRETT: No, no, it doesn't matter. We've had a major change of heart today.
MR. JARRETT: Rona means *I* have. Melissa and I have always been very close; I've always been very protective of her because of her epilepsy, and the last thing I wanted was for her to be hurt.
MRS. JARRETT: And after *our* chat, we got to talking. We've made some big decisions today.
MR. JARRETT: It's very clear that Todd's a very determined and thoughtful young man, and there's no doubt that Melissa's keen on him.
HELEN: The feeling's mutual, I can assure you.
MR. JARRETT: ...so the last thing I wanted was to lose my daughter's respect; so I felt I had to *do* something; find some sort of compromise.
HELEN (smiles): Well, I think you've made a very wise move.
Helen then offers the Jarretts a cup of tea.
Ramsay Street
Todd and Melissa are walking along the street, Melissa telling Todd that he heard what Helen said: he either apologises or else. Todd mutters that he might as well kill himself to save Hilary the trouble. Melissa looks at him and says:
MELISSA: Just remember - whatever happens, you've always got *me*.
The two of them go to kiss - but as they do so, Melissa notices her dad's car outside No. 26. She tells Todd quickly that she's going back to the park, but Todd retorts that they can't avoid him forever. Melissa warns him in panic that he knows what her dad will say. Todd just starts marching towards the house, retorting:
TODD: I don't care - I've got something to say to *him*, too.
No. 26
Mr. Jarrett is telling Helen that asking Melissa's brother to spy on her was the stupidest thing he's ever done. Helen assures him that everyone makes mistakes in the heat of the moment. The front door opens suddenly and Todd and Melissa come in. Helen smiles at them they they've just been talking about the two of them. Todd growls:
TODD: Yeah, I bet.
Melissa tells her father that he can't stop her from seeing Todd. Mr. Jarrett explains that that's why they're there: they want to *talk* about this. Todd snaps:
TODD: What good's *that* going to do? You never listen to anything we've got to say anyway.
Mr. Jarrett stands up and warns that there's no need for *that* tone. Helen says she agrees. Todd goes on angrily:
TODD: I know what he's trying to do: he's trying to ruin Melissa's life.
MR. JARRETT: Now just a minute-
MRS. JARRETT (warns): Ben...
TODD: Well, it's true, isn't it? Your life must be so dull and boring that you don't want anyone to have any fun - not even your own daughter.
HELEN (snaps): Todd, stop it.
TODD (angrily): Why should I?
MR. JARRETT (tersely): I came over here today to start again; to give you kids the benefit of the doubt. I thought I was wrong about you, Todd, but I won't be spoken to like that - not by a pig-headed teenager. You've had your chance. You won't be getting another one - *that* you can be sure of.
Todd and Melissa stand there looking annoyed.