No. 32
Joe and Kerry are carrying old furniture from the bedroom into the lounge room, Joe commenting as they do so that the cabinets feel like they're made out of lead! He adds that their new stuff will be there later today. The two of them then go and pick up a mattress and carry it on its side into the lounge. Kerry remarks that it's going to get pretty crowded with both their new furniture and the old stuff, but Joe tells her that he got the storage mob on the blower and they're going to pick up the old stuff this arvo. Kerry exclaims:

KERRY: Great! Now our only problem is *paying* for it all. Maybe I should think about getting a job?
JOE (quickly): Hey, forget *that*. I mean, how's that going to look to your old man? We get hitched and then you go out and work.
KERRY: Dad would understand. *Madge* works.
JOE: Forget it: you've got enough to do looking after Sky and Toby.

Kerry points out that the bills still have to be paid, but Joe tells her that he's got a gardening job today and he's full-time on Monday. He adds that he won't let her down. Kerry assures him that she never thought he would. She then tells him that she'll go out and do some shopping and have a nice meal ready for him when he gets home!

Waterhole
Paul is sitting at a table, looking glum, when Des comes in carrying several bags and sighing that that kid of his eats like a horse! Paul just mutters:

PAUL: Yeah - I wouldn't know about things like that, *would I*, Des?

Des changes the subject quickly and tells Paul that he had a call from Peter Llewelyn yesterday about the travel agents' convention: Lassiter's didn't get it. Paul mutters that it figures, after *his* performance. Des, however, assures Paul that it has nothing to do with him. Paul shrugs that he doesn't care. Des tells him:

DES: Well, maybe you *should*. You worked *hard* to build up Lassiter's, mate.
PAUL (bitterly): Yeah. Look what all my hard work has cost me. I don't want to know about it, Des.

Des suggests to Paul that if he keeps busy, maybe it'll take his mind off Gail. Paul, however, retorts that all he can think of is how she is, where she is, how the babies are... He sighs:

PAUL: Des, I've got to find them and bring them home.

Changing the subject again, Des invites Paul to come over later for something to eat and to watch the footy. Paul shrugs:

PAUL: Why not? It's not as if I've got anybody waiting for me, is it?

No. 26
Jim and Beverly come in through the back door with some bags of shopping. They hear voices in the lounge room and ask Todd - who's sitting on the kitchen table - who's there. Todd explains that it's the Jarretts: they were talking to Helen, but she had to leave to keep an appointment, and now they want to talk to the two of *them*. Jim sighs and asks Todd what strife he's got himself into *this* time. Todd explains about how he thought the Jarretts had come over to give him a lecture, so he told him what he thought of them and they went mad; but he misunderstood the whole reason why they came over. Jim and Beverly head through to the lounge room as Melissa heads in the opposite direction, into the kitchen. Todd asks her how bad it is. Melissa tells him:

MELISSA: Dad's going on and on about how rude you were and all the trouble you've caused our family. Todd, they're probably going to lock us in our rooms forever... send me to boarding school... send me to jail.
TODD (declares): I don't care *what* they do - they can't keep us apart.

Melissa smiles at Todd warmly.

In the lounge room, Mr. Jarrett is saying to Jim and Beverly curtly:

MR. JARRETT: He's bashed my son, trespassed on our home and encouraged a very sick little girl to defy us, and he's got the gall to try and tell me how to run my family.

Beverly comments that it appears that Todd *may* have overstepped the bounds somewhat, but he doesn't *normally* behave that way - and from what *they've* seen, she'd say he's as committed to Melissa's welfare as the Jarretts are. Jim adds that he'd go along with that: while he doesn't condone Todd's rudeness, separating them hasn't done much good. He goes on that they can surely come to some solution that they can *all* live with. Mr. Jarrett snaps:

MR. JARRETT: I don't want that kid anywhere *near* Melissa.

Mrs. Jarrett, however, appeals to her husband to *listen* to the Robinsons. In the kitchen, Todd and Melissa look at each other.

Outside a house
Joe is unloading the lawnmower from the back of his ute when a man walks over to him and asks him in surprise what he's doing there. Joe tells him that he's catching up on his work. He adds that he's sorry about last week, but he was on his honeymoon. The man congratulates Joe, but then asks him to move his ute. Joe says he'll just get the rest of his gear out. The man, however, tells him tersely that he didn't turn up and he didn't ring, so he got someone *else* to do the job. Joe stares at him in disbelief. The man goes on that the kids he hired did the job just as well, but for half Joe's price. Joe stares at him, open-mouthed.

No. 26
Todd is peering through from the kitchen into the lounge room, but Melissa pulls him back and warns him that her parents, Jim and Beverly might see. Todd just shrugs that they can't get into much more trouble than they already are. Out in the lounge room, Mr. Jarrett is saying that he still doesn't think either of the kids is old enough. Mrs. Jarrett points out that Melissa is 14, but Mr. Jarrett retorts that she's got problems; she needs watching. Beverly chips in:

BEVERLY: Mr. Jarrett, it's natural for you to be protective of Melissa because of her epilepsy - when she was a small child, that care was vital to her well-being - but as your wife says, she's growing up. Now, that's a difficult enough time for *any* young girl, and especially for Melissa. She wants to be normal, and being normal means doing things *other* girls her age are doing.
MRS. JARRETT: And that includes having a boyfriend.
BEVERLY: If you continue to treat her as a sick child, you'll be denying the very things you want most for her. At some point, Mr. Jarrett, you have to let Melissa take responsibility for her own life.

Jim adds that Melissa seems a sensible enough girl - he's sure she won't do anything stupid. Beverly grins that even if she wanted to, Todd wouldn't let her! Mr. Jarrett asks dubiously:

MR. JARRETT: Do you honestly think we can count on that?
JIM: Despite his recent behaviour - yeah.
MR. JARRETT (sighs): All right - I'll take your word for it; but there'll have to be some very stringent conditions.
JIM: The way things are right now, I think they'd agree to *anything*.

With that, Beverly calls to Todd and Melissa, who walk through from the kitchen. Todd immediately tells Mr. Jarrett that he's sorry for being so rude before - and for sneaking in for Melissa's birthday - and for fighting with Sean; it's just that they want to be able to be together. Mr. Jarrett nods:

MR. JARRETT: You've made *that* pretty clear; and since you both seem so determined, and if you promise to follow my rules-
MELISSA: We will, dad!
MRS. JARRETT: You don't even know what they *are* yet!
TODD (smiles): It doesn't matter. As long as we can be together. Can we?
MR. JARRETT (nods): Yeah. Yeah, I guess you can.

Todd and Melissa look at each other in relief.

No. 26
Sometime later, Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett, Jim, Beverly, Melissa and Todd are all sitting around the kitchen table. Melissa and Todd are coming up with a list of things they want to do together. Mr. Jarrett, however, reminds them that there are rules - most of them because of Melissa's epilepsy, like her getting plenty of rest and not doing anything too outrageous; others are just common sense, like no dates on school nights - but they can study together and go out on weekends, if they get permission first. Mr. Jarrett adds that they're to know where Melissa is at all times, even if it's only going down to the Coffee Shop; and either they or the Robinsons will drive them wherever they want to go; there's to be no travelling on public transport, especially at night. Melissa lets out a groan, but Todd says quickly that that's fine. Jim then says:

JIM: Todd, I think you own *Sean* an apology.
TODD (nods): First thing Monday.
BEVERLY: And Hilary.
TODD (mutedly): Er, yeah. OK.

Mrs. Jarrett says she's glad they've got everything settled. Mr. Jarrett says to her that they'd better be going, and he asks Melissa if she's coming. Beverly tells the Jarretts that they can drop Melissa home later on. The four adults head to the front door, Jim saying as they do so that he's going to pop across and see Des for a while. When they've gone, Melissa smiles at Todd:

MELISSA: Your family's fantastic. If it hadn't've been for your aunt...

Todd doesn't respond, though, and Melissa asks what's wrong. Todd sighs:

TODD: Hilary. When I tell her I was the one who wrote the poem, she's gonna chuck a mental; we'll probably end up right back where we started ... but if I *don't*, we'll be in a lot *more* strife - so I'd better get it over and done with...

Driveway of No. 32/Ramsay Street
A lorry is parked in the driveway of No. 32. A delivery man is knocking on the front door of the house, but there's no answer. A second man asks what they're supposed to do with the gear. The first man suggests that they leave it in the car port: Joe will find it when he gets back. The second man asks if it'll be OK. The first man grins that if Joe can afford a place like No. 32, the stuff won't get knocked off. With that, the two men start unloading the lorry.

Across the street, Todd and Melissa emerge from No. 26, and Melissa asks Todd if he wants her to come in with him. Todd, however, tells her that there's no use *both* of them getting in trouble. With that, Melissa gives Todd a kiss for luck and watches him head across the road.

No. 30
Hilary is standing in the lounge room, looking at a book, when there's a knock on the door. She goes to answer it and, finding Todd standing on the step, tells him tersely that he's missed Matthew and Sharon: they went out quite a while ago. Todd, however, explains that he wanted to talk to *her*. Looking surprised, Hilary remarks that he doesn't usually come over just for a *chat*. She lets Todd in and the two of them head into the lounge room. Todd then says nervously:

TODD: It's about that poem you got from Mr. Muir.
HILARY (sharply): And what exactly do *you* know about it?
TODD (quietly): *He* didn't send it; *I* did.
HILARY: May I ask *why*?
TODD: You dobbed on me and Melissa and we got into heaps of trouble. I was pretty mad.
HILARY: I see. And what's brought about this confession?
TODD: I promised Helen I'd tell you. She reckoned you were pretty upset.
HILARY: She was *correct*.
TODD (guiltily): Sorry.
HILARY: I suppose she also insisted on you apologising?
TODD: Yeah, she did. I didn't mean to make you unhappy - it's just... I was just trying to get at you; you're always giving everyone such a hard time.

Hilary's face drops and she turns away. Todd asks in surprise if she isn't going to yell at him. Hilary, however, says flatly:

HILARY: What's the point? You've made your apology; you may as well *go*.

Todd turns to leave, adding again as he does so:

TODD: I'm really sorry.

Hilary just stands there, looking upset.

Ramsay Street
Melissa is waiting outside when Todd emerges from No. 30. He joins her and suggests with a sigh that they go down to the shops. Melissa asks what Hilary *said*, but Todd shrugs that she was pretty quiet. Melissa asks him if he's in heaps of trouble. Todd, however, comments:

TODD: It's really weird. You know how she normally yells at you and tells your parents to punish you?
MELISSA: Mmm.
TODD: She didn't do *any* of that; she just listened to me and told me to go away.
MELISSA: That's *good*, isn't it?
TODD: Yeah, I suppose...

No. 28
Des is making some hot dogs and he offers one to Jim, who's sitting at the kitchen counter. Jim declines, though. He then asks Des if Paul has been into the office in the last few days. Des replies that he hasn't - and he's getting a bit worried. Jim tells Des that it's very good of him to fill in. Des, however, sighs:

DES: Look, mate, even on my best day I'm nowhere near the businessman Paul is. He ought to be there to make the important decisions.
JIM: He will be - as soon as he can get his feet under him again.

Des says he doesn't think that's going to happen, and he explains about how Paul just shrugged when he heard that the travel agents' convention had fallen through. He adds that it's as though Paul doesn't *care* about the business anymore. Jim tells Des that Paul blames the business for Gail's disappearance. Des says:

DES: He needs something to focus on - and the Robinson Corporation's all he's got. Someone should talk to him.
JIM: Meaning me?
DES: Yep. I was going to do it myself, but you're his old man - he'll listen to *you*.
JIM (sighs): I don't reckon it'll be too easy to get through to him. I'll give it a try...

With that, he stands up to leave. Des, however, stops him and says:

DES: Paul's coming over here in a while. Wait for him. You can have a hot dog!

No. 28
A while later, Des turns off the TV and comments that it was a boring game. He offers Paul something to eat or drink, but Paul mutters at Des to leave him alone: he's all right. Jim sighs:

JIM: It's pretty obvious that's not true, Paul. I know how difficult things have been for you, but you've got to make a *bit* of an effort. I mean, look at you: when did you last shave?
PAUL (shrugs): Yesterday or something... I don't know. Who cares?

Jim tells Paul gently that Gail's gone and he's got to come to terms with that. Paul, however, demands:

PAUL: Oh, how am I supposed to do *that*, dad? Just forget that I was ever married? Forget that I've got three children I've never even *seen*?
JIM: I'm not suggesting-
PAUL: I don't know what they're like. I don't know if they're boys or girls. I don't know if they're OK. I don't know if *Gail's* all right... I can't *live* with that. I've *got* to find them.

Jim murmurs that it'll work out. Paul, however, retorts:

PAUL: Sure. Maybe it won't. Maybe my marriage *is* over with Gail, and maybe she'll never come back - but I just can't forget my children, dad. I'll do *anything* if I have to.

Des starts to point out gently that if Gail doesn't want to be found... Paul leaps up from the couch and snaps:

PAUL: What about what *I* want? Eh? What about what I *need*? You know, I will sell my business, I'll hire a private detective, I'll do anything - I'll spend every cent I've got, if I have to - but I will *find* my children.
JIM (warns): Paul, you can't just throw your life away.
PAUL (curtly): Dad, what would happen if it was one of *us* who went missing? You would move heaven and earth to find us, wouldn't you?
JIM (admits): Course I would.
PAUL: Right. Well, try and understand how I feel. I want my children. I've got a *right* to my children.

Jim stands up and goes and puts his arm around Paul, saying reassuringly:

JIM: We'll find them, mate. I'll help you.
PAUL (murmurs): Thanks dad.

No. 32
Joe is talking to a customer on the 'phone, demanding to know:

JOE: What do you mean 'they do better work'? If you had problems with our service, you should've told me.

Kerry comes in as Joe slams down the 'phone. He tells her in annoyance that that's their fourth customer that's gone over to some new mob. Kerry looks sympathetic, but then asks where the new lounge is. Joe just mutters that it hasn't turned up yet. Kerry, however, tells him that she saw Bill and Ken on the way back from the shops: they said they'd be over later to pick up their beer because Joe wasn't home when they dropped the furniture off. She adds that they left it in the car port about an hour ago. Joe dashes to the door, commenting as he does so that it wasn't there when he got home. He looks outside and then exclaims:

JOE: Flamin' hell. We've been *robbed*.

No. 26
Melissa and Todd head into the lounge room from the kitchen, Melissa commenting as they do so that it's fantastic not to have to sneak around anymore. They sit down as she adds that they should do something to celebrate; something special. Todd muses that, whatever it is, it's probably on the no-no list! He then says:

TODD: You know what I'd *really* like to do? I'd like to take you out to dinner - somewhere really fancy.
MELISSA (smiles): Yeah, that would be romantic. We'd probably be allowed - but you can't afford that: it'd take you six years to save up the pocket money!

Todd points out that he's got the gardening, and if things keep going the way he's planned, he could afford to take Melissa to *ten* fancy dinners, with limousines to take them there!

No. 32
Kerry is sitting at the desk in the lounge room, entering some figures into a calculator, as Joe talks to the police on the 'phone, saying he'll bring in the receipts. He hangs up and joins Kerry, who asks what the police said. Joe sighs that they'll do what they can, but there's no guarantees they'll find it. Kerry remarks:

KERRY: We'd better not put our stuff in storage, then - not until we know if we'll get ours back.
JOE (nods): Lucky they're so late. I'd better ring and cancel.

As Joe heads back out to the hallway, Kerry asks him in concern if he realises that the interest rate on the things they bought is 23%: it's going to cost them half again what they budgeted for. Joe goes to the 'phone and dials. When he gets through, he says:

JOE: Ace Storage? Yeah, Joe Mangel here. Can you tell your boys not to bother coming round? ... Nah, we're not going to put our stuff in storage after all.

A look of puzzlement crosses Joe's face as he listens to the response. He then says:

JOE: But they can't've! Well, I don't know what they got, mate, but I'm standing here-

He breaks off as Kerry hisses at him that the storage company must have taken their new things by mistake! Joe returns to the 'phone and says:

JOE: Er, look, sorry about that - bit of confusion going on here. Um, could you bring our furniture back?

He listens again and then says more tersely:

JOE: Don't get smart with *me*, buster ... Look, can you deliver the gear or *not*? ... That's daylight robbery! ... [More meekly] Yeah, we want it. Yeah, we'll pay.

With that, Joe hangs up the 'phone and tells Kerry with a sigh that it'll be there in an hour - but it'll cost $50.

No. 26
Paul is sitting on one couch while Beverly sits on the other. Jim is ranting at her:

JIM: *Damn* your professional ethics - *look* at him.

Beverly tells Paul that she knows what he's going through, but there is nothing she can do. Jim snaps:

JIM: Oh of *course* there is: you can walk into your office, open the files and tell us where Gail is.
BEVERLY: She's made it quite clear she doesn't want Paul to know. I can't betray her confidence.
JIM: Gail can't possibly know what she's putting him through. If you could just see her... make her understand.

Beverly stands up and yells:

BEVERLY: It's not *up* to me. Gail is a *patient* - she has a right to confidentiality.
JIM (yells back): And *Paul* has a right to see his children. Now, he's going to hire a private investigator; he's going to find them anyway - so why not save us all the trouble?
BEVERLY (angrily): You've put me in an impossible situation, Jim. Obviously I feel for Paul, but I have a responsibility to *Gail*.
JIM: Paul is falling apart in front of your very eyes. Don't you have a responsibility to *him*?
BEVERLY (warns): Don't do this to me, Jim.

Paul stands up suddenly and cries:

PAUL: Beverly, *please*. I've *got* to know. Will you *please* help me find my children?

Beverly stands there looking worried.