No. 26
Nick says:

NICK: Luce, look, you're only here for a few weeks. It won't work.
LUCY: It *will*, Nick, I promise you.
NICK: Has, um, has something happened I don't know about?
LUCY: No.
NICK: Right - so what's brought this on?
LUCY: I wanted you to know how I feel.
NICK: Fine!
LUCY: How important this relationship is...

With that, Lucy takes a step forward and goes to kiss Nick passionately. Nick pulls back and starts to say:

NICK: Lucy, this won't work-

Lucy, however, interrupts and insists:

LUCY:* Yes*, Nick...

She resumes the kiss. Nick gives in - but the two of them are interrupted by Jim walking in and asking how the tea's coming on. He stares at the two of them as they quickly break apart, and asks Nick coolly if he's finished his homework. Nick replies that he hasn't, and he heads off to his room. Lucy checks the kettle and murmurs that tea won't be long. She then walks out of the kitchen as well, leaving Jim looking stony-faced.

No. 32
Melanie is at No. 32, telling Kerry breathlessly that the telegram boy turned up with a telegram from Des! Kerry asks what it's about. Melanie replies that he sent it from Singapore, and she reads:

MELANIE: 'Arriving home Saturday 10am. Regards, Des.'

Kerry looks surprised and asks if that's all; what about Jane? Melanie pauses before then saying:

MELANIE: Singapore... honeymoon... They must have stopped off on the way! How romantic!

Kerry smiles that Des and Jane will tell them all about that tomorrow. Melanie says enthusiastically that she just *loves* good news; she has to tell *everyone*! Kerry, however, points out that there could be a dark lining in this silver cloud: Des and Jane might want their house back. Melanie just shrugs that stuff like that always happens to *her*! With that, she announces that she'd better go and spread the word, and she heads out, leaving Kerry grinning bemusedly!

Ramsay Street
Todd is skating around the street on his skateboard when Beverly pulls up in her car outside No. 26. She climbs out and tells Todd sternly that he's not supposed to ride on the road. She then changes the subject and says she spoke to the orthodontist today and he wants to fit Todd's braces next week. Todd mutters that that's terrific. Beverly points out that the sooner he gets the braces on, the sooner he'll get them off - and no one will even notice them. Todd, however, exclaims:

TODD: You're *joking*, aren't you? With my mouth looking like a scrap-metal yard?
BEVERLY: You *do* exaggerate!

Todd climbs back on his board and skates off round the footpath. Beverly goes to head up to the front door of No. 26, but spots Paul in the driveway of No. 22 and says good afternoon to him. He walks across to her and asks how she's coping now that she's not working. Beverly tells him that she and Jim have a little bit put aside, and Jim seems to think the workshop will come good soon. Paul then apologises for the other night, saying he didn't mean to fly off the handle like that - things have been getting him down. Beverly tells him that *she* over-reacted, and she's sorry. She asks if they can be friends again and Paul nods that things are best forgotten. Beverly then invites him for dinner tonight, but he tells her that he's got other plans, so maybe some other time. Beverly accepts this before saying:

BEVERLY: I was sorry to hear about Gail and the house.
PAUL (shrugs): That's life in a big city, isn't it?
BEVERLY: What will you do now?
PAUL (retorts): What *can* I do? I can pick up my chattels and walk. Look, I left myself wide open; I just shouldn't have trusted her.
BEVERLY: Well, *I* think it's all very sad.
PAUL (sarcastically): Yeah, yeah, I'm crying. I'll tell you *one* thing, though: if Gail wants to play hardball, this definitely isn't the final game.
BEVERLY: You really think it will achieve anything, carrying on a feud?
PAUL: Who's feuding? Look, *she's* protecting *her* rights, *I'm* protecting *mine*. That's sound business practice, if you ask me.
BEVERLY: There *are* children involved.
PAUL (tersely): Bev, what am I supposed to do: just lie down and take it all? Now, it's been nice chatting to you, I'm glad we sorted things out, and I'll drop over soon.

With that, Paul heads inside, leaving Beverly looking worried.

No. 26
Jim is watching over baby Rhys in the lounge room. Nick goes to head out, but Jim stops him and asks if he has a moment. He goes on that he's just been reading the Erinsborough News. Nick looks at Jim blankly and he explains that Helen showed him Nick's letter. He hands Nick the paper and Nick reads the letter. He then exclaims:

NICK: I didn't write this.
JIM: Oh come on, Nick, all the details fit.
NICK (curtly): Look, I didn't write it. I bet I know who did, though.
JIM: Who?
NICK: Sharon. She's trying to get back at me.

Nick goes to march out to talk to Sharon, but Jim stops him and tells him he can do it later. He then asks where Lucy is. Nick replies that she's in her room. He then goes on that he knows Jim's worried, but it's nothing serious. Jim indicates the kitchen and muses:

JIM: What I saw out there *looked* pretty serious.
NICK (shrugs): It just happened.
JIM: If you two want to start a relationship, I don't want to play the ogre - but she's very young, Nick. She tries to play the mature sophisticate, but really she's inexperienced and vulnerable, and... well, things shouldn't 'just happen'.
NICK (mutters): Yeah, I know that.

No. 28
Kerry is helping Melanie erect a banner saying 'Welcome Home Newlyweds' over the fireplace at No. 28. Melanie says she hopes they've got loads of photos - and maybe even a *video* of the wedding! The two of them finish with the banner and start tidying up around the coffee table as Melanie says eagerly:

MELANIE: They might have got married in one of those big old cathedrals they have over there!
KERRY: A bit expensive, maybe!
MELANIE (grins): Yeah, I suppose you'd have to a priest or something to get married there!
KERRY: A Minister! Priests don't get married.
MELANIE (thoughtfully): Yeah, but *Reverends* do, don't they...? You know, like the Rev: Reverend Richards and Cass.
KERRY (surprised): *They're* not getting married, are they?!
MELANIE: Well... I'd say it's only a matter of time. It's truly romantic. I couldn't *think* of a Reverend like that, though; could *you*?! Now - bubbly!

Melanie goes to the 'fridge, beaming that bubbly always makes her sneeze, but she loves it! The two of them suddenly hear the front door opening and Des's voice talking outside. They run to the door and Melanie yells:

MELANIE: Congratulations!

She and Kerry start throwing confetti everywhere! Des comes in through the door with Jamie and tells them to cut it out! Melanie looks around in surprise and asks where Jane is. Des asks what *that's* got to do with it. He then notices the banner. His face drops and he stares at it for several seconds before murmuring:

DES: The wedding didn't happen.

With that, he takes Jamie to his room, leaving Kerry and Melanie looking at each other in astonishment.

No. 28
A short time later, Kerry and Melanie are taking down the banner as Melanie sighs:

MELANIE: Well, the best-laid plans of mice and Melanies!

Des emerges from the bedroom area and says he's sorry about the big drama - he should have been more clear in that stupid telegram. He adds that there must be heaps of mail. Melanie points out a pile of letters on the bench and he goes and picks them up and starts looking through them. Kerry says she'd better be getting home, and she heads off. Des asks Melanie if that's *all* the mail. Melanie nods that it is, and she asks if he's looking for something special. Des replies quickly that he isn't. Melanie says:

MELANIE: Can I ask one question?
DES: Sure.
MELANIE: Only because I'm working at Lassiter's.
DES: Yep. What?
MELANIE: When *is* Jane coming home.
DES (shrugs): Look, what Jane does is *her* concern.
MELANIE (sympathetically): Oh Des, I'm really sorry. If there's anything at all I can do, just give me a hoy.
DES (mutedly): Yeah, sure, thanks - but I'll be fine. Thanks.

Driveway of No. 26
Todd is washing Jim's car when Nick comes out and asks him why he looks so down. Todd sighs that it's the orthodontist. Nick asks if he's worried about Melissa. Todd mutters:

TODD: Yeah. I mean, how's she going to feel when she comes home and sees me with a mouth full of metal?
NICK: Be like kissing the front of a car!
TODD (mutters): Ha ha, funny, mate.

Nick assures Todd that some girls find braces cute. Todd, however, retorts that he only cares what *one* girl thinks. Nick assures him that the way he and Melissa feels about each other, she won't care that he has braces on his teeth. He then holds up the newspaper and asks Todd if he's read the article in it. Todd nods that he did. Nick mutters:

NICK: Great - so *everyone's* read it.
TODD: Yeah. I mean, the first one, that was bad, but the second one, that was just plain pathetic.
NICK: Look, I didn't write them.
TODD (disbelievingly): Oh yeah!
NICK (asserts): Sharon wrote them to get back at me. Now, I went around to her house last night to front up to her, but she wasn't home, so I'm going round now.

Todd, however, tells Nick that Sharon's gone out shopping. Nick, looking annoyed, mutters that she'll keep. He adds bitterly:

NICK: I'll tell you *one* thing, though: women are trouble; *big* trouble.
TODD (smiles): Melissa's not like that.
NICK: Time will tell. But the rest of them, they're all the same.
TODD: Including Lucy?
NICK: Yeah, could be.
TODD: She giving you a hard time, is she?
NICK: Nothing I can't handle.
TODD: Yeah, well, I told you, mate: she is just a kid.
NICK: Yeah, just for once I should've listened to you, eh?!

No. 26
Jim is helping Beverly with the dishes in the kitchen. Beverly tells him that she's been thinking about Rhys: she has an idea that will strengthen their case in court: why don't *they* contact Debra's mother? Jim goes and sits down at the kitchen table, looking worried. Beverly sits down with him and continues:

BEVERLY: Look, as Rhys's grandmother, she's his close family. If she supports the application, it *has* to help - and she can testify to Debra's problems: you know - her difficulties coming to terms with the child.
JIM: That's an interesting thought...
BEVERLY: Jim, she may even be able to persuade Debra to sign the papers. If *that* happens, end of story!

Jim suggests they discuss it with their lawyer. Beverly, however, insists that if they know Debra's mother is sympathetic, they know what to *tell* their lawyer. Jim stares at Beverly and retorts that the only person who should contact her *is* their lawyer. Beverly tells him that it's not that simple, and she asks:

BEVERLY: What would you do if *you* got a call from a lawyer you'd never heard of? Would you co-operate? If we can get to her and explain, she'll be more sympathetic.
JIM: Maybe... or they could say you're trying to get at her; trying to influence her; trying to *intimidate* her...
BEVERLY (snaps): Oh of *course* I'm not trying to intimidate the woman.
JIM: That's how a clever lawyer might use it.
BEVERLY: Why would anybody do *that*? It's ridiculous.
JIM: Darling - you know I'm right.

Beverly sighs heavily that it's the waiting: she's so sick of it. Jim looks at her and says softly:

JIM: Darling, what if it doesn't go our way? What if Debra changes her mind; fights the case? What if the court finds against us? What then?
BEVERLY: If that happens, I'll handle it. I *will*. All I want is the strongest case in court. If we fail, I need to know that we did the best we could. I have to be able to tell myself that.
JIM: What is the good of having good lawyers if we're not going to trust them, hm?

Beverly sighs that he's right - as usual.

No. 28
Des is sitting on the couch with Jamie, reading him a story about a beautiful princess - but he closes the book, looking upset. Melanie emerges from the bedroom area and announces that she's got all her things packed. Des looks at her in surprise and asks why. Melanie tells him that she doesn't want to be in the way. Des, however, assures her that she's *not* in the way - and he'd appreciate the company at the moment. Melanie asks in surprise:

MELANIE: You want me to *stay*?
DES: Yeah! There are certain things I don't want to talk about-
MELANIE: But you want me to stay!
DES: With that proviso!

Melanie smiles that she will! There's suddenly a knock on the front door and Paul bursts in! He smiles that he saw the cab arrive, and he holds out his hand and offers his congratulations on the big event! He then looks around and asks where Jane is, but Des murmurs that she's not there. Paul asks if she's following later. Melanie, however, says embarrassedly:

MELANIE: Um... Paul, I got the telegram a little bit mixed up: there wasn't any wedding.

With that, she heads off to unpack her stuff. Paul looks at Des in astonishment and asks what's up. Des, however, asks if they can leave it 'til later, as he'd rather not talk about it now. Paul starts to say that if there's anything he can do-. Des interrupts him, though, and asks if he got the postcard he sent from Greece: he spent a week there on the way back. Paul says he didn't. Des then says:

DES: So how's the Robinson Corporation? Gail? The triplets?
PAUL: Oh, the triplets... mate: Robert, Lucinda and Cameron. Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! Business - flat out as usual.
DES (mutters): Yeah, well, at least something's going right for *somebody*, eh?
PAUL (looking downcast): Yeah...

No. 26
Lucy puts on a record - a love song - and lies back on the couch and closes her eyes, looking contented. The front door opens and Nick comes in. He goes to head straight to his room, but Lucy leaps up from the couch and asks him where he's been all morning, as she really missed him. Nick says:

NICK: I've been doing some thinking about what you said last night, and I don't think it's what either of us really wants.
LUCY: I didn't know if I was doing the right thing.
NICK: Lucy, I really like you - don't get me wrong; I just don't want to hurt you; and, you know... your dad: it's all too complicated.
LUCY: Did dad *say* something to you?
NICK: Yeah, but it's not that; not *just* that. The thing is, this thing really wouldn't work out.
LUCY: If we want to be friends, that's *our* business; it's got nothing to *do* with dad.
NICK: Look, friends I can handle - but *just* friends; that has to be it.
LUCY: Is it because of what I said?
NICK: No, of course it's not. It's just me breaking up with Sharon and everything. Look, it won't work. I'm sorry.

With that, Nick heads to his room, leaving Lucy looking upset.

Ramsay Street
Kerry is pushing Sky down onto the footpath when Melanie runs across the road and calls that they're off the hook: Des has forgiven them, and she's staying on there too! She adds that it's so sad: his heart's broken. Kerry warns her that she has to be very tactful, but Melanie assures her:

MELANIE: Oh don't worry - I *am* being. I even 'phoned Mike, up north.
KERRY (looking surprised): Why 'phone Mike?
MELANIE: Well, I thought he might know something that would help. I wondered whether Jane had contacted him.
KERRY: And he knew nothing?
MELANIE: No, not a clue. Poor Mike - he was really upset.

Kerry warns Melanie not to mention it to everyone else, or she'll have the whole of Australia in a panic! Todd suddenly comes up behind them on his skateboard, and he leaps off as he reaches them. Melanie says she'd better get back, and she heads off. Todd then asks Kerry if Joe's around. Kerry, however, replies that he's out working, and she asks if she can take a message. Todd tells her that Joe said something about some gardening work: it's school holidays coming up, so he thought he'd check it out. Kerry remarks:

KERRY: It sounds like you're saving for something.
TODD: Yeah - trail bike.
KERRY: I bet *that's* expensive!
TODD: Yeah, it is!

Kerry says she'll ask Joe to drop over as soon as he gets home from work.

No. 26
Jim joins Beverly in the kitchen, where she's preparing lunch, and puts his arms around her from behind. He kisses her and asks if they're friends again. Beverly smiles:

BEVERLY: Were we ever anything else?

Changing the subject, she says she was expecting a certain ex-bank manager and his hotel executive wife to pop in. Jim says he might pop over and see what's happening. Beverly tells him to invite them for lunch. As Jim goes to head out, Lucy comes into the kitchen and says:

LUCY: Dad, I've had an idea. Can I go and visit Julie for a while?
JIM (looking surprised): What's brought *this* on?
LUCY: It's ages since I've seen her - you know that.
JIM: Is everything all right?

Lucy doesn't realise that Nick has emerged from his bedroom and can overhear the conversation as she tells her father quickly:

LUCY: Everything's *fine*. I'm having a really good holiday - that's why I want to see her.
JIM: It's just that we'll be starting all our Christmas activities shortly.
LUCY: Dad, I'll only be gone for a couple of weeks. There's plenty of time.

Jim smiles that if it's all right with Julie, he has no objections. Lucy says she'll 'phone her now. With that, Jim heads out to Des's. When he's gone, Beverly looks at the upset expression on Lucy's face and asks her if she's *sure* everything's all right. Lucy nods that she's been reading this really soppy book. Beverly asks if that's all. Lucy mutters:

LUCY: What else could it *be*?

With that, she heads through to the lounge room - where Nick stops her and asks:

NICK: Are you going to Julie's because of *me*?
LUCY (retorts): Even if I was, you wouldn't care - so don't pretend you *do*.

No. 28
Paul is sitting with Des at the dining table, asking him if he's going to pick up work where he left off. Des, however, says he'd like something different; something new. Paul asks him if he doesn't like working from home. Des replies that it was OK for a while, but you can't rely on people: they don't pay their bills... they move house... they tell lies; people just can't be counted on. Paul mutters that he's not wrong. Des adds that he's also got Jamie to think about. There's suddenly a knock on the door and Jim leaps in and beams:

JIM: Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Paul, however, tells him quickly that there *was* no wedding; it was all a misunderstanding. Melanie joins them, looking sheepish. Jim sits down and tells Des that he's sorry. He asks what happened, but Des says he doesn't want to talk about it. Jim assures him that they *want* to help. Melanie chips in:

MELANIE: A broken heart can be fixed, Des.

Jim tells Des sympathetically that he knows where they are if he needs to talk. Des, however, stands up and snaps:

DES: Look, what happened between me and Jane is just none of your business, all right? If I wanted to talk about it, I would. Just get off my back, eh?

With that, he heads to his room, leaving Melanie, Paul and Jim looking worried.