Recap
Christina makes bitchy comments about Paul's date. She throws a drink in Christina's face.
No.24
Harold is trying to teach Melanie to sing again. He is quite a good singer, but she is as hopeless as usual. Eventually Madge gets up and tells them off - she can't sleep. Harold hasn't noticed that it's got late.
HAROLD: We have been at it for quite a while now.
MADGE: Three hours and thirty-six minutes, but who's counting?
Melanie asks Harold if she's improving.
MELANIE: What do you really think of my voice?
HAROLD:(pause) I think there's been a significant improvement.
MELANIE: Really!
HAROLD: Well, there is some way to go yet...can't expect to have your name up in lights overnight!
When Melanie has gone, Madge tells Harold off for humouring Melanie.
MADGE: The girl can't sing a note, full stop.
No.22
Paul is sulking, alone in the living-room. Presently, Christina comes in.
PAUL: I'd like to know what sort of explanation you have for your behaviour tonight.
CHRISTINA: Um...how's Jan?
PAUL: She's angry and upset. So I took her home.
CHRISTINA: Look, I'm really sorry...
PAUL: Oh, you're sorry! It's pretty weak considering your attitude tonight, isn't it? Just what were you trying to prove? Why did you dump on her like that?
CHRISTINA: I...she kind of got under my skin.
PAUL: Oh, is that right, is it? Is that how you behave with everybody that you don't exactly take to? You insult them all evening?
CHRISTINA: No.
PAUL: I thought I was getting to know you. But this is a side of your character that I've never seen before and I've got to say, it's pretty damn ugly.
CHRISTINA: LIsten, I'm the one who got drink on my face.
PAUL: Don't you think you might have deserved it?
CHRISTINA: It was unfair of me, I know, to criticise her like that. She can't help being loud and pushy. But I didn't really think she was your type.
PAUL:(angrily) Oh, is that right, is it? Well not that it's any of your business, but I happen to like Jan. She's fun to be around. Not that you would have known, you were too busy grinding her into the ground!
CHRISTINA: I can only say I'm sorry and promise that it won't happen again.
PAUL: You're DAMNED right that it won't happen again! You know, ever since Gail and I split up, I have spent a lot of time on my own. Now I intend to get out there and enjoy life with whomever I wish. And I don't need you passing judgement on me or my friends, thank you.
He storms off.
No.28, the following morning
Melanie's singing has woken Matt up. He warns her not to sing too much in case she injures her voice(!) She won't here of it though!
MELANIE: Mr Bishop reckons that I've really improved!
MATT:(surprised) Does he?
She's convinced she wants to be a singer. Matt suggests that she does what other singers do and record her voice so she can listen back to it. Melanie says that singing makes her feel happy.
No.24
Madge lets Kerry and Sky in. Kerry is off to see Beverly to see if she has any ideas of how to help Toby. But before she goes she gives Madge a newspaper so she can research her policies. Harold is rather put out that Kerry is supporting Madge's campaign over his.
Coffee Shop
Melanie and Christina are having coffee. Joe comes in and tries to teach her how to whistle as an alternative to singing(!) At the counter, Joe tells Harold that he has to tell Melanie that she's a terrible singer - no-one in Ramsay Street can sleep through her wailing.
Beverly's flat
Beverly tells Kerry to just monitor Toby for now - if he doesn't improve, they can consider counselling later. Beverly thinks that the love of the family will be enough though.
They move on to chat about the separation and Beverly tells Kerry how concerned she is about Todd's reaction - he's so rebellious.
Coffee Shop
Caroline and Paul have come in for lunch to get away from Melanie's singing at the office(!) Harold stands up for Melanie, saying how enthusiastic and dedicated she is. Paul tells him to stop leading Melanie on with false hopes. Harold is determined to carry on though.
At a table, Jim and Matt are having cheesecake. Beverly comes in and sits with Jim (Matt has made himself scarce). They discuss Todd and his rebelliousness.
JIM: Do you want me to have a word with him?
BEVERLY: No need, nothing I can't handle.
JIM: Suit yourself. He's probably just feelings a bit unsettled about living in the flat.
Beverly starts telling Jim about her research but then realises it's not a good move. Jim goes off with Matt without another word.
BEVERLY: Jim. Don't lose touch.
He walks out.
No.32
Beverly has come to see Kerry with some literature about grieving. She is very down and tells Kerry that she saw Jim in the Coffee Shop - they were like strangers. Kerry says that Jim didn't want the separation. Beverly isn't sure that separation was the best idea after all. More than anything, she wants to work to getting back together. Jim doesn't seem to want to make the effort, though.
BEVERLY: I didn't realise the pain this separation would cause. I thought it would bring us closer together but instead it's tearing us apart.
She starts to cry and Kerry comforts her.
Ramsay Street
Jim, Paul, Joe and Madge are ganging up on Harold over the singing. They want him to tell Melanie she's awful.
No.22
CAROLINE: You sure you haven't got something to tell me?
CHRISTINA: Like what?
CAROLINE: Like why you were so rude to Paul's date last night?
Christina says that Jan just got on her nerves and she doesn't know why.
CAROLINE: It couldn't perhaps be that she was out with Paul and you weren't?
CHRISTINA: No, it wasn't that at all.
No.28
Matt answers to door to Madge, Harold, Paul, Jim and Joe. He invites them in to wait for Melanie to come back from the shop. Matt hears their complaints about Melanie and then says that singing makes Melanie really happy.
JOE: Maybe we should give her a taste of her own medicine!
Joe grabs the microphone and starts wailing into it. Melanie comes up behind him and hears Madge saying that Melanie has the voice of a moose. Joe starts imitating a moose and Melanie is very upset.