Recap
Jim trying to get into No. 26 but finding the door locked. Helen opening it nervously.
Doug betting Jim that Lou can't keep up his new approach to life for more than another 24 hours.
Brad asking Lauren if her other guy is him.

No. 24
Brad goes on that the way Lauren looked at him before, when they both went to pick up the knife... Lauren demands:

LAUREN: What does it matter to *you* how I feel?
BRAD (surprised): What?
LAUREN: I mean, *you're* the one who's engaged, and Beth's a really great girl.
BRAD: Yeah, she is.
LAUREN: And you're in love with her, so my feelings don't make any difference, do they?
BRAD (murmurs): No, I guess not. I just want to be your friend.
LAUREN (tersely): Are you sure that's *all* you want? Look, I'm sorry, Brad - I just don't think you and I could ever be just friends.

With that, she heads out, leaving Brad looking disappointed.

Peace Patrol H.Q.
Cameron is introducing himself and Beth to a guy who tells them that he's Brian McDermott. The three of them take a seat in the garden outside the H.Q. and McDermott asks they why they want to join the Peace Patrol. Cameron explains that he saw one of their flyers and is sympathetic with what they're trying to do. Beth chips in that Cameron told her all about it and she thinks it's a great idea. Cameron adds that he was assaulted himself last night. McDermott says:

MCDERMOTT: So you're looking for revenge?
CAMERON: No. No, I realise that's not what you're about.

McDermott tells Cameron that they need cool heads. Cameron comments that the police don't have the manpower to do all they'd like to. McDermott nods that that's correct - and he then reveals that he's an ex- cop, having left the force after twelve years because of the politicians who are more interested in winning votes than looking after voters. He tells Cameron and Beth that if they do join, they're not to expect anything glamorous: it's hard work, often with little thanks, and sometimes it can be dangerous. He asks them if they're still interested. They nod that they are.

Coffee Shop
Lou finishes lunch and Stephen offers him dessert, but Lou declines, commenting that a moment on the lips means a lifetime on the hips! Stephen heads into the kitchen where he comments to Phoebe that he wishes they had *more* satisfied customers like Lou - it's been dead today. Phoebe smiles that it would be great if they could make Cathy think they were indispensible.

Back out in the main shop, Doug comes in. Lou has his back to him and he doesn't see Doug go to the kitchen hatch, give Stephen $5 and tell him to take it off Lou's bill and see if he'll confess to being undercharged! Stephen takes Lou out his reduced bill. Lou thanks him and spots Doug and says g'day. He then looks at his bill and tells Stephen that he'll never make a profit at this rate: he's undercharged him by $5. Doug winces in annoyance! Lou pays the correct amount and leaves. Doug mutters that the stakes weren't high enough - but he'll get him!

Peace Patrol H.Q.
Brian McDermott is telling Cameron and Beth that they're not out there to solve crime but to deter it; they have the right to make a citizen's arrest, but have to be careful not to put a foot outside the boundary of the law. Cameron asks what he and Beth can do. McDermott tells them that they run workshops for newcomers, reinforcing their code of behaviour, and they teach self- defence and how to defuse an act of aggression by using a non- violent response. Cameron asks when they can start. McDermott says he's planning the next session now, so when he's got some firm dates he'll give them a call.

No. 26
Jim opens the front door to Lauren, who's picked up Helen's dry- cleaning. She hands it over and tells Helen that Cameron's up to speed already; she hopes Helen will be too. Helen suddenly realises that a belt that goes with her outfit is missing. Lauren says she's got dinner going, but she could pop back. Jim, however, tells her that Helen needs a breath of fresh air. Helen nods that she'll go later. Lauren heads off, leaving Jim to tell Helen that she could go *now* and he'll put dinner on. Helen, however, retorts:

HELEN: I said *later*.

Coffee Shop
Brad heads into the kitchen with Stephen and thanks him for talking. Stephen asks what's up. Brad tells him that what Stephen said about him marrying Beth being meant to happen... he thinks it was wrong. He goes on:

BRAD: Oh man, I'm feeling really attracted to Lauren Carpenter.
STEPHEN (exclaims): You *what*?
BRAD: I can't help it. It's like electricity or something. I just can't stop thinking about her.

Stephen asks if she feels the same way. Brad replies that she's been avoiding him - but not like you avoid someone you don't like, so he came out and asked her; but she wouldn't say; and now Beth wants him to move in with her - and with Lauren. Stephen remarks that this is serious. Brad asks what he should do. Stephen pauses before saying:

STEPHEN: Well... if you feel this way about Lauren, and you're sure, then maybe you should break off the engagement.
BRAD (aghast): How could I do that to Beth? I can't. It would break her heart.

Outside No. 26
Jim is watering his garden as Doug tells him that Lou was wavering and nearly gave in, but he didn't because $5 was too piddling - but he's upped the stakes by planting a $100 bill on the footpath. At that moment, Brad walks up the street and spots the $100. He picks it up and stares at it longingly. Doug, however, yells at him to put it back: it's an experiment. Brad puts it down reluctantly.

A few seconds later, Lou walks up the street and Doug and Jim watch as he picks up the money and looks around to see if he can spot who it belongs to. He then notices Doug and Jim watching and he walks over and asks if either of them has lost a $100 bill. Jim says he hasn't. Doug quickly shakes his head and comments to Lou that it's his lucky day! Lou, however, says he can't keep it; he'll ask around and if nobody claims it he'll give it to the homeless children's fund. He asks Jim to look after it in the meantime and he walks off. Looking annoyed, Doug mutters at Jim that he hasn't finished with Lou yet: there's no such thing as a reformed used- car salesman!

No. 24
Beth is sitting with Brad on the couch when Lou walks in cheerfully and tells them that last one in the pool's a rotten egg! Brad smiles that he'll be in it. Lou tells him that he'll see him out there and he heads off to change. Beth tells Brad that once he moves in, he'll be able to go for a swim whenever he wants. Brad, however, points out that it's important to save money - him having to pay rent each week living there would mean putting no dollars in the bank; it would be disastrous. He gets up and walks off, leaving Beth looking puzzled.

Outside No. 26
Helen walks down the front steps of No. 26, holding the outfit she had dry- cleaned. She walks past Jim and heads to her car. Just as she goes to open the door, Cameron walks over and taps her on her shoulder and she jumps in fear. Seeing it's only Cameron, she tells him he startled her. Cameron explains that he came by to tell her that the magazine rang: they were very happy with their literary efforts. He then asks Helen how she's feeling and she murmurs that she's so- so. He indicates the outfit she's holding and asks if she's heading out on the town, but Helen explains that she's going to the dry- cleaners to pick up a belt. Cameron offers to save her the trip: he's convinced Lauren into going out with him tonight and they'll drive past the place - it'll still be open. Helen thanks him gratefully and dashes back inside. Jim watches her, looking worried.

No. 24
Beth is ranting to Lauren that you'd almost think Brad didn't *want* to move in. Lauren asks what his excuse was and Beth tells her that he reckons he can't afford the rent and they need to save their money. Lou comes in through the back door and smiles that that pool is magnificent. Lauren says she might have a dip too. Lou tells her that if Brad tells her he won their race, don't believe him! Lauren, however, hearing that Brad's out there, says quickly that she'd better do some ironing, otherwise she won't have anything to wear tonight. She heads off to her room. When she's gone, Beth asks Lou if they can have a chat. Lou sits down at the table with her and asks her what she wants to talk about. Beth tells him:

BETH: Well... Brad and I have been thinking about living together.
LOU: Here?
BETH: Yeah. If it's OK with you.
LOU: Well, er, we might have to buy a bigger fridge! Just joking!
BETH (seriously): But he's worried about paying rent.
LOU: Oh, er, he doesn't want to pay rent?
BETH: Well, it's just with the wedding coming up and everything, we don't really...
LOU: Oh, wow, er... Go for it! If you're sharing the same room, the present rent will cover everything!

Beth hugs him in delight!

Coffee Shop
Cameron is showing Stephen and Phoebe a Peace Patrol leaflet and Stephen comments that it sounds like something they need - but he's surprised that Cameron is so keen. Phoebe asks him if he isn't worried that by looking for trouble he's just helping to make it in the first place. Cameron, however, tells them that it's no good pretending violence isn't out there. Stephen wishes him luck. He and Phoebe then head into the kitchen and Phoebe asks Stephen how he got on with the jukebox. Stephen smiles that the guy's coming out tomorrow to reprogram it with the latest stuff - discs that the kids will like. Phoebe says she's been thinking that maybe the kids aren't coming because they're used to the place being run by older people. Stephen suggests that the two of them should get out there themselves and talk to the kids to find out what they want.

No. 24
Brad comes in from the pool as Lou heads off to the car yard. Beth tells him enthusiastically that Lou's cool about him moving in and he's waived the rent. Brad, however, says he's not so sure about whether moving in is such a good idea. Beth's face drops and she says she doesn't understand. Brad says:

BRAD: Remember when we first slept together?
BETH (warmly): Of course I do. It was the best night of my life.
BRAD: Yeah, well, afterwards we agreed that we missed all the stuff before that; the lead- up stuff.
BETH: Yeah. So?
BRAD: Well, I just don't want to make the same mistake again. Moving in's a big step and I don't want to rush into it. I don't want to spoil things.

Beth stares into space for a few seconds and then declares that that's not the real reason. She goes on tersely:

BETH: I know why you don't want to move in. It's because of Lauren, isn't it.

Brad stares at her.

Carpenter's Cars
Doug and Jim are creeping towards the car yard, Jim commenting to Doug that he doesn't know why he let him drag him into this. A car pulls up in the yard and Doug tells Jim to get down. The two of them hide behind some cars. A man - Davo from Doug's building crew - climbs out of the car and Lou joins him and asks if he can help him. The man tells him that that he's interested in trading his old beast for something newer. Lou asks Davo how long he's had it. Davo replies that he hasn't had it long - it used to be his mother- in- law's. Jim and Doug watch as Lou evaluates the car and then tells Davo that it's in very good condition. Davo comments that it's pretty old; he was hoping to get something more modern - with electric windows and a digital clock. Lou nods that that's no problem. Davo suggests a Ford or a Holden. Lou starts to say:

LOU: Davo, I've got to tell you, this car is worth—
DAVO: Yeah, I know, not much. I appreciate it'll cost me a couple of grand to swap over.

Doug eggs him on from where he's hiding! Lou hesitates, then says he thinks he can stretch to a couple of grand. Doug leaps out from behind the car and beams that he *knew* Lou wouldn't be able to keep this up for long! He tells Davo that he owes him a beer. Lou chuckles that he's relieved - he thought Davo was the greatest mug who ever walked in! Doug suggests that they go down to the Waterhole and celebrate Lou's conversion from saint to sinner! He tells Jim that they can talk about exactly how he'd like his lawns manicured!

No. 24
Brad is telling Beth that Lauren's got nothing to do with it. Beth retorts:

BETH: I'm not blind.
BRAD: What do you mean?
BETH: Well, I've seen how you've been reacting to each other.
BRAD: I don't know what you're on about.
BETH: Well, there's this enormous tension every time you're in the same room.
BRAD (surprised): What?

Beth tells him to just admit it: Lauren is the problem. Brad, looking relieved that Beth hasn't guessed the truth, smiles and nods that he guesses so. Beth asks what she's done wrong, but Brad says there's nothing. Beth suggests that if he give her half a chance, he'll realise how easy to get along with she is, and how nice she is; she's not going to let this silly situation stand in the way of them being together. She calls to Lauren to come out for a minute. Brad quickly puts on a top as Beth tells him to talk to her; give her a chance. Lauren emerges from her room and Beth tells her that Brad wants to talk to her; *she's* just got to get some tools off Doug. Lauren stares at Brad warily.

Coffee Shop
Phoebe walks into the Coffee Shop, a smile on her face. Stephen - holding Hope - asks her if she talked to many kids. Phoebe nods that it was good. Before she can say any more, though, Stephen starts suggesting that maybe they can call Cathy in Milan and ask if she minds them making a few changes that'll help them improve the turnover. Phoebe, however, says:

PHOEBE: What if I told you there's only *one* change we need to make to be a success?
STEPHEN: What?
PHOEBE: It's the one major factor that if we fix, I think the business will triple.
STEPHEN: Yeah, well, come on - what is it?
PHOEBE: What's the one thing that school kids - *all* kids - want and the Coffee Shop doesn't have?
STEPHEN: I don't know. What?
PHOEBE: It's so simple!
STEPHEN: Phoebe! Tell me!
PHOEBE: The answer to all of our problems is hot chips!

No. 26
Helen is sitting on the couch with Jim, telling him:

HELEN: Jim, I'm so scared. I'm scared to go out anywhere, I'm scared to stay in this house on my own... I'm even scared to answer the blasted telephone. I don't believe this is happening to me.
JIM (gently): Come on... you'll be all right.
HELEN: Yes, but I hate it. I *hate* it. For the first time in my life I feel like a vulnerable old woman and it's all because of that young thug.

She sits there, looking angry and upset.