Number 24
Lou is reading Lauren's goodbye note. He looks glum, and then Lauren bursts in through the door! Lou's extremely confused, as he thought she'd be half way to Hong Kong. Lauren tearfully tells him that she couldn't go because she felt that it was unfair to Brad and he deserved another chance. Lauren is very upset because she thinks she should've gone after all, as she found Brad in Number 28 undressing a girl he met in Singapore!

Lou is appalled and urges Lauren to follow Connor. Lauren insists that she can't - the ultimatum was either go with him tonight, or forget it altogether. Lou hugs her.

Number 28
Brad is trying to explain the Lauren/Beth triangle to Lucy. He reckons that he loved Beth, but Lauren was new and exciting. After the shambolic non-wedding, he felt that dating Lauren was the only way to make a go of the messy situation he'd created. Brad says that relationship failed because he felt low about the way he'd treated Beth, and the neighbourhood was against them.

Lucy suggests that Brad should be talking about all of this to Lauren!

Coffee Shop - Kitchen
Mark, Phoebe, Pam and Beth are cooking away for the party. They talk about how they're trying to keep the party quiet, so they're keeping the details away from people with "big, loose lips". Right on cue...Annalise walks in! Everyone does a miserable job at trying to cover up what they're doing.

ANNALISE: I know that something fishy's going on!
MARK: No, we're not doing fish.
ANNALISE: Spill the beans.
MARK: We're not doing beans.

(Stop, my sides are splitting.)

Pam relents and they tell Annalise about the party. Beth warns that she mustn't blab. Annalise indignantly tells them that she'll keep it under wraps.

Number 26
Wayne asks Helen if she has any plans, but Helen thinks that she's going to let this birthday slip past quietly. Wayne wonders if any of the family have invited her for dinner, but Helen miserably tells him that with Philip and Julie separating and Hannah having had an accident, there's not a lot to celebrate!

Wayne leaves for Number 30. He's working with Stephen on a surprise for Phoebe, and makes it clear to Helen that it's got nothing to do with her birthday!

Lassiter's Office Reception
Phoebe is enquiring about some shop space in the arcade, as Stephen thinks that a music and video store will be a goldmine - and with the insurance payout, they have enough capital to start their business. Gaby wonders if the shop will be big enough, but Phoebe reckons that Stephen has some clever storage and display ideas.

Doug arrives and Phoebe tells him about the shop and asks him about renovating it for them. Doug warns that it will cost a lot of money, particularly with Stephen needing ramps to get around, but despite Gaby's fears, Phoebe is confident that they have enough money. Doug thinks it will cost a lot, but he'll give her a fair price on the carpentry.

Gaby wonders how Cathy will feel about her managers quitting the Coffee Shop, but Doug is excited about the prospect of work and hushes Gaby up. He and Phoebe leave to take a look over the shop.

Number 24
Lou suggests Connor again, but Lauren refuses to ring him, saying that she feels like she's jerked him around. Lou tells her that although he feels selfish saying it, he'd have been lonely without her.

LAUREN: You wouldn't. You're going to marry Cheryl.

Lou tells her to hang on - Cheryl has proposed but he's a long way from accepting! Lauren points out that he hasn't declined! Lou tells her that Cheryl's under a lot of stress with Darren's behaviour. Lauren thinks that he must be tempted, but Lou is insistent that he's just being a friend. There's a knock at the door - and it's Brad.

LOU: Ah, you've got a nerve!

Lou is reluctant to let him in, but Lauren says it's fine. Lou goes to his room to give them space.

BRAD: You got it all wrong. We weren't doing anything.
LAUREN: Who is she?
BRAD: Lucy Robinson! She's Julie's sister. She's just hiding out at my place until tomorrow, that's all.

Lauren is suspicious because she recalls that they used to be a couple. Brad insists that he wouldn't do the wrong thing by Lauren. Lauren apologises for getting the wrong end of the stick. Brad tells her that whilst he was away, he thought about her a lot. Lauren reminds him of the note that he wrote, which said that he'd figured out what he wanted for them.

Brad tells her that they got together for all of the wrong reasons - and he was possibly motivated by guilt. He tells her that he likes her heaps, but it's not fair to keep going out with her. He thinks that calling it off is the best move for both of them. Lauren seems upset.

Number 26
Wayne's cooked Helen a birthday breakfast. Annalise comes in and promises that she'll get a surprise later! She invites Helen to join her for a drink later on. Helen is a bit confused, as she thought the Waterhole was still closed. Annalise tells her that the renovations have all been completed and the staff are meeting there. As Helen runs Home James, apparently this includes her(!) Helen likes the idea, as she's keen to see what the Waterhole looks like. Wayne wearily ushers Annalise off.

Helen calls after Annalise, asking what time they should meet. Annalise vaguely replies 'this afternoon'.

Number 28
Pam ropes Doug into helping her with the decorations. Lucy wants to pitch in, but Pam tells her off - she's not allowed to be seen! Doug wonders if the Waterhole will be serving beer on tap, and Brad promises to get the kegs flowing! Pam drags Doug off. Doug isn't impressed, as he was about to start putting together the quote for Stephen and Phoebe's shop. He's very keen on the work, and talks about getting more jobs like it. Brad follows them out of the door, leaving a bored Lucy to 'watch tv or something'!

Lucy rolls her eyes.

Ramsay Street
Debbie is walking down the street and Rick runs to catch her up. She's going to the hospital to see Michael. Rick asks after him and then asks how she feels about Darren.

DEBBIE: How do you think I feel? I was wrong about him, ok? You were right.

They run into Helen. Debbie hugs her and wishes her a happy birthday. Helen says to tell Michael that she'll pop over to visit him later. Helen leaves. Rick asks if he can join her, but Debbie says that she needs to speak to Michael alone. Silently, she hugs Rick and then leaves. Rick sighs.

Hospital
Michael is asleep in his bed, and Philip is asleep - with his jacket draped over him - in a chair. Michael wakes up and smiles when he sees Philip.

MICHAEL: You look wrecked.

Michael tells him to go and get some breakfast, and Philip decides on having a coffee. Philip leaves and Debbie walks in.

DEBBIE: Michael! You could've been killed.
MICHAEL: So could you.
DEBBIE: Yeah, I know. You saved my life!

Michael says he's faring ok with the pain and tells Debbie that he's under hospital arrest - as soon as he's well enough to leave, he has to go to court and they'll definitely extend his sentence. Debbie is outraged - Michael only broke out to save her. Michael says that he'll cope.

MICHAEL: When I get out, I'm going to Perth with Dad.
DEBBIE: Dad's going to Perth?
MICHAEL: Now that Julie's filed for divorce, he needs to get away. So I'm going to go with him.

Philip comes back in, pleased to have found real brewed coffee!

DEBBIE: Dad, I'm going to Perth with you!
PHILIP: Hey?
DEBBIE: Don't you two think you can fly off to the other side of Australia and leave me behind. I'm coming too! Who else would look after you?

Michael and Philip both grin broadly.

Coffee Shop
Pam is organising Doug and Brad with fetching and carrying. Doug urges Brad to put the beer on so he can taste it! Pam tells Brad not to give Doug any beer until he's carried all of the food over to the Waterhole!

Annalise is talking to Mark about her hair. Unsurprisingly, Mark isn't very interested! Pam asks if Annalise told Helen to come over at 2pm. Annalise falters a bit, because she didn't, but she lies and pretends she did! Pam is pleased.

Lucy bursts in and hugs Beth, nearly causing her to drop some food. Lucy's great disguise consists of a pair of sunglasses! Pam's face is HILARIOUS; she could not be less impressed! Lucy says that it's fine as Helen's at home.

Pam leaves and Beth and Lucy have a big catch up. Lucy tells Beth that she came home on a whim as she ran into Brad in Singapore. Lucy thinks that Beth doesn't sound over Brad. Beth says it isn't easy to get over someone that you love, but points out that Brad's with Lauren.

LUCY: Oh no he's not! He's dumped her!

Beth is pleased to hear that Brad is a free man.

Number 26
Stephen, Phoebe, Wayne and Helen are in the kitchen. Phoebe and Stephen are morose as the shop in Lassiter's arcade isn't big enough for them, especially not with Stephen's chair. Helen points out that Stephen might not be in the chair forever - and Wayne and Stephen shoot each other a knowing glance! Stephen and Phoebe agree that they should look for another shop.

Wayne says that they all have to leave for 'another appointment'. Helen is a bit put out, as she was going to make some tea but they wish her happy birthday and leave. Helen looks a bit miserable.

The Waterhole
People are decorating the pub - and Brad and Doug are having a beer! Pam tells him to pull his weight and help, but Doug tells her to 'have a heart'! Doug tells Brad that he did the right thing over Lauren. Brad agrees but feels bad over hurting her feelings.

Wayne, Stephen and Phoebe all enter and marvel at the decorations (a few balloons!). Annalise goes over to Gaby and has a bit of a bitch about the decorations not being as classy as they could've been, Gaby has a bitch back - and Mark gets caught in the crossfire. Again!

Beth and Lucy walk into the Waterhole and Lucy squeals with delight when she sees Julie. The pair embrace and Gaby makes a dig at Annalise's jealousy over Lucy. Pam catches Annalise and moans about how it's way past 2pm and Helen hasn't arrived. Pam tells everyone to be quiet as she's going to ring Helen and she doesn't want them giving the game away.

Inexplicably, Stephen turns on some music and laughs(!) Poor Pam!

Number 26
Helen's on the phone to the hospital, doodling on a notepad, checking that it's ok for her to visit Michael. We see that she's written the word 'hospital' on the pad. She leaves, and after the door slams, the phone starts to ring.

The Waterhole
Pam puts down the phone and says that Helen might already be on her way. There's a flurry of activity as everyone thinks that she's arriving and they all grab streamers to throw in the air as she walks in the door. It's not Helen...but a very surprised Philip and Debbie end up covered in streamers!

Number 24
Lauren is lying on the sofa looking miserable. Cheryl arrives, wondering where Lou's got to - he said he was going to collect her at 2pm and it's now 2.30! Lou apologises and says that he's been trying convince Lauren to go along with them to the party but she's upset.

CHERYL: What's your problem?
LAUREN: I've just split up with my boyfriend.
CHERYL: Oh, is that all?
LAUREN: It's enough!

Lauren insists she doesn't feel like a party, but Lou reckons that she thinks Beth and Lucy will laugh at her behind her back. Cheryl tells her that's the best reason to go. She knows that when she walks in, everyone will know she's Darren's mother but they won't dare talk about her whilst she's actually present. Cheryl reminds her that she's done nothing wrong - it's just part of life's ups and downs. Lauren relents - but only to stop them from nagging her!

The Waterhole
Pam is fretting about Helen's no show, and realises that Lou, Lauren and Cheryl haven't arrived either. Pam says that she'll go and track her down, but Annalise tells her that she'll be on her way. Wayne points out that Annalise didn't give her a fixed time to arrive, just 'the afternoon', so she might be out. Pam is outraged!

Brad calls Philip over to help him rewind the streamers, but Philip tells him it's not his problem! Brad asks Philip (his old friend, pal, buddy! - since when did Brad turn into Shaggy from Scooby Doo?!) for his job back at the bar.

PHILIP: That would be up to Gaby.
BRAD: How come?
PHILIP: Straight after the party, I'm heading off to Perth. And I won't be coming back.

Julie overhears their conversation and confronts Philip, surprised to hear that he's leaving so suddenly. Philip tells her that there's no point in him staying now that he knows Michael is going to be ok. Julie is clearly upset at his decision, but Doug interrupts them and Julie walks off.

Doug's had a few drinks too many, but is in a jovial mood - he thinks that the work at Stephen and Phoebe's record shop will set him on course for a prosperous future.

Number 26
Annalise and Wayne can't find Helen in Ramsay Street and Annalise is upset, thinking that everyone will blame her for ruining the party. Wayne spies Helen's doodles on the notepad, and realises she's at the hospital visiting Michael. They rush off.

The Waterhole
Lauren, Lou and Cheryl walk in. Lou and Pam chat about how Helen hasn't arrived yet, Rick takes Lauren off for a drink and Cheryl approaches Philip and Julie, both of whom are at the bar.

CHERYL: Phil? Julie. I'm really sorry about what my boy did to your son. How is Michael?
JULIE: Oh, he'll survive. No thanks to Darren!
PHILIP: Julie! It's all right, Cheryl. I don't hold you responsible for Darren's antics.
JULIE: Speak for yourself!

Paul walks through the doors.

LUCY: Paul!
PAUL: Luce!

The pair embrace. Julie rushes over and hugs him too. Lou shakes his hand and Hannah runs over to greet him. Picking his moment, Philip makes his way over to Beth in the corner. He tells her that he's leaving for Perth, and Beth guesses that he can't stay around Julie. She tells him that she'll miss him, and they kiss each other on the cheek. He walks back over the bar, completely ignoring Paul.

Gaby spies Paul and asks him what he's doing back.

PAUL: Well, it's Gran's birthday! I wasn't going to miss out on that. ...aaaand there's the odd bit of business to talk about as well.
GABY: Ahhhh, some things never change!
LUCY: Oh, I wish Scott could've come and then we all could be here!

Phoebe and Pam chat about Helen being missing. (Really, Pam, change the record...we get it!)

Hospital
Helen is visiting Michael and tells him that he took a huge risk and he could've been killed. Michael admits that what he did wasn't too bright, but once he found out what Debbie was caught up in, he had to do something.

HELEN: We could've lost you.
MICHAEL: I couldn't let Debbie end up in a detention centre too. That'd just about finish Dad, I reckon.

Annalise and Wayne burst in to grab Helen. Annalise tells her off for not meeting her for drinks and Helen points out that she didn't specify a time! Helen is reluctant to go as she's only just arrived, but Michael tells her to have a few drinks as it's her birthday. She promises to return soon. Michael watches them leave and half laughs to himself.

The Waterhole
Debbie sits down with Hannah, who wonders why Debbie's not talking to anyone.

DEBBIE: I'm not in the mood.
HANNAH: It's because you're going to Perth and leaving me behind, isn't it?
DEBBIE: Yeah, that's part of it, Squirt.

Rick approaches Debbie and asks what's going on. Debbie tells her that she's doing him a favour by staying away from him. Rick is surprised - they're still friends. Debbie apologises for not being much of a friend. Rick doesn't mind - he knows that Darren messed her up. Debbie thinks that nobody else will see it that way, and she'll be notorious at school.

RICK: Who cares?! They'll get over it.
DEBBIE: Yeah, I won't. I'm moving.
RICK: Moving? Moving where?
DEBBIE: To Perth with Dad.

Rick looks glum. Hannah gets up and marches away.

RICK: Oh.
HANNAH: That's what I said!

Pam rushes in and announces Helen's arrival, so everyone gets into position. Helen, Annalise and Wayne walk in and everyone throws streamers into the air. Helen looks absolutely thrilled and extremely shocked to see Lucy.