No.24
As Darren is debating what to do, Cheryl comes in. He quickly tells the caller he'll meet his girlfriend at Chez Chez in half an hour.

Cheryl warns Darren not to get into any trouble and they bicker a bit.

Chez Chez
Darren is meeting Ron's girlfriend (Narelle). Ron has apparently stashed some money under the floorboards of an empty house near here. He wants Darren to retrieve it. Lou walks by and looks suspiciously at Darren.

However, it seems the house is being used as a squat by some kids. Narelle warns Darren that he owes Ron for helping him when he was inside. She gives him the address and directions of where to find the money.

Coffee Shop
Angie and Susan are chatting about Darren. Angie says that everyone thought the same about Shane when he came out, but he's done alright. Susan is worried about Libby.

Mal comes in comes in for a coffee and has a chat. He's got a lot of work on and is thinking of offering Darren some work. Susan tells Angie that she really does want to think the best of Darren.

Chez Chez
Lou tells Darren he owes him $42 - 2 for the beer, and 40 for what he stole the other day. Darren says he just thought he was borrowing off Cheryl. Lou tells him to forget it, but that he doesn't want him back in his house.

DARREN: Look, I'm not going back inside!
LOU: Come on, Darren! I've heard that from bloke who are back cooling their heels in Pentridge, there's more to it than just the saying.
DARREN: I know, I mean it, and I'll do anything it takes.
LOU: I hope so. For you mother's sake more than yours, she's been through enough.
DARREN: I'm not going to give her any more grief.
LOU:(seriously) You'd better not. Cos you'll have me to deal with, not just the law.

No.24
Cheryl tells Danni that she's feeling a bit better - not quite back to her old self, but getting there. Danni tells her that she and Luke are going away for a few days and asks Cheryl to keep an eye on the house.

CHERYL: You and Luke go and enjoy yourselves. Make the most of life while you can.
DANNI: We know that we might...not have forever.

Cheryl apologises and says she's wasn't referring to Luke's illness, just that she should make the most of love while it's there.

CHERYL: No matter how good you think it is, sometimes the magic just comes to an end.

Danni looks a bit upset and worried about Cheryl.

Outside the Coffee Shop
Angie sees Darren poring over the paper looking for a job. She tells him that Mal might offer him some work, but Darren isn't going to hold his breath(!). Angie points at a builder's labourer job in the paper, but Darren wants to do something that speaks to his "qualified cabinet- maker" status. Angie says there aren't any ads for cabinet- makers, so he should just do what's going.

ANGIE: I'm sorry for sticking my beak in, but I just can't help it. I see a lot of my boy Shane in you. He ended up back in jail because he thought he was above doing a day's hard yakka. He always thought it was easier to do some job or other.
DARREN: Yeah, well, it seems that way sometimes.
ANGIE: You can make the grade if you want to. Now, you get in there, get on that phone, ring them up and tell them you want the job.
DARREN: Alright! Is everyone a counsellor around here or something?!
ANGIE: Maybe just some of us want to help.
DARREN: Yeah, well...you seem to undrstand what it's like anyway.
ANGIE: Maybe if I'd been a bit more understanding with Shane, he would have tried harder.
DARREN: I don't reckon it's your fault he's back inside.
ANGIE: Maybe not. But you just get in on that phone and show me I've done some good with you!
DARREN:(gratefully) Sure.

He heads off into the shop.

No.30
Danni and Luke are heading off on their trip. Marlene and Jo wish them a good trip. Jo gives them a present of something she bought overseas and tells them to wait until they get there to open it.

The Countryside
Luke and Danni arrive at their Countryside Retreat which is much nicer than they were expecting (Sam organised it for them). Luke remarks on how clean the air is and is looking forward to them both relaxing.

Building Site
Darren has arrived to ask about the job as a builder's labourer. The foreman, Mr Walker, tells him he expects him to work hard and arrive on time every day. Darren assures him he'll be reliable and they go off to the office to discuss wages.

Countryside Retreat
Luke and Danni are exploring the house. Danni opens Jo's present which is a sexy slip.

LUKE: Hey...you know how I said sometimes I wouldn't be in the mood for anything?
DANNI: Mmm...?
LUKE: This isn't one of those times.

They start kissing.

Building Site
The foreman is chatting to Darren about his background. He asks about Darren's apprenticeship and Darren decides he'd better come clean.

DARREN: Sorry, mate, I haven't been exactly straight with you. I did my apprenticeship at Malmsbury. I was in jail.

The foreman looks cross.

FOREMAN: Not interested.
DARREN: What, you're not going to give me a chance just because I was in jail?
FOREMAN: If you had laid it on the line from the start, I might have, but I don't like people lying to me.
DARREN: Look, mate, that's not fair, I told you the truth.
FOREMAN: Yeah, cos you got cornered! I need honest blokes working for me, I don't want stuff disappearing from the site.
DARREN: I'm not going to steal from you!
FOREMAN: On your way, son. There's nothing for you here.
DARREN:(angry) People like you make me sick!

He strops off.

Bric- a- brac SHop (back room)
Darren is wildly punching a punch- bag and Marlene tells him to take it easy. She tries to calm him down and offers him a cup of tea. He is still very upset though.

No.24
Lou and Cheryl have been to another counselling sesison. Lou has come round to the circumstances of Cheryl's affair and is forgiving her slowly. He thinks they've made progress, but Cheryl isn't so sure.

LOU: Look, it was...nice...together the other night, wasn't it?

Cheryl doesn't answer.

LOU: Why don't you come back with me tonight? I'd love it if you would.
CHERYL: Not tonight, Lou.
LOU: Why not?
CHERYL: Um...it doesn't feel right.
LOU: It did the other night.
CHERYL: Please don't push it, Lou.
LOU: I'm sorry. I'm sorry, you're right, I said I would give you some space. You're right. So, I'll just, um...have a coffee and go.

Cheryl just looks at him.

Countryside Retreat
Luke and Danni's relaxation has been given a musical montage! Danni picks Luke some flowers, they feed some horses, and there are many close- ups of random flowers. Finally, in the evening, they hang out in a hammock.

Building Site (night)
Darren comes to the building site and goes to break a window in temper. However, he checks himself and walks away.

Countryside Retreat
Danni is wearing the slip. They drink a toast, "To us".

Coffee Shop
Darren comes in looking agitated. Angie is just cleaning up and invites him to sit at a table. He tells her what happened with the job. She tells him to keep trying - someone along the line will give him a go.

He looks conflicted.

DARREN: ...I was offered something else.
ANGIE: Something shifty, you mean. Look, pet. You've just got to keep your wits about you. Now I know it's going to be hard for you and you'll have lots of chances to stray off the old garden path. But you just stick to your guns.

She laughs.

ANGIE: Maybe that wasn't the best choice of words! You know, if you ever need to bend an ear, mine are pretty big. They can take a lot of bending.
DARREN:(gratefully) Thanks, Angie.

Countryside Retreat
Luke and Danni are in bed. Danni awakes crying from a nightmare. Luke wakes up too and comforts her. She won't tell him about the dream, so it was clearly about him. He sympathetically asks if it was to do with him dying.