No. 28
Brett apologises to Libby, telling her he had no right to take advantage of her like that. Libby insists that it's not his fault - she didn't exactly push him away - it's just that she's confused enough without all this. She suggests that they forget it ever happened. Brett, however, tells her that it's not that easy: she's asking him to pretend that he doesn't find her attractive. Libby points out that any other time they'd sit down and talk about this, but at the moment she's not in a fit state to think about anything other than her exams. Brett says he's sorry; what she needs is to relax for a couple of hours. He suggests that they jump in Marlene's car, hit the highway, cruise round the country for a bit and she can clear her mind and recharge her brain. Libby hesitates, and then agrees that maybe a bit of fresh air will do her good. The two of them head out.

No. 30
Sarah is telling Catherine that she's right: if she runs away, Steven will keep coming after her - and she *did* come to Australia to sort her life out. She adds that Steven's used to getting everything he wants; he's not going to take 'no' for an answer. She then asks Catherine if she meant what she said about not wanting to see her again if she didn't sort this out. Catherine admits that she didn't - but she wouldn't have been too happy if Sarah had left. She tells her sister that she'll support her - that's what sisters are for.

No. 24
Libby and Brett head into No. 24, where Marlene is trying to sort out some of Cheryl's things. Brett asks about the car and Marlene comments that it doesn't get much of a run these days. She hands over the keys and Libby and Brett head back out. Darren emerges from the bedroom area - where he's been listening - and tells his nan that one of the tyres on Cheryl's car is a bit flat - he's going to take it down to get it checked and might take the car for a bit of a run as well to charge the battery up.

Danni's shop
Luke walks into Danni's shop as a couple of customers walk out. He asks how she got on with taking Sarah's mind off things. Danni smiles that it's so nice of him to be concerned! She then adds that it was a total failure - but she talked her into going home and sorting things out with Catherine. Luke tells Danni that he doesn't want Sarah's stress to make *her* stressed, so he was going to take Danni out for lunch. Danni, however, says she can't take a break as Sarah's not there.

Countryside
Brett pulls up Marlene's car in the middle of nowhere and asks Libby which way they should go: left or right. Libby insists that either way will be fine! Brett turns left. Unnoticed by either of them, Darren is following in Cheryl's car...

Holy Roll
Malcolm asks Catherine if he can put a lunchtime order in for a couple of salad rolls. Catherine writes it down and then asks Mal if he knows anything about the cappuccino machine. He walks behind the counter, hits something on the machine and fixes it! Catherine smiles:

CATHERINE: My hero! No wonder your professional services are so in demand!

Mal comments that a bit *more* demand would be nice, but business will pick up again, fingers crossed. Catherine asks him if he ever regrets giving up uni, but Mal tells her that having his own business is great: it's a bit of hard work, but you get to see something back for it - and he's his own boss - *and* his dad's boss! Catherine muses that she can't wait to get back: she feels like she's just marking time in Erinsborough. Mal, however, points out that she's working with people and getting experience of life: it'll all be useful one day. With that, he tells a thoughtful- looking Catherine that he has to head off.

Countryside
Brett brings the car to a stop and he and Libby climb out. Libby smiles that it's great: getting out of Ramsay Street and everyone in it. She adds that it's really hard to study with Darren just across the road, knowing he could ring or lob up on her doorstep. Brett comments that he *can* be pigheaded. Libby murmurs:

LIBBY: For a while, he *wasn't*. When he first got out of jail, he was really trying to change - but then there's this whole other side to him. It's just not someone I need in my life anymore.
BRETT: Well, he's not *in* your life anymore. He's miles away, so just forget about him.

The two of them start walking off, laughing and joking, unaware that Darren has parked out of sight and is standing watching them. Libby comments to Brett that maybe it would be a good thing if they got lost in the wilderness, then she wouldn't have to worry about the two exes: ex- boyfriend and exams! Left alone by Marlene's car, Darren walks towards it...

No. 28
Karl is at the kitchen sink when Mal arrives home. He asks his father what the lawyer had to say. Karl replies that he just asked routine questions and he thinks the enquiry will be pretty straightforward. He sounds subdued, though. Mal asks him if he's going to get changed for work.

Holy Roll
Luke is sitting with Danni at the coffee shop. Catherine sits down with them for a break, exclaiming that the last hour has been unbelievable. Luke asks what the latest is with Sarah. Catherine explains that she was planning to leave but she talked her out of it. Danni murmurs that she had to close the shop so she could take a break. Catherine asks how Sarah's going to get anywhere if she doesn't sort this out. Jo comes in and asks if there's any interesting goss. Catherine explains that she told Sarah that if she didn't sort her act out, she doesn't want to know her anymore. Jo comments that that's heavy.

No. 28
Mal hangs up the 'phone after apologising to a customer for being late. Karl emerges from the bedroom and starts to put his boots on. The lace is knotted, though, and Mal mutters at him in annoyance for the delay. Karl picks at the knot but can't remove it. He eventually throws the boot down, yelling in frustration:

KARL: Oh damnit.

Mal tells him to calm down, but Karl, tears in his eyes, snaps that he doesn't *want* to calm down. Mal comments sympathetically that it must have been pretty rough having to go over the whole thing with his lawyer. Karl cries:

KARL: It was just one minute in time, Mal. It was one mistake. If I'd stayed out of there then Cheryl might still be alive today.

He adds that people say she would've died anyway, but he'll never know that. Mal insists that everybody except him has accepted what's happened. Karl, however, retorts that *Darren* knows it was his fault, and he's going to have to live with it for the rest of his life.

Countryside
Brett and Libby are running through some woods, having a good time. They return to the car and Libby climbs in. Brett comments that it's weird: he thought he locked it. Libby looks around and remarks that nothing's missing. Brett puts the key in the ignition, but the car won't start.

Holy Roll
Jo is standing at the counter, offering Catherine some tickets, but Catherine says she doesn't think she can get the time off work. Mal comes in and Catherine suggests to Jo that she ask *him*. Jo, however, says she doesn't think she's ready to—. Catherine points out that it doesn't have to be a date. Mal joins the two women and asks Catherine for the sandwiches he ordered earlier. While he's waiting, Jo says to Mal:

JO: I don't know if you'd be interested, but Rob has signed me up as a member of the Racing Club, and I ended up getting two tickets in the mail to the Cup. I don't suppose you feel like going?
MAL: With *you*?
JO: Well, yeah.

She adds that it'll be just as friends, though. Mal beams that he's *stoked* at the idea of seeing the Melbourne Cup live! Catherine returns with the sandwiches and Mal heads out. When he's gone, Catherine smiles at Jo that that didn't hurt, did it?!

Countryside
Brett is looking at the car engine and he exclaims that someone has stolen the spark- plug leads. Libby points out worriedly that she's got an exam in an hour and a half. She then remembers that there was a 'phone box just before the turn- off and she starts marching off to find it. Brett tells her that he's not letting her go off when there's a stranger lurking around. Libby just calls back that *she's* not missing her *exam*. Brett starts running after her!

No. 24
Danni is at No. 24, complaining to Marlene that the women at No. 30 go running to Luke with their dumb problems and he can't see that he's being used. Marlene shrugs that she supposes it's only natural that flatmates share their problems and things. Danni asks why he can't tell them to get a life and get a guy of their own. Marlene insists that she's sure it's probably all perfectly innocent. Danni sighs that she doesn't want him to know she's jealous because he'll start feeling pressured. She goes on that Catherine, Sarah and Jo are living in the same house as him and *she* only gets to see him—. She breaks off and then grins:

DANNI: That's it!
MARLENE: What?
DANNI: If you can't *beat* 'em...

No. 30
A short time later, Danni is at No. 30 and Luke is telling her that he was going to come and see her: she seemed a bit ticked- off before. He suggests that they thrash out what's bothering her. Danni says:

DANNI: Well, the settlement of the house is coming through and I have to start thinking about finding another place.
LUKE: Well, why don't you move in with Marlene?
DANNI: Well, I thought it would be nice if I moved in *here*. OK, I know I've asked you before and you said no, but, you know, now that things are a bit more settled between us...

Luke points out that thing are already pretty stretched there with four of them. Danni remind him that Jo's got her own place; maybe he could put it to her that she move back in there? Luke shrugs that he doesn't know. Danni gives up and tells him that it's up to him: she has to get back to work.

No. 24/Phone box
At No. 24, Marlene is telling Brett on the 'phone that *he* has *her* car and *Darren* has *Cheryl's* car; has he thought of ringing Libby's dad? Brett replies that no one's answering - and they're probably all at work, anyway. Marlene says she'll see if she can get a taxi and come and find him - although she doesn't know if they'll be able to from the directions he's given. Darren comes in as Marlene hangs up, and he asks what's wrong. Marlene explains that Brett and Libby are in a 'phone box somewhere, and she asks Darren if he can go and find them. Darren, however, tells her that he just put the car in and it'll be there all afternoon. He suggests leaving it to road service: they'll be able to find them by the number of the 'phone box. Marlene, however, says she promised she'd go.

Countryside
As Brett hangs up, Libby exclaims in horror:

LIBBY: A *cab*? That'll take *ages*.

Brett tells her that he can't find anyone with a car - but they *will* get her back on time. Libby, however, retorts that they won't. She goes on angrily:

LIBBY: Why did I let you talk me into this? And it's English, too - my most important exam.
BRETT: Yeah, OK, Lib, calm down. We *will* make it
LIBBY: You know, if I miss this, I can forget about getting into journalism; probably won't get into uni at *all*. Brett, I've just thrown away everything I've worked for for the past two years of my life.

Brett looks at her guiltily.