No. 28
Billy is cutting up an apple in the kitchen as Anne says to him:

ANNE: Are you sure you want to do that?
BILLY: Yeah. I mean, it's going to be tough, but it'll be worth it.

Anne asks him when he's going to tell his mum and dad. Billy replies that it'll be soon - and he asks Anne not to say anything to them. At that moment, Karl and Susan arrive home, Karl complaining about the amount he had to pay for a piece of pie. Susan points out that it was *her shout*! Karl tells her that mock cream is outrageous!

No. 30
In the kitchen, Nick tells Ben that he's not there to give him a hard time; he couldn't handle living overseas with their mum and dad and being a tutor to snotty- nosed little rich kids didn't do it for him - but while he *is* there, he'll be taking charge of Caitlin. Caitlin comes in at that moment and retorts that she can look after herself. Nick, however, tells her tersely that clearing off with Josh proved she needs looking after. He adds that there'll be no more crazy stunts; he'll make sure of that.

Karl's surgery
Sarah is setting a vase of flowers down on the reception desk when Harold comes in and tells her that he suddenly realised overnight that he hadn't told her the pathology reports would be late today - so he's decided to create a Day Book so they can pass on information. Sarah doesn't look impressed. Karl joins them and Harold tells him that he has the power of veto over this book. Karl, however, smiles that he thinks it'll be more than useful. Harold smiles and thanks him. He heads out. Sarah groans at Karl that Harold is too much: he's been there five minutes and he's already introducing new systems. Karl tells her that it might do her good to write things down.

Coffee Shop
Lou is sitting at a table when Ben hobbles in. Lou invites Ben to sit down and he asks how the rehab's going. Ben replies that the doctor says he can go back to work soon. Lou tells him he doesn't want him back until he's fully recovered. Ben smiles that he can't wait to get back; he wants to feel useful again and have a normal life. He then asks Lou seriously if he has time for a personal gripe, because he could really use his advice.

Karl's surgery
Karl emerges from his consulting room and asks Sarah if she's seen Mr. McSweeney's x- ray, as it wasn't with his file. He starts hunting through files on her desk, muttering that these slip- ups shouldn't occur; *Harold* wouldn't let them happen. Sarah doesn't look happy. Karl also tells her to get rid of the flowers, as they're in the way. He finds the x- ray and tells Sarah to be a little more organised.

Coffee Shop
Ben is telling Lou that he doesn't think he's done that bad a job with Caitlin, but Nick wants him to butt- out and let *him* look after her. Lou suggests he sit back and let Nick find out for himself how difficult it is looking after a teenager.

Karl's surgery
Sarah is reading - in voiceover - from a note she's written:

SARAH: "Karl, I now know the love I feel can never come to anything - but I feel better having explained some of the difficulties I've been going through lately. Yours, Sarah."

She quickly folds up the note as Karl emerges from his room and tells her that they need to order some anti- smoking pamphlets. Sarah mutters that she'll write it in the Day Book and Harold can order them this afternoon. Karl goes to head out to lunch. Sarah says there's something she needs to talk to him about - but before she can say any more, Harold arrives to take over from her. Karl heads out to the coffee shop. Sarah tells Harold that there are a few things to do in the Day Book. Harold smiles that writing things down was a good idea, then? Sarah nods flatly that it was, definitely. She then tears up the letter she wrote and drops it in the bin next to the desk.

Coffee Shop
Caitlin is having lunch with Anne. Caitlin says that if she doesn't talk about this, she'll go insane. She goes on that her brother, Nick, was really laying down the law last night, and she was so close to tell him where to go. Anne, however, suggests to Caitlin that she toe the line until he cools down and then she can do whatever he wants. She adds that it's always worked for *her*!

Karl's surgery
Karl returns to the office as Harold sorts through some papers. He tells Karl that there's a dinner invitation from the ARA, but Karl tells him to dump it. Harold tears it up and puts the papers in the bin. Karl heads into his consulting room - but a few seconds later, he tells Harold over the intercom to keep the invitation after all; it's time he did some schmoozing. Harold looks at the pieces of paper he just threw away.

No. 30
Sitting at the kitchen table, Nick says to Ben:

NICK: So, you're happy for me to take charge?
BEN: Yep. I reckon I gave it my best shot. If you reckon you can do better, go for it.

Sarah is making lunch and she says they shouldn't expect *her* to help. Ben tells her tautly that Nick knows so much about parenting that she shouldn't *need* to be involved.

Karl's surgery
Harold is going through the papers in the bin, trying to put the invitation back together. He comes across a note from Sarah and reads (in Sarah's voiceover):

SARAH: "Dear Karl, How's this for unresolved problems? I'm fed up with being treated as though I've done something wrong."

Harold rolls his eyes and mutters to himself that there's a time and place. He then reads the rest of Sarah's letter -

SARAH: "Karl, I now know the love I feel can never come to anything - but I feel better having explained some of the difficulties I've been going through lately. Yours, Sarah."

- and a look of shock crosses his face. At that moment, Billy comes in and asks if he can go in and see his father. Harold nods that he can.

In Karl's consulting room, Karl asks his son what he's been up to today. Billy replies that he went to college... but didn't make any classes: he went to talk to Administration. He then tells Karl not to go off his head... but he's decided to drop out of his course. Karl stares at him and then snaps:

KARL: I don't believe this. How could you be so stupid? Why didn't you just talk to us about it?

Billy insists that he's got a very good reason. Karl rants at him that none of his children wish to complete their tertiary education; it looks like they're *all* going to disappoint him. He goes on that Billy's giving in without even trying. Billy gets up and walks out, muttering at his father that he won't even listen.

No. 32
A while later, Billy walks into No. 32 with Anne and Caitlin, Anne sighing at Billy that he should have stayed there and told his father exactly what he wanted to do. Caitlin asks Billy when he's going to tell him. Billy says he'll let him cool down first; he's going to go and visit his mum. Caitlin frowns:

CAITLIN: In Wangaratta?
BILLY: Yeah. She'll understand. She's always been the one to chill dad out. If *she* was here, everything would be fine.

Anne asks him when he's going. Billy replies that the bus leaves in half an hour - and he needs Anne to tell his dad where he's going...

No. 28
Anne is standing on the doorstep of No. 28 as Karl asks in astonishment what's got into the boy. He lets Anne in and he picks up the 'phone to try to ring Susan, but there's no answer. Anne tells him that he should have listened to Billy earlier. Karl admits that he could have listened to him a bit more.

No. 30
Caitlin is cooking chilli when Sarah comes in and comments that something smells nice. Caitlin explains that it's for Nick - his favourite. Sarah remarks that she's trying to get back in his good books, is she? Nick comes in at that moment and tells his sister that it's good to see her being useful. Caitlin says that, now that he's staying, they need to have a talk about what's happening round there. She goes on that she's decided that she's more than happy to do whatever he says - as long as what he says is fair: she's an equal member of the household and he's got to observe the house's rules just like she'll observe *his* rules. Nick nods that that's fair enough. With that, Caitlin goes to wash up her swimming stuff, leaving Nick to remark to Sarah that Caitlin's changed since she's left home; it's going to be tiring dealing with that.

No. 24
Madge is watching TV when Harold arrives home. She asks him why he's so late and he explains that he needed a walk by the lake to clear his head. He explains:

HAROLD: I found out something today that I really didn't need to know. The happiness of an entire family is at stake.

Madge asks in surprise what happened. Harold tells her that it's about Karl: he's quite positive that Karl and Sarah are having an affair. Madge looks at him in disbelief.

Wangaratta
Billy has turned up and he tells Susan that he needed so see her, so he just got on a bus and came. Susan asks if something's wrong. Billy replies that there isn't really, but his dad doesn't see it that way. He then explains that he's dropped out of college. Susan starts to retort that he hasn't even been there long enough to know whether he'd like it—; but Billy pleads with her to listen to him, as his dad wouldn't. He goes on that he wants to go back to school and repeat Year 12. Susan exclaims that his final marks were very good. Billy, however, points out that they only found out about his dyslexia in Year 10, and look how what he's done since then; imagine how much better he could do if he went back: with even better marks, he'd have heaps more choices.

No. 24
Harold is pointing out to Madge that in the note, Sarah distinctly says she loves Karl. Madge asks him dubiously where he *got* the note and Harold replies that he found it in the rubbish bin. Madge sighs that, in the past, his detective work has got him into a lot of trouble. Harold retorts that if they *are* having an affair, he doesn't think he'd be very happy working for Karl. Madge tells him that he's writing the poor bloke off over one innocent letter. Harold exclaims that she wouldn't think he's innocent if she *read* it. Madge, however, snaps that she's not *going* to read it. Harold, looking put out at her disinterest, gets up and heads into the kitchen, looking downcast. Madge joins him and says more gently:

MADGE: Love, I'm sorry. It's not that I don't believe you.
HAROLD (tersely): It's all right - you've made your point.
MADGE: No, love, there's, um, there's more to it than that. I don't think I could read that letter even if I *wanted* to.

Harold looks at her in astonishment.