Recap
- Libby and Darren having fun in the countryside - and then discovering they're locked in and stuck there with no way of contacting anyone.
- Billy telling Karl he's decided to drop out of his course.
- Karl angry at Billy.
- Karl on the 'phone to Susan, saying Anne came over before and intimated there was something more to Billy's dropping out.
Countryside
Darren and Libby have erected a makeshift tent, but Libby sighs that she hates camping - and she can't believe they didn't see that sign. Darren asks her if she reckons her dad's going to hunt him down with a shotgun for keeping her out all night! Libby grins that he will, probably! She then smiles at the irony of the fact that they have to get stuck in the bush together just so they can spend the night alone!
No. 24
Paul is picking at his dinner at the kitchen table. Harold tells him to eat up, but Paul points out that Harold hasn't eaten his either. Harold admits that he's lost his appetite. Paul comments that he's worried about Madge, isn't she - she's been sick a *lot*. Harold comments that, now they're getting older, they've had so much illness in so little space of time. Paul asks why Madge keeps getting sick. Harold remarks that she doesn't know how to relax: she keeps rushing from one thing to another. Paul says suddenly:
PAUL: It's because of *me*, isn't it.
Harold asks him in surprise what he means. Paul replies that he's been getting into a lot of trouble lately and Madge yells at him a lot. Harold, however, insists that Madge is delighted to have him with them - and she's not happy unless she's voicing her opinion loudly! He adds that Madge takes on too much; there's nothing for Paul to blame himself over; if anything, he's a blessing to both of them.
Wangaratta
Susan, Kim and Billy are playing cards, but Susan is losing and she suggests to Billy that they get in the car and zap back to Erinsborough so Billy can tell his father his news.
Countryside
Darren is hugging Libby, with a blanket wrapped round them, when Libby claims she heard a hooshing sound. Darren, however, insists that everything is perfect; it's heaven. They kiss. Libby then asks Darren softly where he sees himself in ten years' time. He tells her:
DARREN: At a barbecue in our backyard.
LIBBY (raises her eyebrows): *Our* backyard?
DARREN: Yeah! And there's a couple of mates over, and they're digging into an esky of beer, arguing about who burns the best steaks!
He goes on that Darren Junior is pestering him about not letting him turn over the snags; and Libby comes out with baby Susan - named after her mum - who's just had a bath and wants to say goodnight. Libby smiles wistfully:
LIBBY: Married...
She then asks Darren why, when he first saw the house, he didn't want them to move in together then. Darren tells her that he didn't want to rush things; he wants them both to be sure of where they're headed and be happy about it so that their kids are happy; when he settles down, he wants to be sure: no second thoughts.... no regrets... Libby comments that they're not exactly talking white picket fences next week, then. Darren tells her that when they *do* settle down, it'll be for good. They kiss passionately.
Karl's car
Karl is driving along a road.
Petrol station
Susan and Billy have stopped to fill up with petrol. Karl passes the petrol station, not realising they're there. He's heading to Wangaratta....
No. 28
Sometime later, Susan and Billy have arrived home and Susan finds that Karl isn't in bed and Libby isn't in either. She remarks that it's funny them both not being there. Billy decides to go to bed and tell his father his news in the morning.
Wangaratta
Karl has turned up and tells Kim that he and Billy had a bit of a misunderstanding and he thought he should come up and sort it out. Kim grins that Karl isn't going to believe what's happened!
No. 28/Wangaratta
A short time later, Susan and Karl are talking on the 'phone and Susan tells Karl to stay there tonight and travel back when he's fresh. Karl asks what it's all about with Billy. Susan says she'd love to tell him, but she's going to have to leave it to Billy. She adds that she's sure Karl will like it. She tells him to get a good night's sleep and she'll see him in the morning. They hang up.
Countryside
The next morning, Darren and Libby are packing up the ute and Darren points out to Libby that that wasn't so bad, was it! He adds that he'll shout her breakfast on the way home. Libby says she's got to get back to Erinsborough High to look at those Media assignments for the Year 9s. She tells Darren to check the car for wild animals!
Ramsay Street
Hannah is walking down the street. Paul catches up with her as Karl drives up to No. 28 in his car. Paul asks Hannah if she's finished her video yet and she nods that she has.
No. 28
Karl heads inside and Susan, looking surprised to see him, comments that he must have been up before sparrows. Karl tells her that he wants to know what's going on with Billy. Susan says she'll go and see if he's awake. At that moment, Billy emerges from his room, looking dishevelled from bed, and Susan tells him to come and talk to his dad. Karl admits to Billy that he didn't give him much of a hearing yesterday, and he asks his son what it is he wants to say. Billy explains that he wants to go back to school and repeat Year 12, to get better marks. Karl looks at him in surprise.
No 26.
Lou has turned up at No. 26 and he tells Philip that he wants to give him some good news: Ben is back on form and talking about coming back to work at the garage in the next week or two. He adds that he's trying to think up some advertising to mark the event. Philip says *he* could do with some advice: Harold borrowed $200 from him some months ago and there's no sign of him returning it; how does he go about reminding him? Lou says he thinks subtlety's the key: drop the odd hint or two and he'll twig.
No. 28
Karl tells Billy that he's speechless. Before he can say any more, Libby and Darren come in and explain that they got locked in the park. Karl doesn't look interested, though, and Susan explains that they're in the middle of something. Darren heads out and leaves them to it. Susan guides Libby to her room, leaving Karl to tell Billy that he had no idea he was interested in Fine Arts. Billy replies that he's always been interested; he always thought he was too stupid to make the course. Karl assures him that they've never thought he was stupid. Billy insists that if he goes back now and does the right subjects... Karl smiles at him and gives him a hug.
Erinsborough High
Philip and Harold head into the classroom as Denise Hicks, the teacher, picks up another video to show the class - a solo effort from Hannah Martin. The students clap. Hannah steps to the front of the class and explains that she was supposed to be doing this project with Paul McLain: they live next door to each other, and thought it would be pretty easy, but it turns out they don't see Ramsay Street in the same way. She turns on the video and her face appears on the TV. She introduces Ramsay Street and then her dad and his mate, Lou - and then her father refusing to talk about Ruth!
Coffee Shop
Lou, Lolly and Darren head into the Coffee Shop, Darren commenting that he thought Karl was going to *kill* him! He then reveals that he told Libby that he wants a ring on her finger... white picket fences... a little niece or nephew for Louise... Lou exclaims that he's a dark horse! Darren, however, explains quickly that he hasn't proposed yet! He goes on that Libby asked where he thought he'd be in ten years' time and he replied that he thought they'd be married. Lou warns that Libby will hold him to that! Darren says he's messed Libby about too many times in the past - so he's made a commitment; he really loves Libby and doesn't want to mess her around again.
Erinsborough High
The class claps as Hannah's video comes to an end. Miss. Hicks calls Paul to give *his* side of the story. Paul steps to the front of the class and switches on his video. It shows Madge trying to eat a slice of pizza in peace... and Karl in his dressing gown first thing in the morning... and Libby annoyed at being filmed... and then Darren kissing Shannon. In the classroom, Libby sits there stony- faced.