Recap
- Madge telling Paul and Mickey that there have been light fingers operating in the Coffee Shop lately.
- Mickey hiding stolen chocolates in Paul's bag at the Coffee Shop. The chocolates falling out as Paul picks up his bag, and Madge staring at Paul in astonishment.
No. 24
Paul is sitting with Madge and Harold at the kitchen table. Madge asks Paul if he's sure those sweets didn't get into his bag. Paul insists that he's telling the truth. Madge comments that they've got to think laterally, then: it could have been someone closer to home - starts with 'M' and ends with 'Trouble'. Harold remarks that he knows Mickey's a little mischievous, but that hardly makes him a thief - although he's glad the boy's no longer behind the counter. Madge muses that it'll be interesting to see if the till starts to balance again. She decides to give Mickey's mum, Jean Dalton, a call.
No. 28
Susan and Karl are preparing dinner, while Joel is in his room, drumming. After a minute or so, he emerges, followed a few seconds later by Anne. Susan invites her to stay for dinner, but Anne says she has go to and do her St. John's. She heads out. Susan notices that Billy hasn't laid enough places. Billy mutters sarcastically:
BILLY: That's right: Little Drummer Boy's part of the family now, isn't he...
No. 30
Sarah is looking at the newspaper, complaining to Nick about the quality of the job adverts in the paper. Toadie comes in with a bowl of noodles. Nick decides to head out to eat at the pub, leaving Toadie coolly to offer Sarah some of his noodles. Sarah, however, sighs and retorts that if she'd known he was going to react like this, she never would have told him. Toadie exclaims that Billy is his best mate; the Kennedys are like a second family to him. He adds that he doesn't understand what she expected to happen with the Doc. Sarah shrugs that she doesn't know - but she and Karl are friends and that's all they're ever going to be.
No. 24
The next morning, Madge complains to Harold and Paul that she can't stand parents who won't believe their children can't do anything wrong. Paul heads out to school and Harold remarks to Madge that he thinks they may have offended the boy last night. Madge then shows Harold something their St. John instructor gave them: some leaflets about the Red Cross Blood Donor Programme. She comments to Harold that she's sure she can depend on him for a pint or two! Harold, however, doesn't look happy about the idea!
No. 28
Joel and Billy are in the kitchen. Billy asks Joel if he's going to be drumming tonight, as he's got homework to do. Joel agrees to keep silent. He heads out, leaving Susan to remark to Billy that she never thought Joel would have such an influence on his studies! Billy heads off to school. Karl emerges from his room and Susan takes the opportunity to ask him if he and Sarah have had a falling out. At that moment, though, the car alarm goes off outside and Karl heads out to deal with it.
Erinsborough High
Mickey joins Paul by the lockers and comments that Paul will never guess what his mum called Madge when she got off the 'phone last night. Paul tells him that he didn't dob him in, even though he should've: how could he steal from the Coffee Shop? Mickey shrugs that Madge and Harold can't prove anything. Paul, however, tells him darkly that he's going to own up...
Coffee Shop
Karl heads into the Coffee Shop as Madge counts chocolate coins. She tells him brightly that she's noticed a big difference in Harold since he's been working at the surgery: more of a spring in his step and more positive - although he's sure he'd be happier if he knew where he stood. Karl says he'll let Harold know once he knows what Sarah's doing. Madge then takes the opportunity to rope Karl into donating blood.
Erinsborough High
Standing by the lockers, Billy comments to Anne that she and Joel seem to be hitting it off well. Anne smiles that Billy couldn't have asked for a better person to move in with him. Billy replies that he's cool about them becoming such good mates. He walks off, leaving Anne looking slightly bemused.
Across the hallway, Mickey joins Paul, who asks him if he's ready to own up. Micky grins at him and taunts that he's so soft. Paul retorts that Mickey's being a jerk. Mickey shoves him and asks him what he's going to do about it. Paul lunges at him suddenly and the two of them start fighting and rolling around on the floor. A few seconds later, Nick runs over and pulls them apart, Mickey being thrown against the lockers in the process. He suddenly falls to the floor and cries at Nick that he's broken his ankle.
No. 30
Sarah walks into No. 30 and complains to Toadie:
SARAH: Do I have 'Please reject me' tattooed on my forehead?
Toadie asks if she's under- qualified. Sarah retorts that she's qualified, but it just doesn't seem to make a difference to anyone. Toadie comments that Lou would probably take her back at Little Tommy Tucker's - and it would be the lesser of two evils. Sarah sighs that she knows it not healthy working at Karl's, but she wants a job where she's taken seriously. Toadie tells her that he's going to the pub - and he invites Sarah to join him later. Sarah thanks him.
Erinsborough High
In the corridor, Karl is tending to Mickey's ankle and he diagnoses that it's broken. He goes to call an ambulance. Mickey growls at Nick:
MICKEY: Hope you're satisfied, Atkins.
Erinsborough High
A short time later, in Susan's office, Nick is telling Susan that he had to pull Paul and Mickey apart because it was turning into a serious fight. Susan asks him if he's absolutely certain he didn't use excessive force. Nick thinks back and then insists that he only did what was necessary under the circumstances. Susan tells him to fill in an Incident Report and get Jacquie to fill in her version of events as well.
Lou's Place
Sometime later, Nick is sitting with Sarah at the bar. Toadie is working behind it as Nick sighs that one second... a *fraction* of a second... was all it took. Toadie tells him that he did what he thought was right and he can't get in trouble for that. Nick, however, retorts that a kid broke his ankle and is blaming *him*. He heads off, leaving Toadie to comment to Sarah that she thought *she* had problems.
Coffee Shop
Susan is telling Madge and Harold about the fight, but she explains that Paul is refusing to tell her what the fight is about and wondered if they knew. Madge replies that it seems that Mickey has been stealing things from the Coffee Shop - although they don't have any proof. Susan tells them to let her know if they get any new information.
Lou's Place
Toadie has made a cocktail - The Flaming Toad - for Sarah. Karl and Susan come in and head to the bar, where Karl warns Sarah to watch what Toadie puts in those drinks! Sarah explains glumly that she's 'celebrating' the most job rejections in one day. Susan comments that it sounds like a bit of a rash decision to leave the surgery, but Karl assures her that Sarah knows what she's doing.
No. 24
Harold asks Paul to tell him how the fight started - adding that there's no need to protect Mickey. Paul explains that Mickey was bragging about how he used Paul's bag to rip Harold and Madge off, so he told him to own up, but Mickey told him where to stick it. Harold sighs that Paul should have told Mrs. Kennedy what the fight was about. Paul, however, points out that other kids don't like dobbers. Harold says he's not going to condone violence, but he's proud of Paul for doing the right thing. He then suggests they practice for Little Tommy Tucker's.
No. 32
Joel is sitting with Anne in the lounge room, telling her that he kinds of gets the feeling that Billy's giving him the cold shoulder. Anne, however, says she and Billy aren't going out anymore, and it's not like her and Joel are an item - and Billy's the least of her worries at the moment. Joel asks what's up, but Anne says quickly that it's nothing: just school... They suddenly hear Harold and Paul start playing across the street and Joel asks Anne if she wants to go check it out!
No. 24
A short time later, Joel and Anne walk into No. 24 as Paul and Harold play their instruments. Joel asks if this is a free concert! Anne asks Paul and Harold if they've come up with a name yet, but Harold says they haven't. He then invites Anne and Joel to join them for a jam sometime. Joel asks if he can store his drum kit in No. 24's garage and Harold agrees. He and Anne head out. Harold beams at Paul that they're on a good thing here!
No. 28
Susan and Karl arrive home, Susan suggesting to Karl that maybe she should go over and apologise to Sarah. Karl, however, assures her that she's fine. Joel and Anne emerge from Joel's room with parts of Joel's drum kit and Anne explains that Mr. Bishop's allowing them to store it in his garage. The car alarm goes off suddenly and Karl heads out to see to it. The 'phone rings and Susan answers.
No. 30
A short time later, Sarah opens the front door to Susan. They head into the lounge room, where Nick is sitting with Jacquie. Nick asks Susan if everything is all right. Susan sighs that she wishes she could say yes, but, as Nick is aware, Mickey's version of events leading up to the accident is very different from Nick's. She goes on that she's just had a 'phone call from Jean Dalton - Mickey's mother - and she's claiming assault. Jacquie exclaims that that's outrageous. Susan tells Nick that she'll do everything she can to help him clear his name, but he can't come back to school until it's sorted out.