Number 26
Janelle has invited Serena over for a 'chat' (Be afraid Serena. Be very afraid).It is a chat about Serena and Stingray. Serena says things are good - they have discussed everything and Stingray knows that she and him weren't together when she kissed Boyd. Janelle asks Serena to tell her all about herself.

Hospital
Max is asking Karl 20 questions, but Karl doesn't know the answers until Boyd has had the CAT Scan. He says that if it is a Brain Tumor, the HgH wouldn't have helped, it would have accelerated the growth of the tumor a lot (Ahem, for further reading, check out page 21 of The Wondrous Mr and Mrs Hoyland Thread, where I made this exact point a few weeks ago ) Steph is berating herself - she should have kept a closer eye on him, but Max says he is far from communicative sometimes. Izzy arrives. Max can't understand how the specialist could misdiagnose something he doesn't have, but miss something as obvious as a tumor. Izzy says Schizophrenia was a reasonable diagnosis - and he would have been better off if he had stayed in hospital. Sky protests that Boyd wanted some time out, but Karl says he is in good hands now, and that is the most important thing.

CAT Scan Room
Boyd is prepared for his CAT scan, and the technician begins.

Number 26
Serena and Janelle continue their 'chat.' Janelle points out that 'we all make mistakes...some more than others...but still...' Janelle asks if Serena is aware how much she hurt Scotty. Serena says that she is, but she really cares about him, and Janelle says as long as her and Stingray are an item, she is welcome in the house anytime. Stingray arrives home and asks if everything is ok.

Scarlet Bar
Susan and Lyn are worrying about Boyd and his tumor (Steph has called Lyn offscreen). Susan says Lyn has had a rough trot lately. This makes Lyn think about HandyAndy, and she says if she so much as looks at another man, it is Susan's job as a friend to have her certified. Susan compares the situation to GaryTheCad™. They compete for who had the most disastrous relationship, and Lyn thinks she has won. But Suse has one last point - Lynnie's man didn't offer Sindi a small fortune! Lyn asks what she means.

Number 26
Janelle invites Serena to stay for lunch, and she makes Bree put her book away. Serena's mobile rings, it's Harold. Stingray goes to talk to Janelle.

JANELLE: She's lovely, isn't she?
BREE: That's not what you said before though...

Whoops. Janelle warns Stingray not to get too carried away in a serious relationship, but Stingray knows who he wants to be with. Janelle asks who Stingray thinks Serena will choose if Boyd 'comes to his senses' and wants Serena back. Stingray answers "me" but Serena comes in and says she can't stay for lunch - Boyd is back in hospital and it is serious. Janelle gives Stingray and 'I told you so' look.

Scarlet Bar
Lyn asks what would have happened if the coin trick hadn't have worked, but Susan doesn't want to think about it. She does think it is amazing though, the extent Sindi was willing to go to to get money for Stu. Lyn asks how the living arrangements are now, and Susan says it isn't like it used to be, which is a shame because she likes Sindi. Lyn points out the weirdness of 'the two sides of Sindi.'

CAT Scan Room
Boyd's CAT scan is over and the technician is looking at the images. There is a massive tumor there...for the purpose of the exercise, we shall name him Fred. The technician says that Fred needs to be removed sooner, rather than later - he is a pretty nasty fella. Karl says he will tell the Hoylands, as they are friends.

Hospital
Karl tells Steph and Max that Fred is pushing on Boyd's Front Temporal Lobe - the part of the brain that deals with personality, cognition and balance (Woah - Hey! I swear I just did this at Uni today!!!). Max asks if Fred is what caused the seizures. Karl replies that the tumor is growing rapidly, and the seizures are likely to get worse. If Fred keeps growing, it will lead to unconsciousness, and ultimately it will be fatal. Max takes this as it being Malignant, but Karl says they won't know until the biopsy. The operation is the priority, but Max wants to know if there are other options - Chemotherapy? Radiation? Karl says if it turns out to be malignant, of course they will look at these options, but right know they have to get Fred out, and he needs Max to sign the consent forms, which Steph prompts him to sign. Karl goes to tell Boyd what is going on, but Max wants to.

Hospital Room
The anesthetist tells Boyd he is in good hands, and she will see him in recovery. She leaves as Max comes in. Boyd is glad to see him, and jokes that anything that gets him out of the washing up is worth it when Max asks how he is. Boyd has figured out that the news isn't too good. Max tells him that they have found a tumor, and that Fred is what has been causing everything, but they are going to get Fred out. Boyd is relieved that there is an explanation for his behaviour, but then tearily asks Max to look after Sky for him, and he has another request - if anything happens he wants to be buried next to his Mum.

Number 26
Bree is all enthusiastic about the books Susan gave her, but Janelle isn't too happy. Lyn arrives home with Susan and Bree and Suse excitedly get into a discussion about the books, but Janelle still isn't impressed. Susan is impressed with Bree's interpretation of the book, and says she thinks she has a star pupil on her on her hands, but Janelle snipes that she has created a monster.

Hospital
The Hoylands comfort each other, and Izzy asks Karl what Boyd's chances are. He says that there is a major risk, and they can't ignore the risk of permanent brain damage. Karl tells them he will be sitting in on the operation. Serena and stingray arrive, but Sky doesn't want Serena there.

Surgery - It's time to go...Fred!
The surgeon removes part of Fred to send off for a biopsy. Boyd's brain is looking a bit of a mess - they are going to be there for a long while. Boyd's blood pressure suddenly drops, and his heart rate falls, before stopping completely.

Surgery
The team work on Boyd, pumping compressions and injecting him with adrenalin, until, after what seems like forever, his heart weakly bleeps back to life. Everyone breathes a sigh of relief, and I remove my fingernails from my mouth.

General Store
Bree and Janelle are eating and Janelle says it is nice just the two of them - it can't be good for her to be cooped up all day reading. Susan comes in and Janelle has a go at her for giving Bree the books. Janelle doesn't think they are suitable, but Susan doesn't think she can criticize when she hasn't even read them. Susan tells her that Bree's motivation to read is a gift. Janelle still isn't happy, but pretends to be interested for Bree's sake, although Bree can see straight through her.

Hospital
Karl tells the Hoylands that they have evicted Fred, and that Boyd is stable but critical. He is in ICU and still in a coma, and they are waiting to hear from Pathology whether Fred was malignant or benign. Summer panics when she hears 'coma', but Karl explains that it is medically induced - it will give Boyd time to recover from the operation, and all that time he was in Fred's evil clutches. An extremely teary Steph has her arm around Max as Karl tells them they won't know if there is any lasting damage for a while yet...