Alkrington Grammar School
How do we know we're there? Because of the big fat sign which we're shown for far too long. Two teachers are sitting doing something important and teachery. Teacher #1 gets up to make coffees (it's going to take him 10 minutes) and throws his wallet onto the desk before he leaves. It falls open and we see usual wallet stuff and a picture of a young lady....

The Robinson Residence
Paul was thinking they could have a really big party and invite the whole street to give Rebecca and Declan a warm welcome to the neighbourhood. Rebecca thinks it's a terrific idea but I'm sensing a but. Paul has already "worded up the caterers". Yep, there was a but, Rebecca thinks low key would be the way forward, "just the family." Poor Paul, he never gets to see his rent-a-crowd chums anymore. Paul says he'll tell them to scale it down then. Rebecca suggest they could cook it themselves, Declan would probably prefer that. The camera pans to Elle who is chopping who suggests they ask Declan himself, "Just a thought." Rebecca thinks she has a pretty good handle on Declan by now. Paul agrees. Home cooked meal it is. Rebecca leaves.

ELLE: Whatever Rebecca wants, Rebecca gets. (Chops a courgette with a big knife)

Low key barbeque *fine*, no contact with your sons' father, cause!

Paul warns Elle not to use this to score points, but to Elle it isn't about scoring points. Oliver has given up the chance to ever know his father because of Rebecca, but Paul objects, telling her to mind her own business. Elle clenches her jaw. Grr.

Number 30
Adam is unpacking a box as Pepper comes in. Apparently it's a laptop for her. Pepper tells him she has a computer, but as it's nearly two years old, Adam declares it a relic. He asks her to let him give her a gift. This way they can stay in touch from the other side of the planet, the laptop has a "biwlt in webcaaam" so that Pepper will be the first thing he sees in the morning and the last thing at night. Aww. Pepper thanks him and they kiss and cuddle up on the sofa. They won't be able to do that with a webcam, but tonight they will be doing a bit of that and watching the greatest moment in English History. Pepper thinks he's talking about Charles and Diana's wedding, but no, obviously Adam means the 1966 World Cup.

PEPPER: Soccer?
ADAM: Footbawwwwl.

Adam tells her that he knows lots about her, but she doesn't know much about him and where better to start than Wembley. Why? Did he play in the World Cup Final? Pepper doesn't look amazingly enthused.

Charlie's
Toadie and Stonie are going to make a detour on the way home, provided the pizzas don't get cold or the beers warm. Toadie is going to get his car valued since he can't drive it. Stonie offers to be his driver since he's getting his bed and board from Toad. Toadie asks how long he was planning on staying. "As long as you need me" is the reply, Toadie looks a little concerned and Oliver walks in. Introductions are made and jokes are made about the marine theme of the family.

STONIE: There's our gay cousin Rainbowfish, priest uncle Monkfish and soon to be ex-wife Dogfish....

This last bit seems to concern Toadie even more, but I'm wondering what's happened to Dylan and Kimbo up north! Before the fishes leave, Oliver wants to know what he should get his new brother as a birthday present. Stonie says there are only two things a 17 year old wants, or rather, two things, but only one which you should buy; a set of wheels. Toadie recommends that they should have a car attached. Oliver ponders.

Number 30
Pepper really seems to be getting into the footy and is totally wowed by the fact that England now has scored 4 goals. Her heart is going at about 100 mph, but she's sad that England hasn't won since. There are clubs she can join for that. Game over they switch the TV off and Pepper begins asking important questions like....

PEPPER: What was your favourite TV show as a kid?
ADAM: Doctor Who
PEPPER: Really? The music was really freaky.
ADAM: Who was your favourite doctor? You can't look past Tom Baker.
PEPPER: Er..the new one.

Adam tells Pepper that David Tennant was the 10th doctor and his sidekick was hot, he's not so sure about the new one. Pepper says that Billie Piper was great in the pensive sort of way someone might say that Margaret Thatcher was great despite the minors strike. It's quite odd. Hope you Aussies are keeping up with this English lesson! Pepper wants to know if Adam eats all that bad English food like deep fried mars bars. Adam tells her that's the Scots and they'd eat a rock if it was deep fried. Oo er! Pep still labours under the illusion that English food is really bad for you, but Adam disagrees listing TV chefs and to prove it he's going to cook some slap-up English grub for her, her mum and Carol. How very Jamie Oliver. They seal the deal with another kiss.

Number 32
Stonie is telling Steph and Toadie of Chantelle kicking him out despite her getting her everything she wanted - enough shoes to sink a battleship. Steph and Toad say they're sorry, but Stonie isn't. It's a huge weight off his shoulders. He's fine. Toadie asks what Angie said, but Stonie hasn't told them yet. Steph says that both the boys have had a rough couple of days so she suggests they head out for a little while and unwind. Stonie and Toadie agree but only if Steph goes with them, she objects, but Toad says that Auntie Janae loves babysitting. Steph can't ask her at such late notice, but the next scene would suggest otherwise....

Charlie's
No sign of the Charlster but Stonie, Toadie and Steph are boogying on down with some other extras who are performing the traditional circle dance. Steph compliments the guys on their dancing before nipping into the office to call home. Stonie comments that Toadie is one lucky man, not only is Steph a number of wonderful things, she also owns a bar! He thinks he must have been a bad guy for having drawn the Chantelle straw. Toadie once more tells him that he's really sorry, but Stonie tells him again that it's the best thing that's happened to him. The Toad doesn't seem convinced. He says sometimes it takes a while for things to sink in. Steph bounces back to get more drinks, but Toadie says not for him, he's got Tim breathing down his neck and has an early start. Stonie tells him to work to live, not live to work. Steph agrees and asks when was the last time he just had a good time, Toadie can't remember so Steph pulls him onto the dance floor and they do their thang, very exuberantly I might add.

Back at #32
The party animals collapse into chairs eating kebabs with Steph moaning about her feet, Toadie feels like the guy from Riverdance who has to ice his legs up, Stonie thinks he means Lord of the Dance, and they have a bit of banter about it. Steph tries to get Toadie to rub her feet and I notice she's wearing tights. My how times change. Stonie seems to be falling asleep but answers his brother's question about the time. It's just gone four, Toadie is disbelieving, he has to be at work in three hours...

Later...

Harvey and Bob are feasting on the remnants of kebab or other fast food which was being consumed earlier. Steph and Toadie are asleep on the couch when Stonie opens the curtains. They immediately fall off the couch in a panic at what time it might be. Stonie is remarkably bright and cheery for someone who's had less than three hours sleep, if he had any at all and hands over Charlie whom he has already picked up from Janae's. It is seven o'clock and Toadie should be at work. Stonie take control of the situation, he has breakfast under control and he offers to change Charlie while Steph gets dressed and offers to take her wherever she wants to go afterwards.

Tim Collins and Associates
Toadie, Steph and Stonie are trying to sneak into the office undetected by Tim. Toadie tells the others to wait in reception and he'll come back with Steph's stuff and look like he's been there for hours. Too late, Tim follows him into his office carrying a box of Steph's campaign material. ("Looking for these?")

TIM: This is a law office, not vote 1 my wife headquarters.
TOADIE: Um...I didn't see your car outside.
TIM: Rode my bike, been here for hours.
TOADIE: Still pretty early though.
TIM: Rosie got here at six.
TOADIE: Do I look like I'm kidding. She's in a breakfast meeting with a new client, meantime I've already billed 25 units. Two and a half hours.

Phew! Tim tells Toadie that he smells like a brewery then to get out and get some new clients before he deems him a total waste of space. Cue hasty exits from all of the number 32 crew.

Number 30
Pepper is laying a table cloth and looking all dolled up. I'm not entirely sure what time of day it's supposed to be. She says that whatever Adam is whipping up smells delicious. The "pukka tukka" is coming along nicely. Adam wants to know where the fresh herbs are, but they don't have any so he's going to nip out to the shops and get some. Pepper offers to go but she always gets coriander mixed up with parsley. Adam opens the door and finds Chris standing on the doorstep, he explains he's going to the shops and she tells him that Carol is running a little bit late. Going into the living area Chris pronounces to her daughter that she likes her new man, but she's still glad she's not going through with the sham wedding. She has good news.

CHRIS: I spoke to your father and he thinks there's an easy way for Adam to get his visa...
PEPPER: What?!
CHRIS: It'd be a breeze.
PEPPER: Mum tell me, we didn't think there was any way in the world.
CHRIS: Join the police force.
PEPPER: (looking away) No.
CHRIS: Why not? Alan said he used to be a cop.

Pepper says there's no way in the world, but Chris doesn't understand, didn't he used to be a cop? Pepper explains that he came to Australia to get away from all that, but she promised she wouldn't tell anyone about it. Chris thinks that under the circumstances...but Pepper cuts her off, last time it nearly killed him, she's not asking him to do it.

The Robinson Residence
Paul, Rebecca and Declan get out of the car all ready for the barbeque. Elle is coming out of the house, she's on her way to work. Paul says she was there earlier, she says something's come up. Just then another much flashier car than the LassitersMobile pulls onto the drive and they all turn to see who it is. Oliver steps out, wishes Declan a happy birthday and throws him the keys and tells him that the L plates are in the glove box. Declan can't believe it and Oliver asks him to promise he'll drive it safely. Declan asks if they can go for a drive but Oliver says he'll have to ask his mum. Rebecca flatly refuses, saying it's going back. Oliver says they can talk about it over lunch and Rebecca and Declan follow him into the house. Elle tries to leave again but Paul holds her back and asks her to make more of an effort, for Oliver's sake. Elle informs him that she's doing more for Oliver and his family than he'll ever know. She leaves Paul looking bemused.

Inside Declan is peering through the blinds at the new car.

DECLAN: So what does it do? 220? 240?
OLIVER: Not on your Ls mate.
REBECCA: Declan...
DECLAN: Yeah, yeah I know. Mothering handbook chapter four, don't let children do anything fun.
REBECCA: It's way too generous.
DECLAN: Says who?
REBECCA: Me!
DECLAN: He can afford it
REBECCA: Oh! I'm not having this conversation...

Oliver apologises if he did something wrong. Rebecca says it's an incredible gesture, Declan offers to work and pay for it telling his mum he has a job now. He's not keeping it. Declan doesn't think it's for Rebecca to say, but Oliver says he'll take it away now and save the pain. Declan asks if he can go too.

DECLAN: Is sitting in the car acceptable mother?

She lets him and Paul carries two glasses of OJ across to the counter where Rebecca is chopping. There's always chopping going on on that counter. Have you noticed? He tells her she's doing the right thing, and she knows, it's just she's going to have to put up with him sulking for a week. Paul tells her that's teenagers and they share a bit of an eyelocking moment...aaaaaand, they kiss. Who didn't see that coming a mile off? Paul pulls back and apologises. Rebecca's not sorry at all, she wants to know what's wrong. Paul says nothing would be if it was just them, but there's Elle and Declan and it's a difficult time for them and they shouldn't be rushing into anything. Rebecca nods and says that it's her time for a dose of tough love. Paul disagrees and says he does want her to be a part of his life. Rebecca is ready for something a bit stronger than orange juice. Oo er!

Charlie's
Toadie and Stonie are having lunch, but Toadie is already getting ready to make a move, a lunch break is 3 units but he's been there 5. He shouldn't be eating when he could be billing. Stonie says he'll walk back with his brother and as they get up to leave they bump into Oliver and Declan. Stonie introduces himself and Toadie and wishes Declan happy birthday. Stonie asks what he got and Oliver explains they're trying to sort that one out and follows Declan to the bar where Declan orders a beer. Oliver changes the order to two OJs.

DECLAN: Great, so on the way back from the car that I can't drive, we stop at a bar where I can't drink.

Oliver says he's sorry, but Declan says not to be, it's one of his better birthdays. Oliver can't think that things could have been that bad, but Declan reminds him he robbed someone to help his mum pay the bills. He just wants to help her out, she works so hard and they never get anywhere and then he always seems to make things worse. Oliver caves in and says they can keep the car at Lassiters and Rebecca will never know, just as long as Declan doesn't use the car when Oliver isn't around. Declan is stoked.

Number 30
So it's evidently lunchtime here too, which clears up my earlier confusion. All the amazing English food is being put on the table, lamb with rosemary, Yorkshire puddings and for some odd reason, black pudding. The latter Pepper picks up saying it looks really nice and tastes it. She asks what's in it and spits it out as soon as she finds out. Adam doesn't understand, he thought she said it was yum, but that's before she found out it was boiled pigs' blood!! Pepper's mum laughs and says that it's better for you than hot dogs, they're filled with lip and ear trimmings. She is disgusted and asks what's in something else. Adam tells her it's cows intestine, but he's only joking. In walks Carol, kicks off her shoes and sticks her foot in her mouth, more or less. She says it's great news about the visa. Chris tries to stop her but she blunders on saying there are plenty of worse jobs than being a cop and if it keeps him here...She begins to realise that Adam didn't know and asks why they haven't told him. Adam guesses that it's because someone reckons he can't handle it.

Tim Collins and Associates
Tim can't believe that Toadie was in A&E all morning and only handed out three cards. Toadie says that there weren't many potentials, but Tim says that everyone is a potential. Stonie asks what he expects him to do, stick them in open wounds force them on parents. Wounds no, parents yes, says Tim the ambulance chaser. He also thought he told Toadie to keep his dog outside, pointing at Stonie! Rude! Stonie squares up to Tim but Toadie steps between them pushing his brother out of the room. Stonefish doesn't know how Toadie can let him treat him the way he does, but Toadie's already told him he needs the job, until he has enough rungs on the board to go it alone he needs it, that's how it works.

Number 30
Adam has evidently told Chris and Carol the whole sob story and they can see why being a cop again wasn't top of his agenda. Adam agrees, but if joining the force would enable him to stay in the country with Pepper, maybe it's not so bad. He's got to face up to it sometime. Pepper seems pleasantly surprised. Everyone enjoyed the meal and Adam gets up to get dessert. Pepper follows and tells him he doesn't have to do this, but Adam wants to. She asks if he's sure and he says there's only one way to find out. Pepper tells him she loves him and they kiss.

Aklington Grammar School
Elle is walking up the steps when her phone starts ringing. It's Oliver and he's wondering if she's still at the office. She says no, she's not too far away though and she's sorry she's missing lunch. Oliver explains that he and Declan are at Charlie's and were wondering if she wanted to walk home with them. Elle can't, but she's not going to be too long. Elle ends the call and creeps up to the open staffroom door where moustache man who was waiting for a coffee last night is giving a stern speech about miscreants being sent straight to his office for punishment. He's in charge of discipline and he'll deal with it as he sees fit. If the rest of the staff don't understand then they can find jobs elsewhere.

The Robinson Residence
Declan is blowing out three candles on a rather fab looking chocolate cake. Rebecca tells him to make a wish but he replies sarcastically asking what more he could possibly wish for. Rebecca presents him with a gift and Declan tells her that her love is the only gift he could ask for. He opens up the present to find three books by Mark Twain. Rebecca tells him that if anyone knows about boys running wild it's him and there are some tips in there for him. Paul tells them enthusiastically that his dad bought him Huck Finn one year, used to read it to him at bedtime and would do all the voices, he trails off realising that's a sore issue for the fatherless Declan. It's a bit awkward but Rebecca tells everyone that Richard is the past and they shouldn't let him ruin things still. Family is the only thing that matters and the rest is just "stuff". She raises her glass and proposes a toast to "Health, happiness and lots of laughs." The clink glasses and Paul wonders where Elle is.

Aklington Grammar School
The staff meeting is over and Elle waits as all the teachers file out. As Mr Moustache approaches she stops him addressing him as Richard Aaronow, he says that that's not him. Elle thought he was the headmaster, but Mr Moustache is just the deputy headmaster. A voice behind Elle says "I am Richard Aaronow." The audience screams "No you're not! You're WifeBashingBrendon risen from the dead!" Elle turns around and cunningly introduces herself as Elle Roberts...