Hospital - Karl's Office
Karl is trying to convince Nicola not to think the worst, but Nicola can't help but fret that she's contracted a deadly disease from Pete. She's also upset that she can't confide in her family about what's happened due to them kind of hating her guts.

Number 28
Susan tries to tempt a glum looking Audrey with a tasty treat but she's not interested. Rachel is wondering what kind of gift she can get Ty that says 'Sorry for thinking you were a psycho stalker and concussing you', but doesn't encourage any romantic thoughts. The focus turns back to Audrey and Susan concludes that she might be sick. Sadly, Dr Little will not be making a house call.

Hospital - Karl's Office/Number 28
Nicola is still all 'woe is me' about her family, so Karl reveals that there was a time in his life when his family stopped trusting him too. Susan rings to let him know about Audrey and asks if he can drive her to the vet clinic, but Karl wants to keep chatting to Nicola and lets Susan know he's busy with a "patient" but will try make it home ASAP. Nicola tells Karl that he doesn't have to stay with her and has already done enough, but Karl says there's one more thing he wants to try.

Pete's Hospital Room
Pete laughs in Karl's face when he tries to suggest he get a blood test to see if he's got any diseases lurking about in his body. Pete knows it's for the "blonde piece's" wellbeing and doesn't give his permission.

Outside, Karl tells Nicola the bad news but says he still wants to have a look at her medical records and test her for hepatitis and tetanus. But Nicola can't cope and runs away crying. Karl starts to follow but Jodie catches him and informs him that Susan's on the phone.

Street
Nicola walks home, sobbing her little heart out.

Number 30
Toadie wants to have a chat with Nicola about the bikini photos Callum stole off her computer, and lets her know that she can take the reins in deciding his punishment. But Nicola is distracted and sadly says that she looks great in the photos - but that no one will want her now. Upset, she goes to her room leaving Toadie very confused.

Ramsay Street
Karl arrives late just as Susan walks out with poor Audrey (who has been vomiting) wrapped up in a blanket. Nicola sees them and asks how Audrey's doing. Susan's quite ticked off to learn that Nicola was the "patient" with Karl when she rang. She's even more ticked off when Karl stops to have a further chat with Nicola. Nicola apologises for bailing earlier and lets him know she wants to start on a treatment plan as soon as she can.

Meanwhile, Paul pulls up in his car.

PAUL: Regular little family picnic here isn't it!

He saunters up to Susan and starts to prattle on about wanting an answer from her about the job offer when his nose gets offended.

PAUL: What is that smell?
SUSAN: Dog vomit.
PAUL: (backing away) Oh, alright, I'll leave you to get on with that...

But Karl grabs Paul and manages to persuade him to escort Susan to the vet clinic because something important has come up. Susan's appalled that the 'something' has to do with Nicola, and Paul's horrified at the thought of getting dog sick in his new car.

Indoor Basketball Court
Josh and his mates are playing a game of wheelchair basketball. He smirks when he sees Declan nervously walk in and abruptly calls the game to an end like he's the Fonz or something. Everyone clears out leaving Josh and Declan alone to try and out-macho one another. Josh shows Declan an empty wheelchair and challenges him to a game - if Declan wins he'll stop making trouble with Didge, but if Josh wins then he gets to try his luck with her.

DECLAN: (angry) So what? We play for Bridget like she's some kind of trophy?
JOSH: Hey it's OK, I understand if you're chicken.
DECLAN: Alright, game on.

Ah, the old chicken ruse. Works every time. They start playing and I realise now why they're both randomly wearing hats - it's so their body doubles don't look too different from behind. Sneaky. Josh gets the first basket and Declan is peeved.

Indoor Basketball Court
Josh and Declan play for what seems like a million years until Josh shoots so many baskets it's clear that Declan's never going to win. They stop to heckle one another and Josh provokes Declan into pushing him just as Didge hobbles into the stadium to witness it. Angry, Didge tells them off and says they're both losers.

Number 28
Nicola's pretty depressed when Karl tells her that without the blood test from Pete she won't know if she has hepatitis or tetanus for at least 6 months, and the cautionary treatment for HIV has pretty nasty side effects. She wonders if they can force Pete to have the blood test, but Karl reminds her every patient has their rights.

Susan arrives home from the vet clinic and isn't pleased to see their houseguest. Rachel follows moments later and is witness to the frosty vibes Susan's sending Karl's way. Nicola heads off and Karl makes some lame ass excuse about her helping him with the couch (way to make yourself sound even more dodgy, Karl).

RACHEL: That was weird.
KARL: Rachel, there's nothing weird about it. She's just a work colleague.

Susan gives him the stink eye.

Indoor Basketball Court
Declan asks Didge what he can do to make things right with her again, so Didge tells him to grow up and give her some time alone to figure out what she wants. Declan leaves and Didge turns her wrath to Josh, warning him not to make up anymore dumb stories where he gets to be the hero.

DIDGE: You used to be nice. You were one of the good guys, I don't understand what happened.
JOSH: I got sick of losing out. Guys like Declan get everything. I'm just the nice guy in a wheelchair.
DIDGE: Josh it has nothing to do with the chair. I just happen to like him more than I like you.

Josh looks cut and wheels away.

Number 28
Susan gets off the phone from Lib and tells Karl that she's gone in to see Audrey. Curiosity soon gets the better of her and Susan asks him for the truth about Nicola.

KARL: I'm sorry I can't talk about it. Medical confidentiality.
SUSAN: Well that only applies if she's a patient.
KARL: She is a patient.
SUSAN: Really? I thought she was a work colleague?
KARL: She's both, OK.
SUSAN: Then why didn't she consult you at the hospital?
KARL: She did, I've been treating Nic. She only came over to see me this afternoon because she needed to see a friendly face.
SUSAN: Oh OK right, so she's a friend now?
KARL: Things have been a bit chilly for her around here.
SUSAN: (scoffing) Oh, and I wonder why?
KARL: Susan what's this all about?
SUSAN: No I'm just trying to work out why you're being so evasive.
KARL: I'm not being evasive.
SUSAN: You are. You told me this afternoon you were with a patient, you didn't tell me it was Nicola.
KARL: Why would I? Should I tell you if it was someone else from the street?
SUSAN: Oh it's different and you know it.
KARL: I'm sorry I wasn't here to help with Audrey. But that's not what this is about is it?
SUSAN: Well lets face it Karl, you have given me a couple of reasons over the years not to trust you.
KARL: For the record there is nothing going on between Nicola and myself. Satisfied?
SUSAN: Apparently I have to be.

Vet Clinic - Next Morning
Steve (and Miranda) tell Susan (and Toadie - who has driven Susan in) that Audrey has a bowel obstruction and needs to be operated on, but the operation comes at a hefty price. Steve suggests that Susan ring Karl but Susan sarcastically replies that she doesn't need his permission. She gives Audrey a pat and tells Steve to go ahead with the procedure.

Walking into reception, Susan gets an attack of the guilts and wonders if she should let Karl know. Toadie asks if everything is OK with the Ks but Susan isn't quite sure.

Pete's Hospital Room
Nicola goes into Pete's room on the premise of changing his dressings but somehow manages to draw blood out of an IV thing in his arm while he sleeps, securing her prized blood sample in a very illegal manner.

Hospital - Karl's Office
Nicola sneaks in and nervously labels the forbidden blood sample, quickly stuffing it into an envelope to be sent off for testing just as Karl walks in. He's surprised to see her there, so she turns on the waterworks and says she's scared. She dives into his arms for a hug and he awkwardly pats her on the back and assures her it'll be OK. With impeccable timing, Susan arrives at the hospital.

SUSAN: Excuse me do you know if Doctor Kennedy's around?
JODIE: Ask Nicola West, she'd know.
SUSAN: Pardon?
JODIE: Have you tried his office?

Yep, you guessed it, Susan walks in just in time to see Karl and Nicola cuddling. Karl's all, 'Oh crud, it's not what it seems' and Susan looks shocked and crushed all at once.

Preview
The same Donna & Rachel meet Hamish & Andy one from Friday.