Coffee Shop
Pete admits to Mike and Des that, OK, he *didn't* just walk out. Des asks what happened. Pete sighs that they know how hard he tried; he worked his guts out - but he overdid it and hurt himself training; the doctors kept putting him off, and he started training by himself and really did his leg in. He goes on that he had to get away for a while. Des assures him that he tried his best - and he's still their local hero. Mike adds that they've all had their ups and downs lately - he'll bounce back. Pete doesn't look convinced.

Office of the Daniels Corporation
Paul is giving Jane dictation, but she complains that she can't keep up. Bronwyn comes in and tells Paul and Jane that she wanted to remind them both about Jamie's party this afternoon. Madge then comes in and tells Paul that the rest of the Waterhole staff are still complaining about the attention the costumes are attracting. Paul looks annoyed as the three women start gabbing about Jamie's party. He eventually snaps at them that he'd like to get on with some work. Bronwyn apologises for coming in like she owns the place. Madge nods that she'll talk to Paul about her problems later. They both head out.

Coffee Shop
Pete sighs to Des that he'd better go and face his mum and dad. He asks if he'll be able to get his job back and Des nods that they can call his time away compassionate leave. Pete heads out, leaving Mike to comment to Des that he wouldn't like to be in Pete's shoes. He goes on that he might see if Pete will come out with him and Scott to take his mind off things. Des smiles that he'll invite him to Jamie's party. He heads off after him. Mike then asks Harold if he can head off early to get ready for Jamie's party. Harold nods that it's fine as long as there aren't too many customers. Over at a table, a young female customer slurps a milkshake. She looks in her purse but finds it empty. Looking around and finding Harold and Mike have both disappeared into the kitchen, she goes to stand and leave without paying. However, Harold emerges suddenly and says to her sharply:

HAROLD: Just a minute. Come on. Where do you think *you're* going?

The young woman stands there looking sheepish.

Coffee Shop
A short time later, the young woman is doing some washing up in the Coffee Shop kitchen. She insists to Harold that her money must have been stolen. Harold heads back into the main shop as Mike comes in with *more* washing up. The girl glares at it and snaps that the bill only came to $3.50. She then introduces herself to Mike as Sharon. She adds that she's on a working holiday: she's writing a book about travelling... people she meets and that sort of thing. Mike asks if she isn't a bit young to write a book. Sharon replies that she's 20. Mike asks what her family thinks about all this. Sharon replies:

SHARON: I haven't *got* a family. They were all killed in a 'plane crash when I was three.
MIKE: Well, didn't you get adopted or something?
SHARON: No, I grew up in a convent. They were great to me, those nuns. I'm going to dedicate my book to them.

With that, Mike looks at his watch and realises he has to get to Jamie's party. He heads off.

Office/Reception area of the Daniels Corporation
Paul finishes dictating another letter to Jane and tells her that it *must* go off today. Jane assures him that she'll type as fast as she can, as she wants to see Jamie's face when he blows out his candles. Paul snaps at her not to get slapdash. Jane insists that she takes pride in her work; she won't let him down. Paul apologises to her. Jane heads back to her desk as Paul's 'phone rings. He answers it and speaks to Prue. A few seconds later, he heads out to the reception area and tells Jane that there's a problem at the hotel - but he'll try and get to Jamie's party. He then adds that it must be going to be difficult for Jane with Des there. Jane replies that she's all over it now - but the expression on her face suggests otherwise...

No. 28
Mike is playing with Jamie on the lounge room floor. Bronwyn smiles that she hasn't been to a birthday party for ages! Madge arrives with the birthday cake and goes to give the birthday boy a great big kiss! Scott and Mike come in and Scott tells Des that Charlene sends her love. Madge asks Pete how he is. Before Madge can start interrogating him, though, Scott distracts her and suggests she have a look at Jamie's presents.

Coffee Shop
Sharon emerges from the kitchen, complaining to Harold about the amount of washing up she had to do: she's been there for nearly three hours for $3.50. She adds that she's given the kitchen a bit of a going- over as well. Harold goes to have a look and remarks:

HAROLD: Yes... Well, I've always said a guilty conscience is a good worker. You've sure worked off *your* debt.

Sharon goes to head out. Harold stops her and insists that he was only hard on her today for her own good. Sharon insists that she wouldn't have done it normally - she really did lose her money. Harold generously gives her a couple of dollars.

No. 28
Jamie's party is in full swing, Jamie banging a toy drum he's been given as a present. Paul and Jane come in and Paul tells Des that Gail won't be very long. The 'phone rings suddenly and Scott goes to answer it. Des tells Jane that he's really glad she's there after what happened. Jane insists that she's over it now. Scott tells Des that that was Jim on the 'phone, ringing from the Waterhole: he's been held up. Everyone moves over to the kitchen counter, where Des blows out the single candle on Jamie's birthday cake. The birthday boy is given three cheers by the assembled group!

No. 28
Sometime later, Harold has turned up and he apologises to Des for being late, explaining that he had a bit of bother at the Coffee Shop. Meanwhile, Madge asks Paul for a word: she tells him that it's about the Waterhole costumes: the men feel ridiculous and the women feel they're taking their life in their hands. Paul insists that it's the bicentennial year: people want the colonial flavour. Madge retorts that his 'colonial flavour' is leaving a taste in everyone's mouth.

Over on the couch, Bronwyn asks Jane about how she broke into modelling. Jane smiles that she supposes it was just by accident.

Ramsay Street
Scott and Pete have headed outside for some fresh air. Scott is telling Pete that it's not the end of the world. Pete sighs that he was running for everyone and now he's let them down. Scott insists that he's got to start thinking positive: think of all the other opportunities - the Commonwealth Games, the Australian Championships... even the next Olympics. Pete, however, retorts that there won't be any 'next' for him: his athletic days are over. He walks off.

No. 28
The party is still going on when there's a knock on the front door. Des opens it to find a young woman standing on the step. It's the same young woman that was at the Coffee Shop earlier. She asks if Bronwyn Davies is there. Des lets her in and the young woman spots Mike and Harold. Bronwyn stands up and exclaims:

BRONWYN: Shaz! What are *you* doing here?
SHARON: Looking for *you*, sis!

Bronwyn then introduces everyone to the young woman as Sharon, as her little sister. She takes her to one side and asks what the story is. Sharon retorts bitterly that Bronwyn doesn't know what it's like since she left. Bronwyn warns her that their Aunt Edie will have the whole police force looking for her; and she'll have to ring their dad. Sharon tells her sister that if she can't stay there with her, she's running away. Bronwyn asks what happened. Sharon retorts that Bronwyn can thank their rotten brother: she spent all day cleaning the house and then Bill came home with his piggy mates from football, their dad goes to bed and those guys just sat there; they made such a mess and *she* was up until 3am cleaning because Aunt Edie said she'd be carrying out an inspection. She goes on that she'd had a gutful, so she just left. Bronwyn suggests that they need a proper talk to decide what to do.

No. 28
A while later, Madge and Harold say goodbye to Des and Jamie and head out. Scott and Pete follow them and Mike joins them to walk Pete to his car. Des is left alone with Jamie. He takes his son and sits down on the couch. He turns off the stereo and then picks up Daphne's jewellery box, which is next to it. He opens the lid and it starts playing its tinkly tune. Des tells Jamie softly:

DES: Mummy sends her love too, mate. Don't you worry about that. She will always be with us, just as proud of you as I am.

No. 32
In the hallway, Bronwyn is talking on the 'phone to her father, telling him that Sharon is safe but adding that she hasn't really talked to her yet. She hangs up and then heads into the lounge room, snapping at Sharon that she's caused their dad and Aunt Edie a lot of concern. Sharon retorts that she's not even a member of the family anymore: she's just a servant. Bronwyn sighs that if she asks Mrs. Mangel really nicely, she might let Sharon stay for a couple of days - but only until the weekend. Sharon, however, retorts:

SHARON: I'm not going back on the weekend, Bronny. I'm in the big smoke to stay - and Erinsborough seems as good a place as any.

Bronwyn stares at her.