Chez Chez
Marlene is eating and she comments to Colin warmly that the meal is delicious. Sam and Annalise rush in suddenly and Sam asks his nan and Colin if they mind if they join them. Colin asks them angrily if they mind. Lou joins them and asks Sam and Annalise what they're up to. Sam comments that four is just a little more fun. Annalise says she might just go and powder her nose, and she suggests Marlene come with her. Marlene, however, retorts that this is the most important night of her life; how is Colin going to propose to her after this? Colin looks at her aghast and says:

COLIN: Propose?

He then tells Marlene that he wasn't going to propose. Annalise comments to Marlene gently that they tried to tell her. Marlene sits there looking shocked and disappointed.

No. 26
Jen and Philip are trying to think of presents to buy Helen for her birthday. Philip says there's one present already - it came this morning; but he refuses to tell Jen what it is! Hannah and Lance come in through the front door and Lance tells Philip that he's got a present for him - from his dad. Philip opens a book entitled 'Building for Beginners'! Philip asks Lance to think his father - although he adds that he thinks his handyman days are over! Jen asks Hannah what she thinks her gran would like for her birthday. Lance suggests lunch on the tram restaurant, adding that they took his gran last year and she loved it. Philip beams that that's a good idea. Helen comes in through the back door at that moment and Philip quickly changes the subject, leaving Helen looking very suspicious.

No. 24
Sam and Annalise arrive home, Sam commenting that that's what you get for jumping to conclusions. Annalise says she hopes Marlene isn't suffering too much - she must be devastated. At that moment, Marlene comes in muttering that she'll *kill* Colin! She goes on that he's not getting the honeymoon without the ceremony! Sam insists that all Colin wanted was to take her away somewhere classy; he's booked the most exclusive place there is - with separate rooms! Marlene exclaims indignantly:

MARLENE: He doesn't think I'm good enough for him!

With that, she marches off to bed.

Chez Chez
Colin is the last customer in the bar and he's sitting at a table, saying to Lou that Marlene thought he was going to propose marriage, but it never even entered his head. Lou suggests that he go home and talk it over with her tomorrow. Colin, however, comments that Marlene probably wouldn't marry him now even if he *did* ask her. He asks Lou about *his* marriage, but Lou explains that he and Cheryl 'live in sin'. He goes on that they love each other like nobody's business, but Cheryl doesn't believe in that ring through the nose stuff. Colin looks at his empty beer glass. Lou offers him another one on the house.

No. 22
The next morning, Mal heads into No. 22 through the back door and kisses Danni good morning. Cheryl comes downstairs with Louise and asks if either of them have seen Louis, as the last she saw of him was late last night when he said he was going to have a drink with Colin. Danni smiles that he probably couldn't get a word in edgewise to say goodnight! With that, Cheryl hands Louise to Danni and heads off to find Lou.

No. 26
In the kitchen, Hannah is asking Philip and Jen what they'll do if the tram isn't available on Helen's birthday. Jen says she'll give them a call as soon as the going's good. At that moment, Helen comes in, after hanging up the 'phone in the lounge room, and she snaps that that was Carmen Crook's idea of an apology: she wants her to paint another portrait - a more conventional one. Hannah comes in after answering a knock at the door and says she's got a special delivery from Lance. She opens a packet containing a necklace. Helen remarks that it looks very expensive. Hannah smiles that she's going to call Lance right now. Helen looks over the necklace and remarks:

HELEN: Lance is a very nice boy, but would someone mind telling me how he can afford a gift like that?

Chez Chez
Cheryl walks into Chez Chez and finds Colin behind the bar. She asks where Lou is and Colin tells her that he's indisposed. At that moment, Lou joins them, looking very much the worse for wear. Cheryl tells him that he's got to get the place ready for the customers; *she's* got too much to do. Colin chips in that he doubts Lou will last very long on a shift, but Cheryl says it'll probably do him good. With that, she heads off to organise the girls for a game of golf!

Grounds of Erinsborough High
Mal is walking along with Danni, commenting that she's got three weeks to the exams and she's relying on one preference. They pass Lance and Hannah, who has put on the necklace. She comments to Lance that it must have cost him a bomb. They hug - just as Susan comes along and tells them that there's a time and place for everything and this isn't it!

Newsagency
Jen joins Philip in the newsagency and tells him that they have to be at the tram restaurant at 12:30pm. She suddenly notices a familiar male face on a magazine and comments that he plays Tony Fitzhugh on 'Stairwells'. Marlene comes in and asks where the 'I'm Sorry' cards are. Philip points them out. Jen asks Marlene how things were last night and she replies that Colin didn't propose and he wasn't *going* to. She adds that she's been a bit of a duffer - she really put him to the sword and she doesn't know how she's going to put it right. Philip suggests that she go and see him.

Golf course
Judy and Cheryl are riding along in a golf cart, Cheryl saying she's not going to apologise to Helen. Judy shrugs that she should chalk it up as a lesson learned. Cheryl sighs that she doubts Helen would take any notice now if she did apologise, after everything that's happened.

Chez Chez
Lou is carrying a tray of glasses shakily to the bar. Colin takes it from him and suggests that he go home. Lou says he can't; who's going to look after the pub? Colin says he's been a barman before -he can do it. Lou thanks him and heads out. Marlene comes in and she and Colin sit down at a table. Marlene tells him that she's sorry: she jumped to the wrong conclusion and was wrong, and would understand if he wanted to end the relationship. Colin, however, tells her that he wants to continue the relationship more than ever. He goes on that he's been thinking about it all night. He then says:

COLIN: Marlene Kratz - will you marry me?

Marlene's jaw drops in astonishment!

No. 22
Lou is lying on the couch, asleep, when Cheryl arrives home and asks who's looking after the pub. Lou stirs and tells him that it's Colin. Cheryl then comments that he looks dreadful! She sits down and raises the subject of the portrait. Lou groans:

LOU: Oh, not now, Cheryl.
CHERYL: No, no, no, I'm really terribly sorry. I just totally over- reacted, but only because I love you and I wanted that portrait to be something that everyone would admire the way *I* admire you. I just didn't want them to be laughing and sneering at it.

Lou tells her that she nearly began a life- long feud with Helen over this. Cheryl sighs that there was that third head - the one on the right - it looked like Doug Willis; it was really weird! She then promises she will never open her big mouth again - at least when it comes to council matters. Lou tells her that he wants that in writing - and he also wants her to promise never to embarrass or contradict him again. Cheryl asks:

CHERYL: What about if you deserve it?

With that, she joins Lou on the couch and they kiss. Lou then reminds Cheryl that there's someone else she has to say all this to - and the longer she leaves it, the harder it's going to get...

Youth Centre
Marlene dashes into the youth centre, where Helen is making a cup of tea, and tells her excitedly that Colin proposed! Helen beams that that's wonderful! She asks Marlene what she said. Marlene replies:

MARLENE: Maybe.

Helen sighs heavily! Marlene explains that she didn't want Colin to think that she had forced him into it. Helen remarks that Colin looks as keen as mustard to *her*, so what's the hold- up? Marlene tells her that Colin's a lovely fellow, but she's not actually sure if she loves him; but on the other hand, at her age companionship is important, and Colin's companionship is more important than most. Helen points out that she can get companionship from Patrick or Sam or even Cheryl. Marlene muses that she supposes she's looking for rather more.

Grounds of Erinsborough High
Lance joins Hannah and tells her there are no teachers around. The head round the corner of the school building where they go to kiss - but two boys start teasing them to get their gear off and put the tongue in. Lance sighs at Hannah that there's got to be *somewhere* they can be alone.

No. 26
Jen has tears in her eyes as she watches her favourite soap. Helen comes in and asks in concern what's wrong. Jen cries that Leanna's dead. She indicates the TV, and Helen sighs that there she was, feeling sympathetic! Jen exclaims that that was *the* best episode. She turns the TV off, just as someone knocks on the door. Helen answers it to Cheryl, and invites her in. Cheryl, however, says she'd rather come straight to the point. She goes on that she'd like to apologise for her behaviour over the portrait business: she just got carried away and made a complete twit of herself, and she really is very sorry. Helen muses:

HELEN: And would I mind whipping up another portrait of Lou?

Cheryl realises that Carmen has already got onto her - but she insists that she has nothing to do with Carmen's manoeuvring; this apology hasn't anything to do with anybody but the two of *them*. Helen smiles that she's willing to accept Cheryl's apology - it would certainly be a pleasure to put the whole wretched business well and truly in the past. Cheryl thanks her and heads off. Jen comments to Helen in surprise that there was no bloodshed or anything! Helen shrugs that life's too short to bear grudges.

Erinsborough High
Danni is walking along a corridor with Susan, asking for matt black paper. They suddenly hear a commotion from a nearby storeroom. Danni grins:

DANNI: Mice?!

Susan tells Danni that she'll bring the paper to her classroom. Danni thanks her and walks off. Susan then walks to the storeroom and opens the door - where she catches Hannah and Lance in the middle of pashing! They turn to look at her, guiltily!