No. 26
Helen is painting in the lounge room as Hannah rants about how all the old fogeys at the council make her *sick*: they've turned down her and Casper's idea for a skating ramp. Philip asks what the council *said*. Hannah replies that they liked the idea and said it would cut down on street accidents, but they don't have enough money in their budget. Philip - who's sitting working at the computer - suggests doing some fundraising for them. Debbie emerges from her room, looking at the newspaper. Hannah asks Philip if he's going to be long on the computer, as she wants to play a game. Philip replies that he will, as he's halfway through a plot. Hannah heads out to walk Holly. Philip suddenly bursts out laughing as a funny plot hits him!

No. 24
Billy is panicking about not being able to find Lolly. Toadie tells him that they *can't* panic. Billy accuses *him* of losing Lolly - what if she's been run over or something? Toadie says he'll look outside again - and he tells Billy to go and stall Cheryl at the pub. Billy points out that Marlene will be back before that, but Toadie says *he* can stall *her*. He adds that he'll call Billy when he's found her. Billy growls:

BILLY: You'd *better* find her.

Outside Chez Chez
Jo is standing with Cheryl, commenting that they could do so much with the area outside the bar - give it a real edge. Cheryl remarks coolly that that would go with the new live band sound, she supposes? She then sits Jo down and tells her that she's only going to say this once: a silent partner doesn't make sweeping changes to a hotel without the owner's permission. Jo insists that the place needs a little light entertainment - and besides, Stonie and Scouse are cheap. Cheryl persists:

CHERYL: I needed a silent partner - a *silent* partner. Now, for goodness' sake will you please leave the place alone and let me get on with running my business?
JO (retorts): If the business was so fabulous, you wouldn't have needed a partner in the *first* place!

Cheryl tells Jo firmly that she was a last resort - an absolute last resort - and she's been regretting it ever since. Jo glares at her.

Outside No. 24
Toadie is searching for Lolly, calling for her. Hannah is nearby with Holly, and she asks Toadie if he's lost something. Toadie tells her sheepishly that Louise seems to be lost... Hannah stares at him and, raising her voice, asks in concern if Cheryl has called the police. Toadie tells her to shush, and explains quickly that he and Billy were looking after the kid for Marlene; she was just there one minute and gone the next. Hannah asks what if she's been kidnapped or hit by a truck or is hurt somewhere? Toadie tells her to shut up! He goes on that what they need to do is split up so they can cover more territory - maybe Holly can sniff her out. Hannah points out:

HANNAH: She's not a bloodhound! You've got to tell Cheryl straight away. What if Holly's *dead*?
TOADIE (snaps): Just start looking.

The two of them start calling Lolly's name again.

Chez Chez
Billy walks into Chez Chez and Cheryl immediately joins him and asks him sternly what he's doing in there unaccompanied. Billy asks her hesitantly if anyone's called there for him - like Toadie. Cheryl asks why he'd call *there*; what's going on? Billy says quickly that it's nothing: he was coming there to see her and he's also expecting some good news from Toadie, so he thought Toadie could 'phone there. Cheryl queries:

CHERYL: Good news, huh?
BILLY: Yeah! Well... he's lost his... his mum's favourite beanie and she'll kill him unless he finds it.
CHERYL: Fine. So... what can I do for you?
BILLY: Sorry?
CHERYL: You said you came here to see me. It sounded important.
BILLY: Yes! Yes, well... will you be here for long?
CHERYL: I've got time to hear you out, Billy. What's going on?
BILLY: Um...

Cheryl goes and opens the bar door to clean it as she sighs that her patience is being sorely tested. Billy tells her quickly that it's about Brett: he wrote him a ten- page letter—. At that moment, though, Cheryl spots Marlene walking across the complex, and she comments that she's supposed to be minding Lolly. She heads out to talk to her, leaving Billy to groan:

BILLY: Oh hell...

Lassiter's Complex
Marlene is walking over the bridge as Cheryl catches up with her. Marlene tells her daughter that she had to go to the dentist. Cheryl asks where Lolly is. Marlene replies hesitantly that she's being minded. Cheryl asks warily who she's with. Marlene tells her:

MARLENE: Billy and Toadie.
CHERYL (gasps): What?
MARLENE: Well, I didn't want to trouble *you*.
CHERYL (snaps): Well, *she's* certainly in some sort of trouble.
MARLENE: What do you mean?
CHERYL: I've just had Billy Kennedy in the pub, acting very strangely. If anything's happened to her...

She then asks Marlene to look after the bar for her, and she dashes off home.

No. 24
Toadie and Hannah - with Holly - walk into No. 24, Hannah telling Toadie that he's got to call the cops. Toadie says they'll have one last look and then they'll call them. Billy comes in and announces that Cheryl's on her way: she saw Marlene and wondered where Lolly was - and she's just been talking to *him* in the pub, so she's *got* to be suss. The three of them head out for one more look.

No. 26
Helen is cleaning a paintbrush as Debbie sighs that she can't study any more. Helen tells her to take a break. Debbie groans that she *can't*, but Philip tells her that she'll have to, as he has work to do. He sits down at the computer - and realises that the hard drive must have crashed - everything's gone. Debbie gasps in horror:

DEBBIE: I don't believe this - ten thousand words...
PHILIP: Come on, come on, don't panic. I mean, you backed it up on floppy disc, right?
DEBBIE: Well, I was *going* to... and then you were in such a rush to get on there. What am I going to do?

No. 24
Billy and Toadie walk into No. 24 and Billy declares that that's it: he's calling the cops. Toadie says he'll go tell Hannah to call it off. As Billy gets through to the police, Cheryl rushes in and cries:

CHERYL: Lolly? Where is she? What's happened?

Billy tells her meekly that the last they saw, she was there - but the back door was open; they've been looking... Cheryl runs out through the back door.

Outside No. 24
Toadie and Hannah are sitting on the step and Cheryl demands to know why somebody didn't tell her. Toadie just replies that Lolly has disappeared. Cheryl retorts that she doesn't just *disappear*. She starts running around, calling for her daughter.

No. 26
Philip is talking on the 'phone, but is told it will take a week to fix the computer. Debbie groans that she's dead. Philip tells the person he'll drop the computer in this arvo. He then hangs up and says to Debbie:

PHILIP: Guess what, Deb!
DEBBIE: Oh, gee, hmm. I'm completely stuffed?
PHILIP: Well, not necessarily. Remember typewriters?!

Hannah comes in through the back door, looking glum. Helen asks her where she's been and she explains that they've been looking for Louise with Billy and Toadie. Philip goes to help look. Helen exclaims that Cheryl will be beside herself.

Outside No. 24
Cheryl runs down the steps outside No. 24, calling for Louise. She looks in various places under the house - and finally spots her as her daughter starts gurgling happily! Cheryl runs over to her and picks her up. Philip arrives just as Cheryl smiles in relief:

CHERYL: She's all right! Everything's all right!

No. 24
Toadie is sitting inside with Billy, declaring that he's going to become a monk: shave his head and go from town to town, doing good deeds! At that moment, the front door opens and Cheryl comes in, holding Louise. Toadie leaps up in relief and asks if she's all right. Cheryl just snaps:

CHERYL: You bloody little idiots.
BILLY: Cheryl, we're sorry.
CHERYL: I wouldn't put you two in charge of a tapeworm!
TOADIE: We only looked away for a second - honest.
CHERYL (furiously): Don't you dare insult me with your pathetic excuses.
BILLY: Look, if there's any way of making this up...
CHERYL (coldly): If I ever find you anywhere near my child again, you'd better be carrying her out of a burning building, Billy. Do I make myself perfectly clear? Now, get out.

Toadie and Billy head outside, meekly. Standing outside the door, Toadie says:

TOADIE: Hey...
BILLY: What?
TOADIE: Don't suppose we'll get paid for that, do you?!

Outside Chez Chez
Marlene emerges from the bar and Jo asks her if Cheryl's around. Marlene explains that they've had a crisis at home: Lolly was missing. Jo comments that that must explain her mood this morning. Marlene, however, replies that that was *before* she knew Lolly was missing. Jo suggests that maybe Cheryl needs a holiday. Marlene remarks that that's not a bad idea. She adds that living with Cheryl is like living with a time bomb. At that moment, Cheryl walks over and Marlene asks how Lolly is. Cheryl replies that she's all right, considering; Helen's looking after her. Jo remarks sympathetically:

JO: Must have been awful for you.
CHERYL: Single most terrifying moment of my life - and I've had my fair share lately.

Jo comments that she's probably the last person Cheryl wants to see right now, and she takes her leave. When she's gone, Marlene says to Cheryl:

MARLENE: Bawl me out if you like. I can't feel any worse than I do right now.
CHERYL: Which can't be as bad as *I'm* feeling. All she wanted was her father. Made a complete stuff- up of my life...

Chez Chez
Steve George is talking on his 'phone at the bar. He hangs up as Cheryl walks over and asks what she can do for him. He tells her that he thought she might like to take a look at the photos he took of the house. He shows her some large prints and she smiles that they're terrific! At that moment, Darren walks over and asks what's wrong with Marlene, as he just saw her outside, muttering to herself, and she almost bit his head off when he asked what was wrong. Cheryl shrugs that whatever it is, she'll get over it. She then introduces Steve and explains that he's in charge of marketing the house. Darren remarks:

DARREN: A real- estate agent.
STEVE: I prefer 'Property Consultant'.
DARREN: Whatever.
STEVE: And what about *you*? What do *you* do for a crust?
DARREN: I'm a Building and Maintenance Consultant!
CHERYL (clarifies): He runs a handyman business!

Steve comments that the property manager at his office was complaining about the handyman he uses just this morning; maybe he can mention Darren to him. He then tells Cheryl that he's right on top of her project, and he heads out.

Holy Roll
Jo is sitting at a table with Hannah, saying to her that, apart from the braces, what else has got her down? Hannah explains about the skateboard ramp and how the council doesn't have the money. At that moment, Steve walks in and Hannah remarks to Jo that he's cute! They both turn to look at him more closely. He looks back and smiles that he's not used to seeing so much beauty in such plain surroundings! He then reminds Jo that they've met before: he had a client who was interested in her house. Jo introduces Hannah, who grins at him happily! Jo then says:

JO: Maybe you can help me, Steve: I'm trying to cheer this young lady up.

Steve asks what the problem is. Hannah explains again about how the council won't let them build the skate ramp because they've already spent their recreation budget. Steve tells her that he'll speak to his boss: he can't promise anything, but his boss is always interested in novel promotional ideas. Jo smiles at Hannah that *she'll* see what she can do, too. A delighted Hannah dashes off to tell Casper!

Driveway of No. 24
Marlene is loading up the boot of her car when Cheryl arrives home and asks what's going on. Marlene tells her:

MARLENE: I'm leaving.
CHERYL (exclaims): What?!
MARLENE: I'm taking a well- deserved break from you and everything.
CHERYL: Where are you going?
MARLENE: To Club Med - to find myself a toyboy!
CHERYL: Mum...
MARLENE: In other words, it's none of your business.
CHERYL: But you can't!
MARLENE (pointedly): Why not?
CHERYL: I *need* you. *We* need you.
MARLENE: You know, I think it's high time you realised just how much you *do* need me.
CHERYL: Look, I'm sorry.
MARLENE: Well, you're on your own for a while.
CHERYL: Mum, *please*...
MARLENE: Cheryl, take this time to have a really good look at yourself. You've become so foul- tempered and uptight, I can't stand another minute of it.