Number 22
Darren's trying to keep busy, playing with Lolly, cleaning his boots... Marlene comes out and tries to find out what's wrong. Darren admits to her that there's a problem and asks what he should do if he loves someone but is attracted to someone else. Marlene realises that he's talking about Cath and while Darren protests he's done nothing wrong but Marlene says that he's thinking about it. She goes on to say that Cath's broken a fair few hearts in her time and Darren could simply be next.

Martins
Harold's talking to Phil and Helen about Claudia and they agree that sometimes you need to be firm with someone - even if you are trying to help them out. He thanks them for their sympathetic ear and as Phil shows Harold out Hannah comes home.

And hands over the letter.

Number 32
Ruth's giving Anne an earful about not only skipping school but the lies she told in the process.

Martins
Phil's giving Hannah a similar lecture, suspending her pocket money for two weeks and banning the TV until further notice.

This doesn't happen on the show these days - the kind of punishments that are given out to kids who misbehave!

Number 32
Ruth's signing the letter saying that whatever punishment Susan chooses to hand out will be thoroughly deserved.

Bishops
Proving to be a day for letters as Madge gives Harold Claudia's letter. Harold feels as if he's abandoned her and betrayed he trust. Madge rightly points out that he gave her somewhere to stay, time and attention despite his own issues. He's just worried of what might happen next.

Outside number 22
Marlene's just leaving as Cath walks up. Marlene pointedly remarks that Cath must have been waiting for her to leave (in which case I think her timing is off).

CATH: Excuse me?
MARLENE: No. I won't excuse you.
CATH: Have I done something wrong?
MARLENE: Oh, it doesn't surprise me that you can't judge that.
CATH: I don't know what you're talking about.
MARLENE: I'm talking about Darren. My grandson.

As opposed to the hundred other Darrens perhaps? Cath says that he's just giving her driving lessons but Marlene says that's not all it is. Marlene says that the bad name Cath has can only get worse so she should buck her ideas up.

Bishops
Harold gets off the phone and says the people at the hostel haven't heard from Claudia. Madge says that he should go look for her if he's that worried. Harold says that he can't go - he knows she's only doing it because it's what he wants, not what she wants. She replies that it's important to him, so it's important to her.

HAROLD: I'm beginning to understand why I married you.

Sweet. Susan said something very similar to Karl in episode 4145 and now I'm all sad 'cause it was a rehashed line and not something sweet and original and them.

Madge tells him to go and find Claudia - but to come back quickly as she needs him too.

A random road
Cath puts her L plates on the Ute and sits staring into space as Darren gives the instruction:

DARREN: Indicate to pull out by putting on your windscreen wipers as per usual.

Cath just sits there so he quips it was at least worth a smile. Cath takes off her seatbelt and turns off the engine before turning to Darren and turning on him, wanting to know what he said to Marlene about her. When he denies that he said anything she says that Marlene tore strips off her because she's under the impression Cath is chasing after her precious grandson. When Darren says that it's obvious that she doesn't dislike him she replies that she has more taste than that. After a few cheap shots Cath gets out of the Ute. Darren throws her bag after her yelling that if she wasn't always in his face then maybe he could fancy her.

Martins
Hannah's watching TV but switches it off when she hears a knock on the door. Phil comes out of the kitchen and wonders what she was doing watching it in the first place. And he only notices now? He sends her off to her room to study before going to answer the door to Madge.

PHIL: Sorry to keep you waiting, I was being unfair to one of my kids.

Madge goes through to the kitchen to speak to Helen, just in time for Helen's wonderful herbal cure-all.

MADGE: Not distilled from malt by any chance?

Madge tells them about Claudia and her sending Harold after her. She's a bit worried about Harold going after her, but she's also a little suspicious of the timing. She can't help but wonder if she's doing it on purpose, but then she sees another side and hates herself for thinking it.

Lou's Place
Marlene, on a brick of a mini radio (ah, 1997...) is listening to the end of a race that obviously goes her way. Darren storms in and wants to know what she said to Cath. Darren says he told her in confidence and it hardly shows family loyalty. Marlene sees it as nipping trouble in the bud. Darren maintains that nothing is going on but she's insistent that Cath is the kind of woman who likes to see men jumping through hoops for her. He tells her that there's nothing there and he will prove her wrong, before warning her to stay away from his friends.

Bishops
Harold's taxi is here and Madge wishes him luck. She gives him a hug and admits that she's scared of losing him again. He promises he'll call and he'll be home as soon as possible.

School
Hannah and Anne talk about their parental punishment and what Susan's going to do. Susan comes up and takes the notes from them. They apologise but Susan says that they're being suspended for two days as punishment.

I never got how this was a punishment. Skip school, get suspended. I'd have thought making them spend more time actually *in* school would have been more appropriate.

Martins
Ruth's impressed with how Helen's progress is going, and Helen says it's all down to her help - even if Phil did fire her in the first week. Hannah and Anne walk in and break the news of their suspension. Ruth sends Anne home to do some study and Phil sends Hannah to her room.

Ruth and Phil discuss the punishment and wonder if Susan's on a bit of power trip. They agree to talk to Susan about the punishment, see if they can't work something out.

Number 30
Darren calls over to see Cath and tells her that he spoke to Marlene about what she said to her. After they nervously talk about the supposed affair Marlene thought they were having, Cath says she'll find someone else to teach her to drive. Darren asks if it's because he's a bad teacher and Cath admits it's something else. Darren quickly agrees and can't get out of there fast enough.

Bishop's
Helen's over keeping Madge company when the phone rings. It's Harold, telling her he's found Claudia and she's in a bad way so he'll have to stay a few days more. Madge says it's fine and wishes him luck. When she gets off the phone she's far from happy.

School
Phil and Ruth have come to talk about the suspensions. They feel that it's a bit harsh and Susan accuses them of thinking that because of their friendship she'll drop the suspension or forget the whole thing, pointing out that any student who wagged school would be suspended. Ruth jokes that if they'd stolen from the tuck shop then maybe they'd have ended up in jail. Susan says that because of their friendship it made it harder, but she loves her job and accepts the responsibility that brings. Her hard line attitude towards Hannah and Anne's behaviour, which was compounded by the lies they told, seems to shock Phil and Ruth somewhat.