Number 26
Philip offers Ruth another cup of tea but she thinks she'd better get back to the house of horrors! Philip thinks Anne will have calmed down by now. Ruth doubts it as Anne has just switched her anger from Ben to her. They are headed for the ultimate showdown. Philip says he went through this with Michael; kids get to a certain age where a big issue is scoring points off their parents. It's like a game to them. Ruth wants the rules to change as she won't be treated like that by her own child in her own house. Philip says she's kind of cute when she gets angry. They kiss and Philip wishes her good luck.

Number 32
Anne asks who Ruth thinks she is. Hannah suggests Ruth is her mother and Anne wants Ruth to act like it. Lance asks if she means Ruth should give in to her tantrums. Anne says Ruth may as well as there's no way she's going to win this one. Ruth's not going to budge an inch but Anne can be just as stubborn. Lance agrees and says Anne's behaving like a spoilt brat. Anne had hoped for some brotherly support but Lance says she's causing the problem herself. Anne says Hannah agrees with her but Lance tells Hannah to not encourage Anne.

Ruth arrives back and Hannah says she'll go home and see if Philip has dessert. Anne is going to go with Hannah as there's no reason to stick around here. Ruth says she wants to have that talk. Anne wishes Ruth good luck in finding someone who will listen and she and Hannah leave. Lance starts to speak and Ruth says she can handle it. She thought she warned Lance not to get involved. Lance says he won't get involved.

Number 28
Libby hands Karl a snack and drink. Karl says he hopes there isn't a daughter of the year competition! Libby doesn't know what he's talking about and Karl suggests it's her way of apologising for telling Marlene about receptionist of the year. Libby apologises and asks if Karl has reconsidered her tiny request about Rohan staying here. Karl can't believe this after the strife she got him in with Marlene! Libby is serious. Karl is sorry but the answer's still no. He's trying to be reasonable. He knows Rohan's in a tight situation but they're packed to the rafters anyway. He can ring his social worker friend if it will help.

There's a knock at the door. Karl gets up to answer it but Marlene comes in. He sarcastically tells Marlene she's done the right thing in letting herself in! Marlene says he's been very kind driving her to work so she's going to return the favour by driving him. Karl appreciates the offer but he's got to take his car in tomorrow. Marlene checks if Rohan enjoyed the stew. Libby says he loved it and it's very kind of Marlene. Marlene says she likes to help and Karl can vouch for that. Libby says it'll be a big help if Marlene can find Rohan a place to stay for the next few weeks. He can't afford where he is and he has to wait up to six weeks for emergency accommodation. Libby hopes something will come up before then. Marlene hopes so and will be in early tomorrow to get the filing done. She carries on talking as Karl ushers her through the door.

KARL: Mental note... we must keep the door locked! I tell you what, if I find the joker who invented receptionist of the year I will throttle him!
LIBBY: Aren't you lucky that's all you have to worry about.

Coffee Shop
Philip comes over to where Sarah is sitting and asks how the new job's going. Sarah says there were a few small communication problems but she thinks it's going to work out. He asks if she's getting on with Marlene and Sarah says to ask her in a few weeks! It seems Marlene didn't want her to know about the competition. Philip says there must be some good prizes. Sarah doesn't seem to have thought of prizes. If it was just a certificate for a good phone manner Marlene wouldn't be so secretive. Philip suggests there is also the prestige. It would help on her resume as well. Sarah realises she might have to enter except there's one problem. Karl has two receptionists and only one nomination form.

Number 26
Anne, Holly and Hannah are lying on the floor watching the telly. Anne says that Ruth deserved it. Hannah says Philip would kill her if she spoke to him like that. Philip arrives home and Hannah wants to know what's for dessert.

PHILIP: I'm not telling. I'll give you a hint... it starts with sugars and it ends in fat!

He won't let Hannah see until she's done her homework. He tells Anne that Ruth might be wondering where she is. Anne says Ruth doesn't care where she is; the only person Ruth cares about is herself. Philip says it's not true but Anne asks if she can stay the night. Philip thinks it would be better for her to go home and talk to Ruth. Anne wants to know why everyone is taking Ruth's side and tells Philip that Ruth lied to him too.

PHILIP: She didn't lie.
ANNE: She did.
PHILIP: No she didn't. Listen to me...
ANNE: No, why should I? You're not my father.
PHILIP: Well that's one thing I can be grateful for I suppose! Now off you go.

Philip leaves the room.

HANNAH: That was pretty rude.
ANNE: Yeah I reckon, where does he get off speaking to me like that?
HANNAH: I was talking about you!

Number 32
Hannah arrives the following morning and brings up the subject of Anne's fight with Philip. Anne says it's OK; she doesn't need to apologise for him! Hannah says Philip's not the one who needs to apologise; he was only trying to fix things. Anne says it was none of his business, and it's none of Hannah's either.

HANNAH: When are you gonna wake up to yourself Anne? You're lucky to even have a mother.

Lance sarcastically congratulates Anne on getting rid of the last person who was going to stick up for her. He asks her if it's really possible for everyone in the world to be wrong and her to be right. He asks what the point is of making everyone miserable. If she doesn't get over it she can forget she has a brother.

Coffee Shop
Marlene arrives to buy three blueberry muffins but Sarah has just bought the last ones to show Karl what a good receptionist she is. Marlene asks if she is competing with her for receptionist of the year. Sarah says she is thinking of entering as there are some great prizes. She leaves.

Rohan and Libby enter and Libby introduces Rohan to Marlene. Marlene says she is the stew lady; she hears it went down well. She offers Rohan the spare room at No. 22 until his emergency accommodation comes through. Rohan tries to turn her down but Marlene tells him to sleep on it. Rohan and Libby go and sit down and Rohan is angry with Libby for telling people about his problems and for lying that she made the stew. He tells Libby she's worse than his old lady.

Surgery
Marlene comes in and stops Sarah taking the muffins in to Karl because his door is shut. She says she'll make sure he gets them and Sarah says she will be checking with him when she starts her shift. Sarah leaves and Marlene promptly dishes out the muffins to the patients in the waiting room! Karl comes out of his room and tells Marlene he didn't have much chance for breakfast this morning; could she rustle up a bun or something? Marlene can do better than that; she has picked up some caramel slices and will bring them in at 10 for his break!

Number 32
Ruth is surprised to find Anne still at home. She has a free first period and thought they should talk. She still thinks Ruth is in the wrong but she is prepared to pretend the thing with Ben never happened! Ruth doesn't want her to pretend nothing's happening but face up to the situation.

ANNE: I am dealing with it; I'm trying to say I'm sorry.
RUTH: No you're not!
ANNE: Well it's a compromise at least, especially since I didn't do anything wrong.
RUTH: I'm sorry but you're going to have to do a whole lot better than that. You want to be treated like an adult? Then act like one. In the meantime you WILL do as you're told, you WILL behave civilly to your family, and you will wipe that resentful sneer off your face! Got it?

Street
Libby and Rohan are walking as Libby says they didn't have to leave the coffee shop. Rohan says he doesn't know who else she's blabbed to about him; he's not a charity case. Libby says that's exactly why she didn't tell him about the stew; she knew he would take it the wrong way. Rohan asks how Marlene knew all about him anyway and Libby says she is her dad's receptionist; she overheard them talking. Rohan sarcastically says perhaps he should fill in a questionnaire in case they missed any details. Libby asks why he can't realise there are nice people around, swallow his dumb pride and go to see Marlene about the room?

Number 26
Ruth tells Philip that part of her wanted to strangle Anne but another part wanted to tell her she understands and loves her. Philip says that would have been an open invitation for Anne to carry on walking all over her. Ruth worries she is being too tough but Philip says there's no such thing with teenagers; Anne has to learn she can't act like that. He tells Ruth he'll buy her lunch to take her mind off it.

RUTH: I knew there was a reason I like you. You always provide food just when I need it most!
PHILIP: I thought that was my boyish charm and devilish good looks!
RUTH [pauses]: Pub?!

Number 22
Libby and Rohan are talking to Marlene about the room. Rohan says it would only be for six to ten weeks at the most, he wants to pay full rent and board, and he doesn't want any special treatment. Libby says she will go down the surgery and borrow the ute to move Rohan's things. Marlene warns her to look out for Sarah as she's been sickening about this award!

Surgery
Sarah is dusting when Libby sneaks up and says she has missed a spot. Sarah jumps and Libby asks if she thought she was Marlene coming to check up on her. Sarah wouldn't put it past her. She says Marlene's "everyone's favourite granny" act couldn't be further from the truth! Libby goes in to see Karl.

KARL: Have you come to gloat about what you've done to my receptionists?
LIBBY: It's not that bad... at least they're being efficient.
KARL: Yeah, in between duelling with tongue depressors!

Libby asks for the keys to the ute as Rohan is moving into Marlene's. Karl is not happy about him moving into the same street as he thinks Libby is getting far too involved. Libby says she really likes him. Karl asks how much and Libby tells him to forget about it.

Number 22 rear deck
Rohan comes off the phone and tells Libby his mother blames her for him not moving home. Libby tells Rohan there's no way she's giving up on him. Rohan says if it weren't for her he'd probably be back in the country now; he really appreciates all she's done for him. Libby touches his arm.

Number 22
Libby is admiring Rohan's cricket trophies. Rohan says he was the best in the district a couple of times but it's history now. Marlene says they'll have none of that defeatist talk in this house and asks Rohan what kind of sheets he wants on his bed. Rohan isn't fussed and Marlene goes to make his bed. Libby asks him if he's tired of Marlene's fussing yet. Rohan says she smothers him even more than Libby does! Libby tells him he has to admit that things are looking up. Rohan agrees... but for how long?

Number 32
Anne is stuffing clothes into a bag but quickly hides it as Lance comes home. He asks her if she spoke to Mum. Anne says she tried to apologise but Mum didn't want to know. She tells Lance she won't be causing any more trouble... if Mum wants a nice quiet house that's exactly what she's going to get. Lance goes out and Anne picks up her bag and leaves.

Number 22
Marlene is asking Rohan how much sugar he has in his tea but doesn't wait for him to answer. Rohan tells Marlene to stop fussing but she tells him to have some cake too. Libby comes in and Rohan tells her to have some cake. Marlene goes to answer the front door. It's Karl and Sarah. Sarah tells Marlene she doesn't know why they're here. Karl asks Rohan if the move went well. Rohan says very well and Karl says good, so long as it's what he wants.

KARL: It's about this receptionist of the year nonsense. I'm going to put you out of your misery.
MARLENE: Would you like a piece of my lovely cake first?
SARAH: Boy you're blatant!
MARLENE: Well there's none for you Sarah because it's fattening!

Karl tells Marlene and Sarah he's nominating both of them. Sarah asks if he can do that. Karl says if it puts an end to their juvenile behaviour he can do what he wants. He hired them to work and from now on he wants no more sniping and backstabbing, just good, hard, honest work.

Payphone
Anne calls her father but gets the answering machine. Anne says things aren't working out with Mum. She wants to come home and live with him.