Craig is standing with Sarah in the lounge room at Charlie's as she pours them a couple of milkshakes. As he takes a sip from his, he asks, "What flavour's this?" Sarah smiles, "Guess!" Craig replies, "I can't - but it's great!" Sarah reveals, "Kiwi fruit and banana." They go and sit down and Craig says, "I could really pig-out on this if I wanted to!" Sarah, however, shrugs, "Sorry - run out of milk." Craig smiles, "You'll be popular with Alison!" Sarah adds, "And Charlie!" Craig's face drops, suddenly, and Sarah asks, "What's wrong?" Craig says quickly, "Nothing - I was just thinking: you've got Alison, Greg... a family." Sarah muses, "I'm not sure that's such a good thing, sometimes!" She then asks, "You having problems?" Craig assures her, "No, no, not really; not up here." Sarah asks, "Is that why you came to Sydney?" Craig nods, "Sort of." Sarah tells him, "Families can get to you; mine certainly did." Craig, changing the subject slightly, smiles, "I'll be here for a few weeks, then I'm off to the States!" Sarah beams, "Really? That's great!" Craig goes on, "Yeah, I can't wait to see Deb." Sarah comments, "So she's more than just a good friend..." Craig chuckles, "I was just trying to stir Andy before." Sarah laughs, "It worked!" At that moment, Andy walks in with Alison. Craig looks at them and remarks, "Hi! You're back!" Alison replies, "Yes - and dying for a cup of tea." Sarah, however, says awkwardly, "Oh. Sorry - we've cleaned out the milk." Andy looks at Craig and says, "It's getting a bit late; how about I give you a lift back?" Craig insists, "I'm alright, mate. No worries." Andy presses, "It seems crazy wasting your money on a taxi..." Craig looks at Sarah, a twinkle in his eye, and then nods, "Oh, yeah, I guess so!" He and Sarah stand up and Andy tells Sarah, "I might see you tomorrow." Sarah replies enigmatically, "Anything's possible..." Craig adds, "Thanks for the milkshake." Sarah beams, "A pleasure!" With that, Craig and Andy head out. Left alone with Sarah, Alison asks, "Charlie back?" Sarah replies, "No." She then asks, "How was the party?" Alison, sitting down, shrugs, "Not my kind of night, but pleasant enough - until Wayne turned up and managed to turn the whole thing into a shambles. Anyone who invites Wayne to a party's asking for trouble."

As Craig and Andy arrive back at the mansion, Craig sighs, "Will you stay out of it, mate?" Andy retorts, "I am just making it clear where you stand, old buddy!" Craig insists, "I know where I stand. It's about time you accepted defeat." Andy exclaims, "Accepted defeat for what? Sarah is mine and that's that." Craig chuckles, "I'm sure she'd be surprised to hear that!" Andy warns, "Look, just back off, right? If you have any morals whatsoever--" Craig interrupts and growls, "You talk to me about morals? What about you? What about that money you still owe me? I thought you weren't going to see me stuck, remember?" Andy sighs as he reaches into his pocket and mutters, "You never give up, do you?" He then hands Craig some notes and goes on, "Here's a hundred bucks on account. I'll pay back the rest when I can." Craig takes the money and smiles, "Terrific. That'll just about cover me when I take Sarah out tomorrow night!" With that, he heads off upstairs, leaving Andy standing there, stony-faced!

In the lounge room at Charlie's, Sarah sits down as she comments to Alison, "I'm not sure that apple juice after a milkshake was the right idea!" Alison is standing by the door, and she mutters in concern, "Where the hell's Charlie got to?" Sarah muses, "I'm sure she's old enough to look after herself." Alison sighs, "I'm sure she is, but it's not that; I said a few things at the party that I shouldn't've - thanks to Wayne." She sits down as Sarah asks, "Lost your temper?" Alison nods, "Sure did. Unfortunately, it hurt Charlie. The trouble is, underneath it all, I meant every word I said. I think it's going to take a lot of work to talk her round again." Sarah asks in surprise, "What on earth did you say to her?" Alison explains, "I was simply trying to stop her getting involved in another disastrous marriage." Sarah asks, "How do you know?" Alison, sitting down, retorts, "Believe me - I can tell." Sarah remarks, "Todd seems a nice enough guy to me." Alison tells her, "They always do. I'm sure it'll be fine for the first few months - but he's out for number one." Sarah comments, "Everyone is - to a degree." Alison muses, "Yes, I suppose that's true." Sarah goes on, "I don't think I'll ever get caught-out; pick the wrong man." Alison comments, "Famous last words. Sometimes, even if you pick the right man it doesn't work out." She then adds, "It's good to see you haven't got all your eggs in the one basket: you've got Craig and Andy both hopping, I notice!" Sarah, however, smiles, "Only Andy really. Craig's just a friend - but for goodness' sake, don't tell Andy!" Alison chuckles, "I see - playing games!" Sarah shrugs, "It's only a bit of fun." She then goes on more seriously, "You said just now something about picking the right man and it still not working out." Alison, beginning to stare into space, nods, "Mm. Sort of." Sarah presses, "When you broke up, was it terrible?" Alison, however, murmurs, "No, not really." She then sighs, "Who am I kidding? He was the only man I ever really loved completely - yet David and I were so wrong for each other. It's hard to explain." Sarah asks, "Couldn't you both have worked it out?" Alison replies distantly, "Oh, we did..." She then changes the subject and remarks, "It's a pity you drank all the milk. Actually, I hate black tea!"

Fiona is clearing away the empty bottles in her room at the mansion, musing as she does so, "Why is it that every time I have a party, it turns into a near riot?!" Janice is helping her and she murmurs, "Yes. Poor Wayne... he was such a mess. I don't seem to have achieved anything in helping him get back on the right path." Fiona muses, "Was it not ever thus with Wayne, my darling? You've taken on a massive challenge!" Janice then indicates the empty glasses and suggests, "Why don't we leave these? I'll do them in the morning." Fiona, however, tells her, "No, no, I want to get them done tonight. I've got to go out first thing in the morning - I've got to find somewhere else to live." Janice says excitedly, "I saw something today: in the paper... a new block of flats - and it's just round the corner." Fiona, however, says, "No, no, I don't like new places; they lack character; they haven't got any atmosphere." Janice suggests, "You can always create your own." Fiona just insists, "No. It's not for me." She then curses, "Oh, damned Alison! If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have to be going through all this." Janice agrees, "No - and Charlie wouldn't be so upset, either." She adds, "I must say: I was impressed with the way Todd stood up for her. I might've done him an injustice." Fiona, looking impressed, smiles, "Good for you, my girl!"

Charlie arrives back home with Todd. They head into the lounge room to find it empty, and Charlie smiles, "I think we might be lucky!" They go and sit down and Charlie adds, "I'm so glad we had that cup of coffee and talked." Todd, giving her a kiss, asks, "Happy again?" Charlie stares into his eyes and replies warmly, "I've never ever been so happy in my entire life." She goes to kiss him - but at that moment, Alison walks in. Charlie looks at her and says icily, "Oh. Hello." Alison remarks, "Home at last." Charlie retorts, "Not that it's any of your business." Alison tells her quickly, "Charlie, before you say anything, I'd like to apologise." Charlie, however, replies pointedly, "I am not the one you should be apologising to." Alison looks at Todd and says, "Todd, I'm sorry. It would be nice if we could be friends." Charlie mutters dismissively, "Huh!" Alison asks in surprise, "What else do you want me to say?" Charlie shrugs in annoyance, "I suppose it'll have to do." Todd whispers to her, "Be reasonable." He then turns to Alison and says, "I accept your apology and there's no reason why we can't be friends." Charlie smiles at him. He then stands up and heads out of the room. When he's gone, Charlie demands of Alison, "Did you really mean it?" Alison replies, "Yes, I did. I confess I'm not completely happy about you and Todd getting married, but at least I owe you the promise that I'll try harder with him." Charlie stares at her and warns coldly, "You'd better keep that promise - because if you do or say anything else to try and break us up, that is the finish - and I mean it." With that, she marches out of the room, leaving Alison standing there, looking thoughtful.

The next morning, Charlie is sitting with Todd out by the pool, smiling, "Oh, you are a darling, sneaking out, buying milk so I could have my coffee." Alison walks over and joins them. She smiles, "Morning, you two! All set to do battle, Todd?" Todd beams, "A good night's sleep and an early-morning jog does wonders!" Alison muses, "I think I might just stick to my workout at the gym, thanks!" With that, she heads off again. When she's gone, Charlie looks at Todd and remarks, "I must say: she does seem to be trying." Todd tells her, "Don't worry - it'll be alright." Charlie muses, "I'll need a few weeks to be convinced." She then adds, "There's one thing about Alison: at least she comes straight out and says what she means; not like Wayne - he prefers the backstabbing method. I don't know why you're so friendly with him; you saw what he was really like last night - and don't forget what he tried to do to me. If he had his way, I'd be penniless." Todd, however, points out, "Then better to keep an eye on him. Whether we like it or not, he's your partner and my boss. Isn't it more sensible to keep a track of what he's up to?" Charlie, a smile crossing her face, beams, "Of course it is! Oh, I'd never have thought of that! I don't know what I'd do without you!" Todd tells her sincerely, "Don't worry - 'cos you won't have to be."

Alison is walking down a corridor at the gym when a side door opens and Wayne emerges from a steam room, groaning heavily. Alison looks at him and remarks, "What a charming sight! Take more than a steam bath to fix you, I should think!" Wayne just snarls, "Don't. I am not interested." Alison, ignoring this, pushes, "Do you have any recall of last night?" Wayne mutters, "Enough." Alison goes on, "You really have hit the skids, you know? I wouldn't believe too much in that old saying 'When you're down, the only way to go is up'. I'd say in your case you're going to stay down - flat on your face." Wayne murmurs, "Look, about last night: I am really sorry for making trouble." Alison retorts, "You're always sorry - that's the pathetic part. I don't know why I managed to put up with you for so long. Still, why am I wasting words on you? See you later." With that, she heads off to the main exercise room. A few moments later, Todd joins Wayne. Wayne says to him, "Before you say anything, I am sorry about last night." Todd just smiles and replies, "Drink does terrible things to people, eh?!" Wayne murmurs, "I know. All the same... no excuses." Todd insists, "It's OK, Wayne. No hard feelings. Why don't you have a really good workout and cleanse the system?" Wayne, however, tells him, "I've just had a sauna; that'll do for the time being." He then adds, "Thanks for taking it so well," and walks off.

Sometime later, Alison is out in the reception area. She leans in close to the reception desk and asks Andy - who's standing behind it - "You managed to find out anything about Todd yet?" Andy retorts quietly, "I told you: there's nothing to find out. He is what you see: a nice, straight, honest guy." Alison rolls her eyes. Andy goes on, "You know what your problem is? You're jealous of Charlie. You fancy him for yourself, don't you!" Alison, however, growls, "Don't be ridiculous. I don't go for his type, thankyou very much." Todd joins them at that moment and Alison smiles at him, "Hi! Workout was great. Thanks." Todd smiles back, "Good! It's a good thing you got in early - the place is going to be packed out today; we're not going to have time to blink." With that, he walks off again. When he's gone, Andy tells Alison, "You won't get a thing on him - 'cos there's nothing to get; unless, of course, you do one of your famous frame-ups." With that, he turns and heads off to the main room, leaving Alison standing there, looking suddenly very thoughtful. She picks up the telephone on the reception desk and dials a number. When the call is answered she says, "Hi, this is Alison. Listen - I've changed my mind about tonight. I'm coming over shortly to pick up those tickets... Yes, that's right... I'll see you later." She then hangs up, looking very pleased with herself...

Charlie and Sarah are sitting at Charlie's table by the pool, looking at some magazines full of wedding clothes. Alison walks over to them and comments, "At it again, you two?" Charlie beams, "Oh yes! I've found some wonderful things, but it's so hard to decide!" She then notices some pieces of card in Alison's hand and asks, "What are they?" Alison tells her, "Oh, just a couple of tickets. A friend of mine's invited me to the Le Clement fashion show." Charlie comments enviously, "Oh really? Lucky you." Alison adds, "Looks like it's going to be a fun night, too: everything from Paris - floorshow... champagne... and the men!" Charlie tells her, "I'd have given my right arm for an invitation!" Looking back down at one of the magazines, Sarah says, "There's something here I thought might suit you, Alison." There's an embarrassed silence. Sarah adds quickly, "Oh. I presume you're going to be Charlie's Matron of Honour." Charlie looks at Alison and tells her, "I haven't asked you - but will you?" Alison smiles sincerely, "I'd love to." The 'phone starts ringing suddenly, and Alison heads off across the way to get it. Charlie and Sarah carry on talking about wedding outfits. Charlie sighs, "It's all so confusing. Sometimes I wish I wasn't a woman!" From a few yards away, Alison puts down the 'phone and calls, "Good news: I've got a buyer for the mansion. They made a firm offer - so I told the agent to accept. I'm just going over to sign the contract now." A look of concern crosses Charlie's face.

Wayne goes to leave the gym just as Sarah comes in. He says, "Hello, Sarah. Like your dress," before walking off. Sarah heads across to the reception desk and remarks to Andy, "He's odd, isn't he!" Andy nods knowingly, "Yeah! One way of putting it, I suppose!" Sarah asks, "Do you know him well?" Andy shrugs, "As well as anyone could. Who knows with the Hamiltons?" Sarah asks, "What do you mean?" Andy explains, "They're in all sorts of business deals; you never really know what's going on. A bit like the Mafia!" Sarah leans into him and murmurs, "You're kidding..." Andy replies, "I'm not. Wayne's pretty much like the Godfather. Yeah." Sarah mouths, "Fascinating." Andy, however, comments, "I can't say I've ever thought of him as that. Dangerous, perhaps..." Sarah smiles, "You're pulling my leg!" Andy, however, assures her, "I'm not." He then changes the subject and says, "So, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit? Do you want to do a workout with me?" Sarah, however, replies, "No. I've got some time off. I wondered if you're free for the day." Andy, however, sighs, "I can't. We're really busy here. I can't get away." Sarah smiles, "Not to worry. I'll call in at the mansion and see if Craig's doing anything." A strangulated look on his face, Andy mutters, "Oh good..." With that, Sarah heads off, leaving Andy looking annoyed!

It's evening-time. Janice arrives at the gym and Andy calls across from the reception desk, "You look whacked!" Janice growls, "Don't even mention it. Today has been the worst day since I started. Two potential suicides - both of which I managed to advert, thank God; about ten nuts on the 'phone - they make me so angry, just ringing up making a nuisance of themselves; we had stacks of bookwork; and to top it off, Jodie Fraser again." Andy recalls, "The girl with the kid..." Janice nods, "That's her. She's still got a lot of problems. She's just not handling bringing up that baby." Andy points out, "I told you at the time: if a girl her--" Janice interrupts and sighs, "I know, I know. It's not that I don't feel for her; it's just that today was so rotten." Todd joins them as Andy says, "I know what you mean. I've been run off my feet too - and I could've been out on the town with Sarah." Todd suggests, "Why don't you go now? Things have eased off a bit; I can take whatever you've got left." Andy, looking pleased, smiles, "Great! Thanks, mate! Thankyou very much!" He picks up his things and goes to head out. Janice murmurs, "Have a nice time..." Andy smiles, "I will!" He then pauses by the exit, looks back round at Janice and says, "To hell with it! You've had a rough day too, eh? How about we both go out and relax together?" Janice nods warily, "Alright - providing you don't want to do any pub crawls." Looking put-out, Andy muses, "Whatever you want, Janice..." Todd says suddenly to Andy, "I meant to tell you: Alison seems to have changed her tune. She apologised last night and today she's come around to the idea of me and Charlie getting married." Looking slightly wary, Andy replies, "That's great, mate - but I'd take it with a grain of salt. Still, don't quote me." With that, he and Janice head off, leaving Todd looking puzzled.

Alison is standing with Fiona in her room at the mansion, saying, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but we exchanged contracts on this place about half an hour ago." Fiona stares at her and whispers, "I see. That was quick." Alison shrugs, "The buyer topped the second-highest bid at the auction, so we were bound to exchange immediately. My only regret is I had to drop the price to get a sale. Still, at least this buyer had the money." Fiona says wearily, "May I ask who it is?" Alison, however, retorts, "Search me. It's a company; probably a developer. It's an ideal site for townhouses. I just wanted a genuine buyer who could come up with the cash - well, at least in six weeks, when we settle." Fiona murmurs, "So. That's it." Alison nods, "I'm afraid so." There's suddenly a knock on the door to the room and Wayne comes in. Alison looks at him and mutters, "I think we can do without your company, thankyou." Wayne just retorts, "That's too bad. You've got it." Alison sighs, "Would you like me to order you out of here?" Wayne, however, tells her, "I'd like to see you try - considering I'm the new owner." Fiona and Alison look at each other in disbelief.

A few moments later, Alison exclaims, "I don't believe it." Wayne shrugs, "You don't have to. Fact is fact. I knew you were in a spot of trouble so I decided to help out - though I thought I shouldn't let on, just in case you knocked me back." Fiona muses grimly, "Same old tactics." Wayne, however, insists quickly, "Not what you think, Fiona. I just said I wanted to help Alison out - and by doing that, I was also helping out dad." Alison growls, "Oh yes, I can believe that." Wayne tells her, "It's the truth, though." Looking at Fiona, he adds, "You can see the sense of that, can't you?" Fiona replies, "I can't see you wanting to do Alison any favours, but I can understand you wanting to help out your dad." Alison stares at her and gasps, "For heaven's sake, Fiona, he just ripped me off!" Wayne says quickly, "Be fair! You wanted the cash, I gave you the cash. The fact that I bargained the price down is beside the point; it was, after all, a business transaction." Alison growls, "I still don't believe it." With that, she marches out, slamming the door behind her. When she's gone, Fiona says to Wayne, "So. Now what?" Wayne looks at her and asks blankly, "What do you mean?" Fiona asks, "When are you going to start pulling down the house?" Wayne, however, replies, "Who said anything about pulling it down? It's just more real estate, as far as I'm concerned - and I'm not in desperate need of the income like I was before when you managed it; so it can go on just as it is - with you as manager." Fiona, looking astonished, says, "No strings?" Wayne insists, "Not one. I meant what I said, Fiona: I want to change. What else do I have to do to prove it to you?!" Fiona, still looking surprised, says, "Er... may I have that in writing?" Wayne laughs, "You can have it in block letters across the front door, if it'll make you any happier!" Fiona says sincerely, "Thankyou very much, Wayne. You'll make a lot of people very happy." Wayne smiles, "Good!"

Todd is sitting on the floor in front of the couch in the lounge room at Charlie's. Charlie is sitting on the couch behind him, massaging his shoulders and saying sympathetically, "My poor darling. You shouldn't've worked so hard." Todd just smiles at the effects of the massage, "It feels good." Charlie goes on, "You shouldn't've let Andrew go home early." Todd, however, insists, "Oh, he'd done his share and you could see he was dying to go out and enjoy himself." Charlie smiles, "Well you just relax for a while." Alison walks in suddenly, looking annoyed. Charlie asks, "Why the frown?" Alison is holding the tickets to the fashion show and she tells Charlie, "I've just realised I have to set out a lot of paperwork on the mansion now the sale's going through - so I've opted out of the fashion parade. My friend's decided not to go, as well." She then adds, "You couldn't use the tickets, could you?" Charlie beams, "That would be lovely!" She looks down at Todd and asks, "Do you feel up to it, darling?" Todd, however, admits, "Not really, Charlie, now that I'm home." Alison, sitting down, adds, "I don't blame him, Charlie - he was pretty busy at the gym today." Charlie shrugs, "Oh well." Alison says quickly, "It's a pity, though: I believe there was a whole wedding ensemble section - and straight from Paris." Charlie looks at Todd and asks, "Are you sure you don't feel like it?" Todd groans, "I'd love to say yes, but I've really had it." Alison points out to Charlie, "If Todd did go and you decided you wanted one of the dresses, you wouldn't be able to have it." Charlie asks in surprise, "Why not?" Alison points out, "The bridegroom seeing the wedding dress before the day..." Todd suggests, "If you really wants to go, Charlie, why don't you go by yourself?" Charlie asks, "Are you sure you don't mind?" Todd kisses her hand and smiles, "Provided you keep away from those Frenchmen!" Charlie beams, "Alright! I'll go!" Alison hands over a ticket and says, "There we are, then. Pity we can't use the other one." Charlie, however, comments, "I wonder if Deborah Farnwright's managed to get tickets... I hope so; I can just imagine the look on her face when she sees me there!" With that, she waltzes out of the room! Alison looks at Todd and smiles, "Well! She's happy!" Todd nods warmly, "Yeah."

Next door, in the lounge room at Dural, Wayne crosses out the entry on his hitlist that says 'Boarding house'. He murmurs to himself, "Another one down. And now we enter Phase 3..."

The front door opens at the mansion and Janice and Andy come in, Janice singing loudly! Fiona emerges from her room and asks with a groan, "What are you doing?" Janice smiles, "We're dancing the night away, aunty!" She heads into Fiona's room as Fiona asks Andy, "Has she been drinking or something?!" Andy insists, "Only orange juice and mineral water." Janice, bouncing up and down, smiles, "I never knew how good dancing is for you!" Andy sits down, looking weary, and Fiona remarks, "Doesn't seem to have done you much good, Andy!" Andy sighs, "I was tired before I went out." Janice tells him, "So was I. It all depends on your mental approach. I think I might use dancing with some of my clients!" She goes and sits down, continuing as she does so, "Discos are more than I thought they were." Fiona probes, "And what did you think they were?" Janice admits, "Just a place where people go to pick up people." Andy whispers loudly in an aside to Fiona, "She didn't see the three birds I was chatting up!" Janice stares at him and gasps, "You weren't really, were you?" Andy smiles, "No - I decided to stick with the one I had!" He then gives Janice a kiss on the cheek!

Todd is lying back on the couch in the lounge room at Charlie's, a drink in his hand. He looks exhausted. Alison walks over to him, seductively, takes his glass and says smoothly, "Let me top that up." Todd, however, tells her, "No, I think I'll call it a night. Don't want to fall asleep in here." Alison, going and filling the glass with more scotch, smiles, "No, that would never do. Why don't you try my room?" Todd stares at her and says in surprise, "Pardon?" Alison looks round at him and replies, "You heard." She then says, "I'll come clean with you, Todd: ever since you walked through that door, I've been interested in you. The only reason I've behaved so badly with Charlie is jealousy - pure and simple. When it comes to the crunch, I've got a lot more to offer than she has: I'm far better off financially... if you want to go overseas, we'll go overseas... if you want a yacht, I'll buy--" Todd interrupts her, suddenly, and snaps, "Come off it. What are you playing at? I know what you think I'm up to, but you couldn't be more wrong. I love Charlie - and I mean love her - and the only reason I'm not going to tell her what an idiot you've just made of yourself is because she thinks you're a friend; I wouldn't want to hurt her. But I will tell you one thing, Alison: try any more tricks and I won't be the one who gets kicked out. Have you got the message?" Alison glares at him and retorts, "Loud and clear."