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Episode Summaries > 1986 > Episode 249
Written by Ginny Lowndes, Directed by Andrew Friedman

At the Ramsay house, Fred tells Madge he'd best leave - Madge asks him how can he expect any other attitude after how she was treated by him. Charlene having arrived home tells them to shut up arguing! Madge tells her she needs to go to No.26, but Charlene refuses to go until Fred asks her to aswell. Alone again Madge comments he doesn't care about Charlene - exasperated Fred asks, "What do you want from me!" Madge coolly tells him she wants money. Fred tells her he has nothing to give now he has Susan and the baby. Madge simply tells him she doesn't care.

At number 26, Nikki wonders where Charlene is and Shane tells her she's probably trying to keep her parents quiet. They notice that Eileen's singing has also stopped. Helen tells them Lucy has been sent to bed early after causing trouble for Jim as she prepares pancakes for Shane and Nikki to eat. Shane remarks Helen's pancakes taste good and adds "so does Madge's".

Back at number 24, Madge tells Fred she wants her investment in their marriage and business repaid back to her and stop Susan profiting on her hard work. Fred tells her there is no money after spending it on Henry's bail and his debts. Madge wants their Coffs Harbour house sold - Fred refuses claiming he'll have no where to live and does not want Henry to get any more money. Fred questions why she is being so difficult - Madge tells him simply why should he deserve any consideration when he left her with nothing after 20 years.

At number 22, a crying Charlene tells Clive and Daphne she hates Madge for the way she is treating Fred and that on Henry's release from jail she wants to move away with her brother. Clive tries to ask Charlene not to be so hard on Madge - especially after meeting Henry himself after a prison visit and not liking his attitude towards their mother. Charlene not keen to hear anymore tries to leave but is stopped by Daphne. Charlene breaks down telling Daphne her parents just don't care about her.

At the Ramsay house, Madge and Fred finish their plan to divide their assets in half - Fred tells her he also wants half the money her diamond ring will bring. Madge is deeply hurt and explains it is her security for her old age. Fred tells her she is still young enough to find a new man - Madge tells him the reality is she has no home, friends or husband anymore! Madge asks if he ever loved her - Fred doesn't respond and instead tells her he'll be staying at Lassiters if she needs to contact him.

At number 22, later, Madge tells Daphne that Fred has left her with nothing, she feels Charlene and Henry hate her, she has no man and has top rely on Max giving her $50 a week to live on. Daphne asks how she feels for Fred - Madge admits she still loves him.

In his hotel room at Lassiter's, Charlene misses school to visit Fred. He tells her that Madge never cared about her - confused Charlene reminds him he never tried to stop her leaving Coffs Harbour. Fred updates her that her boyfriend Greg is now seeing the Foster girl back home and there is no way he can patch things up with Madge. Charlene gets him to promise he'll try to talk to her again.

At the Ramsay house, Danny and Shane creep into the house in case Fred is still there but only find a subdued Madge. They tell her how Helen has been feeding them pancakes. Madge feeling challenged decides to make a batch of her own.

At number 22, Zoe tells Daphne and Clive that Lucy still won't let her and Jim get closer. Clive advises she give Lucy more time but Zoe doubts she can keep on seeing Jim. Daphne reminds them about the Pancake competition running tomorrow.

Back at number 24, Danny and Shane are full of eating pancakes and really can't tell Madge if they prefer hers of Helen's. Madge promises she'll be the winner tomorrow at the competition.

Next day at breakfast Nikki complains that Charlene is making her room a mess. Scott finds it funny but Helen tells her Charlene needs space at the moment not more problems. Charlene tells Scott no one cares about her - He tells her he does and tries to kiss her. Charlene tells him no but has to push him away when he tries to kiss her anyway.

A nervous Madge arrives at Fred's hotel room. Fred invites her in and tells her how Charlene saw him earlier and pleaded with him to ask for reconciliation. Fred then begins to charm Madge reminding her hoe everyone used to say they were the perfect couple before he kisses her passionately.

At the Coffee Shop, Clive and Daphne worry, as Madge isn't there for the pancake competition - but she finally arrives and her and Helen start the competition. Charlene tells Nikki she has to go and disappears off.

Back at Lassiter's, Fred is on the phone to girlfriend Susan and tells her he's coming back home on the next flight after Madge is being reasonable now. Fred tells her he loves her and will see her soon.

Madge tosses her final pancake and Helen prepares to do so too when they are interrupted by Mrs. Mangel and her pancake falls onto the floor. Clive declares Madge is the winner! But Nell Mangel is determined to tell everyone that the competition is illegal, that the noise levels are at unbearable levels and she won't rest until she closes the Coffee Shop down permanently.

Summary by Paul