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Episode Summaries > 1986 > Episode 254
Written by Sally Webb, Directed by Chris Langman, Produced by John Holmes

At the pub, Daphne tells Paul and Clive she is furious at Shane being so public with Debra. Paul reminds her she is has no claim to Shane – Clive tries to be more diplomatic and tells her it was probably all innocent.

In her hotel room, Debra tells Shane she’ll need to be driven back to stay overnight at the hotel after her meeting in Wodonga. Debra comments she likes to mix business with pleasure.

At the Coffee Shop, Daphne still angry with Shane rebuffs Mike’s request for her to ask Shane about coaching him swimming. Daphne explains to Zoe all she wants is to know where she stands with Shane – Zoe tells her she feels the same about Jim.

Back at the pub, Paul tells Clive he’s sure Daphne is going to be fine over seeing Shane with another woman. Jack questions if Clive likes Daphne too as he seems so concerned – Clive dismisses it. Madge comes into the pub and Jack asks her out to dinner. Madge agrees and excited leaves with Clive to get ready for her date.

Shane waits for Debra in her room while she takes a shower. Debra comes out of the bathroom dressed in a towel and Shane looks uncomfortable. Debra senses his reaction but leads him to the bed telling him he’s about to get his first perk of the job.

Angry at Charlene, Nikki tells Lucy she’s piled all Charlene’s possessions on her bed and put tape across the floor to split their bedroom into two. Charlene comes out of the bedroom furious and starts an argument with Nikki. Jim steps in and calls for silence as Lucy explains what is going on. Charlene decides to go over to see Madge but not before telling Nikki she wished she’d never moved in the house.

At the Ramsay house, Charlene tells Madge she cannot live any longer with ’snob’ Nikki but Madge is preoccupied looking at the leaflets for business courses. Charlene notices and comments instead of ‘wasting’ her money she should be giving it to Henry to sort out his gambling debts. Madge explains she has spent more than enough on Henry already – Charlene storms out to go back to No.26.

Back at number 26, Nikki is trying to persuade Helen that Charlene should move out. Overhearing her, Charlene explains she’s not moving out as she’d rather live with Nikki than her mother. Charlene leaves the room and Helen pleads with Nikki to try and get on with her. Jim enters the room to tell her he’s invited Zoe to dinner tonight. Lucy is not pleased.

Shane and Debra dress quickly after causing themselves to be late for Debra’s meeting in Wodonga.

At number 22, Mike opens his mail to find his first benefit cheque has arrived. Daphne apologises to him for not spending much time with him recently. Clive cannot get hold of Shane to ask him about coaching Mike swimming but Nikki interrupts to complain about living with Charlene. Nikki asks Clive if she can rent ‘Gift of the Gab’ to get revenge.

Later, Daphne is disagreeing with Clive about allowing Nikki to hire him when Madge arrives dressed for her dinner with Jack, seeking approval of her dress. Madge leaves for her date and Nikki tells Clive to go over to see Charlene to deliver her message.

At the Robinson house, Helen is also dressed for dinner out. While Jim takes Basil for a walk, Helen warns Lucy to behave herself when Zoe arrives for dinner. Helen leaves as Clive arrives to deliver Nikki’s message. But instead of delivering the original message he pretends Nikki is apologising to Charlene. Charlene tells him she’ll keep the bedroom tidy now Nikki’s apologised.

Madge arrives at Lassiter’s to be met by Jack at their table. As they sit he tells her there will be a third person joining them – Madge is shocked when Helen arrives. Jack goes into the kitchens and Madge asks Helen how she knows Jack. Helen explains she has known him for years and used to play cards with him and his deceased wife Adeline. Madge realises this was never planned to be a romantic meal.

After their dinner and with Lucy in bed, Jim and Zoe snuggle up together. Lucy comes out making an excuse she wants a glass of water. Nikki and Charlene return home now laughing and go straight to bed. When Lucy returns she pretends to trip and pours the glass of water over Zoe. Jim furiously smacks Lucy across the legs – crying Lucy tells him since being with Zoe he has hit her and Paul, something he has never done before!

Summary by Paul