"Dee!! What are you doing?? You should be happy for your Mum!!"
"WHY!? She's only just split up with Dad and she's moving onto, well, HIM! What does he see in her!! She's so....OLD!"
"You need to keep your opinions to yourself! One, your going out with my brother, two, your Mum can date who she wants to! I've had enough...I'm going to see how my brother did in his finals....yeah...they were today if you didn't remember" Jason growled at Dee before marching off

"What's wrong darling?" Rosy asked her grandaughter as she saw the dismay on her face
"Oh, Nothing, you wouldn't understand."
"Try me...come on..."
"Well, Why does Mum have to go out with him! I mean, he's much younger than she is..."
"We all have to move on dear, look at me for example, who would have guessed I'd find a nice man."
"YOU! WHEN?!"
"Oh dear, didn't I tell you, must've slipped my mind....I met him at church...I'll introduce you soon, he's a gem"

"What is going on around here! Theres something in the water!!"
"Oh Dee, don't be like that. Its good that we're all getting on with our lives....I know what'll cheer you up...retail therapy...come on..."

Over at the Bains Cathy's just returning home:
"Sydney! Hello, how are you?"
"Hi Cathy, I'm fine thanks, how are you...you must be getting excited now. I saw Jen earlier and she's started to show already, she's really blooming."
"I know.."
"You dont sound very excited..what's wrong?"

"I am excited, I really am but at the same time its very upsetting. I mean I know Jen's carrying my child and that's incredibly amazing and I'm honoured that she'd do such a thing but to see her glowing with life....its just a reminder that I'll never have that!"
"Oh Cathy, I know it must be hard, but think when labour starts and she's not glowing anymore but screaming in pain, I'm sure that you'll suddenly feel a little better."
Cathy gave a little smile "Oh, I hadn't thought about that!"
"See! Sydney smiled back "You've got the best way. You don't have any of the morning sickness, the backache...the LABOUR, you just get the baby at the end. Hell, if I'd know about this I'd have put Adelaide in someone else!!"

Cathy's pocket suddenly started to ring "Oh sorry Sydney..."
"Its ok, I'll see you later ok, and listen, call me if your feeling down..I'm always around to chat."
"Thanks, that mean alot." Cathy waved goodbye and picked up the unknown number on her phone "Hello?.......Oh My God.....ALISA!"

At the pub Laura arrives after finishing her finals:
"Hi babe, how'd it go?
"I don't know" She said worriedly"I think ok, I managed to answer all the questions. What you doing?"
"Oh, just trying out some concoctions for Sangeev's drinks contest, we're getting there. By the end of this we're gonna have a drink that blows your head off!"
"Ummm ok Harry, what ever's your pleasure..."

"By the way, I had a talk to Kate about redecorating and she's fine about it cause she wants to rent it out anyway so more neutral colours would be better anyway. But...we have to pay for it all and Laura, we simply don't have the money. When your done in your exams you'll be going to college so we're only just gonna be able to scrape by."
"Oh" Laura moaned "Thats soo disappointing. I wanted to make it all homely. I could ask Mum and Dad."
"No! We're a married couple now and I'm not having you asking for money...I need to provide you with that!"
"Oh Harry, stop being so traditional, it'll be fi.."
"Don't even go there"Harry stopped her "I'm not letting you accept money! I'm not! This is our family and we pay our way! Ok?!"
"Sorry, I didn't realise you felt that strongly about it..we'll save, it'll be fine..."

"Laura!" Rosy exclaimed "How did your exams go?"
"Oh fine thanks, hey Dee, you checked in with Max yet?"
"No...I'll go see him later....listen, we're going shopping...wanna come?"
"Cool! Yeah, after the day I've had I could do with some relaxing...that ok Harry?"
"Of course, I'm on a late shift here so won't be back till late. Don't go spending too much money though."
"I won't, I promise...lets go girls..."

At the diner Daniel drags himself back from school:
"Hi Mum! Daniel sighed
"What's up? Your looking glum.."
"Yeah you would be too if you'd been in assembly. Mrs Barret announced that she's starting a school uniform and we ALL have to wear it!"

"What! How am I expected to pay for uniforms...we're only just getting by as it is!"
"Well I don't want to wear one either!!"
"I can't believe this...I'm gonna have to go and complain"
"There's a parent's meeting in a couple of weeks about it. I think Mrs Barret wants to tell everyone properly."
"Well, she'll sure hear my views...don't worry Daniel...we'll sort it out!"

"Did you hear that Jen!! The school wants us to pay for uniforms for the kids!"
"Oh dear, I expected this was coming. The new heads only juist started, guess its a way of making her mark..when does she want to bring it in?"
"Daniel didn't say..there'll be a meeting about it so we'll have to go and give our strongest views!!"
"We can try, for all the good it'll do. I doubt we'll be able to stop it. Anyway Pen, how did the date go?"
"Oh Jen, its was GREAT! I know it was only short cause I had to come in here but really, he's a lovely guy...showered me with compliments and I need them after the year I've had!"
"Pen, you really need to get away. You should take a break"
"I know...but...I'm afraid. The last time I left my mother alone - a fire got started! If I left for a few days...what would happen then?" Pen replied worriedly.
"I'm sure it'd be fine, Daniel's a bit older now and anyway, seems to me your mother's got a new lease of life!"
"Oh, tell me about it, she's gone shopping this afternoon for lingerie....apparently she's got a new man from church, god help us all!"

Downtown Rosy's got into the shopping full swing:
"Ta da...what do you think...will he like it?"
"OH MY GOD! Gran!! Blak underwear..please, he shouldn't be seeing that!!"
"Well, why not dear, I won't let him see it straight away!"
"Gran" Dee said in a revulsed tone "Please, its just wrong...."
"I should have left you at home! I'm buying it anyway, I think it looks lovely!"

"Dee! What's up with your Gran?"
"Laura, its sooo embarrassing! I wish that fire had never happened...ever since she's be like this! Trying to live young...but she just can't...she's gran!"
"I'm glad she's not my gran!" Laura said with a quirky smile "And if she was, I'd get more clothes on her!!"
Dee laughed "So, you buying anything?"
"Well, there's two really nice tops and a skirt..but you heard what Harry said...don't spend much, and we are trying to save!"
"Oh come on, he said don't spend TOO much! That doesn't mean don't buy anything!! Get something!"
"No, I can't, I really can't...anyway, here's your gran" Laura smiled as Rosy re-appeared, thankfully fully dressed.

As Rosy emerged as sales guy came over:
"Hi Ladies, can I help you?"
"Yes, I'll take this lingerie please" Rosy smiled whilst glancing at Dee
"Yes and Laura, Laura, will take these "Dee said as she pulled some clothes off the rack
"Oh no, I can't..I'm not supposed too..."
"Oh come on Laura, a few won't hurt...anyway, he's your husband, he's supposed to want you to look nice!!"
"Yeah, that's true" Laura said as if trying to convince herself and turning to the rep "I'll take these."
 

Its late in the evening and Tom and Adelaide arrive back from shopping:
"Dad's gonne kill me!!" Tom whispered "I'm supposed to be grounded!"
"He won't kill you! He'll be too stunned by our new look!" And the pair both burst out laughing
"We do look great though don't we! I wasn't sure about the whole lipstick on a guy thing to start with but Adelaide, you sure now how to dress goth!"
"Of course I do!! I went to boarding school and had to rebel somehow!!"

"I've had such a great day with you Adelaide, your a really special girl you know!"
"Of course I know! But, thankyou, your great too, most of the boys I know are lame and are just into pool and sports...your the first that's actually been on my wavelength!"
"Thanks, listen, I better get in and try and sneak to my room without Dad getting to me. If I can at least pretend I've been in a while already maybe he won't be so bad."
"Ok Tom, I'll see you at school yeah?"
"Yeah...oh, Adelaide..."
"Yes?"
"I want to, uh....., well.......here...."