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David arrives at the flat to find the table set
for dinner. Patricia comes in and he asks her if she's trying
to butter him up to make him change his mind about moving out. Patricia tells
him she wasn't expecting
him home until tomorrow and Jim O'Brien is coming over for dinner. David isn't
very happy, but Patricia
tells him that she and Jim are just friends. She adds that he did her a good
turn last night and this is
her way of saying thank you. David asks if Jim knows there's nothing more
to it. Patricia tells him she
doesn't care - Jim makes her laugh and that's all she's interested in. David
tells her she can't think of
anyone else but herself.
Later, Jim and Patricia are having dinner. Jim is getting frisky, but Patricia
wants to serve up the next
course. A bit later, Jim tells Patricia he's feeling lonely, with him on one
side of the table and her on the
other. Patricia suggests they sit on the couch and they do. Jim tells Patricia
she's a very tense lady at
times, and puts his hand on her leg. Patricia removes it, and tells him she's
just a lady. Jim goes to kiss
Patricia, but she pushes him away and says "Don't!" Jim says he
thought the idea of that night was for
them to get to know each other better. Patricia tells him that being groped
and slobbered over by some
heavy-breathing 'yahoo' isn't her idea of it. Jim gets up and tells her he's
outstayed his welcome.
Patricia says she didn't express herself very well. Jim tells her the message
came across loud and clear
and thanks her for the meal. He leaves and Patricia looks annoyed with herself.
Later,
Patricia is clearing up when David comes in coughing loudly. Patricia tells
him not to bother - he's
not interrupting anything. David laughs and asks her if Jim was too much of
a handful. Patricia says that
maybe he was right - it's too much with both of them living under one roof.
She tells David that first thing
tomorrow she'll move out and find somewhere else to live. David says he couldn't
face Margaret if he'd
driven her out, so if anyone moves it'll be him. Patricia tells him to suit
himself.
The next morning, Patricia emerges from the bedroom
and yawns. She picks up a note from the table
which says "Gone flat hunting. If John calls, tell him I want to see
him." There is a knock on the door.
When Patricia opens it, Lynn is there. Patricia invites her in, and Lynn tells
her she wants to let her know
why she came back to Melbourne.
A short time later, both women are sitting down. Patricia asks Lynn if she
really thinks she can change
things. Lynn says she promised Kevin she'd try. Patricia asks if she doesn't
think other people have tried.
Lynn remarks that she thinks having Davey with her will help. Patricia wishes
her the best of luck. Lynn
says she doesn't expect her to be on her side - being Margaret's sister. Patricia
asks her why she told
her about it. Lynn explains she thought that if she was open about it, there
would be less chance of her
trying to mess things up. Patricia tells her she has nothing to fear from
her, but she doesn't think it'll
work. Lynn says if she can just get Beryl and David together, they might start
waking up to themselves.
Patricia tells Lynn she's bowing right out. She adds that if Beryl and David
aren't finished yet, it's better
the whole thing's sorted out before Margaret gets in any deeper. Lynn gets
up and thanks Patricia. Patricia
says she's the one who should be thanking her - she might have made a terrible
mistake if she'd left her
in the dark.
Later,
Patricia is on the phone to Jim. She says she feels awful about last night
and wants a chance to
explain. Patricia adds that she had a conversation that morning that made
her realise she needs friends
like him. She asks him to come over.
Later, Jim is at the flat. Patricia tells him she's
not in the market for a deep commitment at the moment.
She says she made a promise to herself not to keep going through the same
routine. Jim tells her he can't
blame her. Patricia explains that she was using him - she wanted someone to
talk to and have a good time
with without strings attached. She apologises for leading him on, and says
she's probably wrecked his
chances with Beryl Palmer. Jim says he and Beryl are just good friends. Patricia
looks slyly at him and
Jim asks what the matter is. Patricia says it's none of her business, but
Jim tells her to say it. Patricia
says, as she understands it, Beryl regards him as a lot more than just a friend.
She adds it was something
that David said, but it's personal. Jim tells her he has a right to know if
it concerns him. Patricia says that
David and Beryl had a row, and it ended with Beryl giving him the brush-off
and telling him she'd found
someone else. Jim can't believe it. Patricia tells him maybe it's best that
he knows.
At the Palmer house, the phone rings and Beryl answers it. On the other end
is Patricia, who tells her that
Jim has taken quite a fancy to both of them, but she wanted to reassure her
she's not in the race. Beryl
tells her she doesn't know what she's talking about - they're just acquaintances.
Patricia tells her that Jim
gave her the impression that he felt very strongly about her. She adds that
David has told Jim not to go
anywhere near her, and that Beryl should ask Jim if she doesn't believe her.
Patricia says that she's not
trying to meddle - just set the record straight.
Later, Patricia is making a sandwich when David comes in. She tells him she
doesn't think either of them
should move out. She says that they both have an obligation to Margaret -
they've got to put her happiness
first. Patricia adds that she's made a decision to be less selfish, and to
get along with him. David looks
at Patricia warily.
THOMAS
RICHARDS (as David Palmer), ROWENA WALLACE (Patricia Morrell), SEAN SCULLY
(Jim O'Brien),
ANTONIA MURPHY (Lynn Palmer), LEILA HAYES (Beryl Palmer)
Written
by JOHN ALSOP
Directed by GRAEME HODGSON
Channel
Five broadcast: Saturday 18th January 2003