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Later, Amanda is sitting on a stool at the bar looking very distant. Andy comes in and tells her he's been
helping her Auntie Barbara buy a motor scooter. He says she wanted a motor bike, but he and Gordon talked
her out of it. The most Amanda can muster is an "Oh." Andy carries on, but Amanda isn't listening. He tells
her she's making him feel like he's talking to himself. Amanda says sorry. Andy asks if she's still down in
the dumps over Todd, and she nods. Andy asks if he should stick around, but Amanda says she's okay and
that she'll see him later. She grabs her bag and puts her shoes on. Andy asks if she's all right. Amanda says
she's fine - just not very bright. She rushes out, telling Andy she has to find Todd.
Amanda gets out of a taxi at the bayside and notices Todd's car parked there. She sees Todd in the bay,
about to get onto his windsurfing board. She takes her shoes off and rushes into the water, shouting that
she has to talk to him. Todd makes towards her and they hug tightly.
Later, at the apartment, Amanda is drying her hair and says it must look like rat's tails. Todd says it looks
great. He gives her a glass of champagne and they sit on the sofa. Todd says he couldn't believe it when he
looked around and saw her there. Amanda tells him she wishes he'd told her ages ago. Todd asks her if
she's sure she knows what she's letting herself in for - it's going to be really rough on her. Amanda tells
him she loves him - that's all that matters. They start to kiss, and there is a knock on the door. Amanda
says it's probably Irene - she must have got her message to drop around. Todd tells her to let Irene in
while he gets another glass. Amanda lets an anxious-looking Irene in, who asks if Todd's all right. Amanda
tells her to calm down - he's fine. She says they've finally managed to sort things out, and she knows why he
was backing off. She adds that it's okay as they're going to spend all their time together from now on.
Irene hugs Amanda and says that's wonderful. Todd gives Irene a glass of champagne, and Irene tells him
he should listen to his mum more in the future. Todd suggests they drink a toast, short and sweet - to life.
Amanda and Irene, looking slightly awkward, take a drink.

At Toorak, Patricia thanks Mike for staying behind to finish a contract. Mike says it is a bit different to
the building game. Patricia tells him he'd better go before she's in Heather's bad books for keeping him
away so long. Mike leaves and Patricia goes into the living room, where David is looking glumly at a letter.
He asks if she's had a good day, and Patricia tells him she'd say it was better than his. Patricia says she
can't believe the way Beryl's behaving - there's no way she'd let one of her own kids get a strange haircut.
She tells David he's going to have to admit that she's not the Beryl they used to know. David says she was
like her old self when they had the problem with Kevin. Patricia tells him that now it's over, Beryl seems
to be going back to putting herself first. Then she says she's not going to interfere - it's up to him to
make the decision. Patricia tells David she's going to put dinner on the table - she's cooked a chicken
casserole. David asks her when she found time to cook. Patricia says she got up early and put all the
goodies into her crock pot - the working woman's friend. David wonders why Beryl never got one when
she started work. Patricia says it's all a question of priorities, and leaves the room. David looks miserable.
Later, Patricia and David are eating some pie in the living room. Patricia jokes that she knows the pastry's
a bit gluey, but it's not enough to cause lockjaw - he's hardly said two words all through dinner! David says
sorry - he didn't realise. Patricia asks if he wants to tell her what's wrong - he's always there when she
needs to talk. David says he got a letter from his solicitor - the decree nisi goes through the day after
tomorrow, unless Beryl or him try to stop it. He adds that he's had a good marriage - it'd be a shame to let
it go down the drain without one more go at trying to save it. Patricia says she'd like to see them get back
together again, but cannot see it happening. David asks why not. Patricia says that Beryl must have heard
from her solicitor, but doesn't seem to be making any effort to meet him halfway - quite the reverse.

She says that, if Beryl had any intention of trying to make their marriage work, she would never have taken
Leanne in. She says they've already disagreed about the child once, and it'd be the first of many rows.
David glumly says it could be. Patricia says she knows how he feels - that's why she found it hard to give up
on Stephen. She says that's why she went back to him, even though she knew they wanted different things
out of life. She tells David she doesn't want him to make the same mistake. David says she's right - it's
probably best if they do go through with the divorce. Patricia looks pleased.
At the apartment, Amanda tells Irene she's got so many plans she'll make sure every minute counts. She talks
about going to the theatre, spending weekends in the country and visiting the Barrier Reef - sailing, scuba
diving and walking on the beach. Irene tells her it all sounds very nice, but not very realistic. She says
Todd's starting to go downhill, and asks what's going to happen when she realises she can't handle it, having
made Todd dependent on her. Amanda says she'll handle it. Irene goes to leave, and Amanda asks her why
she's pessimistic all of a sudden - she thought she was pleased they got together. Irene says she was - until
she started talking like a romantic novelist. Irene tells Amanda she obviously has no idea what she's letting
herself in for. Amanda says she'd never walk out on Todd - she loves him. Irene asks her if she loves him
enough to stand it when she can't stand to be in the same room as him because he's in so much pain? She
says that's how it's going to be, and it's going to be the worst experience of her life - once she commits
herself, there's no turning back. Amanda, looking upset, promises she'll never let Todd down, and tells Irene
not to tell her any more. Irene gives her a hug and says she believes her, but she had to be sure. Amanda
asks if she'll help her. Irene tells her they'll help each other.

ALYCE PLATT (as Amanda Morrell), MICHAEL WINCHESTER (Todd Fisher), JUDY NUNN (Irene Fisher),
ROWENA WALLACE (Patricia Morrell), THOMAS RICHARDS (David Palmer)

Written by MAUREEN ANN MORAN
Directed by PETER ANDRIKIDIS
Channel Five broadcast: Sunday 20th April 2003

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