'Pink Ribbon'

Archie is on shift in the campus, he’s been agitated all weekend and he now doubts Kirsten’s intentions particularly when he doesn’t know where she’s been all weekend. He’s been trying to get hold of her all weekend, but she finally acknowledges his text and she pops in between lectures for a coffee. Kirsten looks great, but he has no choice and shows her the picture of her at the anti-drug company demonstration and asks for an explanation.

It’s obvious that Kirsten has been rumbled, but more importantly, he’s hurt, thinking they had something special going on. She has a very negative view of the drugs industry and ‘Tralawney Wells’ in particular, Archie tries to counter her arguments but he’s quickly out of his depth due to her intelligence on the subject.

Kirsten admits that when she first met Archie, she thought he might be useful to her in finding out some dirt about the drugs company, but she thought he was cute too. Although it wasn’t the best reason to start a relationship with someone, she’s really fallen for him and she thinks she loves him. Archie has also really fallen for Kirsten but he feels betrayed and needs some time to think things over, leaving

Michelle and Ruth are back from holiday but Michelle is feeling grouchy, she’s got period pains. Ruth mentions that she can’t remember when she had her last period and she’s sure that she hasn’t had one since she slept with Daniel. Michelle is astonished.

Michelle reckons that she needs to get a pregnancy test immediately, but Ruth feels that if she did one now, it would be too much of a shock. Ruth explains to Michelle that having a baby must be amazing, she speculates that it might even be twins; she is a twin. Michelle didn’t know that and starts asking questions and Ruth moves on quickly saying she doesn’t like to talk about it.

After work, Michelle comes around to Ruth’s flat to talk further about what she is going to do. Michelle’s outlook on life as a single mum is more realistic than Ruth’s approach. She reminds Ruth that her social life would be over and since Michelle is Ruth’s entire social life; Ruth suddenly fears that a pregnancy would drive a wedge between them. Michelle brings out a pregnancy test kit and urges Ruth to do it in the morning. They discuss Daniel as a potential father. Ruth wasn’t planning to tell him, but Michelle insists that if she is pregnant, she must, it’s his responsibility just as much as hers. Ruth reluctantly agrees to talk to him tomorrow.

Vivien has another tense driving lesson with Madge, her instructor. Vivien’s no longer feeling very confident about her test which is looming. Madge doesn’t temper her manner and it’s Vivien who has to bite her tongue, knowing passing is more important than sniping. Julia tries to counsel Vivien but gets her head bitten off for her trouble, so backs off!

Meanwhile, Bill Dyerson (50) and Annie Dyerson (late 40s) have been married for a good number of years. Annie has just been given the all-clear, recovering from breast cancer. It’s fantastic news for both of them, and for Julia who is a very close friend of Annie’s. Unbeknownst to Annie, Bill has arranged a secret function at the golf club to celebrate her fantastic news and Julia is roped in to help. Annie’s joy appears hidden when she leaves the surgery, she wants to be alone to gather her thoughts and enjoy her new found freedom.

Bill’s tied up in organising the party so he’s happy for Annie to do her own thing. Julia arrives at the function to see how things are getting on but much to her surprise, she sees Bill being affectionate to another woman, Lucy. It was Bill’s awkwardness in greeting Lucy that raised Julia’s initial reaction. When he walks into the club, Julia confronts him about the exchange but Bill states that she has it all wrong; Julia doesn’t want to know! She has her doubts about Bill because his past is tarnished with affairs, but he’s since realised his mistakes and claims he and Annie’s relationship remains sturdy.

Julia doesn’t believe him and rushes over to Annie’s house, but she can’t gather the courage to tell her what she saw. Bill also returns home, and it seems he’s had a lucky escape. Later at the function, Annie appears somewhat cheerless when she is surprised by seeing everyone, but she keeps up her spirits up and greets everyone nonetheless. Julia notices that Lucy is present and he is spending a lot of time with Bill so she finally draws the courage to confront Annie and tell her about her suspicions. Annie laughs at the thought, she’s got it wrong, Lucy is a dear friend, a nurse that she met when she was in hospital and Bill had been comforting her since they discovered that she had recently lost her father.

Annie takes to the stage to thanks everyone for their well-wishes, but people stand aghast briefed by the news she delivers. She’s overjoyed to have a second chance at living, and doesn’t want to be held up anymore. She declares to the room that she wants a divorce from Bill as that she’s discovered a new determination in her life, maybe she’s being selfish but she can live with the consequences! Fallen out of love but gracious for his support when she was ill, Bill is left grief stricken. No-one was expecting that, but Julia is overjoyed to see freedom in her sights.