The curtains are closed and Jean sits alone in in the dark shadows of Judy's old room, staring at her daughter's clothing. Lionel walks in and tries to comfort her by saying that she's bound to miss her at first, but Jean pretends she doesn't know what he's talking about. "Miss who?" she asks. Lionel plays along and indicates he is referring to her daughter -- the one who just got married. Jean tells him that she was only seeing what Judith has left behind. Lionel -- with some sarcasm -- informs her that he was just thinking about taking up kickboxing. She gives in and asks Lionel if he misses her. Lionel supposes he does when all is said and done. An odd expression, she figures and asks if she can quote him on that. He tells her he knows what he means. She does too -- life must go on. She changes the subject and asks Lionel if he will like the room. He is confused and thinks maybe she is suggesting they have separate bedrooms, but Jean assures him that she is thinking of the room as Lionel's study. He wonders what he would want with a study. Jean tells him that a lot of men would dream of having a study. Lionel chalks it up to his having had a secluded existence because he's never met a man who's told him he dreamed about having a study. Or a den, then? Jean suggests. Lionel thinks that makes him sound like a wild animal. She decides that it would be perfect as a sitting room for Sandy -- she could spread out. "Assuming she stays," Lionel brings up a good point. Jean can't imagine that Sandy would leave because she's part of the family now. Lionel says that there is always that chance that Harry will whisk her off to Canada. Jean admits that she has given up hope that that would ever happen. The thought occurs to Lionel that everyone is making the assumption that Harry is just crazy about Sandy, but just can't pluck up the courage to ask her to go with him. What if he is not crazy about her? Jean asks "wouldn't you be if you were Harry?" Lionel will not respond to that question because last time he answered that question he was accused of answering too enthusiastically. He asks Jean if she has seriously decided to give up on Sandy and Harry. "Almost," she says. Just then Sandy walks into the room saying that she made a pot of tea. She wonders if anyone else would like some. She notices that Jean appears to depressed and whispers to Lionel "Is she alright?" Lionel wiggles his hand to suggest she's "so-so." As they turn to leave, Jean finds a note under the pillow and says that Judy used to leave her notes when she was a little girl. Lionel points out that "now she's not." Jean sadly agrees.

Lionel and Sandy walk into the kitchen and he asks if she would like a sitting room. She thinks that is an odd thing to ask. He says he's talking about Judy's room and says it's Jean's idea. Seconds later Jean walks into the kitchen and asks the same question, which amuses Sandy and Lionel. Sandy thinks it is a very nice thought, but "if I don't stay...." Jean looks shocked and tells her of course she's staying and adds "isn't she Lionel?" Lionel rather thought that it was up to Sandy. "Sandy?" just asks. Sandy isn't sure. She wonders if it might be the right time to move on. Suddenly Jean looks delighted and pulls up a chair across from Sandy. "Harry's asked you to go to Canada with him!" she says excitedly. Sandy shakes her head no. The last conversation that she had with Harry was when he said she looked lovely about twenty times and then passed out. Jean says that this is her home and that she's happy there and adds that it is up to her to run the agency now that Judy is gone. This seems to catch Sandy entirely by surprise. She didn't seem to realize that now she's the boss. "What do you say?" Jean ask. Lionel tells her "There'd be a massive pay rise." Jean glares at Lionel, rethinks it and says "considerable." Lionel says that Sandy should not say that the money is not important and Sandy responds by telling him she would never say that. Jean says that that's now settled and they drink to it.

Later Lionel comes down the stairs with his bag of wedding clothes. He shouts out that he'll see Jean later and she comes towards him asking where he's going. He tells her he is going to return the wedding suit and says that she would have saved a lot of money if she had rented clothing for the wedding, too, but being a woman.... Yes, she says sarcastically, we all know how silly it is being a woman, they all offer massive pay rises at the drop of a hat. He explains that he was just trying to tilt the balance. And it worked out for the good because Sandy's staying and it is not because of the money. He turns to leave. Jean, who is sitting at the bottom of the stairs, looks pensive. She says that it seems as though it were only yesterday that Sandy was her secretary. She wonders where the time goes. It seems like only yesterday that Judy was a young girl. He says it can't be the same yesterday when Sandy was her secretary. He accuses her of being maudlin. She wonders how Judy is. Lionel turns to go, saying he is definitely off. But he changes his mind, walks over to Jean and kisses her on the forehead. What is that for? she wonders. "Yesterday," he answers.

Lionel opens his front door to leave and is startled by the sight of a young girl sitting on the stairs. She's eating and doesn't appear to be concerned about Lionel. He says "Sorry?" but she fails to respond. He says it is a nice day. "Yeah, right," is her response. He asks her if she is calling about something. She looks amused and tells him that she doesn't do calling. He just wondered, he tells her, since she's there. She says that everyone has to be somewhere. He's done trying and tells her he'll be off then. "Whatever..."

Jean is on the telephone explaining that she understands it will be her civic duty and that, yes, she will be there. During that conversation Lionel comes in saying that the girl on the step is gone now. Jean appears to be in rather much of a stupor, but asks Lionel what he's talking about. He explains to her that there was a girl sitting on the steps, but that she's gone now. He describes her as young, rude and "on the streets" from the look of her. Jean is shocked, but he explains that it is "not that kind" of on the streets. She's "roughing it" or whatever they call it. Jean opens the door to have a look and says there's nobody there and Lionel reminds her that he just told her the girl was gone. Jean appears to be distracted and he asks if she's alright. "Not really," she says, telling him that she was just on the telephone with the police. He is surprised. She informs him that they want her to be in an identity parade. ( An IDENTITY PARADE is the British version of a LINEUP.) Lionel is shocked, until she explains that they don't want her to be IN one, they want her TO ATTEND one. It seems they pulled someone in who was acting suspiciously -- a prowler. Lionel realizes that the reason for this request is that Jean reported a prowler a few weeks back -- a prowler who was a total work of fiction, invented by her only to have Harry come around the house to take the report. He informs her that she can't do it, but she insists it is her civic duty. He appears to be stunned by that rationale and can't believe she wants to try to identify someone who never existed in the first place. He cautions her not to go looking for someone who she thinks looks like a prowler and pick him out. She objects, saying that she is not a complete idiot. "You will get into messes," he says. He supposes now that she wants him to go with her. "Yes, please," she says. Jean tells him she has to go change her clothes. She can't go to the identity parade dressed as she is. "I didn't think," he tells her.

Jean (who did not change her clothes) and Lionel are walking down the street and she protests that she did not make an official identification, but instead only pointed out that the one in the middle had "shifty eyes." She points out that there was no sign of Harry at the station and Lionel feels that makes sense since he's leaving for Canada tomorrow. As they approach their house Lionel notices that the young girl is back and he tells Jean to ignore her. Jean will have none of that. How would he like to be ignored? Jean walks up to the girl and says hello. The girl, who sits on the stairs surrounded by her "stuff", responds with "hello." Jean tells the girl that it's a nice day. The girl, who is sitting on the steps, eating an apple and doing a crossword puzzle, looks up at Jean, points the pencil and Lionel and tells her that she did that with him. Jeans asks her name and the girl says it is "Dave." Lionel looks at her and says "If you think that's funny...." Dave interrupts him and says she does not think it's funny. Dave is short for Davina. She wonders what sort of a twisted sense of humor one must have to call her child Davina. Jean thinks it is a pretty name. She nastily says "Well, good." Jean and Lionel walk past her into their home.

After dinner Sandy sits on the couch and Jean and Lionel walk in thanking her for making such a wonderful dinner and Jean tells her that her cooking has improved tremendously. Sandy says it had to and stares off into space. Jean asks if she's thinking about Harry and she says "you get right to it, don't you?" She supposes she was thinking about Harry. She will miss him after tomorrow..... She changes the subject and wants to hear about the identity parade and whether or not Jean grassed anybody up. Jean says she will ignore that question and asks Lionel if there is anything on TV. Lionel, who is looking at the TV guide says there is nothing on. Sandy insists something must be on. His sarcasm showing, he runs down the list: 8 o'clock, people shouting at each other; 8:30, people ruining other people's houses; nine o'clock, car crashes; 9:30, people falling over; ten o'clock, more people shouting at each other, getting drunk and falling over. Jean tells him those are just the worst bits, but Lionel assures her that that those are the best bits.

Jean hears a clap of thunder and looks out the window. She announces that Dave is back and that she's soaked. She runs outside to bring her in. "You thinking what I'm thinking?" he asks Sandy? She is afraid that she is probably. Suddenly watching people shouting at each other and falling over is starting to look attractive to Lionel. Jean comes back with Dave and tells her that she needs a hot bath and a hot meal. Lionel asks if there are hostels. Dave tells him they are all full. Jean tells her that she can't go out in that rain and that she will stay overnight there. She tells her to go have a hot bath and she will look for something for her to eat. Jean starts walking out and Lionel looks at Dave and says "There's not an ounce of grace in youl, is there?" Dave leaves the living room, but backs up into it, looks at Lionel and says that she is "grateful, alright?" Then she walks out again. Lionel shakes his head. He doesn't know what to make of this girl. He mentions that Lol Ferris always called her a "tender woman." Sandy agrees with that -- Jean took her in as well. Lionel points out that she wasn't sleeping on the step.

Jean walks into the room in which Dave is sleeping. It is the middle of the night and she has obviously fallen asleep while reading a book. Jean slowly removes the book from from the pillow and puts it on the nightstand. She turns out the light and walks slowly out and closes the door quietly, so she doesn't wake her.

The next morning Jean is in the kitchen reading and Lionel walks in. She asks if he's satisfied and he admits that as far as he can tell nothing is missing. Jean explains that Dave is just a young girl who is living by her wits. He thinks that that is another way to describe thieving, but she tells him that she just needs a decent place to live --- and a job. Jean thinks that even though Dave tries to hide it, she's really bright. She wonders whether or not there would be a place for her at the agency. Just then Sandy walks into the kitchen and Jean poses the question to her. Sandy thinks not. Jean wonders just what has gotten into Sandy and Lionel. "Realism," he tells her. He appears worried that she might ask Dave to stay there. She said she never mentioned anything about that. Just then the doorbell rings and Sandy goes to answer it. Lionel tells her she might well go the whole hog -- just turn the whole place into a home for wayward girls and have done with it. She reminds him, in case he has forgotten, that they have only one spare bedroom. "Which is Judy's," he tells her, "which is what this is all about, isn't it?" Sandy interrupts this revelation to tell them they'd better come to the door because there is a surprise.

The surprise is Judy and Alistair -- the Deacons. They have returned to the big city for a couple of days and then will be off for the honeymoon, but they stopped by to say hello. Alistair is holding Judy in his arms and she says he can put her down now, but he says that he won't put her down until he carries her across the threshold. From now on, he tells her, he will carry her across every threshold they cross. Everyone hugs. Alistair tells Sandy that she looks "a million...." He looks as though he said something that is likely to get him into trouble and changes it to "very nice." Everyone hugs and Jean wonders why everyone is milling about in the hallway. She herds them into the living room. Lionel and Judy meet at the door to the living room and he asks her if everything is alright. Very alright, she tells him and she wonders how everything is there. He tells her that things there have been pretty quiet. She heads towards the living room and he goes into the kitchen.

Lionel is sitting in the kitchen reading the newspaper when Jean rushes in and tells him to come with because Alistair is buying them a drink from the pub down the road. Lionel thinks he will "miss out" on that one. In case she's forgotten, Lionel tells her that Dave is still asleep -- he asks her if she seriously means to suggest that they leave her alone in the house. Jean wonders what happened to his faith in human nature. He finds it diminishes by the week. Jean is writing a note to Dave to let them know where they are. Lionel looks at the note and asks Jean if she has taken leave of her senses. He reads from the note: "Help yourself to anything you want." He says it questioningly. "FOOD. FOOD!" She explains. He wonders why she just doesn't put all their valuables into a big bag marked "swag" and leave it on the table. (SWAG means "stolen goods.") Jean opens her wallet and says "well let's just see, shall we?" and takes out forty pounds. She puts the money under the coffee pot and tells Lionel that Dave can't help but see that. Lionel tells her she can make a big arrow pointing to it if she wants to. Jean bets that if she does go, she won't take it. Lionel seems surprised that she really believes it -- he tells her that Lol is right. She really is a tender woman -- or a crackpot.

Dave finally wakes up and bounds down the stairs shouting "hello" and looking here and there for someone. She realizes that no-one is at home and walks into the kitchen. She sees the note and looks around with curiosity. Dave gets a cup and the milk from the refrigerator. She walks over to the coffee pot, spies the money and takes it in her hand. She looks at it and begins to think about it. At this point the doorbell rings and she leaves the kitchen to answer it.

Harry is at the front door and is surprised to see Dave, but just asks if Sandy is in. Dave wants to know who's asking. He says that he is a friend of hers. She says Sandy is out. Harry asks if anybody is in. She tells him yes, she's in. He is puzzled and appears to be frustrated. She gives him a break and tells him that they are all in the pub down the road. Before he leaves he says that she didn't mention who she was. So she didn't, she tells him -- offering him nothing more. He doesn't understand, but thanks her and leaves. She is pleased with herself, breaks into a smile and hollers after him: "Don't be a stranger." Then she closes the door.

Everyone is sitting at the pub and Judy proposes a toast to Sandy. Sandy asks why they are toasting her and Judith tells her that she is a woman of power -- the great white chief. Alistair says that yes, she is a woman of power, not to say.... He stops himself because, once again, he is afraid of saying something wrong and he changes it to "well, yeah, power." Shortly after, Harry walks into the pub. Jean says that they shouldn't turn and stare at him. At first he does not approach their table, but walks directly to the bar. Lionel calls him over. Alistair offers him some champagne, but Harry tells him that he doesn't do very will with champagne. It begins to get awkward and Jean starts talking about the weather. Alistair chips in by calling it a "really heavy rain." Judith thought it might never stop. Jean informs her that it did. Sandy and Harry look more and more uncomfortable. Alistair asks when Harry will be leaving for Canada, which he calls the land of the moose and the maple leaf. Harry tells him he is leaving that afternoon and just really came to say goodbye. Sandy looks as though she is going to cry. "No, I didn't," he tells them and grabs Sandy by the arm and leading her out of the pub, leaving Alistair and Judith and Jean and Lionel with big grins on their faces. "Woof, woof, woof," laughs Alistair. He wonders what got into Harry. Lionel hopes it is a little bit of backbone. Jean was going to make a suggestion, but decides that perhaps it would be better to just leave them alone. She says they should just talk about something else. But they can't seem to do it. They grin and stare at one another and stare at the door.

Meanwhile, back at the Hardcastle home, Harry pulls Sandy in the front door. She tells him to stop marching her about, but he pulls her towards him and gives her a big smooch. He talks quickly, excitedly. She clutches at her throat when he tells her he loves her and wants to marry her and he wants her to come to Canada with him. He know he doesn't say enough -- he means to, but when he does it all seems to come out wrong anyway. When he first found out about the attachment to Canada she was the first person he told. He had wanted for her to say something and he thinks that's just pathetic. He tells her he is only a copper and can't offer her much. He hates the thought of being so far away from her and maybe never even seeing her again. He tells her that she's got to come to Canada with him and she's got to marry him, and.... that's it, really.

Sandy tells him that for someone who doesn't say anything, he did rather well. So? he asks. Suddenly she blurts out that they can't get married -- at least not there. If they expect to go to Canada that afternoon, they just won't have the time. She takes his face in her hands, looks into his eyes and explains that "that is a yes, by the way." They both smile and hug and Harry tells her that they will get married in Calgary. Sandy tells him that she's always wanted to get married in Calgary. Harry feels he needs to sit down and so does Sandy. They walk to the bottom of the stairs and sit next to one another. Sandy asks what time they have to be at Heathrow airport. He tells her they must be there at four. She gets up quickly and phones the pub for reinforcements. It seems impossible that they could be ready to go by four o'clock.

Harry sits on the couch in a stupor throughout much of the next scene. The camera closes in on his face and most of the action takes place on the second floor so that what you hear is the bustle of people trying to help Sandy pack and all the while you can tell that Harry can't believe she said yes. He is almost out of his head with joy. There is a lot of thumping, a lot of searching for clothes. Jean tells Judith to get out the ironing board and iron what Sandy needs. Some of the clothes are being washed. Lots of thumping on the stairs, lots of hollering .... Harry sits still, smiling. Lionel walks into the living room and tells Harry he thought he'd get out of the way before he gets trampled to death. Harry doesn't appear to hear him. "'That's a yes,' she said, in her voice," he says to no-one in particular. He can't seem to get over it. Alistair walks into the house with a rousing "hey, hey" (to which Judith, in another room, shouts, "not now"). He comes into the living room and asks "who's the happiest Larry Harry? Harry doesn't appear to hear him. "Harry says "it's the way that she said it...." Lionel explains to Alistair that Harry is in shock. More thumping on the stairs. Jean and Sandy race into the living room looking for a green folder. Judith rushes in with a blouse and asks if that is the one that Sandy wants ironed. It is. Sandy is relieved to find the folder inside of which is her passport. Suddenly Harry breaks his spell -- he realizes that he has only one ticket for Canada. The girls are speechless, Lionel suggests that there is always standby. But Alistair is already on the phone and asks for Gary Pearson, who evidentally has something to do with the airlines. One word from him and the ticket problem is solved. Not only solved, but they are going first class as well. He explains that one ticket is an upgrade and the other -- well she's always been first class. This time Alistair makes no attempt to change what he is saying. He knows he said just the right thing. Everyone is, as always, amazed by what Alistair can do in a pinch. Harry stands up and shakes Alistair's hand -- he never thought he'd say this, but "you're amazing," he says to Alistair. Alistair tells him that means only one thing: hug time.

Everyone is gathered in the hallway a short time later. They hug and kiss goodbye and suddenly everyone is gone from the house with exception of Jean and Lionel. After all this time they are finally alone. Suddenly Jean remembers about Dave. Lionel thinks she never would have been able to sleep through all the ruckus. Jean goes upstairs to look for her and Lionel walks into the kitchen. He immediately picks up the coffee pot and sees that there is no money there. He realizes that Jean will be disappointed if she found out that Dave took the money so he opens his wallet, removes 40 pounds and places the money under the pot. Jean comes in and tells hime that Dave has gone without even saying goodbye. She asks if there was a note, but Lionel tells her no. Suddenly she remembers the 40 pounds and goes over to the coffee pot. She pulls out the money and appears to be delighted that she was right all the time. And Lionel was wrong. Lionel says that everybody gets it wrong sometimes. Jean turns to leave the kitchen and is surprised to find another 40 pounds on the table near the microwave. Lionel is even more surprised. Jean concludes that not only did Dave not take the money, but she left them another 40 pounds as a thank you. Lionel can hardly say anything and winds up agreeing with Jean.

Jean and Lionel are, once again, in bed. This time, though, they are pensive. Jean thinks it is too quiet. Lionel doesn't think so, yet. Jean suggests they might want to move. When the girls were there, there was someone in every room, she tells him. Lionel understands that it is natural that she would miss the girls, but it is hardly a reason to move. Jean says that they have to do something. Lionel suggests that they go to sleep. Jean doesn't want to just lie there and wither away. He doesn't think that would be likely to happen overnight. She reminds him that Madge and Rocky went trekking in the Andes for a year. Lionel thinks that that's because they're both crackers. Jean has never seen the Andes. Lionel tells her that he hasn't seen them either. Jean sighs and says "so, it's just the two of us." Lionel feels that she makes it sound as though it's a curse. Lionel likes the sound of "just the two of us" -- loving each other, having a nice time together -- what's wrong with that, he wants to know. She says that put like that, nothing at all. He shuts off the light and rolls over. Jean is still thinking. She hopes there will be lots of grandchildren. Lionel hopes that they won't all be coming to live there. Jean assures him it will be only on the holidays. In the meantime, he wants to enjoy his peace and quiet. He turns to kiss her goodnight and rolls back over. She tells him she thinks that she'll read for a little while. He asks her to give him a shake if she notices him beginning to wither away during the night. He starts to chuckle. "What?" He tells her he was just thinking of the two of them wandering about in the Andes. He chuckles again -- "the Andes." Jean laughs and says "yes .....silly." She picks up her book and starts to read it. The title is "Trekking in the Andes.

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