Jean is in Sandy's old room admiring and the cots. She just couldn't resist. Lionel questions her and she tells him that the cots were for Judy and Sandy's babies. He tells her that he didn't realize that they were pregnant. She knows that they are not now pregnant, but that it only stands to reason that they will be. He wants to know why they have cots now and she says that they will need them for when they are asked to look after the babies. He wonders sarcastically whether or not they have them enrolled for school yet. Jean keeps fussing with the mobiles she bought the to swing above the cots and he tells her that he wishes she would stop doing that. She stops and turns towards him in a confrontational way. Don't you want grandchildren? He doesn't want imaginary grandchildren. He thinks about it and tells her that he is not sure. She is distracted by the wallpaper in the room and says it is not right. Much too stern for babies And the curtains are all wrong, too. Lionel has had it with her. He rolls his eyes, says he thinks he'll have a custard tart and leaves the room.

Later that night we are in the middle of the nightmare that Lionel is having. It is filled with babies. Pudding covered babies, fussy misbehaving babies, babies been seen through an unforgiving fish-eye lens and suddenly he darts up in his bed. Jean also wakes up and tells him it has been caused by eating that custard tart. She asks him what the nightmare was about and he answers "baaa......y leaves." He was a bay leaf in a casserole and didn't like the onions. She doesn't fall for it and tells him that she knows he was going to say "ba..bies." He confesses that it's true. She wants to know what could possibly be nightmarish about babies. "When they multiply" is his answer.

Jean explains that these wouldn't be just any babies, they would be their grandchildren. Lionel reminds her that Judy is not his daughter and Sandy is not their daughter. Jean says that Sandy has become like a daughter.

Sandy and Harry are coming home from Canada the next day and Lionel and Jean both say that they've missed her. Lionel wonders how many babies they might have had in the past year. Jean insists that she was always talking about the future, for them and Judy and Alistair. Jean again tells him that they will want someone to look after them, won't they? She looks at him, thinks about it and responds by saying "unless you're refusing to do it?" Lionel again reminds her that there aren't any babies now and they might not even want babies. She feels that he can be really depressing when he puts his mind to it.

Jean thinks that maybe they should have arranged to pick up Harry and Sandy at the airport, but Lionel feels it is best left the way they arranged it: Judy and Alistair will pick them up because he is better at that sort of thing -- like parking right outside the terminal. Jeans asks why Lionel can't do things like that? He tells her that he is gifted in other areas. Jean rolls over and tries go back to sleep. In a low whisper, she says "granddad." After a few moments Jean darts up and tells Lionel that she is having a nightmare: she is a carrot in one of his casseroles.

It is the next morning and the doorbell rings. Jean tells Lionel that they've arrived and he follows her to the door. Jean embraces Sandy, who starts crying and runs upstairs. Harry tells them that he expects she's tired from the journey. Jean hesitates for a moment and then runs after her leaving everyone at the front door looking up after her.

Sandy runs up to the bedroom, drops her bag, sits on the bed and starts crying. She looks up and notices the cot on the other side of the room and begins to sob even harder. Jean opens the door and Sandy, thinking it is Harry tells her to go away. Jean sits next to her and says that Harry thinks she's just tired from the long trip, but Jean feels that there might be more to it and asks what's wrong. Sandy's response is a surprise. She tells Jean "It was all so lovely and now he's decided to kill himself."

Back in the living room Lionel looks at Harry questioningly. "Armed response?" he asks. Judith feels that has something to do with guns, a fact which Harry confirms as being rather obvious. He says that he wants to be on the fast track and he feels that volunteering for this could be a way of doing it. Judy realizes that this Armed Response activity of Harry's is why Sandy is so upset. Judy, too, would be upset if Alistair wanted to do something like that, "not that he would". Alistair feels a bit insulted. "Publishing isn't the safest profession." She reminds him that you don't get shot doing it, but he reasons that all publishers make enemies.

Harry is also justifying his position by saying that Sandy seems to misunderstand -- he just wants a promotion and he is NOT volunteering to be shot. He only wants to get on with his life. Alistair is not listening to him -- Alistair's mind is still on his own argument. It seems he's got a Russian Author with a really nasty temper and if he were critical of his book -- for example, by telling him it wouldn't exactly light up Red Square.... and he makes two fists as if to defend himself saying that there would be a price to pay. Judy isn't very sympathetic. She says the most the author would do is throw a plate of borscht at him.

Judy asks when he told this to Sandy and Harry tells her that he did it not long before they came home. Alistair's mind is still elsewhere -- he continues to fantasize: He could be in the Russian mafia for they knew..... Harry says that's nasty and Judy tells him to stop posturing. He asks if she's got the right word. She explains that Harry could be in real danger. She turns to Lionel and asks what he thinks. He's startled as though he'd just been awakened.

Lionel tells her that it is not his life or his career and being a policeman isn't the safest job to begin with. Harry seconds that, saying that that's what he keeps telling Sandy. How reassuring! Judy says. Alistair tells her to give him a break. It is Harry's territory and the danger goes with the territory. He tells her that it is like Lionel fighting lions in Kenya. Lionel tells him he didn't fight any lions in Kenya. He rephrases -- like fighting Russians in Korea. Lionel looks at him and suggests he brush up on his history. Alistair gets a "what's the difference" look, waves his arms and says "Japanese then." Lionel suggests that Alistair "seriously" brush up on his history. Harry wonders what Sandy wants him to be -- perhaps a traffic warden?

Jean comes into the living room and says not to just sit there, but instead to go upstairs and check on Sandy. They all rise and she says "not all of you" and looks at Harry, who gets up and leaves the room. Jean calls them a fine lot and Lionel asks what they've done. She doesn't know what they've done, but they've obviously not talked him 'round.

Later that day Jean is wiping the kitchen floor. Judy comes into the kitchen asking what she's doing and Jean tells her that she is using that as a substitute for hitting someone over the head. Judy claims that she really tried, but that Harry had that stubborn look on his face. Lionel kept saying it is not his business and Alistair tried to convince them that he's a target for the Russian mafia.

Typical Lionel, she says and she realized what Judy just said -- "Russian Mafia?" Judy doesn't think Jean really wants to "go there" and Jean thinks "perhaps not." She asks Judy if she wants coffee and Judy tells her to sit down, that shell make the coffee.

Jean says it has been a while since she asked how she and Alistair are doing. Judy reminds her that she only saw them the week before. Jean means "As a marriage." She's told that one could never describe Alistair as dull and, aside from odd flight to never neverland, they are doing fine.

Jean slowly says the word "good." "Really really good". Judy turns and tells her mother that she is not pregnant. Jean denies having mentioned pregnancy, but Judy informs her she doesn't have to -- she might as well have it printed on her forehead every time she asks her how she is.

Jean admits that she'd love grandchildren. "There's nothing wrong with that is there?" Judy agrees that there is nothing wrong with that. "And so would Lionel," she adds. When Judy asks if she is sure Jean tells her "he'll come round."

Sandy walks into the kitchen with some bags and says that she really can't blame Harry and that it wasn't the fault of either of them. He just wants to get on with it and he's doing it all for Sandy anyway. She changes the subject and asks why there are two cots in her room. Judy is shocked by this. "Oh mom," she says as soon as she realized what happened. Jean tells her not to "Oh mom" her. Jean explains that she bought them in case they have people over to stay. Judy and Sandy roll their eyes at one another.

Harry, Lionel and Alistair are at a pub and Harry thinks that maybe they should not have sneaked off like that. Lionel tells him that they didn't sneak off -- they left quietly. Harry tells him that he sounds like someone in the witness box and Lionel says he might be later. Alistair wonders if it is just him or if the two guys at the bar are giving them hostile looks. In Lionel's opinion they appear to be just sitting there. Alistair is not so sure. He says that when he says the word "now" they should all look and catch them at it. When he says it no-one looks. Harry says there is nothing to look at and Alistair accuses him of being unprofessional. In his opinion those guys are on the prod. Harry tells him that they aren't in Dodge City and Lionel says "They're wearing cardigans!" Alistair says that even ugly customers can wear cardigans. Lionel is concerned that something might be the matter with Alistair, but Alistair denies it by saying that he just doesn't like being threatened and starts to get up. He alerts them that he may need backup. Lionel tells him to sit back down and Harry warns Alistair that he may make him for breach of peace in another minute. Alistair protests, saying that he just wants them to know that they are skating on thin ice. Lionel tells him that he's just fallen thru it. Lionel just doesn't know what Alistair is trying to prove. Alistair gets offended and says that he's not trying to prove anything. Lionel tries to back off and calm Alistair by changing the subject to more to drink, but Harry says that he is taking Sandy out to lunch. Alistair says that he is doing that -- in fact taking them all out to lunch. He picks up his cell phone, asks for Jean Paul and reserves a table for six by the window for 1:30 p.m. He hangs up, satisfied and says where were we in an annoying, superior sort of way. Harry tells him that they were talking about his trying to prove something. It was just a phone call, he says, picking up on Harry's reaction.

The men at the bar get up. Watch it, they're coming over, he says... The men put on their coats turn in the other direction and walk out of the pub. Lionel enjoys saying that his heart was in his mouth, then.

The next scene shifts to the outside of Julie's Restaurant and Champagne Bar and we only hear what is happening inside behind the curtained window. There is an argument and Alistair can clearly be heard complaining because he wanted a table by the window and he obviously didn't get it. The others tell him and that they want to leave and that he is embarrassing them, but he won't shut up. He was told to leave and we hear some breaking glass.

We are back in the Hardcastle's kitchen where Sandy, Lionel and Jean are about to eat lunch. Jean says she has never been so embarrassed in her life. "All over a table," summarizes Sandy she wonders what's wrong with him anyway. Lionel thinks it is because he is married and that sometimes men like to show off for their wives. Jean points out that he doesn't do that, but Lionel suggests that he does it so subtly that she doesn't even notice it.

Sandy says that Harry doesn't do it at all. Jean thinks it is because he's sensible. Lionel is satisfied because he fancied the sandwich anyway. Jean speculates that the food at Jean Paul's would have been delicious. Lionel points out that they didn't even get as far as seeing the menu. Judith walks in to get some sandwiches for the boys who are in the other room. Jean asks how Alistair is doing and trusts that his testosterone level has gone down. Judy informs them that he's currently talking to Harry about taking up rugby. Lionel and Sandy are quite surprised by that, a little disbelieving. Judy tells them it is not that funny. Of course not, says Jean, who attempts, but fails to stifle a laugh as do the others. Lionel believes it is a bit sad. Sandy tells him it is only a game, not an art form. Lionel sums up the afternoon: in half a day, Alistair has acted like he's under threat from the Russian mafia, acted like Billy the Kid in the pub and got them all chucked out of a restaurant.

Sandy thinks Alistair's a bid weird. Judith tries to defend him. Jean thinks that he's trying to prove something. Judith doesn't know what he's trying to prove. She starts to leave the room, stops in the doorway, and turns towards them, thinking of what it could possibly be.

The scene shifts to the bedroom later that night where Jean and Lionel are both reading. Jean tells him she wishes he would stop grumbling. He tells her that he is not grumbling, he is reading. She accuses him of turning the pages in a grumpy way. He assumes that if he falls asleep she'll accuse him of snoring in a grumpy way. It can be done, she says. How? he asks. She does her not-so-bad impression of a grumpy snore. He thinks she sounds like a pig rooting for truffles. She tells him that he should do it because he's the grumpy one. He sighs. This wasn't exactly the best day of their lives. And to cap it all they all everyone had to stay there overnight.

"Haven't they got homes to go to?" he asks. She reminds them that no, Harry and Sandy have no homes to go to and that they were just looking after them until they find somewhere to live. What about Judy and Alistair? Jean tells him that they just thought they would. You're not suggesting they have written invitations? He sighs. She insists that he is now sighing grumpily. Its not the people, it's the problems they bring with them he tells her. Well, says Jean, grandparents do worry. He informs her once again that they are not grandparents and figures that she won't be happy until she gets those two cots occupied. Oh they'll be occupied, you'll see, she tells him. Lionel wants to know what she's going to do in the meantime, get a couple of babies out on hire? She didn't think that wasn't funny and he tells her it was not supposed to be and that she's obsessing. She turns to him and says you really don't like babies do you? Not when they're young, he answers. Jean says they don't have old babies. Lionel contradicts her: yes, you can have old babies: they're called grown ups.

Jean hears a sound and thinks someone is walking around. Lionel thinks someone is probably going to the bathroom. Jean tells him to go and have a look. Jean asks who could be going to the bathroom. Everyone in the world at some stage. He gets up reluctantly, peeks out the door and asks if someone is up. Judith tells him it is only her and says he should go back to bed, to which he snickers as if to say "yeah, right" and closes the door. He tells Jean that it was Judy and she accuses him of having made that quite obvious. Lionel says that she was the one who wanted to know who it was and he found out. He can't seem to do anything right. Now she knows we know she's up. "So she does" says Lionel, who goes back to bed. Jean wants to know what he's doing and he tells her to go back to bed as Judy suggested. Jean starts to put on a robe so she can check and see if Judy's okay. Lionel reasons that she would have come in and talked with her if she wasn't okay. Jean sees the wisdom of this and gets back in bed. They lie there for a few moments and Jean gets back out of bed, puts on her robe and leaves the room. Lionel is puzzled.

Jean walks into the darkened living room where Judy is sitting alone on the couch. Jean says "Oh, Judy you're here" and Judy tells her that she told Lionel to go back to bed. Jean sits beside her and says that he has. Judy can't sleep and reminds Jean that when she couldn't sleep in the past her mother would tell her a story. Jean asks which one she'd like to hear. She admits that she's worried about Alistair. Jean says that they're all worried about Alistair. Judy agrees that Alistair is trying to prove something and asks why men always think that women instinctively understand one another. Because we do, Jean says....only I don't.

"Mom, I'd like a baby and so would Alistair, but...." Jean thinks about the "but". Judy assures her "it's not me." Jean says "well of course it isn't" and asks Judy if she's sure. Judy is positive it is not her and thinks Alistair is blaming himself. "He should," says Jean, "it's his fault." Judith defends him, but at the same time thinks that if there is a problem he should find out. Jean finishes her thought ".....instead of taking up rugby." And all the rest of it, Judith adds. He's trying to be so macho, but she's sure that he's in denial. Jean tells her that she will get Lionel to talk with Alistair. Judith thinks that Alistair really needs a man to man to talk with and asks if her mother thinks he would be willing to do it. "Of course he'll do it," says Jean.

Next thing we see is a very deliberate and unmistakable "NO" coming from Lionel's lips. Jean and Lionel are in the kitchen. The "no" startles her and she accuses him of not even thinking about it because he's too busy stuffing himself. He says he's just eating a piece of toast and he is perfectly capable of doing that and thinking at the same time and the answer is "no". She feels that it all goes back to his hating babies. He says he doesn't hate babies, but he will tell her what he does hate and that is sticking his nose into other people's affairs. She invites him to think of it as HER nose. He reiterates whosever nose it is -- it is still being stuck in. And the subject of this is too personal. She counters by saying that society is very open about it these days and he tells her to get society to talk to Alistair. She adds that "Alistair respects you". NO. She goes on to say "Judy really loves you". NO. He wants to know what that has to do with it. She asks him -- when you want someone to do you a really personal favor who do you ask to do to do it? -- the answer is somebody you really love. Lionel asks if she is now claiming this is Judy's idea. She doesn't say anything and he says, "I thought not." He asks her if there is any more tea in that pot and she pours tea into and all round the cup and on the table. He looks at her, annoyed. He says he really should not have asked that question. She admits that it was childish and asks if he wants more toast. He says yes, please and she reaches behind her on the cabinet and throw the toast across the table. So this is going to be my day, is it -- having food thrown at me? She tells him she is going to make a casserole that night. He tells her he will look forward to it and hopes she will be making a jelly as well. She is amused by this and apologizes to him. She tells him that she will talk to Alistair. He looks at her as though that's not the best solution. So you don't think that's a good idea? Alistair walks into the kitchen at that moment and says good morning mom and pop-in-law. Jean asks how he's feeling. Alistair answers the question by beating his chest and saying that he feels as fit as a mountain gorilla. Oh God, sighs Lionel.

Jean gets up from the breakfast table saying she has to go because she has some shopping to do. Alistair offers his services in case she needs some heavy lifting. Only croissants. She says she'll leave those two to have a man-to-man chat because Lionel likes man-to-man chats. Alistair tells her he'll never say no to a pow-wow with the old chief. Lionel says perhaps they can smoke a peace pipe later.

Jean starts to leave and Lionel calls out her name. She heads back in and says what. He looks at her for a longer time than is necessary and says "nothing". She comes into the kitchen and gives him a big kiss. Alistair says isn't that nice you're still like two crazy kids in love. Well, the crazy bit's right, agrees Lionel.

Jean is walking towards the door when she sees Harry and Sandy coming down the stairs. Sandy found it was strange being in her old bed. Well Harry was there with her too, she says. They tell Jean they're okay and then start to go into the kitchen for breakfast. She doesn't want them to interrupt "the talk" so she asks them to come with her to get the croissants and suggests that they have breakfast when they come back. She'd like the company. When she is out of earshot Harry wants to know if it's him, or is Jean going a bit funny.

Back in the kitchen Alistair wonders what they are supposed to be chatting about. This and that, says Lionel and gets right to the point: Do you want children? Alistair is momentarily taken back, but recovers quickly telling Lionel that it is one of is greatest hopes to one day see Lionel with a little "me" on his knee. Or with a little girl "me" or if it were twins he could have a little "me" on each knee. He wants to know if that answers Lionel's question.

Lionel thinks he might be jumping the gun a little bit. Alistair tells him that Rome wasn't build in a day and "if Judy isn't up to speed...." Lionel interrupts him by saying that Judy thinks he might be the one who isn't getting up to speed and that she said as much to Jean.

But I'm Alistair Deacon. He doesn't understand. Lionel replies that that is about as relevant as saying he's General Patton. Alistair recalls that Patton was nicknamed Old Blood and Guts. And he tells Lionel that it is relevant -- just look at all the battles he won. Lionel reminds him that they are not talking about battles. At a loss for words he tells Alistair that he knows what they're talking about.

Alistair thinks that this defies belief. Lionel agrees that maybe it does, but wouldn't it be better to find out officially? Alistair suggests that it could be Judy, but Lionel informs him that she says no, and she doesn't tell lies. Alistair admits that she has been to see somebody. There you are then, Lionel tells him. You want me to see somebody? Lionel asks him to do it "for Judy's sake". Alistair can't seem to digest this. "Me? Me? Alistair Deacon?" Lionel tells him that he wishes Alistair would stop referring to him in the third person. Alistair tells him it is that bizarre. It's not bizarre, answers Lionel. And he assures Alistair that it is not any kind of slur on his manhood. It's just the sensible thing to do. "You mean YOU did it?" Lionel tells him no, but that he should do it for Judy. Finally he agrees to do it. He'll phone a guy who might know a guy. That's the spirit Lionel says. "Me....Alistair Deacon." He has trouble believing it. Alistair looks at Lionel...You'll come with me won't you. Lionel doesn't believe how things are going.

Alistair is on the phone in the living room. Doctor who? PlOnk? Oh, PlAnk with an A ....and an extra K. Yeah, Dr. Plankk as in thick as two short ones, but with an extra K. Well I'm sure he is. Thanks a bundle, when? That soon? Me? No way, Jose. No, this is for a friend of mine. Name? Hardcastle. No I'll just be going along for moral support. Thanks again Max. Caio.

Judy walks into the room and tells Alistair that she overslept. He asks if she was sick that morning. She looks at him disappointedly and says no, she wasn't sick. She wonders who he was phoning and he tells her it was a business associate. Alistair tells Judy that he had a word with Lionel about little Alistair Jr. or, rather, the lack of little Alistair Jr. He described this conversation as being real mano a mano stuff -- no punches pulled. She wants to know if there were any conclusions. He says for an old bull elephant, Lionel can be very indirect so he had to seize the initiative and fix himself up with a consultant. Just a formality of course, but "I thought it was the best thing to do." This makes Judy very happy and she hugs him. He looks nervous, which makes her ask if he's nervous. He hugs her and says that nervous is not a word in his vocabulary. Meanwhile he's displaying all sorts of nervous mannerisms out of her which she is unable to see because her position.

Jean walks into the kitchen where Lionel is reading the newpaper. "Results?" she asks. He claims to have had total embarrassment on his part. She wants to know if he won. He agrees that if she must put it like that, then he won because Alistair agreed to talk to a guy who might know a guy. This delights her and she tells him how clever he is. Lionel disagrees, saying that if he were clever he'd have stayed out of it.

According to Jean that's one down and one to go. He is caught by surprise. She is talking about Harry. Just then Sandy walks into the kitchen, overhears and says "what about Harry?" Lionel says they were just talking about how well he looked. And...adds Jean, how we have to change his mind about the armed response business. Sandy tells them that they don't have to do anything, no matter how well intentioned because at the end of the day it is Harry's decision. Just then Harry appears with the croissants. Harry overhears and says that if the decision they are talking about is the one he's thinking of, he doesn't know why it is suddenly in the public domain. Jean wishes people would stop popping out of nowhere. She tells Harry that they are not the public and that they care about them. Sandy politely tells her that this is their business. Jean walks out disgustedly. Fine, fine, she says. Sandy runs after her.

Harry sits down at the kitchen table, across from Lionel. Funny, I'm supposed to KEEP the peace he says. Lionel tells him to look on the bright side and reminds him that there has been no actual violence. He declines the croissant that Harry offers. Harry says, "what if I had been a tightrope walker?" Lionel informs him that this would require quite a stretch of the imagination. Well, he explains, that this would simply be what he does for a living, his job. When Lionel was in Korea he was just doing his job. Lionel says he knows, but that he didn't volunteer for it. Harry tells him that at night when he looks over at Sandy he thinks that he wants to give her the best, to look out for her. Lionel understands. And if armed response is a way of doing it..... He looks almost defeated -- Tell me I've got a point, he says. Just then Alistair walks into the kitchen saying that his guy knew a guy and that the appointment is on Tuesday morning. Harry says that's the same day he has to go in for another police board. Lionel observes that that's going to be quite a day.

Lionel walks into the living room where Judy, Sandy and Jean are sipping tea and looking quite dejected. "Oh dear," he says when he see them, and turns to leave. Jean asks where he's going, and it is quite obvious that he would consider anywhere else better than this. Jean was hoping he had come to cheer them up. He says that by the look of the three of them, there's not much chance of that.

Alistair comes into the living room and embraces Lionel almost against his will. Today's the day, mate, as if Lionel forgot. He hugs Judy and Sandy and Jean, one at a time, and very deliberately. Lionel asks if he would like him to bring some people in off the street. Jean tells him that that was very unfeeling. He was just trying to introduce a note of realism. It's not the end of civilization, it is a job interview and a doctor's appointment. "....which could leave Judy childless and Sandy a widow," she finishes his sentence. This appears to bother Sandy.

Jean looks at him and says "now look what you've done." He says he shouldn't have gotten up in the morning. Harry walks in and tells them that he's off. Lionel is surprised that he doesn't want to hug everyone first. Only me, Sandy says. Alistair wishes him good luck with the old and mimics Harry spraying bullets from a machine gun. Jean looks at him horrified. Alistair explains it was a joke. And she thought that Lionel was the master of insensitivity. Lionel, upon hearing that, smirks and looks as though he's won some sort of victory.

Sandy is talking with Harry in the hallway and he feels badly because he knows that this is bothering her. She says she knows that he is doing this for her. Harry just trying to get promoted and any bloke tries to do that -- even Alistair. She thinks Alistair was born promoted. MOST blokes, then. He promises that it is not as dangerous as she thinks. Off you go, she says and orders him to come back as something very senior. He puffs up -- chief constable probably. He walks out and she is clearly left in a worried state of mind. Jean comes into the hallway. She asks Sandy if they can have a cup of tea and a chat. Sandy will settle for a cup of tea. They walk towards the kitchen.

Back in the living room Judy is asking what time Alistair and Lionel are making a move. About now, says Lionel and gets up. Alistair looks at his watch and observes how the old clock goes round. Judy asks if Alistair is okay. Yes, apart from a numbness in his left leg. He gets up and thanks Lionel for volunteering to go with him. Judy embraces Alistair and says she'll be thinking of him. He says he will be too. He corrects himself and says he meant that he would be thinking of her.

They are in the waiting room at the doctor's office. Obviously Alistair is nervous and preoccupied. Lionel reads a magazine and looks completely relaxed. He sees Mafeking's been relieved. Apparently the magazine is not so current. Alistair doesn't seem very interested. In fact, he's quite distracted. There is another patient in the room, who gets up, paces a bit, gets his coat and walks out. Alistair looks like he's getting up, Lionel tells him not to even think about it. Alistair says that there is a prob with all this. He means his actually being there. If word ever got out about it he would lose his street cred. Lionel tells him that he is doing the honest thing and he's always thought that that was good for one's self-respect. Alistair tells him he has street cred and Lionel assures him that he will treasure it. Alistair says he's sure that Dr. Plankk is very discreet. He's Austrian. Frank Plank. With Two K's. Lionel wonders if he is referring to Frankk or Plankk. The receptionist comes in and calls the name of the next patient, a Mr. Blakesley, but Lionel says that he believes the man lost his nerve. Why are men such babies? she asks. "Mr. Hardcastle, then." He tells her that he's Mr. Hardcastle. She looks surprised and hands him a form to complete -- just a few personal details. He looks at if briefly and then slams it into Alistair's chest. Alistair tells her that there was a mistake. She observes that there was an appointment made in the name of Hardcastle. That would be my secretary, he says. What would you do with women? It's me the doctor wants to see. He turns to Lionel and explains that he's sorry, but it all goes back to street cred. Lionel insists that he just fill in the form.

Alistair looks at the form and runs after the receptionist. He points to where it says name. She says funnily enough you just fill in your name. He wants to know if he can just write in Mr. X.

Jean thinks that she and the girls should go for a walk because they can't sit around like Trojan woman all day. Sandy informs her that they were all widows. Some other women then, Jean says. The girls don't want to go because they figure that one of their husbands will be back home soon.

Jean reluctantly agrees not to go and says they should watch TV. There's always something in the afternoon that Lionel can fall asleep to and she reads the TV guide which indicates that the movie that afternoon is Charge of the Light Brigade. Sandy tells her that there are hundreds of people who are killed in that movie. Jean says that they've got to do SOMEthing. Why, Judith wants to know. To make the time go by more quickly. She suggests a game of scrabble. Judy laughs. Jean is once again antsy. She gets up and says she's going for a walk. Judy says she might miss someone. She sits back down. We'll just have to wait then. Judy tells her that's what they were doing. Jean asks if anyone wanted to eat and Sandy says she can't eat a thing. Jean says she mustn't worry and Sandy responds by saying that she supposes that she didn't worry when Lionel went off to Korea. She answers that she was a nervous wreck and it was a wonder she didn't kill all her patients. She kept praying he would get shot in the leg and get sent home. Perhaps Harry will only get shot in the leg. Judy asks if anyone ever considered the possibility that he might not get shot at all? Of course I have says Sandy. She remembers that Lionel went through a whole war and the only injury he had was getting kicked in the head by an enemy mule. I don't suppose the poor thing even knew which side he was on, Jean says. Lionel? Sandy asks. The mule, says Jean. Sandy says she knows one thing -- it is going to be very hard for her to look cheerful if Harry gets that job. "Why try?" asks Jean. "Because I love him..." is her answer.

Harry's interview is over. He walks pensively out of the building, stops, hears a siren and follows it with his eyes. He stands still for a moment. listening to those street sounds and suddenly breaks into a smile, walks down the stairs and continues on his way.

The front door opens and Lionel walks into the house. Sandy appears at the entrance to the living room. Oh, it's you, she says when she sees him. Jean also appears just outside the living room. I've had warmer welcomes, he tells her. Then Judy appears. Jean tells her it is only Lionel. He says that there's no need to gush. They ask what he's done with Alistair and he tells them he's done nothing -- Alistair is still at the doctor's office. Judy worries that maybe they had to keep him there. It's a surgery not a hospital, he insisted on waiting until they got the lab results. He wanted to be on his own when he gets them -- something about personal cred. Jean wants to know what that means, but Lionel has no idea. Lionel asks about Harry and is told that he's not back yet. Lionel walks towards the kitchen saying he is going to get something to eat. He walks past them. Now? Jean asks incredulously. He turns around, walks back towards her, moves his face almost into hers and tells her yes. She follows him into the kitchen and asks how he can eat at a time like this? He starts by telling her that first he will put the food into his mouth.... She interrupts him by calling him juvenile. He says that his only excuse is that he spent the best part of that morning by being with a juvenile. She tells him that everyone else has the decency to worry about Harry and Alistair. He explains that he is not indecent; he is hungry.

She asks if that is a jam sandwich that he is making. He answers yes and then she accuses him of regressing. He tells her if he were really regressing they'd be upstairs in bed and she smiles, thinking it was sweet of him to say that. He wants to get on with his lunch. She asks if he would like a cup of tea. He says he would. He asks if she would like a jam sandwich She demurs. She supposes that they were passionate once. He agrees that they were "in a quiet sort of way."

Sandy knocks at the doorway to the kitchen, which surprises Jean. She asks if she could come in. Jean asks why she knocked and Sandy tells her she thought they might want to be alone and that they might have had enough of people's problems that day. Well, to tell the truth, says Lionel. Jean gives him a dirty look. She tells Sandy that they are family. A dysfunctional one at the moment, but Sandy is part of it and so there. Sandy says that she has something to tell them. Lionel mentions that he didn't hear the phone. She says that it's not about Harry. Then she thinks about it, says, well, it IS about Harry .... and Me. "I'm pregnant."

Jean rushes up and gives her a big hug. Lionel says "Congratulations" and extends her hand, Jean tells him that they can't just shake hands. They have a big hug. Jean is ecstatic -- A baby! A grandchild! Lionel says not a grandchild, strictly speaking and Jean tells him not to be pedantic. She asks Sandy when she first knew and Sandy says it was just before they came home. Jean wants to know why she didn't tell her earlier. Sandy told her it was because other things came up.

Lionel says that generally he tries to stay neutral, but he just doesn't know how Harry can apply for a job which worries Sandy so much when she is pregnant is beyond him. Jean agrees. Sandy tells them that she hasn't told Harry about it yet. But he's the father, Lionel thinks about it and adds "isn't he?" Jean gives him a dirty look and assures him "of course he is." And she looks at Sandy, who confirms this. They want to know why she hasn't told him. She tells them that he applied for that job just before she found out she was pregnant and she felt if she told him it would be like telling him not to apply for this job because I'm pregnant. She felt that would be very unfair. Jean says she would have told him if she were having a baby. Lionel, too, would have told him. Sandy tells him it is hard to think of his being pregnant. Jean doesn't know how she could joke and Sandy says that it is because she feels so much better now that she told them and they are going to have a baby no matter what happens. Judith rushes into the room and says that Harry's back. Sandy rushes out. Judy tells them that she thinks that they should leave them alone. Jean agrees with her, thinks about it and then rushes towards the living room. She rushes back and tells Lionel to come on. Judy changes her mind. If Jean is going, she's going too Lionel who is about to eat his sandwich, puts it down and asks why everything in their house turns into a rally? and then he gets up to follow the others.

Everyone is in the living room. Harry feels as though he has drawn a crowd. Lionel apologizes appears to want to leave, but Harry motions them to stay saying it doesn't matter and that they will all know sooner or later. Sandy asks what happened and Harry says they turned him down. Oh Harry! Jean says, not containing her excitement in the least. Well done! Harry thinks Jean misunderstood and repeats that they turned him down. She quickly corrects herself. I mean well done for trying she says. Sandy's happy, that's the main thing. Oh, I am, she says. He asks Sandy if she's alright and she says she's sorry, but she is. He tells her he's thinking of the vice squad next. Everyone reacts, he tells them he's joking.

Lionel asks why they turned him down and Harry tells him that they were not very specific and he guesses they didn't have to be if they have silver braid all over their hats. They just said he was unsuitable. Jean is outraged and says Harry should have MADE them be more specific. Lionel reminds her that she didn't want him to get the job in the first place. She knows but thought they would be better judges than that. "Fools!" she calls them. Lionel tells Harry not to try to understand her. The doorbell rings. Judy says that that would be Alistair and she goes to answer it.

Lionel asks Harry if he's eaten and tells him that there is a jam sandwich in the kitchen. Jean tells Sandy to go into the kitchen with Harry to help him eat the jam sandwich. He doesn't want it, but Harry agrees they should go. They walk out of the living room as Judy and Alistair walk in. Alistair asks how the interview went and Harry tells him he failed to which Alistair responds "way to go." Lionel observes that Alistair looks very chipper. Alistair says he's "rampant". Judy wants to know if that means everything is alright. Everything is alright...as in "all cannons firing." Judy and Jean are elated. There's absolutely no reason why we can't have children? Judy asks.

Was there ever any doubt? He appears to be puzzled by that notion. Lionel tells him that judging by the color of his face at the doctor's office, yes there was. He thinks it was the lighting in the office and remembers that Mr. Blakesley's wife was bringing him in as he left. Jean asks who that is and Lionel explains that it was another man who looked a funny color because of the lighting. Judith wants to know what else the doctor said. You and your frau must not get tight up. Up tight, Judy corrects him. Yes, but his English wasn't brilliant. What he meant was just relax and it will happen. Judy heaves a sigh of relief. Jean says that those two have had quite a day and suggests Alistair take her home and relax. They start laughing at the transparency of that suggestion. Lionel says that she notes that she is determined to get those cots occupied. Jean asks them to give her some credit. She really did mean that they should relax and have a lie-down. She realizes that that doesn't sound much better. Alistair is still working with the word "cots" and wants to know what cots. Judy says she'll tell him on the way home. He asks her if she'll be slipping into something ridiculous. She tells him that she has quite a lot of ironing to do. Jean says she's always putting off ironing. Alistair says that she's his kind of lady. Alistair says goodbye to his "folks-in-law" and after they leave Lionel shakes his head and mocks Jean. I'm always putting off ironing, he says.

In the hallway Judith and Alistair run into Harry, who appears to be thrilled. "I'm going to be a dad," he beams. Judy hugs him. Alistair, whose response is "Ace" says they'll call him later because have some very serious ironing to do at home.

Harry goes into the living room still beaming and tells Jean that he's going to be a dad. She offers him a brandy, but he declines. His Sandy -- a mother! And he loves children. Jean says they should have a lot more and Lionel tells her to let Sandy have this one first. Suddenly Harry realizes that they don't seem so surprised and wonders if Sandy told them first. Jean covers for her by saying she sensed it and Harry asks Lionel if he sensed it too. Lionel answers No, but that once Jean told him that she sensed it he followed along because he always believes everything she says.

Sandy comes in and starts to talk with Harry, but Jean intercepts to protect her story. She says that Harry asked if she had told them first and she said no -- she just sensed it. Isn't that remarkable? Harry asks. Sandy agrees. Harry turns to Lionel and asks if he thinks women are remarkable. Every day, answers Lionel. Jean thinks they ought to do something to celebrate and Lionel suggests that maybe they should go to the restaurant from which they were ejected. Sandy says that they could celebrate later that night, but that now she'd like to go for a walk. Jean thinks that would be a great idea and Sandy says she was talking about she and Harry. Of course you did, Jean says and sits back down. Sandy leaves the room and Harry shouts after her "don't run." Jean doesn't think that losing that job is so important to Harry now. He agrees that it has become insignificant. She's still surprised that they turned him down. Lionel says that he doesn't think they did. He thinks Harry turned them down. Harry asks how he knew. Lionel tells him that everyone was so relieved about his not getting the job that they didn't notice that he didn't look disappointed enough. Harry admits that he knew how upset Sandy in spite of that she never pushed him or nagged him and she didn't even tell him about the baby, although she must have known. Lionel says he's a lucky man and a good man and he did the right thing. He assures Harry that he'll get the promotion some other way. Sandy puts her coat on and says she's ready for the walk. They leave the room.

Jean tells Lionel that she is surprised that he figured out about Harry. She says he is much cleverer than he looks. He assures her they will get on okay. She wonders if baby Alistair will get on with baby Harry. If they are anything like the grownup versions he rather doubts it. He wants to talk about something other than babies. She lies down on the couch, head on Lionel's lap. That's nice, he says. She asks him why he and Margaret never had any children. Lionel explains that Margaret was not the maternal sort -- she claimed that children affected her sinuses. She had a cat. So she denied you the children you always wanted? He wouldn't put it like that. If one or two had happened along the way he wouldn't have said no. He wouldn't have been able to say no. True, he agrees. She starts to sit up and tells Lionel not to be sad. He asks how he could be sad when he's got all he ever wanted beside him. They embrace just as the doorbell rings and Jean gets up to answer it. Lionel wonders why doorbells always do that. People push them, Jean supposes.

She opens the door to a young black man dressed in khaki. In an accent, he asks her if this is the home of Lionel Hardcastle. She tells him it is and he smiles. He says that he has come a long way, from Kenya, but now it is worth it because he has found his father. A very startled Jean calls out to Lionel.