SERIES 31
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 THE
THING ABOUT MATESby Heather Robson It's Alison's birthday and when Sammy gives her a present she's hurt the boys have forgotten. Tigger wonders how he can right the wrong with little money to his name. Miss Bettany is organising a local junior chef competition and McDonnell suggests it to Alex. He isn't keen but Alison thinks he'd be great at it - and he realises it could greatly improve his romantic chances with her. But at the same time, Tigger is putting together a special birthday surprise for Alison and announces he plans to ask her out - something Ed is nervy about. Ducket is shuffling around with a bag on his feet in the corridor. He refuses Chloe's demand to hand over the bag and she's visibly shocked at being stood up to. Her patience is further tested when Andrea arrives late, having been to the dentist - but that hasn't stopped Chloe having a fruitful morning's thievery and she decides from now on she doesn't need Andrea. As the day progresses, Chloe has no trouble getting younger pupils to dance to her menacing tune but Andrea proves useless trying to go it alone as a bully; it doesn't help that she can't speak because of her dental work and Chloe can only sneer as Andrea fails to force Lucy to hand over her magazine. Alex sets about baking a chocolate birthday cake for Alison. He asks her round to his place after school for "a surprise" and she agrees, although it's clearly not how she planned to spend the evening. Meanwhile, Ed and Tigger get Sammy to do a coin trick which leaves her with marks on her face - Alison's ears prick up when Sammy wonders what her chances would be with Ed. Alex proudly puts the finishing touches to his cake while Tigger races around shooting his video card for Alison. When school finishes, Alex makes the final touches to his romantic tea for Alison, he waits and waits but she doesn't show. When the doorbell finally does ring it's Sammy, who quickly realises what Alex had in mind. Alison texts to say she won't be coming after all - Alex laments he doesn't stand a chance with Alison but Sammy is impressed by all the effort he's gone to for her. In a change of plan they head back to Grange Hill with the cake - Alison is working back in the CLC. Meanwhile, Tigger makes final edits to his video when he is horrified to notice something in the frame he didn't previously spot - Ed and Alison necking in the bushes! The enraged Tigger goes after Ed and knocks him into the radio studio, just as Alex presents Alison with her cake and gets a kiss for his trouble. Ed and Tigger's brawl spills out onto the CLC - knocking over the cake - Sammy and Alex are both upset when they realise the boy and girl they fancy have been seeing each other behind their backs. Next day, Tigger won't listen to any of Ed's excuses and Alex is annoyed he can't see that he's betrayed his mates. Sammy doesn't want to know Alison who insists she was too scared to tell Sammy and that it just happened. Sammy feels betrayed that Alison couldn't tell her and it upsets her that Ed could fancy her mate. Ed enters the fray - Alison promptly dumps him, restoring the smile to Sammy's face. But Tigger and Alex are still having none of Ed's apologies, especially when he blames them for throwing him and Alison together by not being around. Alison tries apologising to Alex, but they end up rowing in front of Serena, who's over from primary school again. They quickly apologise, and Ed has almost succeeded in getting the whole gang to make up but Tigger remains sore with him. Andrea continues her rather fruitless attempts at bullying and extortion - no-one will pay her for toilet roll! Then along comes Ducket, still shuffling around, and he agrees to hand over his bag in front of Chloe for cash. In the event Ducket regenes on the deal - despite having pocketed Andrea's money, and Chloe is stunned that Andrea had to pay a stooge. Chloe, however, surprises her by asking Andrea to be friends again, satisfied Andrea will now not take her for granted. The Year 10 girls beg Tigger to forgive Ed, who arrives with another cake, which he promptly shoves in his face. This finally breaks the ice with Tigger and everyone is friends again - then Lucy arrives and tells Alison just how bad he's got it for her! |