Clare In The Community

Clare and the team volunteer for the street count, but helping the homeless isn't the priority.

Megan has asked Clare to be her birthing partner on the same day as the yearly street count, which is top priority for Clare. The family centre has been split into pairs and, later that evening, they are sent out onto the streets to count up the number of homeless people. Normally this is done for research but for Clare (who has been paired with Helen) it is essential to get the highest tally. She soon finds a rival in Irene (who is partnered with Ray) and so soon everyone is determined to outdo everyone else.

Brian has been asked to organise Simon's stag night. He plans a pint and a curry, finished off with a trip to a workshop to learn how to paint and glaze their own ceramic pots. Simon, disappointed at Brian's lack of daring, has something raunchier in mind. Brian is left to find a stripper that is 'flirtatious with a sense of irony'. He settles for a police woman after turning down Sexy Tex, which was a mistake. He books the stripper unknown to Simon, and things seem to go well. That is until the stripper recognises Brian. She reminds him that she is called Tracey and that he used to teach her at GCSE English! Brian is suddenly repulsed and tries to put her clothes back. He thrown out of the pub after the stripper accuses him of wrongly touching her.

Out on the street, Clare and Helen have been searching for two hours and are yet to find one homeless person. As Brian is thrown out, Clare and Helen are on the same street looking for homeless people. They see Brian being thrown out and, rushing over, they hear the story of Brian touching the girl. They don't believe Brian's excuse for one minute.

At the end of the street count, Ray goes missing. However he soon emerges from some bushes and announces that he has been to heaven after meeting a wonderful man.

Back at the flat, Clare argues with Brian, again discussing moral, feminist and social values. Brian gets the message and remembers next time to put the toilet seat down.