A few weeks have passed and life is busy for the Rafters. The new improved Rafter Electrical is up and running, they're conducting interviews for a new sparky, and Rachel is due to return for Julie's birthday party. But Julie's optimism is nearly derailed when Rachel can no longer make it. Julie, already suffering the birthday blues, is rocked when she learns of the sudden and untimely death of an old school friend. But the love of family and friends buoys Julie for when life comes calling again. And sure enough, it doesn't take long, with Julie getting a surprise invitation from the charming editor of a local paper. After interviewing two male sparkies, Dave is stunned when an attractive woman arrives for the interview. Despite her good interview, Frankie isn't Dave's first choice. He denies being a sexist dinosaur and insists he's making his decision on merit. Julie disagrees, pushing for Frankie. Coby arrives home from overseas, having cut short his trip — he reckons Europe is extremely overrated. He discovers in his absence Matt has moved into the house with Jake. Meanwhile, Ted continues to bond with Cooper, Retta is putting out a few feelers for jobs, and Emma takes tentative steps to claim more of a place for herself in her relationship with Ben.