No one could believe what had happened to Harry. Karl, Digger and the rest of the blokes figured Harry had discovered something that had got him bashed. Ellie and Win were deeply shocked and saddened; they both had a soft spot in their hearts for Harry. Eileen was distraught. Emmie offered to cover any costs at the hospital someone had to step in and take care of this poor old bloke. Dave would have been the first to do so.

The locals were in a panic; they all slept with their loaded shotguns close and handy beside their beds!

Now the locals were sticking to the old adage: 'shoot first, ask questions later.'

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

On Friday night, a dance was to be held at the Boomerang Hotel. Kathy and Francis hadn't been out for ages and she felt even less inclined to go now after this latest act of violence. She decided to make the effort. Walking into Tam's room, she asked her if she wanted to go.

'I think we should go, Tam. Mum and Dad were even thinking of going down for a while. Dad reckons it'll do Mum good to have a bit of a dance. Going to the flicks the other night did her good, got her mind off things for a while.'

Tammi brightened at the suggestion and started looking through her wardrobe. 'Yeah, I reckon that sounds like fun. Okay let's do it!'

'Kath, Tam, you in there?' Francis had just arrived home from work.

'Are you two going to the Boomer tonight?' he called from the other side of the door.

'Yeah, we've just decided to... You coming, Cuz?' Kathy replied.

'Sure am,' he answered, poking his head around the door. 'I've asked a few people from work to come as well.'

He looked thoughtful as he added, 'Crossed my mind though, that it might be a bit soon after Granddad's death to go out dancing. Then there's poor old Harry lying in hospital...'

'I thought that too, but Mum and Dad said it was time we started to go out again. They might come down for a while too. Granddad would tell us to get out and kick up our heels, don't you think?' Kathy told him.

'Oh yeah, he would for sure, but what about Grandma though?' he asked.

'Uncle Karl will be here, and Hazel and Ted. Mum said they wouldn't go out if she would be alone.'

'No, I mean what will Gran think about us going out?' Francis questioned again.

'Same as Granddad,' Tammi smiled. 'Go out and have fun!'

'Okay, well then get ready and we'll leave at seven.'

'I'll ring Laura see if she'd like to come too,' Tammi said excitedly.

'Looks like it's the night for the army boys...' Tammi whispered to Kathy as they entered the lounge at the Boomerang.

Laura nudged Tammi at the same time. 'Look at those good sorts over there near the bar.'

Deciding to sit at a table not far from the bar, but far enough from the band so they could at least hold a decent conversation without having to shout, they ordered drinks. Francis's friends arrived. He introduced them all and it was obvious he had his eye on one girl in particular. He and the girl whose name was Sheryl danced the first two dances together then, after a cold beer, he grabbed Kathy's hand and pulled her out onto the dance floor for a rock 'n' roll number.

Kathy was walking back to her seat after the lively number had finished when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

'Hi, Kath, can I buy you a drink?' Eddie asked.

She was startled to see him and murmured a shy 'Hi.'

'Well? Can I buy you a drink?' Eddie asked again, eyeing her up and down.

'Oh, ok... Sure, Eddie. I didn't know you came here.' She noticed his clothes, knowing that it would be one of the outfits Francis had sold him. He looked even more handsome. Kathy smiled, knowing it was a big effort on his part to impress her. They mingled with the crowd at the bar.

'Haven't seen you 'round for a while.' Eddie sipped his beer.

'I've been staying home a lot since Granddad died. Now, poor Harry's in hospital.'

'It does get easier, takes time. Yeah, I heard about Harry, b.l.o.o.d.y awful.' He looked at her and a smile crept over his face.

'Wanna dance and cheer ya up a bit?'

She wanted more than anything to dance with him! Did she dare? She looked across at the table where her mum and dad were sitting with Ellie, Harvey and Mary. They had all decided to come out for the night once Digger suggested it.

'Kathy?'

She looked up into his handsome face and nodded. She let him take her hand and lead her out to the dance floor.

Tammi saw Kathy with Eddie. She saw their father watching as well; angry disapproval masked his face.

'Look who Kath's dancin' with, love,' Digger nudged Win.

'Yes, I have my eye on her too. I must say, I'm a bit shocked. She knows how we feel about that chap.' Win put her hand on Digger's arm. She knew he would be furious with Kathy for even breathing the same air as the likes of Eddie Chancellor. She had to defuse the situation before Digger went and dragged Kathy off the floor in front of everyone.

'This isn't the place to discuss it, Dig. It's only a dance.' Win a.s.sessed his face closely, hoping she had reasoned with him.

'Yeah, well she's b.l.o.o.d.y lucky,' Digger replied, his voice grating with fury. He narrowed his eyes watching them and swigged on his beer.

'Just wait till that young minx gets home. I'll ground her for life!' he thought angrily.

Harvey and Mary came back to their table from a very short dance. Mary looked frazzled and excused herself to go to the ladies' room.

'Ellie... Dig's had the pleasure... now why don't I give you a whirl around the dance floor?' Harvey said quietly, his breath warm on her ear.

He wanted so badly to hold Ellie. He knew she had been deliberately avoiding him.

'Do you good, Ellie,' Digger said before she could make an excuse. 'Go on, show us how it's done, old girl.' Digger obviously didn't realise the position he was creating for Ellie.

Reluctantly, she accepted and Harvey escorted her to the dance floor.

It was a slower number and Harvey held her close against him. 'You feel so perfect in my arms,' he whispered in her ear as he guided her into the middle of the crowded dance floor.

Ellie wanted so badly to relax and enjoy his arms around her but her conscience told her to keep a level head.

'Cut it out, Harv,' she said quietly. 'It's wrong, you know it is!'

Mary, on her return from the ladies' room, caught a glimpse of them holding each other close. From where she stood, it looked as though their cheeks were together.

She felt anger boil inside her so intense that she could easily have walked out there in front of everyone and dragged Ellie away from Harvey. She knew better than to make such a display. She had to keep calm. It was only a dance... wasn't it?

She went back to the table, anger obvious on her beautifully made-up face.

'Would you be a dear, Dig, and get me a Scotch and dry? Make it a double, thanks!'

'Havin' fun?' Eddie asked Kathy, smiling his slow s.e.xy smile.

'Yep... You?' she answered, happily looking into his face.

'Of course.' He smiled.

They both laughed. Eddie pulled her closer and they danced until the band stopped for their break.

Kathy invited him to join her at her table. She knew Tammi wouldn't like it, but she didn't care.

'Kath, I don't think your parents would like the idea of me being at your table.'

'Eddie, I can sit with whoever I like and I'm asking you to join us. Come on, that is, if you want to?' She looked at him with determination on her face.

'Oh, I want to, but I don't want to cause any trouble for you!'

Kathy took his hand and, tugging it, led him over to her table.

'Everyone, this is a good friend of mine, Eddie Chancellor.' She didn't look at Tammi, who nearly upended her drink.

Francis gave Kathy a look of surprise, then looked around for a spare chair.

'Over there, mate,' he said, indicating a chair at one of the other tables. 'No one's using that one. Grab it and join us,' Francis added quickly in a bit of a fl.u.s.ter himself, knowing Digger would be seething.

Eddie was a surprised at how quickly Francis had made him feel at ease. He soon relaxed and began to enjoy their company.

Tammi glared daggers at her sister and Kathy knew from that look that she was in for a grilling when they got home.

Kathy finally got up the nerve to look across at her parents' table. Digger beckoned her over. Kathy could see from the look on his face that he was furious.

Reluctantly, she got up to go over. 'Back in a sec everyone.'

Tammi grabbed her hand as she squeezed behind her chair. 'You're in for it, big time!'

'Katherine, what the b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l are you thinking? Whatever possessed you to flaunt yourself out there dancing with that... that... no good thug! And! Why is he sitting at your table?' he thundered, causing the people at the next table to look over at them.

'I asked him to, Dad!'

'Well you can march right back over there and ask him to leave!'

Kathy flinched. Digger was even angrier than she expected. His anger only inflamed hers. 'This is utter bulls.h.i.t!' she thought.

'Dad, I'll do no such thing! He's actually a very nice person. If only everyone would stop believing every rumour and give him a fair go, they might see what I see!' She looked defiantly at Digger.

'You need to stop being a sheep, Dad. Be fair and reasonable because I'm going to dance with him some more. Don't tell me I can't. I can do what I please, so no use getting yourself in a lather about it and upsetting everyone's night!'

Digger was shocked at her blatant defiance and, for a minute, words eluded him.

'Sorry, Dad, but that's how I feel about this rot.' Kathy spun around and walked away. Tears stung her eyes. She'd never spoken to her father like that before, but enough was enough. She was eighteen, not eight.

Digger had risen from his seat to follow but Win took his arm. He sat down again. His words came out from between clenched teeth. 'I will not allow her to speak to me like that. I'm goin' over there and I'll make her come home with us!'

'Dig, no!' Although Win agreed with everything Digger said, she didn't want him to create a scene here in front of everyone. She also had an awful feeling Kathy would defy him anyway. So instead, she tried to smooth things over.

'Dig, Kath's eighteen. She's a young adult and she's sensible. Eddie isn't doing any harm. Francis is there. He'll look after things.'

'Well right now she's not bein' very b.l.o.o.d.y sensible! d.a.m.n it, Win, it's the reputation of the bloke. You've heard about him.' Digger rubbed his forehead.

'Well I'm not stayin' here watchin' this. I think I'll call it a night. Come on, Mary's had too much to drink anyway. Let's get home and well discuss this tomorrow.'

Win signalled to Ellie and they all prepared to leave. Harv steadied Mary, taking her arm as her eyes speared daggers at him.

Win and Ellie stopped by the girls' table to say goodnight.

Win gave Kathy a reproachful look. Francis promised to drive them home safely.

'I'm sure they'll be fine, Dig. Francis is there and he won't let either of the girls out of his sight,' Win rea.s.sured Digger as they got in the car.

Harv sat in the back between Ellie and Mary. The atmosphere was thick with tension. With Digger's anger and Mary being p.i.s.sed and sarcastic, they were all eager to get home.

As they turned into Centaur Road, Mary called out from the back seat.

'Stop the b.l.o.o.d.y car!' She opened the door and Harvey grabbed her just in time to stop her falling.

Digger carefully pulled the car to the side of the road.

'I'm walking the rest of the way,' Mary slurred.

Ellie grabbed her arm and went to speak, but Mary glared at her, snarling.

'Get your b.l.o.o.d.y hand off me!' She stumbled from the car into the roadside bush. Harvey called after her as she swiftly disappeared for someone so drunk.

'Go after her, Harv. Quickly, she'll hurt herself,' Win urged him.

Harvey didn't have to go far. Mary had fallen into the gra.s.s at the side of the road and was being sick. He helped her up and gave her his handkerchief as she started to cry.