Digger slowly moved the car up closer to them.

'You'd better go on, Dig. Mary needs fresh air,' Harvey suggested. 'We'll walk home from here. It's not far.'

As they drove the rest of the short distance home, they discussed Mary's behaviour. It was not in her character at all. They couldn't believe the change in her.

'She hit it hard, all of a sudden... Made me get her a double at one stage!' Digger recalled.

Ellie had a nagging feeling that she knew what brought on Mary's antagonistic behaviour.

Harv was doing his best to get Mary home as quickly as he could. It was a slow journey though as he had to walk at her drunken pace.

'I suppose you think I'm disgusting now?' she blubbered, hiccupping at the same time.

'Just keep walkin'. You need to get to bed,' he said angrily. He was holding her arm tightly and gave her a rough shake.

'You do! ...You do! I can tell by your voice. Go on, say it.' Mary was working herself into hysterics.

'Lovely Ellie wouldn't behave like this, would she?' she spat.

'For G.o.d's sake Mary, what's Ellie got to do with you getting yourself p.i.s.sed?' Harvey couldn't wait to get her home. He was embarra.s.sed and angry.

She went on and on, rambling incoherently. Twice they stopped for her to be sick again. She'd wet her pants by now, causing her to cry harder. Mary had really made a mess of herself.

When Harvey finally got her home, he muttered a silent prayer of thanks that the others hadn't waited up. He stripped her out of her dress and shoved her on the bed, throwing a light blanket over her.

He stood for a moment, staring down at her, then wearily crept downstairs and slept on the lounge.

The dance had finished at the Boomerang. Everyone was laughing and chatting about the terrific night they had enjoyed.

Eddie said goodnight to them all and Kathy walked out with him.

'I really had a good time tonight, Kath.'

'Me too, Eddie. It's been a great night.' Kathy looked up at him.

He stood looking into her face, then bent his head and whispered against her lips.

'I have to say thanks to you; you really stuck up for me tonight. You can't know what that meant to me.'

He gave her a soft kiss that sent shivers down her spine. Moving away, he said, 'See you soon, sweetheart.' Brushing his fingers against her cheek, he smiled, then turned and walked to his car.

Kathy's hand went to the spot on her cheek where Eddie had touched her and knew instantly that she wanted to see him again, no matter what anyone had to say.

Francis and the girls made their way into the house, all talking at once. 'It's been a great night all 'round,' Francis said.

'Sheryl seems keen on you, Francis,' Tammi teased.

'Yeah, well don't go getting any ideas, Tam.' He laughed then glanced at Kathy. 'I didn't know you knew Eddie so well, Kath.'

'I've talked to him a few times. I didn't know he went to the Boomer though,' she answered, picking up her purse, ready to go to her room.

'He seems okay to me, although I haven't really had anything to do with him. Just heard the gossip,' Francis said.

'Yeah, well you can't believe everything you hear. b.l.o.o.d.y gossip can do so much damage. I think he's nice,' Kathy said, glancing across at Tammi.

Tammi didn't comment. She was waiting to get Kathy alone. She had every intention of finding out exactly where her crazy sister's head was at!

'Well, goodnight kids. Let's go again next week, eh? I'm b.u.g.g.e.red. See you in the morning.' Francis headed to his room. Glancing in the lounge room, he raised an eyebrow at Harvey sleeping on the lounge.

'Wonder what happened with him? Didn't think he was that p.i.s.sed,' he thought as went up to bed.

'Kath, we need to talk.' Tammi looked inquisitively at her as Kathy flopped down on her bed.

'Don't start, Tam. Let me explain. I know you must be busting to know what the h.e.l.l I'm doing with Eddie Chancellor.'

Kathy told the story from the beginning. Eddie taking her on a drive to the Weir and how that came about, adding he was a thorough gentleman. Then she told Tammi how kind Eddie was to her at the funeral.

She explained how Eddie had lost his father and the effect that had on him. By the time she was finished, Tammi seemed to have a better understanding of bad boy Eddie.

'Tam, he's just a normal nice guy that's made some mistakes. Does he have to pay for them for the rest of his life? Anyway, people can say what they like. I like him a lot.'

'What are you gonna do about Dad, though? He's gonna have more to say to you about tonight. And I wouldn't want to be in your shoes when he finds out you went all the way out to the Weir with him!'

Kathy shrugged. 'Well, he doesn't need to know that, does he Tam? I'm not going to say no if Eddie asks me out again though. Dad's just going to have to back off. s.h.i.t, Tam, I'm eighteen, he can't stop me.'

'Yes, but he'll try.' Tammi yawned widely. 'I'm going to bed. Tonight was great but I am so tired now. Night Kath, sweet dreams.' She winked at Kathy as she disappeared out the door.

The next morning, Win waited for Kathy to come downstairs.

'Come into the lounge room, Kathy. I think we need a little talk.'

Kathy hesitated, knowing this would be about Eddie and the night before. Reluctantly, she followed her into the lounge room.

'Sit down.'

'Gee, Mum, you sound so serious.'

'I am serious, Kathy. How well do you know Eddie Chancellor?'

'Well, I don't know him that well.' Kathy didn't think she should tell her mother about the Weir episode either.

'I've spoken to him a few times and then he was very kind to me at Granddad's funeral.'

'What about last night? Your father and I got the impression you knew him rather well.'

'No, we only danced together and I asked him to join our table. He was on his own and I'm glad I did; he got on well with everyone and they liked him. Mum, this is what I mean: how you and Dad are reacting, everyone just a.s.sumes all this c.r.a.p about him and they add to it to make it juicy, then stories get exaggerated and no one gives him a chance! It's so unfair!' Kathy implored.

'Kathy, he has got a bad reputation, he has been in trouble with the police, you know that. I want you to be aware that people will talk about you if you mix with him. You know people judge you by the company you keep!'

'What if I want to mix with him? Will you stop me?' Kathy narrowed her eyes and looked defiantly at her mother.

Win paused and looked long and hard at her. She sensed Kathy wasn't being one hundred percent truthful. Her daughter was attracted to Eddie, of that fact she was certain.

'Would it do any good, Kath? Be honest with me. How far has this infatuation gone? Have you been sneaking behind our backs?'

Kathy was quiet for a moment then she decided to tell her mother about the drive to the Weir.

Win listened silently while Kathy described how nice Eddie had been, his kindness and wise words at Dave's funeral.

'Mum, I do like him and I would like to see him again, if he asks me.' Kathy could feel herself becoming emotional.

Win breathed a deep sigh. 'Well, this is going to take some careful thought, Kath. Last night your Dad was shocked and hurt when you stood up to him like that. I'm afraid he won't take too kindly to this friendship, not at all. You need to apologize for the way you spoke to him, Katherine!'

'I know and I am sorry, but Dad has to understand. I'm eighteen now and I can choose my friends. I don't want to be at loggerheads about this either.'

Win stood up and put her arm around her daughter. She could see Kathy was determined to defend Eddie. The only thing to do was smooth Digger's ruffled feathers and hope that he would accept this turn of events. The trouble was Eddie did have such a bad reputation, but Kathy was sensible. Win knew she wouldn't have anything to do with Eddie if she thought she was in harm's way. She had to trust her daughter's judgment.

Kathy must have seen something in him that others didn't. If Kathy wanted to befriend him, it was better out in the open than sneaking behind their backs.

It would take a fair bit of convincing to win Digger over though.

Sighing, she gave Kathy a gentle squeeze.

'Okay, love. Go on now and find Tammi. I think she's over at Laura's. Tell her to get back here and iron those things she's got piled up. Hazel has been snowed under with ironing and it won't hurt Tammi to do a bit. She changes her clothes every half hour, I'm sure. I'll have a chat to your father, see what I can do, okay?'

'Okay, Mum, and thanks!' Kathy kissed her Mum on her cheek. Giving her a firm hug, she added, 'I know what I'm doing,'

Mary was sitting outside under the walnut tree. She was embarra.s.sed about her drunken behaviour last night. She was also suffering a horrible hangover.

Harvey was disgusted. He had certainly made that plain to her. He barely acknowledged her. When they were alone, he completely ignored her.

She sat there, recalling the events that had led up to her getting herself so very drunk.

If Harvey hadn't displayed his l.u.s.t for Ellie by holding her like he did on the dance floor, she wouldn't have drank so much. That was her justification for the embarra.s.sing display, she convinced herself. 'd.a.m.n him! It's his fault!' she thought, feeling angry, upset and confused.

She decided she should suggest they start looking harder for their own place. They were supposed to be buying a property. This was the main reason for coming here or so she thought!

She would put it to him at dinner tonight, in front of the others. He would have to commit to it then!

Harvey had gone for a stroll down to the creek, last night's fiasco playing over in his mind.

'b.l.o.o.d.y stupid b.i.t.c.h! How could she embarra.s.s me like that!'

He kept walking and thinking. He had to make sure he was clever about his plans for his new life in the valley.

'She's b.l.o.o.d.y cottoned on to my attraction for Ellie.'

He made sure he was discreet in all his other affairs, realizing now he would have to be the same with Ellie. Mary was smart and cunning. She had watched him a lot lately. She had never displayed this amount of jealousy in the past.

Mary's behaviour was completely different to anything from their past. This was bothering the usually confident Harvey. He might just have a struggle on his hands this time.

'It was her decision to have separate bedrooms. She's the one who turned off the s.e.x.' His mind continued to spin with thoughts.

'I can't figure her out. Maybe it's this change of life thing, but isn't she a bit young? I've gotta hang in there for a while yet anyway, so I better start bein' a bit nicer to her. s.h.i.t! The sooner I get what I want, the better. Once we buy a house, that'll be another a.s.set. b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l, I've also gotta get Ellie to give in. Didn't think she'd turn away from me. I've got to sort somethin' out. I want Ellie!

Ellie sat in the kitchen sh.e.l.ling peas with Emmie and Hazel. She was thinking about Mary and Harvey.

'Obviously they have problems. Mary might be an alcoholic? Maybe that was it! She certainly got stuck into it last night. It wasn't until I had that dance with Harvey that she hit the grog like she did!' Ellie felt terrible about the situation. She didn't want to be responsible for trouble in their marriage.

'Surely Mary doesn't think something is going on between me and Harvey? Then again... there is something happening and it has to stop.' Ellie shuddered.

'What is it dear?'

'Nothing... Just thinking.'

'You need a break, Ellie. Why don't you have a night out with that friend of yours, what's her name?'

'Fay. Yes, I might ring her later. We could go to another movie. I enjoyed that last time.'

'Ellie, have you spoken to Mary since last night?'

Emmie knew there was hostility between Mary and Ellie. Emmie hardly ever missed a thing. She was a wise old woman.

'No, Mum, she's avoiding everyone I think. She'd be feeling awfully embarra.s.sed. I know I would.'

'Ellie... is there anything going on between you and Harvey?' Emmie came straight to the point.

'Be honest with me, Ellie. You and he were very much in love once. You almost married him.'

'Mum, my feelings for him had been buried for ages. Seeing him again has brought them to the surface again. I would never act on them though. I couldn't do that to Mary. I wish those two had never come back here though; I had those feelings well and truly under control, then he goes and shows up in our lounge room and they all came rushing back!' Ellie choked back a sob. 'I do still love him, I always have, but he's got Mary to think of. I have to respect that.'

'All is not well there, you know,' Emmie said softly Ellie sighed deeply. 'She won't divorce him, Mum. He did tell me that much. He came out to the veranda on Christmas Eve and confided a few things to me.'

'She's a silly woman! Why hang on to a man who so obviously doesn't love you? To do that is to waste both their lives. We were not put on this earth for that.' Emmie was gazing out the window. She knew the attraction between Ellie and Harvey would always be there.

'They should set each other free to find true happiness. That would be the kindest and most sensible thing to do.' Emmie moved to her daughter's side and placed her old hand gently on Ellie's shoulder.

'Darling, let me give you some advice. Take what you can, while you can. Life's too short to let it slip through your fingers.'