'I'm sorry, Ellie. It's better than not at all, I'm sorry honey. Once a week is better than nothing, isn't it?' Harvey spoke softly from the phone box near Flynn's.

He had just broken the news that they would have to cut their rendezvous to once a week until he could settle Mary down.

'Of course, Harv, I can understand that.' Ellie fought to keep her voice normal. Although she was extremely disappointed she'd gone to all that trouble setting up their 'love nest' this was the last thing she wanted to hear.

'The way Mary went on last night really worried me. She was strange, Ellie, really strange. I'm going to have to do something; I know that, I just need some time to figure it out.'

'Do you think she's going to be alright, Harv? I never thought she would react this way but then... if I were in her position... I don't know what I'd do,' she responded quietly.

'Ellie, darling, we'll sort it out, but it's best we leave it a little while. We can meet early next week, by the way. What happened up there last night? From what I heard on the news, the fire sounded very bad.'

Ellie explained about the fire and about Eddie and Walter. Harvey promised to contact her again as soon as he could. He rea.s.sured her again that they would meet again next week.

'Who was that you were talking to for so long?' Win asked casually, not wanting to pry but aware of a certain controlled emotion in her sister.

'It was Harvey, Win. There is no use my denying it. You knew anyway, didn't you?'

'Yes, I guessed there was something going on. I know it must be hard for you but he is married and that's all there is to it. What future have you got with him? Mary will never let go!' Win hoped Ellie would see the situation objectively and not allow herself to be blinded by pa.s.sion.

Ellie sat down in the big armchair, dropped her head into her hands and wept.

'Everything's so mixed up, Win. Why can't things just go right?'

'What's happened, Ellie?' Win asked kindly. 'Come on, you need to talk. Maybe I can help.'

'Harvey thinks Mary's going mad. From what he just told me, she's drinking too much. She actually attacked him last night. She told him she knows what's going on with us. He says she's really gone off the rails. What I don't get Win, is the fact they don't have a marriage, so why hang on like this?'

'I'm b.u.g.g.e.red if I know either, Ellie. It doesn't make sense, does it? So what now?' Win asked.

'Well, he says we'll have to cut down seeing each other. I'm not happy about that. I know it's not right, I do, but Win, we do love each other! How the h.e.l.l did I let myself get in this situation? My life was so uncomplicated until... until...'

'Until Harvey came back on the scene...' Win finished for her.

'Yes, that's right, Win, but I can't change my feelings. I've always loved him, d.a.m.n it!'

Knocking at the front door interrupted the conversation. They heard Hazel answer it and her voice carried up the hallway.

'Mary! How lovely to see you. Come on in. Win and Ellie are in the lounge room.'

'Oh no...' Ellie whispered, dabbing quickly at her eyes. 'Do I look like I've been crying?'

'Here, let me.' Win wiped some mascara from Ellie's eyes and cheeks just as Mary and Hazel came through the door.

'Take a seat, Mary. I'll go and tell Mrs Mason you're here. She'll be so pleased to see you.' Hazel beamed at her. 'I'll bring back a tray of my fresh scones and some tea.'

As she left the room, strained greetings pa.s.sed between Ellie and Mary.

Win quickly took control. 'It's so good to see you, Mary. How is the house coming along? You must love decorating it.'

Mary kept her eyes on Win, not once glancing at Ellie. Win noticed how gaunt and tired she looked.

'Yes, I've been busy decorating the place. I'm sorry I haven't been to see the family but I've had a terrible lot to do... with Harvey at his new job, and he has started doing a lot of overtime.' She flicked a glance at Ellie. 'I'm left to do most of the house myself.'

The conversation remained strained and superficial. Emmie was quick to pick up the tension the minute she entered the room.

'Mary dear, it's good to see you. How are you?'

Mary stood up and hugged her.

'Emmie, it's lovely to see you. Are you well?'

'Yes dear, I'm keeping well. You look a little tired though. Are you alright?'

'Oh yes, I am a little tired though. I've had a lot on my plate lately.' Mary again glanced at Ellie.

Ellie met her gaze, feeling her face flush, and was glad Hazel came into the room with the tea tray.

'I'll pour the tea, Hazel.' She stood hurriedly and took the teapot, glad for something to do, knowing she couldn't leave the room as it would be too obvious. As she poured the tea, she wondered what this visit was really about.

'Milk, Mary?' Ellie asked politely.

'Black, thank you Ellie,' Mary answered, staring Ellie in the face.

Win and Emmie were both uncomfortably aware of the tension between the two women.

'Ellie, you look terrible. Have you been upset or something? You look haggard, I must say! Those fires and sleepless nights really are taking their toll, arn't they?' Mary's voice dripped with sarcasm.

'Thank you for your concern, Mary,' Ellie snapped in reply. Mary was goading her and it was working.

'I suppose you've heard about the nasty fire across at the Hansens' last night?' Emmie cut in quickly.

'Er, no, I can't say I have,' Mary stammered.

Win interrupted and told Mary about the fire. 'It's a wonder you haven't heard. It's all over the news.'

'I went to bed early last night,' she lied. 'Harvey didn't mention it when he came home... He was late again,' she added as an afterthought.

'I went to church early this morning. Harvey was still asleep. All this overtime is catching up with him.' She darted another glance at Ellie.

The phone shrilled in the background.

'Phone for you, Win!' Hazel stuck her head around the door. Win excused herself.

'Oh, Mary, let me give you a jar of Hazel's relish. It's delicious. I'll just go and get you one before I forget.' Emmie got up and headed for the kitchen.

'Thank you, Emmie that would be lovely,' Mary called after her.

Ellie sat looking out the window, thinking, 'What now... What do I say to her?'

'Well, Ellie, it's just the two of us. How nice! I suppose you know how I've been coping. Harvey would have called and told you by now!'

Ellie looked up sharply. 'So this is how it's going to be. She's on the attack!' she thought.

'Actually, yes, he did ring me. He's very upset, you know.' Ellie decided not to blatantly lie, but she also didn't intend to be too honest either. She couldn't.

'Oh, come off it, Ellie! Poor Harvey...' She rolled her eyes heavenward and leaned forward. 'So what... I'm upset too! Does that bother you, Ellie? Oh... that was a silly question, wasn't it? If you cared you wouldn't be f.u.c.king my husband, now would you? Silly, silly me...'

'Calm down, Mary. I don't want Mum upset...' Ellie interrupted. She didn't know just how unstable Mary was and didn't want the situation to escalate out of control.

'Shut up! I haven't finished! Why should I protect you from your mother discovering what a harlot her daughter is? My husband and I haven't made love for years, as you would know by now!' Mary took a deep breath, strode to look out the window, then spun around and stalked to the centre of the room.

'You know he stopped sleeping with me when we discovered I couldn't have children. I also found it rather repugnant sleeping with him after he had been in so many other beds! So that ended any intimacy between us really.' She raised her head, glaring at Ellie. 'You're not the only woman you know. He's had countless affairs over the years. I know all about them. Oh yes, I know all about each and every one of them!'

Ellie sat gaping at her, not sure whether to interrupt her or just let her get it out of her system; she seemed to want to do that.

'Ellie, I won't divorce him. I will never divorce him. He can stay tied to me forever... Sooo, Ellie Fraser, he will never be yours. Do I make myself crystal clear?'

Mary's eyes had an intensity which sent shivers down Ellie's spine. She kept her eyes on Mary, not trusting how far this woman might go.

'I said do I make myself clear, Ellie?' Mary's voice was high-pitched and her eyebrows lifted in enquiry.

'Here we are!' Emmie came in just as Ellie was wondering desperately how to respond to Mary.

'I'm sure you and Harvey will like this.' She handed the jar of relish to Mary, glancing at Ellie as she did so. Emmie had overheard the last bit of the conversation.

'Thank you, Emmie. I'm sure we'll both enjoy it, and please thank Hazel for the tea and scones.' Mary's mood had changed abruptly. It was just as though she hadn't been on the verge of hysteria a moment ago.

'I must be going now, though. Ellie and I had a lovely chat, didn't we, Ellie?'

'Uh yes Mary... lovely.' Ellie couldn't bring herself to look at Mary. She just wanted her gone.

Mary kissed Emmie on the cheek. 'Please say goodbye to Win for me. She must have got caught up on the phone. See you soon, Ellie. Remember our little chat now, won't you.'

Ellie and Mary watched her leave.

'Did I smell alcohol on her?' Emmie commented, looking quizzically at Ellie.

Sitting on a log with his face raised to the sunlight, he basked in its warmth. He laughed with maniacal intensity at the thought of the recent fire.

'Ha, ha, ha, Chancellor nearly had his b.a.l.l.s burnt! Nearly did!' Then, abruptly, his mood changed. 'What a joke. People in this valley are all such a f.u.c.kin joke,' he sneered.

His eyes glazed over. His twisted mind flicking from one thing to another. His hand once again felt for the photo in his breast pocket. His grimy fingers traced the outline of the lovely face.

'I'll be able to touch more than your face soon... and won't I love that!' A guttural sound escaped his throat. 'Won't I love that.'

His voice drawled on as he entertained himself with his thoughts. He started to rub his crotch while his mind acted out his fantasy.

With one hand, he unzipped his grubby trousers. He gazed at the photo with gla.s.sy eyes. The beautiful blue eyes of the woman stared back at him, smiling.

'Oh, you b.i.t.c.h, you b.i.t.c.h,' he snarled as he violently m.a.s.t.u.r.b.a.t.ed until it spilled onto the ground.

He threw his head back, gulping in breath, his face twitching as he fastened his trousers. Once more he looked at the photo before lying back to sleep in the sun. As sleep crept upon him, he whispered, 'Soon, my blue eyes, soon!'

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.

Hearing the latest news only added to the anger and frustration of the valley residents. All conversations were about the 'Invisible Firebug' as the media had labelled him. It was almost as though he existed only in their imaginations, a delusion of their overworked minds. If it wasn't for the burnt-out remains of everything he'd torched, they would think they were being tormented by an over-active imagination.

Walter had been extremely lucky that he hadn't sustained life-threatening injuries or suffered a heart attack. The two stables were destroyed. Walter thanked the Lord that he hadn't lost the whole lot. He still had three more stables to house his prize horses, and thank G.o.d he was insured.

The police had thoroughly checked the blackened ruins of Walter's stable. They discovered that, once again, mosquito coils were used to start the fire.

Digger, Karl and the others spent hour after hour staking out the properties with nothing to report.

Walter had thanked Eddie profusely for saving him and his stallion. Also, an understanding had been arrived at between Digger and Eddie, much to Kathy's relief.

'Mate, I'm sorry I misjudged you, though you do understand my concern? I have my family's safety to think of. I just can't allow my daughters to go out with anyone I'm not absolutely certain I can trust. After all, you don't have the best of reputations, do you?'

Digger was outside talking to Eddie. They had wandered out under the walnut tree and he felt he had to talk to him about the situation concerning Kathy.

'I understand, Mr Miles. I can a.s.sure you I wouldn't hurt Kathy. Yeah, I know I've got a bad name around these parts. Eddie Chancellor isn't a name many people 'round here care to hear. I've brought a lot of it on myself, I know that. My father died when I was a kid and I've grown up the hard way. I wish every day that he was still here.'

Eddie stopped and took a deep breath. Digger could see the mention of his father evoked a deep emotion in the lad.

'I've never set out to hurt anyone, and I wouldn't, that's not what I'm about. I do know good when I see it and Kathy's good. Mr Miles, I won't let anything harm her and I won't hurt her either.'

Digger stood looking thoughtful, then he shoved his hands in his pockets and sighed.

'Well, mate, I can see how much you care for each other. I guess I'll have to give in and allow her to see you again, but do remember one thing... If you ever...'

Eddie shook his head. 'Mr Miles, please... please just give me the benefit of the doubt!'

Digger smiled. Taking Eddie's hand, he shook it firmly. 'Can you call me Digger?'

They both grinned at each other and went to join the others for a beer.

Kathy was having a rest in her room. She was feeling completely drained after the events of the day before. She realised just how much she cared for Eddie when she saw him in harm's way. She also thought it a good idea to leave Eddie outside to have a beer with the blokes, especially Digger, now that everyone seemed to accept him. After he saved Walter and the stallion, they all had an immediate change of heart.