'Yes, in bed.'

'Where's bed?'

'At my uncle's in my sleepout.'

'What's his name? Full name.'

'Samuel Desmond Mason.'

'Where does he live?'

'866 Centaur Road, Hamilton Valley.'

'What time did you retire on Christmas Eve?'

'About ten thirty. We had a beer after tea.'

'Who's we?'

'My uncle Sam and cousin Des.'

'Where was the lady of the house?'

'My Aunt Connie was there, she made supper.'

'Did everyone retire at the same time?'

'I suppose so. My Aunt Connie would have cleared up before she went to bed so actually, she would have been the last to go to bed.'

'Did you, at any time that evening, park your tractor in Centaur Road for any length of time?'

'Yes, at the cow gates near Mum's. I went to check they had enough water in their troughs.'

'A witness says he saw your tractor unattended for some time. Would that be correct?'

'Yes, I was checking the troughs and filling them.'

'A witness says he saw you earlier in the day, around three thirty. He says you rode your bicycle down Centaur Road and left it standing near a fence in close proximity to a tank shed on your uncle's property. What do you say about that?'

'It's definitely wrong.'

'Were you on your bicycle that day?'

'No.'

'Did you go near the tank shed that day?'

'No.'

'The witness says he saw you go into the shed and that you were in there some time before leaving. What do you say about that?'

'He must have seen someone else. It wasn't me.'

'Do you admit parking your tractor in Centaur Road that evening in close proximity to the cow gates on your mother's, Mrs Jeff Hickson's, property?'

'Yes.'

'Do you admit it was unattended?'

'Yes.'

'For how long was it unattended?'

'About ten minutes.'

'Detective Sergeant Carlson, who attended that fire Christmas Eve, says he found tracks leading from the area of your mother's cow gates going toward the boundary we spoke of earlier. Were you near that boundary fence that morning?'

'No.'

'You have admitted parking your tractor in Centaur Road at the cow gates. Detective Carlson found the tracks leading from those cow gates to the boundary fence. Are you sure you didn't park the tractor near the gates, walk over to the boundary fence and set the fire with mosquito coils, return to the tractor and drive home to your uncle's?'

'Look, I have never lit or set any fires anywhere, ever!'

'Did you see any strange persons about the area?'

'No, I didn't.'

'Is there anything else you would like to say?'

'No.'

'I am going to hand the original papers of questions and answers to you now, which I want you to read over and, if they are correct and to your satisfaction, you can, if you like, sign them. Do you understand that?'

'Yes.'

Mr Buckley read the papers and nodded to Eric, who read them and then signed them.

The next interview was to do with Ivy Gelding's fire. It proceeded along the same lines as the previous one. Eric explained how he saw the smoke from Dawn's, how he was attracted to it by the dog barking, how he ran over yelling and saw no one until he came around the hay stack where he was surprised to see Ivy standing near the gate doing absolutely nothing when the fire was so obvious.

Mr Buckley again read the statement. Eric and he in turn signed it. They were taken to the magistrate's chambers after what seemed an eternity, and a brief hearing was held. The magistrate, after hearing all the evidence, charged Eric with two counts of arson and two counts of setting fire to property.

Eric was remanded on bail for one thousand pounds. A hearing was set for eight weeks' time. The magistrate also imposed a curfew on Eric between 8.00pm and 6.00am.

Eric was shattered beyond belief.

'Come on, Eric, eat up. You must be starving. You didn't eat a thing when you came in last night. You must keep up your strength,' Connie coaxed.

'Aunty Con, you couldn't imagine how relieved I was to just get home. Those city detectives were absolute mongrels. They're h.e.l.l bent on pinnin' this all on me!'

'No, love, I can't imagine, and I understand that it would have been tough on you. Those detectives are brutes. Please, let me at least make sure you eat well. Now, let's start with a hearty breakfast!'

'Ok, it looks great.' Although he didn't think he would be able to get through the big breakfast, he ate everything on his plate. He was surprised to find he had an appet.i.te at all. Cleaning his plate, he kissed his aunty's cheek and went out to speak with Uncle Sam in the orchard.

The next eight weeks were going to be tough. He knew the cops would be watching him. He also knew that there would be malicious gossip and some of the locals would be avoiding him. Life would be hard but he resolved to hold his head up and take each day as it came.

He vowed he would not go to gaol for a crime he had not committed!

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR.

'We should go and see Eric today, Mary, and show him we are behind him on this. Karl sounded pretty upset when he rang with the news.'

'What a lovely idea, Harv.' Mary smiled brightly at him. 'I'll just change.' She went to the bedroom and murmured to herself, 'I think we'll drop in and say h.e.l.lo to the Masons at Kia-Ora .

Harvey was sitting on the front veranda waiting patiently. His thoughts were of Ellie. They hadn't been able to see each other for almost a fortnight now. Things had to be that way for a while because of Mary. Her recent behaviour had him worried and whether he liked it or not, he had to spend some time at home with her to try and settle things down, get them back to the way they had been before they'd moved to Hamilton Valley. He was in control back then. 'Mary never rocked the boat before. Why is she now?' He couldn't fathom this change in her at all.

Harvey could picture Ellie's face. He was imagining the soft warm feeling of her body in his arms. His body stirred at the thought. He would have to make contact with her and somehow try to meet her out at the cabin.

'Penny for your thoughts?' Mary interrupted.

'Oh, you're ready.' Harvey stood up, pushing Ellie from his mind.

He noticed how attractive Mary looked. She'd taken extra care with her hair and makeup. She also wore an outfit Harvey had never seen before. He had to admit Mary did have a good body, but he just didn't feel for her in the way he should. In fact, he confessed to himself ruefully, he never really had.

'Let's get going. I'd like to visit some other people as well. First, we'll see Eric though.' She smiled as she spoke.

Harvey looked suspiciously at her. She was up to something. What now?

After dropping in at Sam and Connie's, speaking to Eric and offering their support, Mary insisted that they stop off at Emmie's to make sure that she was alright, considering these latest circ.u.mstances.

Harvey had to oblige. He had no excuse not to.

Smiling pleasantly as usual, Hazel invited them in. Emmie was sitting at the kitchen table sorting out jam jar labels. She looked up as they entered and expressed her pleasure.

'Well, don't you both look smart. Mary, you look absolutely lovely.'

'Thank you, Emmie.' Mary bent and kissed her cheek.

'h.e.l.lo, Emmie. We thought we'd drop in and see how you were going.' Harvey kissed the old lady as well.

'Come and sit in the lounge room. I'll bring us a little refreshment. You'd like a little nip of port, wouldn't you Harvey?'

'That would be nice, thanks. Emmie, we can't stay too long though I'm afraid,' Harvey said.

Mary sat very close to Harvey on the lounge. He felt awkward. They heard someone coming up the hall and Mary looked up as Ellie came into the room.

Mary looked into Ellie's face. Smiling, she placed her hand on Harvey's knee. 'How lovely to see you again, Ellie.'

Ellie's eyes flew from Mary's hand on Harvey's knee to his face and back to Mary's.

'Oh, h.e.l.lo, I didn't know you were here. I'm sorry to have just barged in like this.' Ellie turned to walk out as Emmie came in.

'Oh, Ellie love, um... I'll... I'll get you a gla.s.s,' Emmie stammered, understanding that this could be difficult.

'No Mum, I don't want one, thanks.' She gave Emmie a pleading look, hoping she could get out of the room fast.

'Ellie, please join us. You tell her, Harv. Tell her to sit down and have a drink with us. I'm sure she'll listen to you, love.' Mary smiled sweetly into Harvey's face.

'Of course, Ellie, do sit down and join us. Emmie, you take a seat and I'll fetch the gla.s.ses.' Harvey was glad of the escape. He sighed deeply as he went to the kitchen. 'What is that b.l.o.o.d.y woman up to now? d.a.m.n her!' he wondered anxiously.

Back in the lounge room, Mary was feeling smug. Ellie was feeling terribly awkward.

'You're looking extremely well, Mary,' remarked Emmie.

'Thank you, Emmie. I feel really well. Harvey and I have been to see poor Eric. What a shocking thing to happen to him!'

'He seems to be coping quite well,' Harvey remarked as he came through the door. He pa.s.sed the gla.s.s to Ellie and their eyes met. Ellie quickly glanced towards the port bottle and Harvey poured her a drink and returned to his seat beside Mary.

Emmie chatted on about Eric and the conversation turned to Harvey and Mary's new home they had been renovating. Mary had her hand back on Harvey's knee.

Emmie noticed the gesture and looked at Ellie.

Ellie was finding it extremely difficult to keep up conversation.

'Oh, Mary love, please come and see the back garden. Win has been planting the most beautiful flowers. They are so pretty. You may like to plant them around your place.' Emmie was trying to resolve a very awkward situation.

Mary didn't want to go. She knew it would mean leaving Harvey and Ellie alone. Emmie insisted and Mary reluctantly accompanied her to the back garden.

Hearing the back door close, Harvey immediately took Ellie in his arms. As he bent his head to kiss her, she turned her head.

'Why did you come here with Mary? d.a.m.n it.'

'It wasn't my idea, Ellie. She wanted to visit Emmie after we saw Eric, and she insisted we come here!'

'Oh, Harvey, this is very difficult. We must try to meet at the cabin. What about tomorrow night or lunchtime? Anytime!' Ellie pleaded.

'I can't tomorrow, but Monday night, I'll say I'm working back. Meet me at six o'clock. We'll have a couple of hours together.'

Harvey gave her a quick kiss as they heard Emmie's voice coming closer to the back door.

'Well, Harvey. I think you'll be taking a trip to the nursery on your way home. Mary thinks Win's flowers would look just lovely along your front fence,' Emmie said brightly.