Eddie strode through the entrance looking extremely handsome in black pants and a cream shirt, a contrast to his shining dark hair. He was feeling confident and immediately sought Kathy out, taking her hand in his.

Sam got up on the stage to make an announcement.

'A bit of shush, please, everyone! As you all know, we're here tonight to honour Eric. He's been through a very upsettin', humiliatin' ordeal, and I feel it only fittin' that we show him how pleased we all are that the truth has been realised and what a good young fella we think he is better still, that we know he is!' Sam indicated to where Eric was sitting with Des, Eileen, Robert and a group of other young locals.

Everyone cheered and showed their support by thunderous clapping of hands and loud cheers and whistles.

Ellie and Francis joined Sam on stage and struck up For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.

From then on, food was plentiful, drink flowed freely and laughter reverberated in the hall.

It was while Francis was belting out a rock number for the younger ones that a late arrival entered the hall.

Ellie was enjoying a drink with Emmie, when suddenly she touched Ellie's hand and nodded to indicate behind her.

She had no time to enlighten her further. A voice spoke from behind Ellie.

'Emmie, you look lovely! And Ellie, what an absolutely perfect choice of frock. Black... it really suits you, but I find it makes one look a tad hard.'

Ellie froze. 'Mary! d.a.m.n, I was hoping she wouldn't come.'

Emmie covered for Ellie. 'Mary, Harvey, how lovely of you to come! You look absolutely lovely, Mary.'

Ellie took a deep breath and offered them a seat. Harvey was obviously uncomfortable. Clearing his throat, he said, 'We made a last minute decision to come in. Mary was insistent upon joinin' the celebration. I'm sorry we're so late, we... um... got a bit held up.'

He was fumbling his words and Ellie felt very sorry for him. Mary was practically preening, clearly obvious that she'd had a few.

'Well, do enjoy yourselves. Everyone is having a wonderful time.' Emmie smiled at them both graciously, hoping to defuse the situation.

Mary did indeed look lovely. She had spent the afternoon on her appearance, beginning with a luxurious bubble bath and several gla.s.ses of her favourite wine.

When Harvey had been disinclined to come in tonight, she became infuriated. She had to practice self-control to stop herself lashing out at him. She knew she looked stunning in a clingy, vivid red dress. She wore her hair in the usual upswept style kept in place by a pearl clip. Her earlobes were tweaked by red earrings encrusted with diamonds. Mary was a vision. 'Well, Francis deserves a break after that number. I think a slow dance is called for. Excuse me.' Ellie left to relieve Francis. As Harvey watched her walk to the stage, Mary inwardly seethed.

'How dare he look at her that way! Especially in my company,' she thought furiously, spurred on by the wine she had earlier consumed. Noticing the expression on Mary's face, Emmie felt quite awkward. Luckily, Digger and Win returned to the table at that moment. They were in need of a cold beer after their vigorous dancing.

'Mary, Harvey, so glad you could make it.'

Ellie began to play a love ballad. Couples headed for the dance floor, slowly swaying in each other's arms.

Eddie drew Kathy closer to him. The lights slowly dimmed and as their bodies brushed together, Eddie could feel himself becoming aroused. She only had to look at him with her beautiful blue eyes and he could feel himself wanting her.

Mary suggested her and Harv dance.

'Mary, I'm... ah... I'm really exhausted.

He could think of no other excuse, none that would dissuade her.

'Come on, Harv. This is only a slow number. I'm sure it wouldn't exert you too much.'

Mary rose from her seat and Harvey had no choice but to follow. On the dance floor, she pressed herself close to him. He caught a whiff of alcohol on her breath. He wondered just how much she had consumed over the afternoon. For now, she was holding herself together, but for how long?

He wished the music would stop.

Francis joined Ellie on stage and they continued with the slow numbers.

Intoxicated by the closeness of Kathy and the soft silky feel of her hair blended with the delicate fragrance she was wearing, Eddie was feeling quite aroused. Kathy herself felt a tingling warmness seep through her body in places she had never felt such sensations before.

Mary wound her arms around Harvey's neck as they circled the floor. She kept an eye on the stage, confident they would be in view of Ellie. She softly blew in his ear.

Harvey jerked his head away in surprise.

'Mary! What are you doin'? Come off it.'

She glared at him.

'Just a little entree, you know, to whet the appet.i.te.'

'Cut out the c.r.a.p, Mary. Come on, we're sittin' down... now!' Harvey took her arm in a vice-like grip and escorted her to their seats.

Mary's little display had gone unnoticed by Ellie. Fortunately, she had been concentrating on her playing.

Eddie danced Kathy towards the side door and, placing his arm around her waist, he guided her outside. The air was cool, but neither noticed. As soon as they were outside, they were in each other's arms. Eddie kissed her with a fierce pa.s.sion.

She clung to him tightly.

'Oh Eddie,' she whispered.

'I've wanted to kiss you so badly, baby,' he murmured between kisses.

'Mmm, I know the feeling. I've wanted to kiss you too,' she answered in a husky voice.

'Kath... baby, do you realise what you do to me?' he whispered breathlessly.

'If it's the same as you do to me, then yes I do.'

Eddie raised his head to look into her eyes.

'You've changed my whole life, Kath. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.'

Kathy looked into his eyes. With a low groan, he lowered his lips to hers and kissed her deeply.

'We'd better go back inside,' he suggested, hating to take his lips from hers.

Reluctantly, she agreed and they went back into the hall.

The lights had been lifted a little and the music had changed tempo.

Tammi and Laura were having a ball, dancing almost every dance with Richard and Ian.

Smiling up at Ian, Tammi moved closer and pressed against him. Ian was a little unsure; he had noticed Win watching, so he took Tammi in a waltz hold and danced her to the other side of the floor.

'I'll have to have a little chat with her.' Win made a mental note.

Ellie joined the table, leaving Francis to play some of his favourites.

'You play so beautifully, Ellie. I could have sworn you were playing those romantic numbers just for Harv and me. Harv couldn't hold me close enough in that last number, could you honey?' Mary said sweetly.

'You exaggerate, Mary,' Harvey said quietly. He knew Mary was deliberately trying to bait Ellie.

Mary looked sharply at him. She hadn't expected him to contradict her in public. With an effort, she retained the smile on her face.

'Oh pooh, Harv... Don't be coy. You enjoyed dancing like that with me. I could feel it!'

Harvey stood up abruptly. 'I need a fresh drink. Anyone else want one?'

'I'm fine,' Ellie said. All she wanted to do was escape, run away from this tense atmosphere. Mary arriving had spoiled the whole evening for her.

'I'd like one. I'll help you carry them, mate,' Digger offered.

Mary held up her empty gla.s.s. 'I'll have another one, Harv dear!'

He gave her a cold look of fury as he took her gla.s.s.

She ignored his warning look, turning away to chat with Win and Emmie.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO.

Stealthily, he moved around the exterior of Kia-Ora. He'd been waiting among the trees until Hazel and Ted had gone down to their cottage.

He now moved closer, looking for some access to the house, but Hazel and Ted had locked up thoroughly. No one left open windows in their homes anymore.

's.h.i.t!' he swore in frustration. 'No f.u.c.kin' window open anywhere!'

He pulled a small knife from his pocket. Flicking it open, he ran his finger along the razor sharp edge. 'Ah, well, there's only one thing for it.' He crept further around the house to the back door.

At the party, things were really in full swing. The men were in high spirits, joking and drinking steadily. Eric wasn't a heavy drinker but tonight he didn't care. He'd been through the worst time of his life and was celebrating his freedom!

There were plenty of hearty back slaps and lots of 'Glad to see ya okay, mate.' He was never without a beer. Several young girls from farms around the valley gathered around, hoping to get a chance to dance with him.

Quite unexpectedly, he grabbed Jane Tucker and swung her out to the dance floor. She laughed with delight and kept pace with Eric's unsteady steps.

Des had left earlier. He knew he had too much to drink and begged a headache. He wasn't usually a party-goer but this was a very special occasion. Relief and alcohol had relaxed him and all he wanted was a peaceful, full night's sleep.

Robert wasn't a party-goer and crowds weren't his thing either, so he gladly offered Des a lift.

Mary had kept up a steady pace with her drinking. Several times Harvey had tried to slow her down but she completely ignored him. She called what she was doing fun. Harvey called it making a spectacle of herself.

Win and Emmie had also tried to discourage her but she only laughed at them. Mary paid not the slightest attention to Ellie; she simply talked around her.

The conversation around the table was about things in general. The firebug subject was carefully avoided for tonight.

Mary was starting to be obviously drunk. Gazing around the hall, she suddenly decided to stir things up!

She looked gla.s.sy-eyed at Harvey and then at Ellie. A feeling of angst overcame her.

'Well, b.u.g.g.e.r you, Harvey Winters. I would like to dance!' Mary stood up unsteadily. Harvey reached out to stop her.

'Keep your hands off me. I'm going to find a man!' She emphasised the word 'man'.

'Mary... don't you think...' Emmie began, but Mary had already staggered off.

Harvey dropped his head in his hands. 'Oh Lord, what am I goin' to do with her?'

Ellie put her hand over his as he looked up at her.

'Harvey, you can't blame yourself. You know things haven't been right for a long time.' Ellie comforted him softly.

'Ellie's right, Harvey dear. Mary should be seeing a doctor,' Emmie said.

'I know, I know, but how do I get her to go? She flat-out refuses!' He didn't add that he had not tried very hard to get her to a doctor.

'It's obvious she knows there's something going on with you and Ellie,' Win said matter-of-factly.

Harvey looked up in surprise.

'That's right, mate. We've all noticed. It's not hard to put two and two together!' Digger added.

'But... we never did anythin' to give anyone...' he stammered.

'You didn't, but it wasn't hard to pick it. Mary obviously had as well.' Win was glad the whole matter was out in the open.

'Don't be embarra.s.sed, Harvey dear, but something has to be resolved,' Emmie said firmly.

Ellie had been quiet through all of this. She kept her eye on Mary's retreating figure.

Karl noticed Mary staggering across the floor and he decided he better rescue her.

'Mary, you look lovely tonight. Care for a dance?'