Ellie emerged from one of the cubicles.

'Ellie... Oh my goodness, what on earth happened?'

The red mark was quite vivid on the side of Ellie's face and the pain in her head was making her feel sick. Ellie told Win what had taken place between Mary and herself. She had to pause every so often to hold her head.

Win was appalled.

'What a b.i.t.c.h! She's a sick woman, a very sick woman!' Win dabbed at Ellie's face with a tissue.

'You stay here, love. I'll get Mum to come in, and Francis can play the last number and call it a night. As soon as the hall's empty, we'll get you home. No one will know about this.'

'Oh Win. I've had to hide in the toilet every time someone came in and my b.l.o.o.d.y headache's a million times worse.'

'Just stay sitting still and I'll get Mum right away.' Win hurried to fetch Emmie.

Eric was drunk as a skunk.

He was slumped in his chair with his feet sprawled out in front of him, a smile on his face. He had enjoyed his celebration party to the fullest.

Arthur and Sam roared laughing.

'He'll have one h.e.l.l of a headache tomorrow!' Jeff Hickson joined in their laughter.

Dawn wasn't so impressed.

'You shouldn't have let him drink like that!'

'She's right. He's going to feel awful tomorrow,' Connie agreed.

'Aaw, give him a go! He deserved to let his hair down,' Sam protested.

Between them, Arthur and Sam hoisted Eric out of his chair and, carrying him like a sack of potatoes, they took him out to the car.

Eric waved as they carried him out.

'Bye everyone! I love ya's all!'

Eddie took Kathy's hand when he stopped the car in the driveway of Kia-Ora.

'I'll see you soon, okay sweetheart?' He leant across and kissed her gently.

She couldn't speak. She was choked with emotion so she opened the car door and ran quickly to the house. Eddie watched until she went inside, then, with a deep sigh, he started the car and drove away.

As he sped away, a figure emerged from the trees lining the driveway and stared after the car as it disappeared into the night.

'Where would she 'ave put it? She'd 'ave somethin' she would... I know she would.'

Adjusting his hat, he walked off into the darkness muttering and swearing about 'blue eyes'.

Karl pulled into the driveway of Harvey and Mary's property.

He thought Mary would fall asleep on the trip home but she hadn't. Except for a few words, she had been very quiet.

Karl had felt uncomfortable for the whole drive out to Jindera. He could feel Mary watching him. She was acting so very differently from the Mary he knew.

'Well, Karl, you've been kind enough to bring me all the way out here. The least I can do is offer you a coffee.' Surprisingly, Mary's voice sounded rather sober now.

'Oh, Mary, I don't think so... Ah, h.e.l.l! I can't let you go in there alone. What am I doin'? Come on.'

He walked around to Mary's side of the car. He realised he wasn't too sober himself. He shouldn't have driven, let alone all the way out to Mary's. A cuppa would be wise.

Mary got out of the car, holding on to Karl's shoulder for support. Once inside, she slipped out of her shoes, stumbling slightly. A few tendrils of hair had fallen loose and Karl couldn't help thinking how s.e.xy she looked. 'Harvey must be blind and crazy!' he thought.

'You relax, Karl, and I'll make coffee. Make yourself comfortable in the lounge room. I won't be long.'

'I'll do that, Mary. I'm not as sober as I thought. I could do with a cuppa. Think you better make it a strong one!'

A smile crept over Mary's face. She was still intoxicated. The scene with Ellie had sobered her quite a lot though, and she knew exactly what she was doing.

As she made coffee, she thought to herself, 'I've prayed for help and guidance, and I don't seem to be getting anywhere, but I've come up with a solution all on my own. If I can't beat them, why not join them?'

Mary decided her strict religious lifestyle was inhibiting her happiness far too much. She wouldn't divorce Harvey, not by any means. She wouldn't give the b.a.s.t.a.r.d his complete freedom. No way. It was his turn to be miserable, the deceiving mongrel. A few things were going to change. Fresh thoughts were whirling around in her mind and she made a final decision at that very moment.

'Here you are, Karl, nice hot coffee... just what we need.' Mary sat close to him on the lounge and sipped her coffee.

'Nice place you've got here, Mary. You've made it look good.'

'Yes, I enjoy decorating.' She sipped her coffee then placed it on the table in front of them. 'It's a shame Harvey and I can't enjoy our lovely home together.'

'Look, Mary.' He too placed his cup on the table and turned to face her. 'I don't know what the problem is, but surely it'll iron itself out.'

'Karl... my so-called husband hasn't made love to me for a very long time.' Mary lowered her eyes. 'Karl...?' she whispered. 'Would you make love to me?'

Mary leaned over to him and kissed his lips softly. Then she began to caress his lips harder with her own.

Karl was stunned; he couldn't deny that he liked what Mary was doing to him. He had not been with a woman in a very long time and he was instantly aroused.

Mary's kisses became more sensuous. Slowly, they slid down onto the lounge. Karl wanted Mary and she could feel his body telling her so.

He felt for the zip on Mary's dress and hastily undid it. In a minute, both were lying naked on the floor beside the settee. As they kissed, Mary gently stroked Karl's erect p.e.n.i.s. He groaned and returned the favour, caressing between her legs until she begged him to enter her.

Karl made love to Mary in a way she had hungered for. She writhed beneath him, drawing her knees up and opening widely for him. Again and again, he thrust into her wetness. Raising himself on his arms to look down at her, he tantalized her by withdrawing and then slowly entering her again. He took in every inch of her unblemished body. Her skin glistened in the dim light, her blonde hair had fallen to her shoulders. She was a sultry vision. 'Harder, Karl...' Mary begged him. He obliged willingly. Their lovemaking ended in a climax of such intensity they both cried out.

Mary clung to him. She didn't want to let him go.

When Karl was finally able to speak, he was astounded at what had just taken place.

'G.o.d, Mary, I'm sorry. I mean, I'm not sorry... I mean...'

'Karl, stop. I wanted you. Please, don't feel guilty. I needed you.'

She raised her head and kissed him again. He wanted to take her in his arms and love her again, but logic prevailed, and instead he stood to dress.

Mary could see Karl was ready for her again, but she too thought better of it.

As she walked him to the front gate, she told him she didn't regret what had happened for one minute and she hoped he didn't either. He kissed her gently and told her he didn't regret their lovemaking, but he did feel guilty about Harvey.

Mary went back inside. On the table were two lukewarm coffees. She smiled to herself and thought, 'Thank you, Karl. I will see you again!' She went to her bedroom feeling content and more womanly than she had ever. Not caring where Harvey was right now, she slipped into a peaceful sleep.

As Karl drove back to Kia-Ora, he was hoping that Harvey had left. He felt that having just made love to his wife, he couldn't face him right away.

'I didn't even hesitate,' he said aloud. 'She was so beautiful but I can't let it happen again. h.e.l.l, who would've thought!' He felt great and he felt guilty.

All the way home, Karl's mind was on what had just taken place... He had to admit he would like more!

'I can't believe Mary did this!' Emmie was furious.

'Mum, she's feeling threatened. It's obvious! The drinking! The anger! She's frightened of losing her husband.' Ellie tried to reason it out.

'Ellie... the woman hit you... and a whopper at that!' Win was astonished at her sister's defence of Mary.

'Come on, Win... Mum, you put yourselves in Mary's shoes. Wouldn't you fight for the man you love? She must love him to keep carrying on like this... or this is bottled up anger meant for him,' Ellie said, thinking about it all.

'I suppose she's suffering but she didn't have to hit you like that! She's lost control,' Win remonstrated. 'I think its security she's after; she's very confused. Those two haven't got a normal marriage at all.'

Emmie and her daughters were up in Ellie's room. She'd given Ellie something for the pain in her head and it was beginning to subside.

Downstairs, Harvey was having coffee with Digger and Francis.

'I'm so sorry for the fiasco. Mary's become a real problem,' Harvey apologized.

'Look, mate, you don't have to be embarra.s.sed. Mary's got issues. I'd say the best advice for you right now would be to see about professional help and sort out your marriage.' Digger felt sorry for Harvey but thought the bloke had to do something because things just couldn't be allowed to go on like they had been.

'You're absolutely right, Dig. We can't go on like this!'

Harvey's words were beginning to sound very repet.i.tive.

Ellie walked into the kitchen as Harvey was speaking, the welt on her face still very angry.

'Mum, what happened? You look like someone slugged you!' Francis said jokingly.

Harvey looked up at Ellie, noticing the vivid mark.

Her lips quivered. 'Yeah, I b.u.mped my face on the bed end as I tried to take my stockings off. I thought I'd change and be comfortable for supper. b.u.g.g.e.r it. It's okay though.' She busied herself making a cuppa.

Francis believed her story; he had no reason not to. Even when she'd made an excuse to travel home with Win from the party, he hadn't questioned her as she said she had a headache. Ellie didn't want him to know anything just yet. First, she had to sort herself out.

Harvey didn't believe her for one minute. She couldn't lie to him; he knew her too well.

'Well, you can all talk until the cows come home but I have to get to bed. Hope you all enjoyed yourselves. Eric sure did! He was as p.i.s.sed as a parrot!' Francis said goodnight to everyone. Kissing Ellie's cheek, he advised, 'I'd put something on that, Mother dear. It looks nasty.'

'Yes, I'm going up to bed too,' Win said, draining the last of her hot chocolate.

As soon as Harvey had Ellie alone, he stated. 'Ellie, you didn't b.u.mp your face on any b.l.o.o.d.y bed end! You've been slugged a beauty!'

Ellie paused before speaking. She knew she couldn't lie to Harvey. 'Yes, Harv, I got slugged a beauty!'

'Mary?'

'Who else? She saw us come in from outside and she was furious! This can't continue, Harv, it just can't!' She started to cry.

Ellie slumped into a chair and sobbed. Harvey held her, deep in thought for the time it took Ellie to recover. He then added, 'Ellie, you deserve better... But I can't lose you. I love you. I'll think of a way we can make things better.'

'Harv... she won't let you go!'

'Ellie, there are ways. Once I seek help for her, and a professional can diagnose her condition, I will have something to go on.'

Ellie could see he was serious. He would find a way. She would have faith in him.

'I'm going home. She'll surely be asleep by now. Actually, Karl should've been home ages ago. Hope she didn't cause him any trouble.'

'Karl had plenty to drink himself. I hope he hasn't had an accident,' Ellie said, worried.

She walked him to the front door. He kissed her gently on the lips, then, very gently kissed the red mark on her face.

'This'll never happen again. I'll see to that, I promise.'

Ellie hugged him and he walked across to his car just as Karl's lights shone up the driveway.

As he pulled the car to a halt, Harvey walked over to him. 'Karl, I'm sorry, mate.'

'It's alright, she'll be asleep now,' Karl answered.

'I hope she didn't give you a hard time. She was pretty drunk.'

'No, not at all! She sobered up a fair bit, made coffee and was headin' for bed when I left.'

'Thanks Karl, you're a good mate.' Harvey smiled, waved and headed for home.

Ellie walked up to Karl. 'Come on, big brother. It's really late. We need some sleep.'