'Don't worry about it,' she answered softly. 'I'd better go inside though.' She was really beginning to be confused by her feelings. She felt annoyed at Eddie. He hadn't put the pressure on her about s.e.x so much in the past and now he was. It was clear he wanted s.e.x and soon. She understood that. He had been very patient... until now. There was also another feeling beginning to fester in her mind and she needed time to think.

'Ok, I'll pick you up after work tomorrow.' He pulled her close to kiss her goodnight and she stiffened. 'Kath, what's up?'

She looked him in the face. 'I don't know, Eddie. I don't know.' She searched his face before kissing his lips quickly and hurried from the car.

Eddie watched her walk up to the house then backed the car around and slowly drove off.

Kathy hesitated just inside the doorway, watching the tail lights of Eddie's car disappear down the driveway. Then, with a shrug of her shoulders, she flicked the outside light off and quietly went upstairs to her room, a mixture of emotions whirling about in her head.

CHAPTER TEN.

On Monday morning, the newspaper carried headlines reporting the fire at the Valley Sports Club on Friday night. The police had still been unable to get any further with their investigations and asked for anyone with information, no matter how trivial it may seem, to report it immediately.

'Just look at all this bulls.h.i.t!' Sam exploded as he tossed the paper onto the breakfast table. 'Cops haven't got a clue, just like last time!' He pointed to the headlines.

'Yeah Dad, I know. There'll be a b.l.o.o.d.y murder in the valley before this's finished. Nat's gone gun crazy up at his place an' Rex's settin' rabbit traps everywhere. He says he'll catch the b.a.s.t.a.r.d one way or another.' Des munched on his toast as he spoke.

'He's right. Des and I were up there yesterday and he was showin' us his guns, loaded an' ready to go! There's friggin' guns an' traps everywhere!' Eric frowned.

'Well, can't say as I blame 'em and they're not the only farmers thinkin' along those lines. They're all armin' 'emselves and even sleepin' out in their sheds. No one's takin' chances this time,' Sam said, worried. 'Nat lost all that machinery and shearin' equipment last time. He can't afford to lose any more! Rex's packin' shed got burnt to the ground. We're sure as h.e.l.l gonna have to tread mighty careful until this b.a.s.t.a.r.d's caught. Don't you go anywhere alone, Eric!' Sam warned. 'You can't be seen in the wrong place, mate!'

'I know Sam... I know only too well. I'll be careful!'

'You look tired, Kathy. Is everything alright, love?' Win sipped her morning cuppa as she eyed her daughter with concern.

'Yes, Mum, everything's fine. I'm a bit weary that's all.'

'Are you sure? Is everything okay with you and Eddie?'

'Yeah, everything's okay with him. He did get called in and questioned about the club fire. It upset him a fair bit and we ended up having a few words, but then we made up.'

'Well as long as everything's alright. Look after yourself, won't you darling.'

'I will, Mum, don't worry. I'm running late again, b.u.g.g.e.r it. You know, I'm seriously thinking about getting a car of my own. I hate having to rush for the bus every day.' Kathy kissed her mother's cheek and headed for the door.

Win watched her go, a thoughtful expression on her face, just as Emmie came in for her breakfast.

'Morning, Mum. Had a little sleep in?' Win greeted her.

'Yes, it is a bit later than usual. I've been lying in bed doing some very serious thinking.'

'Have you now? What have you been thinking about?' she asked, handing Emmie a coffee.

'I want to wait until I have Ellie and you together before I tell you.' Emmie sipped her coffee. 'Where is Ellie this morning?'

'She went to town early to do some shopping. She should be home about lunch time.'

'When she comes in, we'll have a cuppa on the veranda and I'll tell you my idea.'

Win looked at Emmie curiously, wondering what her mother had up her sleeve.

'If that's what you want, I have to go out myself for a while. Dawn asked me to help with the tidying up of the hall. It needs a slick of paint as well to spruce it up for the Christmas dance. Jeff's staying on the property because of the firebug.'

'I wonder if it's worth holding the dance this year. Most people will want to stay home and keep an eye on things,' Emmie replied.

'Yes, I mentioned the dance to Dig. He's discussed it with the other blokes and they say that they will take it in shifts so everyone can make it to the dance, even if only for a short time,' Win told her. 'Anyway, I have to get a move on. Tammi's still in bed, she starts school later today, she has to be there by eleven o'clock but she takes so long to get herself ready that if I don't drag her out of bed now she'll be late.'

'She's been studying hard for her exams, hasn't she? You get her up and I'll make sure she leaves in time for the bus. Bye love.'

After showering, Mary applied her makeup, pinned her hair up, and then went in search of Mick.

She found him giving the tractor an oil change. She looked out over her property and smiled as she admired the beautiful view.

'And it's all mine,' she thought. 'Harvey, you won't be getting a cent. If it's the last breath I take, I will see you penniless, just like you were when I met you.' She turned to face Mick who was quietly behind her.

'Mornin' missus,' he greeted her. 'Nice day.'

'It's a lovely day, Mick, lovely day.' She smiled. 'I have an errand for you to run so when you finish with the tractor, would you come up to the house? I want you to deliver some jams and relishes to Mrs Mason at Kia-Ora.'

'Sure thing. I'll be all done here in about half an hour.'

Mary smiled and went back to the house. Mick whistled as he worked on the tractor.

'Kia-Ora, eh? This's gonna be interestin'.' He smirked to himself.

'We'll get the blokes together at my place tonight,' Jeff was saying. He had called in to see Karl and Digger.

They were all chatting in the orchard at Kia-Ora with Sam, Des and Eric.

'The meetin' at Sars was just b.l.o.o.d.y useless. We got friggin' nowhere with that. I think if we get Nat and Rex on board again, between all of us we'll organize these patrols and sort out any other ideas we might come up with. We worked well last time but we need to be on the ball twenty-four-seven this time 'round.'

'Yeah, I agree, mate. I reckon we should leave those other b.a.s.t.a.r.ds out of our plans. That meetin' at the pub was only an excuse for a fight; some of those blokes are just h.e.l.l bent on bluein'!' Sam said angrily. 'We need to take action now if we're gonna ever get this a.r.s.ehole!'

'Righto, we'll finish work a bit earlier and meet at your place, Jeff, around seven if that suits you?' Digger agreed.

'Listen, I've told Eric not to go anywhere alone; it's far too dangerous. There's too many fools out there who still blame him and it would only take one wrong move and they'd be at him again,' Sam told them.

'Good idea. Eric's had enough trouble and that mad Geldin' b.i.t.c.h needs ta be locked up. She's a b.l.o.o.d.y loose cannon, runnin' 'round the place shriekin' like a friggin' banshee.' Karl placed his hand on Eric's shoulder, giving it a squeeze.

'Strewth, I couldn't put up with it a second time. I know there's still people who blame me. I feel their stares and I hear their whispers. It makes me feel rotten. I wish we could get our hands on the real culprit!'

'We will mate... We will!' they said in chorus.

'Every day brings us closer, my love.' A sigh escaped the man's lips. Suddenly his head jerked backwards, saliva dribbled from the corner of his mouth and trickled into the stubble on his chin, his eyes rolled back and a hoa.r.s.e cry echoed in the room.

'Ya p.r.i.c.k teasin' b.i.t.c.h! I'll make ya suffer for everythin'! I'll fix ya... for good!' He was gasping for air. 'I'll get ya good, just ya wait and see!' He took several gulps of air before calming himself.

He felt in his breast pocket. The photo was still where it had been for so many years.

He sat on a nearby chair, his ruddy skin had paled. He wiped perspiration from his face with a filthy handkerchief.

'I can't keep this up, I just can't,' he moaned.

A knock sounded at the back door. Mary turned around from wiping the jars she was sending to Kia-Ora.

'Oh Mick, you've finished. Come in for a minute. I'll have the preserves ready in a tick.'

Mick followed her into the kitchen, admiring her backside.

'Here you are. Give my love to everyone at Kia-Ora.' She smiled, handing him the box from the kitchen table.

'Rightio, missus. Anythin' else I can get you while I'm out?'

'No, not that I can think of. Mick, are you alright? You look a bit peaky.'

'Good as gold, missus. Got a bit hot before workin' out in the sun, that's all. Better get goin' then. See ya later.'

He hurried out the back door. Mary watched him drive off in his old car thinking what a good worker she had found... but he was a tad odd!

'Ok Mum, now what is it you want to talk about?'

Win and Ellie had joined their mother on the veranda as she had requested.

'I don't know what you are both going to think about my idea.'

'What is it? What have you in mind?' they asked.

'Well... I've been thinking and I want to ask Beth to move in with us!'

There was stunned silence as Win and Ellie digested this piece of information.

'Well, what do you think?' asked Emmie.

'Well that's a bit of a surprise. Why? For what reason?' Win stammered.

'Whatever made you contemplate that?' enquired Ellie. 'She seems happy at the boarding house.'

'Maybe so, but she's obviously had a terrible childhood and she's such a lovely young woman. I feel as though I've known her for years.' Emmie smiled wistfully as she spoke. 'She deserves a family atmosphere. She should be coming home from work to a hot meal and a family, not to a lonely room!'

The two women looked at each other. It was obvious their mother had made up her mind. She was renowned for her kindness and, over the years, had provided help to many people who found themselves a bit 'down and out,' as she would put it.

Emmie Mason had a genuine heart of gold.

'Well, if it's what you think is right and what you want to do, I suppose that's okay with me.' Win still looked puzzled.

Ellie said she had no argument either. However, she too looked a little bit puzzled.

Emmie sighed and smiled contentedly. She stopped speaking as they heard the sound of tyres crunch on the gravel drive.

'I wonder who that is.' Win got up to have a look as Mick walked around the corner.

'Oh... you startled me.' Win stared at him with a look of surprise on her face as she recognized him from the club.

He smiled up at her as she stood staring down at him from the veranda.

'Sorry if I frightened you. Mrs Winters sent me to deliver these goodies,' he said in his low gravelly voice, showing her the box of preserves.

'Who's here?' Ellie asked, coming to see who Win was talking to.

'Why, h.e.l.lo there. What brings you to Kia-Ora?' she asked.

Mick explained his reason for being there to Ellie.

'Well come on up. So you work for Harvey and Mary then?' Ellie asked.

'That's right, I've only just started there. It's a good job.'

'Yes, and they're nice people, you're lucky. Come up and I'll introduce you to Mum.'

Mick pa.s.sed close to Win. He turned and looked directly into her face. Her eyes met his and a shiver ran down her spine.

'Those b.l.o.o.d.y eyes... those cold grey eyes!' she thought, shuddering.

Ellie made the introductions and Mick handed the box to Hazel who had wandered out to see who was visiting.

'It's nice to meet you, Mrs Mason,' he said very politely. 'Lovely place you've got here. Anyway, I must get on me way. I've plenty of work waitin' back at Jindera.' He walked to the edge of the veranda, gave a two fingered wave and, casting another glance in Win's direction, winked and added, 'Enjoy those goodies!' Then he hurried down the steps.

Win couldn't shake the uneasy feeling. Something about this Mick bloke really unsettled her.