'What is it?' he asked. 'You blokes took off so fast I knew it had to be bad.'

When they explained what had happened, Eddie offered to help in any way he could. He offered to take Kathy to the hospital but she said she would go with her dad and Tammi.

The kitchen at Kia-Ora became a hype of activity. One by one, the family arrived. After discussions about Emmie's collapse and the house fire, they headed into Albury to the hospital.

When they arrived, Win and Ellie were sitting in the corridor outside emergency.

They couldn't provide any further information, as no medical staff had emerged from the emergency room since they had taken Emmie in there. All the family could do was comfort each other as much as possible.

The police surveyed the scene of the fire, asking questions as usual and getting nowhere. Frank Smith told them all he could. It was the same as the other fires. The firebug had used the delayed action method, mosquito coils. Being an old timber home, it ignited very easily.

Nat Willis stalked around, swearing and threatening murder. Who could blame him or anyone for losing their cool enough was enough. Locals were now talking of moving out of the valley. They had another obstacle though: who would want to buy a property in Hamilton Valley now? It was likely to get burned down!

Detective Bennett warned Nat to calm down and put his shotguns away or they would confiscate them. Nat cursed him and stormed off. Detective Bennett stood watching him.

Shaking his head, he muttered, 'There's going to be trouble. I can see it brewing!'

There was nothing left to do now except pack up the truck and go home. The police would be back in the daylight to investigate further. The fire trucks pulled out of the yard and everyone else left the blackened scene.

Darkness settled once again and silence enveloped the now empty s.p.a.ce where Arthur's house once stood.

The doctor finally came out to talk to the waiting family. A sea of anxious faces looked at him as he advanced towards them.

'Doctor... She's okay, isn't she?' Win asked, her voice shaking.

'Yes, my dear. She's stabilized now. We've given her a sedative and she's resting comfortably.' He patted her shoulder. He had known Emmie for many years and had attended to Dave Mason right up to his death.

'However, the heart attack was serious and she will need to be in hospital for a while. She must also be spared any more shocks or stress of any kind.'

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief that Emmie had made it. They all realised that somehow they would have to protect her from hearing any more bad news.

'How the h.e.l.l do we do that?' Win questioned.

'I have no idea. It's this mongrel firebug it's his fault! He's to blame for all this!' Ellie's voice broke as a sob caught in her throat.

'I suggest you all go back home now and get some rest,' advised the doctor.

'Can we go in and see her before we go? Karl asked.

'Usually I'd say no, but I will allow two of you only and just for a minute. I'm sorry, I can't allow you all.'

Win suggested that Karl and Ellie go in. She knew she would break down if she saw her mother like that.

It broke Karl and Ellie's hearts to see her lying there so pale and still. Emmie looked tiny, laying there with the drip in her thin old arm.

Ellie bent and kissed her forehead.

'Get better, darling. We love you so very much.'

Karl kissed his mother's cheek. He held her frail old hand in his big worn one. He had tears in his eyes and his chin was quivering.

'I love you, Mum. Rest and get better; we need you.' He stood and looked at Ellie who had tears streaming down her face.

'She'll be okay, Ellie. She comes from good stock.' He felt a slight squeeze of his hand and glanced down at his mother. 'I know she will... Come on, she needs rest now.'

He very gently squeezed Emmie's hand in response, kissing and placing it on the bed cover. 'She just needs a good rest and some peace of mind.' Placing his arm around Ellie, he steered her out of the room.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

The news about Emmie's heart attack travelled around the valley. Numerous phone calls were received at Kia-Ora and piles of get well cards came in the mail during the following week.

The police made a point of extending their best wishes. They also arranged for reinforcements from other towns to come in for day patrols. By doing this, it eased the burden on the farmers who were so desperately sleep-deprived from keeping watch on their properties twenty-four-seven and also doing their everyday ch.o.r.es.

One farmer made a valid point, stating that because the firebug used delayed action method with mosquito coils, there was no use for patrolling. He could be out on patrol with them having already set the fire earlier or set it while on patrol!

This was a very true statement.

They were all aware the fires could flare up at any time of the day or night. Also, the culprit obviously was known to them. These patrols were essential to watch for any type of suspicious behaviour by anyone at all. They had to watch each and every person around the properties and be on the alert to any strangers.

Everyone... absolutely everyone was a suspect!

'What's happening to our lovely valley?' sighed Win. 'Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine our quiet little valley would turn into a place of terror!'

'I know what you mean, Win. This firebug is responsible for so b.l.o.o.d.y much!' exclaimed Ellie.

'Dad might still be alive if he hadn't been under the strain of the fires. Then there was old Harry; you can't tell me it wasn't the firebug who caused his death! Now poor old Mum's had a heart attack from the strain of it!' Karl drew in a deep and ragged breath.

'I'll give Nat Willis a hand to shoot the p.r.i.c.k!' he growled.

They sat in silence. There was nothing left to say. They were each deep in their own thoughts. Interest in eating dinner was nil.

Win suddenly looked up. 'Beth!'

'What about Beth?' Ellie asked.

'Well, Mum did ask her to move into Kia-Ora with us... She seemed adamant that it was the best thing for Beth.' Win moved forwards in her chair. 'If Beth went to see Mum and told her she would move in... that would certainly lift her spirits!'

'Hey, that's not a bad idea,' Karl agreed.

'Beth didn't give an answer when Mum asked her. Mum's been waiting to hear from her. She's very fond of Beth for some reason. I'll phone Beth myself tomorrow and ask her about it!' Ellie was enthusiastic.

The lights of a car shone up the driveway as it pulled up to the house.

'That'll be Eddie bringing Kathy home. He's been very supportive since Mum's attack,' Win said, watching through the window.

'Still got me doubts about him,' Karl mumbled. A leopard doesn't change its spots. He's been hoonin' around town racin' that bloke of Eileen's.'

'Ssh! Better not let Kath hear you talking about him like that, Karl,' Win warned him.

'When Arthur came in to visit Mum, he remarked about Chancellor then. He doesn't like him at all. He's always been a pretty good judge of character, old Arthur,' Karl added.

Kathy and Eddie came inside to join them. Eddie stayed for a coffee and, when he had gone, Kathy went straight up to bed.

Digger followed and stuck his head around her door. 'Are you alright, love?'

'Yes, Dad, just a bit tired. Had a busy day at the salon.'

'Okay then, night love. I'll just go and tell your sister to take a break; she's had her head in those books studying for hours!'

Harvey left for work early. He was in a bad mood. He had decided it was high time he saw Ellie again. It had been four long, frustrating weeks.

He obviously had heard about Emmie. He and Mary put on a united front and did the right thing calling into Kia-Ora to extend their get well wishes. At that time, only immediate family had been allowed to visit the hospital, so they delivered flowers and a card to the house.

Now he wanted nothing more than to spend time with Ellie in their love nest out at the Hume Weir. Driving fast along the Gap Road, he decided to ring her as soon as he reached his office.

His thoughts switched to Mary. She was so d.a.m.n sure of herself.

'd.a.m.n!' He swore and thumped his fist on the steering wheel. 'I need that money. I'm not goin' to work in an office for the b.l.o.o.d.y council all my life!' He pushed his foot harder on the accelerator and the car shot forward, gathering speed, a dangerous speed for the notorious gap road.

Out at her property in Jindera, Mary sat reading the paper and sipping her coffee. She was fully aware that Harvey was annoyed with her and she felt pleased. For once, she felt like she finally had the upper hand.

He could go off s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g Ellie all he liked, she didn't care. She had Karl, dear sweet Karl. Mary sighed and her thoughts drifted from the newspaper to him and the happy times they were able to spend together.

'Yes,' she thought, 'I do truly love you, Karl Mason'.

Stronger than lovers' love is lovers' hate.

Incurable in each, The wounds they make.

Euripedes.

Emmie was sitting up in her hospital bed. She was looking a little better today and the doctor finally allowed more visitors. Flowers decorated her room, cheering her up, and it was very apparent that she was well thought of by many.

Beth tapped softly on the Emmie's hospital room door. She had spoken with Ellie on the phone earlier that day and, after a lengthy conversation, she finally agreed to move in to Kia-Ora. She was overwhelmed by Emmie's kindness and liked the thought of being in the lovely family home surrounded by the Masons. It was like a dream come true. She just didn't want to be a nuisance to anyone. When she voiced this to Ellie, Ellie had rea.s.sured her she would not be a nuisance to anyone and that they would love to have her there. Beth insisted on a weekly board amount and said she would pull her weight doing household ch.o.r.es. This made Ellie chuckle at her, knowing that apart from making her bed and keeping her room tidy, she would have no other ch.o.r.es. Hazel kept the home immaculate.

So now, during her lunch break, she visited the hospital to tell Emmie the news.

Emmie looked up from the magazine she was leafing through and, seeing Beth standing at the door, she brightened immediately. A smile spread across her face.

'Beth, dear, come in.' Emmie held out her hands and Beth took them both in hers. She bent and kissed the old lady gently. 'What brings you here at this time of day, dear?'

'I wanted to see you, Mrs Mason, to see for myself how you are.'

Emmie slipped off her gla.s.ses and placed them on the magazine she had been reading. 'That's lovely, Beth. I'm doing rather well, considering. Would there be another reason for your visit maybe?' Emmie looked at her expectantly.

'Well, yes, I also wanted to tell you that I have accepted your invitation to move in to Kia-Ora.' She smiled nervously.

'Beth, dear, I'm very pleased to hear that. I was hoping that was the reason for your visit. You've made me very happy.'

'Well, now you have to get well quickly so we can spend some time together.' Beth smiled.

'Beth, I will, but there is one more thing you can do for me.'

'Okay Mrs Mason, just ask.'

'Please let me help you with the problem weighing so heavy on those tiny shoulders of yours.'

Beth looked at the old lady lying in the big hospital bed. 'Maybe I will, but I'll wait until you're better and out of hospital.'

'Fiddlesticks! I'm quite okay. All I'll do is listen to you, that won't hurt me. Now come on, I might be able to help you, Beth.'

Beth still hesitated. She didn't want this kind old lady to have any more upsets or bad turns. But Emmie finally convinced her to open up and talk to her.

Taking a deep breath, Beth began her story. 'Mrs Mason, as you know, the people I lived with in Sydney were not my biological parents. I didn't know this until just before my stepmother died. She told me in the ambulance on the way to hospital. She explained to me that they had adopted me as a very young baby. She said my natural mother came from Albury and, to her knowledge, was still here. That was all she managed to tell me before she died. I thought about it for a while and decided to come down here and find my natural parents.'

Emmie was watching her as she spoke. The expressions flitting across her face were full of emotion.

'Dear lovely girl,' The old lady thought.

'You haven't actually started to search for them yet?' Emmie asked finally.

'No, not yet. I'm a bit afraid of what or who I might come across, but I will find them.'

'Beth, dear, let me help you. Don't do anything until I'm out of here, promise me that... please.' Emmie held tightly to Beth's hands, her voice pleading.

Beth looked into Emmie's eyes. She knew she could trust this dear old woman.

'I promise you, Mrs Mason. I promise,' she said softly.

'Now dear, there's just one more thing.'

'Yes?'