'I'm so glad Uncle Karl is coming home tomorrow. When I went to see him last night, he seemed a little bit brighter. At least he let me visit to give him my good news. He's really pleased about my new job. He reckons I'll be on the telly next!' Tammi chattered gaily.

'I'm glad he'll be back home with us. I'm sure it will help his recovery,' Emmie added.

'The dance is Sat.u.r.day night. Hasn't it come up quickly?' Francis looked at Kathy and then at Tammi. 'It's great. Johnny's playing this year,' he added. 'Anyway, Kath, what's happened to Eddie? You're not usually home on a Wednesday night!'

'I thought you'd soon be asking about that, sticky beak!' Kathy grinned and continued. 'I s'pose I'd better let you know that Eddie and I are remaining friends but... I've decided I want to go out and mix a lot more with my friends. It's my decision, okay!'

Everyone at the table had paused to listen. Francis took Beth's hand and this did not go unnoticed by Emmie.

Win was secretly relieved by Kathy's decision. When she looked at Dig, she knew he was as well.

Mary was wiping the sink after washing their dinner things. She knew Harvey had been with Ellie that day; he was often late and that told her the lovers had been together again.

'He can go to h.e.l.l,' she slurred. 'The only person that matters to me is Karl.' She didn't hear Harvey walk in behind her.

'What did you say, Mary?'

She swung around to look at him, stumbling a little. 'I said you can go to h.e.l.l, Harv darling. h.e.l.l... got it? H... E... L... L!' she spelt the word out slowly.

'I know why you kept topping up my gla.s.s over dinner while you talked money... My money!'

Harvey looked furious.

She kept on, deliberately provoking him. 'You don't fool me, you idiot. You can get me as drunk as you want and I still won't give you a cracker, so what're you gonna do now, loser?'

In a flash, his hand slapped her hard across the face, sending her reeling backwards. He caught her before she fell and her head jerked to one side. Taking a few seconds to grasp what had happened, she turned to meet Harvey eye to eye.

'That, you b.a.s.t.a.r.d, is the last time you will ever do that... the very last time! As for any money... I wouldn't give you a shortcut to the s.h.i.t house. Now let me go!' Mary ground the words out between her clenched teeth.

Harvey was shocked at what he had done and dropped her arm, releasing her. As he turned to walk away, Mary added, 'I'm sure Ellie would like to know about the real Harvey... You're not the Harvey the Masons think you are.'

He glared at her and continued out the back door.

'Well I'll be b.u.g.g.e.red! That wasn't so hard after all. I've found ya right here under me nose... Those eyes. My mother was right, bless her heart, when she told me she thought ya existed. I found it hard to believe, but now I know and I have to see ya again!' He drifted off to sleep rambling about making plans for his two blue eyed beauties!

As she pulled to a stop outside Kia-Ora, Mary touched her bruised cheek. Harvey hitting her last night had left an obvious welt on her face.

'I'll show Ellie just what a mongrel you are, Harvey. It's about time.'

Hazel answered the front door, surprise showing on her face as she greeted Mary.

'h.e.l.lo, Hazel. I'd like to see Ellie, if I may,' Mary asked politely.

Hazel showed her in and Emmie met them in the hallway.

'Why Mary dear, it's lovely to see you.' Emmie touched Mary's arm in a kindly gesture.

'Nice to see you too, Emmie. I hope you're feeling better. I need to have a word with Ellie though, it's important.'

'Mary dear, you know that you are welcome here anytime. I know that you haven't seen Karl since before the accident; that must be very hard on you. I think he should see you now, when you've seen Ellie. He's up in his room. I don't think he would mind if you went to him, love.'

'Emmie, I didn't know he was home from hospital. I don't want to upset him!'

'My dear, sometimes people just don't realise what's good for them until it's put in front of them, believe me!' Emmie winked.

'Okay Emmie, I'll trust you.' Mary gave a weak smile. Emmie had noticed her face and decided against commenting; she had a fairly good idea how the mark got there.

Mary walked out to the kitchen where Ellie was sitting alone. 'Mary... What can I do for you?' Ellie was surprised to see Mary in the doorway.

'Ellie, please understand; I haven't come here to argue. I've come to warn you.'

'Warn me! Don't start, Mary!' Ellie stood up.

'Ellie, sit down, hear me out. It's not what you think.'

Ellie sat down again, sighing loudly. She decided to hear Mary out. She didn't want any upsets in the house for both Emmie and Karl's sake.

'I suppose you've noticed the mark on my cheek. Well, Harvey did it. Yes, I have been drinking lately... I'm sure the whole valley knows I've been drinking again. Ellie, you have to believe me, Harvey is no good! He's been trying to bleed me dry for years. I've handed over money several times throughout our marriage, Ellie. He always blows it.'

She drew a deep breath. 'Every business he's started, he's ruined. There was always another woman lurking in the background somewhere. All I want to do is warn you. If he starts asking you for money... Well, just be aware of what I've told you, that's all. Ellie, you deserve better.' Mary turned to walk away and Ellie stopped her.

'Why are you telling me this now, Mary? We've never seen eye to eye. It wasn't long ago that you wanted Harvey back!' Ellie stated.

Mary smiled at her and slowly shook her head, blonde tendrils of hair moving around her face.

'I know... I know, Ellie. He has a way about him. He's very convincing when he wants to be. I made a huge mistake marrying him; I think it was just dependency. Now I've had enough. I can a.s.sure you, I don't want the b.a.s.t.a.r.d. That's not the reason I'm here; he's made me deeply unhappy for years now.'

Mary looked at Ellie with sincerity. Ellie just sat staring at her. Mary sighed and continued.

'I want a genuine man, a man who's sincere, a man who will love me for me and not my bank account. A man who wants to make me happy and I make him happy. I found all this when I started to see your brother. Ellie, you put Karl up against Harvey. It's not hard to pick the real man. Just be careful, I mean it, for your own sake. He's good at hurting and using women.'

Mary got up walked through the kitchen, leaving a stunned Ellie. She slumped back in her chair, not knowing what to make of Mary's statement.

Karl gazed in the mirror, his fingers running over the bandage on his face.

'If only I could rip this b.l.o.o.d.y thing off. It's so annoying and itchy!' he grumbled.

'That means it's healing,' the voice from the doorway answered him.

Karl swung around, coming face-to-face with Mary.

'Mary! ...What're you doin' here?'

'Visiting you, Karl... I had to see you,' she said softly.

'Yeah, well, you shouldn't have. I thought I said...'

Mary interrupted him. 'I know what you said, and Karl... I don't care. We have something far too special and I won't see that ruined because of your d.a.m.n vanity, or stupidity, call it what you like!'

Karl stared at her, shocked.

'What stupidity?' he asked gruffly.

'Yours, Karl. I'd love you if you had your ears burned off, you fool! It makes no difference to me,' she pleaded.

Karl sat on his bed and looked at her. He noticed her bruised face.

'Come here, my lovely... Come here. I've missed you so much,' he said huskily.

Mary went into his arms and they remained holding each other for a long time.

'Mary, what happened to your cheek? It's bruised.'

She put her hand to her cheek and thought quickly. She didn't want Karl to know the truth, not yet.

'Oh, that. I b.u.mped it yesterday. I'm a clumsy duffer when I get working around the place.'

Karl kissed her face and drew her to him again, thinking how good she felt and how foolish he had been for refusing to see her. Mary raised her hand to his bandaged face.

'I love you. Remember that always, Karl. I love you!'

They kissed tenderly. 'I love you too, Mary, remember that!' Karl whispered.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE.

'You all look beautiful.' Digger smiled as Kathy, Tammi, Beth, Ellie and Win all filed down the stairs. A few minutes later, Emmie appeared.

They all watched her as she slowly made her way down the stairs, elegant as ever. Digger smiled up at her. 'Well, don't you look gorgeous, my lady,' he declared with a sweeping bow.

Emmie had made a remarkable recovery from her heart attack and the family encouraged her not to miss the annual Christmas dance. She was reluctant to leave Karl, but he had told her he wasn't having her molly coddle him when she could be out enjoying the Christmas festivities.

He also had another reason for wanting the house to himself. Mary was calling by later in the evening. He had tried to persuade her to go to the dance with everyone else, but she insisted on being with him. He had to admit he was looking very forward to holding her in his arms again.

'Will Eddie be there, Kath?' Tammi asked.

'Don't know, Tam. If he is, it's alright, we're still friends.'

'Mmm, can't really believe he's taken this all so well. Now! Are we taking the mini?' Tammi smiled and raised one eyebrow.

'Ha... You're so funny, Tam. You love getting out in my little mini, don't you?'

'Sure do, it's great to have wheels,' Tammi said, giving Kathy a sidelong glance.

'Whose wheels,' Kathy joked, grinning at her sister.

'Come on you two gas bags,' Dig called.

Ellie tapped Win on her shoulder and whispered, 'Look at Beth she looks absolutely stunning. Francis can't take his eyes off her.'

'I know, I noticed Ellie. As Mum said, we'll have to get Christmas over and then deal with this. You know, I still can't get over it. I'm finding it hard to keep my eyes off her myself. I'm trying so hard to be normal, it's almost unbearable.'

'Win, we have to tread carefully. Too much has happened lately. To say anything now would ruin Christmas. It's hard, I know, and imagine how Francis is going to feel.'

'Hey... You two wind bags, come on!' Kathy laughed. Her mother and Aunt's strange demeanour didn't go unnoticed by her though.

'Tam, have you noticed Mum and aunt Ellie acting strangely? I've noticed that Mum has been really quiet the last few days. I caught her daydreaming the other day and when I walked up closer to her, she quickly brushed tears from her cheeks,' Kathy confided.

'Might just be the time of year. It is getting close to Granddad's anniversary as well, and we've certainly had a lot to be upset about lately!' Tammi whispered.

'Yeah, you could be right,' Kathy answered.

Johnny Hansen was singing a slow number when they arrived. Ellie and Francis were pleased he had agreed to sing at this year's dance. Francis had discussed earlier in the year with Ellie the possibility of being guests instead of the entertainment for the dance this Christmas. Ellie had agreed willingly. This year they could dance and enjoy themselves.

People were admiring the lovely decorations. The hall really had the Christmas atmosphere thanks to Win and Dawn.

The night launched into full swing as Johnny sang and played songs from the thirties to the sixties. Everyone was enjoying the wide range of music. The rock and roll numbers had them twisting and jiving to the beat, and they swayed and waltzed to the love songs he crooned into the microphone.

But although they were all out to have fun, at the forefront of their minds was the fear of the firebug. The detectives did suggest they try and enjoy themselves for this one night. They had put extra police on patrol in the valley so the men could all go to the dance. Although this was appreciated by the locals, they couldn't help but keep an ear c.o.c.ked for the sound of sirens.

Kathy had just come from dancing when she spotted Dot across the hall leaning provocatively toward Eric, her b.r.e.a.s.t.s almost popping out of her low-cut top. Eric was beetroot red.

Dot spied Kathy watching and whispered something to Eric. Touching his bottom, she left him and sauntered towards Kathy.

'Hi there, Kath. Eric's one s.e.xy bloke. Pity he's so shy. I'll have to make it my mission to bring him out of himself.'

'Do you honestly think Eric would be bothered with the likes of you?' Kathy still bristled in Dot's company, mainly because of the incident at the club when she disappeared with Eddie.

'Kathy, love, you really do amuse me. Your cousin Eric most certainly would be, he had a nice sized bulge in his pants just now. I'm sure he'd love me to show him where he could put it. No trouble at all!' Dot crowed.

Kathy felt the anger seeping through her. She would like nothing better than to slap this tramp's smirking face.

'By the way, Kath, did you say your goodbyes to Eddie when he left for Wagga? I did... Enjoy your night!'