Karl dug his hands deep in his pockets. He was staring out across the paddocks. He was quiet for a minute, then he looked him straight in the eye.

'Nothin's wrong with her. I love her, mate, really love her!' Karl said quietly.

'h.e.l.l, mate! s.h.i.t... Does Harvey know this?'

'No.' Karl shoved his hands deeper into his trouser pockets and leant back against the veranda post.

'I'm worried about her. I know she's drinkin' again. At first I thought it was because I refused to see her after the accident, but I know differently now. She was here the night of the Christmas dance.

'We had quite a long talk and I know Harvey's drivin' her mad. He's pesterin' her for money so he can start a business and she doesn't want any part of it. He's at her day and night and they've been fightin' badly. I know her well enough to figure out that she reckons it's better to be drunk and listen to Harvey than sober. Alcoholics are like that. They depend on the grog for everythin'.'

Digger interrupted. 'b.l.o.o.d.y shame, she's a really nice person sober.'

Karl went on to explain. 'Apparently he's done this all before and failed each time. Mary doesn't want to lose any more money through his hair-brained schemes and she doesn't want to stay with him anyway; he's a womanizer as well.'

'Does Mary feel the same way about you?' Digger asked seriously.

Karl sighed loudly. 'Yeah, she does. f.u.c.k it, Dig. What the h.e.l.l can we do?'

'Well there must be a way out of that marriage. You can't tell me that with the two of them fightin' and carryin' on like they are, that it's worth stayin' together. h.e.l.l, get a divorce and both go their own ways. Better for both of 'em.'

'I spoke to Mary about divorcing Harvey. I tried to convince her that the church couldn't hold it against her or refuse in these circ.u.mstances.'

'What did she say?'

'She said she would think it over. I reckon she will, but there's other stuff to deal with like Harvey and he will try and bleed her dry.'

'Well, mate, let me know how it goes and if I can help at all... She needs a good solicitor'

'Yeah... Thanks, cob.' Karl went back to staring out over the property, a worried look on his face.

Ellie walked into Win's room without knocking. 'I've told him,' she said, coming straight to the point.

Win looked up from the book she had been reading, her face paled. 'Now...? Tonight?'

'Yes!'

'Oh Ellie, how did he take it?'

'How do you think?' Ellie was shaking and obviously upset.

'Oh G.o.d, Ellie, I'm so sorry. Where is he now?'

'He left. He just walked out, got in the car and drove off!' Ellie's voice broke and she was trying hard not to cry.

Win went to her and hugged her. 'Oh dear, how was his mood? Was he angry, sad... what?'

'He went very quiet... and... and he just got up and left without a word.' Ellie broke down, crying bitterly.

'He'll be alright. Really, he will. Ellie, he had to know. He'll just go somewhere and think over what you told him.' Win tried to comfort her.

'Well, it's done now. Christmas is going to be awful this year. I've certainly spoilt it for Francis.'

'He had to know, Ellie. There was no other way. He can't hold this against you. He'll realise that when he calms down.'

'I hope so, Win. Oh I hope so!'

'We'd better go and see if Mum's awake and tell her that Francis knows now. Then all we have to do is find the right time to tell Beth. Did you tell him to keep it a secret?'

'Yes, he'll keep his mouth shut. At least he promised me that much before he walked out!'

Francis braked hard and the car slid to a halt in the car park at the club. 'It's not true!' he thought savagely. 'It's just not true! I won't believe it.' He got out of the Volkswagen and slammed the door hard. He had driven from home in utter disbelief. For over an hour he had driven around Albury and Wodonga.

Finally, he decided he would go to the club even though the girls wouldn't appreciate him interrupting their night out.

He stood inside the door of the auditorium, scanning the crowd for Beth. He spotted her talking to Johnny Hansen.

Francis gritted his teeth. 'No, I won't believe it,' he thought, and started across the room to where Beth and Johnny were standing.

Beth hadn't seen him and now she turned and followed Johnny up onto the stage. The band struck up and he pa.s.sed Beth the microphone. Her voice filled the room. Francis felt tears p.r.i.c.k the back of his eyes. 'd.a.m.n,' he thought. 'It's so unfair! It's so b.l.o.o.d.y wrong!' He turned and went back the way he had come, away from the club, away from that beautiful voice... away from Beth!

'Now? It's very late and I really don't think...' Ellie was talking on the phone. 'I haven't got my car either; it's at the mechanics.'

The voice crackled at the other end of the line. Ellie glanced at the grandfather clock in the hallway. 'Alright, if that's what you want. Harvey, you'll have to be very quiet. Everyone here has turned in for the night. I don't want to have to think up explanations.'

He was good at using his charm to get what he wanted, and Ellie gave in to him. Harvey was pleading to see her. He apologized for upsetting her on the night of the dance. Whatever it was, it seemed it was important enough that he was even willing to come to Kia-Ora late at night.

Ellie was dubious about the importance of his visit. Nevertheless, she still felt a stirring of excitement. She didn't have to wait long. Harvey came quietly around to the secluded side veranda. He had parked his car under some gum trees on the side of Centaur Road, well out of sight of anyone who pa.s.sed by.

'Ellie, darling,' he whispered. 'I miss not being with you so much.' He moved closer, reaching out to hold her in his arms.

Ellie hesitated for a split second then abandoned all her doubts as she succ.u.mbed to his embrace and pa.s.sionate kiss. 'Darling, it's been such a long week. I've missed you terribly. I need you so much.' Harvey was undoing the b.u.t.ton on Ellie's blouse as he whispered words of love to her. Her blouse slipped from her shoulders as his hand went to her breast. He gently ma.s.saged the warm silkiness of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s and Ellie moaned softly. He claimed her mouth and seduced her with his tongue.

Ellie quickly neglected any thoughts of where they were. Her desire for his loving had blocked all else from her mind. Harvey pulled her close, his hands on her b.u.t.tocks. She was naked now from her waist up. Her arms were wound around his neck. She pressed her pelvis hard against his thighs, feeling his erection through the soft fabric of her skirt.

Time just seemed to stop for them. The only sound to be heard was their heavy breathing. Swift movements stripped them of their clothing and, gasping, they sank to the wooden floor of the side veranda. They made quick, savage love to each other. Neither one noticed the hard floor.

Regardless of their maturity or being 'oldies', as the younger generation called people over thirty, their pa.s.sion for each other was insatiable. They couldn't get enough of each other. They thrust and bucked until finally their pa.s.sion was spent.

Harvey wiped his wet forehead and bent forward to kiss Ellie's damp face. 'G.o.d, woman! You'd put any youngin' to shame!'

Ellie smiled, satisfied that she had pleased him yet again. She was also high in the afterglow of Harvey's expert loving. 'Remember the first time we made love on the veranda, Ellie?' Harvey murmured close to her ear.

'How could I forget it?' she whispered. 'It's a good thing this veranda is so secluded from the main part of the house.'

'Still, it might be a good idea to put our clothes back on, just in case.' Harvey grinned. 'You never know, there might be a fire!' He gave her a quirky look.

Ellie began dressing, as she pulled on her clothes a thought struck her. 'Harv, you better be very careful going back to your car. If the men see you sneaking around, you might be mistaken for the firebug. Nat Willis won't hesitate; he'll shoot first and ask questions later.'

Harvey put his arm around Ellie's waist and nuzzled her neck. 'Don't worry your pretty head about that. I'll be careful!'

'By the way, you said you had something important to talk to me about.' Ellie looked at him.

'Ah, yes... Yes I do.' Harvey paused. 'Ellie, you know how much I love you?'

Ellie felt an instant feeling of uneasiness start to creep over her. She nodded.

'Well, as you know, Mary's on the grog again and I'm not going to put up with it this time. Religion or not, I'm gonna divorce her.'

Ellie gasped. 'Does Mary know this?'

'We...ell, no. That is... Ellie.' He spoke quickly. 'Ellie, darling, I want to know that you will marry me once the divorce is final. I want your answer now, tonight. Just think, sweetheart.' Harvey pulled her into his arms. 'Just think what a team we'd make. I want you by my side, in my bed, as my partner in business...'

'In business,' Ellie interrupted him. 'So does this mean you've got the capital to set it up?'

Harvey looked a little uncomfortable. 'That's where you can help, sweetheart.'

'Me... How?'

'Darling, as my wife, what's mine is yours and what's yours is mine. I'm a true believer in total commitment to a marriage, that's why it hasn't worked for me and Mary. You can add your money to the business to get it up and runnin' and after we're makin' a profit we can both sit back and enjoy the good life. Oh Ellie, just think how beneficial it would be. You can double or triple what you have saved... Ellie?' Harv looked down at her as she pushed away from him. 'Ellie, what's wrong?'

Ellie's face had paled and it was obvious that she was trying hard to control her anger.

'Harvey, I can hardly believe you would have the gall to come to my home like you have tonight and seduce me the way you just did, just so I will fall for handing over Denby's money!'

'Ellie, you've got it all wrong...'

'Have I? I've already told you I won't give you Denby's money. I repeat, I won't give you his money.' Ellie's voice rose and Harvey moved closer, whispering for her to quieten down. She twisted away from him.

She could feel tears stinging her eyes but blinked them away. She wasn't going to let Harvey see her cry.

'Ellie, how can you act this way, especially after the way we just made love...? Ellie, please... Think about things, darling.'

'Made love!' she almost screeched. Ellie felt sick. 'Harvey, you don't know the meaning of the word. I really thought we had something. I was so happy to have you back in my life. What a fool I've been. All you want is someone who has money. Poor Mary, she was fool enough to fall in love with you too, only she made a mistake and married you. It's you who doesn't love her, not the other way 'round. You only love yourself, no one else.'

Harvey tried to b.u.t.t in but Ellie continued, her voice low and angry. 'I feel so sorry for Mary. I wish I had taken more notice when she told me what you were like, but I was stupid enough to think you really loved me. You know, there's a name for blokes like you.'

Harvey's face had reddened and a pulse pumped at the side of his neck. 'What do you mean Mary told you what I was like? What exactly did she say...?' He grabbed Ellie and shook her.

'Let me go, Harvey,' she hissed.

'What did Mary tell you?' he ground out through clenched teeth.

Ellie looked into his angry face and a chill shot down her spine. She had never dreamt that Harvey could be so brutal, yet looking at him now she knew Mary had told her the truth. 'You used me, didn't you? You used s.e.x to get to me. I'm ashamed of myself and I loathe you!'

'She's put all that in your head, hasn't she? She told you those lies because she's jealous!'

'She was trying to warn me, Harvey. The poor woman was trying to warn me for my own good!'

'No, Ellie, she's jealous. Don't listen to her...' Harvey tried to take Ellie in his arms but she pushed him away. 'Get out of here, Harvey. Get away from my home and never set foot here again. Go... now! I never want to see you again!'

'Bit high and mighty aren't ya, seein' you spent all this time screwin' a married man!' Harvey's att.i.tude changed the minute Ellie told him to leave.

She looked at him in shock as his words. .h.i.t home.

'That's right, sweetheart. You're no better than a common wh.o.r.e. How many others have you spread your legs for, eh? I bet there's many a bloke 'round here that's had a taste of you!' His face contorted in anger. 'Even screwed me in your mother's home... an' you try to preach to me about morals.' His face was close to Ellie's, his voice was low and menacing.

Ellie's hand ripped through the air and connected with Harvey's face in a loud crack.

'Get out now before I scream, and if I do, Digger and Karl will be down here in a flash!'

Harvey looked at her threateningly. 'You'll pay, Ellie... You'll pay!' He turned and strode angrily away.

Ellie watched him go, crying freely now. Shocked and shaken, she stayed outside on the veranda until she could regain some control. She thought Harvey really cared for her. She had even convinced herself that Mary was only trying to cause trouble. It hurt deeply to finally admit the truth about him.

She stayed outside letting the memories flow, painful as it was. Eventually, mentally exhausted, she walked in through the double doors, closing them with a click of finality. Harvey Winters was shut from her life for good.

Thursday morning was full of tension at Kia-Ora. Francis didn't speak to his mother and he barely said two words to anyone else. Beth tried to lighten his mood by talking about the fun they had at the club, but he hardly acknowledged her, leaving her bewildered.

Ellie's eyes were red-rimmed and she didn't say much either. The girls left for work wondering what was wrong. Beth usually got a lift with Francis but he was so obviously upset she decided to catch the bus with Kathy and Tammi. Francis left without saying goodbye to anyone.

Win had waited until they had all gone before asking Ellie what was wrong. Tears welled up in Ellie's eyes again. She had broken down completely when she reached her room the night before. Harvey's visit on top of telling Francis about Beth had taken its toll on her completely.

She blew her nose and began to tell her sister everything. The whole sordid mess was revealed.

Win sat patiently until Ellie finished. 'Oh Ellie, what a mongrel he's turned out to be. I've been worried for you. I could see the tension between you and Mary, but when she became involved with Karl, I thought that finally it would all sort itself out. What a b.l.o.o.d.y mess... Does Harvey know about Karl and Mary?'

'I don't know, Win. I truly thought he loved me. I've been an utter fool. He scared me a bit last night, too. He got so angry. My G.o.d, I hope he doesn't take it out on Mary. I shouldn't have told him that she said anything to me.'

'Well, it's likely that he would go home and argue with her. Especially after the row you had with him. I don't think you need worry about her though, she'll handle Harvey. She has so far, hasn't she?'

'I hope so, Win. He was pretty d.a.m.n angry.'

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN.

'Well, here we are again. Another Christmas Eve.' Emmie smiled around at her family who were gathered with her in the lounge room. They were admiring the tall pine tree Sam had provided for Christmas. They had decorated it with the traditional decorations they used for many years and always placed a star on top. They had a freshly cut pine tree that almost reached the ceiling; the fragrance of the pine gave the air that special smell of Christmas.