The only ones missing were Arthur, Daisy and Robert. They were spending this Christmas Eve at the church out at Culcairn.

Emmie was unaware of Ellie's distress. She had managed to keep up a cheerful front even though her heart was breaking.

Francis sat quietly on the other side of the room, trying not to stare at Beth. His heart ached for the girl he wasn't allowed to love.

'Time for some Christmas carols,' Tammi suggested. 'C'mon Aunt Ellie, strike up that piano of yours.'

'Why don't you and Beth both sing, Mum?' Kathy suggested, saying that it was indeed time to have one of the Mason sing-a-longs.

The rest of the family urged them on and, glancing briefly at each other, Win and Ellie could do nothing other than go along with their request.

Francis said nothing and remained grim. He was trying to cover his hurt and shock, but it wasn't working very well. He used the excuse that he was a 'bit crook' when Beth asked him what was wrong. He had promised Ellie he would keep the secret. He knew it was important but he was really confused and angry about the whole sordid mess.

Ellie began to play, the music soothing her nerves. Win and Beth harmonized beautifully. Emmie loved to see everyone together and enjoyed the singing immensely.

'My family,' she thought fondly. 'My beautiful family!'

Win started to sing her favourite, Silent Night. Beth followed her lead. Win almost had to stop. She watched Beth's face and her mind started to race, she struggled to pull herself together.

Francis felt his heart break again.

Emmie watched him and her heart ached for her grandson. She was helpless to help him, only time could do that.

Outside, sheltered by the low hanging branches of the huge walnut tree, another person was also listening to the singing. He had a faraway look in his eyes as the sound of the voices drifted outside.

'Mine,' he thought. 'All mine. Always will be mine.'

Christmas Day dawned grey and wet. The family gathered in the lounge room to open their gifts.

'Just look at the weather,' groaned Tammi. 'What a dreadful day!'

'Yeah, fancy raining on Christmas Day,' Kathy added 'Girls, thank heavens it finally has rained. It's the best Christmas gift the valley could get!' Win said, gazing out at the raindrops. .h.i.tting the dry ground.

'By the looks of it, it's set in for the day too. We need it badly so let it rain for a week, I say,' Emmie said, watching the rain splatter against the windows.

'Never mind,' Win said. 'We can still enjoy ourselves. Whoever heard of Christmas being dull at Kia-Ora!'

'That's right,' Karl agreed. 'We can still get drunk out on the back veranda, can't we Dig?'

'Sure, mate, sure.' Digger laughed and a ripple of laughter drifted around the room from the rest of the family.

Win was trying as hard as she could to keep a semblance of normality.

Gifts were exchanged with hugs and exclamations of appreciation all around, and by the time all of them were unwrapped, the lounge room looked like bomb had hit it.

Later in the morning, the rest of the Masons arrived along with Dawn, Jeff and Eileen. Hazel served her best Christmas dinner ever and the day pa.s.sed as pleasantly as one could expect. Ellie made a huge effort and eventually Francis pulled himself together as well as he could. He did it for his grandmother mainly. He had noticed her watching him and he knew she was concerned about him. She had hugged him for Christmas and whispered in his ear that everything would be alright. Knowing looks were pa.s.sed between him, his mother and Aunty Win... They held the secret that was about to change so many lives.

Boxing Day was a complete contrast to Christmas Day. It dawned bright and sunny and the temperature rapidly climbed high.

The weather didn't change during the week leading up to New Year. Each day was hot and extremely dry.

'b.l.o.o.d.y h.e.l.l, if this keeps up we'll melt after that rain, it's so muggy!' Digger said, fanning himself with a newspaper.

'Yeah, it sure is a stinker,' Karl agreed. 'Frank Smith's real worried as well. I was talkin' to him earlier. He's keepin' a close eye on things. He said the valley's so dry it could just explode from this heat. I can see why he's worried; just look around us, all it'd take would be for the firebug to drop a match and up she'd go! Do ya really reckon those patrols are doin' any good?'

'Dunno, mate. I really dunno. We could all be wastin' our time. Then again, I don't think it would be wise to stop 'em either. The b.a.s.t.a.r.d knows exactly what we're doin' though. If he wants to burn the place then he will. Nothin's stopped him yet.'

's.h.i.t no! I don't recommend callin' 'em off. We might strike it lucky one night and catch the b.a.s.t.a.r.d.' Karl stressed his point.

'Ha! No such flamin' luck!' Dig laughed dryly. 'Whoever he is, he's a b.l.o.o.d.y madman and a b.l.o.o.d.y clever one, but if he gets caught by any of the blokes in the valley I'll bet everythin' that he'll be a dead one as well.'

New Year's Eve festivities were in full swing at the sports club. Kathy, Tammi and Beth had decided to see the New Year in at the club instead of at home, like previous years. Francis also had gone out this year and no one was really sure where he went.

Ellie sought out Win. She found her in the lounge room sipping a gla.s.s of bubbly.

'All on your own, Win?'

'Mmm, I thought I'd s.n.a.t.c.h a few minutes alone before the others arrive.'

'Mind if I join you?'

'No. Here, fill a gla.s.s and we'll have our own little party.' Win waited until Ellie had filled her gla.s.s.

'How are you coping, Ellie? I know Francis is avoiding you as much as he can.'

'To tell the truth, Win, I don't know how I got through Christmas and this past week. Trying to keep up a happy front for Mum is wearing me out. I'll be happy when New Year is over!'

'Mum invited Mary and Harvey for Christmas, you know.'

'Yes, I heard her talking to Mary on the phone. Thank goodness Mary refused.'

'I wonder how they spent Christmas,' Win said, thoughtful.

Ellie shrugged. 'Who knows. Frankly, I don't really care!'

Karl sat staring at the telephone in the small study, willing it to ring. He was worried about Mary, but he knew it would be unwise to ring the Winters' house in case Harvey answered. There was no reason for Karl to be phoning and he could hardly say he was worried about Mary.

Mary had spoken to him briefly Christmas Day, but she had to hang up quickly as Harvey had walked in and almost caught her. Karl knew from her voice that all was not well out there. The feeling stayed with him as the evening progressed and still she hadn't phoned.

'We should be together,' he thought. 'This new year will have to bring about some big changes'

'Hey Tam.' Beth nudged Tammi. 'Look at those guys over by the bar.'

Tammi followed Beth's gaze. 'Mmm, they're all pretty cute. We can't let them get away. Kath's not shy, let's send her after them!'

Beth giggled. 'Okay.'

Tammi beckoned Kathy closer.

'What's up?' Kathy asked, changing seats to be closer to them. The girls told her to look at the three fellows at the bar. Kathy had to agree with them and, after some gentle persuasion from Tammi, she took her purse and headed to the bar.

'Oh d.a.m.n!' she said as she dropped her purse. She bent down to gather the contents. At the same time, a pair of male hands appeared to help her. She looked up into a very handsome face.

'Oh... Oh, thank you. I'm so clumsy!'

The young man smiled and, after introducing himself as Bruce, he proceeded to help her gather up her things. He then introduced his mates. Kathy asked them if they would like to join their table. The young men were only too happy to follow her across to where Tammi and Beth waited. After introductions, it was clear from the start that they all hit it off well; there was plenty of chat and laughter.

Johnny Hansen started to sing and everyone got up to dance. They were all having a great time. A few feet away, a tall figure leant against a poker machine. 'So, from one bloke to another, eh... Runs in the family!'

The bracket ended and they went back to their table, chatting about what they all wanted for the coming new year. The night was turning out well and Kathy felt happier than she had in ages.

'Hey, Kath. Happy New Year, chick.' Dot McClaron's voice sounded above the hum of conversation in the club.

Kathy cringed. 'Oh h.e.l.l, trust her to appear!'

Dot sauntered closer to the table. She bent down to talk to Kathy, deliberately showing an ample amount of cleavage. Kathy looked into Dot's face, caked as usual with thick makeup. Tonight's makeup looked heavier than usual. Black eyeliner thickly lined her eyes and she had pencilled her eyebrows so high that they almost disappeared into her hairline. Kathy very nearly laughed in her face.

Dot sat down on the empty chair beside Kathy. 'S'pose you know Eddie's back in town?'

'Oh, yes, he's been back for a while,' Kathy replied casually.

'Mmm, and don't I know it!' Dot sighed dramatically.

It wasn't hard for the group at the table to work out what she was referring to.

Eileen and Darcy had joined them just as Dot had sauntered over. 'Been givin' ya a bit, has he?' Darcy asked bluntly.

Dot didn't bat an eyelid. 'You could say more than a bit.'

'So you've got your claws back into Eddie, eh?' Eileen said sarcastically.

Dot glared at her. 'Well it didn't take much doin'. Eddie's a very hot blooded fella and he needs a hot blooded woman!'

Kathy blushed at the blatant jibe. Tammi saw her sister's embarra.s.sment and felt like slapping Dot.

'Everyone knows how hot blooded you are, Dot. You don't have to tell us. Anyone only has to read the walls in every public toilet in town!'

Eileen giggled at the direct hit Tammi had scored. Darcy grinned broadly and Kathy smiled into Dot's caked face.

'Well, Happy New Year to you too, b.i.t.c.hes.' She strode off swinging her hips and showing a flash of b.u.m cheek under her micro mini skirt.

Everyone burst out laughing.

She had let the chair tip over as she left and Bruce bent to pick it up. 's.h.i.t, what a hard case she is,' he muttered 'Good on you, Tam. You sure put her in her place.' Kathy patted her sister on the back.

'That would be the gutter,' Eileen quipped.

Tammi reached across and squeezed Kathy's hand. 'Don't let her upset you, Kath. She's no good. For that matter, nor is Eddie. You're better off without him.'

Kathy smiled at Tammi. 'I know, Tam. I know.'

The figure leaning against the poker machine hadn't missed a thing.

Back at Kia-Ora, the family members who had stayed at home were sitting on the veranda counting down the minutes to midnight.

Out at Jindera, Mary watched the clock through a haze of alcohol. Harvey hadn't bothered to put in an appearance.

The countdown was on at the club as well. 'Ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five... four... three... two... one... Happy New Year!' Whistles blew and people cheered as Johnny Hansen announced the new year over the microphone.

Champagne corks popped and bubbly sprayed forth as revellers wished each other Happy New Year. A circle was formed and Auld Lang Syne was sung.

1968 had arrived!

New Year's Day, January 1st 1968, dawned with the promise of being extremely hot. Not surprising, the heat was expected. Many people would be having picnics down by the river or venturing out to the Hume Weir for the day to relax and swim. It was normal this time of year in Albury to be stinking hot. As the day heated up, the cicadas' song reached a piercing crescendo and there was not a breeze to be felt.

He stirred on his bed and, with a groan, clutched at his head. It took him a minute to collect his thoughts. 'Me b.l.o.o.d.y head,' he thought as he swung his legs to the floor. A flash of dizziness caused him to stagger as he stood up. 'h.e.l.l. Reckon I might a had one too many last night.'

He stumbled to the sink and filled the jug. After plugging it in, he turned on the tap over the sink and splashed cold water on his face and over his head.

He had gone to the club for a while and when he returned, he had seen the new year in with the help of a bottle of whiskey. Shaking the droplets of water from his head, he glanced at the tattered photo propped up on the table in front of him.

'Me lovely,' he said aloud. 'We seen the new year in together, did we? Won't be long an' we'll be together.' He hummed a tune while the jug boiled, his painful head forgotten.

One by one, they stirred at Kia-Ora. Even Win and Ellie had slightly sore heads this morning.

'Hey... read this, mate.' Karl pa.s.sed the newspaper to Digger, pointing to where the headlines said, 'Spate of Break-ins'.

'Well, I'll be stuffed!' Digger said after reading the article. 'I'd say someone just might be locked up for quite a stretch this time!'

'Who's getting locked up?' Win said as she came in at the end of the conversation. 'I hope there's plenty of coffee!'

Digger laughed. 'Got a headache, eh? Here, read this while you have your coffee.' She sat down next to him and was shocked upon reading the headlines.

'It was just a matter of time,' Karl said knowingly. 'Blokes like him don't change!'