Wilgul several weeks after the fashion parade….
Nick has struggled living without Tess.
With Sally taken to Melbourne seriously ill, Nick has had to become both Mother and Father to his young son.
Tess has tried to live her life as best she can without him but is failing dismally.
Stevie and the girls are deeply concerned by Tess's mental state and have sent out an SOS to Meg
Even bringing her home hasn't really brought relief to Tess or her friends.
….
At every opportunity Harry Ryan gushes about his grandson and heir to the Ryan empire rubbing salt into Tess's open and bleeding wounds.
Already acutely aware of the fact her dream of making Nick a Father has been pulled out from under her in the cruellest of ways.
Making matters worse Nick doesn't seem to understand how deep her sense of failure and betrayal lay.
….
Alex and Stevie have tried numerous ideas to bring the two back together and each time have been foiled.
Since the afternoon of the fashion parade trial many things have changed between them.
Alex had returned later the same night and they'd talked about the kiss.
Neither wanting to admit their feelings they'd agreed it was yet again a mistake and only lust and being swept up in the moment pushing them into each other arms.
So they'd cracked open a beer and sat a comfortably distance from each other and sworn to remain the very best of friends.
…..
Two days later it had happened again but this time both had allowed their hands to wander.
The kisses were intense and under each other's touch, things were said.
Again they were interrupted this time by Craig the mailman who was a little slow on the uptake and didn't realise what he'd almost walked in on.
After he left another discussion followed and this time they both vowed to steer clear of each other for a while.
….
Gungellan Pub ….ten pm…
Alex Ryan tucks himself in as he descends the stairs and ducking through the side door surfaces in the bar as Stevie slowly mingles back into the crowd out the front.
Alex moves in behind her and says aloud. "Sorry I got side tracked here's the beer I owe you."
"Yeah ta I was almost going to send out a posse to look for you." She replies loudly.
He winks at her.
She licks her lips and grins at him.
…
"How about a game of pool Stevie?" Alex asks.
"Ah yeah sounds like fun." She replies.
"I just need to go to the dunny set em' up." He says loudly.
"Right but hurry it up." She replies equally as loud.
She walks past him and he whispers. "I'll meet you back upstairs after the game."
She laughs and continues inside.
…..
Alex moves off in one direction and Stevie in another.
Just inside the bar room door Harry Ryan grabs her arm.
"You're going home and you're going now. You'll stay away from him or I will make your life a living hell." Harry snarls.
Stevie is startled initially and retorts. "He's big enough to choose his own friends Harry."
"Yes he is, and he's also smart enough not to date you out in the open like a normal girlfriend." Harry states.
"We're just friends.' Stevie defends.
…
Harry laughs and snarls." I just saw him come down the stairs tucking himself in and then you followed. You don't need much of an imagination to know what went on."
"You filthy old bastard." Stevie snaps.
"Come on Stevie wake up to yourself he's just using you for sex. One more conquest, you can't seriously believe he'd want more than that from a common little piece of trash like you?" Harry goads.
Alex has arrived at the table and searches for Stevie.
….
Harry arrives beside him and says. "Stevie's Mother is ill so she's had to leave in a hurry."
"Oh Ok it's funny she didn't say goodbye.' Alex says frowning.
"She said she'll see you when she gets back next week." Harry explains.
"Oh righto I might as well go home then. "Alex states.
…
Wilgul….
Alex arrives home just as Nick is hanging up the phone.
"You're back early." Nick states picking up a crying Harrison.
"Yeah Stevie's Mums crook so she's had to head down there." Alex replies.
Nick looks puzzled and frowning says. 'Stevie doesn't talk to her Mother Alex. I just got off the phone to Tess and she said Stevie arrived home around half an hour ago and she looked like she'd been crying."
"Well if her Mum's sick of course she'd cry. She's tough Nick but she's still a woman and she does cry." Alex defends.
'She's in her room Alex she didn't go anywhere." Nick states.
Alex looks at him for a moment and then running for the door says. "Bloody Harry again! Don't wait up for me!"
"As if I would!" Nick laughs.
….