Alex wakes as the sun is rising, he stretches and smiles. Quickly he jumps out of bed and into the shower. He arrives downstairs freshly shaved and enters the kitchen "Good morning Rhonda. How are you today?" Rhonda smiles and says "Good morning Alex, you've obviously slept well!" He grins and says "Yes I did." Rhonda smiles and says "Your Father is out by the pool here's a mug he's got a fresh pot of coffee and I'll bring your breakfast out in a minute."
Alex grabs the cup and says "No it's fine I'll wait and take it out myself." Rhonda smiles at him and says "So what's made you so happy Alex?" He grins and says "I'm in love Rhonda!" She grins and says "Ah Stevie." He looks shocked and says "You knew." She smiles and says "Alex the way she looks at you it's pretty obvious." He chuckles and says "That's because I'm irresistible Rhonda." "Right." Is all she says as she hands him his breakfast. He leans over and kisses her cheek. As he walks out of the room. Rhonda chuckles to herself.
"Morning Dad." Alex says. " Morning Alex you're very happy today." Harry observes. "Life is good Dad there's plenty to be happy about." Alex phone rings. "Kilarney Alex Ryan speaking, good morning Beautiful, yes, yes I did." He laughs. "Oh really Yes ok. I'm helping Dad until midday and then Nick asked me to help him on Drover's Ok what time? Sounds good I'll see you then. I love you too. Bye."
"Alex I've hurt you a lot over the years haven't I?" Harry asks. Alex is quite stunned and says "Yes you have." Harry continues and says "I was online this morning and I think I need to go to counselling or anger management or something." Alex says "It couldn't hurt Harry. You're fairly ruthless in all areas of your life."
Alex's phone rings again before answering he says "Sorry Harry I'll just take this call. Hello Alex Ryan speaking Hi Mum yes oh right no we were all over at Drover's for dinner. No Harry too. Mum I'm got a new girlfriend. Yes Yes she perfect for me. Stevie. Stevie Hall. Speak like that again and I'll hang up. Want to bet. Stevie or you? Stevie or Harry? Stevie or Kilarney? I choose Stevie so you'd best get used to it. No your wrong I already asked her to marry me and she said No." Harry is shocked on the other end of the phone Liz is furious.
Alex says " You need to ring Dad he's got a lot to tell you. Righto buy." Alex looks at Harry and says " Ok Harry counselling. I think it's a great idea. When Mum rings please tell her about your past, be honest so she can begin to trust you and if she starts to drag Stevie down I trust you'll defend her. Like I said last night Harry if I have to choose I will choose Stevie." Harry asks " Did you really asks her to marry you already Alex?" Alex smiles and says " Yes I did, I know everything about her good and bad and she knows everything about me too." Harry asks " So why did she say No?" " Because she wants me to sort out my relationship with you and Mum first." Harry says "Did she actually say that?" Alex says "She said she loves me and she'd love to marry me one day but I'd just had a huge fight with you and she said I needed to let the dust settle and work things out first."
"Come on old man let's get this work done, Nick needs me to help him at lunchtime. Harry and Alex collect what they need and head off to work. The sun is high by the time they finish. Alex heads in for a shower to wash away the sweat. He's conscious of wanting to be at his best when he sees Stevie over at Drover's. As he moves downstairs he hears his Mother's voice. "Harry what in the hell are you doing? Why would you allow this? Alex slows down waiting for his Fathers response "Liz I know what you're saying and what you think but I'm sorry I want to keep my son and I want him to run Kilarney."
Liz is angry you can hear it in her voice "You stupid old fool she's just playing games until she can get her hands on your money." Alex walks into the room and Liz says "Oh Hello darling we were just talking about you!" She reaches to hug him and he steps back "No you weren't you were talking about Stevie. I told you Stevie or you? I choose Stevie. Dad I'm staying on Drover's tonight but Stevie said if you'd like to come over for dinner you're more than welcome." Harry smiles and says. "Tell Stevie I'll ring later to confirm." "Righto See you Harry, Goodbye Mum."
Liz is devastated partly because of what Alex said but mostly because she has no power over him anymore. Harry asks her to sit as he has something to tell her. He begins to tell her about his past and what he endured and who he really is. Harry is expecting understanding like he received from Stevie and from Nick and Alex but Liz is furious and rage filled she rants and raves. "You bastard Harry all that you put me through over the years and you were a nothing a no body." "Liz please try to understand." He pleads.
She moves to leave and he tries to stop her. "Liz please stay and talk to me, perhaps we can work this out and start again fresh." She moves to push past him and he says. " Liz please wait." She stops looks at him then spits at his feet "I never want to see you again Harry you disgust me." He's stunned momentarily and stands aside as she reaches the door he lunges to stop her grabbing her arm gently "Liz please I love you. I'm sorry for everything." She picks up the paperweight from the hall stand and hits him with it. He releases his grip and she moves to her car without glancing back.
Harry is dazed as blood pours from his head wound, his head pounds and his vision blurs. He's in trouble he reaches unsteadily for the phone but can't make the numbers. He knows redial is at the top he pushes it as he slumps to the floor. "Stevie Hall Drover's Run, Hello, Hello ." Just before Harry blacks out he says." Stevie help me head bleeding Liz." Alex and Nick are standing beside Stevie she looks puzzled "What's wrong?" Alex asks. "It sounded like Harry he said "Stevie help me head bleeding Liz?" Alex says. "Shit she was at home and he was going to tell her about his past. Stevie quick jump in. Nick ring an ambulance."