Darkness envelopes the Station and everyone busies themselves getting ready for the Ball.

In the camping paddock well away from the house many are tidying up and getting dressed.

The Marquee is well lit and the band tests their equipment.

Caterers run about checking that everything is in order and that the tables are finished to a high standard.

...

Inside The Station is a hive of activity as everyone settles the children into their beds and then gets themselves ready for a huge night of dinner, dancing and fundraising.

All the women are dressed in full length Ball gowns and have dragged out their best jewellery.

Each has chosen a dress that enhances their particular body type.

All the colours of the rainbow are represented.

...

Grace is in navy with white trim ruches around her bust line accentuating her waist and bust at the same time.

She has her hair up, revealing her long elegant neck and her beautiful diamond necklace that Marcus gave her sets of her look in a dazzling finish.

Regan is in red and has decided on a slightly more demure look than she'd normally go for, as she's feeding Hannah she wanted something that hid her full bust line rather than show it off.

Tess is in a full length A line skirted dress in bright daffodil with her beautiful blonde curls she looks like she has just stepped out of a fairy tale.

...

Jill is in a long black jersey dress fitted to her shapely body and split to just above the knee. Her long hair is loose around her shoulders.

Stevie is the last down stairs and is wearing a flowing mauve chiffon full length dress with an empire waist and a sweetheart neckline.

The bust is decorated in the tiniest of crystals and a smattering swirl down one side, her hair is up but with curls dropping intermittently across her shoulders.

With the exception of Jill all the women's dresses have full skirts are fully lined and have petticoats which give them a bell shape and they rustle as the girls walk.

All very feminine and all stunning.

...

Marcus, Nick, Dave and Greg are all in Black tuxedos with black cummerbunds and bow ties.

Alex also has a black bowtie but when he undoes his jacket he reveals a mauve cummerbund that matches Stevie's dress.

He takes a good amount of heckling but laughs and brushes it off with the comment. "Hey I'm not afraid to stand out in a crowd."

"You'll stand out alright." Nick quips.

Alex grins and glancing across the room at Stevie offers. "No one will even notice me when she's on my arm."

The men laugh and tease him about being soft.

He laughs.

...

Father Dominic arrives and is dressed in a tailored cassock and looks almost regal and everyone comments.

He chuckles and says. "See my friends I can dress up too."

They laugh with him.

Alex says. "Dominic we've all had a chat and decided that we will do this again next year for you."

Father Dominic is thrilled and praises them all for their time, generosity and spirit and tells them he has had so much fun working with all of them.

They have a glass of wine and he joins them with a small glass too.

...

Kate and Riley arrive and everyone comments on how wonderful they both look.

Kate is wearing a gorgeous cream dress that is daring and sexy.

It fits her like a glove and makes her look and feel glamorous.

All the men notice her, the instant she walks in.

Riley beams as he ushers her into the room.

"Wow Kate you look fantastic."Nick offers smiling at her.

"Thanks Nick." She replies loving the attention.

Marcus and Greg offer compliments too.

"Bloody hell Kate you've kept all this a secret haven't you." Alex exclaims gesturing to her dress then adds. "You've made my heart skip a beat."

Kate blushes and giggles and the men roar laughing when she quips. "God Alex you really don't hold back do you!"

He laughs too and replies. "Come on Kate you loved hearing that don't deny it."

She chuckles and walks over to the other women.

...

At the entrance to the Marquee security are trying to move people forward as many are milling around the entrance laughing and chatting.

Some are already inside seated and some are standing on the dance floor deep in conversation.

The dresses are exquisite, the jewellery expensive and plentiful.

A black swathe of men, look very handsome in their tuxedos as they field a backdrop to all the beautiful Ball gowns.

...

The group walk into the Marquee to find their seats.

Stevie and Alex are the last to leave the house and he holds her back to a slow walk as the others move off in front.

Grinning at him she asks. "What are you up too?"

He reaches into his pocket and draws out a small box.

Smiling she opens it.

"Oh Alex it's beautiful."She gushes and is a little teary.

He takes it from her and slides it onto her finger.

Inhaling and exhaling he tells her. "It's an eternity ring Stevie."

She kisses him and he cradles her gently.

...

Looking down at her he says. "This dress is sensational Stevie."

She giggles and pulls the sides up a little and comments. "Yes I thought you'd enjoy it I think I've filled out a little since I bought it."

She watches as his eyes twinkle at her and he grins and replies. "Very nice indeed Mrs Ryan very nice."

With his mouth beside her ear he whispers. "One of the perks of getting you pregnant."

She chuckles and says. "Come on everyone will be wondering where we are."

Alex is about to walk in with Stevie on his arm when one of the band members calls him to one side.

Stevie heads in alone.

...

Fiona is seated just inside the door with some friends seated and standing around their table.

As Stevie approaches she spots Fiona and is ready for her should she decide to say anything.

Sure enough as she draws level Fiona speaks loud enough for Stevie to hear. "Obviously they have no standards here because they seem to let anyone in."

Stevie stops and asks. "Excuse me?"

"Obviously this is a classless place if they let you in." Fiona offers.

Stevie turns and walks quickly away.

Fiona and her friends laugh loudly.

...

Alex has walked in the door just as Stevie finishes talking to the security men and grabbing Alex's arm grins and says. "Wait! Watch this."

He grins and asks. "What are you up to?"

She chuckles and says. "Come on I want to hear this."

Stevie takes his hand and they move quickly towards Fiona.

...

"Excuse me are you Miss Fiona Webb?' The security officer asks.

Fiona is still laughing with her friends about Stevie and she turns and haughtily replies." Yes that's right .Is there a problem?'

"Yes I'm afraid there is Miss Webb my boss has told me we've made a mistake letting you in." He replies.

"There is certainly a mistake and it's yours, I was personally invited to attend thank you very much." She growls.

"Oh No Miss you can come back in later, you just need to step outside until you learn some manners." He states as he takes her arm and leads her out.

Alex laughs and whispers. "Stevie you gave her a time out!"

She grins and says." She's a rude bitch Alex and I don't have to put up with that."

...

Finally the night gets under way as Father Dominic calls everyone to quieten down as he says the blessing before the meal is served.

He thanks everyone for coming and asks that they all enjoy their meal and to take note of the envelopes on the tables that are for donations.

So as you eat please think of those less fortunate who may go hungry tonight he explains.

Father Dominic explains that once the meal is eaten they will have the official part of the evening before too much alcohol is consumed and no one remembers anything.

Everyone laughs and claps as he turns the microphone off and mingles with the crowd.

...

Alex is standing at the bar when Tom walks towards him dressed in a tuxedo.

At first Alex doesn't recognize him and then he says. "Tom look at you! You scrub up really well mate."

Tom grins and says. "Thanks your Dad bought it for me said I should look the part but I feel very uncomfortable Alex I don't belong here."

Alex looks at him thoughtfully and says. "You have as much right to be here as I do mate. "

Alex points to Tom's chest and says. "It's who you are in here not your wallet that makes you belong mate. "

Tom grins and says. "Can I buy you a beer Alex?"

"They're already paid for mate but yeah of course you can. I'd love to have a beer with you."Alex replies.

Tom looks at the barmen and says. "Two beers thanks."

Handing one to Alex he quips. " It's amazing, you know if I was in my own clothes I'd be the last one served but I put on this outfit and wham instant service."

...

"Well it's sad but true if you look clean and tidy you get better service. It happens to me and Stevie all the time." Alex muses.

"Yeah I could imagine." Tom chuckles.

Alex looks serious and says. "No I mean if we're in our old work clothes we'll stand in line for ages."

Tom laughs loudly completely amused by someone like Alex standing in line like he would.

Alex chuckles too and then asks. "So how long until you leave Kilarney?"

"End of next month, they've already extended twice for me but they can't do it again because they're only supposed to be short term stints." Tom replies sadly.

Alex nods watching the young man and asks. "So you'd like to stay out this way Tom?"

He nods and says. " Yeah I would Alex , when I first arrived I was an angry sort of fellow but the people and the area just relaxes you somehow and once everyone in town got to know who I was and that I meant them no harm they have made me feel like I'm a part of the community."

...

Alex looks deep in thought and spots Stevie and gestures for her to come over.

"G'Day Tom don't you look handsome.' Stevie offers.

Tom beams and says. "Thanks Stevie I was just telling Alex that Harry bought it for me so I'd look the part.'

"Well you certainly look like you belong here." She grins then adds. "Plus you've got heart which some of these don't so you're already one up on them."

Tom looks at her and surprised asks. "You think I have heart?'

She looks shocked and says. "I've watched you with the animals and Kilarney's workers and our boys and yeah I do think that."

Alex smiles and says. "Stevie, Tom was just telling me he has to move on at the end of the month because of the short term clause on Kilarney."

Stevie smiles at Alex and says. "Well that's a bit sad Alex isn't it?"

He nods.

Tom doesn't know them well enough to read what they're up too.

"You'd best find him a job then Alex. Don't want to lose someone like him do we?'She offers as she begins to move away.

...

"Right that's settled then." Alex states.

Tom is puzzled and asks. "Did I miss something Alex? What's settled?"

Alex holds out his hand and says. "You're coming to work on Alexander Station at the end of the month."

Tom stares as Alex shakes his hand and then a huge smile arrives on his face.

"Are you serious?" He asks.

Alex nods and says. "Yeah of course. Next time you've got a day off give us a ring and come over for lunch and we'll sort everything out."

Without thought Tom grabs him and hugs him and gushes. "Thank you so much Alex I won't let you a Stevie down I promise."

Alex pats his back and says. "Yeah well if you do it'll be Stevie you'll answer too and even I'm scared of her."

Tom laughs and then rushes off to find Harry.

...

Nick has walked back in from a bathroom visit and runs into Jade Sinclair a girl he dated at University.

"Nick how are you?" Jade asks smiling fondly.

Stunned he replies. "Hello Jade I'm well thanks and yourself?"

"Oh still looking for that special someone. What about you are you still single?" She asks hopefully.

"No very much happily married Jade and we have a two year old boy and a new baby girl."Nick replies.

...

"Oh so do you still live around here?" She asks sounding disappointed.

Smiling he answers. "Yes I'm about an hour that way."

She smiles and offers. "This place is fantastic if you live close by you must know the owner"

Nick smiles and says. "My brother Alex and his wife own The Station."

"Wow the Ryan boys have done really well for themselves! Haven't they?" She states.

"Yeah we've got lovely wives and healthy children you can't beat that can you?" He answers.

She smiles at him and thinks more about the money than the wives.

...

After the main meal everyone pans out again to chat and mingle with the crowd.

Nick walks over to Alex and says. "Something's going on Alex."

"What are you on about?' Alex asks.

"I've had three ex girlfriends come and speak to me and every one of them has been personally invited." Nick offers.

Alex frowns and says. "Stevie said that Tracy said the same thing and I heard Fiona say she was invited too."

"Keep your eyes open Alex." Nick warns as he moves off.

...

Tess and Regan have slipped out back to the house and fed their babies.

Chatting animatedly they stop quickly when Sally Nick's old girlfriend calls to Tess.

Stopping Tess offers. "Hello Sally what are you doing here?'

Sally smiles and says. "I was invited."

Tess chuckles and says. "I'm sorry Sally I didn't mean it the way that came out."

Sally replies. "I know what you mean Tess this is really not my kind of event. The only reason I came was because my invitation is written in Harry's hand writing, and I wondered what he was up too."

She hands the envelope to Tess.

...

Nodding she agrees and says "You're right Sally it is his writing."

"That would explain why Fiona, Tracy and the others are here too."Regan states.

"I wonder what he's up to." Tess muses.

" How many ex girlfriends are we talking about Tess?" Regan asks.

" Well for Alex there's about eight that I know of and for Nick including Sally three."Tess offers.

Sally offers. " Well as far as I can see you, Nick, Stevie and Alex are all extremely happy so it can only mean he's rubbing my nose in it."

Tess looks shocked and asks . " Why would he do that?"

" Pride!" Sally offers.

Tess frowns and asks. " That's a lot of trouble to go too just to rub someone's nose in a relationship."

Sally smiles and says. " Tess this is Harry we're talking about."

...