Port Douglas…
Stevie is furious as she strides past an oncoming Nick and Tess.
Without even acknowledging them she heads into the house.
It's been a long time since Nick has seen his brother this angry.
"You ok?" Nick asks.
With Xander still in his arms Alex shakes his head as he replies. "She wouldn't listen."
…..
Tess holds her arms out for Xander and Alex passes him to her.
"You shouldn't be yelling like that with the baby in your arms Alex." She chastises.
Alex glares at her.
"Not now Tess." Nick cautions.
Tess walks angrily to the other side of the pool.
"What happened?" Nick asks.
Alex explains.
…
Stevie reaches the first floor quickly on her way to speak to Rose.
After all the work they'd done with Rose with one action and three words Alex had ripped the repour they had to shreds.
"Stevie!" Aunt Mabel calls as she knocks on Rose's door.
Turning to face Alex's aunt Stevie is momentarily distracted by Rose opening the door.
Glancing at her daughters tears Stevie turns back and says. "Not now Auntie Mae I need to speak to Rose."
….
Stevie isn't prepared for the determination and force of the old woman and her words.
"You're a guest in my home and you will listen, especially when I'm trying to apologize to you." Mabel pushes.
"Apologize! What for?" Stevie questions.
….
Kilarney… The old homestead….
Dave Brewer wakes in a lather of sweat and sits bolt upright.
Leaning over he turns on the bedside lamp and flings back the covers.
Standing up he opens his bedroom door and moves out into the kitchen.
"Changed your mind?" Patrick asks.
…
Dave looks at him and in a sleepy haze asks. "About what?"
"Going to bed early." Patrick answers.
"What time is it?" Dave questions.
"Ten to eight." Patrick answers.
…
Dave runs his hand across his face, yawns and replies. "I fell asleep and thought it was morning."
"You've definitely got something on your mind Dave. What's wrong? Can I help?" Patrick asks sounding concerned.
Dave shakes his head and says. "Thanks for the offer Pat but I have to work this out for myself."
Patrick looks back at the computer screen and clicking the mouse to close his opened documents says. "Come on let's have a beer it might help you relax."
Dave looks at his brother and hesitates then smiling at him replies. "Yeah you're probably right."
….
Port Douglas….
Fifteen minutes have passed as Stevie sits speaking with Rose.
Auntie Mabel's revelation and subsequent apology stunning both of them before she left them to find Alex.
"We need to find him and apologize don't we?" Rose suggests.
"Yeah well… I do at least. I said some pretty mean things to him." Stevie answers.
….
"So you think he was angry about them perving on us not about what we were wearing?" Rose asks.
"I should have known that, he's very protective. I think maybe because we didn't know they were looking might have really pissed him off." Stevie explains.
"I don't understand." Rose states.
"Well if we're on the beach you know it's going to happen. It's like a sanctuary here and I had no idea I was being watched! Did you?" Stevie answers.
Shaking her head Rose says. "No and it's kind of creepy don't you think?"
"It's very creepy." Stevie answers.
A knock on the door halts the conversation.
…
Adelaide…..
Grace stops dead in her tracks.
"Come on move it along." Marcus comments from behind her.
She steps to one side as he carries in their bags.
"Right, let's have a quick shower and go and have a meal."
…
"I don't think I have anything dressy enough Marcus." Grace says.
"We'll sit in the cheap seats then." He jokes.
She doesn't reply.
He sees the wounded look on her face momentarily before she changes it.
"Grace I think you look beautiful in jeans and a shirt. Any dress you wear will get the thumbs up from me." He offers as he rubs his hands up and down her arms.
"I'm not like other girls you've dated am I?" She ventures.
"No they broke the mould when they made you." He replies pulling her in to hug her.
She hugs his waist.
"Come on Grace we've got the entire weekend to enjoy ourselves. Get your gear on and we'll have dinner and then go dancing. It'll be great fun I promise. "He encourages.
…..
Port Douglas …..
Stevie opens the door and finds Tess with Xander in her arms.
"He's getting a bit sooky Stevie I think he needs a feed." Tess explains.
"I was kind of hoping it was Alex." Stevie replies taking the baby.
"He took off after you left. "Tess answers.
"Where too?"
"I have no idea." Tess replies.
….
"Did he walk?"
"No, Nick said he took the driver." Tess says.
Stevie offers her breast to Xander and sits with her phone in her hand.
Dialling she listens.
Nothing.
…..
"Not answering?" Tess asks.
Stevie hangs up and biting her bottom lip replies. "No and I can't say I blame him. I was pretty mean to him."
"Where do you think he went?" Rose asks.
"I have no idea." Stevie answers.
…
