Drover's Run….
Claire stands talking to Sargent Bill Morrison as the rest of the crew arrive back for the day.
"Brett's been out with the others for about three hours Bill and unless he left them I think you'll find Tracy has tried to set him up" Claire says in a low voice as they walk towards the others.
Pulling up at the shed's Ben , Brett, Grace and Jodi begin to unload the firewood from the trailers.
"Brett! Sargent Morrison wants a word with you." Claire calls.
Dusting his hands off on his jeans Brett offers his hand and says. "Brett Higgins how can I help?"
…
"I'd just like to ask you a few questions about Tracy and Israel." Bill offers.
Brett looks concerned and asks. "Are they alright? Nothing's happened to them has it?"
"When was the last time you saw them?" Bill asks.
"This morning at around ten at the pub in Gungellan." Brett replies.
…..
"And what time did you get back here?" Bill asks.
"Just before lunch I think about half past eleven maybe a quarter to twelve." Brett answers.
"Yeah it was because we were unloading the trailer and the midday news came on." Ben offers.
…..
"Can I have a look in your room Mr Higgins?" Bill asks.
"Do you have a search warrant?" Claire quizzes.
Brett laughs and replies. "Settle Claire I have nothing to hide. Of course you can Sargent it's this way."
….
Brett leads the Sargent to his room in the shearer's quarters.
The room is plain but neat and there is a framed photo of a little boy beside the bed.
Bill picks it up.
"That's my son Israel." Brett says proudly.
"He's grown a lot since this was taken." Bill comments.
"Yeah Tracy wouldn't let me see him, that was taken a year ago." Brett explains.
…..
Bill questions him further and Brett tells him everything he wants to know.
"So she wasn't happy about you wanting a divorce?" Bill asks.
"No she wasn't. She told me she'd do whatever it took to stop me from seeing the little guy and I told her I'd see her in court." Brett answers.
"And that was it?" Bill asks.
Brett nods and replies. "Yes she let me say goodbye to Israel then she drove off and I came back here to work. What's going on?"
...
'Did you know your wife has already filed for divorce and was coming here to get you to sign the papers?" Bill asks.
"No I didn't! But that doesn't make any sense." Brett replies.
"Hmmm no it doesn't." Bill replies then adds. "Your son is over at Kilarney, the Ryan's are looking after him for the moment."
"Hey what's he doing there? They've got lots of little kiddies there Bill that's not fair. Stevie's just had two baby's a little while back, she doesn't need the extra noise or stress." Brett exclaims.
"Well until I can work out where your wife is and why she has done this I think he's best to stay there. " Bill remarks.
...
"Am I allowed to go and see him?" Brett asks.
"Once I sort out some paperwork I don't see why not. I'll ring and let you know Brett it may be tomorrow or the following day ok?" Bill replies.
"Mate I haven't seen him in a year if you told me next month I'd be happy." Brett announces happily.
Bill shakes his hand and walks back to his car.'
"Ill be in touch." Bill calls.
Brett replies. " I look forward to it."
...
Brett walks back over to the others and explains what is going on.
"She's a bitch and that just proves it. " Grace comments.
"You don't like her either?" Brett asks.
"Not even a little bit." Grace replies as she carries wood passed him.
...
"You're married!" Jodi exclaims.
"Separated for over a year." Brett answers.
"You have a child?" Jodi asks.
Nodding he replies. " Yes I do but I haven't seen him for a year, my wife wouldn't let me. With a divorce I'll have rights and I'll have access."
"You're not gay!" Jodi says without filter.
He grins and replies. " Not even a little bit."
Jodi face burns and she continues working.
...
He stands for a moment deep in thought
"Any chance you could think and work at the same time?" Claire asks Brett.
"He's a man Claire we need to focus all of our attention on doing just one thing well." Ben quips.
Brett laughs knowing Claire is trying to help him take his mind off what is going on.
He's glad he came here to Gungellan the work is hard but the company great.
Picking up several pieces of wood he begins to stack them against the shed wall and hopes he'll still be here in winter when they'll use it.
...
Kilarney upstairs...
Tess steps from the shower as Nick opens the bathroom door.
"You ok?" He asks.
"Do I look ok?" She asks grinning back at him.
As he begins to take his shirt off he leans down and kissing her replies. " You look stunning."
...
"Your tummy has popped right out hasn't it?" He adds.
Lovingly she runs her hand across her swollen belly and replies. " Hmmm I wonder what's going on in there?"
"This time tomorrow we'll know for certain and then we can make plans." Nick says softly.
Nick climbs into the shower as Tess dries herself.
...
"How's it all going downstairs?" Tess asks.
"He's a naughty little kid, I think Alex wishes he hadn't agreed to have him." Nick replies.
Tess laughs and replies. " He's not naughty Nick he's a normal little boy . Alexander and Amelia are just extremely well behaved so he just looks naughty."
"Yeah well our children will be like Stevie and Alex's. I want children like theirs." Nick remarks.
"You'll get what your given and make the best of it." Tess chuckles.
He pulls the shower curtain back and grabbing her arm pulls her towards him."Come here then and give me some kisses and I'll make the best of them."
She giggles playfully.
...
Kilarney...The old homestead..
Dave hangs up the phone and looking at Kate says . " Sorry Kate I'm needed at Drover's they've got a colicky brood mare."
"Great so my meal that I've cooked for four now becomes a meal for two thanks guys." Kate grumbles.
"Just freeze it Kate and we'll eat it on the weekend." Riley offers doing up the last of his shirt buttons.
...
"Where are you off to?" Dave asks Riley.
"I've got a date." Riley grins.
"Yeah well you could have eaten here before going out!" Kate digs.
Riley grins at her and says. " Right Kate if it'll make you happy serve up two plates and I'll take it with me I'm sure she'd be impressed."
...
"Fine!" Kate growls.
"You don't have to get you're panties in a bunch Kate! We're big enough to look after ourselves." Riley fires back at her.
Her mouth drops open then closing it she glares at him and storms from the room.
Dave raise his eyebrows and quips softly. " She's Italian mate its best not to upset her."
Riley grins mischievously and grabbing his hat responds. " I'm ex army mate I've faced worse than an angry Italian."
Dave guffaws and follows him outside.
...
Walking into the kitchen still drying his hair Marcus asks. "Where is everyone?"
"Gone!" Kate retorts throwing plates and cutlery roughly onto the table.
"What's wrong? " Marcus asks.
"I've slaved over this for hours and they've both just nicked off!" She snaps.
"Good that leaves more for me. Now if I can just work out how to make my friend smile I'll have a great night." He offers waiting for her to look at him.
He watches as she stops what she's doing and looks up at him.
...
"I've over reacted haven't I?" Kate asks.
Shrugging his shoulders he quips. " You're Italian its in your DNA."
She grins and looking towards the door where Dave and Riley went says. " They're lucky I didn't throw things at them."
He laughs.
She loves his laugh.
...
"What can I do to help?" He inquires.
"Do you want beer or wine?" She asks.
"Wine I'll get the glasses and you dish up." He suggests.
As he turns to walk into the living room Kate calls. " Marcus!"
...
Glancing over his shoulder he says. " Yeah?"
"Thanks." She offers.'
Winking at her he continues his search for wine and glasses.
Standing for a few seconds she smiles after him.
...
Half an hour later Marcus leans back in his chair and says . " Aww Kate you should open a restaurant your meals are divine."
She laughs and says. " You should taste my Mum and Nona's cooking Marcus I'm a novice.'
Lifting his glass he takes a sip of wine and replies. "One day you'll have to take me so I can sample their food and critice' it against yours."
She laughs and replies . "So now you're a food critic!"
He laughs and answers. " I grew up in the city Kate I know good food when I eat it and I can appreciate a good wine too."
"Have you ever tried Grappa?" She asks.
He laughs and answers. " I have and I lived to tell the tale."
...
"What are you doing this weekend?" Kate asks.
"Nothing why?"
"My family hold a day where they cook and bottle all the harvested tomatoes and then we have a feast afterwards. My Father , Grandfather and Uncles take the opportunity to sample some of the wines they've made . It's a really good day to sample lots of different foods and wines because everyone brings their own special dish. If you don't mind sleeping in the sleepout you could join me." Kate suggests.
"Sounds like fun! I'm in." He says grinning at her.
"Well hang on I'd better ask if I can bring you first!" She cautions.
He watches her and says . " Well go on! Ring your Father and see if I can go!"
"I'll be on the phone for ages." Kate says.
"That's ok more wine for me!" He teases.
"I'll try to be quick." She laughs .
...
Several minutes pass and Marcus sips his wine as Kate speak to her Father.
Marcus stands and walks over to her and gestures for her to hand him the phone.
Shaking her head she gestures for him to go away .
He persists.
She reluctantly hands the phone to him.
...
"Salve, Signor Manfreddi sua Marcus Turner qui . Come stai? Va bene. IO lavoro con Kate è il mio capo. Sì lei è un eccellente Capo duro ma leale. Sì. Se c'è un problema con me partecipando con lei ho capito completamente. Yes sir mia madre Siciliana lato yes sir. Non sarò sir non mi dispiace affatto .Sì grazie arrivederci." Marcus winks at Kate and hands the phone back to her.
Speaking to her Father for a few more seconds she hangs up shaking her head she asks." Marcus how could you lie to my Father like that?"
"I didn't lie Kate."He grins.
Smirking she asks. " You expect me to believe you have Sicilian blood in you?"
"I do! My Mother's grandfather was born in Palermo and I learnt Italian at the insistence of my Mother, I've even been there! Mind you I spent more time in getting drunk and chasing women than I did sightseeing." He remarks.
...
"You told him a was a good chapter!" Kate grins.
'Oh ! Well I haven't spoken it for a while. Does that mean I can't go?"
"No he was impressed that you tried and you did tell him I was a tough chapter but fair". She teases.
"Maybe I should stick to English." He replies sheepishly.
...
'"Yes I think that might be safer." She answers then softly says." Si sono bellissimi."
"Thank you I think you're beautiful too." He replies.
"You understood!" Kate exclaims as her face blushes.
He nods.
Holding up the bottle he asks. " Wine?"
"Yes please then I'll have an excuse for my face to be red." She states.
He laughs.
She smiles at him.
...
Kilarney ...The main house...
Moira has helped Alex with Israel, Amelia and Alexander while Stevie has dealt with the new babies.
Stevie is exhausted and emotional and just wishes Alex hadn't agreed to take the little boy on.
He's loud, unruly and very naughty.
Amelia has become clingy since his arrival as he's pushed her over several times.
Alexander is a bigger build and even though he's very placid ,he's beginning to show signs of stress too.
...
Nick and Tess have arrived back downstairs and both note the change in atmosphere.
"Alex!" Stevie exclaims as yet again Israel shoves Amelia sending her toppling into the leg of the chair.
She squeals with fright and pain.
Stevie picks her up and hugs into her.
...
"Mummy!" Amelia wails.
Tears trickle down Stevie's cheeks.
"Alexander come to Mummy." Stevie orders holding out her hand .
He runs over to her and Israel follows.
...
"Israel come back here please?" Alex calls.
The little boy ignores him.
"Israel!" Alex growls.
Alexander jumps and turns to look at his Father.
...
"Not you mate." Alex offers giving him a small smile.
Alexander shoves Israel and says. " Go way."
"Alexander no you mustn't push." Alex warns.
Alexanders lip drops and he begins to cry.
Stevie looks at Alex and shaking her head leads her children from the room.
...
"Stevie!" Alex calls.
Nick shakes his head at him.
"Moira can you watch him for a minute please?" Alex asks.
"Yeah sure." Moira replies calling Israel over to her.
...
Inside Alexander and Amelia's room Stevie sits on the floor and through tears encourages them to play.
Alex opens the door and moves inside asking Stevie. " Are you ok?"
She glares at him and retorts. " I'm not the one that keeps getting pushed over."
Alex sits down on the floor and runs his hand across his little girls head.
Startled he exclaims . " Stevie she's got a bump on her head.'
...
"Yes that's from having her hair pulled." She snaps.
"He pulled her hair! When?" He questions.
"Does it mater when ? He did it! Our home is supposed to be a safe haven Alex . "She retorts.
"I'm sorry Stevie I didn't know he was like that. I'll try to keep a closer eye on him." Alex suggests.
'Whatever.' Stevie sighs wiping her cheeks.
...
"I thought I was doing them a favour ." Alex tells her.
"Yeah well I thought we were the ones that should take first priority not your ex girlfriend." Stevie digs.
"That's unfair." He responds.
"No having Tracy's kid here while we're trying to settle our own in with their new brother's is unfair!" Stevie says her voice filed with emotion.
Alex is about to answer when Alexander says . " Tracy Bitch."
...
"I beg your pardon!" Stevie exclaims.
"Tracy bitch ." He repeats.
Stevie tries not to grin and looking at Alex says. "I've thought it but I've never said it!"
Alex shuffles closer to her.
...
"Stevie I'm sorry ok . I'll go and ring Bill and asks him to come and get him."
"If it was any other time Alex it would be ok but I'm struggling with our four and I've got you to help! In just over a week I have to take control of the four of them when you go back to full time duties on the farm. I need time and space to work out a routine. He's a bully Alex and I don't like my children being hurt by him and I'm not about to teach them to retaliate just so they're safe." Stevie explains.
Taking her face in his hands he kisses her and says . " I'll fix this Stevie ok?"
She nods .
He wipes her tears and offers. "Ill get Moira to watch him and ill come back up and bath these two."
Shaking her head she replies. " No Alex Moira has things she needs to do as well. I'll bath the children you just keep him away from us."
