Drovers Run ….
Alex leans back and runs his hand across his face.
Beside him Nick is sitting with his head resting on his folded arms on the table.
Liz Ryan sits glassy eyed across from them.
"How many more secrets do you have Mum?" Nicks muffled voice questions.
Sounding defeated she softly answers. "That's the last secret Nick I promise."
"Why didn't you tell us before?" Alex asks.
"Because I thought she was dead. There was no reason to tell you." She responds.
…
Pushing his chair back Alex stands.
"I'm going home." He states.
"Can we talk about this some more please?" Liz pleads.
"No you need to give me time to process what you've told me." He replies.
"How long?"
Lifting his palms to face her he growls "Don't push me, I'll let you know once I've talked it over with Stevie."
"But..." She begins.
"No Mum Alex is right. You can't tell us this and expect us to just accept the circumstances. We need time." Nick protests as he sits up straight.
Only just holding herself together she nods.
….
Kilarney…..
Regan, Stevie and Kate are happily getting the evening meal ready by the time Alex arrives home.
His mind is full and his thoughts racing but he greets them all with his usual light-heartedness.
"Gee something smells good. I didn't realize how hungry I was. How spoilt am I three beautiful women cooking my dinner?" He remarks.
They all smile and joke around with him.
"How's Mummy dearest?" Stevie questions noting he's hiding something.
He studies her face, winks then replies loudly. "Same as always."
Kissing her hello she rubs his arm as if to say I understand you're stressed.
Wrapping her in his arms he squeezes tight.
With a kiss planted on top of her head he lets her go with the excuse of cleaning up before dinner.
Watching him leave the room she wonders what Liz is up to this time.
…
Drovers Run…..
Nick watches as his Mother's car snakes its way towards the front gate.
Twenty minutes later Tess sets out to find where he got too.
Wandering down the path Tess searches for him.
She walks around the house.
It would be easier to just call out to him but she'd rather not alert the others.
Hearing a crow nearby Tess looks up and follows its path.
Her eyes find Nick, he's sitting on the bath up at the windmill.
She inhales deeply then slowly makes her way up the hill.
…..
Kilarney….Late evening…..
The evening meal had been a relaxed and happy affair.
With a full house Stevie and Alex had no time to talk.
Glass after glass of wine was shared and the conversations were hilarious.
Alex had relaxed somewhat but still his mind was full.
He'd zoned out several times as he'd tried to digest all that his Mother had revealed earlier today.
No-one else noticed but Stevie was acutely aware he was troubled.
Finally the night was over and they'd all carted the dishes out to the kitchen, loaded the dishwasher and tidied up.
"Righto time for bed, I'm beat. Hurry up you lot I want to turn the lights out." Alex had announced.
Regan had left ten minutes earlier and now finally Marcus and Kate headed up to bed.
…
Stevie waits for the others to be well up the stairs then questions. "Alex what's going on?"
He glances out into the hall then turns back to her. "Not here Stevie lets go to our room and I'll tell you all about it."
Looking worried Stevie slowly shakes her head and quips. "Again she's disrupting our lives."
He reaches out to hold her and whispers. "No what I have to tell you isn't going to hurt our family. It's Mums issue not ours. Well I guess it's ours too." Stevie pushes out of his embrace and questions." What do you mean by that?'
"Upstairs Stevie and I'll explain. Ok?"