Drovers Run… Three weeks later ...Mid Afternoon Saturday ...
Tess watches as a small truck pulls up at the gates.
A driver jumps down from the cab as the engine shudders to a stop.
She reads Neil Thompson and sons on the side and deduces it must be one of Neil's workers.
"G'Day!" He calls as he rounds the front of the truck.
"Hello! How can I help you?" Tess questions.
He smiles over her head and answers. "I'm here to pick Grace up actually."
Tess glances over her shoulder to an advancing Grace.
…..
"You look nice." He offers.
Grace smiles and answers. "Not overdressed for a truck ride?"
He chuckles and answers "Yeah sorry about the transport Dad asked me to pick the new truck up and drop this one off. The return journey will be way better."
"Dad?" Tess questions.
"Haven't you two met before?" Grace enquires.
"No we haven't." Tess answers.
"Ah Ok Tess Ryan meet Alan Thompson."
"Oh you're Neil's son. Nick said you were back in the district. Pleased to meet you." Tess exclaims holding out her hand.
Alan shakes it and returns." So your Nicks wife. Yeah pleased to meet you too."
They exchange a bit more small talk before Grace climbs up into the cab and Alan starts the truck.
Tess shakes her head slowly and says to herself . "Another new romance. I just can't keep up anymore."
Dust rises from the drive as the truck gets smaller, Tess saunters back towards the house.
…
Kilarney...
Alex walks into the back hay shed and finds Stevie asleep on the bales .
Grinning he creeps forward and taps her leg.
She sleeps on.
He taps again.
Slowly she rouses .
"Oh you're here I've been waiting for ages." She offers as she stands and stretches.
...
"Yeah well I'm here now so lets get this done." He responds.
"What time are we expected on Drovers?"
"Thats why I'm late . Change of plans we're meeting them at the pub at 6pm."
Checking her watch Stevie remarks ." We'd better hurry up then its already three."
" I'm not looking forward to having dinner with you Mother."Stevie quips as she moves a bale.
As Alex throws a bale up onto the Ute he responds. " Safety in numbers Josie and Bob will be there and I invited Marcus and Kate to join us ."
Stevie nods.
...
Out in the paddock Alex drives slowly as Stevie throws feed off the back.
Tapping the roof she calls . "There's a few left Alex go right ."
She replants her feet as he turns right.
Cutting the hayband she returns her knife to its pocket and tosses cakes of hay out the back .
Alex puts the car in neutral.
Climbing out he chats to her as he walks around to the tailgate.
She doesnt answer .
Looking up he asks . " You alright?"
The colour drains from her face and she plonks onto her bottom on the tray.
...
Gungellan Pub... 7pm
As the waitress brings the meals to the table Alex speaks softly to Stevie .
"Fish ! Alex is the grilled fish yours?" Marcus calls .
Alex glances up as Marcus asks again.
Alex acknowledges the waitress and pointing to a place in front of Stevie says ." Yes same as Stevie, give her the first one ."
...
So far Liz Ryan has been on her best behaviour.
Josie and Bob are enjoying the conversations with everyone.
Josie sits chatting to Marcus about cattle and Liz is slighly miffed that he's even here.
Neither him nor Kate are related to Josie so she doesnt understand why Alex invited them.
For their part both Bob and Josie appear to be quite comfortable with Marcus and Kate.
What Liz fails to realise is both Marcus and Kate met Bob and Josie on their first visit at Alex's insistence.
"He's my brother so he should meet you today." Alex had announced before dragging Marcus and Kate downstairs to join the group.
...
Fisher...
Alan holds Grace's hand as they walk back to the truck.
"You've been a good sport about this Grace thank you."
"Not a problem at all. It makes sense really, we were coming over here anyway."
He stops her and leaning down offers a small kiss. " Yeah well I owe you another date without a truck drop off and pick up."
She smiles at him and quips . " You're on !"
...
Gungellan pub...
Tess walks towards the ladies toilets as Stevie comes from the other direction .
"Stevie are you alright? You've been quiet and you look pale."
Stevie runs her hand across her forehead and replies. " Yeah just tired I think."
Tess nods and responds . " You look different somehow."
Stevie's about to reply when Tess's expression changes , a smile lights her face .. "Are you pregnant?"
Stevies mouth drops open and as her hand covers it as she exclaims." I don't think so, maybe."
Tess smiles .
Stevie does too.
...
Back at the table Stevie notes the mood has changed .
Kate leans over and whispers. " Josie and Liz just had words. Josie cut Liz down quick smart."
Stevie looks at her and raíses her eyebrows.
Kate withholds a grin as Stevie offers ." Damn I would have liked to have seen that."
Kate gently elbows her friend .
...