"I've just had a call from Mr Fisher"
Kirsty looks at him nervously. She knew what was coming. Jade walks through into the hallway, leaving them alone.
"He's not impressed by your lack of commitment to subjects other than PE. Your failure to hand in assignments on time - if at all and your poor attention in lessons. And that's just the start"
Kirsty couldn't help it. She had always despised school. The only reason she went back was because she realised she couldn't do what she wanted without her HSC. Rhys was getting madder.
"Kirsty - you made the decision to go back to school and Mr Fisher was kind enough to give you a place so the least you can do is make an effort"
"Just leave it Dad!"
Kirsty turned to walk away. She was fed up of school. She was fed up of her life.
"No I won't leave it - you're going to end up messing your life up again if you carry on like this - and this time don't think you'll get any support from me"
Kirsty is still turned away from him and she makes a face, proceeding towards the door. She couldn't bear to listen to her father telling her what a failure she is.
"Don't walk away from me. I want you to go up to your room and finish that assignment for tomorrow"
Kirsty storms out of the door, refusing to listen to her Dad. She can hear him yelling after her but she just spends up, eager to get as far away from the caravan park as possible.
....................................
WHARF
Kirsty walks briskly down the wharf in the direction of the MV Pressler. She didn't know why she had come here. Seb was her boyfriend now. She should want to cry on his shoulder but for some reason she needed Kane's support. Seb would listen, but he couldn't understand her. Not in the way Kane did. The feelings had come back to her earlier. They were older, but apart from that nothing had changed. Kane was still the same person she trusted and cared for. She reached the boat and climbed on board. The deck was in a bit of a state. The boat had obviously been out that afternoon. She could hear faint voices from the other end of the boat but she couldn't hear Kane. She stepped down into the cabin, and gazed around, anxiously looking for any sign of him. She knew he would be on board. It was either he or Scott who took the cruises out and Scott was away.
"Kirst?"
She turned to see him stood in the doorway. He wasn't sure how to react to this surprise visit. He could see that she looked distressed. He stepped towards her, a concerned look on his face.
"Is everything alright?"
She nodded unconvincingly. She felt a bit stupid, running to him for support over something small like this. Her Dad really would explode if he knew where she was and who she was with.
"It's just... school and everything... Dad's putting too so much pressure on me to do well and I... I just can't deal with it"
He smiled sympathetically, not knowing what to say. Would she accept comfort from him? If not, why was she here? He was secretly pleased that she had chosen to come to him for support. It felt like old times. He stepped cautiously closer to her. They were within inches of one another and he put his arm out, squeezing her arm comfortingly. He hated seeing her upset. He just wished he could be there for her all the time.
"What would you rather be doing - I mean, if you weren't at school?"
She didn't have a clue. She would be back at square one if she left school. She loved PE and she was determined to become a PE teacher but all the academic work was weighing her down. She couldn't stand it. And Rhys was constantly comparing her to Jade. Jade, who wanted to become a doctor. Jade, who always did so well in everything. It made her feel like the black sheep of the family. The one who always went wrong somewhere.
"It's not that I don't want to be there... it's just... well I don't like being there - does that make sense?"
She couldn't put her thoughts into words. The frustration of trying her best and always failing. Never meeting everyone's expectations. Kane was the only one who had never put pressure on her. The only one that she could truly be herself with. He didn't expect anything of her.
He nodded, the edges of his mouth curved upwards in a faint smile.
"You'll be out of there before you know it with a job and neat income, living in your dream home - stained glass windows, the works"
She laughed half-heartedly. She raised her hand to her face, brushing back her hair anxiously.
"I just feel like I'm going mad. I feel like I'm trapped - "
She broke off and sighed, looking across at him. His arm was still resting on her shoulder and it was comforting. Reassuring. She moved herself closer to him, putting her arms around his waist and nestling her head into his shirt, closing her eyes. It all felt so familiar. So comforting just to have Kane by her side once more. She sunk deeper into his arms and rested there for what seemed like forever. He held her close, not wanting to let her go.
Finally, she raised her body off him and they gazed into one another's eyes for a moment lovingly. Kirsty looked away and broke the silence.
"I've got to go"
Kirsty was flustered now. She kept telling herself that she was with Seb, and a repeat fiasco with Kane could only cause more trouble. She couldn't hurt her family again. And Seb didn't deserve this. She couldn't betray him. She noted the brief look of disappointment that passed over Kane's face as she left hurriedly. He stared after her as she climbed back onto the wharf and walked away, becoming a speck in the distance.
....................................
CARAVAN PARK
Kirsty enters. She has almost forgotten about the argument with Rhys. All she had thought about on her way back was Kane. How good it had felt to fall into his arms. She had felt complete. Happy for the first time in ages. Seb stepped out of the kitchen.
"There you are - I thought we were going to see a film tonight"
"She's not going anywhere - she's got homework to do"
Rhys voice boomed in from the hallway.
"Yeah - I've got an assignment due tomorrow."
She didn't want to do the assignment but she couldn't bear the thought of going out with Seb. Pretending to be the perfect couple. She was glad to have an excuse.
"Right... some other time then?"
Seb sounded disappointed.
"Yeah"
Kirsty tried not to sound uncaring.
"I'll see you tomorrow then"
Seb walked over to her and bent in to kiss her on the lips. She moved slightly so he kissed her cheek instead. He looked a little put out by her reaction but didn't say anything. He smiled and left through the front door. Kirsty glanced at her father before walking up the stairs and into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Rhys looked after her. Maybe the argument had done some good if Kirsty had chosen her studies over a date with Seb. He was surprised to say the least, but he didn't want to say anything in case he discouraged her.
In her room, Kirsty opens her jewellery box and goes through it slowly. She pulls out a ring. The ring Kane gave her that day by the stream. She hadn't taken it out for ages. She hadn't needed to. She thought that she was over him but now all the feelings had returned. She slipped the ring onto her finger and stroked it thoughtfully before opening a drawer in the desk and rifling through it, finally pulling out a letter. The letter Kane had sent her all those months ago. She had read that so many times since she had got it. It gave her motivation to do well. Kane had believed she could do well. He had believed in her more than anyone ever had. She reads the letter through again, a slight smile on her face. She remembered the first time she had read it, down on the beach. It had been so upsetting. The letter had symbolised the end. But now it was all starting again. She pulled out her schoolbooks and sat down, determined to complete the assignment.
....................................
CARAVAN PARK
Morning
Kirsty sits in front of the television in the school uniform. Jade rushes around getting ready for school, having slept in. Kirsty had been awake for most of the night, trying to make sense of her feelings.
"I've still got to pack my bag and Nick and Seb will be here any minute"
"I almost forgot - I've got to be in early today - I have to talk to Sally"
Kirsty got up. She wondered if Jade could tell that she was lying. She just didn't want to confront Seb. It didn't feel right. Not after she'd spent all night thinking about Kane. She picked up her bag and made her way towards the door.
"Bye Dad, see you later Jade"
....................................
BEACH
Kirsty walks along the beach staring out to sea thoughtfully. She slumped down onto the sand. She didn't feel like going into school. Part of her wanted to head down to the wharf but she knew it wouldn't be right. She had been trying to do the right thing for months and she couldn't let everyone down now.
MV PRESSLER
Kane leans on the side of the boat, staring out to sea. His mind is on Kirsty. He knew that coming back wouldn't be easy but at the back of his mind there had always been the hope that Kirsty would welcome him back into her life. He was dreading Scott's return. Would Scott want to know him when he knew what he had done to Dani? And what would become of the business? He had thought he was getting his life back on track but now it was falling to pieces again. Scott was sure to hate him. Like Josh had done. And like Will before him. He sunk his head into his hands. One mistake and it kept coming back to haunt him.
....................................
DINER
Lunch-time
Nick, Jade, Kirsty and Nick sit in the corner table. They had all noticed how distant Kirsty had been that morning. How tense she was whenever she made physical contact with Seb. Jade knew something was wrong but couldn't work out what. Kirsty just got very defensive whenever she tried to talk to her.
Seb was all too aware of Kirsty's odd behaviour. He had tried to talk to her but she had repeatedly thrown the conversation back in his face. He couldn't understand it, they could normally talk about anything. They were best friends as well as partners. Kirsty usually always came to him when she had a problem. The only obvious answer would be that she was having second thoughts about them. But things had been going so well recently.
Kirsty stared down into her chocolate milkshake, swirling the straw around in the glass aimlessly, a thoughtful frown on her face.
"Kirsty?"
She looked up, disorientated at her sister.
"Sorry?"
"Dad suggested that we could go camping for the weekend - us, him and Max. We haven't had a holiday in ages"
They hadn't had any spare money in ages. Not after the caravan park was almost demolished by Josh. The family had only just got back on an even keel.
"All four of us?"
"Yeah - he said something about wanting male company for a change"
Kirsty smiles faintly.
"Sounds good"
She had to make an effort. Maybe this would help her take her mind off things. Off Kane. She knew it would be best for her to make a go of things with Seb. Her family approved of Seb whereas Kane was never going to be on their Christmas card list. Seeing Kane could only ever cause heartache for the family. And that's one thing they didn't need right now.
Kirsty looks at him nervously. She knew what was coming. Jade walks through into the hallway, leaving them alone.
"He's not impressed by your lack of commitment to subjects other than PE. Your failure to hand in assignments on time - if at all and your poor attention in lessons. And that's just the start"
Kirsty couldn't help it. She had always despised school. The only reason she went back was because she realised she couldn't do what she wanted without her HSC. Rhys was getting madder.
"Kirsty - you made the decision to go back to school and Mr Fisher was kind enough to give you a place so the least you can do is make an effort"
"Just leave it Dad!"
Kirsty turned to walk away. She was fed up of school. She was fed up of her life.
"No I won't leave it - you're going to end up messing your life up again if you carry on like this - and this time don't think you'll get any support from me"
Kirsty is still turned away from him and she makes a face, proceeding towards the door. She couldn't bear to listen to her father telling her what a failure she is.
"Don't walk away from me. I want you to go up to your room and finish that assignment for tomorrow"
Kirsty storms out of the door, refusing to listen to her Dad. She can hear him yelling after her but she just spends up, eager to get as far away from the caravan park as possible.
....................................
WHARF
Kirsty walks briskly down the wharf in the direction of the MV Pressler. She didn't know why she had come here. Seb was her boyfriend now. She should want to cry on his shoulder but for some reason she needed Kane's support. Seb would listen, but he couldn't understand her. Not in the way Kane did. The feelings had come back to her earlier. They were older, but apart from that nothing had changed. Kane was still the same person she trusted and cared for. She reached the boat and climbed on board. The deck was in a bit of a state. The boat had obviously been out that afternoon. She could hear faint voices from the other end of the boat but she couldn't hear Kane. She stepped down into the cabin, and gazed around, anxiously looking for any sign of him. She knew he would be on board. It was either he or Scott who took the cruises out and Scott was away.
"Kirst?"
She turned to see him stood in the doorway. He wasn't sure how to react to this surprise visit. He could see that she looked distressed. He stepped towards her, a concerned look on his face.
"Is everything alright?"
She nodded unconvincingly. She felt a bit stupid, running to him for support over something small like this. Her Dad really would explode if he knew where she was and who she was with.
"It's just... school and everything... Dad's putting too so much pressure on me to do well and I... I just can't deal with it"
He smiled sympathetically, not knowing what to say. Would she accept comfort from him? If not, why was she here? He was secretly pleased that she had chosen to come to him for support. It felt like old times. He stepped cautiously closer to her. They were within inches of one another and he put his arm out, squeezing her arm comfortingly. He hated seeing her upset. He just wished he could be there for her all the time.
"What would you rather be doing - I mean, if you weren't at school?"
She didn't have a clue. She would be back at square one if she left school. She loved PE and she was determined to become a PE teacher but all the academic work was weighing her down. She couldn't stand it. And Rhys was constantly comparing her to Jade. Jade, who wanted to become a doctor. Jade, who always did so well in everything. It made her feel like the black sheep of the family. The one who always went wrong somewhere.
"It's not that I don't want to be there... it's just... well I don't like being there - does that make sense?"
She couldn't put her thoughts into words. The frustration of trying her best and always failing. Never meeting everyone's expectations. Kane was the only one who had never put pressure on her. The only one that she could truly be herself with. He didn't expect anything of her.
He nodded, the edges of his mouth curved upwards in a faint smile.
"You'll be out of there before you know it with a job and neat income, living in your dream home - stained glass windows, the works"
She laughed half-heartedly. She raised her hand to her face, brushing back her hair anxiously.
"I just feel like I'm going mad. I feel like I'm trapped - "
She broke off and sighed, looking across at him. His arm was still resting on her shoulder and it was comforting. Reassuring. She moved herself closer to him, putting her arms around his waist and nestling her head into his shirt, closing her eyes. It all felt so familiar. So comforting just to have Kane by her side once more. She sunk deeper into his arms and rested there for what seemed like forever. He held her close, not wanting to let her go.
Finally, she raised her body off him and they gazed into one another's eyes for a moment lovingly. Kirsty looked away and broke the silence.
"I've got to go"
Kirsty was flustered now. She kept telling herself that she was with Seb, and a repeat fiasco with Kane could only cause more trouble. She couldn't hurt her family again. And Seb didn't deserve this. She couldn't betray him. She noted the brief look of disappointment that passed over Kane's face as she left hurriedly. He stared after her as she climbed back onto the wharf and walked away, becoming a speck in the distance.
....................................
CARAVAN PARK
Kirsty enters. She has almost forgotten about the argument with Rhys. All she had thought about on her way back was Kane. How good it had felt to fall into his arms. She had felt complete. Happy for the first time in ages. Seb stepped out of the kitchen.
"There you are - I thought we were going to see a film tonight"
"She's not going anywhere - she's got homework to do"
Rhys voice boomed in from the hallway.
"Yeah - I've got an assignment due tomorrow."
She didn't want to do the assignment but she couldn't bear the thought of going out with Seb. Pretending to be the perfect couple. She was glad to have an excuse.
"Right... some other time then?"
Seb sounded disappointed.
"Yeah"
Kirsty tried not to sound uncaring.
"I'll see you tomorrow then"
Seb walked over to her and bent in to kiss her on the lips. She moved slightly so he kissed her cheek instead. He looked a little put out by her reaction but didn't say anything. He smiled and left through the front door. Kirsty glanced at her father before walking up the stairs and into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.
Rhys looked after her. Maybe the argument had done some good if Kirsty had chosen her studies over a date with Seb. He was surprised to say the least, but he didn't want to say anything in case he discouraged her.
In her room, Kirsty opens her jewellery box and goes through it slowly. She pulls out a ring. The ring Kane gave her that day by the stream. She hadn't taken it out for ages. She hadn't needed to. She thought that she was over him but now all the feelings had returned. She slipped the ring onto her finger and stroked it thoughtfully before opening a drawer in the desk and rifling through it, finally pulling out a letter. The letter Kane had sent her all those months ago. She had read that so many times since she had got it. It gave her motivation to do well. Kane had believed she could do well. He had believed in her more than anyone ever had. She reads the letter through again, a slight smile on her face. She remembered the first time she had read it, down on the beach. It had been so upsetting. The letter had symbolised the end. But now it was all starting again. She pulled out her schoolbooks and sat down, determined to complete the assignment.
....................................
CARAVAN PARK
Morning
Kirsty sits in front of the television in the school uniform. Jade rushes around getting ready for school, having slept in. Kirsty had been awake for most of the night, trying to make sense of her feelings.
"I've still got to pack my bag and Nick and Seb will be here any minute"
"I almost forgot - I've got to be in early today - I have to talk to Sally"
Kirsty got up. She wondered if Jade could tell that she was lying. She just didn't want to confront Seb. It didn't feel right. Not after she'd spent all night thinking about Kane. She picked up her bag and made her way towards the door.
"Bye Dad, see you later Jade"
....................................
BEACH
Kirsty walks along the beach staring out to sea thoughtfully. She slumped down onto the sand. She didn't feel like going into school. Part of her wanted to head down to the wharf but she knew it wouldn't be right. She had been trying to do the right thing for months and she couldn't let everyone down now.
MV PRESSLER
Kane leans on the side of the boat, staring out to sea. His mind is on Kirsty. He knew that coming back wouldn't be easy but at the back of his mind there had always been the hope that Kirsty would welcome him back into her life. He was dreading Scott's return. Would Scott want to know him when he knew what he had done to Dani? And what would become of the business? He had thought he was getting his life back on track but now it was falling to pieces again. Scott was sure to hate him. Like Josh had done. And like Will before him. He sunk his head into his hands. One mistake and it kept coming back to haunt him.
....................................
DINER
Lunch-time
Nick, Jade, Kirsty and Nick sit in the corner table. They had all noticed how distant Kirsty had been that morning. How tense she was whenever she made physical contact with Seb. Jade knew something was wrong but couldn't work out what. Kirsty just got very defensive whenever she tried to talk to her.
Seb was all too aware of Kirsty's odd behaviour. He had tried to talk to her but she had repeatedly thrown the conversation back in his face. He couldn't understand it, they could normally talk about anything. They were best friends as well as partners. Kirsty usually always came to him when she had a problem. The only obvious answer would be that she was having second thoughts about them. But things had been going so well recently.
Kirsty stared down into her chocolate milkshake, swirling the straw around in the glass aimlessly, a thoughtful frown on her face.
"Kirsty?"
She looked up, disorientated at her sister.
"Sorry?"
"Dad suggested that we could go camping for the weekend - us, him and Max. We haven't had a holiday in ages"
They hadn't had any spare money in ages. Not after the caravan park was almost demolished by Josh. The family had only just got back on an even keel.
"All four of us?"
"Yeah - he said something about wanting male company for a change"
Kirsty smiles faintly.
"Sounds good"
She had to make an effort. Maybe this would help her take her mind off things. Off Kane. She knew it would be best for her to make a go of things with Seb. Her family approved of Seb whereas Kane was never going to be on their Christmas card list. Seeing Kane could only ever cause heartache for the family. And that's one thing they didn't need right now.