He strides towards the couple, seeing red everytime he thought of what that man had done to Dani. He couldn't believe Kirsty had lied to him about seeing Kane. All the lies and deceit had started again. And this time he didn't have Shelley to sort things out. He had to do it. And as far as he was concerned, he would sort it out by any means necessary.
"Get away from her"
Kane spins around to face him, his arm still around Kirsty.
"Kirsty, get home now. I'll talk to you later"
Kirsty could see he was furious. She was playing with fire by disobeying him.
"Dad, I'm sixteen. You can't treat me like a kid anymore"
"Look mate, I think we should have a talk"
Kane tried to be diplomatic. But his approach only worsened Rhys' mood.
"Don't call me mate - just keep your hands off my daughter..."
He stepped forward and the couple parted. Kane prepared himself for a blow. A possible fight.
Someone grabs Rhys from behind.
"Leave it mate"
Rhys looks behind him, glaring into Flynn's eyes. Silently cursing the interruption.
"Do you mind mate?"
Flyn signals him to leave. He needed the situation under control and having Kane and Rhys in the same place was a recipe for disaster. Rhys looked disbelievingly at Flynn. This was none of his business. How did he think he had the right to order him about?
"Let me deal with this"
Flynn tries to reassure him. His expression telling Rhys to let him handle it.
Kirsty looks defiantly at her father before sliding her hand into Kane's
Rhys takes a step forward, but is restrained by Flynn. Glaring at Kane, he spoke viciously.
"You haven't heard the last of this"
He turned and walked up the beach, regularly glancing behind him. That boy needed to be taught a lesson. And sooner rather than later. Before he started tearing up the family again. Flynn turned back to Kirsty, who looked victoriously after her father.
"Kirsty, I'd like a word with you"
Her face dropped.
"Right... I'll drop by later"
Flynn looked at her sternly.
"No - now"
Kirsty looks across at Kane, reluctant to leave him.
"Yeah... I've got to get to work anyway - see what Scott wants to do about... everything"
Kirsty hastily parted with Kane as he wandered along the beach in the direction of the wharf.
...........................
SALLY/FLYNN'S HOUSE
Flynn holds the door open for Kirsty and they enter. Flynn signals for her to sit down. He sits opposite and clears his throat. He was no longer a counsellor but he knew there was no way Kirsty would listen to Noah, or anyone.
"Kirsty..."
"I know what you're going to say - you're going to tell me I'm doing the wrong thing. I've heard it all before and before you ask there's no way me and Kane are splitting up"
"Think about this logically Kirsty - you saw your father earlier"
"Yeah, he should learn to control his temper"
"Kirsty, he is your father"
"And I'm sixteen"
Kirsty knew she couldn't keep using it as a reason for her family to back off but the reality was that she was an adult. If she wanted to she could marry Kane. Move in with him.
"I'm just saying you should try to compromise"
"My Dad doesn't do compromise"
She knew speaking him was like talking to a time bomb. He didn't listen. He just exploded. Tried to sabotage her happiness.
"Just try and see where they're coming from"
"Look, Flynn I've got a shift at the kiosk in five minutes. I've got to go"
She made for the door. Flynn sighed.
"Have a think about what I've said"
The door shuts behind her. Flynn collapses back onto the sofa, exasperated.
...........................
WHARF
"G'day"
Kane cautiously climbs aboard the boat and he and Scott come face to face. The two men stare at each other for a moment.
"What are you doing here?"
"Working. I own half of this boat - remember?"
"You're just causing trouble by being here - you're just causing trouble for Dani... do you really want to hurt her again?"
"You know I don't"
"That's why I think you should sell your share in the boat - my uncle has offered to put forward the money and you could be out of here in a matter of - "
"No."
"What?!"
Scott looked at Kane in disbelief
"I'm not going anywhere. This is my life now"
He knew he was taking a risk in standing his ground. After all, it was ultimately his fault.
"After what you did to Dani I don't think you're in any position to argue - there's no way we can work together"
Kane was sick of hearing it. Every time he heard the same thing - 'after what you did to Dani'. He had paid the price. He had given up so much. He couldn't continue to have his life sabotaged by that one mistake. If he did he'd never get anywhere. He was determined to stop the guilt from consuming him. He had to move on.
"Then you sell up mate"
Scott couldn't believe Kane's attitude. After everything, Kane thought he had the right to answer him back.
"Look, maybe you should take some time to think about it - a new start somewhere else. My uncle would be able to get the money to you straight away - more than you initially paid"
Scott was desperate to get rid of him. For Dani's sake. And in a way for his. He was still feeling guilty for liking Kane in the first place.
"The answer will still be no - I'm staying here..."
Scott glared at him.
"I'll give you one final chance to think about your answer"
Scott was getting frustrated now, and was finding it harder to control his rage.
"Or what?"
Kane turned and walked across the boat, not expecting an answer.. He turned back to Scott
"I'm staying put - I'm sorry, but this is my life now. And I'm happy"
Scott walked onto the wharf, slamming his fist into the side of the boat. He had to get Kane of his life. Out of Dani's life.
...........................
DINER
Early afternoon
Kirsty walked reluctantly into the Surf Club.
"Alf... is Seb around?"
Flynn had told her to sort herself out and that's what she was doing. Seb couldn't continue to live a lie. She couldn't continue to live a lie. It wasn't fair on either of them.
"He's upstairs - you can go up"
"Thanks"
Kirsty's voice was dull, but if Alf had noticed anything about her behaviour he hadn't mentioned it. She walked up the stairs, getting slower as she reached the top. The door swung open.
"I thought I heard someone"
Seb smiled at her as she entered, and she avoided looking him in the eye.
"Seb we've got to talk"
He knew that tone of voice. Surely she wasn't going to do what he feared. He had been up all night fretting about what the consequences of Kane's return might be.
"Is this what I think it is"
His voice was shaky. Uncertain. Kirsty already felt guilty. She couldn't get cold feet. Not now.
"Seb... you know I care about you - a lot"
It sounded so cliché. She didn't know any other way to let him down. She couldn't say it outright. That he was dumped. She couldn't.
"You're seeing him again aren't you?"
Kirsty couldn't deny it. But she couldn't confirm it either. She didn't want to admit she'd been two-timing him. It sounded so low. She stood numbly. Seb looked at her, a mixture of disgust and devastation spreading across his face.
"Seb - I'm sorry... I"
"Get out!"
Seb's voice was uncontrolled. It remained Kirsty of when Kane had thrown her out of the car. Furiously concealing his emotions. Holding back tears.
"Seb, let me explain"
"GET OUT!"
Kirsty looked at him sympathetically, before moving to the door. She opened her mouth to speak, but decided against it. She left.
...........................
BEACH
Late afternoon
Kane walked down onto the beach. He was due to meet Kirsty in fifteen minutes. The day had been almost unbearable. Scott hadn't stuck around long and Kane had been forced to deal with the entire workload. Worse was that he couldn't seem to get his crew to respect him. Word had got out and he was treated with general hatred. The only thing that kept them in line was the fact that he was able to fire them.
As he walked further along the beach he spotted a figure approaching in the distance. He strained to see if it was Kirsty and was stunned to see Dani approaching. He was unable to prevent her from seeing him and before long their eyes met. A long silence passed.
"What are you doing here?"
Dani finally mustered up the courage to speak.
"Kirsty..."
He speaks uncertainly.
"Yeah, Dad told me - don't you think you did enough damage last time?"
"I don't want to hurt anyone"
"Well, you're making a good job of it anyway. If you cared for Kirsty at all you would leave her alone. You shouldn't force her to choose between us and you"
"I'm not asking her to... look I'm not leaving... I'm sorry but my life is here now"
"You're sorry? Sorry for what? Raping me? Tearing my family apart? Hurting Kirsty? Coming back to do it all over again?"
Tears were welling up in Dani's eyes and a single tear leaked from her left eye.
"What's going on?"
Kane looked at the approaching figure.
"Back to your old tricks I see"
Josh looked smugly at his enemy. Kane refused to be intimidated.
"Likewise... From what I've heard you're not exactly Mr Popular yourself... Stuck up tossers like you think you can to buy everything - that's why no woman round here will touch you with a bargepole"
He'd heard rumours. Josh's break up with Dani. His dalliance with Hayley. He knew just which buttons to press with Josh.
Dani was walking away. She couldn't stand either of them. She longed for both of them to be out of her life.
Josh raised his fist. A movement from away up the beach caught his attention. Flynn passed him a disapproving look. He glared at Kane.
"I guess we'll have to catch up later"
Josh smirked at Kane before leaving. Scum like that needed taught a lesson. And with his contacts he could arrange any revenge he liked.
DINER (continuous)
Nick walked up to the flat above the diner and knocked on the door, tapping out a rhythm for the sake of it. No one answers. He knocks again, this time harder. He grasps the handle and opens the door.
"Hello? Seb?"
He walks inside. No one in the living area. The bathroom door is shut and locked from the inside.
"Seb? Are you in there?"
No reply. Nick started to worry. He raised his voice.
"Seb?!"
"Go away"
"What's going on?"
Seb refuses to open the door. He just wanted to be alone. He was in such a state it was embarrassing. And over a girl.
"Kirsty.. she dumped me..."
"What?! I thought you guys were strong"
"That was until Kane came back"
"He's back? Since when"
"I don't know... it doesn't matter anyway... even after he hurt her so much last time she went back to him... what have I done wrong?"
"Look, let me in"
Nick tried the door again.
"No... I just... I just need some time to myself"
"Right... I'll see myself out"
He turned and paused.
"Seb..."
"Yeah?"
"Don't do anything stupid"
Seb knew what he meant. Don't take an overdose. Don't jump off a cliff. He felt like it. But it wouldn't achieve anything. It wouldn't get Kirsty back. It wouldn't get rid of Kane.
"I'm not that dumb"
"See you later then"
Nick turned and exited the flat. He walked down the stairs, his head buzzing. After everything Kane had done he had received no punishment. Yet he had been punished for a crime he didn't commit when Angie had accused him of sexual assault. The justice system was a joke. Something had to be done.
Back in the flat, Seb composes himself. He needed some fresh air. Some time to think. He opens the window and swings himself onto a nearby tree. He couldn't let Alf see him leaving. He'd only start asking questions and they were one thing Seb didn't need.
BEACH (5 minutes later)
Kane strolls back and forth on the beach. It had been a long day and Kirsty was already late. Maybe Rhys had prevented her from coming. He turned, gazing up towards the surf club. He was sure he could see someone up there. Someone lurking in the bushes A split second and they were gone. Assuming his imagination was playing tricks on him after a long day he sighed and glanced once more at his watch.
From above, a figure within the bushes aims... and shoots.
"Get away from her"
Kane spins around to face him, his arm still around Kirsty.
"Kirsty, get home now. I'll talk to you later"
Kirsty could see he was furious. She was playing with fire by disobeying him.
"Dad, I'm sixteen. You can't treat me like a kid anymore"
"Look mate, I think we should have a talk"
Kane tried to be diplomatic. But his approach only worsened Rhys' mood.
"Don't call me mate - just keep your hands off my daughter..."
He stepped forward and the couple parted. Kane prepared himself for a blow. A possible fight.
Someone grabs Rhys from behind.
"Leave it mate"
Rhys looks behind him, glaring into Flynn's eyes. Silently cursing the interruption.
"Do you mind mate?"
Flyn signals him to leave. He needed the situation under control and having Kane and Rhys in the same place was a recipe for disaster. Rhys looked disbelievingly at Flynn. This was none of his business. How did he think he had the right to order him about?
"Let me deal with this"
Flynn tries to reassure him. His expression telling Rhys to let him handle it.
Kirsty looks defiantly at her father before sliding her hand into Kane's
Rhys takes a step forward, but is restrained by Flynn. Glaring at Kane, he spoke viciously.
"You haven't heard the last of this"
He turned and walked up the beach, regularly glancing behind him. That boy needed to be taught a lesson. And sooner rather than later. Before he started tearing up the family again. Flynn turned back to Kirsty, who looked victoriously after her father.
"Kirsty, I'd like a word with you"
Her face dropped.
"Right... I'll drop by later"
Flynn looked at her sternly.
"No - now"
Kirsty looks across at Kane, reluctant to leave him.
"Yeah... I've got to get to work anyway - see what Scott wants to do about... everything"
Kirsty hastily parted with Kane as he wandered along the beach in the direction of the wharf.
...........................
SALLY/FLYNN'S HOUSE
Flynn holds the door open for Kirsty and they enter. Flynn signals for her to sit down. He sits opposite and clears his throat. He was no longer a counsellor but he knew there was no way Kirsty would listen to Noah, or anyone.
"Kirsty..."
"I know what you're going to say - you're going to tell me I'm doing the wrong thing. I've heard it all before and before you ask there's no way me and Kane are splitting up"
"Think about this logically Kirsty - you saw your father earlier"
"Yeah, he should learn to control his temper"
"Kirsty, he is your father"
"And I'm sixteen"
Kirsty knew she couldn't keep using it as a reason for her family to back off but the reality was that she was an adult. If she wanted to she could marry Kane. Move in with him.
"I'm just saying you should try to compromise"
"My Dad doesn't do compromise"
She knew speaking him was like talking to a time bomb. He didn't listen. He just exploded. Tried to sabotage her happiness.
"Just try and see where they're coming from"
"Look, Flynn I've got a shift at the kiosk in five minutes. I've got to go"
She made for the door. Flynn sighed.
"Have a think about what I've said"
The door shuts behind her. Flynn collapses back onto the sofa, exasperated.
...........................
WHARF
"G'day"
Kane cautiously climbs aboard the boat and he and Scott come face to face. The two men stare at each other for a moment.
"What are you doing here?"
"Working. I own half of this boat - remember?"
"You're just causing trouble by being here - you're just causing trouble for Dani... do you really want to hurt her again?"
"You know I don't"
"That's why I think you should sell your share in the boat - my uncle has offered to put forward the money and you could be out of here in a matter of - "
"No."
"What?!"
Scott looked at Kane in disbelief
"I'm not going anywhere. This is my life now"
He knew he was taking a risk in standing his ground. After all, it was ultimately his fault.
"After what you did to Dani I don't think you're in any position to argue - there's no way we can work together"
Kane was sick of hearing it. Every time he heard the same thing - 'after what you did to Dani'. He had paid the price. He had given up so much. He couldn't continue to have his life sabotaged by that one mistake. If he did he'd never get anywhere. He was determined to stop the guilt from consuming him. He had to move on.
"Then you sell up mate"
Scott couldn't believe Kane's attitude. After everything, Kane thought he had the right to answer him back.
"Look, maybe you should take some time to think about it - a new start somewhere else. My uncle would be able to get the money to you straight away - more than you initially paid"
Scott was desperate to get rid of him. For Dani's sake. And in a way for his. He was still feeling guilty for liking Kane in the first place.
"The answer will still be no - I'm staying here..."
Scott glared at him.
"I'll give you one final chance to think about your answer"
Scott was getting frustrated now, and was finding it harder to control his rage.
"Or what?"
Kane turned and walked across the boat, not expecting an answer.. He turned back to Scott
"I'm staying put - I'm sorry, but this is my life now. And I'm happy"
Scott walked onto the wharf, slamming his fist into the side of the boat. He had to get Kane of his life. Out of Dani's life.
...........................
DINER
Early afternoon
Kirsty walked reluctantly into the Surf Club.
"Alf... is Seb around?"
Flynn had told her to sort herself out and that's what she was doing. Seb couldn't continue to live a lie. She couldn't continue to live a lie. It wasn't fair on either of them.
"He's upstairs - you can go up"
"Thanks"
Kirsty's voice was dull, but if Alf had noticed anything about her behaviour he hadn't mentioned it. She walked up the stairs, getting slower as she reached the top. The door swung open.
"I thought I heard someone"
Seb smiled at her as she entered, and she avoided looking him in the eye.
"Seb we've got to talk"
He knew that tone of voice. Surely she wasn't going to do what he feared. He had been up all night fretting about what the consequences of Kane's return might be.
"Is this what I think it is"
His voice was shaky. Uncertain. Kirsty already felt guilty. She couldn't get cold feet. Not now.
"Seb... you know I care about you - a lot"
It sounded so cliché. She didn't know any other way to let him down. She couldn't say it outright. That he was dumped. She couldn't.
"You're seeing him again aren't you?"
Kirsty couldn't deny it. But she couldn't confirm it either. She didn't want to admit she'd been two-timing him. It sounded so low. She stood numbly. Seb looked at her, a mixture of disgust and devastation spreading across his face.
"Seb - I'm sorry... I"
"Get out!"
Seb's voice was uncontrolled. It remained Kirsty of when Kane had thrown her out of the car. Furiously concealing his emotions. Holding back tears.
"Seb, let me explain"
"GET OUT!"
Kirsty looked at him sympathetically, before moving to the door. She opened her mouth to speak, but decided against it. She left.
...........................
BEACH
Late afternoon
Kane walked down onto the beach. He was due to meet Kirsty in fifteen minutes. The day had been almost unbearable. Scott hadn't stuck around long and Kane had been forced to deal with the entire workload. Worse was that he couldn't seem to get his crew to respect him. Word had got out and he was treated with general hatred. The only thing that kept them in line was the fact that he was able to fire them.
As he walked further along the beach he spotted a figure approaching in the distance. He strained to see if it was Kirsty and was stunned to see Dani approaching. He was unable to prevent her from seeing him and before long their eyes met. A long silence passed.
"What are you doing here?"
Dani finally mustered up the courage to speak.
"Kirsty..."
He speaks uncertainly.
"Yeah, Dad told me - don't you think you did enough damage last time?"
"I don't want to hurt anyone"
"Well, you're making a good job of it anyway. If you cared for Kirsty at all you would leave her alone. You shouldn't force her to choose between us and you"
"I'm not asking her to... look I'm not leaving... I'm sorry but my life is here now"
"You're sorry? Sorry for what? Raping me? Tearing my family apart? Hurting Kirsty? Coming back to do it all over again?"
Tears were welling up in Dani's eyes and a single tear leaked from her left eye.
"What's going on?"
Kane looked at the approaching figure.
"Back to your old tricks I see"
Josh looked smugly at his enemy. Kane refused to be intimidated.
"Likewise... From what I've heard you're not exactly Mr Popular yourself... Stuck up tossers like you think you can to buy everything - that's why no woman round here will touch you with a bargepole"
He'd heard rumours. Josh's break up with Dani. His dalliance with Hayley. He knew just which buttons to press with Josh.
Dani was walking away. She couldn't stand either of them. She longed for both of them to be out of her life.
Josh raised his fist. A movement from away up the beach caught his attention. Flynn passed him a disapproving look. He glared at Kane.
"I guess we'll have to catch up later"
Josh smirked at Kane before leaving. Scum like that needed taught a lesson. And with his contacts he could arrange any revenge he liked.
DINER (continuous)
Nick walked up to the flat above the diner and knocked on the door, tapping out a rhythm for the sake of it. No one answers. He knocks again, this time harder. He grasps the handle and opens the door.
"Hello? Seb?"
He walks inside. No one in the living area. The bathroom door is shut and locked from the inside.
"Seb? Are you in there?"
No reply. Nick started to worry. He raised his voice.
"Seb?!"
"Go away"
"What's going on?"
Seb refuses to open the door. He just wanted to be alone. He was in such a state it was embarrassing. And over a girl.
"Kirsty.. she dumped me..."
"What?! I thought you guys were strong"
"That was until Kane came back"
"He's back? Since when"
"I don't know... it doesn't matter anyway... even after he hurt her so much last time she went back to him... what have I done wrong?"
"Look, let me in"
Nick tried the door again.
"No... I just... I just need some time to myself"
"Right... I'll see myself out"
He turned and paused.
"Seb..."
"Yeah?"
"Don't do anything stupid"
Seb knew what he meant. Don't take an overdose. Don't jump off a cliff. He felt like it. But it wouldn't achieve anything. It wouldn't get Kirsty back. It wouldn't get rid of Kane.
"I'm not that dumb"
"See you later then"
Nick turned and exited the flat. He walked down the stairs, his head buzzing. After everything Kane had done he had received no punishment. Yet he had been punished for a crime he didn't commit when Angie had accused him of sexual assault. The justice system was a joke. Something had to be done.
Back in the flat, Seb composes himself. He needed some fresh air. Some time to think. He opens the window and swings himself onto a nearby tree. He couldn't let Alf see him leaving. He'd only start asking questions and they were one thing Seb didn't need.
BEACH (5 minutes later)
Kane strolls back and forth on the beach. It had been a long day and Kirsty was already late. Maybe Rhys had prevented her from coming. He turned, gazing up towards the surf club. He was sure he could see someone up there. Someone lurking in the bushes A split second and they were gone. Assuming his imagination was playing tricks on him after a long day he sighed and glanced once more at his watch.
From above, a figure within the bushes aims... and shoots.