He splashed cold water over his face, leaning onto the side of the basin and staring at himself in the mirror. He had barely had a minutes sleep that night. Everytime he closed his eyes he was consumed by the past. All that had happened in the past few days had stirred up so many things that he had spend the last months getting over. It felt like he was back at square one again, only this time he was totally alone. He didn't have Kirsty to lean on when things got too tough for him to handle. He had tried calling her several times in the night, only to be greeted with that formal answering service. He kept telling himself that she didn't know it was him calling, that she'd realise in the morning and call him up. That she'd care. He patted his face dry with a towel, exiting the bathroom and walking back across the corridor to their room. His room.

He had already informed the new lady at reception that he would be leaving that day. There was no reason for him to stick around. He had phoned into work and handed in his notice and now all there was left to do was pack. His car seemed to be still in one piece, so there would be no need to hitchhike again. He dragged their two bags out from beneath the bed, hauling them up to sit on top of the mattress. He then turned to the wardrobe, still packed with reminders of her. Of their life together.

..............................

She awoke, snapping out of her dreamworld back into the harsh reality that was her life. It was late, and Jade, Max and Dani would have left for school already.

She picked up her phone from where she had abandoned it the previous night and glanced at the display. Ten missed calls, every single one from Kane. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? Accept that things would never be the same again, she just couldn't trust him any more.

..............................

CARAVAN PARK - Exterior (Later)

Kane crept through the vans, keeping out of sight of any visitors. He had managed to find out the number of Rhys' van via Flynn, and hoped that Rhys might be able to talk to Kirsty on his behalf, or get her a message, or anything. They were far from friends, but he felt the past months had made a difference and smoothed over that hatred and distrust that Rhys had of him. Knocking on the door or the van, he was greeted by Rhys.

"What do you want?"

"I just need to talk to you about Kirsty"

"You've split up, there's nothing I can do... and quite frankly I think it would be best if you just accepted that"

It could all work out better for him if Kane left them well alone. Family wounds could be healed and Kirsty's heart-ache would eventually heal as well. And he wouldn't be the cause of any more upset by trying to compromise between his daughters.

"Now if you'd please leave!"

He glanced around, wary that Dani might see Kane there and get upset, or Colleen would broadcast to the Bay that he was having secret meetings with his daughter's rapist. He attempted to shut the door but Kane was quicker, jamming his foot into it and forcing it back open.

"Help me out here, Rhys!... please?"

He looked pleadingly at him. Surely he knew by now how much Kirsty meant to him. He'd been caring for her for months, looking out for her and trying to make her happy. Did it count for nothing? Rhys shook his head and muttered an insincere apology.

"I put everything on the line for you, Rhys. The least you can do is help me get my life back on track"

Rhys owed him more than a few favours and he was determined to play on it. Rhys shook his head, having none of it.

"Look, I'm in enough strife as it is"

"Right, so when you're in trouble I've got to help but when it's me that needs the help you're telling me to go jump?"

Rhys looked at him coldly. How did this boy dare to talk to him like that?

"Basically, yeah"

Kane took a step forward. Rhys stumbled over his words, feeling suddenly intimidated.

"Look, Kane... our... arrangement was for convenience only. Now we're back in Summer Bay I want nothing more to do with you"

"So after everything you're just going to act like nothing has happened"

"I'm back with my family now Kane and that changes everything - when we were out there you weren't hurting Dani - now you are... I think it would be best for everyone if you just left us alone"

Rhys turned and re-entered the caravan. Kane sat on the step, head in hands, as the door slammed shut. He had gone out of his way for Rhys. He had lost Kirsty for him. And still he was treated like scum. Only this time he had no one at all. He had been wrong to lie for Rhys. He knew that now. What had he been thinking? He had thought it might gain him a truce with the family. But he should have told Kirsty straight away. Then none of it would have happened. But he couldn't turn back the clock. He had learnt that before. He stood up and walked out of the caravan park dismally.

"What are you doing here?"

He looked up at Jade, who was walking towards the front door.

"I came to see your Dad"

"You're not welcome here"

He decided not to reply. He knew it was the truth. He started to walk away

"You'd already destroyed Dani... why'd you have to go and destroy the whole family as well?"

"I think your Dad managed that by himself"

He continued walking. Jade watched as he climbed into his car and drove off.

CARAVAN PARK (interior)

Jade enters and Kirsty approaches her, having observed the conversation through her window.

"Has he gone?"

"Yeah"

"What was he doing here?"

"He came to see Dad"

Jade was blunt. She was still coming to terms with everything. Dad's betrayal. Kirsty's betrayal. Shelley's overdose. The whole saga with Josh.

"They deserve each other"

Kirsty spoke bitterly. She was trying so hard to hate him. Because if she didn't hate him she would love him. The thin line between love and hate. Whatever her feelings were she still couldn't get him out of her head. He was always there. Her birthday was fast approaching and she thought it would be her first birthday with the man she loved. Now it was going to be her first birthday in a family that was falling apart. Everything was so miserable. It seemed like nothing would put it right.

Jade walked across to the hall

"I might go and see Mum later - are you gonna come?"

Kirsty shook her head. She had been to see her the previous evening. Not a lot was said. Shelley was still full of antidepressants. She showed no real feeling and her mind was often somewhere else. It broke her up to see her like that. Kirsty couldn't help but blame herself. Maybe if she had never run off in the first place none of this would have happened. Maybe running away was the biggest mistake of her life. Maybe Kane was the biggest mistake. Deep down she wouldn't change the events of the past months for the world. Most of it had been good. She'd got a chance of independence in the real world. But the long term effects of her actions were proving to be disastrous.

"No... I don't feel like it"

Kirsty slumped back onto the couch, switching the television on, looking for some sort of distraction from the disaster that was her life.

........................

CARAVAN PARK - interior (Later)

A knock at the door. Kirsty answers, opening the door only part way to check it isn't Kane. In the doorframe there is a boy of about 17. Blonde hair, blue eyes.

"Hi... um... I'm looking for Rhys Sutherland?"

"Who are you?"

"I'm his son... Dylan Russell"

Kirsty slams the door shut. This was all they needed. An invasion by Rhys' other family. Another knock on the door. Kirsty opens it and speaks venomously.

"He doesn't live here anymore, alright?"

"So where is he?"

A silence.

"Van five"

Kirsty closes the door in his face again. Dylan Russell turning up out of the blue could only stir up more trouble for them.