Josh sat in his office by the sea, admiring his mini-empire surrounding him. With his apartments selling like hotcakes, and planning permission for a shopping complex in the pipeline; Summer Bay was his oyster. He could mould it into anything he wanted.
Kane wasn't so sure. He was off to see a man about a gym, though he had no idea how business worked. All he knew was that he needed to invest his money quickly, and that the Summer Bay Gym seemed like a good option. Hopefully he could convince Josh West to see it that way. He knocked on the door of the mobile office, built outside his apartment.
"Come in, " said Josh, leaning back on his leather recliner. "Well if it isn't the elusive Kane Phillips. Nice to see you've made an effort."
He was obviously referring to Kane's baggy shorts and faded t-shirt. Kane held back his temper. "We spoke on the phone about the gym."
"Yes, of course, you want to buy it. You seem to be making a habit of buying things from me, anyone might think you're obsessed."
"How much do you want for it?"
"How have you suddenly got so much money? Not been stealing things again have you?"
"No. My aunt died and she left me her inheritance."
"Oh." Josh's smirk faded. Kane shuffled awkwardly. "I'm sorry to hear that. Anyway, I have already received an offer for the gym." Josh grabbed a bit of paper from his drawer, and scribbled a figure. He slid the piece of paper over to Kane.
Kane grimaced. It seemed a lot for a gym but he had no choice. "I'll give you another 10k on top of that."
"Really?" Josh's eyes lit up. He could buy another plot of land with that money. The profits were guaranteed. Perhaps he could buy himself another sports car. "I'll take it. I'll have my lawyer draw up the contracts right away. Fantastic doing business with you." He held out his hand. Kane shook it firmly.
"Ditto." Now his finances were going well, all he had to do was reclaim his girlfriend.
***
After a morning with the twins from hell, Kit escorted Brooke back to the Drop in centre. They had bonded that morning, not only because of their difficult personalities but because they could relate to each other, and Brooke seemed wise beyond her years.
"I'd better go, " said Kit. "It was nice meeting you again."
"Likewise, " said Brooke. "I'll catch you again though?"
"Yeah, cool." Kit left, and Brooke sighed as she walked towards her temporary home. She'd learned a lot about Kit that morning; she lived with the Sutherlands who owned the caravan park nearby, and she had an older brother named Scott, and younger brothers in boarding school. Soon they'd both have an older brother in common. Brooke had to find out about him. She knocked on Noah's door.
"Come in."
"Gidday."
"Oh hi Brooke, did you want to talk?"
"Yeah, I was wondering if you knew of a Kane Phillips."
Noah's pleasant expression faded. "I know of him, yes, but I bet the Sutherlands wished they didn't."
"The Sutherlands, " gasped Brooke. Kit's extended family. "Why is that?"
"I don't want to go into detail, but he wrecked Dani's life. I'm glad she's finally getting it together. Why do you ask anyway?"
"Oh, some people were just talking about him. I just wondered who he was. I'll go now." Brooke left, and ran into her room. Her brother wrecked a life; what could that mean? Did they ever go out or something? Surely he couldn't be bad like his father? The dream was starting to fade. Brooke checked her phone. No messages. Her mother probably didn't even know she was gone. There was no way she was going back home. She'd find her brother, bad or not.
***
"Jade, have you seen my silver necklace?" asked Kirsty, frantically trying to get ready for her secret date.
"Oh, I think Dani had it."
"Great. Well I won't have a chance to go searching for it now."
"And why's that?" asked Jade. "Are you going on a date?"
"Not exactly." Kirsty rushed downstairs, searching for her shoes. "I'm going out Beth. Bye Beth. Bye Kit."
"Wait a minute, " said Beth. "How was your day?"
"Good." She was going to be late. "Ask Kit about her new friend."
"Oooooh, who's this?" Beth was glad her daughter was beginning to settle in.
"Just Brooke. She's new."
"Well you know you can always invite her here. This is your home too." Kit faked a smile.
"I've gotta go, " said Kirsty. "Don't wait up." She had five minutes to run to the wharf, in a miniskirt and high-heeled boots. She had no idea why she was making such an effort; if it was Kane she was going to tell him how he'd made her feel all those months ago, and how a letter and a bunch of flowers just wouldn't cut it. Those were some of the worst months of her life, especially when Dani found out about their relationship. Kirsty slowed down now; she was approaching the wharf. She couldn't see anything there but a lone candle, flickering in the wind. As she came closer, she was sure no one else was around, and there was no clue as to where her admirer was. Crestfallen, she sat down, and blew out the candle. It probably wasn't even him, just somebody's sick joke. Well, she wasn't going to let them see her upset. Kirsty got up, but as she did, somebody tapped her on the shoulder from behind.
"Hiya Kirst, sorry I'm late." She knew that voice anywhere.
Kirsty spun round, "That's alright. It only took you a year." She began to walk away.
"Wait!" This wasn't going to plan. "I'm sorry, I told you, I sent you the letter."
"A letter just doesn't cut it, " snapped Kirsty. "You broke my heart, left me to pick up all the pieces, and now expect to pick up where we left off? That's just not happening."
Kane could only watch as Kirsty marched off into the distance.