A /N: Thanks to all for the nice reviews. Nice to know that people are enjoying this. Thanks to Risty for reading it first and helping me to get it finished. I love music: Don't worry, I have no intention of quitting this, the only reason I haven't updated is because I've been very busy with college work and haven't had a chance to write anything for weeks. I'll try and update a little more regularly from now on.

Chapter 19: The Older Boy

For the next few days, Kane mostly stayed at home taking care of his aunt, venturing out only when he had to, to do some shopping or get a little air, all the time hoping that Emma would call. He knew that he could call her, or go to the house while Benny was at work, but he didn't. She needed time alone and, although he felt hurt that she was pushing him away, he accepted that. She would call him when she was ready.

She did finally call, four days after their counselling session, but only to tell him that she had another that afternoon and she didn't want him there.

"This is something that I have to do on my own right now," she explained. "Maybe you can come to the next one with me, we'll see."

He had accepted that without argument and asked her when he would see her again. She had hesitated, and then told him that maybe the two of them could take Jordan to the beach that weekend. And although she said that she loved him just before she hung up; the whole conversation still left Kane feeling rather empty. He loved Emma and desperately wanted to help her through her issues surrounding the rape, but he couldn't help wondering if his past was going to end up destroying another relationship…

As well as the problems with his relationship, Kane had other worries on his mind too, mainly money. He had been working on this and that since leaving the Bay and had some savings, but they wouldn't last for much longer and he knew that he had to get a job, even just a part time one, before his money run out completely. The problem was actually finding one. The gym was always a possibility, except that Josh worked there too and Kane really didn't want any trouble. What he really wanted to do was work with the boats again, but he doubted that Alf would want him and Benny working side by side. Nevertheless, it was still worth a try. 

That afternoon, after making sure that his aunt was comfortable and that she had everything she needed, he left the house and made his way across town to the jetty. Luckily Benny wasn't there, Kane assumed that he was on his lunch break, but Alf was. The older man smiled through a mouthful of sandwich when he saw Kane and gestured to him to sit down.

"Good to see you again, Kane," he said, after swallowing his mouthful. "Something I can do for you?"

Briefly, Kane explained how his money was running out and he needed a job to support himself and his aunt but how he was having trouble finding anything in the Bay. Alf nodded understandingly while he was talking, frowning slightly as he did.

"I'd like to be able to help you out, Kane," he said finally, his voice sincere but firm. "You're a good lad, despite all that trouble in the past, and I know how difficult things must be with your aunt being sick and everything. In other circumstances I would be more than happy to have you working with me, but…"

"Benny." Kane stated flatly, not at all surprised. He didn't blame Alf for not wanting any trouble, nor could he blame Benny for not trusting him, but he was still angry. He needed work, he needed money and he loved working with boats. Working alongside Alf was the one thing he really wanted to do…and he couldn't because one man had it in for him.

"Benny's a good worker," Alf told him. "He's become a good friend too, and to be fair he was here first. I'd have you both working for me in an instant if there weren't all this trouble between the two of you. But with things the way they are right now, I don't think it's a good idea for the two of you to be anywhere near each other. If you could resolve your differences, I'd give you a job on the spot, Kane, but I can't be having any trouble between you."

"I understand," Kane muttered, rising from his seat. "Thanks anyway, Alf."

"You could always try the gym," Alf suggested as he walked away. "They are always looking for people. I'll put in a good word for you if you like."

"Thanks," the young man repeated, forcing a smile. "I'd appreciate it."

*~*~*~*~*

When Lucy met up with Kirsty and Jade on the beach that afternoon, she was surprised to see a tall, tanned boy with short dark blond hair sitting on the sand with them. He looked rather old, about seventeen or eighteen and was very attractive.

"Hi Lucy!" Jade looked up and smiled. "Everything all right?"

"Not bad!" Lucy grinned back at them. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Dylan," Kirsty told her. "I don't know if you've met him already. Dylan, this is Lucy Alexander, our new friend. Her family moved here a few weeks ago."

"I'm pleased to meet you, Lucy," Dylan held out his hand and Lucy shook it, blushing faintly. He was very cute…but she knew that he was far too old for her. Benny and her mum would go completely mad if she started seeing him…and yet it was still a tempting thought. "I've already met your sister, Allee introduced us. How are you liking Summer Bay so far?"

"It's brilliant!" She said at once. "Everyone has been so nice to us and Kirsty and Jade have been showing me around."

"Are you going to Summer Bay High?" he asked. "Term starts next week, doesn't it?"

"Don't remind us!" Kirsty made a face and Jade and Lucy laughed.

"Yes," she told him. "I'll be going there with these two and Seb and Nick."

"Looking forward to it?"

"Does anyone?" Jade asked. "I can't believe the holidays are nearly over."

"Me neither," Kirsty sighed. "They always go flying past."

"Well I'm quite looking forward to it," Lucy admitted. "I don't like school much, I never have, but it'll be fun going to a new place."

"That's the spirit!" Dylan grinned at her and patted her shoulder. "I'll be there too, you can always come over and say hello if you see me around, these two do it all the time."

"I will," Lucy agreed, still blushing and hoping that it wasn't too noticeable. "Thank you."

"My pleasure." He smiled again, then turned to the twins. "I've got to go. I'll see all of you later. Bye you two, bye Lucy!"

He waved his hand and then turned and started to walk away, pausing only once to glance back over his shoulder at them and smile.

"He's nice," Lucy said, trying to keep her voice casual. The twins looked at each other and laughed, not the least bit fooled.

"You like him, don't you?" Kirsty laughed as Lucy blushed. "I don't blame you, he's a nice guy."

"Very nice." Jade agreed. "If you like him, go for it."

"He'll never be interested in me."

"We'll help you get him," Kirsty promised. "Won't we, Jade?" Her twin sister nodded. "He obviously likes you, so all we have to do is build on that. We need is a plan."

*~*~*~*~*~*

That evening, Kane found himself standing on the deserted jetty. He knew that he should go home, but he couldn't face it just then. When he had gone to the gym, Jesse had kindly informed him that they didn't need anyone else just then. Nothing personal, just bad luck. So he was still without a job and it didn't look as though he would be able to find one any time soon. No matter how hard he tried to put his past behind him, it always came back to haunt him in the end.

The sound of footsteps startled him from his thoughts. He turned his head and was fairly alarmed to see Dani approaching, probably on her way to meet Josh.

"I…I…" He was nervous, not quite sure what to say. The two had seen each other around since he had come back, but he had always taken care to keep out of her way. And it was growing late; there weren't many other people around, just the two of them. Finally he found his voice. "I was just going."

"You don't…" Dani hesitated and then shook her head. "You don't have to leave because I'm here. Just…stay where you are."

"Very well." Kane nodded and turned back to looking across the sea. "How…have you been recently?"

"Well enough," the girl smiled briefly, though it was hardly noticeable in the darkness. "Though I hardly dare say it, things finally seem to be going right for once. For me, for mum and dad, for all of us."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"How about you?" she asked, much to his surprise. "Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but I couldn't help noticing that you really don't look happy."

"My aunt isn't doing well," Kane said after a moment, hardly able to believe that he and Dani Sutherland were having this conversation. "She's had to spend a lot of time in bed recent, it's frustrating for her and upsetting for me. She insists that I go out, but I really don't like leaving her for too long in case she needs something. Her neighbours come in regularly to check on her, but often it's just me and her."

"That must be hard."

"It is," he agreed. "And I can't find a job either, Alf won't employ me on the boats because he's worried that Benny and I might end up killing each other and Jesse says that he doesn't need anyone else at the gym just now."

"Hopefully something will come up sooner or later," Dani nodded sympathetically. "What about you and Emma? Is everything okay between you two?"

"Things have been…difficult recently," Kane admitted hesitantly. "Since she started with this counselling business, she's been keeping her distance from me."

"It can't be easy for her," Dani said thoughtfully, not looking at him. "I remember how I felt when I did my counselling, it was horrible, really upsetting. I had to take all these memories I had tried to forget and remember them all again so that I could start dealing with them. That was pretty traumatic at first and I found it difficult to have Josh near me too, for a while. But it will get easier in time, for the both of you."

"I hope so," he put his elbows on the damp wood and put his head in his hands. "It's so hard for me too, she's hurting and I want to help her, but I can't. I'd do anything for her, Dani, but I can't make the memories go away."

"All you can do is be there for her and let her know that you're ready to listen whenever she needs to talk. She might be pushing you away right now, but she will need your support soon enough." She paused and turned to him, studying him in the near darkness. "You really do love her, don't you?"

"Of course I do!" Kane said at once. "I've never felt this way about anyone before, it almost feels like I've been given a second chance. We'll get through all this somehow, we'll have to because I'm not letting her go, no matter what anyone has to say about it." He fell silent and when he spoke again, his voice was slightly strained. "I suppose it's thanks to you that we've got this far," he admitted. "Agreeing to give me another chance and everything, I can't thank you enough for that, Dani."

"We've all got to put the past behind us at some point," Dani shrugged her shoulders. "Emma's a nice girl and I think you are good together. It's time for all of us to put our differences aside and move on."

"You're right, of course." Kane admitted. "It's just a shame that not everyone feels the same way."

"Dad's very wary," she told him. "But he'll come round in time. And so will Benny, you'll see. If you are that worried, maybe you should try talking to him. I'm sure that it won't be as bad as you think."

"Maybe I will. I suppose it couldn't make things much worse than they already are and if I show him that I've changed…" he smiled faintly. "Thanks Dani. I feel a lot better now. I'd better get back, see to my aunt. I don't like to leave her alone for too long. I'll…see you around."

"Yes," Dani smiled back at him, ever so slightly. "Take care of yourself, Kane."

As he walked away, Kane felt better than he had all day. Dani had made an effort to be friendly and he understood now how hard that must have been for her. And she had been right; it was time for him to take matters into his own hands. First thing in the morning, he would go to see Benny… 

Next chapter: Kane tries to make amends with Benny but doesn't quite get the results he hoped for and Kirsty's relationship with Seb runs into difficulties.