CHAPTER EIGHT

Morag checked her watch as she saw Laura walk into Noah's Bar. It was 6.30 pm and the poor woman looked haggard.

" Hello Morag," Laura greeted her friend wearily, " Do I need a drink." She went up to the bar and ordered one. She then joined Morag on the couch. They chatted about things other than the impending hearing. Morag asked about Jacob and Laura told her he seemed to be settling in well with the new school. He was a bright kid and would catch up in no time.

Beth watched Morag and her friend Laura. Those two have been meeting here every night around the same time for a week. They obviously enjoyed each other's company.

Beth started doing the inventory and frowned when the figures didn't quite add up. She rechecked again and her worst fears were confirmed, two bottles of alcohol had gone missing.

She turned to one of the casuals and asked him if he knew anything about the missing bottles. He shook his head and asked if she definitely knew if they were missing. She got him to check the inventory just in case her calculations were off.

" Nope, you were right the first time," Chris shrugged and went to serve a customer. Beth frowned, and tried to remember if there was a time she was momentarily away from the Bar. When she was on shift, she was hardly ever away from the Bar. If she was, there was always someone manning it.

It was really worrying if there was someone around stealing alcohol from right under your nose. Beth promised herself to be more vigilant from now on.

Laura glanced at her watch and lurched to her feet, " It's nearly nine! I must get home and see how Jacob is doing." She swayed a bit on her feet, " I think I had more than I planned." She slurred.

" Then we better get you home." (They had driven in Morag's car).

Driving home, Laura seemed to sober up somewhat. " Thanks for tonight, I really needed it." Laura said, " Took my mind of the you-know-what."

Morag nodded. Admittedly she was more worried about the case than she let on. Westerman was a really tough lawyer to beat. She's never been opposite him before, only what she's read of him.

If I lose this case, Laura will lose Jacob and I may lose a friend. Morag thought casting a sideways glance at her. She valued her friendship… she felt closer to Laura than anyone else in Summer Bay.

They headed for Laura's apartment. " Well…I'll see you tomorrow night." Laura said as she grabbed her keys out of the handbag.

Morag nodded and put a hand on her arm, " Try not to worry." She said gently and Laura nodded. She could not help but think, It's easy for you to say. You don't have the most important thing in your life at stake.

The keys dropped from her hand and they both knelt to retrieve them when their hands brushed together. Laura glanced at her friend and in a split second decision, she planted a kiss on Morag's mouth!

Morag was stunned as she felt the woman's lips on hers and her first instinct was to recoil, but she didn't. Instead she found herself returning the kiss-tentatively.

Oh my God, what am I doing? Morag thought to herself as the kiss gradually deepened…

Sam Tate pulled to a stop and got out of the car. That's the tackiest thing I've ever seen. Sam thought sneering at the welcome sign in front of him. He was in the outskirts of Summer Bay. Just off in the distance, he could see the ocean.

Laura was about to get the surprise of her life…she would not know what hit her.