Three weeks later...Drovers Run...

Alex pulls his Ute to a halt at the front of the house.

Jodi, Kate and a blonde woman are working up at the shed.

He walks towards them.

" Hi!" He calls.

"Hi Alex how are you?" Jodi questions.

" I'm ok Jodi listen I wanted to talk to Stevie is she around?"

" Alex this is Taylor our new worker ." Kate offers.

" G'day Taylor pleased to meet you."Alex replies.

Taylor holds her hand out to shake his hand.

...

Looking back at Jodi Alex asks." Stevie?"

"She's not here Alex." Jodi answers.

His stomach lurches.

" Why where is she?" He asks.

" Up north she's gone to visit Ben."

"Her cousin?" He asks.

"Yes she said she needed a break she seemed really stressed although I'm not sure what about." Kate answers.

Alex looks at her.

...

" How was the honeymoon?" Jodi asks.

He looks at her and replies." You spoke to Tess."

"Yes I did." Jodi replies.

"I don't really want to talk about it Jodi." He comments.

Jodi nods.

...

"When is she back?" He asks.

Kate and Jodi look at each other.

" What?" He asks.

" Well she didn't say she was coming back. " Kate comments.

" What?" He exclaims.

" But she didn't say she wasn't either." Jodi adds seeing the shock on his face.

...

Darwin...

Stevie sits with her feet up and a beer in her hand.

" Cheers." Ben offers holding up his stubby.

"Yeah cheers." Stevie replies.

She sips then holds the beer between both hands and looks deep in thought.

"So are you going to tell me why you're here?" Ben asks.

"I'm on holidays." She replies.

...

" Ok. How long are you here for?" Ben asks.

She looks at him and asks." Is there a time limit?"

" Well no but I'm wondering who you're running away from this time." He answers.

She glares at him and grumbles." I'm not running away from anyone."

" No?" Ben questions.

" No." She retorts.

...

"If you say so."

Stevie looks at him then asks." Do you remember me my friend Alex?"

" Alex Ryan yeah I do why?" Ben asks.

" Nothing it doesn't matter."

"Stevie?" Ben questions placing his hand on her arm.

Despite her best efforts her tears flow when she confesses." He got married Ben and my heart hurts."

Rising he moves beside her and rest his arm about her shoulders.

She leans in and lets her sorrow escape.

...