Adelaide….Tom and Michelle's home. Weeks after Rose found out Stevie was her mother.
"Rose ! Open the door right this minute!" Michelle snarls.
As she's about to knock again Rose flings the door open and snaps ." What do you want Michelle?"
"Stop calling me Michelle ."
"Oh sorry want do you want Auntie Michelle ?"
Michelle is taken aback for a second then spits "My name is Mum."
"See that's just it Auntie Michelle you aren't my Mum are you?" Rose retorts before pushing past her Aunt.
"Stop right there young lady!" Michelle demands.
Rose doesn't even slow down let alone stop.
…..
Kilarney …..
Stevie strides into the kitchen taking her hat off as she does.
A document on the table catches her eye.
Leaning on the table she begins to read .
Alex slips across the room and slides his arms around her .
Giggling she quips ." There you are ! I thought you were helping me this afternoon ."
" I helped alright, didn't you read the letter?"
"I just started."
" Rose is yours Stevie and she can live with us . Bryce has done all the legal stuff."
She turns into his arms and looking up questions."Really?"
Almost as quickly as she asks that question another follows"What if she doesn't want to live here ."
Alex smiles at her and replies." Calm down missy this is our first step. This piece of paper gives you rights , access and a huge amount of power over Michelle and Tom."
Stevie hugs into him overwhelmed by this news.
….
Adelaide ….Rose's room….
Rose sits snuggled up on her bed an array of envelopes , letters and pictures around her.
In her hand she holds the latest mobile phone .
Placing it on the bed she picks up the letter that accompanied it and rereads it.
G'Day Rose,
Thank you for your last letter we really enjoyed it and laughed so much .
You're a funny girl, you should take creative writing classes or something.
Stevie ( Mum) is doing really well and so wants to talk to you herself but understands that you need space. She is so happy you consented to me writing to you and looks forward as much as I do to your letters. I've purchased this phone for you and will pay the bill so you can always ring or text us. I bought Stevie one too so when you feel like it you can text or ring her yourself but I have to let you know she's not flash with technology . Ha ha . Our numbers , emails as well as Drovers information is in it as well. Anyway I'd best get going as we're cutting our firewood for Winter at the moment so there's lots to do .
Take care Rose and know you are in our thoughts and hearts always
Love Alex and Stevie ( Mum) xx
Placing the letter back on the bed with all the others Rose lifts the phone up and takes a selfie surrounded by the correspondence from Kilarney.
Satisfied with the picture she taps out a message and presses send .
…
Gungellan Post office ..days later…
Stevie stands with Jodie and Jocelyn talking about the dinner dance at the country club they're all attending on Friday .
Stevie had just posted another letter and parcel to Rose and was happily showing Jodie the photo Rose had sent to her new phone .
"It's a photo of her with all of our letters around her Jodes but it's the fact she sent it to me and look it says "Thank-you I love it x"
…..
Jodie smiles and touching her friends arm says " She's thawing Stevie I'm so happy for y.."
Jodie stops mid sentence and turns swiftly .
"Stevie it's the boots ."
" What boots?"
"Jacks boots" Jodie whispers .
The two women watch as Rob Shelton walks away from them as his boots send a click tap noise from the metal trims on the soles.
"Whose boots?" Jocelyn inquires.
"Jack Mcleod always had metal trims on his boots, a lot of the old timers did back then, it stops them from wearing out so quickly." Stevie responds.
Jodie mouths "Thank-you."
Stevie raises an eyebrow and grins at her friend as she watches the barman climb into his car.
Jodie touches her fingers to her lips remembering the soft, sensual kiss she'd received on the night Leo hit her , she also remembers the click tap noise someones boots made on the asphalt.
…