Wednesday 1 am...Drover's Run
Tess hears Stevie's Ute rumble into the shed and reaching to draw the clock closer she registers it's almost one o'clock in the morning.
Rising she grabs her dressing gown from the end of her bed and wraps it around herself.
Nick sleeps on.
...
In the shearers quarters Alex has heard it too and in the next room Kate does as well.
Briefly glancing at her clock she rolls over, closes her eyes and drifts back to sleep.
Alex flicks the light on and hurriedly grabs his clothes.
Picking up his toothpaste he squirts some of the peppermint goo into his mouth.
Swigging from the water bottle beside his bed he holds the concoction in his mouth.
...
Rushing outside he swills the two ingredients around his mouth before spitting them onto a bush.
He runs the back of his hand across his face to wipe any remains of spittle caused from the mint wash away.
In a second he registers the bristles on his face but disregards them.
No way in hell she'll let him get that close to her.
Not yet anyway.
...
Stevie has turned the engine off and slowly opened the Ute door moving as a silhouette across the yard.
Only the crunching of her boots on the gravel giving away her path and her destination.
Reaching the screen door she is about to open it when the door opens spewing light onto her and temporarily blinding her.
The soft voice of Tess and her concern reach out and guide Stevie inside.
"Oh my God Stevie where have you been we've been so worried and what happened to your arm?"Tess gushes.
Tess sees the tears welling and offers. "Come on let's have a cuppa."
...
Stevie has just sat down at the table and Tess is fussing with the kettle, the pot and the cups when they both turn hearing the back door open.
Alex appears in the doorway and his face shows his concern and that he's had little or no sleep.
He makes eye contact with Tess.
In three steps he's beside Stevie.
"I'm so sorry Stevie."He offers gently placing his hand on her good shoulder.
" Take your hand off me."She states.
It isn't what he wanted her to say.
He isn't surprised though.
Tess moves swiftly and taking his arm gently directs him back towards the exit.
"Alex not now please go back to your room." Tess advises.
"But it's my fault Tess I want to fix this." He sighs.
"That may be, but now isn't the time Alex . Go and get some sleep and maybe you can talk in the morning." Tess directs.
The entire time he hasn't taken his eyes off Stevie.
"Alex!" Tess says softly.
He looks down at her and she gestures for him to leave.
He nods.
...
With the kettle boiled the two women sit.
Stevie says nothing.
Tess asks. "What happened to your arm Stevie?"
"Took a tumble off Banjo is all."Stevie replies softly.
Tess searches her face.
"Does it have anything to do with the wound on Alex's head?" Tess asks.
The tough exterior that is Stevie is sucked into a vortex of sadness as the emotions and feelings from the inside engulf her.
Tess watches as her chin trembles and her tears run.
"Oh Stevie." Tess says as she offers her arms.
...
Wednesday six am...
Tess is up early preparing breakfast when Alex appears in the doorway.
"Morning." He offers.
Tess glares at him.
"She told you."He asks.
"Some." Tess offers coldly.
"It's all my fault Tess."He confesses.
"No! Really? "She growls.
"I can fix this .I just need to talk to her." He offers.
Tess turns on him and snarls. "You stay away from her. She's had such a shitty life and she comes here and finally feels like she has a home where she'll be loved and cared about and then along comes you and your stupid practical jokes and strip her of everything and make her feel like a fool."
"But Tess I ..." He begins.
"Save it! How much do you think she can take? I know you think she's your MATE! But she's a WOMAN Alex! And despite what you appear to think she is soft and kind and has this beautiful heart and is such a gentle soul but it's all hidden under this tough exterior that's she's had to build around her to survive. She doesn't just shake things off even though she makes it look that way, she feels them deeply and you've hurt her so much. I don't even know why she'd keep you as a friend?"
"Because she loves me." He says sounding wounded.
Tess glares at him and asks. "You know?"
"She told me the night at the pub but I don't think she remembers." He states.
"If I was a man I'd belt the livin' daylights out of you right now. Why in the hell is she upstairs with a bloody broken wrist Alex?" She yells.
"I was trying to ..." He starts to explain but she shuts him down.
"What trying to destroy her completely? Trying to humiliate her? Trying to make her your very own joke of the day? I thought you were a genuine person Alex but I don't even want to be in the same room as you! You make me sick." She rages and walks from the room leaving him alone.
His eyes glaze over and he whispers. "I was trying to tell her I love her too."
...
Nick walks into the kitchen and says. "Ha should have known it was you! What have you done to Tess I just passed her on the stairs and I couldn't even get a "Hello "out of her?"
Alex inhales and turning says. "I won't have breakfast I'll meet you at the shearing shed later."
"Are you alright?" Nick asks.
"No I'm not but Tess will be thrilled about that."He replies and then he's gone.
...
Wednesday 7am
Kate and Jodi arrive for breakfast.
Tess and Nick have it all ready.
"Stevie's back I heard her come in early this morning." Kate offers brightly as she fills her coffee cup.
"She won't be shearing today." Tess states.
"Oh why not?' Jodi asks grabbing a slice of toast.
"She took a tumble off Banjo and her wrists broken." Nick offers.
"Is she alright?" Kate asks.
Tess smiles and says. "Bruised and a bit sad but she'll be ok. We'll take care of her."
"Just as well we've got Alex then." Jodi quips.
Tess and Nick exchange looks and Jodi pounces. "What's going on?"
"Drop it Jodi." Tess says in a tone that warns not to ask anything else.
...
Wednesday midday...
Tess walks into the kitchen and is surprised that lunch is prepared already.
"Stevie what do you think you're doing? You're supposed to be resting."Tess exclaims.
"I'm going stir crazy Tess." Stevie offers.
"Well thank you but you can go and sit outside with the others now and rest." Tess chuckles as she guides Stevie towards the door.
Stevie laughs and continues on but turning back says. "Oh I just needed to get the salt and pepper and a garbage bag."
Tess looks around grabs them and smiling walks towards Stevie and then the smile disappears.
Stevie looks at her then glances behind her and Alex is standing there.
He smiles down at Stevie and says. "How's your arm?"
"Broken." She replies and grabbing the condiments and bag off Tess moves into the porch.
...
Alex has moved into the kitchen to get a glass of water and Tess has another go at him.
Stevie has dropped the bag and bending to pick it up hears Tess growling. "Give up Alex just leave her alone!"
"Why don't you mind your own damn business Tess it's got nothing to do with you?"He snaps.
"Nothing to do with me she's my friend and I care about her." She yells.
"Yeah well she my friend too.' He snarls.
Stevie quietly opens the back door and leaves them too it .
...
"Ha some friend you are! All you do is hurt her. You have no idea what she feels or how your actions affect her." Tess yells.
"And you have no idea how I feel about her Tess or how it affects me when I see her cry. She's out there with a broken arm because of my stupidity . I hurt her and that was the last thing I wanted to do. Just stop for a minute and think about this she is my absolute best friend and I would do anything! anything for her! I need to speak to her and tell her I'm sorry but you keep sticking your bloody nose in our business." He lectures.
Tess stands staring at him.
...