Drovers Run … The year Claire turns nineteen ...

"Dad where are you?" Claire calls.

"I'm in the office."

"What's wrong." Claire questions as soon as she sees her father's face.

Holding up the letter in his hand he replies. "I've just received a letter from Ruth."

"Tess's Mum?"Claire questions.

Jack nods.

"What does she want?"

Jack scratches his chin as he exhales then replies. "She's sick so she wants us to have Tess stay here until she's better."

"What? We weren't good enough before and now she decides we are! Tell her to go to hell!"Claire snarls.

"If it was Ruth I would but it's Tess and she's your sister."

"Half-sister." Claire snaps.

Jack doesn't respond until Claire states. "You're going to say yes aren't you."

"I have no choice, Claire; your sister needs us."

Claire frowns as she shakes her head slowly.

….

It's a quiet affair as dinner is eaten in the dining room.

As Meg brings in desert Jack informs her of Tess's arrival the day after tomorrow.

Unaware of Claire's anger Meg innocently replies. "It will be lovely for the girls to get reacquainted."

Picking up her plate Claire states. "Why would I want to do that? I don't need a sister I've got Stevie."

Stevie looks stunned and doesn't know where to look or what to say.

Claire storms from the room.

….

Sitting in her highchair Rose eagerly waits for more food but her mother is distracted.

Meg smiles and nodding towards the baby suggests. "Unless you want a mutiny, I'd pay attention."

Stevie looks back at the baby and offers more food as Jack stands and grumbles. "I've lost my appetite Meg I might have something later."

Both watch as Jack leaves the room.

"This isn't going to be pleasant, is it?" Stevie questions looking at Meg.

Meg shakes her head.

….

Drovers Run …. Two weeks later ….

Tears stream down Tess's face as an angry, snarling Claire unleashes on her.

"Hey! What in the hell are you yelling at her for?" Alex growls.

"Butt out Alex it's none of your business." Claire retorts.

"Yeah, we'll I'm making it my business." He responds.

Claire storms off as Nick and Stevie arrive alerted by the yelling, Alex is in hot pursuit of Claire.

"Nick! You take care of Tess I'll go after Claire and Alex." Stevie demands.

…

Nick doesn't know what to do or how to help so just gently pats her back.

She grabs him and hugs in close, as her tears and heartache unfurl.

Nick smiles and enjoys the new girls embrace despite her tears.

"Hey it'll be ok. Claire's a good person, really, she is." Nick offers.

Despite her sadness Tess laughs and asks. "Have you met my sister?"

Grinning down at her Nick wipes her tears.

Tess searches his handsome face.

Pushing back, she thanks him for his care and concern and goes in search of her sister.

Nick watches her go and decides he likes her very much and would like to get to know her better.

…..

Kilarney …. Dinner time ….

As the Ryan's sit down to eat their evening meal Tess McLeod is the main topic of conversation.

Alex and Nick comment about the verbal fight the girls had while they were there.

"Tell me again why you were even on Drovers Run?" Harry questions.

"We were helping Jack with the muster." Alex replies.

"I thought that was next week." Harry comments.

"No today and tomorrow." Nick answers.

Harry nods.

…

"Tess was a sweet child I don't understand how she has changed." Liz remarks.

"She's not the problem." Alex offers.

"Claire is." Nick adds then continues "I've never seen Claire behave like this; we all know she can be grumpy, but she's been downright nasty to Tess."

"Well, that's not very nice especially as Tess would be worried about her Mum." Liz offers.

"What's wrong with her?" Nick questions.

"Jack said it's cancer and things are fairly grim for Ruth." Harry offers.

"Does Tess know that?" Nick asks.

"She knows it's cancer but not the severity." Harry replies.

…..

Drovers Run…. A week later after another of Claire's outbursts on Tess.

"Claire, talk to me." Stevie suggests.

"Nothing to say."

"Bullshit! You're behaving like a crazy woman. Tess is sweet Claire, I know she's citified but sweet nonetheless and of no threat to you, your father or Drovers Run." Stevie argues.

"She left me Stevie."Claire's snarls.

Stevie looks shocked and answers softly. "Claire she was just a little girl. She had no choice."

"She never wrote to me or rang me. I could have been dead for all she knew."

"Did you write to her?"

Claire looks guilty as she replies. "Well no, I didn't have an address."

Stevie shakes her head and suggests. "You're older and you couldn't or didn't correspond how on earth can you blame her. If anyone is to blame, it's Jack and Ruth but not Tess. You need to get a grip McLeod because you're annoying the shit out of all of us."

Claire grins at her friend and quips. "Cut to the chase, don't you?"

Stevie grins back at her and retorts. "It's a calling I think."

Claire's smile fades and she asks. "I don't know what to do Stevie."

"I call bullshit Claire, she's your sister and she loves you and I have my suspicions you love her too."

Stevie is stunned by the sadness she witnesses's in her friend.

…..

Silence surrounds them for a moment , glancing at the ground Claire looks up.

As her chin trembles she admits. "I cried myself to sleep for weeks after they left Stevie. Kept waiting for them to come back. They didn't. So, I got tough and decided I didn't need them."

Stevie's eyes shift.

Claire turns.

Tess is standing with tears streaming down her face.

" Oh Claire I cried for you and Dad too."

Claire freezes.

Stepping forward Stevie puts her arm around her friend and suggests quietly . "I find hugs help break down walls Claire. Give it a try."

Tess stands still , waiting for her sister to react , speak or even yell at her again.

Stevie leaves them to it but as she walks back towards the house to check on a sleeping Rose she glances back .

Tess lifts her arms to Claire and slowly they embrace.

Tears drift down Stevie's face, she needs to get away before her emotions get the better of her.

She's building a reputation for being tough and she'd like to keep it that way.

….