Drovers Run…
Alex's stomach churns as he climbs from the cab of his Ute.
He's got a date.
A real date and this time it's just the two of them.
As he closes his car door, he glimpses the interior.
Sparkling clean.
He'd spent all afternoon making sure it was spotless.
They're off to the Farmers council ball at The Country Club.
Adjusting his bow tie, he runs his hand through his hair.
….
Inside the homestead Claire is grumbling about having to dress up while Stevie and Tess are flitting around in a cloud hairspray and perfume.
"Stevie! Alex is here." Jack calls from the base of the stairs.
Running onto the landing she replies. "Tell him I'm ready. I've just gotta grab my purse."
Alex is standing beside Jack as he glimpses his date.
Jack grins as Alex inhales sharply.
…
"Wow Claire you scrub up alright." Alex comments as Claire descends.
"Oh, ha ha!"
"Take no notice of her Alex she's not happy about wearing a dress." Jack remarks.
"It's a Farmers council ball I don't get why we can't just wear jeans." Claire mutters.
With a huge smile on his face Alex watches as Stevie arrives downstairs and gushes. "Because beauty like that shouldn't be hidden by work clothes all the time."
"Thanks." Stevie responds.
Tess joins them looking equally as beautiful and very happy about going out and dressing up.
….
It took Jack and Tess awhile to convince Stevie to leave Rose with Meg and attend the ball with them.
Jack had splashed out and purchased dresses for all three girls.
Claire had grumped around the entire shopping trip while Tess and Stevie enjoyed finding just the right dress and even guiding Claire.
Stevie's dress caught her eye the minute she saw it.
It was her fairytale dress.
Her gown had cap sleeves with a sweetheart neckline and a skirt that twirled when she twisted.
Looking into the mirror she'd brushed her hands over the fabric, it was the softest material and a pretty shade of aqua.
Perfect, she thought to herself.
Tess chose an exquisite dress that had many different shades of pink and silver through it, together with her gorgeous eyes and blonde curls she looked stunning.
Stevie and Tess had gathered lots of dresses for Claire to try on and they'd offered loads of encouragement, but she'd rejected every one of them, eventually they'd wrangled her into a beautiful blue halter neck.
She'd refused to wear heels while they both chose pretty shoes that matched their dresses.
Makeup and hair were their next hurdle as initially Claire had refused both.
Tess was excitable and had tried in vain to get Claire to let her help but once again it was Stevie that convinced Claire she'd look ridiculous without it and might as well stay home.
Somewhere inside Claire she wanted to be girly like them, but she'd been so long with just her father's influence it was difficult to adjust.
So, she let them win even though she secretly loved it all too.
…
Drovers Run …...Outside …...
Holding Stevie's hand Alex guides her to his car.
Opening the door for her he chuckles when she gushes. "Crikey where'd you steal this car from its way cleaner than yours."
"Hey, it took me all afternoon to make it look like that for you so don't be mean."
Half in the car she looks up at him and asks, "You cleaned it for me?"
"Yeah of course I did."
"Why?"
Tilting his head slightly he replies." Well, I knew you'd be all dressed up and I didn't want you to get dirty."
She smiles at him and continues her entry to the cab.
Closing her door, he runs around to his side and clambers in.
…..
"Alex."
"Yeah?" He answers looking up from fastening his seatbelt.
"Thank you for tonight."
"We haven't gone anywhere yet." He replies.
She looks a bit teary as she offers. "I never got to go to my Senior Ball because I'd left school with Rose, so it kind of feels like I'm getting to do that with you."
He's lost for words so instead leans over and kisses her.
Giggling she moves back and quips. "Tongue! Really!"
"Sorry, you look so amazing that I kind of got carried away." He muses sheepishly.
Lifting her hand to his face she kisses him then states. "I never said I didn't like it."
…..
Blood rushes around his body as she returns a passionate kiss.
Wrapping his arms around her he gives in to the moment.
Shifting back, she asks. "Are these kisses leading somewhere Alex?"
"I'm not sure I know what you mean." He replies not understanding if she's talking about sex or not.
"Well, I don't have a lot of experience in this department, but shouldn't we be going out? You know not kissing anyone else."She asks.
With a huge smile on his face, he replies. "I thought we already were."
"Oh! Ok so I'm your girlfriend?"
"Yeah, if you'd like to be."
"Yes, I'd like that. Now drive or we'll miss the ball." She responds as she places her hand on his knee.
Taking one hand from the wheel his places it over his girlfriend's hand.
Glancing at her he sees her smile.
….
The Country Club…...Late in the evening.
Tess is having a wonderful time and has danced every set.
Nick had danced with her many times and managed to score a date with her tomorrow.
All the other young bucks in the district are green with envy at his good fortune.
Claire has danced with her father, Harry Ryan and Alex.
Many others asked her to dance but she'd refused them all.
….
"Alex would it be ok if you take me home now, please?"
"Aren't you having fun Stevie?"
"It's been amazing Alex honestly I've never had this much fun before but I'm really tired and Rose will be up early."
"Just one more dance Stevie then I'll take you straight home, ok?"
She agrees and takes his hand.
…
Drovers Run …. Midnight…
Stevie quietly moves into her room and removes the winner's sash from her shoulders.
"Belle of the ball." She reads aloud before draping it across her mirror.
Smiling to herself she begins to remove her makeup and thinks about how happy her life is.
She has a good job that she loves, great friends and a hot boyfriend who had beamed with pride as he led her up to the stage to accept her prize.
A gorgeous sash, a hamper full of expensive beauty products and vouchers plus $500.
A soft knock on her door draws her to open it.
"Claire! What's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Pushing Stevie back into her room Claire closes the door and answers.
"Tess has a date with Nick! I thought he liked me!"
Stunned by the admission and tears Stevie offers a hug.
…
….