Drovers Run…Several months later …Late in the afternoon.

Dusty and dirty Stevie and Claire unload the fencing gear and pack it neatly into the shed.

"Are you seeing Chris tonight?" Stevie asks.

"Sure am he's picking me up at five thirty."

Stevie nods then asks. "How long is he back for this time?"

"What do you mean by that?" Claire snaps.

"Nothing." Stevie offers realising she's touched a nerve.

Claire stops what she's doing and with her hand on her hip snarls." Spit it out Stevie!"

"I don't trust him, and I don't want to see you get hurt that's all."

"That's ridiculous Stevie why wouldn't you trust him?"

"Claire, he disappears all the time. He's here for a fortnight then he's gone for weeks at a time."

"So what! Doctors have seminars and training and stuff you know."

"Right."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"What about the odd phone calls he takes."

"Nothing to it Stevie, he's a Dr it's called confidentiality that's all." Claire grumbles as she climbs back into the Ute to park it up.

….

Jack walks out to greet the girls and looks concerned.

"Where's Rose?" Stevie questions.

"Megs got her out in the veggie garden."

"What's wrong?" Claire asks.

"Ruth passed away."

"How's Tess?" Claire asks.

"I'm not sure, she sent an email but won't answer my calls." Jack replies.

Looking at Stevie Claire asks. "Road trip?"

With sadness in her eyes Stevie replies. "Yep."

"Come on then let's get cleaned up." Claire remarks.

…

Ruth and Tess's home….The following morning…

Claire knocks and steps back beside Stevie.

As the door opens a young man greets them. "Hello, can I help you?"

"I'm looking for Tess." Claire replies.

"Who should I say is calling? "

"I'm her sister who in the hell are you?" Claire snaps impatiently.

"Oh, sorry I'm Dave her boyfriend. Come in."

Stevie and Claire glance at each other before following him inside.

….

Tess lifts her face as Dave walks back into the living room.

"Oh Claire!" Tess, gushes as she rises.

Claire moves swiftly into her sister's arms.

"I'll make some tea." Dave announces.

Tess and Claire need some privacy so Stevie follows Dave and offers "I'll help, shall I?"

….

Kilarney…

Alex sits on the floor playing with Rose.

Nearby Liz sits knitting.

" Stevie was ok with Rose staying here ?" Liz questions.

Smiling up at his mother he replies. "Yeah, she was. Jack needed Meg and Jodie to help around the farm. With both Claire and Stevie away it's too much for him."

Rising Liz holds the garment she's knitting up to Roses back.

" It's pretty Mum you're very clever." Alex remarks.

" Thank you my darling I haven't knitted since you and Nick were younger, I'm really enjoying it again."

"If you're keen, I wouldn't mind a vest for winter."

" Really? You'd wear a handmade vest? "

"Of course, I always loved the ones you made me."

"I thought you didn't think they were fashionable."

Giving her a funny look, he replies. "Hmm yeah but that was when I was young and silly."

She laughs and replies. "So, at the grand old age of 21 you're older and wiser? "

A smirk spreads across his face and he replies. " Yes ma'am."

" What colour would you like?"

" Blue and if you're really enjoying it you could knit one for Stevie too."

"I'd like that, do you think she'd wear one?"

" Yes she would definitely."

"I best get over to Fisher and buy some more wool then. I've finished this cardigan for Rose so a new project would be lovely. "

"Well, let's go now and we can have lunch while we're there."

Liz has a big smile on her face when she answers. " I would really love that Alex. Let's get organised and Rose can have a nap in the car."

Alex rises and asking his mother to watch Rose heads upstairs and gathers all they'll need for the trip with Stevie's little girl.

…

Ruth and Tess's home.

After their teary hug Claire asks " I thought you were going out with Nick? Dave said he's your boyfriend."

" Nick is a really nice guy but he is a bit immature. Dave is older and knows where he's heading in life, and I like that."

" He's old Tess."

Tess remarks. "He's only ten years older than me."

" Ten! I thought five . That's too much Tess."

"It's fine Claire honestly and I'm not ready to settle down so we're just having fun."

"I guess if it's not serious then it's ok. "Claire remarks.

Stevie and Dave return with tea, cake and biscuits so the conversation changes.

…