Mason tells Beryl that she's been good for him, and Beryl replies
that Mason has been a great help to her, too. She reminds him
that they're supposed to be having dinner, but Mason says he just
wants to talk. He tells Beryl that with all the tension in the
office, it helps to relax with her. Beryl tells him he works too
hard, and Mason replies that he realises that - which is why he
needs a break. He says he's been planning one for ages, and now
he means to take it - he wants to go to the Greek Islands. Beryl
says it sounds lovely. Mason tells her that it's time she
saw some of the world, and he invites her to come with him. Beryl
says she couldn't. Mason tells her it's what they both need, but
Beryl replies that she can't afford it. Mason tells her that money
doesn't matter, as any day now he's expecting a boost in his finances.
Beryl points out that they hardly know each other, and she repeats
that, as with the flat idea, she'd prefer to be independent. Mason
tells Beryl that he owes her a lot, and he asks her to think it
over and have lunch with him tomorrow. Beryl says she can't, and
she adds that she needs more than a night to make a decision.
Mason tells her to just make sure the answer is yes. Beryl goes
to get the dinner out of the oven, but looks worried as she does
it.
David and John get in to the Palmer house, and John remarks
that it's good not having Hal Mason breathing down his neck. He
asks his father if he wants to talk about what's going on between
Mason and Beryl, but David replies that there's not much to say.
John tells David that they've been seeing more of each other,
but he thinks Beryl belongs in Melbourne. David points out that
Beryl has to make up her own mind. John says he was looking forward
to them all being together again, but he can't see it happening
now. Patricia arrives, blaming her lateness on the traffic. David
tells her that Lynn has left some dinner in the oven for them,
and Patricia remarks that Lynn spoils him. She suggests they open
some wine, but David has to tell her that it's not drunk much
round there. He offers to go out and get some, though, and he
leaves. Patricia tells John that she never expected she'd be serving
dinner in the Palmer house for the three of them, adding that
the food smells good. She asks John if there have been any problems
between him and David at work, but John says it probably just
needs time. Patricia tells him to leave David to her.
John says he hoped she'd say that!
Later, at the dinner table, Patricia remarks that it's a shame
Angela couldn't make it, as the four of them still haven't had
a family meal together. She laughs as it occurs to her that it
could almost be a business dinner for the Southern Freight contingent.
David asks her how come she never mentioned that Ramberg had taken
the company over, and Patricia replies that she was overseas when
the deal took place, and she's only just caught up with the news.
She jokes that she's surprised David didn't resign on principle,
but David replies that he probably would have - once.
John offers more wine, but David declines, and so John points
out to him that he's a white collar worker now. David, though,
says he doesn't feel as if he belongs behind a desk. He says he
had to prove he could do it to start with, but now he'd much prefer
to be back on the road. Patricia tells him that that's negative
thinking, and she points out that he and John are in a wonderful
position - they just have to learn to work with each other, and
not let pride get in the way.
Wayne pulls into a space at the Ramberg car park, and gets out
of his car. Hal Mason, who is parked next to him, asks him what
he's doing there. Wayne replies that he does still work there,
but Mason tells him that he's parked in a space reserved for senior
staff. He orders Wayne to go and park in the street, or risk his
car being towed away. Wayne reluctantly gets back in his car and
reverses out.
Mason is hanging Lindy's picture on his office wall when Paul
comes in and admires the artwork. He asks how Lindy is, and Mason
replies that she's fine, although he misses her. He asks Paul
why he's there, and Paul reminds Mason that he asked
him to come. Mason remembers, and proceeds to tell Paul that he
has accrued four months' leave, and has been putting it off for
ages, but now he wants to take a holiday - almost immediately.
Paul says they'll need some notice, as the transport division
is going through a rocky patch, and they need Mason there. Mason,
though, reminds Paul that the deal went against him yesterday,
so he can't expect him to try and find an alternative. Paul points
out to Mason that he is the MD, but Mason says he's done
the work and earned the break - and he'll only be away for four
or five weeks, not the whole four months. He adds that he's not
being bloody-minded, just selfish. Paul tells Mason to keep him
posted on any decisions that are made. Mason says he hopes Paul
understands. Paul says he does - although he's not sure the board
will...
Jill arrives at Dural to see Gayle, and is let in by Gordon.
He tells Jill that he's glad Gayle has found a friend. Jill says
she felt sorry for the girl. She remarks that Rosie's son can't
have been much of a father, and Gordon replies that he was certainly
a no-hoper 25 years ago. He then asks Jill how Fiona is, and Jill
tells him that she appreciated the advice. Gordon says he was
glad to help. Jill asks him if he and Fiona really want to be
friends, and Gordon admits that he should bury the hatchet. Jill
tells him to give Fiona a ring, as she'd really like it. She goes
to look for Jill, and Gordon goes to the 'phone. He dials a number
and gets through to a florists, from whom he orders some flowers
to be delivered.
Paul is in his office when Wayne comes in. He remarks on how
small the office is, and Paul tells him that it was his grandfather's.
Wayne says it was good of Gordy to give Paul that business advice,
and Paul agrees that he was glad of it. Wayne remarks on how he
saw Mason's secretary taking some holiday brochures into his office.
Paul tells Wayne that that's Mason's business. Wayne tells Paul
that being in accounts has its benefits - it's quite an eye-opener
really, as you come across all sorts of interesting titbits. He
says he hasn't found out much at the moment, but if he comes across
something useful, Paul will be the first to know...
At the South Yarra house, John asks Patricia if she knew Hal
Mason was going on leave. She says she didn't. John tells her
that Mason has booked for two. He adds that he doesn't want David
to find out about that - and at that moment, David comes in. He's
surprised to see John there, and so John makes up an excuse about
needing Patricia to sign some papers. David offers his son a lift
home, which John accepts. As they leave, John says to Patricia
that there's not much they can do about it. Patricia says, "No,
there isn't."
Susan is vacuuming when David gets back to the Palmer house.
She stops what she's doing and gives David a letter, which she
says looks as if it's from the bank. David opens it, reads it,
and then exclaims that, because it wasn't his and Beryl's fault,
the bank is giving them a refund of the $7,000 Noel ripped off.
Susan looks shocked when she hears this, and David suddenly remembers
that they never told her what had happened. He explains about
Noel stealing his bank book and forging his signature. Susan asks
why she wasn't told, and David tells her that there was no point,
as she was already upset. He adds that it was alright, particularly
with the way it has turned out now. Susan tells her father that
he and Beryl are incredible. David points out, "Were
incredible." Susan suggests to him that he should go and
talk to Beryl, but David replies that, from what John said, things
could be serious between Beryl and Mason. He remarks that it's
funny the money turning up now, as he and Beryl were going to
put a deposit on a truck, and he was going to strike out on his
own. Susan tells him he can still do it, but David says half the
money is Beryl's. Susan says that, however things turn out, she'll
always think David is the best there is.
Jill calls at Fiona's, but Beryl answers the door and says Fiona
is out. Jill tells Beryl it was actually her she wanted
to see, and she gives her a parcel which was delivered to the
restaurant. Beryl opens it, and finds it stuffed full of brochures
for the Greek Islands. She tells Jill about Mason's plans, and
how he wants her to go with him, but she isn't sure of her feelings.
Jill says she knows how Beryl feels, as she put John
through hell when she split with Wayne, and it must be even harder
for Beryl after twenty years. Jill tells Beryl not to make the
same mistake as her, when she wouldn't let John get too
close, and then missed out. Beryl says it's strange to admit it,
but there's never been anyone other than David. Jill tells her
that she has to decide if her marriage is really over, and if
it is, and she cares for Hal, she should consider that he could
be just what she needs.
An angry Hal Mason is on the 'phone to Berry. Berry tells him
that they've missed out. Mason yells that Berry said it was a
no-risk deal, but Berry just says it fell through. Mason snaps
that he went against the board. Berry says there's nothing he
can do, and he tells Mason that he'll just have to sort it out
himself. Mason slams the 'phone down, and looks at it in disbelief.
Jill goes to see Fiona, but meets her outside Fiona's front
door, as Fiona is just on her way out. She tells Jill that she
got some flowers from Gordon, and then he called her to invite
her for dinner at Dural. Jill remarks that he didn't waste any
time, which causes Fiona to remark that she thought Jill
must have had something to do with it. She adds that she's grateful,
as she really wanted to sort it out. Jill says she's pleased to
help Fiona for a change. Fiona heads towards the front door, saying,
"Here goes..."
When she arrives at Dural, Gordon thanks her for coming, even
though there was a lack of notice. Fiona says she could hardly
refuse. Gordon offers her a drink. Fiona says she was beginning
to think she'd never be invited to Dural again. Gordon says, "Friends?"
and he tells Fiona that he only has himself to blame for letting
Patricia pull the wool over his eyes for so long. Fiona tells
him not to be too hard on himself, as Patricia's a very cunning
woman. Gordon tells Fiona that she was right about Patricia and
James as well, but Fiona points out that it's all over now. Gordon
says he thinks Patricia only has feelings for John and Angela.
Fiona says, "Not David?" Gordon says he doubts it.
At the South Yarra house, Patricia tells David that she's had
a letter from Gordon's solicitor, and he wants to start divorce
proceedings as soon as possible. She adds that it's probably for
the best. She tells David that neither of them have had any real
life after Woombai, as they went back to their families because
they felt obliged, rather than because they loved them. She says
they've never been able to please themselves, but now, with the
kids there as well, she feels as if they're closer than ever.
David says it's been great. Patricia says, "After the divorce,
do you think we have a chance together?"
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