A short time later, Ginny is running along the street, looking
for Craig. She spots him suddenly, sitting on a bench at the side
of the road, and she dashes over to him, demanding, "What
the hell do you think you're doing?" Craig stands up and
retorts, "Something I should've done days ago."
Ginny cries, "You're mad standing out here in the
open. Where are you going?" Craig growls, "I decided
I couldn't stand being locked-up anymore. I'm going back to Melbourne.
I miss Debbie too much." Ginny snaps, "You're prepared
to take that risk?" Craig insists, "I have
to. I don't know what on earth's going on down there.
I have to do what I can to clear myself." Ginny declares,
"Then I'm coming with you." Craig retorts, "No
you're not." Ginny snaps, "You'll get yourself into
trouble without me." Craig retorts, "Worse trouble with
you." Ginny just shrugs, "You're wasting your breath
if you think you're going to talk me out of it." Craig pauses
and then sighs, "Why waste my breath?" Ginny asks, "What
are we doing: hitching?" Craig nods at her. Ginny continues,
"We'll need a few things for the ride. I've brought a couple
of bucks: let's hit the disposal stores."
Caroline is sitting on the couch in the lounge room at Charlie's,
going through the papers that Charlie has just signed. Charlie
and Wayne look on as Caroline rants, "You shouldn't have
signed them, Charlie. He's after your money." Charlie, however,
retorts, "You know very well I had all the papers checked
by my solicitor." Caroline demands, "Did you re-read
them?" Charlie just sighs, "Oh, darling, I'm very grateful
you're so concerned, but it's alright - really."
Caroline, putting the papers down, mutters, "I can see it's
pointless trying to convince you." Charlie looks at Wayne
and then suggests, "We should be celebrating! After
all, it's not every day I become the Jane Fonda of Sydney! I'll
get some champagne." She leaves the room. Left alone with
Wayne, Caroline growls at him, "You sent me off on a wild
good chase, didn't you?" Wayne just asks 'innocently',
"Did I?" Caroline goes on curtly, "I'll bet a fortune
there's something in that contract that you didn't want me to
read. You really are as low as they come." Wayne glares at
her and then says menacingly, "I suggest you watch your mouth.
You've got no proof I've done anything - and if you keep carrying
on the way you are, I might just have you up for defamation."
Standing up, Caroline says tersely, "I only wish your father
knew what you were really like." With that, she heads out
to join Charlie in the kitchen. Wayne picks up the contract papers
and puts them in his briefcase. He stuffs the sheet he removed
into the inside pocket of his jacket.
In the main exercise room at the gym, Glen walks up to a man
working on one of the weight machines and tells him, "Just
do a set: I'll be with you in a minute." Caroline walks in
suddenly and Glen joins her, commenting, "You look a bit
annoyed." Caroline retorts, "I am furious.
I know that Wayne has conned Charlie and I know there isn't a
damn thing I can do to prove it. I'd give my eye teeth
to get him." Glen tells her, "I've got a lot
more to worry about than Wayne at the moment." Caroline
asks, "What?" Glen explains, "Craig and
Ginny: they're both missing." Caroline asks, "Missing
from where?" Glen replies, "From here:
Sydney. At least, I'm presuming they've left
town together." Caroline asks in surprise, "Craig was
up here?" Glen, realising he's let the secret out,
explains hesitantly, "We decided the less people that knew,
the better - but heaven knows what he's got himself in for by
running off again." Caroline tells him, "I wouldn't
worry about Craig doing anything foolish - he's a bright
boy." Glen, however, points out, "He is still
on the run." Caroline insists, "The only thing he's
done wrong is run away with Ginny. If he did
get into trouble, it would probably be her fault."
Glen retorts, "She's not that bad." Caroline
shrugs, "Perhaps not - but I think she's inclined to take
more risks than Craig." Glen tells her, "That's
if they have run off together. I'm only assuming
they have." Caroline then announces, "I'd better leave
you to it. Thanks anyway: you've calmed me down a little."
Glen replies, "You should do an exercise class: get rid of
all that aggro against Wayne!" Caroline, however, growls,
"Nothing could do that." She then, however,
spots a notice pinned to the wall. It's for ante-natal relaxation
classes. A smile crosses her face...
Janice is working at the desk in Fiona's room at the mansion
when Caroline walks in, smiling, "Hello, there. Doing some
difficult calculations, by the look of it!" Janice groans,
"I simply can't get the same answer twice. It's ridiculous!"
Caroline then says, "Tell me: do you remember giving a book
on exercises to Susan, for her pregnancy?" Janice nods, "Yes."
Caroline goes on, "I was just passing by the gym and I noticed
they have relaxation classes for pregnant women." Janice
asks in puzzlement, "What gym?" Caroline explains,
"Charlie's gym. She just bought it." She then
adds, "Sounds ideal for Susan, don't you think?" Janice
nods, "That's true - I believe those classes are most beneficial."
Caroline continues, "The only problem is I'm not sure if
Susan would go along to them." Janice insists, "Oh yes
she would - if she knew it was going to be good for the child
- and for her, of course." Caroline remarks, "You
sound very confident." Janice replies conspiratorially, "Just
between us, I think Susan takes a lot of notice of my advice.
Don't worry: I'll have her down there in a flash." A hint
of a smile crosses Caroline's face!
Beryl is sitting with Susan on the couch in the lounge room at
Dural, showing her a pattern for a jumper that she knitted for
Kevin in the 1960s! Caroline walks in suddenly through the open
front door and, as she heads into the lounge room, Susan smiles,
"Good to see you!" There's a broad grin on Caroline's
face and Susan comments, "You look very happy." Caroline
replies, "I am feeling well. Partly the reason I
called in: I wanted to let you know that Wayne and I have had
a good long talk; we've sorted things out." She doesn't notice
as the kitchen door opens slightly and Wayne overhears her say
this. Susan tells Caroline, "That's good to hear." Caroline
then says to Susan, "More importantly, how are you
feeling?" Susan beams, "I'm fine. Being spoiled rotten!"
Wayne joins them and sits down as Susan continues saying to Caroline,
"Something you'll be interested in: I'm going to be doing
relaxation classes at the new gym. Janice 'phoned and told me
about them." Caroline exclaims, "What a wonderful idea!"
Wayne chuckles, "Trust Janice to think of it!"
Caroline watches him, a shrewd look on her face...
Ginny and Craig are trudging along a track, Ginny complaining
as they do so, "I don't know why we have to take the longest
way known to man to get to Melbourne." Craig sighs, "I've
told you four thousand times, Ginny: we stay off the main roads,
we've got a better chance of getting there." He then adds,
"I wonder if there's a public 'phone around here?" Ginny
mutters, "What for?" Craig retorts, "I want to
call Debbie, alright?" Ginny snaps, "Alright. Just be
careful, OK?" Craig walks off. Ginny stands where she is
and looks across at a small cafe opposite. She sighs to herself,
"If only I had five bucks..." She then adds more assertively,
"What are you talking about, Ginny? It never stopped you
before." With that, she starts marching towards
the store.
In a nearby 'phone box, Craig has the 'phone to his ear and is
muttering, "Come on, Deb... where the hell are you?"
He hangs up, looking frustrated.
A short time later, Ginny is sitting in the store, watching a
woman eat some pie, enviously. The cafe owner walks up to her
suddenly and says with a leer, "G'day. Just arrived, have
you?" Ginny nods, "Uh huh." The man adds, "Hope
you're not planning on leaving too soon..." Ginny
looks across at the plate of pie in front of the other woman and
then says, "You never know. I'll have a cup of coffee, thanks."
The man asks, "Is that all? I could find a really nice piece
of pie for you." Ginny, however, insists, "A cup of
coffee will be fine." The man smiles at her and says flirtatiously,
"Sure I can't tempt you?" Ginny smiles back, "You
never know. Perhaps later..." She looks over at the table
again. The woman is just finishing eating and she calls across,
"You should have tried the pie. Wasn't bad." With that,
she gets up and heads out, not noticing as she leaves a key on
the table. Ginny spots it and goes and picks it up. She makes
to call after the woman, but appears to have second thoughts and
sits back down again...
Caroline, Beryl, Susan and Janice are all sitting in the lounge
room at Dural. Janice is telling Susan, "Above all, you have
to make your own pace. Don't do something that's wrong for you,
'cos the last thing we want's a strain." Susan laughs, "You're
supposed to be talking me into the classes, Janice, not
scaring me off!" Beryl chips in, "You'll be there to
keep an eye on her, Janice; I don't think we have anything to
worry about." Susan asks in surprise, "Aren't you
coming, mum?" Beryl, however, insists, "You don't want
me staring at you." Janice tells Susan, "I
won't be staring at you, either. I thought I might do some judo
while I was there." She then adds, "I do hope the people
who run the place are the right type..." Caroline asks, "What
makes you say that?" Janice explains, "One
or two of the places I've been... well, only one, actually - but
the chap running the place was... to say the least, over-zealous
when it came to personal instruction." Caroline insists,
"Honestly, Janice, I think the place is perfectly above-board.
I've been there myself!" Accepting this, Janice
and Susan head out. As they reach the front door, Wayne comes
downstairs and smiles at his wife, "You're not going off
without saying goodbye to your old man?!" He kisses Susan
as Janice assures him, "Don't worry, Wayne - I'll be there
to keep an eye on her." She and Susan then head out. Wayne
heads into the study. In the lounge room, Caroline closes the
doors and then says, "Beryl, there's something very important
I have to discuss with you." A puzzled look crosses Beryl's
face.
Susan and Janice arrive at the gym and head into the reception
area. The receptionist is bending down behind the desk and Susan
can only see their back as she says, "Excuse me. I'd like
to book in for our relaxation class." The receptionist stands
up - and a look of shock crosses Susan's face as she realises
it's Glen.
A few moments later, Glen says nervously to Susan and Janice,
"Hi there. It's good to see you both." Janice smiles,
"What a pleasant surprise!" Glen adds, "You've
come to the right place. Have to make sure you get the VIP service."
Janice tells him, "I thought I might do a bit of a judo warm-up,
too." Glen smiles, "I'll be happy to help you out."
He then hands Susan a form and adds, "Look, I'm sorry - I
have to be official about it. Would you mind filling that out?"
Susan murmurs, "Sure." She starts doing this as Janice
smiles at Glen, "Fancy you being here! I feel as
though I'm part of the place already! It's like another branch
of the mansion, isn't it?!" Glen nods, "Sort of, I suppose."
Janice then asks, "Do I have to sign anything?"
In reply, Glen asks, "Would you like to join up for six months?"
Janice says eagerly, "Oh yes!" Glen hands her a form
and asks her to fill it out. He then turns back to Susan and says
quietly, "Everything OK?" Susan just retorts, "Yes,
it seems quite straightforward." Janice chips in, "I
might be able to offer a few suggestions about running the place."
Glen, however, is still staring at Susan...
Ginny is sitting with the cafe owner at a table. He asks her,
"Are you open to suggestions?" Ginny smiles, "Depends
entirely what they are." The man comments, "I
thought we'd already established that." Ginny assures
him, "I'm only kidding you!" The man asks, "So,
we got a deal?" Ginny replies, "I don't see why not."
The man asks, "Can I come to your motel room tonight?"
Ginny grins, "Can't wait." The man smiles, "Neither
can I!" He stands up. Ginny says suddenly, "You'd better
have this: I like to be surprised." She hands him
the key that the other woman left behind, adding, "Room 14."
The man beams at her and walks off, leaving Ginny looking pleased
with herself!
Craig is sitting outside, leaning against a car, when Ginny emerges
from the cafe. He sighs at her, "I couldn't get through to
Debbie." He then notices a box of food under her arm and
asks in surprise, "Where on earth did you get all that
stuff?" Ginny smiles, "I got lucky!" Craig comments,
"But you only had a couple of dollars." Ginny explains,
"Alison once said to me 'if you see an opportunity, grab
it' - so I did." Craig asks in surprise, "How?"
Ginny tells him airily, "Oh, I met someone in there. Almost
insisted I take this stuff when he saw I could barely
afford a cup of coffee. Really hospitable, these country people!"
Craig mutters, "I hope you didn't do anything to attract
the attention of the cops." Ginny gasps, "Me?!"
Craig just retorts, "Let's get a move on. I hate hanging
around too long. Country people might be generous, but they're
also curious about strangers in town." He walks off. Ginny
suddenly spots the female customer from the cafe walking nearby,
eating an ice cream, and she calls, "Have a nice day! Oh
- and a very interesting evening!"
Gordon is standing in the hallway at Charlie's, telling Charlie,
"I heard about your buying into the gym, and I thought 'what
better reason to celebrate?'" He brings out a bottle of champagne
from behind his back and Charlie smiles, "Oh, I'm so glad
you approve!" They head into the lounge room and Gordon starts
opening the bottle. As he does so, Charlie enthuses, "I can't
tell you the ideas I've had for the gym. I think it's
time a bit of good old-fashioned glamour was injected into places
like that!" Gordon, popping the cork, smiles, "You always
throw yourself into everything you do, don't you!"
Charlie shrugs, "That's me, I suppose: all or nothing."
Gordon pours two glasses of bubbly and then proposes, "Here's
to your new venture. Good luck with it, eh?" Charlie beams,
"You're so thoughtful." Gordon, however, tells her seriously,
"Not too much of late - and I feel a bit guilty about it.
I thought you might get the impression I'm trying to steer clear
of you, and I wanted to make up for it." He sits down as
Charlie assures him, "I know you've had a lot on your mind
lately, Gordon, and if our friendship can't stand a trip-up occasionally,
then it wouldn't be much of a friendship, would it?"
She sits down next to him as he replies earnestly, "I've
never said as much, but I think we have something a bit stronger
than friendship. Don't you?" Charlie's mouth drops
open and she murmurs, "I've never thought..." She then
adds quickly, "Oh! I don't mean I don't think about you that--"
Gordon interrupts her and assures her, "Don't worry about
it - I know what you mean. What I mean is: you always
manage to bring a great deal of fun into my life. I don't
know how I could've coped without you, sometimes - and
if I've hurt your feelings, it was completely unintentional. Charlie
smiles at him warmly and tells him, "You've never really
hurt my feelings, Gordon. I know we've been a bit upset with each
other at times, but that's only human, isn't it? I'm so pleased
you came over." Gordon smiles, "So am I."
In the lounge room at Dural, Beryl is saying to Caroline tersely,
"I agree we have to get a look at the papers that Charlie
signed, but how?" She adds, "I still can't
believe it. Why would Wayne want to rip Charlie off? As far as
I know, she's never done anything against him."
Caroline just asks grimly, "When has that ever stopped
him? I think the only way we can be sure is by taking a look at
those papers." Beryl sighs, "I hate playing
detectives." Caroline, however, replies, "Maybe you
won't have to. He's in his study now, isn't he?"
Beryl nods, "Right." Caroline goes on, "I think
there's every likelihood that those papers are in the safe. If
you can get him out of the study and keep him occupied for a few
moments, I could take a look." Beryl sighs, "I really
don't think I should." Caroline, however, insists, "If
we don't find out what Wayne's up to, Charlie could be ruined.
Isn't it worth the risk?" Beryl hesitates and then mutters,
"I should have my head read - but alright." She stands
up as Caroline adds, "I'll stay in here until you get him
out." With that, Beryl heads out into the hallway.
Wayne is sitting at the desk in the study, typing a letter on
the typewriter. There's a knock on the door suddenly and Wayne
calls, "Come in." Beryl opens the door and says, "Sorry
to interrupt, Wayne. I thought I might make Gordon some cakes,
but your mixer's acting up. Could you possibly have a look at
it for me?" Wayne just sighs, "I don't know there's
much I can do, but OK." With that, he follows Beryl out of
the room. A few seconds later, the door opens again and Caroline
creeps in. She heads over to a picture on the wall and takes it
down. The safe is hidden behind it. She then starts looking around
on the desk for a key. She tries in the drawers, but fails to
find it. She then starts checking Wayne's jacket - and comes across
a whole bunch of keys, which she removes. She starts
trying various keys in the safe and manages to open it at the
second attempt. She finds a roll of papers inside, which she removes
and starts unravelling. Before she can read them, though, the
study door bursts open and Wayne appears. Staring at Caroline,
he demands angrily, "What do you think you're doing?"
A few moments later, Caroline retorts, "You're not getting
away with it this time, Wayne." With that, she starts ripping
up the sheets of paper she found in the safe. Beryl stands there
watching, a smile on her face. After a few seconds, Wayne grins,
"You just tore up my car insurance policy!" Beryl's
face drops. Walking over to his jacket, Wayne reaches into the
inside pocket and takes out a sheet of paper, asking, "Is
this what you're looking for?" Caroline demands,
"What exactly did Charlie sign, Wayne?" Wayne tells
her, "A waiver that gives me total power and no liability
whatsoever." With that, he places the sheet of paper in the
safe and locks it. He then threatens, "Try getting your hands
on the keys now and you'll be in real trouble. By morning
it'll be with my lawyer." Caroline stands there, looking
furious.
At the gym, Glen walks over to Susan, who's sitting on the floor
in the main room, and asks her, "How did you go? Didn't overdo
it?" Susan insists, "I'm fine. I didn't realise it was
going to be such hard work, though." Glen jokes, "Maybe
that's why they call it 'labour'!" He then adds more seriously,
"You'd better take it easy - it's only your first day."
Susan groans, "Why is it exercise always has to give you
the aches?" Glen explains, "That's just the
body letting you know how much you really need it. You
should know that; you're the nurse!" He
then looks across to where Janice is judo training with an instructor,
and he comments to Susan, "Janice is really throwing herself
into it, isn't she?" Susan laughs, "Yeah - I'd hate
to meet her on a dark night!" Janice notices Susan
and Glen watching her and she runs over quickly and asks if everything
is alright. Glen assures her, "Don't worry, Janice: she's
in good hands." Janice then indicates the woman who worked
with Susan and demands, "How many relaxation classes has
that woman conducted?" Glen insists, "Enough to know
what she's talking about." Susan heads off to the showers
and to change. When she's gone, Janice says, "I think, with
the right handling, you could make quite a go of this place, Glen!"
Glen raises his eyebrows.
Beryl is sitting on the couch in the lounge room at Dural. Charlie
is with her and she hands her some floorplans for the gym and
says, "Gordon thought you'd be interested in seeing these."
Beryl nods, "I am interested, Charlie, but you still
haven't answered my question: what exactly does Wayne have in
mind for the gym?" Charlie exclaims, "To make
money, darling. What else?!" She then starts enthusing
about how she's going to decorate the place. Beryl looks at the
plans with a bemused expression on her face! Gordon walks in suddenly
from the kitchen. He's holding a cup cake and he smiles, "Beryl,
these are delicious! As far as I'm concerned, you can
be a houseguest for as long as you like!" A frown appears
on Charlie's face!
Glen is doing some weight training in the main room at the gym
when Susan walks back in. He puts down the weight and asks, "Feel
better?" Susan smiles, "I feel great. Nice
and relaxed." Glen then asks, "Did Janice go to the
showers?" Susan nods, "She should be out at any minute
now." Glen says grimly, "I think she might take this
place as her new cause." Susan smiles, "Fine by me!
It'll keep her off my back - not that I mind; it's just
that she can get a bit much at times!" Janice joins them
suddenly and announces, "I'm heading off back to the mansion
now." Turning to Susan, she adds, "What time's Wayne
picking you up?" Glen's face drops as Susan replies, "Any
minute now, I think." With that, Janice heads off.
Wayne is just heading into the reception area as Janice marches
round the corner on her way out. She smiles, "Hello, Wayne.
You come to pick Susan up?" Wayne replies lightly, "Yeah.
She finished yet?" Janice nods, "Oh yes. She's just
having a chat with Glen." With that, she heads out, leaving
Wayne with a look of horror on his face...
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