Caroline asks Alison sternly, "What's the price? There obviously
is one since you left us dangling all night." Alison
admits that, alright, she is after money - but not for
her shares; she's keeping them. She goes on that she
wants to be paid for her loyalty: she'll vote whichever way they
want - as long as her bank balance stays healthy. Wayne exclaims,
"That's blackmail!" Alison, though, retorts, "No,
I'd call it 'out-foxing the foxes'. You're both as crooked
as I am." Caroline growls at her, "Don't bet
on it." She then throws on the floor the papers that Alison
handed to her, adding, "You bought the shares, you're
welcome to them." Wayne cries, "Caroline..."
Caroline retorts, "It's bad enough dealing with you. I don't
want to get mixed-up with her. Looks as though we have
to forget about controlling the company." With that, she
storms out. Wayne yells at Alison, "Why couldn't you have
done what I told you do? You've stuffed it up for all
of us now." Alison assures him, "She'll be back."
Wayne retorts, "You don't know her." Alison,
though, smiles, "She wants to get at Stephen. She'll be back..."
At Dural, Jenny walks into the lounge room, holding a pile of
letters and complaining that there really should be a law against
junk mail. Stephen follows her, listening with a bemused expression
on his face. Jenny goes to the bar and pours herself a glass of
mineral water. Stephen laughs, "You really get on your soap-box
when you're sick, don't you!" Jenny apologises, saying it's
nerves, she guesses. Stephen suggests that she come and sit down.
Jenny says she feels like she's burning up. Stephen tells her
that, when she's had her water, she can go to bed and sleep it
off; it's only a virus. Jenny groans that the aches and pains
are bad enough, but it's the dreadful, nervy feeling that's annoying:
everything gets her scratchy. She adds sadly, "What a honeymoon..."
Stephen, though, assures her that he's not complaining. He then
asks if there's anything he can do for her once she's settled
down. Jenny tells him, "You could call around and see Colin
for me. I don't want him to think we're avoiding him." Stephen
smiles, "You're really something special, you know that?
Here you are, sick with the 'flu, and you're still thinking about
everyone else. I really think I hit the jackpot when I married
you, Mrs. Morrell." Jenny smiles back, "I won't argue
In the kitchen at the country house, Spider is telling Charlie
that he thought he was a goner; he could see himself spending
his last days in Pentridge! Charlie tells Adam - who's sitting
at the table - that it was very cruel of him; Spider was only
trying to help. Adam, though, laughs, "You should
have seen the look on his face!" Charlie sympathises with
Spider that he's been through a horrendous experience; she thinks
Adam should be grateful he tried to help. Spider tells her, "I
knew a bonzer bird like you would understand!" Charlie laughs
that she's been called a lot of things in her time, but never
'a bonzer bird'! Spider assures her that it's a compliment! Changing
the subject, Charlie says she's brought Spider's favourite cake
for morning tea, so why doesn't he go and tell Brett it'll be
ready in a jiffy? Spider goes to head out, saying to Adam as he
does so that he ought to take a leaf out of his mother's
book. With that, he heads outside. When he's gone, Charlie tells
him that Spider means well. Adam assures her that he
knows they all do, but he has to sort this one out for
Brett is chopping wood outside when Spider walks up to him and
tells him that he needs to get his back into it. Brett holds out
the axe in his hand and asks Spider if he wants to show him. Spider,
though, quickly retorts, "No thanks! I remember during the
Depression, I was younger than you and was doing ten times that
amount of wood! By the way, morning tea's on!" Brett asks
him what happened to his bad mood, and he replies that a bloke
can't help cheering up with Charlie around. He adds that she's
going to make some lucky fella a good wife. Brett muses, "I've
heard she's made three lucky fellas a good wife."
Spider, though, replies, "That was just practising for the
real one. What she needs now is the mature type; definitely
the mature type!"
At the Morrell apartment, Caroline swallows some aspirin and
takes a sip of water. There's suddenly a knock at the door and
she goes and answers it. She finds Stephen standing there, and
she tells him curtly that if he's come over for another tirade,
she'd rather he went now: she's had a rough morning,
she's got a headache and she's going to bed. Stephen explains
that he was hoping Colin would be there, actually. Caroline
retorts that he's not, but she'll tell him he called.
Stephen takes a letter out of his pocket and, handing it to Caroline,
asks her to give it to Colin. He adds, "I'd rather you didn't
read it - it's private." Caroline glares at him and he goes
on, "I wouldn't put it past you, after some of the things
you've been doing lately." Caroline snaps, "Don't kid
yourself. I couldn't be bothered causing trouble even if I did
get a kick in the teeth from you and your drab little wife."
Stephen retorts, "Which you thoroughly deserved." Caroline
accuses, "You really think I'm out to hurt you, don't you?"
Stephen snaps, "I think you're a lonely, frustrated lady."
Caroline yells, "Maybe I should start living up to my reputation,
then," and with that, she slams the door in Stephen's face.
After a few moments, he walks off. Inside the apartment, Caroline
storms over to the bar and slams the letter down on it. She stares
at the telephone and then picks it up and dials a number. When
it's answered, she says, "I've changed my mind. Promise Alison
whatever she wants."
Sometime later, Wayne is talking on the 'phone at Charlie's as
Alison sits on the couch, listening. Wayne is saying, "I
know Beryl can't be there, but I want all the other shareholders
at Dural by 2pm." Gordon, at the other end, says wearily,
"I have problems here, Wayne. I can't make it."
Wayne, though, retorts that, whatever they are, he's got bigger
ones in Sydney. Gordon starts to say, "I know you're
still angry with me, but--" Wayne, though, interrupts him
and snorts, "You don't know the half of it. I'll
be at Dural at 2pm. Make sure the others are." With that,
he hangs up. At Woombai, Gordon starts dialling another number.
When it's answered, he says, "Roland, it's Gordon. I have
a horrible feeling that Wayne is up to something..."
A few minutes later, at Charlie's, Alison says to Wayne, "I
hope you're up to carrying it through." Wayne asks, "Why
shouldn't I be?" Alison tells him, "You've
got a soft spot as far as your father's heart condition is concerned."
Wayne retorts that he did have, but he stopped worrying
about Gordy the day he tried to turn him into an office boy. Alison
muses that she assumes that's what Gordon is going to
be after the meeting. Wayne replies, "Maybe. Stephen we're
hitting first, though." With that, Alison stands up and announces
that she's off to pack; she'll leave him to it. Looking astonished,
Wayne exclaims, "Pack?! We need you here
this afternoon." Alison, though, retorts, "I'm going
to Melbourne. I don't want to be dragged into your family brawl."
Wayne cries that that's what she's being paid for. Alison,
though, tells him, "You're paying for my vote. I'll leave
you a letter covering that - for today's meeting only, of course.
Any further letters depend on you and Caroline being generous."
She then adds, "Ciao," and walks out, leaving Wayne
Colin arrives back at the Morrell apartment, carrying some books.
He heads over to the bar and notices the letter lying there. He
picks it up, opens it and starts reading. Caroline suddenly emerges
from her bedroom and asks, "Important?" Colin explains,
"Mum's not well," and he asks who brought it over. Caroline
retorts, "Stephen." She adds bitterly, "Isn't that
a shame? It'll spoil their honeymoon." Colin sighs that he
knows Stephen and Jenny came down heavy on her, but why doesn't
she make the first move and sort it out? Caroline snaps, "Why
should I? I stopped letting people walk all over me months
ago." With that, she returns to her room. Colin takes the
letter and heads out.
A short time later, Colin is at Dural, handing his mother a bunch
of flowers. Jenny smiles that she's starting to feel better already!
She then starts rubbing her neck with her hand, and comments that
she wishes she'd told Irene about her swollen glands; they seem
to be getting bigger. Stephen asks why she didn't, and Jenny explains
that they weren't giving her any bother at the time. Stephen suggests
that he should call Irene, but Jenny tells him not to
be a fusspot; they're probably part of the virus. She then takes
Colin's arm and leads him off to the kitchen, saying she'll put
the flowers in water and then she'll go back to bed. When she's
gone, Stephen walks over to the bar, picks up the 'phone and dials
a number. Samantha answers, saying, "Dr. Fisher's surgery."
Stephen says it's him and he asks if Irene is free, as Jenny's
looking a bit worse. Samantha replies, "She will be soon.
Do you want to hold?" Stephen nods, "Yes, thanks."
Caroline is at Charlie's. As she walks into the lounge room with
Wayne, he comments that he wasn't expecting her for another half-hour.
Caroline explains that she tried to sleep but she couldn't; she's
worried. They sit down and Wayne asks her suspiciously
if she's changed her mind again. Caroline tells him quietly, "No
- but I don't trust Alison." Wayne assures her that she doesn't
have to keep her voice down: Alison's not there; she's in Melbourne."
As Caroline glares at him, he quickly adds that it's alright:
he's got her proxy. Caroline mutters that Alison is far too cool
for her liking, and she asks Wayne exactly how much he knows about
her. Wayne admits, "Nothing - except she's from London and
likes money." Caroline suggests, "If she goes on
making trouble, it might be worth checking into her background.
Two can play at out-foxing foxes..."
Alison is sitting in the front seat of a cab as it drives along
a quiet road. She checks her make-up in a small mirror and then
puts it back in her handbag - next to her passport. She reaches
into the bag and takes out a leather wallet. She opens it to reveal
a photo of David. She stares at it longingly...
Stephen is sitting in the lounge room at Dural with Roland and
Gordon. He warns the others that, whatever happens, he wants them
to keep their voices down, as he doesn't want Jenny upset. Roland
growls that if Wayne's playing one of his tricks, he's going to
have his say. Stephen assures him, "You and me both - but
quietly, OK?" He adds that he's filled Colin in; he's
going to make sure Jenny stays upstairs. Gordon remarks that it's
only a virus, isn't it? Stephen, though, says he's not sure now;
Irene's coming out to check. There's suddenly a knock at the front
door and Gordon goes to get it. As he does so, Roland says to
Stephen, "You don't think Alison Carr's mixed-up in this,
do you? If Wayne's got her on-side..." Stephen replies
that it wouldn't matter; she's only bought 2%; it doesn't give
her much voting power. Roland suggests, "Not unless, of course,
she's teamed up with Caroline..." They look round as Caroline
and Wayne come in. Wayne immediately says, "We won't waste
any more time than's necessary. I've called you all here to let
you know the wind of change is blowing through the company. Caroline
and I have control - and the first change is Stephen's dismissal
from Woombai..." Stephen stares at him in shock. Caroline
stares at Stephen, a nasty smile on her face.
A moment later, Stephen snaps at Caroline, "Why the hell
side with Wayne after what he's put you through?"
Caroline retorts that Wayne is helping her get what she wants;
she had years of him trampling all over her and she decided
it's her turn. Stephen growls at her that she's chosen
a pretty ridiculous way of doing it. Wayne chips in, "'Poetic
justice', I'd call it." Gordon says to him that,
if he thinks they've done the wrong thing by him, they should
talk about it. Wayne, though, retorts, "I didn't
notice you wanting to talk when you booted me out. You've
seen Alison's letter; you know we've got the power. You've got
24 hours. Get rid of Stephen voluntarily or we'll force you to.
I don't see there's any more to say." He goes to walk out,
but Roland suddenly grabs his arm and snaps, "I've
got a lot more to say--" Gordon, though, interrupts
him and tells him that there's no point. He then tells his son,
"If you force us, Wayne, we'll simply sell and start another
company. We won't be dictated to." Wayne glares at him and
retorts, "Really? If you sell, Woombai goes too. It's a choice
between that or dumping Stephen. I don't care either way, really.
One of you's going to get hurt." Caroline tells her ex-husband,
"It's your own fault, Stephen." Stephen retorts, "I
suppose in terms of your crazy logic it is." With
that, Wayne and Caroline walk out. When they've gone, Stephen
says to Gordon, "If it makes things any easier, Gordon, I'll
resign. I can always get another job." Gordon, though, tells
him, "Certainly not. If we give in now, we'll be giving in
for the duration. I think we should talk to Alison Carr's solicitor.
Get him to change her mind."
Caroline is sitting on the couch back at Charlie's as Wayne comes
in with a bottle of champagne. He says cheerfully that it couldn't
have gone better - and she shouldn't worry about Gordy's threat:
he won't sell; he's got too much to lose. He starts to open the
bottle of champagne, but Caroline snaps, "Don't get carried
away. I don't like you; we just happen to be useful to
one another. I'll do my own celebrating." She goes
to walk out, but Wayne calls after her, "By the look on your
face, it's going to be a real fun party." Caroline turns
back to him and retorts, "It's alright for you.
You don't give a damn about anyone. I'll
have the flack at home." Wayne realises, "Samantha?"
Caroline tells him that Stephen is her father; she'll probably
take his side. She then goes.
A while later, Caroline arrives back at the Morrell apartment
and takes off her shoes. She then starts sorting through a pile
of mail that she's picked upon the way in. Samantha suddenly emerges
from her bedroom, carrying a packed suitcase and saying tautly,
"Daddy called." Caroline tells her that she was hoping
to explain first, but Samantha retorts that it seems a pretty
rotten way to treat him. Caroline asks, "What do you call
the way he treated me? What was I supposed to do? Sit
back and take it?" Samantha tells her, "No - but an
eye for an eye isn't always the answer." Caroline starts
to say, "Look, darling, I--" Samantha, though, interrupts
and tells her not to bother: she's moving out; Irene said she
could stay with her. She then adds that she's not taking
sides; she's just looking after number one. As she goes to head
out, she remembers, "Oh, and Colin rang. He knows, too. He's
coming round to get his things and moving to Dural. Looks like
you're on your own, mother." With that, she storms out, leaving
Caroline looking upset.
Alison is standing in the grounds of David's house in Sunbury,
watching Charlie and Brett playing basketball nearby. Her cab
drives away and she starts to approach the house, a smile on her
face. Looking surprised at her best friend's antics, she laughs
to herself, "Charlie...?!" Charlie suddenly notices
Alison standing there and approaches her. She asks her what she
can do for her. Holding out her hand, Alison introduces herself.
Charlie immediately snaps, "You've got a cheek coming here.
I could have the police onto you for... well, impersonating a
friend or something. I can't imagine why you came." Alison,
holding out a piece of paper, says, "Read this. It's from
a mutual friend." Charlie says to her suspiciously that she's
not going to try the one about Cynthia again, is she?
Alison assures her, "No, I'm not. It's from Patricia Palmer."
Charlie stares at her in surprise.
A few moments later, Brett is still playing basketball as Charlie
and Alison wander along slowly in the grounds. Charlie finishes
reading the letter and Alison tells her, "Patricia and I
became close friends in Rio. I was there on holiday. I don't know
why she took to me; perhaps because we were similar in many ways."
Charlie smiles, "You do vaguely remind me of her."
Alison suggests, "I probably picked up some of her mannerisms."
She then goes on, "I had a lot of problems there. She was
a very good friend." Charlie cries, "But she was my
best friend. Is. Oh, I can't get used to it.
Why did she lie?; pretend she was dead?" Alison tells her,
"She probably liked you too much to involve you any more."
Charlie muses, "Yes, that's probably it. She hurt a lot of
people, but never me." Alison assures her, "She
was very fond of you. That's why she wanted us to work together.
She didn't kill Luke Carlyle and we have to prove it - because
that's the only way she'll ever be able to come back to David."
Charlie asks, "Did she want David to go looking for her when
she sent him the money?" Alison nods, "Probably. Subconsciously.
At the time it probably seemed the right thing to do - help him
out a little. It all went very wrong, though." Charlie tells
her, "Fortunately, Fiona said he was doing very well last
time she rang." She then adds, "You know, in a way,
it's probably better he's not here. He's very straight; he might
make it harder for us to do what Patricia wants." Alison
asks, "Does that mean you'll help?" Charlie smiles,
"Oh yes, of course. I'll do anything to get Patricia
back again. Anything at all." She starts to wander off ahead
of Alison, leaving Alison with a happy smile on her face.
At Dural, Roland is leaning into the study, saying, "Let
me know if anything happens. I'll be in all night." He then
closes the door and goes to head out. As he opens the front door,
he finds Irene standing there, and he invites her in, telling
her that Stephen's in the study with Gordon. Irene asks how the
patient is, and Roland replies that she's worse than when Stephen
called, he thinks. He then suggests nervously that he'd better
not hold her up... Irene, though, says quickly, "Roland...
er... is there any point in us talking later?" Roland tells
her, "It's my problem, not yours. I'm the
one with the hang-ups. I just can't bear to think of you with
anyone else, let alone my son." He pauses before continuing,
"As soon as I get a few business things fixed up, I'm going
to Hong Kong. Wendy's there; I'd like to see her." Irene
stares at him. Roland holds out his hand and says, "Goodbye."
Irene shakes it, saying sadly that there's no need to make it
sound so final. She then kisses him gently on the cheek and he
goes. Irene stands there, looking upset.
Charlie and Alison head up to the back door at the country house
and Alison asks Charlie if she's sure it's alright if she stays
there. Charlie smiles that, as long as Alison doesn't mind a tight
squeeze... there are four of them there at the moment, but Leigh
and Beryl will be back soon. Alison, looking taken aback, says,
"Beryl?" Charlie asks her in surprise if Patricia
didn't tell her about her, and Alison quickly 'recalls', "Oh
yes, she's David's sister, isn't she?" Charlie laughs,
"They had a kinky relationship if she is! No, darling,
she's David's first wife." Alison 'remembers', "Oh
yes, that's right. Yes, I knew Patricia said there was a link
there somewhere. I thought she hated her."
Charlie smiles, "Just between you and me, Patricia was a
bit biased. Beryl's lovely, really - but don't tell Patricia I
said so!" Alison assures her, "I shan't breathe a word!"
Charlie then asks how they go about proving Patricia's innocence;
does Alison have any ideas? Alison replies, "Yes, a few.
I'll take a day to rest and then we'll get into it. The sooner
I start, the sooner Patricia can come home again..."
Gordon is standing in the hallway at Dural with Stephen, saying
to him that he's sorry he can't wait to hear what Irene has to
say, but he's sure everything will be fine. Stephen thanks him
for standing by him. Gordon heads to the door. He then turns back
to Stephen and assures him, "Don't worry. They won't get
away with it." Stephen points out that Alison Carr's solicitor
wasn't much joy. Gordon, though, muses, "So, she wouldn't
change her mind. So what? We'll manage some other way."
With that, he goes. Stephen turns back inside to find Irene coming
downstairs, a concerned expression on her face. He asks, "Well?"
Irene just tells him, "I want to do some extra tests."
Stephen asks, "It's not just a virus?" and Irene replies
that she doesn't think so. Stephen asks her what she thinks it
is. Irene looks down at the ground, but Stephen snaps,
"Come on, Irene, I want to know." Irene looks
up at him again and sighs, "Hodgkin's Disease." Stephen
mouths, "Hodgkin's Disease? Does it take long to get over
it?" Irene, though, looks away from him, guiltily. He asks
in shock, "You don't get over it?" Irene murmurs,
"Sometimes..." Stephen asks, "And Jenny?"
Irene tells him, "I'm not sure, Stephen. It doesn't look
good." Stephen stares at her in shock.