| Angela sweeps up the broken crockery and Darren helps. Angela 
                says she thinks she should call the police, but Darren asks what 
                they could do. He asks if Burke broke in, and Angela checks and 
                realises she hadn't locked the backdoor. Darren tells her that 
                she would look silly if she calls the police. He offers to stay 
                in case Burke tries something else. Angela says she still can't 
                imagine Max Burke being so childish, but Darren says he doesn't 
                know who else it could be. He asks if Angela's going to say something 
                to him, but Angela replies that she's not going to give him the 
                satisfaction. She then tells Darren that he should be getting 
                home, as his parents will be worried. Darren, though, says they're 
                good about that sort of thing. Angela tells him to phone them 
                and let them know where he is. Darren agrees, and he dials a number 
                on the 'phone while Angela takes the rubbish out. She therefore 
                doesn't notice that he cuts off the call, and isn't actually talking 
                to anyone when he says he'll be staying at a friend's house. He 
                tells Angela that there was noone at home but he left a message 
                on the answer machine. He adds that he can stay and look after 
                her. Angela says she feels as if she has her own personal bodyguard...  Jill is washing up, and Fiona remarks that she hasn't eaten 
                so early for ages. Jill points out that Fiona won't have such 
                an early start for ages, either. Fiona comments that Beryl is 
                excited about the trip, and Jill asks if they're picking Beryl 
                up from the airport. Fiona replies that she's coming in on the 
                first flight. Jill asks if Beryl's really only coming to see Fiona, 
                and Fiona replies that she promised not to interfere. She asks 
                Jill if she's alright, and Jill says of course she is. Fiona then 
                says she's very proud of herself - she's got down to two cases; 
                it was three! Jill says they'll never fit it all in the 
                car, but Fiona replies that she's planned ahead and borrowed a 
                station wagon. Jill jokes that, if Fiona could carry her wardrobe 
                behind the car, she would! Angela is checking the cupboards, and says it's lucky a few things 
                were left intact or else they wouldn't be able to eat. Darren 
                thanks her for the meal, and Angela says it's a pleasure. She 
                tells Darren that he should be going home, but Darren says it's 
                alright. Angela points out that it's 9:30pm, and Darren gives 
                in. He has a final check round and he tells Angela that he'll 
                give her his 'phone number. Angela jokes that she's sure Darren's 
                parents will love her 'phoning in the middle of the night, but 
                Darren says it's fine. He then says there's a sports carnival 
                at school tomorrow - he's not doing anything in it so he can come 
                round again. Angela remarks that Darren has a lot of sports days, 
                and she hopes he's not using her as an excuse to wag school. She 
                adds that he won't have to worry about her after tomorrow as Rob 
                will be back. Darren says he can be with her until then. He writes 
                down his 'phone number and Angela shows him out. Darren reminds 
                her not to forget to lock the door properly, and Angela reminds 
                him not to forget to go straight home. When he's gone, 
                Angela looks thoughtful. While Fiona is filling up the car with petrol, Beryl has bought 
                a paper and some sweets. She offers Jill a sweet, but she declines. 
                Beryl gets back in the car and Fiona hops into the driver's seat. 
                Jill yawns. Fiona says she hopes this is the last time they have 
                to fill up, as the price seems to keep going up and up! Beryl 
                offers to contribute, but Fiona tells her she's a guest. They 
                drive off. As the travellers cover the road, Jill can't stop eating the 
                sweets! Beryl says she won't be able to eat any lunch if she has 
                any more! She offers Fiona one, but she declines, saying it'll 
                ruin her diet! Jill sudddenly spots a hitchhiker by the side of 
                the road, but Fiona says she doesn't want to stop for anyone she 
                doesn't know. Jill says he looks alright. Beryl says they don't 
                know what trouble they could get into. She adds that, according 
                to the paper, there's a prison escapee in the area. As they drive 
                past the man, Jill says he looks so sad, as if he's been waiting 
                for hours. Fiona admits that he doesn't look too dangerous. Beryl 
                says he is. Jill asks for a description of the prisoner, 
                and Beryl says he's dark and 25. Jill points out that the hitchhiker 
                is blonde! Fiona pulls over, the man runs to the car and Fiona 
                asks him where he's heading. The man says he's going up north. 
                He opens the back door to climb in and, upon seeing Jill, stares 
                at her for several seconds, with a shocked expression upon his 
                face. Jill smiles at him and tells him to put his bag in the back. 
                The man continues to look shocked. He gets in, though, and they 
                drive off. Fiona tells the man that he's very brave to get in 
                a car with three women! The man replies that he's surprised they 
                stopped! Fiona says they had a conference, and the man says he 
                thought it was something like that. Fiona comments on 
                the man's Irish accent, and the man introduces himself as Brian 
                O'Donnel. Jill introduces herself, Beryl and Fiona. Fiona asks 
                Brian why he's heading north, and Brian replies that he's travelling 
                around, as you don't get to see a place if you stick to the cities. 
                Jill asks him why he left Ireland, and Brian explains that he 
                migrated. Jill asks him if he's there for good, and Brian says 
                yes - he's been there six months so far. Jill asks him if he's 
                worked yet, and Brian says he has on and off - now he wants to 
                get a job up north - something with horses. Jill tells him that 
                there's a riding school where they're going, and he should apply 
                there, as they're real nice people from what she's heard - if 
                you don't get on the wrong side of them! Beryl and Fiona look 
                at each other. At a picnic lunch break, Beryl asks what work Brian has been 
                doing since he arrived, and he replies that he's taken whatever 
                he can get. Beryl asks how long he's been there, and he tells 
                her that it's six months. Jill decides to go for a wander, and 
                Fiona tells her that they have five minutes before they have to 
                leave. Fiona and Beryl start to clear up, and Brian looks as if 
                he's going to help them, but he then wanders off after Jill. Beryl 
                remarks to Fiona that there's something odd about him. Fiona puts 
                on an 'evil' voice as she says he has something to hide! Beryl 
                comments that he's heading off after Jill. Fiona says she's sure 
                he's not going to attack her! Jill is walking along and doesn't 
                notice a snake slithering along sthe ground. It crawls towards 
                her, and Brian suddenly calls out from behind her, "Don't 
                move." He picks up a big stick and hits the snake. By the 
                car, Beryl says you hear so much about picking up hitchhikers. 
                Fiona jokes that Beryl reads different papers to her! They suddenly 
                hear Jill scream, and they run over to her. Brian uses the stick 
                to pick up the snake, and Fiona asks where it came from. Jill 
                says it nearly bit her. Beryl says she thought something terrible 
                had happened. Jill says it was terrible enough for her. Angela is stripping wallpaper as Darren watches. She says she 
                hopes Darren's not using them as a way to get out of school, but 
                Darren replies that he's worried about her. Angela assures him 
                that she's only having him on. She says she'll be glad when they 
                can get something done to the place. Darren offers to help, but 
                Angela explains that they're not tackling it themselves, but are 
                getting in professionals. Darren says it's a waste of money, and 
                he suggests they'd be much better off getting friends in to help 
                out. Angela replies that she'd prefer professionals to worry about 
                whether it's right or wrong. Fiona's car pulls up at Woombai and the party of four get out. 
                Fiona tells Brian that it's a genuine offer - there's a job there 
                for somebody, so why not him? Brian says he 
                hopes Fiona's not just trying to thank him. Fiona says she's a 
                businesswoman, and she doesn't do things like that. Brian agrees, 
                and Fiona says she'll take him to meet Alan Pascoe. She adds that 
                she's sure there's space for him in the men's quarters, but if 
                not, he can stay in the house. Jill and Beryl lug the cases into Woombai, and Beryl remarks 
                that it's amazing that a long drive makes you so tired. She adds 
                that it's nice to see the place again - and it's nice to see Jill 
                again. She tells Jill that they were surprised when she up and 
                left Melbourne. Jill guardedly explains that she thought that, 
                if she was going to be miserable, she'd do it around Fiona, as 
                she can cheer anyone up! Beryl says she's spoken 
                to John on the 'phone and he's missing Jill. Jill reluctantly 
                says, "Yeah, well." She suggests they work out who should 
                sleep where. Beryl says she can't agree with Fiona about Brian. 
                Jill asks her if she's still worried, and Beryl replies that it's 
                fair enough offering him a job, but to stay there is a different 
                kettle of fish. Jill points out that they don't know if he will, 
                yet. Beryl says they know nothing about him. Jill asks if Beryl 
                still thinks he's an escaped prisoner. Beryl replies that funnier 
                things have happened. Jill says Bert will be there soon - he 
                can protect them in an emergency! The four new arrivals at Woombai are having tea, and Brian says 
                it's very good cake. Fiona jokes that Beryl is the only person 
                she knows who'd bring cake on holiday! Bert suddenly calls out, 
                "Hello there," and he enters the room. Fiona introduces 
                him to Beryl and Brian, and she asks if he has the girl outside. 
                Bert says he certainly has - a couple of the boys are putting 
                her in the holding yard. He adds that he left his suitcase in 
                the truck, and Fiona says they can worry about it later. Bert 
                says this is nice - being looked after by three charming women! 
                Jill asks him if he had any trouble coming from Sydney. Bert replies 
                that he had none at all, and he asks why? Jill explains that there's 
                an escaped prisoner in the area, but Bert replies that she's behind 
                the times, as he was picked up two hours ago. Looking sheepish, 
                Beryl says, "More cake, Brian?" Angela gets some cakes out of the oven, and Darren says they 
                look great. Angela tells him it's good having him there, as she's 
                bored with noone to talk to. At that moment, the front door opens 
                and Rob comes in. Angela goes and hugs and kisses him. Rob says 
                g'day to Darren and he asks what's been happening while he was 
                away. Darren replies that there was nothing he couldn't handle. 
                Rob remarks on Darren becoming a regular visitor, but Darren says 
                he's just been looking after Angela. Rob jokes that Darren is 
                out of a job now, and Darren reluctantly says he supposes. He 
                tells Angela that he'll see her later. He leaves. Angela and Rob 
                hug tightly. A while later, Angela tells Rob that, apart from then, there 
                was nothing else. Rob asks how much was broken, and Angela says 
                it was only the stuff on the drainer. Rob tells her that she should 
                have contacted the police, whether they were broken into or not. 
                He adds that if anything else happens, Angela's to go to them, 
                as they can't have her being scared to be by herself. Angela jokes 
                that there's no chance with Darren on the job. Rob comments that 
                it'll drive them mad if Darren's there all time, but Angela replies 
                that he's a nice kid and company for her. Rob says he thinks there's 
                something funny about him, as he seemed odd with him when he arrived 
                home, like he resented him. Rob jokes that he thinks Darren has 
                a crush on Angela! In the grounds of Woombai, Bert tells Fiona that 'Rosie's Hope' 
                is a beautiful mare, and with a few weeks' training, she'll have 
                all the hallmarks of a winner. Fiona says they'll see. Bert tells 
                her to just wait. Fiona jokes that he's an old smoothy, and Bert 
                asks her what she can expect with three beautiful, unattached 
                ladies around. Beryl tells him that they're not all unattached 
                - she's married and Jill is engaged to her son in the 
                airforce, who's the jealous type, so Bert should watch his step! 
                Bert jokes that he's shaking in his boots! Brian is listening 
                with interest. Jill suddenly asks if she can go back to the house, 
                as she has a headache. Brian says he'll go with her. As they walk 
                off, Fiona and Beryl watch, surprised. Bert remarks that Jill 
                is a nice girl. Inside, Jill says Brain should have stayed outside 
                with the others. Brian tells Jill that she doesn't look too bright, 
                and Jill agrees that she doesn't feel too good - she feels cold. 
                Brian says it's delayed shock, after the snake. He tells Jill 
                to sit down and put her feet up. Jill lies down on the settee 
                and Brian fetches a rug, which he puts over her. He tells her 
                that she's in a bit of a mess, and he pours her a brandy to help 
                her calm down. Jill sips it. She tells Brian that he doesn't understand, 
                but she's grateful. Brian tells her to have a rest and he'll stay 
                close by. As she closes her eyes, he looks at her intently. Outside, Fiona says she knows Beryl doesn't mean it, but maybe 
                it's best not to mention John in front of Jill, as she's missing 
                him like crazy, but she'll be worried about how things will be 
                going. Beryl asks in what way, and Fiona replies that something 
                like that - a new career - could change someone. Beryl says Jill 
                knows John better than that by now. They both start to say something 
                at the same time. Beryl tells Fiona to go first, but Fiona says 
                to forget it. Jill is asleep, and Brian, sitting in an armchair, looks at her. 
                He then gets out his wallet, takes out a photo and looks at it. 
                The picture is of a woman who looks remarkably like Jill. Brian 
                looks at Jill again. He then looks down, guiltily. He stands up, 
                bends over Jill and strokes her hair. He then gets up and walks 
                out of the room, leaving Jill to sleep in peace...   |