Sons and Daughters logo
    Written by: Don Battye   Produced by: John D. Holmes   Directed by: Graeme Hodgson

Patricia is on the 'phone to Martin, and she invites him over for dinner that evening. As the conversation continues, she tells him that she doesn't see Margaret as a problem - she thinks she's settled in enough by now to accept that they're seeing each other. She assures him that Margaret will be fine and concludes by saying that she'll see him around 7pm. She hangs up but looks annoyed. Wayne asks her why she's so worried about Margaret settling in before telling her about her and Martin; she's a big girl. Patricia explains that Margaret was never very keen on Martin, so gently does it. Wayne asks why it's time for the big revelation, then, and Patricia replies that Margaret was very relaxed with her yesterday, and she thinks they're getting along a lot better. She sharply adds that Wayne can cut out the cynical remarks. Wayne asks, "Who's being cynical?" Patricia snaps that she just doesn't want it sprung on Margaret - there's a better chance of her accepting it if she tells her herself. Wayne asks why it's so important anyway. Patricia snaps that it's important to her. At that moment, Margaret rushes in and says she'll just make the tram. Patricia asks her if she's going to go without having any breakfast, to which Margaret replies that Mr. Jenkins won't have a bar of her being late. Patricia tells her that there's no need to be: Wayne can drive her. Margaret looks relieved, and Patricia tells her to sit down and have breakfast. Margaret sits down and tells Patricia that, when she woke up this morning, she thought that, pleasant as lunch was yesterday, it's back to the daily grind today. She drinks a glass of orange juice as Patricia comments that she thought it would be rather interesting working in a bookshop. Margaret replies that it's alright if you're cut out for it, but she finds it rather dull. She adds that it's a part-time job and she can't afford to give it up. Patricia says that that's the best thing about having money: you're not forced into doing anything you don't want to do. Margaret looks annoyed.

Sometime later, Wayne and Margaret pull up outside the bookshop. Wayne tells Margaret not to expect him to do it every day. Margaret thanks him and opens her door, saying as she does so that she'll see him tonight. She gets out and goes into the shop. Wayne drives off. In the shop, Mr. Jenkins tells Margaret that she's ten minutes late. Margaret points out that it's only the second time since she started working for him. Mr. Jenkins patronisingly says he just wanted to make sure that the third time is a long way off... He puts his glasses on and tells Margaret that he started stocktaking yesterday; she can take over if she likes. He heads out to the back of the shop, leaving Margaret looking upset.

At Woombai, Bert is trying to brush a horse, and he annoyedly tells Paul to hold the animal's head still. Paul insists that he's trying. Bert angrily asks him if he's never seen a horse before. Paul snaps back that he's never tried grooming one. Bert says that's obvious. He suggests to Paul that he go and shift hay instead. Paul steps back. Bert turns to Brian, who's standing nearby, and tells him that Paul is useless when it comes to horses. Brian agrees that he's not too good. Bert continues that the horse needs to be perfect for the race. Brian says she could do with a lot more exercise. Bert suddenely snaps that he's the trainer - he knows what she needs and doesn't need. Brian looks at him in surprise and then walks off. He comments to Paul, who's still nearby, that it's hardly worth the trouble sometimes. Paul sourly says that, when it comes to this sort of work, it's not worth the trouble at all. Brian asks him if he hates it that much. Paul replies that he reckons Fiona put him there deliberately; who wants to be a dead-end stablehand anyway? Brian tells Paul that he reckons he should say his piece to her if he's so miserable. Paul ignores this and says he'll collect the mail. He walks off.

Jill is cleaning the living room at Woombai when Paul walks in and says hi. Jill says good morning to him. Paul tells her that he wants to apologise for the way he's been behaving to her and Fiona since he got there; he knows Fiona's doing her best to help him, and he shouldn't expect it after the way he treated her - and he wants to make it up to her. Jill smiles and says she thinks it's really terrific to hear him say that - but shouldn't he be saying it to Fiona? Paul replies that it's not that easy; he's embarrassed - ashamed - and was wondering if Jill could give him an opening to talk to her. Jill happily agrees, saying she'll do anything that means they're going to be mates again. Paul smiles...

A while later, Jill tells Fiona that she reckons the last few days have done Paul some good. Fiona is also cleaning now, and she says that, if that's the case, she's glad, but she certainly hasn't seen any sign of change. Jill says Paul said straight out to her that he's too embarrassed and ashamed to talk to Fiona first - that's why he asked her to talk to her first. Fiona says Paul could still have talked to her - she'll believe it when she's convinced. She adds that she'll have to keep an eye on him! Changing the subject, she asks Jill if she's run into Bert in the last half hour. Jill says he was outside earlier. Fiona looks up from her cleaning and, seeing how clean Jill has left the mantlepiece, comments that she's doing as good a job as Rosie! Jill thanks her, and looks pleased.

Ouside, Paul and Brian are walking with Rosie's Hope when Brian realises he has something in his shoe and asks Paul to take her up. Bert is filling a bucket with water a short way away when he sees Paul and the horse approaching. He runs over and angrily asks Paul what he thinks he's playing at: noone swims a horse without his permission. Fiona comes out of the house and looks surprised at the outburst. Paul says he's sorry, but Bert snaps that that's a fat lot of good. Brian runs over and explains that it was his fault - he swam her; what's wrong with that? Bert says he doesn't believe it. He snatches the horse's reins and says he doesn't swim his horses. Fiona watches as Brian says he thought it would be good for her fetlock. Bert snaps at Brian to remember what he's employed to do: work in the stables; he's the trainer. He orders Brian to bring her back, and they walk off. Paul walks over to Fiona, who asks him why he didn't stand up for himself. Paul replies that he didn't want to dob Brian in - he's just there to work; he doesn't want to cause any trouble. He walks off.

At Toorak, Patricia is reading a magazine in the lounge room when she hears the front door bang. She calls out to ask if that's Wayne, but there's no answer. A few seconds later, however, Margaret appears in the lounge room doorway. Patricia asks her what she's doing home, and Margaret says, "I've been fired." Patricia looks shocked, and she asks Margaret if Wayne didn't get her there in time. Margaret says she arrived ten minutes late; Mr. Jenkins got so mad, and she lost her temper with him, and he fired her. She sits down next to Patricia on the settee, and Patricia says she's sorry. She adds that Mr. Jenkins sounds so awful - she woudln't want to work for him, anyway. Margaret says she'll go and look for another job this afternoon, adding that she's not there to live off Patricia, no matter what Val thought. Patricia asks Margaret if she thinks she'd listen to anything Val said. She adds that at least Margaret doesn't have to worry - she can look for a new job, but she doesn't have to start this afternoon, and she doesn't have to take the first thing that comes along; she can wait until she finds something she really enjoys. Margaret looks thoughtful and then says that as long as it doesn't take too long... Patricia suggests to her that she get a new look to go with it - they'll go out shoppping later and get Margaret some new clothes to go with her new job. Margaret says she'll have to pay Patricia back, and she can't afford it. Patricia, though, says she's not worried, and she tells Margaret to think of it as all the birthday presents she missed out on giving her; the better she looks, the better chance she'll have. Margaret looks happy and says it does sort of make sense. Patricia says that of course it does.

At Woombai, a dark-haired female rider pulls up near Paul, who offers her help getting down off her horse. She accepts. He then walks over to a blonde woman nearby, and helps her down as well. The blonde woman flirtatiously asks Paul where he came from! Paul replies that he was just about to ask her the same thing! The woman explains that they're staying over at the Reid house, and she asks Paul if he's staying at Woombai. Paul says he is, adding that he's a friend of the owner's, and is just helping out while they're busy. The dark-haired woman says it's a pity Paul can't come over to where they are, as the place is full and there aren't enough people to do things - especially men! Paul says he'll let Mrs. Thompson know, adding that he's sure she'll put someone in charge if they ask her! The blonde woman asks Paul if he's offering! Paul tells her that they never know their luck. The dark-haired woman says that's what they were hoping! The two of them walk off, and Brian, who overheard the conversation, walks over to Paul and remarks that he doesn't waste any time. Paul asks why he should let an opportunity go past?! The two men lead the horses off.

Inside, Fiona tells Bert that it's just not like him to go off the deep end. Bert rants that he doesn't like people who argue back when they don't know what they're talking about. Fiona points out that Brian might be right - perhaps Rosie's Hope shoud be swum occasionally. Bert angrily asks Fiona if she's questioning him now? Fiona snaps that no she's not - she just can't see any harm in the horse having a swim... Bert chips in that Fiona doesn't know anything about training horses. Fiona tells him that she can't help feeling there's something more to it - Bert having a go at Brian, she means. She asks Bert if he doesn't like him. Bert snaps that he's alright. He then pauses and says he's a good lad. He tells Fiona that he supposes his nerves are starting to get to him - he's going to put a bundle on Rosie's Hope when she's racing in the city - he reckons she's a winner - and he gets excited when people who don't know start interfering; he's sorry he made a gig of himself. Fiona tells him not to be silly - she just wanted to clear it up. Bert says he'd better get back to it, and he goes. Jill comes in and asks Fiona what's wrong with Bert. Fiona explains about him just having a go at Paul and then Brian, adding that he said it was nerves. She then tells Jill that she has to admit that she's amzed Paul didn't answer Bert back - he took it like a lamb. Jill says, "There you go!" adding that she told Fiona that Paul had had a think about the way he'd been behaving. Fiona says he'll have to do a lot more than that to convince her. Jill laughs and says, "Gee, you're cautious!" Fiona says, "You bet I am!"

At Toorak, Wayne incredulously says to Patricia, "You're buying her a whole new wardrobe?" Patricia tells him to keep his voice down. Wayne snaps that when Patricia goes overboard, she goes all the way. Patricia crosses her arms and tells Wayne that it's time they had this out: why is he so against her helping Margaret?. Wayne replies that he can tell a con a mile off, that's all. Patricia sarcastically says he would be able to do that. Wayne says he's not being smart - he just thinks Margaret's out to get what she can out of Patricia. Patricia points out that her sister hasn't asked for one thing since she's been there; there's nowhere else for her to go - she has noone else - and now she's just lost her job; she's her sister, and whether Wayne likes it or not, she intends to help her; Margaret will have her confidence back in no time once she's got her some decent clothes to wear, and once she's introduced her to a few of her friends; she'll get on very well with them. Wayne laughs and accuses Patricia of having a new dummy - someone she can train and dress up. He adds that he supposes she's been suffering from withdrawal symptoms since Angie's been independent. Patricia looks bemused, but Wayne tells her to admit it: she loves dishing out the money when she wants to - it makes her feel good; it's certainly got nothing to do with her conscience. Patricia sharply says she never noticed him knocking it back. Wayne replies that he hasn't got a conscience either, but at least he's honest about it. Patricia tells him that if she was him, she'd keep that to herself. She walks off. Wayne looks annoyed, but after a few seconds, he goes out.

Wayne has gone to the bookshop, where he tells Mr. Jenkins that he's sorry to trouble him, but he's Margaret Dunne's nephew. He continues that he knows that probably nothing can be done about it, but she's terribly upset. Mr. Jenkins, looking surprised, says, "Oh, really?" He carries on tending to the books as Wayne explains that, when she came home and told him she'd been sacked and it had knocked the stuffing out of her, he wondered if there was anything he could do. Mr. Jenkins replies that there isn't - and then says he's surprised that Wayne says she was sacked. Wayne doesn't look surprised as Mr. Jenkins tells him that Margaret resigned; it came completely out of the blue. Wayne smiles to himself but pretends to be surprised, questioning further about her resignation. Mr. Jenkins looks at him and tells him that Margaret did it in a rather dramatic way, if he may say so: she informed him that she'd always hated the job and, rather than rot, she was going to look for something else - something that suited her personality. Wayne says, "I see..." He adds that it seems odd that she didn't give any notice. Mr. Jenkins replies that that came up too, but Margaret informed him that he could keep his money - she had ample means of support, and all she wanted was to be free of there as soon as possible. Wayne looks thoughtful. Mr. Jenkins concludes that he was taken by surprise. Wayne says he's sorry if she was rude, but Mr. Jenkins says that she wasn't exactly rude, but, certainly for Margaret, she was outspoken; he does hope she knows what she's doing. Wayne says he's sure she does... He thanks Mr. Jenkins and goes to walk out. Mr. Jenkins calls out to wish her luck.

Jill is sitting at the table at Woombai, sucking a pen and staring at a sheet of writing paper. She looks thoughtful. Brian comes in and asks if something's troubling her. Jill is startled, but recovers and explains that she's tried to write a letter to John five times. Brian looks at her as she continues that it's crazy when you don't know what to say to someone you love; she knows what she wants to say, but it just won't come out right. Brian advises her not to think about it - just do it. Jill looks at him as he tells her that people think too much instead of letting their emotions work for them. Jill says she'll have a go. Brian wanders over to an armchair and watches Jill as she continues staring at her sheet of paper. He then asks her if she's having problems with John. Jill looks at him again, but says she really can't say - she can't quite put into words what the problem is; it's as bad as writing a letter - and she doesn't think it's right to talk about it behind his back; all she can say is that she's got a bit of a problem he doesn't know about - and it would make it a lot easier if he didn't stay in the airforce after his training's over, too. Changing the subject, she asks Brian what he's doing wandering around inside anyway - shouldn't he be out working? Brian replies that he's staying out of Bert's way - he seems to be bringing out the worst in him today. He adds that it's a wonder Jill didn't actually hear it from there in the house! Jill says it couldn't have been that bad! She smiles and then says she'll never finish her letter today. She suggests they go for a walk, adding that she'll protect Brian from Bert! Brian stands up and thanks her, saying he's sure she'd rather listen to a pretty colleen, anyway. Jill asks if that supposed to be an example of Irish charm?! Brian says, "Oh, begorra, it is!" Jill laughs. They go out.

Outside, Fiona is talking to the blonde woman who spoke to Paul earlier. Brian remarks to Jill that it looks like Fiona's got a problem. Jill asks who the woman is, and Brian explains that she's from the Reid house; she was having a go at Fiona when he came into the house. Paul is nearby, feeding a horse, and he overhears the woman's raised voice complaining that the only thing they have to entertain them is the television set, and that's gone on blink, too. Fiona says she'll have somebody over there to see to it as quickly as she can. The woman continues that what Fiona really needs is someone in charge over there; nobody really seems to know what they're doing. Fiona looks worried, and she apologises, explaining that they've never been as busy as this, before. The woman threatens that if Fiona doesn't do something about it, she doesn't think they will be again. Fiona says she'll have it fixed by tonight, and she thanks the woman for bringing it to her attention. The two of them walk off as Paul watches.

Inside, Fiona is looking through a file for some papers when she suddenly spots Paul standing in the doorway. She grudgingly says hello. Paul tells her that he gathers Jill had a word to her. Fiona says she has. Paul continues that he knows he can't take back the things he said to her, but he can apologise and he can thank her for giving him a go up there - it was the last thing he expected from anyone, least of all her. Having listened to this, Fiona tells Paul that she's pleased it's worked out, and she must say, he seems to be pulling his weight. Paul then says he ran into a couple of guests from the Reid house, and they didn't seem too happy. He asks if everything's alright over there, and Fiona replies that she thinks so, although Alan Pascoe is very overworked; she thinks things could be a little bit lax over there. Paul asks if it would help if there was someone over there to keep an eye on the running of the place - like him for instance. Fiona stares at him and asks, "Why you?" Paul replies that she knows he'd be good at it - and he wouldn't be asking for any more money. Fiona repeats, "Yeah, but why you?" Paul tells her that he's wasting his time working at stables with Bert - he really doesn't know anything about horses, but he does know about running things - and he needs to get his life back on the rails again; give himself some sense of purpose - and he thinks working over there wiill help him do it. Fiona looks at him thoughtfully, and then says they'll make it a trial period. She tells him to get his things over there this afternoon and start tomorrow. She returns to her papers, leaving Paul smiling to himself, looking pleased...

A while later, Jill serves lunch to Fiona and Bert, and Fiona says she needs it! Jill asks if it was a rough morning, and Fiona tells her she could say that! Jill comments that it's good that Paul is going to sort out those problems, and Bert chips in that he agrees, as Paul's only in the way at the stables. Fiona says she's glad they're both so glad; she's not so sure, though. Jill asks why not, adding that Fiona has to admit he's changed. Fiona says she's not sure about that, either - he's changed, but she wonders why he's being so honest. Jill says that's a bit rough, and Fiona agrees that it might be, but Paul's trying to worm his way in with her, and she wants to know why. Jill tells Fiona that she's too suspicious, but Fiona replies that Jill can think what she likes; she knows Paul's line - he doesn't like her any more than she likes him, and she has a very long memory - and she can spot a phoney a mile off. As Fiona speaks these last words, Bert suddenly starts choking, but he quickly says his food went down the wrong way. Jill asks Fiona why, if she's so suspicious of Paul, did she give him the job in the first place; if she feels that strongly about it, she shouldn't be putting herself on the spot. Fiona, though, says she isn't, and she tells Jill not to worry - she's only giving Paul the rope; they'll have to see if he hangs himself...

Wayne is sitting in the lounge room at Toorak, eating, when the front door bangs and Margaret comes in. Wayne asks her where Patricia is, and Margaret replies that she stayed in town - she had business to do with Ramberg; she'll be home soon. Wayne then tells Margaret that he was sorry to hear she lost her job. Margaret replies that it came as quite a shock - he was very unreasonable. Wayne asks her if she's referring to Mr. Jenkins, to which Margaret just agrees, "Hmm." Wayne stands up and looks at her, then says he thought he was very pleasant. He continues, "I know you're lying - I went to see your boss." Margaret looks guilty, but she tells Wayne that he can't be sure Mr. Jenkins was telling the truth; he can never be really sure what happened. Wayne, though, tells Margaret that he knows what she's up to - he can see it a mile off: she's really working to get Patricia around her little finger. Margaret snaps at Wayne not to judge other people by himself, to which Wayne asks her if she's denying she's out to get what she can from Patricia. Margaret replies that she'll accept what's owing to to her and what's offered to her. She tells Wayne that he's suggesting she's trying to manipulate Patricia. Wayne asks, "Aren't you?" Margaret says no, she isn't - she has no intention of taking Patricia down. Wayne tells her that, no matter what she thought last night, Patricia would never choose her over him. Margaret replies that she wouldn't count on it. She reminds Wayne that he's forgetting that she's Patricia's sister and, when it comes to the crunch, he isn't even a blood relative, no matter how many years he's been calling her 'mother'. She then tells Wayne that he's pathetic. Wayne replies that Margaret doesn't just need Patricia on-side to stay there. Margaret incredulously says, "You?!" but Wayne says, "No, not me; the boyfriend." Margaret looks surprised, and she asks if Patricia's seeing someone. Wayne says, "Sure is. You might even remember him: the name Martin Healy ring a bell?" Margaret looks shocked.

A while later, Patricia is coming downstairs followed by Margaret, who rants that she can't believe Patricia is seeing him again. Patricia calmly says it all happened very simply really: John found out that Martin was his father and he manged to track him down; that's how she met him again; he and John got along so well together that John even joined the airforce; it was only a matter of time before she and Martin found themselves thrown together. She adds that she can't say she's sorry - and she's invited him for dinner tonight. Margaret groans. Patricia says she was going to tell her this afternoon, but Wayne jumped the gun, apparently. Margaret rants that the man is an arrogant pig who only cares for himself, and she asks what he wants from Patricia; what's he after? Patricia tells Margaret that she can't understand why she's so upset - she felt very strongly about him when she first met him again, but she realised after all these years that she was to blame as much as he was; she tells Margaret not to forget that it was nearly 22 years ago. Margaret rants that she's not having anything to do with him, and she's certainly not having dinner with him tonight. Patricia tells her to calm down, adding that she didn't think she'd take it this badly. She continues that she understands that Margaret cares about her, and about what happened, but why is she so angry after all these years - everything between Martin and her is fine, truly. She asks Margaret if it isn't time to forgive and forget. Margaret snaps, "I'll never forgive him. You only know half of it." Patricia asks her what she means, and Margaret continues, "The man is an arrogant pig. He wasn't just having an affair with you - you were a silly child to him. He was having an affair with me at the same time." Patricia looks shocked.

 

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