Cheryl barely controlled the urge to slam the door on her way into the house. Briefly glancing around to make sure the living room was empty, she dumped her handbag on the counter and went straight into the kitchen. One hand reached up for a glass while the other fumbled for a half-empty bottle of Rum. Slamming the glass onto the counter, she unscrewed the top of the rum and poured half a glassful. The bottle also hit the counter with a loud thunk, and her hand shook with helpless rage as she lifted the glass and took a large gulp. Her mind kept running over and over the conversation she'd just had with Gary Savage.

"I'm glad you dropped in actually. I need to talk to you about our loan. I'm afraid I'm going to have to call it in."

"What, all of it?"

"I'm afraid so."

"What... where the hell am I going to find a hundred and twenty grand all of a sudden?"

"Well don't panic. You don't have to pay right away... you've got thirty days."

The words, and Gary's indifferent tone, seemed to reverberate through her ears. The glass slammed down on the counter again, spilling alcohol over her hand and onto the tiled surface.

"Fuck..." she whispered, mindful even in her state of high agitation, that someone else might be home. She turned to the sink, rinsing her hand and the dishcloth, then using it to wipe up the spill. All the she was while swearing under her breath with ever more vehemence until she finally threw the cloth back into the sink as hard as she could with a final "FUCK!"

She leaned on the counter, facing the window, breathing hard, fighting both tears and the urge to start throwing and breaking things. How the hell did Gary expect her to find the money to pay him back?

Just then, she heard the bathroom door open out in the hallway. She took a deep breath, forcing her temper back into its cage and walking back over to pick up her drink again. With a huge effort of will, she managed to present a neutral expression as Wayne entered the room, clad only in a bath-towel wrapped around his hips. A few stray drops of water from the shower beaded on his muscular chest, normally one of her favourite sights. Tonight, she was too upset to notice.

"Hey, I didn't hear you come in." Wayne made his way past her, picking up the kettle and filling it.

"I only just got home." Cheryl said, taking another large drink of Rum. She picked up the bottle and gave serious consideration to refilling the glass. Instead she put the bottle back on its shelf and managed a smile as Wayne leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

"Everything ok?" As hard as she tried to hide it, Judd could always tell when something was bothering her. For one moment, Cheryl considered telling him, desperately needing to get it off her chest and vent her anger and frustration. No, she decided, she wouldn't burden him. It was her decision to use an expensive Lawyer, it was her decision to accept a loan from Gary, a virtual stranger. So now it was up to her to deal with the consequences. She managed to rein in her temper again and merely made a disgruntled noise in the back of her throat.

"Oh you know, the usual, work, kids..." feigning a casual demeanour, she leaned one hip against the counter.

"Are things still awkward between you and Kasey?" Wayne asked. He held up a cup, wordlessly asking if she wanted a cup of tea, to which she shook her head.

"Nothing I can't live with I guess. At least Kasey's happy, she's up to her elbows in designs for a whole range of cock socks..." Cheryl's voice dripped with derision, and Wayne grinned, chuckling silently as he poured hot water into his cup.

"So what's wrong with the kids?" He asked, heading to the fridge for some milk.

"Well, nothing with most of them. I mean, I wish Jethro would come and stay, let me look after him. But he swears he's fine. Pascalle seems to be doing well at the Janet Frame. And Van's at least putting some thought into getting a job..."

"Which leaves..." Wayne left the obvious answer dangling.

"Loretta." Cheryl said in a dark tone. Here at least was something she WAS free to vent her feelings about. She finished the last of her Rum in one swig and turned to place the empty glass on the counter. She felt Wayne move up behind her and leaned back into him as he wrapped his arms around her, propping his chin on her right shoulder. She sighed deeply. "I really hoped she'd start to settle a bit, you know? I mean, I know it's too much to expect her to like the idea of having a baby, especially at her age. But I hoped she'd at least get used to it. It's like she's determined to ignore it completely."

"Well it's only been what, a month? Give her a bit of time eh? She's just focusing on other things right now." Wayne tried his usual reasonable approach, at the same time tilting his chin down to nuzzle into the crook of her neck. Cheryl snorted derisively, even as her head tilted, reflexively giving him more access. He quickly took advantage, his lips leaving a trail of small kisses up the side of her neck, stopping just under her ear.

"Yeah, that bloody shop." Cheryl said, sounding a little distracted. She swallowed a half-formed impulse to start ranting about Loretta wasting her brains managing a video shop. She shook her head, and Wayne pulled his mouth away from her neck, protecting his nose from taking any damage from her sudden movement. Cheryl abruptly broke away from his loosened embrace, picking up her glass and taking it to the sink. A little taken aback, but sensing she needed to vent her agitation, Wayne didn't protest. He followed her over and finished making his cup of tea, squeezing out the teabag and throwing it in the bin as Cheryl once more went back to the counter. She reached for her bag, needing a cigarette. She got the pack out but did not yet open it, instead gesturing with it as Wayne moved close again, sipping his drink. "You know if anything, she's getting worse. Ever since Hayden came back. God..." Cheryl pulled a face, covering her eyes for a moment with her free hand. "Why couldn't he have just stayed in fucking Australia? As if what she's been going through isn't bad enough? Why did he have to come back and upset her all over again? What the hell does..." Cheryl abruptly cut off the rest of her sentence as the front door opened. Loretta entered, backwards, fumbling to get her key out of the lock. The reason for her unusual entrance and lack of co-ordination quickly became apparent as Hayden followed her inside, their lips apparently super-glued together. Loretta had a fistful of Hayden's shirt in her other hand, which she used to pull him further into the house as soon as she retrieved her key. In a surprisingly well orchestrated maneuver, Hayden used one hand and foot to close the door behind him before allowing himself to be led across the room, his hands now settling on her hips. They were carefully, if blindly, steering their way past the table when Cheryl cleared her throat, causing them to break their enthusiastic lip-lock and look around.

"Evening all." Said Loretta, apparently completely unperturbed.

"Hey Cheryl, Wayne..." Hayden intoned. Unlike Loretta, he did have a slightly deer-in-headlights look in his eyes. He straightened up, letting go of Loretta, though she still had a grip on the front of his shirt.

"Hi." Cheryl replied, her tone neutral, though her mouth hung open slightly. Wayne just grinned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. The moment stretched on, with Cheryl and Hayden apparently both at a loss. Finally Loretta broke the silence.

"Night then!" She said brightly, letting go of Hayden's shirt and grabbing his hand instead. She turned and quickly dragged him out of the room and down the hallway.

"Night..." Cheryl said faintly, but not until they'd already entered Loretta's room and shut the door.

"Funny thing, she didn't really seem all that upset." Wayne deadpanned.

"I guess not." Cheryl replied, still staring down the hallway.

"So I guess they're back together then." Judd said, now grinning at Cheryl's apparent state of shock.

"I guess so." Her second absent-sounding response was too much for Wayne, he started chuckling. She gave him a sharp glance, but his grin and laughter were infectious. As the shock wore off, she also began to smile and let out a single snort of laughter, rubbing her forehead and eyes. Wayne put down his cup and pulled her into his arms again, this time face to face. She leaned her cheek on his bare chest, tucking her head under his chin with a heartfelt sigh.

"Come on woman, lets head for bed eh?" Judd said, his voice slightly muffled against her hair.

"You don't have to work tonight?" Cheryl asked, pulling back enough to look him in the eye.

"Nah, one of the security guards offered to do the patrol. He wanted some overtime and I figured the least I can do is let the guys do as much as I can afford. I'm not looking forward to breaking the news that I have to cut staff." He sighed, and for a moment, Cheryl felt her earlier fury bubble up again, but it was also mixed with deep admiration for Wayne. She pulled him into a fierce, if brief, kiss.

"You're a good man, you know that? Far too good for the likes of Gary bloody Savage." She said emphatically. "You'll find more contracts, I know you will." He looked down, a little surprised by her vehemence. Then he smiled, his mood lightening.

"Yeah, of course I will." He said, leaning in to kiss her again, this time a much longer, lingering kiss. "So, what do you think about that suggestion I made a little while ago?" He asked.

"I think... that's the best idea I've heard all day." Cheryl said, grinning and reaching for the tucked-in edge of his towel, trying to loosen it. He jinked backwards, grabbing hold just in time to stop the towel slipping off. With an evil chuckle, Cheryl made another grab. He turned and ran, and she followed, pausing only to turn off the kitchen light before chasing him down the hall.