Back to the Past: Part One

This mini-series traces the Wheeler family back to 1985. Enjoy...

Elliott House: San Francisco

Stephanie stands perfectly still watching her reflection in the mirror. She lashes out with a paperweight and watches as the glass falls to the floor around her feet.

Silently, she picks up the telephone and presses re-dial. The woman answers.

"Hello?"

Silence.

"Hello? Who is that?"

"It's me. Stephanie Elliott. I think we need to talk, don't you?"

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Isabelle turns over, her body jerking the white satin sheets unevenly over the bed. She looks at a photo of Martin on her dresser. Martin, her husband. Well in name anyway. As she ponders her bizarre marital situation, a groan can be heard from the other side of the bed and a warm hand slides up her back.

"How was it for you?" the voice asks provocatively. She turns back round to face Ian Sanderson, the estate manager. He is blonde, in his early-thirties and good looking in a rugged way. Good enough for her anyway. Every day she is getting closer to her 50th birthday and her honey blonde hair is slowly turning grey.

"Fine." She finally replies.

"Just fine?" Ian sits up, his male pride wounded by the indifference in her voice.

"Do you want some kind of medal?" she snaps as she begins to light a cigarette with her trembling fingers.

"Okay, okay. Jesus. Bite my head off why don't you." He rubs his face and heads towards the bathroom for a shave.

"Why don't you go home?" Isabelle questions, her voice barely audible above the running water.

"What?"

"I said why don't you go home? I'm sure your wife will be waiting for you."

Ian re-enters the bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. Martin's towel. Shaving cream, also belonging to Martin, is covering his face. "You trying to get rid of me or something?"

"I'm just stating. I'm sure your wife would like to see more of you."

"Sure." Ian sniggers as he walks back to the bathroom. Isabelle studies the wedding ring on her finger. Without thinking, she pulls it off and places it in a drawer at the side of her bed.

Garrett House: Napa Valley

Rose Garrett fixes her grey hair nervously and drops the brush when she hears the doorbell ring. "Arthur? Guy? Can someone get that please?" There is no answer and the bell keeps ringing. Sighing, Rose makes her way down the stairs and swings it open. Lauren Wheeler stands there, school books in hand and beaming with her beautiful smile.

"Oh hi Lauren. Come on in." She beckons the girl into the living room and yells up the stairs. "Guy honey! Lauren's here for you!"

As Rose leaves, Lauren thinks about the family. Everyone knows that Guy is adopted. Arthur and Rose told him when he was three years old. But they are probably the closest family she has ever come across. She tries to ignore the fa ct that Arthur and Rose work on the plantation near the estate. As far as she is concerned, they are her friends, not her employees.

Guy jumps down the steps and ruffles his blonde hair in the mirror before entering the room.

"Got a date with Rikki?" Lauren asks. She can never usually get in contact with Guy on a Saturday as he is so busy with his girlfriend.

"Nope. Did you bring the chem' notes I have to copy up?" Guy holds out his hand waiting for them.

"Yes. Here they are." Lauren hands them to him.

"Thanks." Guy throws them on a chair before blurting out, "I had a meeting with the adoption agency yesterday."

"Do your parents know?" a worried tone creeps into Lauren's voice.

"No and they're not going to either. I'll tell them when I think I have to. But I found out something...a little weird."

"What?"

"It was a private adoption. There was no trace of them getting me through any agency. That makes it harder to find out about my real parents."

"Unless you ask Arthur and Rose."

"I don't want to hurt their feelings but I may just have to do that."

Beverly Hills Hotel: Los Angeles

Mark Fielding waits at a table, dressed in a beige Armani suit. His 'client' Helen Keats, comes over to the table dressed less than conspicuously courtesy of her favourite boutique on Rodeo Drive. She is in reasonable shape for a fifty year old but still the thought of making love to this woman...for money sickens Mark to his stomach. It doesn't matter. He has to survive.

"Am I late?" she enquires breathlessly declining a seat.

"No."

"Well then what are we waiting for? I've booked a room. Let's go."

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

Martin frantically signs his signature on several documents whilst he nervously awaits the arrival of his next appointment. His secretary, Marge buzzes him. "Mr and Mrs Garrett are here now Mr Wheeler."

"Send them in." Martin switches off the intercom. He doesn't want Marge 'accidentally' listening into this conversation.

Arthur and Rose Garrett enter timidly, intimidated by the ostentacious trappings of wealth that have greeted them on their way in. The office, unlike the rest of the glass tower is slightly more subdued with classical furniture spread liberally around the room.

Martin stays seated, "Sit down." He beckons them to two over-stuffed chairs at the other side of his desk. "Now we can get started."

"Martin, what do you want? Why have you brought us here?" Arthur asks, slightly leaning forward.

"To give you some advice. I do not want Isabelle finding out that Guy is her son."

Elliott House: San Francisco

Stephanie walks back to the house after driving Tommy to a friend's. David is in the kitchen.

"I thought you went to work."

He looks up, "I did. But I needed to get a couple of files for a meeting this afternoon. What was with all the glass on the floor in the den? Did Tommy have an accident?"

She pours herself a glass of orange juice and flicks on the television. "No. What time will you be home this evening?"

"About 8. Why?" David checks his appearance in the mirror.

"Because I want to know you won't be with her David."

He sighs and drops the files on the table, "What the hell are you talking about? We've been over this. I told you I am not having an affair with anyone. Will you just accept it?"

"No I won't! You're lying to me and you know how angry that makes me." Her eyes are filled with fury and she stands rigidly still.

"I don't have time for this. Perhaps with all the spare time you seem to have during the day, you can go and find yourself a shrink. You need it." He yanks his briefcase with the files stuffed carelessly inside and heads towards the door.

"Don't you walk out on me! Don't you dare!" Stephanie hears the door slam and looks at the clock. Only a few hours and she will get to the bottom of it once and for all.

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

The sun burns the back of Lauren's neck as she cycles through the gates and stops by the stables. She spots a deliveryman at the door. "Can I help you?" she asks, shielding her eyes.

"Yeah, is..." he looks at a slip of paper, "...Mrs Isabelle Wheeler around? I have a package for her."

"I'll sign for it." She says confidently. The deliveryman, obviously in a hurry, concedes and drives off down the driveway as Lauren enters the house.

"Hello?" She calls out. Pilar, the maid is taking a day off and there doesn't seem to be any sign of Isabelle. Lauren calls out one more time but decides to head upstairs in an attempt to find her.

* * *

Wearing his towel, Ian pushes Isabelle down onto the bed and kisses her passionately. At first she is unresponsive but then she gives in. She is sure this will be her last time...she needs to make her marriage work.

Lauren jumps energetically up the staircase leaving her slightly out of breath and waits to see if she can hear any sign of life. Figuring her mother must be asleep, she walks to the bedroom door and slowly pushes it open. She stifles a gasp when she sees them. Her mother and Ian are locked in a passionate embrace on the bed and fail to witness her standing in the doorway. After a moment, Ian looks up and sees her.

"Shit."

Isabelle pushes Ian away violently and jumps up, "Lauren! Lauren wait I can explain!" She runs out of the bedroom in her robe and watches over the banister as Lauren races down the staircase.

Back in the bedroom, Ian is pulling on his clothes. Isabelle tosses him his shirt. "Get out!" she screams.

"What? Izzy, babe...we can keep her quiet! Martin doesn't have to know!"

"I said get out!" Isabelle attempts to choke back tears and her throat burns from screaming.

"Fine." Ian yells back and slams the door.

Beverly Hills Hotel: Los Angeles

The morning sun is muted by closed drapes, which send shadows shooting round the room. Mark is standing at a mirror, checking his appearance whilst Helen searches through her purse. Her hair is ruffled and previously impeccable make-up smudged.

"Will a hundred cover it?" she asks pulling out a wad of notes.

"Yes." Mark's voice wavers as he grabs the money from her hands.

"You were great you know." Helen winks sending Mark into a disgusted trance. He does not answer and walks out of the suite.

Wheeler Corporation: San Francisco

"How are we meant to stop Isabelle from finding out? She has no idea that Guy is her son anyway! She thinks her child is dead! Only we know the truth. That you kidnapped him and...gave him away. However much that sickens me to think that you could make your own wife think her child is dead...I have to be grateful for having Guy in our lives." Rose clasps her purse as she awaits a reply.

Martin stares into her eyes, "You really do think I'm sick don't you? You know why I did what I did. Guy is not my son. She had an affair! Did you really expect me to be able to raise a child that wasn't mine? He's better off with you."

"I don't doubt it." Rose remarks coldly.

Arthur intervenes, "What happened in the past can't be changed. There is nothing we can do about it now. Guy is happy and so are we. Why all of a sudden do you want to dig everything back up again?"

"Because I was informed by an adoption agency in the city that Guy has been snooping around about his parentage."

Rose is taken aback. Could he really have been investigating his real parents? He never mentioned it and the thought that he has gone behind her back hurts her more than she could possibly have imagined. "So what if he has? We didn't go through an adoption agency. Remember? There is no trace of what happened."

"It's too dangerous!" Martin rubs his head impatiently, "You are living only yards away from the estate! From Isabelle! It could so easily come out and if that happened we'd all be ruined. I want you to take Guy...and leave the valley."

Rose can feel her stomach churning, hearing the words. She knew one day that it would come to this. "We are not leaving!"

"Like hell you're not! I want you gone within a week. I have found you two new jobs on a plantation in North Carolina."

"We are not going to North Carolina!" Arthur announces furiously.

"If you don't you'll regret it. I have a meeting. I'll call you tomorrow."

The Garretts rise and silently leave the office as Martin slams the door shut behind them. Arthur puts an arm round Rose as they walk down the corridor towards the elevator and Martin starts to make a telephone call.

"Hi, it's me. We're going to have to go with Plan B. Get it set up for 8 o' clock tonight. We'll get rid of them permanently."

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Lauren runs out to the poolside and dabs her eyes with a tissue trying to block out the image of her mother in bed with another man. It doesn't work. By the pool Jessica is playing with Jake's toy truck.

"What are you doing down here?" Lauren asks rhetorically. Of course Jessica does not answer. She is too busy manipulating the truck round a pair of Jake's shoes. But within a few seconds it skids into the water below and inquisitively Jessica starts to climb in after it.

"Jessica! No!" Lauren exclaims. She runs over and scoops a squealing Jessica into her arms, keeping her away from the water. The truck sinks to the bottom as Jessica could have done. Holding Jessica in her arms, Lauren shouts angrily, "Julia? Julia? Where the hell are you?"

"Here!" Julia shouts back as she walks round the side of the house to the pool. "What is going on?

"Your daughter nearly drowned that's what! You irresponsible bitch! What the hell were you doing leaving your four year old daughter alone at the side of a swimming pool?"

Julia grabs Jessica from Lauren, "I don't have to take this from you. You're a teenager and an immature one at that. Now leave me alone."

"I will for now. But as soon as Douglas comes back from his business trip I'll tell him exactly how well you've been looking after the children."

After chasing Lauren, Isabelle can hear the argument and runs outside. "What is all the noise about?" There is no answer as the two women stand silently, "Lauren?"

Lauren pushes past her mother and walks into the house. Isabelle turns to Julia, "I don't know what is going on between you two but I don't want trouble. She is only 15 and I don't want you fighting with her."

"Then keep her the hell away from me." Julia places Jessica on the ground, takes her hand and strolls off towards the side of the house.

Isabelle goes into the kitchen and sees Lauren standing by the window. She is motionless with her arms crossed obviously waiting for an explanation.

"Lauren we need to talk." Isabelle mumbles knowing that explaining everything to her daughter will not be easy. Is there an explanation? She thinks to herself. The only reason I sleep with Ian is because I'm not happy...my marriage is not happy.

"I don't know if I want to hear what you have to say." Lauren heads towards the door but Isabelle grabs her arm and spins her round.

"Tough. Sit down!"

Lauren is stunned by her mother's attitude and obediently seats herself on a stool. "Well?"

"I know you must be confused...seeing...well...me in bed with Ian."

"I'm not confused Mom. You're sleeping with another man and cheating on my father. There really is nothing to be confused about."

Isabelle shouts, "It's not like that! There are reasons why I did it. I'm not just some slut who can't keep her hands off younger men. I'm not happy Lauren! Don't you get it?" Tears begin to fall down her cheeks, as Lauren remains silent, mesmerized by the speech, "I've never been happy! Not with your father! He doesn't love me. And he's not so innocent either. He's had plenty of affairs that you've just never found out about..."

"You're lying!"

"No I'm not. Your father is not the man you think he is. I never wanted you to find out like this. I never wanted you to know that I don't want to be married to him anymore. He treats me like dirt and I can't take it."

Lauren can feels tears welling up in her eyes seeing her mother's pain, "If it's so bad then why didn't you leave him?"

"Because I was scared! What would I do? I would have to fight for you because there is no way he would let you go. He loved me once...in the beginning. And then, a year after you were born, I had another child. Remember? A baby boy. He was stillborn. I never got to see him...to hold him. And your father always blamed me. To this day he refuses to mention our son. That was the day he finally stopped loving me. He's been punishing me ever since."

Lauren slowly walks over to her mother, "I'm sorry." She whispers. Isabelle throws her arms round her daughter and the pair stay there for a while, just crying.

Mark's Apartment: Los Angeles

The slamming door of Mark's apartment reverberates for a while down the grimy corridors of the less than salubrious building. There is only one room with a bed and a television. The so-called bathroom is down the hall.

Mark throws his jacket on a brown seventies chair and flops down on the bed. He feels sick. He is a dirty, low-life prostitute. But it is the only way to survive. No one will ever have to know. He only needs to do it until he gets his first acting job. But seeing the wad of money poking clearly out of his jacket pocket makes the guilt come flooding into his mind. How did he end up like this?

Garrett House: Napa Valley

It is evening and Arthur and Rose sit themselves down at the kitchen table secure in the knowledge that Guy is upstairs with Rikki. Rose swallows a couple of aspirin and pushes her plate of food away.

"Rose you've got to eat something."

"I can't."

Arthur grabs her hand, "He can't force us away you know. There's no way he would have Isabelle finding out that Guy is her son. He can play by our terms."

"Arthur, you can't be sure of that. That family has millions. They're more powerful than we could ever be. If Martin Wheeler wanted to find a way to get rid of us...he could."

"What do you mean?"

Rose plays nervously with a tissue and keeps her eyes on the table, "I don't know. But it scares me. Perhaps it would be best if we did just move on. Then he could never threaten us again."

"We can't give in like that. I won't let him wear us down. I'll meet with him tomorrow. If he can't be reasonable then we can come to some agreement. After all, what's stopping us from telling everything to Isabelle?"

"The fact that she would take Guy back if we did."

"Exactly. We all stand to lose unless we can stop Guy from looking into his parentage."

"Talk to Martin tomorrow. I'll chat with Guy. Maybe I can discuss it with him."

"Okay." Arthur kisses Rose on the cheek and moves to the sink in order to start washing the dishes.

They don't notice the door close. Guy heard everything. He is too stunned to move for a moment. Lauren is his sister? He moves slowly up the stairs to his bedroom.

Wheeler Estate: Napa Valley

Michael pulls back from a kiss with Julia. His brother's wife. They are in the fields watching the stars.

"What's wrong?" Julia asks, picking at a flower in the ground.

"Nothing." Michael sighs and looks around.

"You feel guilty don't you."

After a short silence Michael replies, "Yes. Of course I feel guilty. Douglas is my brother and you are his wife."

"And the only reason I married him is because your father forced me to."

Michael pushes a strand of hair out of Julia's face, "I know."

"Things could have been so different."

"Don't live life regretting Julia."

"I don't. We're still together aren't we? Maybe not as we'd like to be, but we still love each other."

"More than ever." Michael kisses Julia again before they lie down on the ground looking up at the sky.

* * *

Lauren excuses herself from dinner with her parents. She cannot face making pleasant conversation with them. Not after what Isabelle told her. There is one way to make her feel more at ease. Confronting Ian himself. She knows he is still on the estate as his car is parked in front of the house.

A dim light radiates out from the stables and Lauren walks over bracing herself for the battle. "Ian?" she calls out quietly, pushing the oak door shut behind her.

He jumps down from a platform suddenly, startling her. "I'm here."

"I know, you just scared the living daylights out of me."

"Sorry." Ian throws his pitchfork in a bale of straw.

"I want to talk to you...about earlier."

"I guessed you would. What do you want to know?"

"Nothing. I want to tell you something."

Ian grins, "Oh yeah? What's that?"

"To stay away from my mother and my family. I want you to resign."

Lauren is disturbed to see Ian laughing, "Oh do you? Well sorry missy but that ain't gonna happen. I have a great job here. And your mother...well she ain't too bad for an old broad. You know what I mean?"

Lauren brings back her hand and slaps him as hard as she can across the face but as he wipes the blood from his cheek, he just keeps on laughing. "You like it rough?" he stares at her menacingly.

"What are you talking about?" Lauren begins to back away from him, stumbling over straw as she moves.

"You know what I mean baby. I've seen the way you look at me. You want me. That's why you have a problem with your mother and me. You're jealous."

"What? You're disgusting. Get away from me! You are sick!"

Ian grabs Lauren by her throat and pushes her to the ground, "Oh yeah? You wanna see just how sick I am sweetheart?"

"No!" Lauren kicks out but Ian's weight keeps her pinned to the ground. She chokes as a dizzy feeling blinds her.

"Don't fight baby." Ian kisses her.

"Get off me! Please!" But he doesn't.

When it is over, Ian leaves without saying a word. Lauren lies on the ground unable to move or think. Tears are streaming down her face and her clothes are torn to shreds but that doesn't matter. Pulling herself up the wall by her nails, Lauren edges towards the exit unable to control the wave of sickness that takes over her body. No one can hear her. No one can see her. She is alone.

Elliott House: San Francisco

David is not due back for a couple of hours and Tommy is staying at a friend's house. That gives Stephanie her chance. She caresses the gun that she found in David's closet. It's loaded and ready to use. When the doorbell rings, Stephanie grabs the gun and puts it behind her back.

She answers the door and sees Angela waiting. She is very attractive with shoulder length, jet-black hair and a great wardrobe thanks to the millions left to her by her deceased husband.

"Come in." Stephanie invites her into the living room.

"I don't know what you wanted me to come here for. But it better be good." Angela hears a click behind her back and turns to see Stephanie standing in the doorway holding a gun. The black hole of the barrel points at Angela like a deadly snake ready to bite. "What are you doing?" Angela asks exasperated.

"Something I should have done a long time ago. Move over to the couch." Stephanie points with the gun as Angela backs towards the couch, keeping her eye on the gun at all times.

"David told me you know about us. I'm sorry..."

"Oh finally someone admits it. You know he's been denying it the whole time." Stephanie smiles with self-satisfaction, "But I knew. I knew everything. You are a slut. And you tried to steal my husband."

"Stephanie, he came to me! You were having problems. He told me that he was getting a divorce and I...I believed him."

"A divorce? A divorce?" Stephanie screams.

"Yes. I know now that it can't be true. I'm sure he loves you. It was a mistake. Just a stupid mistake."

"Damn right it was." The gun moves closer to Angela's head.

"Stephanie, please don't do this. I'm begging you."

"Good. Beg me. Come on Angela. Beg me not to kill you."

Angela closes her eyes ready to die but a sudden strength takes over her body and she lashes out with a fist. Stephanie falls backwards and drops the gun, which goes off. As Angela runs for the door, Stephanie chases after her and slams it shut.

With a frightened whimper, Angela drags herself up the stairs kicking at Stephanie who grabs at her frantically. "Get back here bitch!"

She finally makes it to the top but Stephanie grabs her from behind and holds her precariously hovering on the top step.

"Let go of me!"

"Try that again and I'll break you like a twig." Stephanie spits.

"No! Get your hands off me." Angela attempts to free herself but she can't. Stephanie pushes violently and watches as her enemy tumbles down the staircase and listens to the crack as she lands on the ground below. She is not moving.

The front door opens and David walks in. He jumps down to the floor seeing blood dripping from Angela's ear. Her face is contorted and pale as she lays at the bottom of the staircase...her neck broken. He looks up and sees Stephanie standing there. She did it.

"What have you done?" David screams in disbelief.

But she says nothing.

In the concluding episode of Back to the Past

Stephanie enlists David's help in getting rid of Angela's body...

Lauren tries to get help after the rape...

Martin plans to get rid of the Garrett family...

The estate is rocked by an explosion...

Part Two

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