| To Try To Deal
Written by Darren Rowe The Hudson Residence, 21 Spencer Street Opening the stained redwood front door to her house, a numb Georgia stands in the doorway. Blankly looking around the warm and lavishly decorated house, Georgia stands in silence. The sound of Georgia’s short and shallow breaths slowly creeps its way through the silent house, filling every crack and invading every corner. Slowly closing the door behind her, Georgia makes her way into the living room. Sliding her black leather handbag off of her right shoulder, she places it on the coffee table in the centre of the room. Georgia takes a seat on the lounge suite opposite the coffee table. Slowly Georgia looks down at her right hand. Her tightly clenched hand is grasping pamphlets on breast cancer, what it is and how it’s treated. Loosening her hand, Georgia looks at the pamphlets. Breast Cancer: The Facts and How to Treat It. Breast Cancer: Facts and Fiction Breast Cancer Treatment: What is it and what’s going to Happen? As her eyes begin to swell with painful tears, Georgia throws the pamphlets across the living room. As the brightly coloured sheets of paper twirl and dance as they fall to the ground, Georgia cups her face in her hands. The steady of river of tears pours down Georgia’s cheeks. The pain of the tears, the pain of knowing – the pain of not knowing consumes Georgia. As the tears fill every crease and wrinkle in her face, Georgia sobs uncontrollably. – spencer street – Delilah Café, Spencer Street “So you and Harry were friends?” Emma politely asks as she and Charlotte sit at a booth awaiting Harry’s return from the bathroom. Charlotte, swirling a thick straw in her chocolate milkshake, glares at Emma. The rage of knowing Emma is the reason Harry is not with her anymore burns into Charlotte’s heart like acid. The rage and resentment Charlotte feels towards Emma is so strong, so intense. “Yeah. Well actually, if you must know, we were lovers.” “Oh,” Emma replies, looking at Charlotte a little surprised. “Right, well this is a little embarrassing.” “Why? Its just sex. Darn good sex at that.” Emma looks down at the table, clearly uncomfortable with the situation. “What’s wrong Emma? Are you embarrassed?” “Ah…yeah, just a little.” “Why? We’re both adults and this is a fairly standard conversation don’t you think?” “Well I don’t really discuss my sexual matters with my friends.” Charlotte flashes Emma a wicked smile. “You’re a virgin aren’t you?” Emma looks at Charlotte horrified. “Excuse me?” “You’re a virgin. Oh my God.” “I don’t see how that’s any of your business,” Emma replies. Charlotte lets out a roar of laugher. Everyone in the café turns and stares at Charlotte and Emma. Emma, clearly embarrassed by the whole situation, grabs Charlotte’s arm. “Shhh. Stop it Charlotte.” Charlotte freezes. Slowly looking down at Emma’s hand firmly clamped on her arm, Charlotte can’t believe Emma’s nerve. “Get your hand off of me.” “Or what Charlotte? What are you going to do? Why are you in Somerset Charlotte, please enlighten me.” Charlotte pulls her arm away. “You don’t want to mess with me Emma.” “Or what Charlotte? What are you going to do?” Charlotte glares at Emma. “You cross my path again and I will kill you. You mark my words.” Emma looks at Charlotte. Charlotte’s eyes are glassy and cold, so cold they send a shiver down Emma’s spine. Charlotte grabs her red leather handbag and slides out of the booth. “Goodbye Emma,” Charlotte hisses. “Oh and don’t forget…one wrong move and Harry will lose his precious little Emma.” As Charlotte leaves Delilah Café, Emma sits in silence. Harry re-emerges from the bathroom. “Where’s Charlotte gone?” Emma looks at Harry. “Ah…um…she had to go.” Harry smiles at Emma as he slides into the booth and takes her hand in his. Lifting it to his face, Harry gently kisses Emma’s silky soft hand. – spencer street – Homicide Division, Somerset Police Department Walking into the Homicide Division, Brock looks around the busy office searching for someone who is working on the Raul Saunders case. Straddling up to a colleague’s desk, Brock notices the photograph of Harry and Charlotte in an evidence bag. Picking up the clear, plastic bag, Brock looks at the photo again. “Who are you?” he whispers to himself. “And what are you doing with Harry?” Checking to see if no one’s looking, Brock stuffs the photograph into his trouser pocket. As he begins to leave the homicide division, Brock pulls out his cell phone and dials a number. “Harry, hi. Have you got time for a chat?” – spencer street – The Austral Hotel, Spencer Street Standing behind the bar drying a glass with an old tea towel, Calvin cocks his eyebrow as he looks across the bar at his daughter. Watching her clean off tables, Calvin is intrigued. “What’s wrong love?” he asks as he places the dried glass down before slinging the damp tea towel over his shoulder. Miranda, a little startled by her father’s question, turns and looks at him. “Sorry?” “What’s wrong? You look like you’re off with the pixies.” Miranda smiles. “Oh it’s nothing. It’s just…” “Boy troubles?” Miranda looks at her father with a smirk on her face. “How do you always…” “Know what you’re thinking?” Calvin replies as he walks over to his daughter. “I think you’re forgetting that you are your father’s daughter.” “Well it’s just that Cain and I are planning a holiday and…” “Cain?” Calving interrupts. “I hope you don’t mean Cain Goodwin.” “Yeah. Why? What’s wrong with Cain?” Calvin takes a seat at the table his daughter is cleaning. “Sit for a moment.” Miranda follows her father’s instructions and takes a seat. Looking across at her concerned father, Miranda can sense a strong dislike towards her boyfriend. “Miranda, how long have you known Cain?” “All my life.” “No…I mean intimately.” Miranda looks away embarrassed. “No, I don’t mean that. What I mean is…how long have you had feelings for him?” “Dad I don’t want to have this conversation.” “Well we’re going to. Miranda, Cain…well he’s not all he seems.” “What?” Miranda replies as she looks deep into her father’s eyes. “What do you mean?” “Honey, what I mean is Cain is a bit of a player.” “Dad!” “Sweet heart, he only enters relationships for one reason.” “Dad I can’t believe you, I can’t believe you’d make such a statement about someone – someone who is a family friend.” “Miranda please I…” “No dad. I’m 18-years-old and I can date whoever I want. Cain loves me and I love him too,” Miranda yells as she jumps down off of the raised bar stool and storms out of the pub. “Miranda…Miranda, wait!” As Miranda storms out of the pub and slams the door behind her, Calvin sighs as he sits alone. – spencer street – Spencer Street, Somerset Looking up at the sky, Charlotte squints as the bright sun beats down on her. Focussing her attention back on the path ahead of her, she continues to walk down the suburban street. Making her way towards Louise Hilton’s house, Charlotte stops. The front door to Louise’s swings open as Stuart and Louise appear in the doorway, kissing and fondling each other passionately like two lovesick teenagers. Watching Louise and Stuart’s embrace, a wicked smile creeps across Charlotte’s face. Louise and Stuart quickly part, hoping no one in the street has seen the passionate end to their steamy and intimate evening. As Stuart begins to walk away, Charlotte continues to watch on. Louise waves goodbye before returning inside and closing the door behind her. “Well, well, well,” Charlotte calls as she walks towards Stuart. Stuart freezes, realising someone has seen what just happened. Turning, Stuart looks at Charlotte puzzled – who was this woman. “Looks like you’re hiding a secret.” “I’m sorry, do I know you?” “Charlotte, Charlotte Beaumont.” “Stuart Goodwin.” The two shake hands. “Are you Kate Goodwin’s husband by any chance?” Stuart looks at Charlotte. “Yeah I am…why?” “Oh, I’m organising the hospital ball for her. I’m an events co-ordinator.” “Oh right. Well I am sorry but I’ve really got to run.” “That wasn’t Kate I just saw you kissing,” Charlotte replies as she and Stuart begin walking down Spencer Street. “Are you being a naughty boy?” “Excuse me. I don’t think that’s any of your business.” “So you are a naughty boy. Not getting enough at home? I’ll have a word to Kate for you.” “Don’t,” Stuart quickly replies as he moves in front of Charlotte. “I mean…” Charlotte looks at Stuart and smiles. “I know what you mean, it’s our little secret.” “Th…thank you…I think.” “Oh don’t think this is the end of it Stuart,” Charlotte taunts. “You see, for me to keep this little secret you’re going to have to do me a favour.” Stuart looks at Charlotte uncertain. – spencer street – Delilah Café, Spencer Street Arriving at the popular local café, Chloe looks around at the customer’s looking for Jack. Spotting the handsome CEO at a booth on the far side of the café, Chloe smiles when Jack spots her. Walking towards Jack, Chloe slides her jacket off her shoulders and gently drapes it across her arm. “Hi,” Chloe says as she approaches Jack. “Hi beautiful.” Jack rises from the booth and gently rests his hands on Chloe’s hips. Softly, Jack and Chloe kiss. As they part, Chloe looks into Jack’s eyes and smiles. Jack motions for Chloe to take a seat. As the two sit opposite each other, Jack takes Chloe’s hand in his. “I missed you.” Chloe smiles. “I missed you too.” Entering the café, Shaznay looks around the café. Spotting Jack and Chloe, Shaznay watches on. Seeing her best friend and the man she secretly desires together fills the kind hearted resident with jealousy. As Jack leans in and passionately kisses Chloe, Shaznay continues to watch on. As her heart breaks, a tear swells in the corners of Shaznay’s eyes. “Can I help you?” a Delilah Café employee asks Shaznay as they watch the heart-broken woman. Shaznay, snapping out of her daydream, turns to face the employee. “Hi.” – spencer street – The Hudson Residence, 21 Spencer Street Bursting through the front door to the Hudson residence, Miranda begins to rush upstairs when she suddenly stops. The soft sound of sobbing seems to be amplified by the silence. Miranda steps off the first step and slowly enters the living room. Spotting her mother on the lounge suite sobbing, Miranda is filled with confusion. “Mum? Mum what is it, what’s wrong?” Georgia suddenly stops sobbing and tries to gain her composure. Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, Georgia looks up at Miranda and smiles. Her tear-stained cheeks seem to have dark trails of mascara jaggedly drawn down them. “Mum what is it?” About to say something, Georgia is interrupted when Calvin comes bursting through the door. “Miranda? Miranda get down her right now.” “I’m in here dad,” Miranda replies. Calvin looks into the living room. The look on Miranda’s face sends a clear message to Calvin that something is not right. Entering the living room, Calvin notices Georgia. “Baby, what is it? What’s wrong?” Georgia looks at Calvin. Her puffy red eyes seem sore. “Um…you both should sit, I have something to tell you.” Calvin looks at Miranda. As the two take a seat, Georgia takes a deep breath. “What is it Georgia? What’s going on?” “Um…wow,” Georgia replies with a deep sigh. “I…I’m not sure how to say this. Um, a couple of weeks ago I was in the shower and I discovered a lump near my left breast.” Calvin looks at his wife racked with fear as Miranda covers her mouth with her left hand. “Now,” Georgia begins, choking back tears. “I went to see Kate and she ran a few tests.” “And everything’s okay though right?” Miranda interrupts. Georgia looks at Miranda. Another tear begins to swell in her eye. “Well…um, no honey, Kate found something.” “What?” Calvin asks. “What was it?” “It was a mass and um…Kate did a biopsy and I received the results today.” Looking stony faced at Calvin and Miranda, Georgia tries to remain strong and show no emotion. “I…um, I have breast cancer.” Calvin and Miranda look at Georgia horrified. Horrified that Georgia has kept this from them and horrified that Georgia’s worst fears have been confirmed. “Oh my God, oh my God,” Miranda mumbles. “Mum I…” Calvin looks away from his wife. “There’s something else.” Georgia takes a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. “I’ve decided not to have treatment.” Miranda and Calvin sit in silence as the full impact on what’s just happened hits home. – spencer street – Dr Kate Goodwin’s Office, Somerset General Hospital Sitting at her oak desk with her face cupped in her hands, Kate tries to come to terms with Georgia’s cancer. Sliding her hands over her face, Kate sits up straight in her office chair as she looks down at Georgia’s file. As she flips a page, she’s startled when her mobile phone begins beeping. Reaching across her desk, Kate picks it up. 1 Message Received The soft tone of the phone’s keypad fills Kate’s office as she checks the message. Kate’s eyes widen in disbelief as she looks at the message stunned. Do you know what your husband’s up to? |