Scene 1
Burke and Arlie embraced, close and intimate.
"I didn't expect you so soon," he said, rubbing her back.
"He got a call that he 'had to take' not long after I got off with you, just after he finished telling me he wanted to put business second and family first."
"I'm sorry, honey."
"Oh, it's nothing. It was no surprise to me at all. What he wanted to talk about was."
"Do you want to tell me about?"
"He wants to make up for lost time, get back together. He even sounded sincere. His phone call didn't really anger me, I left because I didn't know what else to say to him."
"Wow, that's... where does this leave us?"
"The same place we were before he got back to town. I'm not sure what to think about Pierce yet."
"I don't know, Arlie... maybe we should hold off until the two of you get it sorted out."
"I enjoy spending time with you, Burke, I'm not going to do that. We haven't done anything compromising yet anyway."
"But we've both thought about it, haven't we?"
Arlie gave a coy smile. "Yeah..."
A little flattered by her answer, Burke quickly recovered. "Well, anyway, thought counts just as much as action."
"I know what you're trying to say, but it's too early for me to think about it just yet. But let's get going! I've been looking forward to this for a few days now."
"Right, no harm in a little roller blading between friends. Get your gear on."
Scene 2
The maid at the Marshall estate was taken aback when she opened the front door to find Becky Duffy standing before her.
"Miss Duffy, isn't it?" Becky nodded. "My, you've grown into a woman! You were... twelve, I think? The last time you were here."
"Thirteen. Is Grace home? I want to surprise her."
"She is. Oh, won't she be happy to see you? Literally, I suppose! Come on in. I'll take you to her. She's back with the horses."
The maid led Becky through the house and out the back, beyond the patio and swimming pool to the fence surrounding a horse paddock. Grace was working with a horse some distance off, but she saw when the maid waved to get her attention and rode over, dismounting her horse and jumping the fence to stand with them.
"Someone here to see you, miss. I'll go now."
"Thank you." Grace waved briefly as the maid left, then turned to Becky. "Yes?" Becky just smiled. "Do I know you?"
Becky smiled wider and nodded, taking Grace's hands and putting them up to her face. Grace sighed and complied, closing her eyes and lightly touching Becky's face with her fingertips. She inhaled deeply and smiled as recognition sunk in, then opened her eyes again.
"Becky?"
"Yeah," Becky smiled, her eyes glazing over.
"My God!" Grace squealed, throwing her arms around her old friend and squeezing her tightly before pushing her to arm's length to get a better look. "I knew you were beautiful. Why didn't you ever send me a picture?"
"Didn't have any good ones, for one thing, but I wanted you to see me in person the first time. You don't know how much I wanted to come back here... first after the... attack... well, you know... and then when you had the operation, but you know my mother..."
"I know. I wished you could have been here."
"The phone and e-mail wasn't nearly enough."
"But why are you here? When did you come, how long will you stay, why didn't you call?"
"My mother got on my last nerve, yesterday afternoon, I hope for good, and it was too sudden to call."
"That about covers it!" Grace laughed. "Are you staying at the Avalons'?
"Yeah, with George and Burke. It was so good being there, sleeping in my old bed. It really felt like being home again."
"That's good. So... ?"
"So... ?"
"I don't know, what are you going to do? Go to school? Work?"
"I might start going to school. I don't know how to apply, since my transcripts are all in Italian. But I am going to work. Burke is going to get me a shift at Bridges."
"That's great. Come on, I'll get this guy here back in the stables and we can go inside and talk."
Scene 3
The Marshall Industries company headquarters was located in the top six floors of a downtown Victoria office building, but the top floor remained vacant. That afternoon, John Marshall sat in his corner office preparing for a meeting with Maureen and Pierce and a conference call with Elizabeth and Nick. When Maureen entered, he set aside his reading and rose from his desk to give her a kiss.
"How was your morning, Maurie?" he asked.
"Hectic. This whole thing could potentially cost us a lot of money."
"Let's not get too far ahead of ourselves." Pierce Marshall strode confidently into his brother's office, almost as if it were his own.
"Hello, Pierce." Maureen smiled and the two exchanged a friendly hug.
"Madam Vice President," Pierce greeted in return. "How has my brother been treating you?"
"Not too bad. Did he invite you to dinner when he saw you earlier this morning?" Pierce shook his head. "Typical. Would you and Arlie join us for supper tonight at our place? Just the four of us."
"Love to, Mo, but I was hoping to convince Arlie to go out with me tonight. She's, uh... not too pleased with me at present."
"Understandable. Sometime soon, though."
"Mr. Marshall, the call is all set up. Line one."
The voice of John's secretary came over the telephone intercom and he retreated behind his desk to take care of it.
"Thank you, Gloria." John pressed several buttons, then stood back. "Lizzie, Nick, are you both there?"
"We are, Johnny. We've been gossiping about you while waiting for you to pick up." Elizabeth Marshall von Oldenburg's voice was deep and sensual, yet still held the mischievous charm only a little sister could have.
"John has no secrets," Maureen said. "Nicky, do you have a girlfriend yet?"
"Sorry, Mom, looks like Andy'll beat me to the altar. But can we cut the chitchat? I have a busy day ahead of me and I'd like to get some more sleep before it starts."
"Yes, we'll keep this short," Pierce piped in. "I thought it would be best if the two of you were kept informed. We got word of this over the weekend. You both know about the development project we had planned out on Regent Island."
"Destination resort, trees, hills, fields, great view, yachts. I saw the specs, it looked great," Elizabeth said.
"Looked being the key word," Pierce said. "It all hinged on this one old fella selling us his land. He has no family, and he was really eager to do it. But now he's pulling out—at the last minute, it was all but done."
"I can see while you're all concerned, Uncle Pierce, but it's nothing we haven't dealt with before. It's local, why isn't Dad taking care of it?"
"It seems old Mr. Hayes has had a change of heart. He doesn't seem to trust MI like he did before. He's had another offer that he's seriously considering."
"I still don't see..." Nick said.
"It's from Benedict Forestry."
"I thought they only dealt with the midwest United States."
"Apparently they're moving out west. But that's not the point. They're not talking. They won't return our calls. We already have contracts with architects, builders, suppliers... this could cost us big."
Scene 4
There were relatively few kids at Gyro Park as Flynn sat on the sand with her Communications text and notebook, spending more time gazing out on the calm waters of Cadboro Bay than concentrating on her assigned reading. Occasionally she shifted her gaze to look at the other UVic students, all taking advantage of the beach's close proximity to the campus to study between summer session classes, but recognized no one. She attempted to start reading again, but slammed her book shut in disgust when she finally realized she would never be able to concentrate. The funny thing was she wasn't even thinking of Ross or what would happen if Laidey found out. Her mind was devoid of all thought.
"Aunt Josie!"
Flynn's eyes widened as she gasped, reluctant to turn around as she heard the hurried footsteps of her niece, Sunny, across the sand. The little girl wore a light sundress over her bathing suit and had already kicked off her sandals. Her curly blond hair was pulled back and braided. Flynn mustered a genuine smile and a hug when Sunny reached her, but was afraid to look behind her.
"Hey, sweetie, what are you doing here?"
"Mama brought me so we could have a picnic lunch with Daddy. You'll eat with us, right?"
"Sounds like fun, Sunny, but I was just about to go."
"Oh, come on, Josie. Eat with us." Laidey appeared at her daughter's side.
Flynn looked up at her sister briefly, then concentrated on getting her books in her bag.
"I wish I could, Laidey, but I have to go."
"I never get to spend time with you anymore, Josie, stay. You don't have a class, do you?"
"No, but—"
"No protests." Laidey reached down, took Flynn's hand, and pulled her to her feet. "We've got plenty of food."
Flynn didn't protest, but didn't say anything either. She smiled, but avoided looking Laidey in the eye. As they walked back to where Laidey had dropped their things, Ross approached from the parking lot.
"Hey, is that Josie you found?"
"She's going to eat with us," Sunny announced, running to meet her father before taking his hand and leading him back to the small group.
"That's great. Hi, Josie."
Ross leaned in to give Flynn a hug, but she remained still and did not return it. Laidey did not notice the exchange, as she had already begun spreading a blanket and arranging the food.
"Lighten up, Josie," Ross whispered in her ear, his warm breath giving her a shiver. "We've been closer."
"Fuck you, Ross."
Flynn tried to pull away, but Ross held her close, grabbing and hold her arm so hard that it was all she could do to suppress a cry of pain. Still, neither Laidey nor Sunny had noticed.
"I'd watch the way you spoke to me if I were you."
Flynn yanked her arm from his grip and took a step back. "Why? You have more to lose than I do."
"Daddy, Josie, come sit down."
Ross gave Flynn one last warning stare before turning from her, but Flynn stood her ground and remained strong before him for the first time since their liaison began.
Scene 5
"I'm glad you agreed to have dinner with me tonight."
Pierce only glanced over at Arlie as he said it, keeping his eyes on the road. The sun was beginning to set as they drove along a quiet, oceanside road.
"I would have said no considering this morning's incident, but I got a call from Maureen."
"What did she say?"
"She just convinced me to give you another chance."
"I'll have to thank her."
"Where are we going?"
"Some place special."
When, just several minutes later, they turned on the private drive that lead to Bridges in Avalon, Arlie's face fell.
"Pierce, must we go to Bridges?"
He frowned and turned his gaze from the drive. "You've always loved Bridges!"
"I still do, but... Pierce, if we're going to deal with our problems do we really have to do it in front of all our friends?"
"It's only George and Burke! You should be able to share your problems with your close friends."
"I'd really rather not."
"Really, Arlie, trust me. I already called ahead—Burke set us aside one of the more private tables." Pierce looked at her, waiting for a response that didn't come. "With the view of the orchard." Still nothing. "You'll get to watch a kilt-clad young gentleman light the lanterns."
Arlie cracked a small smile, but quickly hid it. Pierce beamed, as pleased with himself just as he was glad to see Arlie's spirits raised.
A group of four was just crossing the drive from the parking lot when Bridges came into view. Pierce slowed to let them pass, then continued on to find a parking space. They kept a leisurely pace on the walk up to the restaurant, admiring the scenery as they went. Half way there, Arlie reluctantly took Pierce's arm when he offered it to her. She dropped it to her side again when she saw Burke. He was greeting the party before them, and smiled and nodded in Pierce and Arlie's direction when they entered.
"I'll be right with you guys," he said to them, then signaled a waiter who lead the group away. "Hey, you two. We're just kicking the last couple away from your table now."
"I'm sure they'll leave you a hefty tip to show their appreciation."
"Why wouldn't they?" Burke chuckled. "Have a seat at the bar. George wanted to know when you got here. While I get him, someone else wanted to say hello."
He beckoned over their shoulders and retreated to the kitchen when they turned around.
"Becky! I'm so glad you came back to town." Arlie and Becky embraced, both close to tears. "I was sorry I'd missed you when you came to visit Grace."
"I was, too." Becky separated herself and Pierce gave her a quicker, less personal hug. "Hey, Uncle Pierce."
"Now that's nice to hear again. Maggie and the boys dropped the 'uncle' long ago. But what's this?" He put her at arm's length to examine her uniform. "George and Burke have you working for your supper already?"
"I'm just a bus boy. I wanted to work—I came in to organize a shift and someone had just called in sick. I expect the nepotism will kick in soon enough and I'll get a promotion."
"Don't count on it." George came up behind Becky, startling her when he places his hands on her shoulders. "We're going to work you like a dog. Nepotism is what gets you a fatter pay cheque. It's been a long time, Pierce. We must plan a wild night on the town soon."
"George, we both know our nights on the town have been anything but wild for at least fifteen years now. But you are right. Have our old haunts been torn down yet?"
"Oh, I think one or two are still up and running."
"Good."
"My God, it's Pierce and Arlie! I thought the two of you would be long divorced by now."
Becky squeezed her eyes shut and blushed, while George rolled his eyes and shook his head. Pierce and Arlie turned around to see the owner of the vexatious voice and found Tina Duffy standing in the doorway, one hand on her hip in an alluring pose and a saucy smile on her lips.
"For God's sake, Mother," Becky gritted through her teeth before trying to walk away, but George held her firmly in place.
"Becky, honey, you're my daughter. I go where you go."
"That's what I was afraid of."
Before you go, kindly leave your comments:
Coming up in Episode 5:
- Jack and Gemma visit Ann's grave and discuss plans for the future.
- Michael and Sara face their limited options.
- Aunt Grace falls ill just as two women in Paris receive the fruits of Grace's recent bank transaction.
- Flynn thinks she may be left with an unpleasant, lasting reminder of her affair with Ross