The dining room

Joan is sat with Bea and Helen

Joan - She was running child porn rackets and getting girls hooked on drugs...she was a sick bitch

Bea - And the siege? What happened there? She claims that she had no control over what happened to Myra, it was all the terrorists

Joan shakes her head

Joan - She was in total control and she enjoyed herself too. Ok, those terrorists were maniacs too, especially the one who called himself Ram, he was one hell of a scary man....but Ballinger was just as evil, she ordered Desmond to be shot dead and she loved every second of it...I was shocked by her cold-bloodedness, Desmond didn't deserve that

Bea and Helen give Joan a look

Bea - Come on now Joan, don't tell me you gave a damn about Myra!

Joan - So we didn't get on but I never shot a prisoner in the head in cold blood did I, no matter how much I disliked her I took no pleasure in watching her get killed in that way

Bea- Yeah fair enough. Well thanks for telling me the truth about her Joan, seems like I need to have another chat with our Mrs Ballinger doesn't it

Joan - She will lie her head off, she's a very good actress

Bea chuckles

Bea - Yes I have noticed that.....

....Cheryl, Kath, Vicki, and Reb are observing

Cheryl - Hey I thought you said those two hated each other?

Reb - They did and now it seems they have called a truce. Makes you sick doesn't it

The garden

Nicholas and Ruth are walking

Nicholas - How much do you know about this Bea Smith?

Ruth - Absolutely nothing, I only met the woman yesterday. All I know is she has an appalling attitude and thinks she is going to throw her weight around with me. She has a bee in her bonnet over a dead friend of hers that I murdered and I must show her whose boss. no one throws their weight around with me

Nicholas - Well I'll give you a quick history lesson. Smith had a daughter called Debbie, she died in 1977 at the age of 20, she was a drug addict and took an overdose

Ruth has a nasty, sarcastic smirk plastered across her face

Ruth - How truly heartbreaking

Nicholas - And incidentally I wouldn't let on that you are in the drug trade as she hates drug pushers

Ruth - Nicholas darling, I told you, no one is going to intimidate me, besides she may already know by now. Now surely you didn't come in just to tell me about her brat dying in 1977 because that is of no interest to me? Short of digging the body up to torment her with I can't use that

Nicholas is smug

Nicholas - Come now Ruthy, you know me better than that. Of course, I wouldn't waste your time. What I have to tell you next I'm sure you will find most useful

Ruth - So let's hear it, the suspense is killing me!

Nicholas - Smith was devastated when Debbie died, totally devastated...she even blamed her husband for Debbie's death and murdered him because of that. Smith thought that once Debbie had died that was the end of it...but Debbie had a secret she kept from Smith

Ruth's eyes light up

Ruth - Go on?

Nicholas - Debbie gave birth to a baby girl in 1976, about a year or so before she died, and gave her up for adoption. She never told Smith about it, she never told her father, the only person she told was her best friend Kerry Jacobs. Smith has a granddaughter she never knew about, a link to Debbie

Ruth - Impressive very impressive. So how did you find all this out since last night?

Nicholas - I don't get my reputation for nothing, I have my ways

Ruth - You certainly do...So why did Debbie keep this from her mother?

Nicholas - Who knows? We can hardly ask her can we

Ruth - So you think Smith will care about this granddaughter she has never even met or knew existed?

Nicholas - I think she will yes....like I say from what I can gather she was destroyed by her daughter's death, imagine how much it would mean to her to find out she has a granddaughter? That her beloved Debbie lives on in this child. The child may even look like Debbie, sound like her. Smith thought that was it once Debbie died, but she does have a granddaughter...her own flesh and blood..oh believe me Ruthy she will be begging for you to help her find her granddaughter, and quite willing to be a good little girl and not cause you any further hassles

Ruth - She may not believe me? I take it you can provide some proof?

Nicholas - Of course... she is waiting in my car, I can bring her in right now to meet Smith

Ruth - Who is she?

Nicholas - Kerry Jacobs, the one person who did know the secret. She can reveal all to Smith and there is no reason Smith wouldn't believe her

Ruth - And have you located the child yet?

Nicholas - No not yet, but that won't take me long. Should get it done today, tomorrow at the latest

Ruth - Hang on though, now there's another problem isn't there. This child was born in 1976 you say?

Nicholas - Yes she was

Ruth - So she is about 10 now?

Nicholas - 10 coming on for 11 yes

Ruth - How will you be able to get her adoptive family to agree to let Smith see her? Presumably, this is what Smith will want, otherwise, she won't feel she owes me a thing

Nicholas - You can leave that to me, I will fix that don't worry. So shall I go and get Jacobs?

Ruth nods her head

Ruth - Yes I think you better had

The governor's office

Janice and Dwyer are there alone

Dwyer - Are you ok? We were all quite worried about you, Inspector Grace has been looking for you

Janice - I'm fine, I just needed a few nights away with my child

Dwyer - What happened Janice? Webster's brother fell off a cliff, were you there when that happened? A witness saw you fighting with Webster

Janice - I'd rather not talk about it if you don't mind. I'm fine and that's all that matters.

Dwyer - I'm afraid you may have to talk about it with Grace, he is very eager to know what happened

Janice - Then I will cooperate fully with him......Have they caught Webster yet?

Dwyer - No not yet

Janice - The girls a mental case!

Dwyer - Yes well now that you're back we should discuss Wentworth, I have a few things to tell you

Spike is sat at the kitchen table as Marty emerges from the shower

Marty - Was that the phone I heard before

Spike - Yes Marty it was

Spike glares at Marty

Marty - Margaret darling, whatever's the matter?

Spike - I've just had a very interesting conversation with Kath Maxwell Marty

Marty looks shocked

The laundry

Cheryl is on the press. Joan, Helen, and Bea are folding and Reb and Vicki are at the driers glancing over at Joan, Bea, and Helen who are all huddled around whispering

Vicki - I'd love to know what they are talking about wouldn't you?

Reb shrugs

Reb - Not particularly. I can't believe what I am seeing, I thought Smith had the guts to stick to her convictions it seems for some reason she has bottled it, maybe Ferguson is too tough for her...

......Helen - What are you going to do to her Bea?

Bea - Kill her, I will kill her for what she did to Myra and I don't care, I'm going to be here for life anyway, one more doesn't make much difference now

Joan - Kill her and you have my full support Bea, you will earn my respect too. You said at the hospital that you were truly sorry about Shane...

Bea - Andi meant that

Joan - I know, I believe you. Well if you want to help make amends then killing that disgusting animal will go a long way to doing that. I'll even help you do it and you can trust me on this, no matter how much I hated you or Kean or anyone, I hated her a hundred times more... I hope you feel you can trust me to help?

Bea nods her head

Bea - Yes I think I can

Bea looks at Helen

Bea - What about you Helen? You're being very quiet

Helen - Myra was my friend too, I support you too. She deserves to die for what she did, count me in

Helen glances at Joan

Helen - I'm still not sure how genuine you are about this truce with Bea, but I am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt

Joan looks at her and nods

Joan - Fair enough...I respect your honesty Helen

Ruth strolls in and Bea charges over

Bea - Just the lady I wanted to see! I think its time we had another chat Ballinger

Ruth is cool as a cucumber

Ruth - Oh really?

Bea - Yes! I have just had a chat with Joan about the siege...I know what really happened, Joan told me the whole lot

Ruth - Oh i bet she did...

Ruth strolls across to Joan with a smirk

Ruth - Couldn't wait to dish the dirt eh Ferguson? Did you tell her the bit about how you set Desmond up to be killed a few days prior to the siege but the plan failed? Or did you leave that bit out?

Bea shoots Joan a look of shock

Ruth - No, somehow I didn't think you would have told her that bit

Bea - Yeah well whatever Joan may or may not have done or tried to do she didn't kill Myra, you did and you were running sick child porn rackets...even Joan finds that sort of thing sickening

Helen- That's right sweetie, as much of a rotten mongrel as she was she would never do anything like that

Ruth - How touching this is to see...Ferguson being defended and protected in this way by other prisoners, I never thought I'd see this

Reb chips in from across the room where she is stood observing with Vicki

Reb - Funnily enough, neither did i

Bea grabs Ruth by her top and gets in her face

Bea - Stop trying to avoid the issue. I want to hear it from you

Ruth - Hear what from me?

Bea - About why you ordered Myra dead you bitch

Ruth smiles evilly

Ruth - I hated the stupid cow, she interfered in my business and I don't like that. She got everything she deserved

Bea is red in the face and shaking with rage, she raises a hand to strike Ruth

Bea - You lousy stinking bitch!

Joan watches with excitement

Ruth - UH! I wouldn't if I were you....I think you should come with me, there's someone I want you to speak to, She is waiting outside. You really should come with me and see her, I think you will be very interested in what she has to say

Bea looks intrigued

Bea - Ok Ballinger, I'll play your little games...and then I'll give you a taste of how Myra felt when 'Ram' was it?...yes Ram pulled that trigger

Ruth - We shouldn't keep her waiting Smith

They leave the room

The others all watch them go

Cheryl - Ok girls, shows over, lets get on with the work now shall we before we have po face down on us

Back with Spike and Marty

Marty - Well you surely don't believe her do you?

Spike - I don't want to but why would she lie?

Marty - To tell you the truth she tried it on with me and I knocked her back

Spike - She tried it on with you? When was this then?

Marty - The other day

Spike - Well you didn't say anything about it?

Marty - I didn't want to worry you about it love. To be totally honest she has been a bit obsessive over me lately and I didn't think you would need the worry of it not after what happened with Delia

Spike - Obsessive?

Marty - Yes she seems to think she's in love with me

Spike - Really? That's amazing Marty

Marty looks perplexed

Marty - Amazing? Amazing in what way?

Spike - Well like you just pointed out yourself, first you had Stout obsessed over you, now Maxwell. You seem to be very popular Marty, I bet most men would be pretty envious of you for getting so much attention. whatever do you do to them Marty that makes you so irresistible?

Marty - I don't know, you'd have to ask them.....you do believe me don't you?

Spike - I'm sorry but I don't think I do, I can tell when you're lying to me Marty and right now I think you are

Marty - Margaret...

Spike - I have to go to work, so do you

Spike gets up to leave

Marty - But we need to sort this out? I'm not lying I promise you

Spike- Yes you are Marty......

Spike leaves

Nicholas is waiting in the garden with Kerry Jacobs

Nicholas - I really appreciate your help with this Miss Jacobs

Kerry - It's no problem. I just hope I am doing the right thing here, raking up the past after all this time. Mrs Smith was a nice lady, I don't want to upset her

Nicholas - Her friend Ruth is convinced it is the right thing. Ruth is very fond of Mrs Smith and would like to help her meet her granddaughter

Kerry - But I can't tell her anything about her or where she is, all I know is she was adopted

Nicholas - I know, Ruth and I will help locate the child don't you worry

Kerry - Gee this Ruth must really care about Mrs Smith to do all this for her

Nicholas - oh yes indeed

Kerry - She sounds like a lovely lady

Ruth and Bea are coming out the entrance door

Nicholas - Looks like them now

Kerry - God I'm nervous. I haven't seen Mrs Smith for years

Janice is in the governor's office with Pat

Janice - Dwyer has informed me about the work release and about Morgan and Tuckers escape

Pat looks embarrassed

Pat - Yes well I never expected anything like that to happen

Janice - Then you're a fool, you send people like Tucker and Morgan outside you have to expect it to end in a disaster. Frankly, I can't even begin to imagine what was going on in your head when you made this decision, and nor can Dwyer.....I'm afraid I have to inform you Pat that he does not see you as fit to be deputy governor and I am inclined to agree...as of now you are demoted back to regular officer rank

Pat looks gutted

Pat - So I make one mistake and...

Janice - I'm sorry but Dwyer has made his decision...he has informed me he is keen for Wentworth to have a male deputy governor and is sending us one later on today

Pat looks surprised

The garden

Ruth and Nicholas are watching from a distance as Kerry and Bea talk

Bea looks stunned, tearful

Bea - No you're lying, you must be

Kerry - Why would I do that Mrs Smith?... it's the truth I swear

Bea is angry

Bea - It can't be! Why didn't Debbie tell me about it? If this had happened she would have told me

Kerry - She thought you would talk her into keeping it Mrs Smith and she really didn't want it. She felt it would have a better life with people who could give it a good home

Bea - So let's suppose it is true, why are you telling me about it now? It was 10 years ago, why now?

Kerry - Mrs Ballinger and her friend Mr Pendlebury want to help you see her,Mr Pendlebury came to see me last night. I have no idea how they found out about it but Mrs Ballinger must be one hell of a good friend. She wants to help you see your granddaughter

Bea glares over at Ruth

Bea - I bet she does

Kerry - I know nothing about her whereabouts but Mr Pendlebury says he can find out, I don't know how but he has his ways

Kerry is close to tears

Kerry - I'm glad you know now Mrs Smith, I wanted to tell you all those years ago but Debbie swore me to secrecy. But I always thought you had a right to know, you were always good to me Mrs Smith, more like a mother to me than my real one that's for sure. I preferred it more at your place than at my own home... I am glad you may get a chance to see your granddaughter, I wish I had good friends like Mrs Ballinger

Bea smiles cynically

Bea - it really is not all it's cracked up to be Kerry love believe me

Kerry looks confused

Kerry - Aren't you pleased Mrs Ballinger has done this for you?

Bea glares over at Ruth

Bea - I don't know yet, it's all a bit of a shock

Colleen is in reception as Jim Fletcher walks in

Jim - Hello Colleen, long time no see

Colleen looks stunned

Colleen - Jim?! What are you doing here?

Jim - I'm the new deputy governor

Ruth and Bea are watching as Kerry and Nicholas leave through the gate

Ruth - She seems a lovely lady...very genuine

Bea - Yes she is...unlike some people

Ruth - Are you going to have the manners to thank me for what I have done for you?

Bea - You must be joking, you've done this for yourself no one else

Ruth - Tut tut Smith, you could at least be grateful

Bea - Like I say I know you've done this for your own benefit, I know you are playing some kind of game

Ruth - That is correct. I want you to stay out of my business...don't threaten me anymore, don't cause me any bother, forget all about your damn friend. Desmond's dead and buried and nothing can bring her back now so let it be...Now Nicholas and I will help you see your granddaughter, meet her, spend time with her...and she stays safe and unharmed...if you agree to my deal and stick to it....otherwise I'll see to it that you never see her...EVER!

Bea gives Ruth a look of sheer contempt

Bea - It's a clever plan Ballinger, I have to hand it to you..the only problem is I don't know this kid, she's a total stranger to me and I have already missed out on 10 years of her life, so why should I care about her?

Ruth - Because you do, i can see it in your eyes. However much you try to pretend you are not fooling me. She's your flesh and blood, your one last remaining link to Debbie...I know this has got to you, I know you care and I know you would like to see her and build a bond with her....so I must ask you, Smith, do we have a deal?

Bea (cold) - I'll think about it

Bea walks away

GATESLAM

PART 2

Bea is in her cell looking at a picture of Debbie and crying. Meg comes in and she quickly shoves the picture in her locker and wipes her face

Meg (concerned) - Are you ok Bea?

Bea - Yes I'm fine Mrs Morris

Meg looks doubtful

Meg - I went to look for you in the laundry, they told me you weren't there

Bea - I felt a bit crook, needed a lie-down, I'm feeling better now so I'll go back

Meg - That's not what I wanted to see you about Bea...I wanted to see you about Lizzie's funeral

Bea - Oh...

meg - It's scheduled for tomorrow. The department has given permission for yourself and Helen to go, on the condition you are escorted by two officers. So myself and Mrs Powell will be taking you

Bea - Thanks for telling me Mrs Morris... I'll get back to the laundry now

Jim is with Janice in the governor's office

Janice - Dwyer tells me you were here before?

Jim - Yes a fair few years ago now...the place has changed a bit since then

Janice - You were the governor of a youth detention center for young boys at one time?

Jim nods his head

Jim - Yes I was...unfortunately I lost that job when I suffered a breakdown. Fortunately, the department took me back when I recovered but my governor's job had gone to someone else, I have been a senior officer down at Woodridge for the last few years and now here I am a deputy governor again

Janice - Well I'm sorry to hear about your breakdown and losing your governor's position, that must have been tough. But I am glad you have fully recovered and been given this chance to be a deputy and work your way back up... I do hope you have put your past problems behind you for good