Shirley is in the lounge with Jim, she examines her surroundings

Shirley - A nice place you have here Jim. Nice and homely

Jim - Yes, Kath and I like it.....

Shirley - Kath?

Jim - Yes. shes my partner

Shirley - Is she? And where is the lucky lady now then?

Jim is somewhat hostile

Jim - That is none of your business

Shirley shrugs

Shirley - Sorry, was just trying to make conversation that's all. So tell me, this Kath woman, she makes you happy, does she?

Jim - Yes she does

Shirley - I find it rather hard to believe that she could make you as happy as I did Jim

Jim - That was a long time ago now and I've moved on, you should do the same

Shirley - But we had some good times, you can't deny that?

Jim - Yes we did have some good times, but like I say it was a long time ago now...

Shirley - There is still something there I can feel it, I saw the sparkle in your eye when you first saw me at the door

Jim - Look Shirl what do you want? I don't know why you've suddenly turned up like this, I don't even know how you found me

Shirley touches him up and flirts

Shirley - I had to find you, Jim. I had to tell you that I still have feelings for you.....

Jim - Come on! I think its time you left

Jim tries to manhandle Shirley to the door but she resists

Shirley - You always had strong hands, Jim!

Jim - Come on out!

Shirley - I know you still like me...

Jim goes to the front door and opens it

Jim - Please leave. I don't want you anymore, I'm sorry if it seems harsh but I am not going to pretend i still have feelings for you

Shirley - Hold your horses Jim There is something important I need to tell you

Jim (impatient) - Tell me then and hurry up

Shirley - You have a daughter. She's three years old

Jim looks shocked

Bea is with Ellen. She turns to the officer

Bea - Can I have a couple of minutes with her, please?

The officer looks at his watch

The officer - A couple of minutes Smith, then I have to take you back

Bea - Yeah thanks

The officer steps outside. Bea and Ellen are alone

Bea - I never expected to see you again. least of all in here

Ellen - I never expected to come here believe me

Bea - What did you do?

Ellen -Married a rich old bugger and then killed him to try and get my hands on his money

Bea looks disgusted

Bea - Right charmer you aren't you! I tried to warn Lizzie all those years ago that you were no good

Ellen - You don't understand I'm sick!

Bea - Yeah sure, just like dear little Josie was sick. You can try to justify it as much as you like but it doesn't wash with me

Ellen violently throws up into a bucket

Ellen - You can see I'm sick can't you? I'm not this good an actress

Bea - So what's wrong with you then?

Ellen - Cancer, it's terminal

Bea softens a bit

Bea - I'm sorry...

Ellen - All I wanted the money for was one last attempt to save my life. There is this revolutionary cancer treatment that can cure cancer, the only catch is you have to go to the states to get it. I don't care about dying so much for myself personally, I'm tired of life. Bit it's Josie I worry about. She tries to act all tough and grown-up but she still needs me in so many ways. I didn't want to kill that poor old bugger but I had to, I had to try. I couldn't even get that right, another lousy mess. That's all my life is, one big mess, and this time I dragged my Josie down with me

The officer returns

Officer - Times up Smith

Bea - Yeah sure

Bea looks at Ellen again with an element of concern and then leaves

Back with Jim and Shirley

Jim - Are you mad? This is some kind of joke right?

Shirley shakes her head

Shirley - No Joke. She's three years old and she needs a daddy

Jim - You're lying you must be. We were told I couldn't have any more kids, we tried for months, I was firing blanks

Shirley - Yes well call it a miracle if you like but they got it wrong. Somehow one managed to get through

Jim - Just assuming it is true, why didn't you tell me before we split up?

Shirley - I didn't know about it until after that. It was a few months after that I finally found out and by then you had moved away

Jim - So you could have tried to find me

Shirley - I had a new fella by then and he was happy enough to be stepdad for a few years

Jim - Oh see and now that he's not around anymore you finally come to me for help?

Shirley - I came to you because I felt you had a right to know about her

Jim - Bull! If you felt that you wouldn't have waited three years to tell me!

Shirley - Well be that as it may I'm telling you now. That little girl needs a father, are you going to step up and accept your responsibilities?

Jim looks angry

Jim - You have a nerve saying that to me. I would have accepted them three years ago if I had known about her and you know that

Shirley - Yes, that's why I know you will accept them now. I know you are angry with me right now but you will do the right thing for your little girl I know you will

Jim pours himself a drink

Jim - I want to meet her

Shirley hugs him and looks delighted

Shirley - I knew you'd do the right thing!

Jim pushes her away

Jim - If you hope I'll get back with you think again. And the fact you've waited three years to tell me is something I can't find very easy to forgive either

Shirley - When would you like to see her?

Jim - As soon as possible. You've kept her from me for long enough

Shirley - She's with my mother right now, I can bring her over here tomorrow if that suits you?

Jim - Tomorrow? Yes I suppose that will be ok

Jim takes a sip of his drink and gives Shirley a look

Jim - I really hope you're not lying to me about me being the father

Shirley - I'm not Jim, you know I wouldn't lie about something like that. I can show you her birth certificate and scan photos, the dates match when we were still together and there was no one else during that time

Bea is in her cell as Joan arrives

Joan - Did you see Peterson?

Bea - Of course, i did

Joan - Did you tell her we're on to her?

Bea - Yes

Joan - What did she say?

Bea - Not much, made out she didn't know what I was talking about like she always does

Joan - I hope you made it clear that she won't get away with it?

Bea - I did but it was like water off a duck's back

Joan - Well I intend to...

Bea cuts her off

Bea - Look can we talk about this some other time? I have other things on my mind right now

Joan - Like what smith?

Bea glares at Joan

Bea - Like personal things, like none of your business-type things. Leave me alone now, please

Joan leaves

Jim is seeing Shirley out as a police car pulls up outside and Shirley darts back inside in a panic

Jim - What the hell has got into you?

Shirley - The police? What do they want?

Jim - I had some problems with my neighbour, it's probably to do with that. Why are you so worried Shirley?

Shirley - I'll explain when they're gone...right now I need to hide?

Jim - Hide upstairs, go on

Shirley runs up the stairs

Jim opens the door again as a police officer walks up the path

Officer - Mr Fletcher?

Jim - Yes that's me

Officer - You are the foster father for Jeremy Battersby?

Jim - Yes, that's right

Officer - Jeremy is in police custody right now, he just confessed to stealing his mother's car and running you off the road. He also says that Mrs Maxwell encouraged him to lie and blame Mrs Battersby

Jim looks horrified

Shanice is in her cell as Kath and Janice arrive in the doorway

Shanice - What do you two want?

Kath - A word...

Shanice - What about?

Janice - About what you are trying to do to poor young Jeremy...

Kath and Janice walk in and close the cell door

Jim and Shirley are alone again

Shirley - I hope there isn't a problem?

Jim - Nothing that needs concern you no

Shirley - Thanks for hiding me, I'd best make a move now. I'll bring Alicia over tomorrow

Shirley tries to leave as Jim stops her

Jim - Not so fast, I want an explanation. You're on the run from the law again, aren't you?

Kath and Janice have Shanice pinned against the cell wall

Kath - All we want to hear you say is that you will stop encouraging Jeremy to take the blame for you, right Miss Raymond?

Janice - Yes right....we will arrange for Jeremy to come back in tomorrow and you will tell him not to try and take the blame for you, you will tell him you are coping fine in here....you got that?

Shanice nods her head

Shanice - Yeah sure, I got it

Kath - Good! That's all we wanted to hear

Janice - We'll leave you in peace now

Kath and Janice leave the cell

Kath - You reckon she will keep her word?

Janice - She'd better, she'll be sorry if she doesn't

Kath - I really appreciate your help with this Miss Raymond

Janice - I'm doing it for Jeremy. He seems a decent kid and she is a disgraceful excuse for a mother

Back with Jim and Shirley

Jim - Well? Answer me

Shirley - Yeah I am. I was going to tell you eventually

Jim - Bloody hell Shirley, what have you done this time?

Shirley - Just a bit a fraud Jim, nothing to go overboard over

Jim - Yes well I'm surprised you haven't settled down and stopped getting into trouble by now. Especially with a daughter now I would have thought you would have learned to be more responsible

Shirley looks annoyed

Shirley - It's her I bloody well did it for ain't it! so I could get enough money to provide for her future

Jim - And of course being on the run from the law really helps her doesn't it

Shirley turns flirty again

Shirley - What can I say? Trouble just follows me around. Anyway, I like living dangerously, where's the fun in life if you don't take a few risks? It just becomes boring ...Don't you like the bad girls anymore Jim? You always used to Jim - I think you should leave now

Shirley - Kath will be home soon will she?

Jim - Yes she will

Shirley - I know she won't, I overheard you and that officer discussing her incarceration

Jim (annoyed) - I should have known you'd listen in

Shirley - So there really is no reason I can think of why I can't stay the night and collect Alicia tomorrow

Jim opens the front door

Jim - I can think of one very good reason...I don't want you to

Shirley - Playing hard to get are we?

Jim - Goodnight Shirley...

Shirley smiles

Shirley - Night Jimmy boy, see you tomorrow

Shirley leaves

Shanice runs down a corridor in a panic and runs into Vera

Shanice - Oh Miss Bennett! You have to help me please! Karen and Miss Haymond are after me! They threatened me. Ooooh, Miss Haymond is one of those bent screws, like the ones you see on tv and in movies. She's a bad egg that Miss Haymond!

Vera - I take it you mean Miss Raymond?

Shanice nods her head frantically

Shanice- Miss Haymond yes....please protect me from her!

Vera - I was coming to look for you Battersby, it seems the charges against you have been dropped and you're free to leave

Shanice looks delighted

The rec room

Kath is there with Cheryl

Cheryl - If you need any help dealing with Shanice let me know

Kath - Thanks Cheryl but I think I may have things under control there. I hope so anyway

A smug Shanice arrives in the room accompanied by Vera. She is carrying her suitcase

Shanice - I came to say goodbye gals! My boy did the decent thing and cleared my name

Shanice gives Kath a smirk

Shanice - Seeya around eh Karen! Want me to pass on any messages to Jimbo for you?

Shanice chuckles

Shanice - Oops silly me! I guess there's no need for that is there? After all, you will see him in here every day woncha!

Vera - Come on Battersby, I haven't got all night

Shanice - Sorry Miss Bennett, I'm coming now.....well bye gals!

Shanice smirks at Kath again and leaves with Vera

Kath is shaking with rage

Jim's phone rings, he answers

Jim - Hello?

Jeremy is on the other end, from prison with a guard standing beside him

Jeremy - Mr Fletcher, I needed to ring you to explain

Jim looks angry

Jim - Explain how you lied to protect your mother?

Jeremy - I didn't lie, it's the truth. I'm so sorry

Jim - We both know it's not the truth son. I get why you feel you need to protect your mother, as misguided as it is I get it, but why you had to get Kath into more trouble I don't know. Now the cops think she encouraged you to pervert the course of justice

Jeremy - She did...I mean she did encourage me!

Jim- Kath has been good to you and this is how you repay her?

Jeremy - I had to help my ma, she isn't coping in there. I'm so sorry

Jim puts the phone down

Guard - Come on boy! Back to your cage!

Jeremy cries as he is led back to his cell

Shirley is with Helen

Shirley - So he will meet Alicia tomorrow. Mum will drop her here in the morning

Helen - How did he take it when he found out he has a daughter that you kept from him for three years?

Shirley - Angry at first as you'd expect but after he had calmed down I could tell he still likes me. There was still a spark there. Of course, he tried to deny it but it was there. Believe me, having a daughter is what will bring us back together

Helen - Oh sweetie, I just hope you're not setting yourself up for a big fall

Shirley - I'm not, I know Jim. I know what goes on in his head

Helen - Jim?

Shirley - Yes that's his name

Helen - I wish you'd tell me more about him? Have I ever met him?

Shirley chuckles

Shirley - Oh you've met him alright. It's Jim Fletcher Helen

Helen looks shocked

Helen - Fletch the letch?......my my some people never change do they!

GATESLAM

PART 2

Exterior shot of Wentworth in daytime

Inside the women are in the showers

Ailsa creeps in looking rough

Cheryl - Bloody hell Ailsa! What's wrong with you? you look awful

Ailsa - Think I'm just coming down with a touch of flu or something

Cheryl - Maybe you should see a dr?

Ailsa - No way! Tough as old boots me, don't need any dr do I!

Louise - Oh I dunno Ails, you look pretty rough I have to say!

Ailsa spots Connie getting out of a shower

Ailsa - Connie love,...

Connie ignores her

The governor's office

Beth is there with Meg and Toni

Meg - How was your time in solitary?

Beth - Horrible. It was so dark and lonely in there. At least it gave me a chance to sleep anyway

Meg - Yes, that's good. You will meet the other women today

Toni - Which block is she going on?

Meg - H block

Toni - Yes, they are a reasonable enough bunch of women on that block I suppose

Meg - You may have to be prepared for some questions from the other women regarding your crime Abbott. You are under no obligation to answer them but the women may think you have something to hide if you don't. My advice is to be as straight with them as you are prepared to be, don't tell them more than you have to

Beth nods her head

Meg - Ok Officer Williams will take you to H Block now

Toni leads Beth out

They walk up the corridor

Beth - Did my children say which time they would come in?

Toni - No they didn't. I'll ring them again for you if you like

Beth - Thank you, you're such a kind girl

Shanice hammers at Jim's front door

Shanice - I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE JIMBO! NO GOOD HIDING!

The door flies open and an angry Jim appears, drying his hair with a towel

Shanice - ABOUT TIME JIMBO! NO POINT TRYING TO IGNORE ME!

Jim - I was in the shower you stupid woman

Shanice - WHO YA CALLING A STUPID WOMAN!

Jim - Will you stop shouting! I don't want the whole street hearing

Shanice - I'm not in Wentworth now ya know! You can't give me no more orders! And let me warn you I'm going to make you pay for.....

Jim suddenly grabs Shanice and pins her to the wall, he gets into her face in a threatening manner

Jim - Do you know something? I have never hit a woman in my life, it goes completely against my principles, but if there is one person who has pushed me to the point I feel like forgetting my principles and just landing her one it's you!

Shanice - You thug! Nothing surprises me about you or Karen no more!

Jim - I'll say this once and once only....keep out of my way from now on or you'll regret it. We may be neighbours but the less I have to do with you the better

Shanice - Yeah well suits me too!

Shanice storms away

The laundry

Toni arrives with Beth

Toni - This is Beth ladies, help her to settle in will you

Toni leaves Beth alone with the women, Beth is visibly nervous

Louise looks her up and down

Louise - What are you in here for then?.....not paying parking fines or what?

Beth - I'm here for murder...I killed my husband

Louise looks impressed

Louise - A bastard was he? Hit you? Abuse you? Well men are all bastards love, you did the right thing

Beth looks distressed

Beth - Oh no my Brian never abused me. He was the sweetest, most gentle, man I ever knew

Cheryl - Why did you kill him then?

Beth - I was sleepwalking when I did it, I didn't know what I was doing

The women roar with laughter

Kelly - Oh lord, I've heard some wild excuses in my time but that's the best of all time!

Beth - It's the truth I swear it! I loved my Brian! The last thing I would ever do is kill him on purpose

The women laugh some more

Kelly - Yeah sure love, whatever ya say eh!

Beth runs from the room in tears

Toni is in the staffroom with Meg

Meg - Did you introduce Abbott to the women?

Toni - Yes I did, I hope they are kind to her. She is very fragile right now

Meg sighs

Meg - Yes, I noticed

Toni - Erm listen, Meg, can I ask your advice on something?

Meg - Of course, what is it?

Toni - I think I did something wrong, but I had good intentions when I did it

Janice arrives outside the door and pauses to listen

Toni - I lied to Beth. She thinks her family is coming to see her today and I don't think they are. You see she asked me to ring them for her and I did, they pretty much said they won't come. She looked so hopeful and was already depressed enough, I didn't have the heart to tell her the truth

Meg - I see...

Toni - Look I know it's not wise to get too involved but I feel sorry for her

Meg - Yes, that's understandable

Toni - I feel bad about it because it's probably made things worse now

Janice is still listening outside