The nightclub was packed with people. Young clubbers out for a good time. The skinny young woman was wearing a leather jacket and a short skirt as she walked through the crowded club. Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder was blasting out, sung by the live Stevie Wonder tribute band on the stage. They were good but of course not as good as the legend himself

She stood at the bar and ordered a drink

She looked around the club, old building, wooden. Not many exits and very very overcrowded.

The woman spoke to the bartender

Woman - Packed in here

Bartender chuckles

Bartender - It always is love.

The woman - I have never been here before but someone recommended it to me because I love live music

bartender - Yes we have live music every night. Mostly tribute bands or local unknown bands but occasionally we get a big-name act here and when that happens the place is packed!

The woman - What even more so than it is tonight?

Bartender - Oh yes, this is nothing compared to how packed it is if we get a big name band in

....In an office out the back a woman is sitting doing some paperwork as the phone rang, she answers

The woman - The box nightclub, Bernice speaking. How may I help you....oh it's you Mr Wilton

Bernice rolls her eyes

Bernice - Yes....yes I know....oh get a life Mr Wilton!

Bernice slams the phone down

Chrissie turns to the man with her

Chrissie - Cheers for the drink darling but I have to dash now ok

The man - But I thought we were spending the night together

Chrissie - Yeah well we bleeding well aren't ok

Chrissie gets up to go

The man - You bitch, I've been buying you drinks all evening!

Chrissie - Yeah well I'm sorry...

Chrissie grabs the handles to Charlotte's pram and begins to rush out

The man calls after her

The man - DON'T THINK YOU CAN TRY THIS TRICK IN ME AGAIN BITCH!

Colleen gets out of her seat and runs out after Chrissie

Geoff returns to his table with the drinks

Geoff - Here you go Col...

Geoff notices Colleen isn't there

Chrissie is rushing up the road as Colleen runs after her

Colleen - LATHAM STOP!

Chrissie -BUGGER OFF!

Colleen grabs Chrissie's arm

Colleen - You're on the run with a stolen baby Latham, I have a duty to act on this

Chrissie - Can't you just pretend you haven't seen me?

Colleen - I can't do that, I think you know know that

Chrissie - Look Mrs Powell, everything's working out well for me, please don't mess it up

Colleen - Working out well, really?

Chrissie - Yeah, really

Colleen - Funny that because I would say you're on the game again to get by

Chrissie - Well so what if I am?

Colleen - You really think it's fair to take a baby along to a pub with you while you find business? Is that the environment for a baby?

Chrissie - Yeah well I ain't got no one I can leave her with have i. Look I know it's not ideal but I love Charlotte, I'm doing it so I can provide for her, for us both

Colleen - And what about Kath Maxwell, have you thought about how she feels being separated from her child?

Chrissie pulls a face of disgust

Chrissie - That rotten bitch don't care

Colleen - You don't know that Chrissie

Chrissie - Yeah I do, she told me she didn't want Charlotte

Colleen - She probably just needed time to bond with the child

Chrissie - Bull! She's a cold bitch who doesn't even deserve another child anyway

Colleen - However you feel you have no right to steal someone else's child

Chrissie looks bitter

Chrissie - Didn't stop Neil stealing my child did it

Colleen bows her head in sadness

Colleen - Look, Chrissie, I know you miss Elizabeth...

Chrissie cuts her off angrily

Chrissie - Too bleeding right I do! But it's ok now because I have Charlotte...please Mrs Powell I'm begging you, don't take her away from me. Don't turn me in, please

Colleen - I have to, I'm sorry...

Chrissie - You were there when Neil killed my baby, you saw what it did to me. Are you really going to put me through the loss of a second child?

Colleen - She's not your child, that's the point I keep making

Chrissie - I can give her a better life than Maxwell ever could

Colleen - Yeah, taking her to the pub to meet clients with you...

Chrissie - I can give her love can't I? Eventually, I'll get myself sorted out then I won't need to do this anymore

Colleen looks deeply troubled

Colleen - This is very difficult Chrissie, believe me, I take no pleasure out of it...

Chrissie - If you turn me in that's it i'm going to kill myself, I can't take the pain of losing a child a second time

Colleen - Well where are you living? Is it suitable for a child?

Chrissie - Yes, it is. I can take you there if you like? It's only up the road

Colleen looks back towards the pub looking unsure

Colleen - Geoff is....erm, ok then, as long as we're quick

They walk up the road

A Harley Davidson roars up a dark street and stops outside a house

A woman steps off the back and takes her helmet off

It's Cheryl

A handsome man takes his helmet off

Cheryl - Come in and meet Kath and Alan

The man - Are you sure? It's getting late, I wouldn't want to annoy them

Cheryl - No I know Kath especially is keen to meet you

Inside the house, Kath and Alan are sitting watching tv as Cheryl and the man arrive through the door

Cheryl - Kath, Alan, this is Billy

Billy - Hi there...

Alan - Hello

Kath gets up and shakes hands with Billy

Kath - Pleased to meet you, Cheryl has told me a lot about you

Billy - Allgood I hope?

Kath - Mostly about how you both share the same passion for motorbikes

Billy - Yeah I love them and any chick who loves them too is the perfect girlfriend for me

Kath chuckles

Kath - You would have got on great with Rita. has Cheryl told you about Rita?

Billy - Yes she has, she sounds like she was a great chick too

Alan Maxwell is sitting in his chair looking annoyed

Billy - Well I'll be off now, it was nice to meet you both

Kath - Nice to meet you too

Alan nods curtly from his chair

Cheryl - I'll come back out with you. see you off

Cheryl and Billy leave again

Kath - Well he seems a nice young man don't you think?

Alan - Yes I guess so. A bit of a cheek coming in here so late

Kath - Oh don't be so po-faced Alan really, He was only in here for a minute

Alan looks annoyed

Alan - Look Kath I don't mean to be mean but how much longer is Cheryl staying for? I know she's your friend and I've been happy to put her up for a while but I don't want her here forever

Kath - I know, I think she is planning to move in with Billy soon

Colleen and Chrissie are in a high rise apartment flat

Chrissie - So what do you think?

Colleen - Yes it's very nice. Nicer than what I was expecting that's for sure

Chrissie -So you see turning tricks pays for a decent roof over our heads

Colleen - I still feel I have to turn you in

Chrissie - If you do that my life is over Mrs Powell, I mean it

Colleen sighs and looks unsure

Chrissie - This is a second chance for me. Maxwell has a son, she got a second chance and she killed her first child! I didn't kill mine, Neil did. If she gets a second chance why shouldn't I?

Colleen - And splitting up twins doesn't bother you?

Chrissie shrugs

Chrissie - That's what Maxwell was planning to do anyway

Colleen - But as I told you, she may well have changed her mind on that given time

Chrissie - I doubt it...look Mrs Powell I need to know what you're going to do

Colleen looks extremely unsure

Colleen - I'm going to walk out of here, return to Geoff and pretend I never saw you

Chrissie looks delighted, she hugs Colleen

Chrissie- Thank you so much Mrs Powell

Colleen - The only reason I'm doing it is that I lost my own children and I know how much it hurts. I can see you love this child and I don't want to put you through the pain again. But I'm still not entirely comfortable about it

Chrissie - I know but I really wouldn't give Maxwell any concern if I were you. She doesn't care about this child

Kath is peering into Scott's crib

Kath - Maybe one day you'll get to see your sister again eh

Cheryl is in the doorway to the room

Cheryl - Latham is bound to be caught eventually, Kath

Kath turns around

Kath - I hope so

Cheryl enters the room to sit with Kath

Kath - They should be together, they are twins. I want Scott and his sister to grow up together. I was wrong to even think I could split them up

Cheryl - You never would have gone through with it Kath, I know you wouldn't

Kath - Well if I ever get her back now I certainly won't give her away. I want both my babies together

Cheryl - Do you feel you can bond with her now?

Kath - I think in time yes. Maybe it won; 't happen overnight, but with time I would like to think I will love her as much as Scott

Kath gets tearful as Cheryl hugs her

Kath - I was such a cold bitch with little Charlotte

Cheryl - No you weren't mate, you were just mixed up. It's understandable

Kath - Do you think Latham's looking after her?

Cheryl - Oh yeah, that's one thing I'm pretty sure about. She won't harm her

Kath - I hope not. She may not mean to but she is very irresponsible

Cheryl - I know...

Kath - Fancy a nightcap?

Cheryl - Yes. why not

Kath bends over and kisses her sleeping son

Kath - Goodnight darling

They leave the room......

......They are in the lounge as Kath pours two whisky's

Cheryl - I hope Alan won't mind me drinking his whisky

Kath - If he complains I'll buy a new bottle

Cheryl - Alan doesn't really like me being here, does he?

Kath looks embarrassed

Kath - That obvious is it?

Cheryl - Yeah but I understand. This is his home and I've outstayed my welcome

Kath smiles warmly

Kath - Not as far as I'm concerned you haven't, but yes you're right Alan has been asking about when you'll leave

Cheryl - It's going to be soon now. Billy and I are going to get a place together

Kath - He seems a very nice young man, I'm pleased for you both

Cheryl - Reet would have liked him too, I know she would. He's the type of boy we both used to fight over at high school

They share a chuckle

Cheryl - I'm surprised Alan and you decided to give it another go. I got the impression it was pretty much over between you

Kath - Yes so did I really. But we're both alone and we never got divorced so it seems the practical thing to do

Cheryl - Do you still love him?

Kath - No not like I used to. I don't think he loves me the same either. it's more companionship than anything else

Cheryl - You still love Jim don't you?

Kath smiles sadly

Kath - Yes I do. I didn't realize it was so obvious

Cheryl - It's not, you hide it well. But I can tell

Kath - Do you love Billy?

Cheryl - Yeah I think so

Kath - Then do all you can to hold onto him, you understand?

Cheryl nods her head

Cheryl - I will

Kath - Good girl

Geoff is still in the bar as Colleen returns

Geoff - There you are, I was about to come and look for you love

Colleen sits down

Colleen - Yes I'm sorry. I saw someone I used to know and ran out after them

Geoff - Anyone I know?

Colleen - Oh no...just an old friend from school. The last person I expected to see here...a small world isn't it

Geoff - Yes....well I saved your drink for you

Colleen - Oh thank you, just what I need right now

Colleen picks up her drink and takes a gulp

Colleen - What say we get another round in

Geoff - I thought you only wanted one drink?

Colleen - Yeah well now I've changed my mind. I could do with a few more

Geoff - Is everything ok Col?

Colleen - Yes. why shouldn't it be?

Geoff - I don't know. You seem worried about something

Colleen smiles and lights a cigarette

Colleen - I'm fine

Exterior shot of a house

Inside Chloe is singing and dancing in her bedroom in her pyjamas. Thelma is watching

Thelma - That's fantastic love....but I think it's time you went to sleep now

Chloe - I just want to practice more mum

Thelma - I know love but it's late. You need sleep now

Chloe - Yeah you're right, I do feel tired now

Chloe lays down in bed

Thelma - It's lovely to see you so happy love

Chloe - Yeah well I'm really loving it at that academy mum

Thelma - I know and I'm so proud of you

Chloe - I just wish nan was here that's all

Thelma - I know sweetheart, but the best thing you can do for her is work hard at the performing arts and achieve and make her proud of you.

Chloe - Yes I intend to. I want to make you and dad proud too

Thelma - Donald and I are already proud. To think a few months ago you had us worried sick with that rebellious stage and the drugs...but now you've turned it all around

Chloe - I just want to be on the stage performing and entertaining people. I love it. I wake up each morning excited, I love it at the academy. The tutors there really encourage us to reach out for our dream and grab it

Thelma - They would encourage you to get some sleep too

Chloe smiles cheekily

Chloe - Ok mum, goodnight

Thelma kisses her on the forehead

Thelma - Goodnight love

Kelly and Daniel arrive back at her flat

Kelly - I can't believe we got engaged tonight. What a surprise

Daniel - A nice one I hope?

Kelly - Oh yes, of course, you've made me very happy

Daniel - Not half as happy as you made me when you said yes

They kiss

Daniel - We're going to have a great future together you know

Kelly - Too right we are

Daniel - The next step will be moving in together

Kelly - Move in here, the sunrise and sunset views are stunning

Daniel - I was hoping you would say that

GATESLAM

PART 2

Exterior shot of Blackmoor in daylight

Inside Marina is in the office as Terry shows Janice in

Marina - Good morning Raymond

Janice - Yeah morning

Marina -I am Miss Donovan and you will address me as such

Janice - Yeah sure

Marina gives her a look

Marina - Mr Walters told me you had a cocky attitude and I can see he was right. He had to discipline you last night on your first night! A bad start Raymond!

Janice - He wanted me to stand on an imaginary line

Marina - Nonsense, I'm sure if he said there was a line there was a line

Janice - There was no line

Marina - I can see you're an argumentative one Raymond, they are the ones I pay special attention to

Janice - Will I meet the women this morning?

Marina - Yes, Mr Walters will take you down now. You don't want to beg for isolation for your own protection?

Janice - No

Marina - No what?

Janice - No Mrs. Donovan

Marina - Its Miss not Mrs

Janice grins

Janice - Oh I'm sorry I was so sure it was Mrs Donovan...I mean after all you were going to marry Sean Finlay, did the marriage not take place? What happened to make it go wrong then?

Marina has a face like thunder

Marina - You've made a big mistake now, a very big mistake

Janice - Did the wedding go off with a bang?

Marina is furious

Marina - GET HER OUT OF MY SIGHT!

Janice smirks as Terry manhandles her out of the office#

The women are in the courtyard as Terry opens a door and flings Janice out, she trips and falls

Someone stands over her and reaches out a hand, it's Roo

Roo - Here let me help you up

Janice - I can manage thanks

Janice gets up and starts to walk away

Roo - Not gonna say hello to your old mate Roo then?

Janice- I have nothing to say to you Morgan

Roo- And there I was only trying to be friendly...

Janice- Just stay out of my sight

Roo grabs her

Roo - Not bloody likely Raymond! I've been looking forward to this moment ever since I first heard you were on our side of the bars. You and I have history remember?

Janice- Yes, I do try to forget but I never seem to manage it

Roo - Well now I'll remind you of it every day

Janice knees Roo in between her legs

Roo bends over in pain

Roo - BITCH! I'll GET YOU FOR THAT!

Joan appears

Joan -You'll have to wait until later Morgan, now shove off I want to talk to Raymond alone

Roo - Who are you to give me orders Ferguson?

Joan - The top dog remember? Now beat it

Roo - I'll see you again later Raymond

Roo leaves

Joan and Janice are alone

Janice - So we meet again?

Joan - We sure do eh

Janice - Why do I get the feeling you want to get something off your chest?

Joan - You're very perceptive Raymond, I do indeed

Janice- Spit it out then

Joan - Bea Smith got word through to me about what you did to poor officer Williams at Wentworth, made her lose her child

Janice - I see and have you told the other women yet?

Joan - Not yet, I thought I'd talk to you about it first. Want to tell me about it

Janice - It was an accident, that's all I'm prepared to say

Joan - Well I don't like people who hurt kids Raymond. I think the other women should be told about it

Janice- Fine tell them....and when you do I'll tell them how you tried to arrange Kath Maxwell's miscarriage

Joan - You have no proof of that, why would the women believe you? Ian's not around to confirm it now

Janice - No but Maxwell, Gibson, and others are and I could contact them if I wanted to get them to confirm it

Joan looks surprised

Joan - They all know I paid Ian to make Maxwell miscarry?

Janice - Oh yeah, they attacked Ian and made him tell them and I'm sure they would be happy to confirm it

Joan - I don't believe you

Janice -Want to take the risk, Ferguson? What I did was an accident but what you did was done with intent. You really have no place to judge me....

Joan appears to realize Janice has a point

Joan -Alright I won't say anything to the others. we'll forget about it

Janice - So Ferguson, now that we've stopped with this silliness we should discuss business, what do you think?

Joan - What sort of business?

Janice- We'd do best working together. That Donovan bitch is evil, I know what she is capable of

Joan - Met her before, did you?

Janice - No, but I knew her reputation. She needs to go and so does Walters

Joan - And you want to work together to get rid of them?

Janice - Yes why not? We're both in here for a long time Ferguson. we may as well keep ourselves busy with a few projects

Janice and Joan share a smirk