Gina placed the phone back on the bedside table and sauntered over to the window. She pulled back the curtains and let the early morning sunlight pour into the room. It fell over Paul, who was wrapped in the starchy hotel covers and who’d been comatose since his head had hit the pillow. He didn’t even stir. Gina looked out at Victoria Square, feeling happy to be home but reluctant to visit her family. Her Mum was thrilled at the news they’d be making an appearance at lunch since she hadn’t seen her only daughter in over nine months, but Gina knew exactly how it’d go. Her Mum would be lovely and spoil Paul, her Dad would make lame jokes, her brothers would look at Paul disapprovingly and the kids would scream, cry and sulk their way to attention. She let out a sigh. It wasn’t that her family was bad, they were just terribly boring. She turned from the window and sauntered back to the bed, crawled up to Paul and kneeled beside him.

“Pauly,” she cooed as she ran a finger from his shoulder all the way to the tip of his middle finger, causing him to shiver.

“No,” Paul mumbled pulling his arms beneath the covers.

“Come on, you’ve gotta get up,” she huffed.

“I don’t gotta do nothin’,” he grumbled.

“Hey, you were the one that suggested visiting my parents,” she scorned and pulled the covers back. Paul blearily opened one eye.

“I’ve changed my mind.”

“You can’t, I’ve already called Mum, she’s expecting us.”

“Fucking hell,” he huffed as he rubbed his face, his eyes bloodshot.

“You look like shit,” she announced, brushing his hair off his face with her hand.

“Funny, that’s how I feel.”

“Gee, I wonder why?”

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” he mused.

“If it means looking as bad as you, then I think I’ll pass,” she smirked.

“Gee, thanks darlin’.”

“I’m only telling you because I care,” Gina smiled and leant in to kiss him, which she soon regretted and pulled away abruptly. “I think something crawled into your mouth and died last night.”

“I better fish out the corpse then,” he groaned and threw the covers off completely.

“And scrape the fur from your tongue,” she chided. “I’ll see if Fen’s up and hunt out some aspirin.”

“Sounds like a plan,” he yawned as she disappeared from the room. “And one I will thoroughly adhere to in about an hour,” he added and rolled over.

Fenny had had breakfast alone, not wanting to disturb Gina and Paul and assuming Mick and Cameron would be comatose until the next gig. As she stepped out of the elevator, she was greeted by Gina who looked at her strangely.

“Did you eat breakky alone?”

“Well, I didn’t want to disturb you guys,” Fenny shrugged.

“Fen, you saw how drunk Paul was, do you think it’d matter?”

“Good point,” Fenny nodded. “So, did you call your Mom?”

“Yeah, she’s expecting us all for lunch.”

“All? I don’t want to intrude, it’s your family and…”

“Fen, we’ve been held at gunpoint together, you are family,” Gina perked.

“Oh, well…thanks.” She smiled. “So, when are we going?”

“When I go and wake Paul again. He does the same thing every time, says he’s going to have a shower, then waits until I’m out of sight and goes back to sleep,” Gina sighed.

“Brad’s the same,” Fenny announced and then wished she hadn’t, the look on Gina’s face saying more than words could. “You should go wake Paul again.”

“Oh I will. I’ll stick my hands in the bar fridge then put them on his back,” Gina grinned. “You know, Brad would be up if you wanted to call him.”

“Why would I want to call him?” Fenny asked, trying to feign disinterest.

“Because that twinkle in your eye when you mention his name tells me you do,” Gina replied as she headed back to her room.

Brad groaned as he staggered into the kitchen. He searched the cupboards looking for something — anything — that might quell that thumping in his head and the guilt that was coursing through his body. He couldn’t remember all the details of the previous night, just the bad ones that involved screwing Freya until they both passed out. Brad eventually located something that resembled pills and ripped open the packet. The only thing that fell out was a piece of paper. He picked it up from the Formica and rubbed his head as he read it.

“Bitch,” Brad hissed and thrust the box back into the cupboard. He turned to put the kettle on when there was knock at the door. If he’d not felt quite so bad he might have pulled on some more clothes, but instead he just went as he was in his underwear and opened the door. Brad was surprised to be greeted by a blond man who looked rumpled, tired, and harried. “Who are you?” Brad demanded.

“I’m Danny,” the man announced bluntly.

It took a moment for the cogs to slip into place, but the name finally registered. Brad was so hungover that he didn’t know how to sort the rage, sadness and guilt that washed over him. He decided to stick with grumpy. “What do you want?” he grumbled.

“I’m not entirely sure mate,” Danny hissed. “I couldn’t sleep last night, worried about how you’ve betrayed Paul, who I thought was your friend, and…” He stopped himself and took several breaths.

“It’s none of you business,” Brad scorned.

“That’s where you’re so wrong,” Danny announced as he shoved Brad back into the apartment. Danny grabbed him by one arm, which he twisted around Brad’s back and pushed him against the wall in the hallway. “You’ve hurt a friend of mine, mate. Not only that, but how the fuck do you think Fen’s going to feel when she finds out?”

“If you don’t tell her she won’t find out,” Brad gasped.

Danny pulled Brad’s arm a little more, making him gag. “Don’t be such a gutless bastard. She thinks the world of you, how dare you even consider lying to her.”

“What the fuck is it to you if I tell her,” Brad snapped, trying to wriggle out of Danny’s grip.

“I fucking love her,” Danny snapped back.

Brad was speechless and for the first time he realised there was a real possibility he could lose her completely.

“You hurt her, Sherwood, and I will hurt you so much,” Danny hissed into Brad’s ear and then let him go. Before Brad could turn around, the door slammed and Danny was gone. Brad sunk to the floor, shaking with anger and fear. He was angry with himself for fucking Ritza and Freya and angry with Danny for loving Fenny. He never thought, not even with Andy on the scene, that Fenny would find someone to replace him in her life. Danny was right, he had to tell her. No more lies and deception. He had to stop the self-destructive bender he was on and sort his life out once and for all.

An hour after Gina had finally gotten Paul out of bed and dressed, they were in the car and the bustling city was replaced by the laid back surroundings of the suburbs. Paul leaned his head against the window, falling in and out of sleep, while Fenny was fascinated as usual by the spartan landscape. For just half an hour of driving, it was like a whole different world.

“Welcome to Elizabeth,” Gina sighed as the road sign came into view.

“You said this place was a ghetto,” Fenny mused.

“It is.”

“It’s very green for a ghetto.”

“It’s unique.”

“Can’t be any worse than where I grew up.”

“What, America?”

“Don’t start.”

“That’s so made my morning.”

“Is this your parents house?” Fenny asked, changing the subject as Gina pulled the car to a stop outside a house that was situated along the main road. The car jolted and woke Paul who looked blearily out of the window.

“Oh god, we’re visiting Abbie,” he laughed.

“Is this bad?” Fenny asked as she noticed a woman about their age standing in the garden with her hands on her hips and informing a fluffy, chocolate brown cat that if it didn’t get its arse inside she’d attack it with the garden hose.

“Abbie is Genie’s best friend. Well, her other best friend next to you,” Paul mused as they slid out of the car.

“ABBIE,” Gina yelled, hopped the fence and wrapped her friend in a hug.

“Oh my god,” Abbie giggled. “When the hell did you get back?”

“A couple of weeks ago,” Gina perked. “I would have called but I’ve been so busy.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Abbie chided. “I thought you’d be divorced by now,” she added, looking at Paul.

“Come on Abs, you know Genie can’t resist me,” Paul grinned as they hugged. “Not even fucking colleagues and celebrities could keep her away.”

“This from a man who’s dating tofu woman,” Gina scorned.

“Excuse me? Tofu woman?” Abbie giggled.

“Yeah, Pauly’s got a girlfriend, her name’s Freya,” Gina nodded.

“You two are seriously fucked up,” Abbie sniggered.

“Speaking of which, have we introduced you to Fen?” Paul perked and received daggers from Fenny.

“Shit, sorry Fen. Abbie meet Fenny, Fen meet Abs,” Gina babbled.

“Hello,” Abbie grinned.

“Hi,” Fenny smiled, feeling completely out of place, like the odd one out at a school reunion.

“I’m not even going to ask how much you’ve had to drink,” Abbie chided, looking at Paul.

“Who me?” Paul gasped innocently. “I’m totally sober…now.”

“Just,” Abbie sniggered, “So what are you guys doing here? Paul hasn’t started doing shopping centre appearances has he?”

“Did the monkey suit give it away?” Gina giggled, setting Fenny off.

“I’m feeling abused,” Paul sulked.

“I’m not touching that,” Fenny smirked.

“That’s what he says,” Abbie and Gina cackled together.

“Jeez, I’m going back to the car in a minute,” Paul wailed, throwing his hands in the air.

“No really, why are you here?” Abbie giggled.

“Paul’s performing GUD, he did a show last night and has one tonight,” Gina replied.

“Yes, at Laughing Gas, you should come,” he enthused. “I’ll put your name at the door.”

“Maybe I don’t want to see you ponce about on stage,” Abbie jeered.

“Fine, don’t come, I don’t care…” Paul huffed over dramatically.

“He always says that, too,” Gina smirked. He shot her an amused look.

“Anyway, we’ve got to get to my folks’ but if you want to come and watch dickhead, I’ll pick you up on the way back,” Gina announced.

“Sounds good to me,” Abbie perked.

“I’m just curious, what’s the cat’s name?” Fenny asked.

“Which one? Oh that one? TimTam,” Abbie grinned.

“I’m surprised you just don’t have fucking serial numbers on them,” Paul scorned “How many is that now, twelve?”

“Eight and it’s not my fault,” Abbie cussed.

“Ever thought of farming them?” Paul continued. “Fur, meat…doorstops.”

“That’s horrible,” Abbie gasped.

“An this surprises you why?” Gina asked.

“Good point,” Abbie replied.

Brad arrived at Adelaide airport, trying to remember what he’d done last time he’d been there. He remembered going for taxis outside the terminal and headed for the electronic doors. Once outside, he climbed into the first taxi and the driver twisted in his seat to look at him.

“Where do you want to go?” the driver asked.

“The Hilton, please,” Brad replied.

The driver turned back around and pulled out of the taxi rank. “This your first time in Australia?”

“Fourth actually,” Brad mused.

“Ah, love it that much hey?”

“Not really, last time I got shot.”

“You’re joking.”

“No, in the shoulder. I’d show you my scar but I’m a bit over it.”

“How’d that happen?”

“Mafia,” Brad nodded. The driver decided to ignore him after that, and they sat in silence until the taxi pulled to a stop outside the Hilton. Brad paid the fare, and as he stepped out of the taxi, he felt a shiver run through his body. This was one hotel he didn’t have good memories about. He sauntered into the lobby and hurried to the reception desk.

“Hi, I’m looking for Fenella Grey, could you tell me if she’s staying here?” Brad asked.

The receptionist smiled. “I’ll just have a look…. Yes, Miss Grey is staying here. She’s out at the moment, do you want to leave a message?”

“No, do you know where she’s gone?”

“Sorry sir.”

“Doesn’t matter, thanks,” Brad breathed and headed back out of the hotel. He slid back into the same taxi and was greeted by an amused look from the driver.

“That was quick.”

“Yeah,” Brad mumbled and reached into his pocket, he’d scribbled down Gina’s parent’s address. Well, it was worth a shot. “Can you take me to Elizabeth?”

“Yeah, you sure you wanna go that far?” asked the driver.

“Would I ask if I didn’t?” Brad replied.

“Just making sure.” The driver shrugged as he started the engine.

“So this is your parents’ place, right?” Fenny perked.

“Yep,” Gina replied bluntly as she killed the engine in the driveway and unclipped her seatbelt.

“I see Mike and Charlene are here,” Paul announced, looking at the white family wagon next to them.

“Yay,” Gina sarced. “Now McDermott, behave please, there are children present.”

“Like I’d be anything less,” Paul chided with an impish smile as they slid out of the car.

The second the door was closed, Gina’s niece Katie appeared at the gate, looking curious. “GINA’S HERE,” she called to the others who were sitting around under the veranda. “GINA’S HERE, GINA’S HERE, GINA’S HERE.”

“I love your family,” Paul said with a raised eyebrow.

“So much for a subtle entrance,” Fenny mused as Gina opened the gate and they sauntered in. Gina’s mother, Sandra leapt to her feet, smiling broadly.

“Hey Mum,” Gina smiled and wrapped her mother in a hug.

“You’ve lost weight,” her mother remarked and then wrapped Paul in a hug. “And how hungover are you?”

“Gina made me do it,” Paul pouted.

Gina’s mouth fell open. “You lying little…”

“Don’t let her hurt me, she beats me you know. With a big stick,” Paul declared narrowing his eyes.

“Don’t you be cruel to my favorite son-in-law,” Sandra jeered and stroked Paul’s hair as he hugged her again and looked at Gina impishly.

“See, I told you,” Gina chided to Fenny. “Mum this is Fen, the one I told you about.”

“From America?” Sandra asked.

“Yeah, California,” Fenny nodded.

“Well, come and meet everybody else, then,” Sandra enthused.

Gina led the way and stopped to hug her Dad, who greeted Paul and Fenny politely.

“Okay, Fen, I’d like you to meet my brother Mike, my sister-in-law Charlene, that loud child is Katie, and that cute little guy is Josh,” Gina perked.

There was a round of “Hi’s,” and then Sandra disappeared inside to make lunch. Gina grabbed Josh who took to playing with her necklace, while Paul headed straight for a blanket that was spread on the grass for Katie to play on, and he sprawled across it.

“You lazy sod,” Mike declared.

“He’s hungover,” Gina mused.

“You’re from America?” Charlene asked, turning to Fenny.

“Yeah, don’t hold it against me though,” Fenny smiled as Gina told her to take a seat.

“So did you come over to visit Gina?” Charlene continued.

“No, I came with my boyfriend. Well, ex-boyfriend,” Fenny replied. “It’s a long story.”

“Don’t suck on that, it’s a diamond,” Gina giggled as Josh decided her pendant would taste nice.

“That’s what you always say,” Paul declared from the rug and caused everyone to break out into giggles. Paul’s amusement was shattered when Katie appeared with a book about kittens in her hand and straddled him.

“Read,” she ordered and thrust the book at him.

“Sucked in,” Gina teased and Charlene and Fenny giggled.

“I don’t have my glasses,” Paul huffed.

“It’s a picture book, man,” Mike teased.

Paul gave in as Katie insisted he look at the book with her, and seeing as he was trapped, he had no option.

Sandra potted about the kitchen, forgetting where she’d placed various salad vegetables and spilling mayonnaise across the counter. Her flurry to prepare food was halted when she was interrupted by a knock at the door. She wiped her hands on a cloth and hurried to the front door. She looked through the screen and nearly died: there on her doorstep was Brad Sherwood. She might have been more surprised had Gina not told her about Brad and Fenny’s relationship battles.

“Hi,” Sandra smiled and unlocked the screen. “If you’re looking for Fenny she’s out the back.”

“I should hope so after that cab fare,” Brad mused as Sandra moved aside to let him in.

“Down the hall and through the laundry,” Sandra instructed as she went back to the kitchen.

“Thanks,” Brad smiled and followed her instructions.

“…And that one is called Smuffy.”

“What’s that one called?” Katie asked.

“TimTam,” Paul replied.

“That one.”

“Fluffy.”

“No, that one is Fluffy.”

“It’s got no fur.”

Katie’s bottom lip began to quiver. “Fluffy.”

“Yes ok, it’s Fluffy,” Paul sighed and began to purr like a cat which caused Katie to fall into giggles.

The back door slammed and everyone looked up as Brad appeared, looking a bit shocked to see so many people. “Brad,” Gina gasped.

“Are you Brad Sherwood?” Charlene asked.

“Why yes I am,” Brad smiled and looked at Fenny who was hoping the ground might open up and swallow her or something. “Fen.”

“What are you doing here?” Fenny asked, sounding slightly angrier than she was.

“I wanted to see you,” Brad replied.

“You’re a hopeless liar, Sherwood,” Paul chided from the lawn.

Gina noticed Brad didn’t even look in Paul’s direction. She handed Josh back to Mike and turned to Brad. “You know, I need to talk to you a minute.”

“What, now?” Brad asked.

“Yes, now,” Gina replied, grabbed his hand and dragged him inside, into her old bedroom and shut the door.

“What are you doing here?” Gina hissed.

“I need to see Fen,” Brad hissed back.

“Why? Why now?”

“Because I fucked up.”

“You’re not still on about that Ritza thing.”

“Worse than Ritza.”

“Worse? What’s worse than a fucking psychopath?” Gina gasped.

“I didn’t ask her to come around,” Brad groaned and sat on the bed.

“Ask who?” she asked, sitting next to him.

“She brought wine, we got drunk, it just happened?”

“Who?”

“Freya.”

Gina’s mouth fell agape. “You fucked Freya?

Brad nodded.

“You sick fuck,” she breathed. “Paul will go spare.”

“Are you angry?”

“Only that it’ll upset Fen. I’m quite amused otherwise.”

“I know, but I’ve got to tell her. I couldn’t live with myself if I didn’t.”

“Does she know about Ritza?”

Brad shook his head.

“My, we are in trouble, aren’t we.”

“What am I going to do?” Brad wailed.

“Hope she’s more forgiving than I’d be,” Gina sighed and squeezed Brad’s shoulder. “Look, there’s a park not far from here, you guys can go for a walk and talk, yeah?”

Brad nodded as Gina got to her feet and disappeared out of the room and had everybody’s eyes on her as she poked her head out of the door.

“Fen, here, now,” Gina ordered.

“Don’t be such a bitch,” Charlene jeered.

Fenny could tell by the look on Gina’s face she wasn’t being funny and reluctantly joined her. Brad was waiting in the hallway, but neither of them could look at each other.

“You two are going for a walk,” Gina declared as she bustled them toward the front door. “If we can escape we’ll catch you up,” she added and left Brad and Fenny on the front veranda.

“So, why do we need to walk and talk?” Fenny asked as she headed down the path.

“Because I need to,” Brad replied and they walked in silence until they came to the main road and had crossed it together.

“What have you done?” Fenny asked. “I mean, if you’ve fucked Ritza, it’s not like I’m surprised.”

“That’s part of it.”

Fenny felt a stab of anger — she’d been hoping she was wrong about that. “She’s not pregnant is she?”

“I’m not stupid enough to make that mistake twice,” he huffed.

“Sure,” she muttered. “So, are you going to tell me?”

“Tell you what?”

“What it is you’ve done?” Fenny asked as they entered the park and slowed their pace.

“I don’t know how to tell you.”

“Then just come out and say it. I’m pretty sure there’s nothing you could say that would surprise me.”

“Oh, this might.”

“You haven’t turned gay on me, have you?”

“Shit no.”

“Then tell me, please,” Fenny begged as she slumped onto a park bench.

Brad took a deep breath and then sat next to her. “Last night, Freya turned up, we got drunk and…”

“You fucked Freya,” Fenny snapped.

Brad nodded.

“Fucking hell Brad, you screw Ritza and now Freya.”

“Well you’re not exactly the poster child for monogamy,” Brad spat.

“At least Andy and Danny care about me. You just used them for sex,” Fenny spat back.

“I think you’ll find we used each other.”

“I don’t want to know,” Fenny hissed. “How do you think Paul’s going to feel?”

“Feel about what?” Paul asked as he and Gina appeared hand in hand.

“You gonna tell him?” Fenny asked.

Brad stared stoically at the ground.

“Tell me what for fuck’s sake?” Paul scorned.

“He fucked Freya, or rather they fucked each other,” Fenny declared as she got to her feet and headed back down the path.