“You okay?” Beven asked as he bustled Brad into the passenger seat of a familiar looking dark car.

“I’ll let you know when I can breathe,” Brad replied, wincing and holding his abdomen.

“Sorry, I had to make it convincing,” Beven shrugged. “Besides, you should be thanking me, man, I saved your life.”

“I’m eternally grateful,” Brad muttered as he examined the lump forming on his forehead in one of the wing mirrors. “So, what now?”

“We get out of here,” Beven declared as he started the engine and pulled the car out of the small parking lot at the back of the club. “We’ll find somewhere to spend the night, then in the morning I’ll take you to your friends.”

“Are they okay?”

“Should be. Including your wife.”

“You’ve saved everyone?” Brad gasped.

“I’m not saying I have or haven’t, but as far as I’m concerned, you’ve paid your debt to Don.”

“Why are you doing this?”

“You’re nice, professional people. You don’t fucking deserve this,” Beven breathed. “And you’ve got a kid.”

“So do you, you don’t have to do this either.”

Beven looked at him out of the corner of his eye. “Open the glove compartment.”

“Silly string isn’t going to spray out at me is it?” Brad asked cheekily and he opened it.

“There’s a cell phone in there, call your kid,” Beven nodded.

“Is that an order?” Brad gasped.

“Yeah, I’ll wring your fucking neck if you don’t,” Beven mused.

“You never told me why you’re not allowed to see your son,” Brad queried.

“My wife and her new man fled to Majorca a year ago. They left Toby with her folks.”

“Her parents hate you?”

“They don’t think I’m capable of looking after him.”

“You can’t be any worse than me. My wife has deemed me a terminal manchild. Personally, I think my addiction to cartoons is normal, and you’d think she’d never seen anyone playing with Star Wars action figures before.”

“Were you making Chewy and Han Solo do it?”

“Yeah,” Brad grinned. “Buddy, you need to get out of this axis of evil. Shit, I just quoted Bush, argh!”

“And do what?”

“Get a job. A proper job and a house, and get your son back,” Brad paused. “Now I’m lecturing you like we’re in a bad sitcom.”

“The Odd Couple?” Beven suggested.

“Have you seen any television since the 70s?”

“Oh come on, do you want to get into which Brady was hottest?”

“I’ve met Florence Henderson!”

“That must have been a thrill for you?”

“Not really, she kinda ignored me. I embarrassed the hell out of her though.”

“Met anyone else famous?”

“Yeah, heaps of people. Well. Not really, they all kinda ignore me.” Beven snorted with laughter, and Brad turned the cell phone on. “I’m calling an end to this conversation and phoning my child.”

“You’ve barely said two words since we left the hotel,” Fenny announced as Gina drove the hire car through the inky darkness.

“Huh? I’ve done what now?” Gina asked, looking at Fenny for a millisecond before turning back to the road.

“Did you find Paul?”

“Yes, yes I did.”

“And?”

“And he was selling drugs.”

“Oh please, since when was Gina Coleman coy?”

“McDermott.”

“What?”

“It’s Gina McDermott.”

“I thought you were getting divorced?”

“Doesn’t mean I can’t use my married name.”

A wry smile spread across Fenny’s face. “So let me guess, you met up, stuck your tongues down each others throats, and confessed undying love?”

“Isn’t the countryside really creepy at night?” Gina announced as she pretended to be interested in her surroundings.

“Don’t change the subject,” Fenny chided. “You’re as transparent as clear Coke.”

“What a metaphor. And you’re as wrong as Cherry Cola.”

“Oh come on, just tell me,” Fenny laughed, tugging on Gina’s sleeve.

“Okay, okay, we had a rendezvous in the men’s toilets,” Gina mused.

“And did you apologize for being a total bitch and devastating him?”

“No.”

“Did you kiss?”

“Yes,” Gina replied smiling.

“Did you tell him that you loved him?”

“Yes.”

“Did you drop to your knees and…”

“FEN!”

“Well it’s your usual, tactic isn’t it?”

“Ah, but this isn’t a usual situation.”

“Oh I don’t know, it is for us,” Fenny perked and turned the radio up. Unfortunately it was some bland British pop song and Fenny turned it back down. “Don’t we turn off up here?”

“I think so,” Gina nodded as she turned into a dimly lit street. “Yeah, it should be around here somewhere.”

“THERE!” Fenny pointed to the boarded up house with a faint light in the living room window.

“Brilliant,” Gina perked as she parked the car in the street. Both she and Fenny slid out and headed toward the front door. They stopped and studied it a moment.

“Looks locked,” Fenny pointed out.

“Let’s check round the back,” Gina nodded and led the way. They made their way through a rickety looking wooden gate and quickly found the back door.

“We always seem to enter by the back door,” Fenny mused as Gina tested it. “Well?”

“Unlocked,” Gina shrugged and led the way. They hurried through the darkened kitchen and into the living room.

“Well, where is he?” Fenny breathed, leaning on the back of the couch.

“He better be here,” Gina pouted and joined Fenny in leaning on the couch. Suddenly they heart a snort and both jumped a mile. Paul was fast asleep on the couch. “Nice to see he’s alert.”

“Wow, he’s really been beaten,” Fenny gasped.

“I know. I wonder how much of that was his own fault,” Gina sighed and leaned forward to grab his nose.

“That’s really mean,” Fenny sniggered.

“Oh, but so much fun,” Gina smirked as Paul suddenly gagged. Gina pulled her hand back before Paul’s eyes shot open.

“Hi honey,” Gina smiled.

“We’re pleased to see you’ve been waiting in anticipation for our arrival,” Fenny added.

“Sorry, I’m exhausted,” Paul yawned as he gingerly sat up. “Don’t suppose you brought any food?”

“The cavalry are bringing it,” Fenny announced.

“Cavalry?” Paul said bewildered as he rubbed his face.

“Greg, Dan and Ritza,” Gina added as she moved to sit on the couch next to him.

“Ah,” Paul nodded. “Think they’ll be long?”

“I know, why don’t I give them a call so you two can share saliva for a while?” Fenny chided as she pulled out her phone and headed into the kitchen.

“If you insist,” Paul called after her.

“Dan, your phone’s ringing?” Ritza sighed as she stretched out along the backseat of the car.

“Yeah, the Mission Impossible ring tone really gives it away?” Greg teased. “How could you be so original?”

“Well, I’d hate to bother either of you, but seeing as how I’m driving, do you think you could answer it for me?” Danny scorned.

“If you insist,” Greg sighed and grabbed the phone from the floor where it’d fallen. “Hi, Daniel can’t come to the phone at the moment, so if you want to kidnap and torture us please press (1). If you’re looking for a paternity suit press (2). If you want to leave a message with me, Greg, press (3). And if you’re selling something – FUCK OFF.”

“Remind me never to let you near my answering machine,” Fenny giggled.

“Fen, pumpkin how are you?”

“About as excited as I was a couple of hours ago when we spoke.”

“Don’t suppose Gina is stripping again?”

“No, I imagine she’s doing some heavy breathing with Paul. Although I expect most of his is through pain.”

“The poor dear. So you’re at Betty’s, then?”

“We certainly are. I’m to find out when you’ll be here and when you’re bringing food?”

“I’d say about twenty minutes, give or take ten.”

“My, that’s helpful.”

“I’d like to be more helpful, but it’s just no gonna happen.”

“Well, I’ll remember you tried.”

“Anything else you wanted to ask?”

“Heard anything about Brad?”

“No, about the most exciting thing that happened here was when we spent an hour pointing out rude place names on the map.”

“Oh, that’s special.”

“Cumwhinton was my favorite.”

“Yeah, I’m going to hang up on you now.”

“Hornsby.”

“See you soon, Proop Dog,” she giggled and ended the call. Fenny dropped the phone on the table and noticed the paper that was left open at Betty’s death notice. She pulled out a chair and sat down, not quite prepared to go and disturb Gina and Paul just yet.

“I see you got a fire started,” Gina said as she watched the flames dance in the hearth.

“Yeah. I’m quite proud of myself, actually,” Paul nodded. “I see you got rid of the little skirt.”

“My legs were freezing,” Gina shrugged, “and it was a bit impractical.”

“Fair enough.”

“How are you feeling?” she asked, looking at him briefly.

“Like shit, but I’ve been thoroughly beaten and I haven’t eaten in a while,” he replied before they fell silent. “Genie?”

“Yeah?”

“Back at the club, did you mean everything? What you said? Or was it just a heat of the moment, girlie emotion breakdown thing?”

She sat back and looked at him. “Of course I meant it.”

“Oh good, just making sure,” he nodded and they fell silent again. “Were you enjoying the festival?” he piped up.

“What festival?”

“The Edinburgh festival.”

“Oh yeah, sorry,” she mused, “I’m a million miles away.”

“Are you somewhere nice?”

“Hey?”

“You said you were a million miles away and I said…”

“Did you take any of those drugs you were selling?”

“No,” Paul said blankly as he wrung his hands. “I’m just, I’m nervous? Is that wrong?”

“Why on earth are you nervous?”

“Well, I’m sitting here, alone with you…”

“Then you’re not alone,” Gina mused, he shot her daggers. “Sorry.”

“This could go two ways, you know? We might make love tonight and then leave here and never see each other again or we might make love tonight, go back to Australia and actually be together.”

“Either way we’re making love, right?” Gina chided with a wry smile.

“Do you even care about our future?” Paul huffed.

“Oh stop being such a girl,” she teased, pushing him back onto the couch and straddling him.

“Ow, ohh…I’m fragile, remember,” he winced.

“Shut up,” she breathed as she brought her lips too his.

“Wish you were wearing that skirt,” he mumbled. “Easy access.”

“Just imagine if you were wearing it,” Gina countered through kisses.

“Ew,” Paul cringed before they gave up on conversation.

Fenny was reading about a sheep outbreak in one of the old papers when she heard a car door slam. She shot up from the table and over to the door, but her paranoia about being discovered was soon forgotten when she heard the voices.

“You do realise I’m going to stink of fish now?”

“Can’t be any worse than how you smell usually.”

“You guys are exuding way too much testosterone.”

The door flew open and Fenny jumped back. Ritza, who was first through the door, stopped and looked at her curiously.

“My god, you look like a rabbit in a spotlight.”

“Sorry, nervous personality,” Fenny shrugged as Greg and Danny appeared.

“We come bearing food,” Danny perked.

“There’s an achievement,” Fenny smirked. “Sorry, I’ve been associating with Gina too long.”

“Shall we eat before it gets cold?” Ritza suggested.

“Sounds good to me. Might have to pry Gina and Paul away from each other. though,” Fenny chided.

“Let’s go then,” Greg enthused and led the way into the living room. He stopped at the couch and bent down so his face was level with Gina and Paul’s. “Hi, so good to see you.”

“Jesus,” Paul gasped as Gina fell back onto the couch. “I’m a fragile man, Proops.”

“Hi,” Gina managed to mutter as she readjusted her shirt. Fenny took a seat in an armchair and Danny sat on the floor by her. They gave each other a quick look and then looked away again.

“Right, we have burgers and chips for the Proop Dog and Bambi,” Ritza declared, chucking both men their paper-wrapped meals, “fish and chips for the love birds and me,” she continued, “and chicken for the Californian.”

“Thanks,” Fenny said coyly and then eagerly unwrapped her food.

“Anything to drink?” Paul asked as he stuffed batter into his mouth.

“Oh yeah,” Greg perked, fumbling in the bag by the chair he was sitting in. “Cola and a bottle of Whisky.”

“I don’t remember saying we needed that,” Ritza huffed

“Medicinal purposes,” Greg said innocently.

“But there’s only enough for me and you,” Paul grinned. Greg nodded in agreement.

“I’ll pour the drinks,” Fenny piped up and grabbed the cola before disappearing into the kitchen.

“I’ll help her,” Ritza offered.

Fenny placed the cola on the table and hunted in the dull light for glasses. She became frustrated and slammed a door. Everyone was having a jovial time and yet Brad was still missing. He could be hurt, or even dead. She was jealous that Gina had Paul again and fuming that everyone seemed to have forgotten her husband.

“You okay?” Ritza asked as she wandered over.

“Yeah, I just can’t see anything in the damn dark,” Fenny grumbled.

“The woman was old, she’s gotta have some candles somewhere.”

“I haven’t come across any.”

Ritza started pawing through several drawers near her. “Ah ha.”

“Now all you need is matches,” Fenny shrugged.

“Proops, lighter,” she called into the living room.

“Catch,” came the reply; Ritza felt the lighter land at her feet and picked it up. She lit one of the candles and stuck it in a small vase to hold it upright.

“She make fire,” Fenny said half-heatedly.

Ritza smiled sadly at her and reached out to squeeze her arm. “Brad will be ok, don’t worry yourself too much.”

Fenny was surprised by the show of kindness by Ritza. “Thanks, I hope you’re right.”

“I’m always right,” she cackled. “Now, let’s find those glasses.”

“If you two continue to feed each other, I’m going to insist you go outside,” Greg declared, looking over at Gina and Paul who were back to canoodling on the couch.

“My husband is in pain,” Gina scorned and cuddled Paul closer.

“Yeah,” Paul pouted.

“Oh, so he’s incapable of hand movement now?” Greg sneered.

“Nah he’s still a wanker,” Danny laughed. Greg cracked up as well.

“Genie, they’re picking on me,” Paul whined.

“Daniel, be nice or I’ll tell everyone about what happened when a well known model propositioned you,” Gina snide.

“Oh, do tell,” Greg grinned as Danny went back to his chips.

“And there’s a little prematurity story I could tell about you, Proops,” Gina sneered.

Greg looked bashful. “I’m thirsty, hurry up,” he yelled into the kitchen.

“Fuck off,” Ritza yelled back.

Paul looked proudly at Gina and then impishly at Greg and Danny. “I love my wife,” he perked. “Even if she is a bit of a slut.”

“Excuse me?”

Paul looked open mouthed at Gina. “I didn’t mean it like that, it was in jest, I don’t think of you that way, please don’t hurt me, I hurt enough already.”

“Do you know how hurtful that is?” Gina huffed.

“Well you did fuck Proops.”

“Oh, like ages ago and it wasn’t even good.”

“I thought it was good,” Greg piped up.

“That’s not helping,” Gina cussed. “If anyone is the slut in our relationship it’s you, McDermott. Need I go into Jenna and Freya.”

“Oh god, please don’t,” Paul begged.

“I wouldn’t mind seeing that,” Danny smiled.

“Can I watch too?” Greg asked, looking at Danny.

“Is that all you men think of? Women doing it with other women?” Gina gasped.

“Yeah,” the three men nodded.

“I did it with another woman once,” Fenny announced as she and Ritza entered the living room with the cola. “Oh no, hold on,” she mused, handing Gina and Paul theirs. “That was Greg.” Everyone but Greg cracked up with Gina nearly snorting cola across the room.

“Is the water still running?” Danny asked as he gulped down his cola.

“Yeah. Well the toilet is, so I assume everything else is,” Paul replied.

“Great, I might have a shower,” Danny declared, “and go to bed.”

“Take the bed second on the right upstairs,” Paul announced. “It’s made up.”

“Right, night all,” Danny perked and left the room to a series of ‘goodnights’.

“Are all the beds made up?” Gina asked.

“Nah, that one and Proops’s room are the only ones,” Paul replied, looking hopefully at the bottle of whiskey.

“No,” Greg snapped as he noticed Paul eyeing off the bottle. “This is for when Brad returns, then we can have a proper toast to Betty.”

“Can’t believe she’s dead,” Fenny sighed.

“She taught me to make bread,” Greg smiled.

“Poor old dear,” Paul breathed. “She died alone.”

“Well I couldn’t see Betty shacked up with a young man, could you?” Gina chided.

“Do you want me to permanently lose my sex drive?” Paul gasped.

“Like she’d notice,” Ritza sniggered. “Sorry.”

“I might go to bed, too,” Fenny announced and got to her feet.

“Need a hand making up your bed?” Gina asked.

“I’ll be right,” Fenny said, then paused. “Hell, I’m turning into an Australian.”

“God no,” Greg laughed as Fenny headed for the door.

“Fen,” Paul called and she stopped and turned around. “If you get scared you can always crawl in with me and Genie,” he finished with a sleazy grin.

“I feel I should apologise,” Gina sighed.

“It’s okay, I’m used to it,” Fenny smiled. “Night,” she added.

The other four watched as she left the room. “So, how long before she ends up fucking Dan?” Paul perked.

“Paul!” Gina gasped. “I bet she won’t get her bed made.”

“Won’t even get into her bedroom,” Ritza smiled.

“I don’t care as long as I don’t have to hear it,” Greg shrugged.

Fenny grabbed a candle from the kitchen, shoved it in a teacup and used it to light her way upstairs. The room she’d once shared with Brad was bare and dark, and if she was honest, a bit scary. She searched the closet for bedding but there wasn’t any, so she went back into the hallway and searched for a cupboard, but couldn’t find one. In desperation she started searching the other rooms. She wasn’t really paying attention as she came to the last door to try. It flew open and she let out a small squeal.

“Shit, sorry Dan,” she gasped as Danny stood there in a towel.

“It’s okay, you’ve seen me butt naked loads of time,” Danny mused. “Besides I’m kinda covered anyway.”

“Yeah but that’s…”

“Looking for something?” he asked. She looked up gingerly.

“Bedding, I can’t find any anywhere.”

“Oh, well I haven’t seen any, but feel free to search.”

“Thanks,” Fenny nodded and placed her candle on the dresser before she started raiding the closet.

“So how are you?” he piped up.

“Okay, I think,” she replied nervously as she looked in one of the mirrored closet doors and saw Danny’s naked body. She nervously looked away and smacked her head on the door. “Ouch, shit.”

“Are you okay?” he asked, pulling on his boxers and hurrying over.

“Yeah, just clumsy,” Fenny replied and rubbed her head.

“Clumsy with a great arse.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Did I say that aloud?”

“Uh, yeah.”

“Shit, you’re a married woman.”

“Yeah, I am.”

“I’ll just go back over, ah, there, and leave you in your search for bedding,” Danny mumbled as he scratched his stomach and walked backwards.

“I should go. I’ll ask Gina. If anyone knows where clean laundry is, it’ll be her,” Fenny nodded and headed to the door.

She reached the closed door and stopped. She couldn’t bring herself to turn the handle. She’d been trying to deny it since she had heard he was looking for, her but the truth was Fenny was still crazy about Danny. She thought about him a lot, when really a married woman shouldn’t. She missed the way he made her feel. It wasn’t just the sex — he made her feel protected, secure, and special. She turned back to look at him as he dumped his clothes on a chair.

“What? Oh, you forgot your candle,” Danny smiled.

A small smile spread across her face. What was it she’d heard Paul say once? That monogamy was stupid, no one can be monogamous. Fenny pulled the jumper over her head and let it fall to the floor. She then carefully pulled her jeans off over her boots.

“Oh wow,” he breathed as she advanced toward him. “Hold on, you’re a married woman.”

“Go with it,” she breathed as she brought her lips to his. He didn’t hesitate to kiss her back, his hands caressing her lingerie clad body as she pressed herself against him.

“Fen,” Danny panted.

“What?” she asked, her hands roaming over his toned flesh.

“What happened to your glasses?”

Something struck her; not even her husband had noticed that one. “I have contacts. Not by choice.”

“I don’t care, you look hot,” he grinned as he pulled her onto the bed.

“Oh baby, so do you,” she giggled and kicked off her boots.

Paul yawned and rested his head on Gina’s shoulder. “I’m sleepy.”

“How can you be sleepy? You were asleep when we got here?” Gina chided.

“Please, even you know that’s the universal male sign for ‘let’s do it’.” Greg mused.

“You’re hysterical, Proops,” Paul groused.

“I’m sleepy too, actually,” Gina sneered at Greg. “Come on, we’ve still gotta make the bed up,” she added and pulled Paul to his feet. They grabbed a candle and headed up to the attic.

“Lucky we didn’t make a monetary bet,” Paul chided as he noticed candlelight under Danny’s door.

“Shh,” Gina giggled as they made it into the attic. She was pleased to find the clean sheets folded and ready to be put on. Paul reached for a pillowcase. “Go wait in the corner, it’ll be quicker if I do it myself,” she scolded, He shrugged and did as he was told and 6 and a half minutes later the bed was ready.

“That’s a bloody skill you have,” he mused as he sat on the end of the bed and winced as he leant over to take his shoes and socks off.

“You sure you’re okay?” she asked, rubbing his back.

“Yeah, I’m kinda used to the searing pain every time I bend and the constant headache now.” She stood up to remove her jeans and top and he couldn’t help but grin. “Lovely.”

“You are such a, a bloke,” she mused as she slipped beneath the covers.

“It’s what I do — ow, Jesus — best.” He grimaced as he finally got down to his boxers. He lay down tentatively as he tried to join Gina in bed..

“You’re like a 90-year-old,” Gina sighed.

“It’s good to get in some practice,” Paul mused and winced as he turned onto his side. He moved his hand to stroke Gina’s hip and she instinctively moved closer to kiss him. It didn’t matter how hard they tried, however; Paul was in pain and couldn’t find any position that would enable him not to be in discomfort.

“I think it’s better you just rest babe,” she breathed, stroking his cheek.

“You know, I think unfortunately you might be right,” he sighed as he rolled onto his back and Gina snuggled in. “I have you back, that’s good enough for me.”

“You’re such a sap,” she cooed.

“I’ve been through some pretty hairy times in the last couple of days. You get scared and start thinking weird shit.”

“You’re always hairy,” she giggled and kissed his shoulder. “What type of weird shit?”

“Don’t suppose you own any fairy wings?” he asked, looking at her.

“I do actually,” she mused. “It was a Mardi Gras thing.”

“Cool,” he smiled and took her hand. “Sorry I called you a slut.”

“It’s okay, I called you one too.”

“Oh hey, so you did, harpy.”

“Monkey butt.”

“Monkey butt?”

“I’m tired, give me a break.”

Paul smiled and kissed the top of her head. “Night Genie.”

“Night monkey butt.” He sniggered at her response but was too sleepy to bother responding.

Beven snored loudly as Brad grabbed the phone again and rang Fenny’s number. He listened to it ring out. He didn’t know it’d accidentally been switched to silent and left in one of Betty’s comfy chairs. Brad heard her messagebank kick in again and left his fifth message, “I love you,” before he hung up and looked back at the shadowy ceiling, praying for morning when he’d be reunited with his wife.

Greg looked at his watch; everyone had gone to bed two hours ago, including Ritza. But he just couldn’t bring himself to. He’d been tempted to open the whiskey, but instead had satisfied himself by watching the embers of the fire glowing. He was beginning to feel drowsy when he heard footsteps. He looked up to see Gina.

“What are you doing up?” he asked.

“I could ask you the same question?” she countered.

“I have complex issues. I would have least assumed you would be shagged out.”

“Nah, Paul’s a bit too fucked for that,” Gina mused and sat herself next to Greg on the couch. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong”

“Yes it is, I know you, Speccy. Better than most people.”

“I did something that was really bad and I regret it to the point it’s painful.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“Not really.”

“A problem shared is a problem halved.”

“Yeah, but I fear you.”

“Gee thanks.”

Greg looked at his hands. “Ritza and I, we, we got drunk. You know what tequila does? We sorta kinda had sex.”

Gina was speechless by the confession.

“Well say something?” Greg begged.

“What on earth for?” Gina managed to gasp.

“She started saying all this stuff about how she always thought I was cute, we’d been drinking, we went back to her room and drank more…I was horny.”

“Greg, that’s disgusting,” Gina scolded. “After all the therapy, your poor wife.”

“But that’s it, I have no guilt toward my wife,” he babbled. “The only person that I feel guilty toward is you, and you don’t even give a damn about me. Isn’t that insane?”

“I do so give a damn about you,” she scorned and rested a hand on his thigh. “Don’t think I never think about us, because I do, and I’m sure if circumstances were different….”

“Like you not being unnaturally addicted to Paul,” he jeered.

“Exactly. We’d become those Mongolian goat farmers we always said we would.”

“Oh, to move to Mongolia and raise goats,” Greg sighed as Gina rested her head on his shoulder. He rested his head against hers. “You should go back to your husband.”

“Yes and you should go to bed,” she declared as she got to her feet and held a hand out for Greg to take.

“Hey, at least I’ll have something new to tell my therapist,” he perked, taking her hand and getting to his feet.

“Night Speccy.”

“Night pumpkin.”

They pondered each other a moment, wry smiles spreading across their faces and then went their separate ways.