(gentle music) - [Tess] Previously on McLeod's daughters.

- My letter of resignation, in writing, as the contract says.

(soft music) - Do you hate me this much?

- I think you know deep down that you and my son are not suited to each other.

Now if you really care about Nick... You won't let this go any further.

(melancholy music) (car engine starting) - Tess!

Tess!

(upbeat flute music) (rooster crowing) - G'day Tess.

Hey, I didn't know they had a ridiculous-looking animal section at the show this year.

- Yeah, you gonna enter?

- So, what's the deal with you and Nickoli?

Has he finished sowing his wheat yet?

Don't tell me he's still laying the ground work?

Ah dear, that'll be Nick for ya, one step every six months.

- Nothin' wrong with a slow mover, more satisfying in the end.

- Yeah, right.

(flute music) - So, total is 50 times 200, that's $900?

Not bad.

- I reckon you'll have some stiff competition from the CWA.

- I don't think so, these are hand-made Italian sausages.

What time's Rick getting in?

- The lunchtime bus.

- Mm.

- Hey, ready to get a rig on?

- Yeah.

- Hey, you're not still worried about the Stockless challenge, are you?

Ah, Claire, I told ya, leave the cross-country to me and you concentrate on the easy things, right?

- Thanks.

- That way no one need know you're a wimp.

- You know, two good days and we might have enough money for Italy.

- Italy's okay, but here.

- I know, it doesn't even compare.

- Oh, it's the only thing I had clean.

Are we going or not?

(gates clanging) (birds chirping) - G'day Frank.

- Hey Frank, what's up?

- Claire Louise McLeod?

- Yeah, last time I looked.

- From official local court.

Sorry, I'm just doing my job.

- What is it?

(birds chirping) - It's Australian Bloodlines, they're taking possession of Drover's Run.

(dramatic piano music) (upbeat guitar music) ♪ It'll take some time to find your heart and come back home ♪ ♪ You could walk for miles, cross every river ♪ ♪ And find you're not alone ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'll be there.

♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh.

♪ ♪ You're not alone ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ 'Cause I'll be there ♪ (upbeat music) ♪ Ooh ♪ - [Tess] I don't understand how you can be in breach of contract.

- Don't worry about it, it's just a mistake.

- Well, how can I not worry about it?

(upbeat music) (crowd chattering) (children laughing) - Hey Claire, hook up with you later.

- Oh, no.

- I'll be in the boxing tent if you need me.

- Yeah, righto.

- Just watching.

- Hmm.

I'm just gonna take a wander, see who's around.

- I know you don't think we should worry, Claire, but this is serious stuff.

- Well, if it makes you feel any better, we could talk to Lenny.

- Who?

- Lenny Bradshaw, he went over the contracts for me.

He's judging the home brew competition.

- Terrific, it's good to know we've got someone so high-powered looking after us.

(soft guitar music) - Lenny, can we have a word?

This is very important.

- Yes, I know.

Good color.

Very nice drop.

- Look, we just need a minute of your time.

Unless you want me to drink it.

- No!

- Hey Jodie.

- Hey.

- Why don't you come join us?

- Can't, Craig, this is my ticket to Italy.

- Looks like sausages to me.

(people laughing) (kids shouting) - Yes, well the original contract was fairly straight forward.

Drover's Run was used as security to save on insurance.

- Knowing there was an out clause if anything went wrong.

- Precisely.

You did resign in writing?

- Mm-hmm.

- And sent it into Australian Bloodlines within 14 days?

- [Claire] Same time I returned the horses.

- Hmm.

Curious.

- "Curious," is that all you have to say?

- Well, I'll call them first thing Monday Morning.

Receipt of delivery should satisfy your obligations.

In the mean time under the circumstances, I suggest we issue a counter-suit for annoyance and aggravation.

Nothing too spectacular, but perhaps 20 wouldn't be out of the question.

- 20?

- Thousand.

I'll get back to you.

- Thanks Lenny.

- I'm sorry for worrying so much.

You were right, now I can enjoy the show.

Oh might check it out, you wanna come?

(soft piano music) - I see Peter's up first.

- Yeah, but he'll be finishing last.

- Can I interest either of you in a genuine homemade Italian sausage?

- A bit too early for grease.

(soft music) - $4.50?

G'day Jodi, you're dreaming.

(horse neighing) - [Terry] I'll take two, thanks.

- Oh!

You won't regret it, Terry, they're like a taste sensation.

- Well at that price, they ought to be.

- Hello there.

- Ah, hiya, Meg.

- Hi, Meg.

- Hello.

- Who are you all dolled up for?

- No one.

- Hi.

- Hi.

I'm Tess, I'm looking for Mystic Miranda.

- She won't be long, take a seat.

- Thanks.

You work at the hardware in Gungellen, don't you?

- Yeah, the handywoman's haven.

Don't go nuts, we've got bolts.

And you are... Hmm.

Tess.

(meditation music) - So what do you see?

- That's just for show.

Here, give me your hands.

Okay, you get one question, one question only.

- Are you sure about this one question thing?

- What do you expect for five bucks?

- Well, it's just so hard, how can all of life's mysteries be answered in just one question?

- I never promised the answer to all of life's mysteries, just one.

- Well, should I ask about the past, or the future, will I make a difference in the world, will there be peace on Earth in my lifetime?

- Is that your question?

- God no.

No, I think I've got it.

(soft piano music) Have I missed my chance?

- No.

(Tess laughing) - I hope you know what I was referring to just then, 'cause it could've been taken a number of ways, and I was actually thinking of something quite specific, like it wasn't have I missed my chance to be an astronaut or anything.

(chimes jingling) (sheep bleating) - So Tess, what do you think of this beauty?

Think Nick's got a winner on his hands?

- [Tess] I'd say so.

- Yeah, well, I better go and check on my bull.

I'll leave you two alone.

(melancholy music) - Nick, I want you to know it's not you, it's me.

You see....

I know what I did was a really awful thing to do.

- Tess we were about to make love, you ran away.

Now maybe in your mind that doesn't count as rejection, but I'm not waiting 'round to find out.

- Nick, Nick, look who I found.

- Hello, stranger!

- Hi Nick, how's the riding going?

- Yeah.

- Knew he could do it.

- You stocking up for winter, are ya?

- Oh, I can't help myself, I'm a sucker for homemade goodies.

- Oh, I'm sorry, have you two met?

- No.

- Sally Clements, Tess McLeod.

Sally is Nick's physiotherapist and a new family friend.

- Pleased to meet you, Sally.

- Likewise, I've heard a lot about you, Tess.

- I'm sure you have.

Tess is always up to something.

Anyway, I promised to show Sally around, so join us if you like.

Come on.

(horse snorting) (melancholy music) - Can you tell me why Australian Bloodlines are doing this?

They think I've defaulted on my contract, but I've done everything I was meant to do.

I sent back the horses, I notified them of my intentions, I handed you the letter of resignation, what else is there?

- [Man on Intercom] C'mon folks, give a big cheer to Jordan Bigsby.

Next up we have Peter Johnson riding Salty.

Now this will be the competition to beat.

- You did give them my letter.

(melancholy music) Peter, you have to tell them the truth.

I used Drover's Run as collateral, I could lose everything.

- Well, I already have.

(dramatic music) (audience applauding) - I'll tell you, Claire, there's a lot of interest in the Ryan-McLeod partnership.

I reckon we should've gone into business sooner.

Tomorrow I'm gonna whip Peter's ass in the cross-country.

(horse whinnying) (kids shouting) - Sign on and step up!

Finally a couple lads with some real senior rights.

Win the gold cup and the girls will love ya!

Lose and ya get your black eye for free.

Remember, no pain, no gain!

- You gonna watch me fight later?

- Oh, where's the fun in that?

- You keep up the training and you'll be all right for next year, especially with me as your personal trainer.

- I think Brick would have a few things to say about that.

- Back today.

- You bet.

- He'll dance around ya, and then when you're not lookin', he'll hit ya with the nut puncher!

(wind chimes tinkling) - Hi Claire.

You okay, you don't look too good.

- No, I'm not feeling very well.

- What's the problem?

- Well, I haven't been sleeping much lately.

If I saw a couch right now, I'd just go to sleep on it, I'm so tired.

And then when I do get to sleep I have all these crazy dreams.

- Anything else?

- I've been off my food a bit lately.

For some reason I can't stand the thought of peanut butter or tinned ham.

(meditation music) Since I'm here...

Here's a question.

(throat clearing) I need to know if I'm gonna lose Drover's.

(dramatic music) - That's not the question you really wanna ask.

- What do you mean?

- You don't need a clairvoyant, you need a doctor.

Claire, I reckon you're pregnant.

(Claire laughs) - No I'm not.

Oh, this is silly, I don't even believe in clairvoyance anyway.

- This has got nothing to do with mysticism, Claire.

I've had three kids, I should know.

(dramatic music) (children shouting and laughing) (door opening) - Oh there you are.

I've been looking for you.

- Oh, I've been busy.

- So how's your day been so far?

- Pretty average.

- Yeah, me too, Nick's decided he hates me.

- Oh, sorry.

- You're not still worried about your riding, are you?

You gotta remember it's all just a state of mind.

You're a brilliant rider.

- [Man Over Intercom] Please make your way to the show.

Judging will commence in about 10 minutes.

- Well that's me, how do I look?

You know, you were right about that clairvoyant woman.

She doesn't know what she's talking about.

(gentle piano music) (upbeat music) - Turtles.

- Get your head up.

- Now strictly speaking, the snake ought to be in the reptile section.

Besides, you've only got one.

- That's because it ate the other one.

- Well, I'm sorry, I'm gonna have to disqualify you.

- You suck!

(upbeat music) - Fine looking specimens, Tess.

- Mm-hmm.

(alpacas humming) (children shouting) - I think I might see if I can get a cappuccino.

Would you like one?

- Love one.

- Two sugars, right?

- Yeah, good memory.

- [Sally] Liz?

- Oh, I should be getting them, you're my guest.

- It's my treat.

- Oh, thank you.

Oh, she's such a lovely girl.

- It's funny how you just bump into her, seeing how she's your guest.

- G'day.

- How are ya, Lenny.

- Cute, aren't they?

- Well, after much consideration, and taking into account the variance of the different species, it is my judgment that of all the entries, the most perfect pair is clearly the guinea pigs.

(audience applauding) - Yes!

- Well, there must be some mistake.

- [Judge] Therefore I present the (indistinct) show 2002 blue ribbon to Miss Lucy Bradshaw, whose father tells me she also won last year.

- Did you get the organic wheat planted?

- Yeah.

- I shouldn't say anything, Nick, but- - Then don't.

(Liz sighs) - Do you really think that Tess is the right girl for you?

- What sort of girl is the right girl for me?

- Excuse me, Harry, I'm sorry, but my exquisite and unusual alpacas cannot lose to a couple of domestic furballs.

- [Judge] Sorry, Tess, my decision's final.

- [Tess] Well, it can't be.

- [Judge] Well, it is.

- Yes, but look, I mean what can they do?

Can they guard sheep, can they provide fleece?

No, at best they're a pair of fluffy slippers, I mean, it's just not fair!

(crowd laughing) As I was saying, thank you to everyone, and well done all of you.

(crowd cheering and clapping) - Don't start.

(melancholy piano music) (crowd chattering) - [Man] Keep it up, keep those punchers up.

Come on, that's it, show all the nice people.

- It in?

- Yeah, it's fine, yep.

- Come on, that's it, that's a lovely right, lovely right.

(bell dings) - Oh.

- Enough, enough, enough.

Come on everyone, give 'em a round of applause.

(crowd clapping and cheering) And title stupidity.

That's it, son.

- Okay, you ready for this?

- Just try and stop me.

- Who's gonna be next, who's mad enough to take on the mean machine?

You sir, you wanna have a go at him?

Have a look at the big man with all these pretty little girls, lovey dovey.

- Looks like you get a good luck kiss.

- Forget about it.

Good luck.

Hey.

Go get 'em, tiger.

(bell dings) (rock music) (crowd cheering) - That's it, oh, a nice combination.

Oh, this lad, no doubt.

- Yeah, woo!

- Hey Tess, I hear you caused quite a stir in the show ring.

- Yeah, everybody heard.

- Abusing judges, frightening small children.

Better watch out, mate, you might get banned.

(melancholy piano music) (dog whimpering) Hey Claire, what's up, mate?

- It's Peter, and Drover's.

- The letter?

- He never passed it on.

- What letter?

- I think you better hand that letter over.

- Now if you wanna face assault charge this time, go right ahead, but you might wanna get your facts straight first, get off!

- Come on.

- The truth is there never was a letter.

- What?

- I told Australian Bloodlines that you resigned, but they expected to hear from you personally.

I had just assumed you'd contacted them.

- That's not true.

You bastard!

Bastard!

Bastard!

- Claire.

- If I get my hands on you!

Bastard.

- Claire, I have to ask you a question, and I'm not suggesting you're lying, but you weren't your normal self back then, you weren't eating and you weren't sleeping.

- What are you getting at?

- Are you sure you gave him the letter?

I mean, maybe you just thought you did.

- I know I was upset, but I wasn't insane.

I gave him that letter, Tess, he came for the horses and I handed it to him.

- Okay.

So if Peter kept the letter, then maybe he's still got it.

- So?

- We find the letter, we prove that he's lying.

Is he still staying at the hotel?

- As far as I know.

Look, I'm gonna find Lenny and find out what our options are.

(tense music) (children shouting and laughing) (fairground music) - Well done.

So, can I buy some of the famous brew?

- On the house.

- Thanks.

- Cute.

- I'm meeting Liz at the end of nine arts and crafts.

Apparently the decorated tissue holders are a sight to behold.

- Hey look, I'm sorry about Mum, she doesn't want you to get lonely while you're here.

- I guessed that.

- See ya later.

- See ya.

- Highly recommended.

What's that, the loser's award?

- At least now we can drink it.

- What's Sally doing here?

- Visiting.

- Is that right?

Maybe you should tell her Tess is moving into Wilgul.

- What gave you that idea?

- I dunno, maybe all the wheat sowing that's been going on.

Cozy little devil with the folks.

- Well you're wrong.

- You blew it, didn't you.

Must be hard, mate, once she's had the best.

(dramatic music) - So that's $4?

- Yeah.

- There it is, thank you.

- Thank you.

- Beck!

Wanna go in?

- Hey, I already know what my future holds, I gotta go and meet Brick.

(people chattering) - Oh, forget that old sign, they're $2.50.

- Alberto, that is not a big enough profit margin.

We're not gonna make it to Fisher, let alone Italy.

- We won't have any profit margin at all if we don't have any customers.

- I guess.

- These smell good.

- They taste even better.

(children laughing) (tense music) (melancholy piano music) (gentle flute music) - Come on.

(people chattering) - Are you sure?

A week ago.

I haven't heard anything, but... No.

No messages.

Yeah.

(melancholy flute and piano music) (tense music) - Yes!

- Hello, housekeeping.

(dramatic music) - She was in my hotel room, she was going through my things, as far as I know, that's break and enter.

- Strictly speaking, yes, but- - What the hell have you done?

- Actually, I'd advise you not to say anything.

Hello, Sarge.

- I want her charged.

(tense music) - Well, he's the one who should be arrested, he's a liar and an adulterer.

- Not exactly chargeable offenses, unlike breaking and entering.

- Yes, what do we have to do to make this disappear?

- [Sergeant] I don't know that we can.

- [Larry] Reduce to trespass, perhaps?

- It's doubtful, you heard him.

Tess broke into his hotel and then ransacked his belongings.

- Great, just great.

How serious is this?

- Plenty.

Trespass you can get away with a fine, breaking and entering is jailable.

Now it all depends on the magistrate, of course, but we could apply for a suspended sentence if the circumstances are extenuating enough.

- Extenuating enough?

We're gonna lose our home 'cause of him.

- Got any proof of that?

Right.

Let's think about a suitable defense.

Any history of mental illness in the family?

(people chattering) - We're almost out of gas.

- Yeah, and buns.

Terry!

- Yes?

- There you go, can you give us a hand?

- Yeah, sure, I reckon I can handle cooking a few snags.

- We'll be right back.

- Oh.

Yeah, righto, you're next then, eh?

- Yeah, just give us three with sauce, two with mustard, one with onions and mustard, and just one with sauce and onions, no mustard.

- Yeah, okay so that's three with mustard, is it?

- You deaf or something, mate?

- No, but you're rude.

So let's start again, shall we?

That was three with sauce?

- Yeah, that's right.

- Might like to try adding a please to that, yeah?

- Yeah.

- Yeah.

Please.

- Coming right up.

- Here, put this on, you don't wanna get your good dress all messed up, do you?

- Thanks, Terry.

- No worries.

- Lenny was right.

Mental illness?

How about complete fruitcake!

- Well, at least I was trying to do something.

Besides, Peter's the one you should be angry with.

I mean, he's the bastard who's shafting us, isn't he?

He's the one who's competing against you, he's the one who's laying charges against me.

He's the one who's causing our property to be sold.

- And you're the one who got caught!

- Well, I just don't understand why you're not putting up a fight.

- Because I'm... (melancholy piano music) - Claire, let's go, you're up for the obstacle course.

Let's kick Johnson's ass.

- I'm not doing it.

- Why not?

- I can't.

(melancholy piano music) - Not back here again, are we?

Come on, Claire, you wuss, there's no jumps.

- Just rack off, I am not riding!

(dramatic piano music) - I'll ride.

- There you go.

Enyoy, eh?

- Typical of kids, they get a great idea, then leave all the hard work to us.

- Yeah, that's our Jodie, but you can't knock her enthusiasm, you know, sorta contagious.

- Yeah, like chickenpox.

(Terry laughs) - Hey Ally, wanna try a snag, I cooked them myself?

Guess not.

- Sorry we took so long, couldn't find anything open in town 'cause everyone's here.

So we did a deal with the CWA pretending to be collecting buns for charity.

(laughs) - Jodi, that's terrible!

- Why?

Alberto and I don't have any money, doesn't that qualify us as needy?

- Greedy, maybe.

Fancy a well -deserved coffee?

- [Jane] Hi.

- Oh, hi there.

- For you.

- Ah, another time, eh?

- Meg, I know who you dressed up for.

Back off, he's taken.

- Jane, Terry doesn't like fairy floss.

(dramatic music) - [Commentator] Okay, folks, there's been a change in the program.

Alex Ryan is standing in for Claire McLeod on Brave J.

- Why isn't Claire riding?

- You tell me.

- [Commentator] Now with a near perfect score from Peter Johnson earlier today, Alex has decided to go bareback to try and gain some of those valuable extra points.

(crowd clapping) Now this will be a competition worth watching.

(crowd chattering) - So Alex is riding instead?

- [Commentator] Points are awarded for horsemanship, observance of the rules, and the amount of the bridal.

(crowd laughing) No, I'm only jokin'.

- One day soon you won't even remember his name.

- [Commentator] Let's give Alex Ryan a big round of applause as we start the ride.

(crowd clapping) Now this leg of the Stockman's Challenge is all about skill, folks.

The horse has to understand the tiniest change in the rider's commands.

Like they can read each other's minds, and that ain't easy, folks.

To wind it up even more, the judges have added a time limit.

- He's gonna lose some time there.

- [Commentator] Folks, I think you'll agree, Brave J is a beautiful horse.

A good credit to his trainer, Claire McLeod.

It's a pity she's not riding today.

- Go Alex.

- [Commentator] Around the gate, hangs on perfectly there.

He's looking good out there, folks, but he's still gotta catch Peter Johnson's score.

And the mail run, oh yes, poetry in motion.

Beautiful.

(crowd moaning) What can I say, folks.

Must be a lot of unwanted bills for Alex to be throwing them away.

(crowd clapping) - Nice ride.

(melancholy piano music) (motor puttering) - Hey Jo, check it out.

Cool, huh?

- Yeah, cool.

- Are you gonna come to the party with us?

Should be fun.

Yeah, Donna's putting on a DJ.

- Oh, I'd love to, but I've gotta get ready for tomorrow.

- Making sausages.

- Oh, great.

- It's her ticket to Italy.

- Well, I'll see ya.

- So immature.

- Hey.

- Hi.

- How's it going?

- Ah, not as good as I would've hoped, considering the price cutting, but I guess that's market forces for you.

Still, the escape plan is well on it's way.

- Jodi I- - I don't know that I want to escape, Jodie.

The people are nice, the land is beautiful.

- I reckon we should be better prepared for tomorrow.

More buns, more gas, we could charge for sauce and onions.

So yes.

Hey, where's Brick?

(melancholy flute music) - I'll brush him down if you want?

- Bugger off, will ya?

- Maybe you need the brush down, hey?

- Jeez, he makes my blood boil!

Look, I'll tell you one thing for free, right?

You're lucky you didn't marry the blockhead or you'd be in real trouble.

- How do ya figure that out?

- Well imagine it, married with a hoard of kids and you find out what he's really like?

- Not hoards, just one.

(bell dings) - Nick?

I'm sorry, okay, I'm really sorry.

I got nervous, my issues with my mother, abandonment, then there's Harry and Liz and Claire giving me advice and this whole brother thing, I just- - Tess, it doesn't matter what the excuses are.

It's raining, summer, it's too hot, it's too cold, it's Alex, it's Claire, it's your mother, whatever!

(dramatic music) Look.

The way I see it, it's pretty simple, right?

Either we're meant to be together, or we're not.

If you can't make up your mind, it's obviously not.

- But I'm scared, Nick.

- Why?

I would never hurt you.

- And I don't wanna hurt you either, but you don't know that, because people change.

- Seriously, you're trying to spare my feelings?

- No, it's not that- - It didn't bother you jumping into bed with Alex.

- Alex is different, I didn't...

He's a tough guy.

- Oh, great, that's great, so what does that make me?

- That's not what I'm saying.

- Tess.

Give him the flick, come watch a real man fight.

- Like she watched a real man ride?

- Didn't see you do any better.

- Heard you dropped the bundle, mate, looking good.

- Not as embarrassing as never gettin' any.

- No wonder Tess is giving you up as a bad joke.

- Is that right?

(dramatic music) - Yeah.

- Fight!

(crowd shouting) - Big man, eh, come on!

- Alex, just leave it!

Can't someone stop it?

- Harry, do something.

- Not for me to interfere - Oh, only when it suits you.

You think you've done enough damage now?

- This is not my fault.

- So why is Nick trying to prove himself?

Oh!

- Are you all right?

You don't have to do this for me, Nick.

- Don't flatter yourself, I'm doing this for me.

(crowd shouting) - That's enough!

That's enough!

- Why didn't you ride Brave J today?

I didn't think your boyfriend was too impressive.

- Peter, please.

Whatever you want you can have.

Take the business, I'll walk away from it all, you can have the contracts, anything.

Just let me keep Drover's.

It's not just me you're hurting.

- What d'ya mean?

- You'd be hurting my sister as well.

- Well, you should've thought of that before you went into business with Alex.

(melancholy music) - There, wrap your laughing gear 'round that.

It'll make it a bit easy for ya.

Hurts too much to smile.

I am trying to be nice, Nick.

- Thanks.

- You did pretty well out there today, considering.

- I know what you're gonna say.

Considering you're pulling your punches, right?

So you may as well say it.

- Hurts to laugh, doesn't it?

- Yeah.

(soft piano music) (people shouting) - I guess if I had to ask one question, it'd be about life in general.

Something to do with wealth, or health, or happiness.

- [Mystic Miranda] Do I look stupid or something?

- What do you mean?

- You know as well as I do the question you really wanna ask is will you get back together with Terry.

- Well, you're rightio.

(meditation music) - Not sure.

- Not sure?

But you're the psychic, why aren't you sure?

- One question only.

- Yeah, but you didn't answer it.

- I did, the dice are still in the air.

- Oh, for goodness sake.

- Basically Meg, at this stage it could go either way.

(wind chimes tinkling) (melancholy music) (insects chirping) (fireworks banging) - Tess.

- Claire.

- You first.

- I'm sorry about today.

I shouldn't have done what I did.

But it'll be all right, we'll work it out somehow.

I mean, what's the worst that can happen?

We get kicked out of our home, we lose everything and I go to prison.

Let me rephrase that.

Like I said, we'll work it out.

- Can you work this out?

I'm pregnant.

(dramatic piano music) (fireworks banging) (crowd cheering) ♪ There was never time enough, I can't breathe ♪ ♪ It's too hard to think of love ♪ ♪ I can't breathe, I can't breathe ♪ (melancholy piano music) (thunder crashing) (electronic music) (gentle music)