Avalon Cove
Episode 2
The Front Page
Scene 1. (Ext) The Parke, Allen, Cooper and Rhodes homes. Outside view of all.
A music montage opens this episode. We see feet walking along a footpath, before revealing it’s a young boy getting on his bike. As he loads his papers into the basket at the front, the families of Avalon Cove begin to wake up.
Beth opens the curtains in her room and waves at the paper before turning back into the room.
Helen is in her garden collecting the milk when she grabs the paper after the paper boy throws it.
Fay and Hazel are chatting outside the Station Inn when the paper nearly hits them. As they jump, the paper boy mouths ‘Sorry’.
Finally, Tessa opens her paper on the kitchen table. The headline reads:
‘Murder Cove: Local women killed in cold blood’ By Nathan Allen
TITLES ROLL
Scene 2. (Int) The Oven Café.
All four girls, Beth, Helen, Fay and Tessa are sitting at a table near the window. Their book for review ‘Murder Most Horrid’ is in the middle of the table. As the girls chat, Helen is pouring them all coffee and pointing at fresh scones.
Tessa: (Quite stern but doubtful) I’m just going to say it. Did everyone see the paper this morning?
All the girls say yes.
Fay: (Almost shocked) Murdered in cold blood. I thought it would have been an accident. Maybe that she fell in or something?
Helen: I was hoping it would be deemed an accident. Poor Drew. He must be devastated.
Fay: Hazel bumped into him on the beach yesterday. She said he was pretty upset.
Beth: (Sympathic then mindful) Poor man. It’s such a tragedy. I mean it’s not long since they moved here. What is it about 3 months?
Helen: About 3 months maybe 4 at the most.
PAUSE
Tessa: (Picking up the book and laughing) I know I shouldn’t laugh but girls really I can’t see us reviewing it this week.
The girls giggle.
Helen: Who’d have thought a month ago when we picked this that a month later we’d living it out for real?
Fay: (Sarcastic) Bit dramatic Helen don’t ya think!
Beth: (Equally sarcastic) Well at least we know where Nate is getting his catchy headlines from.
Helen: Very funny girls. It’s his job. As a…
The girls butt in…
‘Journalist’
Fay: Could a mother be any more proud, aye Helen?
Helen: Leave it off.
As Helen tries to laugh off the joke, Caleb arrives.
Caleb: (All suave and sexy) Morning ladies, I’m looking for Ms Allen?
Helen: (Longingly looking at this young hunk) That we would be me.
Tessa: (Stating a fact in spite) And that would be Mrs Allen.
Caleb: My mistake.
Helen: It’s an easy mistake to make.
Caleb: I was sent by the agency. They said you are looking for a new chef and that I should apply.
Helen: You’re hired!
Tessa: So much for playing hard to get.
Caleb: I’ve bought my tools for you to inspect and my recipes.
Helen: That would be delightful. (Spitefully) Girl’s if you excuse me I must deal with the matter at hand.
Fay: And give it your undivided attention.
Helen: The kitchen is this way. (Helen points at the kitchen and Caleb begins to walk towards it)
Helen then follows him and mimics grabbing his bum as the girls each swallow a mouthful of scone.
Scene 3. (Ext) The beach
Hayley is sitting on the beach staring at the ocean as she looks at a pregnancy test in her hand. She slowly begins to cry as Drew approaches her. Wiping her tears, she stands to greet him.
Hayley: (Sympathic) Drew, I’m sorry about Lalia. I don’t know what to say.
Drew: (Calm) Thank you. PAUSE People never usually do.
Hayley: (Confused) What?
Drew: Know what to say in these situations.
Hayley: (Continuing to wipe her tears) True I guess, still I am very sorry for your loss.
Drew: I feel like I should be offering you my sympathies.
PAUSE (Hayley looks at Drew shocked)
Hayley: Oh me, I’m fine. Sand in my eyes.
Drew: I think it’s a little bit more, than sand in your eyes. Look you really don’t have to tell me but sometimes it’s good to talk. Who knows maybe if Lalia had talked, we wouldn’t be in the mess we are now.
Hayley: (Starting to cry) I don’t know how to say it. I don’t want to say it out loud. It will make it real and I can’t deal with real right now. But thank you for being kind.
Drew: (Looking at Hayley and brushing her hair out of her eyes) Do me a favour? If you won’t talk to me, then talk to someone?
Hayley: I will. Thanks. And Drew maybe that advice could be used by you too?
Drew begins to walk away.
Drew: Maybe you’re right.
As Drew walks on, Hayley looks down at the pregnancy test and grabs it close to her chest.
Scene 4. (Int) Up Style
Holly and Rick are in the staff room. Cuddling and kissing.
Holly: (Guilty) We shouldn’t be doing this.
Rick: Holly sweety, you need to man up.
Holly: Man up? That’s charming Rick. PAUSE You know what I mean? Abi is my best friend. You’re her ex fiancé.
Rick: Me and Abi are broken up, we’re free to see other people.
Holly: I don’t think she meant her best friend.
Rick: Holly, I don’t make any apologies for my feelings for you. Long before I finished with Abi, you were the girl that had my heart. PAUSE I mean come on Holly for heaven sake she named a female dog after me.
Holly giggles and kisses Rick.
Scene 5. (Int) The Avalon Cove Medical Center.
Noel welcomes new sectary Ava Morton to Avalon Cove.
Ava, a smart dressed. Short skirt and high heels. Sexy sexy lady.
Noel: (Taking in the view. Slightly high pitched) Hi (Finding his voice) I’m Dr Parke, you must be Ms Morton?
Ava: Ava, you can call me Ava!
Noel: Well, Ava, you can call me Noel. So, you found the place alright?
Ava: Well, it was a bit of a struggle but I got here in the end.
Noel: Thank you for stepping in at such short notice. Poor Kristy, my sectary, well, she’s had to take early maternity.
Ava: Its fine Noel, honestly, just point me in the direction of the phone and computer and let’s get started.
Noel: Fantastic. I like a go getter attitude. I think you’re going to work out really well here Ava.
Ava: Oh I plan too.
Ava smirks behind Noel’s back.
Scene 6. (Int) The Station Inn
Eric is in the bar taking down the posters advertising the theme night/quiz night.
Hazel: (Chirpy but addled) Hiya. Is Fay around?
Eric: No she’s at the book club thing.
Hazel: Oh how exciting. PAUSE I need her to look after the bar while I run to the wholesalers.
Eric: Well have you tried her mobile?
Hazel: No. For the past half hour, I’ve trainspotting. PAUSE (Eric looks puzzled) Of course I have. There’s no answer.
Eric: Well, I really must get on and finish taking down these posters.
Hazel: Why you taking them down?
Eric: We’ve decided to cancel out of respect to Drew.
Hazel: Oh yea of course. Poor Drew.
Hazel looks upset.
Scene 7. (Int) The building yard inside office.
Evan is putting away his tools. He’s moving stuff around, when he finds the letter from Carla. The letter he had out in his coat. As he looks at the letter, part of it reads,
‘I would love to meet with you again’
Evan then moves over to his desk and grabs the phone. He dials a number and waits.
Evan: Hi, hello there, can I book a return ticket to Cornwall? PAUSE Yea, am, next Monday please? PAUSE Prefect, thank you.
Evan then folds the letter but as he puts it his pocket, it falls under his desk.
Scene 8. (Int) The Allen Household
Nate arrives home to a huge reception from Helen, Rachel and Freddy.
Helen: Sweetheart, it’s so good to see you.
Nate and Helen hug.
Nate: Mom, it’s so good to see you. PAUSE Look at you Squirt (Freddy) look at how much you’ve grown.
Freddy: Squirt, Nate, come on. Give me some credit. It’s Freddy.
Nate: Okay then Freddy. Look at how you’ve grown.
Rachel comes down the stairs and see’s Nate.
Rachel: Well Mr Journo, any new leads on the midsummer murder?
Helen: (Stern but interested in Nate’s answer) Rachel show some respect.
Rachel: (Having none of it) You wanna know just as much as me.
Nate: Well hello to you too Rach and how is my little sis doing?
Rachel: Good dodge bro, cough it up? Who done her in?
PAUSE
Helen: Anyway, I’ve made a chicken casserole. I hope you’re hungry.
Nate, Rachel and Freddy throw their eyes to heaven and follow her into the kitchen.
Scene 9. (Int) The Rhodes Household.
Tessa is in the laundry room. As she’s putting on some washing, she finds the pregnancy test in her pocket. After turning on the washing machine, she walks towards the kitchen but stops and a tear rolls down her cheek. After walking into the kitchen, she looks at a family picture on the window sill. She then lifts up the photo and looks at Holly and Hayley. Another tear rolls down her cheek.
Scene 10. (Int) The Station Inn.
Drew walks into the Station Inn. Eric and Fay are behind the bar. Rick, Evan, Hazel and Lena are in the bar.
Eric: (Offering his sympathies) Drew, I’m deeply sorry for your loss.
Fay: I’m very sorry, Drew. If we can do anything, you only have to ask.
Drew: Thank you.
Evan, Rick and Lena all offer their sympathies. Hazel is at the bar ordering.
Evan: Yea Drew mate, really sorry mate. Can I get you a drink?
Drew: No thanks Evan but thank you.
Rick: Sorry, Drew. Let me get you one in, mate?
Drew: Honestly, I’m fine. Thank you.
Lena: (Sobbing) Such a beautiful women. So young, so pretty, what a terrible loss. I’m so sorry Drew.
Drew: Thank you Mrs Holden, that means a lot.
Hazel walks over to Drew and hands him a pint and ushers him towards a seat.
Drew: (Looking at the pint) Just what the doctor ordered.
Hazel: Well, cheers. (Holds out her glass of wine) To Lalia!
Drew and Hazel drink to Laia.
Drew: (Honest and raw) Not that she deserves it.
Hazel: (Shocked) Excuse me?
Drew: She was leaving me Hazel. She was having an affair.
Hazel: I didn’t know. I’m…
Drew: Sorry. (Slightly angry) Do you know how much I am beginning to hate that word? Sorry! It’s so hollow, so empty. PAUSE She said it the night she told me about the affair. PAUSE She was leaving me and she was sorry. PAUSE WE had a fight.
Hazel: (Trying to stay calm) You don’t have to tell me Drew.
Drew: (AS if he didn’t hear her) We had a fight. Things got smashed, I got smashed, best night out Id had in years. (Laughs) I hated her that night. PAUSE Bitch!
Hazel: No one’s perfect, Drew. I’m sure she didn’t want to hurt you.
Drew: Don’t defend her. She wouldn’t defend you.
In the background, Insp Haynes arrives in the pub and asks at the bar for Drew. Eric then points over towards.
Drew Cont’d: I am devastated. My head hurts. I loved her so much.
Drew then looks up at Insp Haynes. As Insp Haynes speaks, another officer arrests Drew.
Haynes: Andrew Farmer, you’re under arrest for the murder of Lalia Yorke, you do not have to say anything, anything you do say, can and will be used as evidence in a court of law.
Hazel along with the rest of the pub is left in shock as Drew is lead away in handcuffs.
TITLES ROLL.
