McLeod's Daughters

-

Narrator

Previously on "McLeod's Daughters." Why is she riding Sirocco? Well, he's Jack's horse. It'll be interesting to see if she can handle him. He's a fiery animal. What does it look like to you? I don't know, it's a shed. This was where Jack died. (horse snorting) Dad went out to the high paddocks to look for the strays. (gentle sentimental music) I didn't get worried 'til it was about almost dark. Sirocco was there. He stayed with him. Hyah, hyah! - Woo, woo! Hyah, hyah! - Hyah! Come on, have a look here! - Woo! Come on, get over! (cattle driver beckoning) Hyah! (cattle lowing) Go on! - Cha! Hyah! - Go on! Come on! Come on! - Hyah! (cattle driver beckoning) Come on! - Go on, then! -

Cattle Driver

Get up there! Come on! - Get on in there! Jodi, the gate. I'll get it. Come on! - Woo, woo! Come on! (cattle driver beckoning) Hyah! - Woo, woo! Come on, woo! (cattle driver beckoning) Right! Uh... Come on! - Let's go! Come on, whoa! Good boy. A bit closer. Closer. (Tess yelping) (Tess groaning) (cattle lowing) (pensive music) Hey, nice move! (laughing) (chain rattling) (cattle lowing) You all right? Yeah, I'm fine. Go on, up you get. Yeah, I know, you fall off you gotta get straight back on. No, you've gotta get on before you get trampled. (cattle lowing) Oh. (cattle lowing) Come on, show's over, let's round 'em up! (hoofbeats clopping) Hyah, hyah! - Go on! Come on! - Hyah, woo! -

Claire

Get 'em in! Hyah, hyah! - Come on! (cattle driver beckoning) - Hyah! -

Cattle Driver

Woo, woo, woo, woo! Go on! - Hyah, go on! -

Claire

Come on! Hyah! - Go on! Go on! There. - Yeah. Woo, woo, woo, woo! - Hyah, come on! Go on! (cattle driver beckoning) (bright energetic 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 Ah ah ah ah Not far Oh oh oh oh Ah ah ah ah 'Cause I'll be there Ooh (gentle music) (cutlery clattering) I thought I was cooking risotto tonight? What's that? Um, it's an Italian sorta sticky rice and it's got vegetables and fresh herbs and- Shepherd's pie, my favorite! Sorry, but it was getting late. Of course, I forgot. It's too late to eat dinner after seven in the country. Ah, just a sec, I thought you might be needing this. (all except Tess laughing) Come on, everyone, it's not fair to make Tess the butt of all the jokes. (all except Tess laughing) Mind if I borrow the ute tonight? I'll fill it up. Yeah, sure. See, the Ryans have that, um, jet gun, the portable one. Oh, yeah? What's its rate? -

Becky

40 liters per minute. You can use two guns at the same time. (Tess sighing) (footsteps thudding) It's all right, Meg, I'll do it. Dishes I'm good at. (both chuckling) (dishes clanking) You know, it's not easy working with cattle. Well, it is for some people. Well, some people have been doing it all their life. It takes time to adjust to country life, you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. How long did it take you to get used to it? I don't know, I just, I just did. Soon as I saw this place I knew I never wanted to leave. (distant birds calling) (Claire humming) (Sirocco nickering) Oh, what's a matter, mate, hm? Eh? (Sirocco grumbling) You haven't eaten your food. (Sirocco sniffing) (Sirocco grumbling) You're a fussy old bugger. I'm relying on your genes to make us filthy rich, okay? So eat up! (footsteps thudding) (upbeat pop music) Ooh yeah (ute door slamming) (engine revving) Woo oh oh (engine revving) (footsteps thudding) There she goes again. (scoffing) Don't be such a sticky-beak, Mum! I wonder where she goes every night. Ah, to have a good time, unlike us. Yeah, yeah -

Tess

(chuckling) Yeah, I'm missing you too. (footsteps thudding) (gentle sentimental music) Will you be long? Um, no, I'm just finishing off. (footsteps thudding) (crickets chirping) I'll get off now then, shall I? (mouse clicking) There you go, it's all yours. (Claire sighing) At least you're not good at everything. Did you want something? I don't know, I, um, I feel like the odd one out. Well, apart from having foot-in-mouth disease, you look all right to me. I fell off my horse! Then what's the problem? It happens all the time. You'll get over it. Yeah, but I'll look like an idiot in front- -

Claire

Then what's the problem? I'll leave you to it. (footsteps thudding) (somber music) What would she know about art? (Claire sighing) (gentle upbeat music) (horses whinnying) Oh, I don't know, Claire, I don't know the first thing about it! Well, neither did Dad, but he still liked my paintings. The rest of your life. I have nothing to fear except fear itself. I like big animals, big animals like me. Thank you, thank you, thank you, God for big animals. Oh, Jodi! (muffled rock music) Jodi! Did someone call? Yes. I want you to put some extra feed out for the heifers. They're gonna drop their calves soon. (groaning) But Claire, I've already- You can go with Becky. Oh, okay, no worries. Sirocco's off his feed for the second day in a row now. Hm, I'll make him up some bran mash. Did you have a good night? Yeah, you? (scoffing) Mum, we've gotta go. Jobs to do, remember? (pensive music) So, where did you go? What did you do? Did you have a few beers and meet a few spunks? You like me, I like you. (horse nickering) Okay, let's make a deal, um... I don't wanna look like an idiot, uh, so you're gonna have to work with me here. Now, you've heard of the carrot and the stick approach? Yep? Okay, well, um, this is the carrot. (Tess yelping) Horses pick up on body language. If you're scared, it makes him scared. Well, I am scared, I can't help it. I'm scared of all big animals! Horses, cows, sheep. You just need to get to know each other better. How do I do that? Buy him a drink? So um (clearing throat), a horse walks into a pub and the barman says, "Why the long face?" (horse nickering) Oh, God! (Tess gasping) (gentle somber music) (Sirocco nickering) Oh! (Sirocco whinnying) Settle down, boy. (Sirocco whinnying) Hey, settle down! Settle down. (Sirocco whinnying) He used to play up for your dad too. (Claire chuckling) He's a tough old nut. Just like him. (Sirocco nickering) Nick? Yeah, it's Claire. Your vet's over there today, isn't he? Yeah, you reckon he could come over and take a look at Sirocco? Yeah. Terrific, thanks. I'll see you later. (receiver thudding) You're bringing the vet in? Oh, just to be sure. (engines rumbling) -

Nick

G'day. (sighing) Geez, I only asked for the vet, not half of Killarney! We just wanted to see you're okay. Sure, you did. Tess is down there. Well, this is a change, Claire. Tight as your old man, aren't you? If you came here more often, Greg, people would talk! Well, they talk about me anyway. What's wrong with Sirocco? Oh, it's probably nothing. He's got the hots for Greg, that's all. Oh, right. (Sirocco whinnying) (bird cawing) (cattle lowing) You know what I've decided? I'm not gonna let this place get me down. No, I am gonna work hard. Oh, yeah? Yeah! And then Mum can't say anything when I hang out with you and party. (Jodi chuckling) I can see you like carrots. I got an endless supply, I can get them for you whenever you want. It's just a saying, you know? You don't really have to whisper. I know that. What are you doing here? Well, I came to see your great rapport with animals. Very funny. Do you mind? I'm quite busy, actually. Doin' what? Uh, we're getting to know each other better. I've got a much better way of doin' that. Really? You an expert? Well, I haven't had any complaints so far. (Tess laughing) I was planning on getting you out here soon anyway. I'm thinking of starting a breeding program with Sirocco. Uh-huh, any luck? Natural service. Wouldn't wanna be paying those vets any more than you have to. (Sirocco grunting) (laughing) Mob of sharks. But I might grab a few straws as well, for insurance. All right, cover your bets. Has he been eating? Not a lot. And no manure for a couple of days? I gave him some bran mash, that usually does the trick. -

Greg

Mm-hmm. -

Tess

Ow! -

Alex

The whole idea is to relax. I am relaxed! And you gotta show him who's boss. Remember, you're in charge, not him. Be bossy, be friendly, what's a girl supposed to do? Hey, what are you doing? I said relax, remember? (pensive music) Now I'm just gonna check out your seat. Alex, that is not my seat. Well, that's what I'm trying to get to. Anyway, there's nothing wrong with my seat. (horse neighing) (Tess shouting) (hoofbeats clopping) Well, this laxative should do the trick, but until the blockage in his bowel's cleared, I can't actually tell if anything else is going on. If he's in pain you can give him some aspirin, but that'll destroy the good bacteria in his gut, so you'll have to replace it. How? Well, manure's full of it. Just mix it with water, give it to him. You're kidding. Nah, I love this job. Where else can you tell your patients to eat poop and get away with it? (Claire laughing) I'll swing by tomorrow and make sure the laxatives worked. In the meantime, make sure you- Walk him, I know. Great, that's all I need. Well, better than that a twisted bowel. I'll see you tomorrow. Yeah, thanks, Greg. I'll take first shift. No, that's all right, Nick. You can't walk him all night on your own. I mean, will it really kill you to accept a favor for once? Thank you, Nick. (pensive music) Thank you, Nick. What was that? Thank you, Nick. Yeah. (gentle music) Oh, it is beautiful, isn't it? I would miss it. You goin' somewhere? (horse nickering) You never know. If I get a better offer. How could you do better than this? Only someone who's never been to the city could ask that. Listen, I boarded in the city for years. Tell me one good thing about it. Coffee. Righto, two good things. Yaya. I said good things. (Tess laughing) Uh, facials, massages, Sunday markets, clubs, window shopping, delis. Yeah, yeah. - Uh, cheesecake, fresh pasta, movies. - Yeah, yeah. Okay, I get the idea. You're not seriously thinkin' about it, are you? Never intended to stay here forever. (gentle somber music) (horse nickering) -

Alex

What are you doing tomorrow? -

Tess

Dunno, whatever act of torture Claire can come up with next. About time, Alex. I'm not your secretary. Harry's called three times looking for you. Oh, someone's in trouble. He can't manage without me, that's all. Listen, can you give this back to Terry? He must've left it here when he came over the other day looking for that bull. Bull? (engine rumbling) Oh, yeah, I always take my watch off when I'm lookin' for bulls. (ute doors slamming) Geez, Beck, what happened to you? Who cut your hair, the council? Bite your bum, Alex. Well, you wouldn't get a date at a B & S ball with a hairdo like that! It's the only place you'd get one, Stumpy. (playful music) Oh, it doesn't mean what you think. It means she knocked you back. Oh, kid away! (Tess laughing) Where's Nick? Helping Claire. But they say size doesn't matter, right? That's what men like to think. (beetroots flopping) Jodi, you gotta fan the beetroot out. See? (Jodi sighing) Food should look as good as it tastes. Has anyone seen my red jumper? I can't find it. Are you going into town? Yeah. - Ah, I'll come too then. Uh, no, what about dinner? I'm not hungry. - But- Mum, I'm going. Your mum thinks I'm gonna lead you astray. Oh, please do. You're not gonna get there 'til 10 o'clock, then what... (crickets chirping) Could you take this out to Nick and Claire? Is Nick still here? I thought he went home with Alex. They'll need cutlery. Nobody tells me anything. (Sirocco grumbling) (gentle somber music) You staying over? Sirocco's sick. Oh. Yeah. Anyway, dinner's served. Drover's Run specialty, slices of ham ala tinned. Why don't you let me take over while you eat your dinner? Tried that. Take a break, anyway. I'm fine, thanks. I can do it, honestly. You know what Sirocco's like. I can lead a horse, Claire, I might not be able to ride, but I- I'm the only one who can handle him. You don't trust me, do you? Don't take it personally, she's like this with everyone. -

Tess

What do you think's gonna happen, Claire? Nothing, I just- Fine, then hand me the reins. Actually, Tess, if you wouldn't mind, I need to get back to Killarney. (Sirocco snorting) Sure, I'll give you a lift. Give me a call if you need anything. Thanks. (Claire sighing) (engine rumbling) (crickets chirping) I know what he meant to her. I know he was Jack's horse, I know he died on him. (sighing) Claire knows I know all that. It's a bit more than that. What is it with you country people? No one ever tells anyone anything! I'm sick of it! All I know is that they had a blue, Jack took off on Sirocco, and Claire found him hours later, dead. (somber music) I didn't know that. I didn't know about the argument. (Tess sighing) Poor Claire. So sudden. I had months and months to say goodbye to Mum. It's not fair. Well, life isn't. (distant birds calling) Ah, it's, um, those birds again. I'm sick of them too. (engine revving) Come on. Come on! (engine sputtering) (engine revving) (Claire humming) (Sirocco nickering) Oh the grand old Duke of York He had 10,000 (yawning) He marched them up to the top of the hill And he marched them down again Oh, and when he was up he was up And when he was down he was down and (engine rumbling) (Jodi sighing) So give. (chuckling) What are we waiting for? (train chugging) Shh! There. Hear it? Hear what? (bell clanging) The train? Is that it? (chuckling) Oh, I get it. (train horn blaring) (train chugging) Woo! Yeah, woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Yeah, woo! Woo! (laughing) Come on, let's go. What? Is that it? Watching a train go by? Yeah, don't you love it? (playful music) Come on! (engine revving) (engine rumbling) Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing Onward, the sailors cry Carry the lad that's born to be king Over the sea to Skye Loud the wind howls Loud the waves roar Thunderclaps rend the air Baffled, our foes stand by the shore (Sirocco nickering) Follow they will not dare ("The Skye Boat Song") (light switch clicking) (Tess humming) (crickets chirping) (gentle sentimental music) Hm. That's what I'm looking for. (Tess sighing) (engine rumbling) So where are we going? Wait here. (pensive music) (bottle clanking) Yup, party hard (sighing). (dartboard thudding) (objects thudding) (ute door thudding) (distant dog barking) (crickets chirping) (bottle clinking) (seat belt clicking) (engine rumbling) (muffled rock music) -

Jodi

Thanks! Bye, Beck. (engine rumbling) (door creaking) (birds calling) (door thudding) Good morning. (Jodi gasping) Mum! Scary. -

Meg

Where do you think you're going? My bed's calling me. Do you have any idea what time it is? I have been awake all night. Hey, me too! (chuckling) Oh no you don't! There's work needs to be done. Can't it wait? No! (Jodi sighing) (gentle somber music) (Sirocco grunting) Oh, no, no, Sirocco. Come on, boy, you can do it. Come on, love. Yeah, (sniffling) come on. Just a little step, come on. Come on. Come on. Yeah, come on. That's good. Come on. Becky! (footsteps thudding) (door creaking) What do you think you're playing at? Please, come in. You were saying? I'd like to know what you and Jodi got up to last night. Why don't you ask Jodi? I'm asking you. None of your business. I beg your pardon? You heard me. Now, if you don't mind, I've got some work to do. I haven't finished yet. Last I looked, Claire was my boss. And Jodi is my daughter, and I don't want her involved in any criminal activity or anything else you get up to. I promise I won't invite her to any more drunken orgies. I mean it, Becky. I don't want her being influenced by somebody who has no respect for anything or anyone. I'll tell you what, why don't you come along next time? You can invite your friend, Terry. Then we can keep an eye on each other. (tense music) (door creaking) (door thudding) (gentle somber music) (plastic crinkling) (water splashing) (footsteps thudding) Is he in pain? Yes. Poor thing. Look, Claire, I understand why this is so hard for you. I only had one parent too, I know what it's like to be left, although not quite in the same way, but I can see how this must feel like your chance to make things up with Jack. Which is why you're shutting me out, but I think it'd help to talk about what you said. I'm sorry about last night. Oh, no, I didn't mean to me, I meant to Jack. The fight you had before he died. Um, Nick told me. -

Meg

Claire! (footsteps thundering) (suspenseful music) What's happened? He's gonna be okay, look! Oh! (gentle music) So he'll be all right now? Yeah. Oh! Don't you ever, ever do that to me again! You scared the living daylights outta me! Is there anything I can do for you today? Anything at all? Yeah, I, I forgot to tell Becky that when she finishes the fences I need the heifers brought into the big old paddock. They're ready- - To calf. I know, no problem. But Tess, it'd be- - It's all right. I won't ride. I'll, um, take the ute. (keys jangling) Thanks, Meg. Oh, you're hungry now, are you? (Sirocco nickering) (engine rumbling) (door slamming) (birds chirping) (cow moaning) (cow moaning) (suspenseful music) (cow moaning) Ow! (cow moaning) That's got to hurt. Uh, right. (cow moaning) You stay there, I'll go get some help! (cow moaning) Is it okay? Not exactly, the calf's stuck. -

Tess

Ah, what do we do? We should get Mum, she'll know what to do. Yeah, good idea. No, it'll be dead by the time we get back, if it's not dead already. (cow moaning) We need to get it out now. (cow moaning) Well, don't look at me! Well, we'll need rope. Rope? - Yeah, you have to tie a rope around the calf's legs to pull it out. (sighing) I'll look after this end. I'll get the rope. (cow moaning) (Sirocco nickering) Whoa, boy. Whoa, boy. Hold on. As soon as I saw the manure, I knew it was colic. I should've called. Sorry you've come all this way. Hmm, well, you'll be sorrier when you get my bill. (Claire laughing) And you too. Tess is out with the others. Believe it or not, I came to see how Sirocco was doing. (Claire laughing) Or not. (Sirocco nickering) (somber music) Uh, look, I've got to, um, check on some heifers. I sent Tess out to have a look, but she doesn't know what she's doing. I'll be back. (Sirocco nickering) Where's the ute? Tess took it. What's wrong? Oh, that's right. That's right, she had to take it because she can't ride! That's okay, I can ride, I can ride, I'll, I'll take a horse. I can take a horse, now, Star, Star... Star, it isn't gonna work. There's a tumor. He couldn't tell before now. Right, so we operate? Claire, it's too far gone. If you want, Greg can put him down or I can do it. No. No, I'll do it. (birds chirping) I'll see him out. (footsteps thudding) Fine, Dad! Take him. (footsteps thudding) (cow moaning) Do you know what you're doing? Sort of. They usually use this pulley thingy, but I remember Mum once told me they had to use a ute. Don't even think about it! -

Becky

I'm not having much luck here! Well, pull harder! (cow moaning) You're gonna have to help! Please? (cow moaning) (Becky grunting) (Becky grunting) (cow moaning) Is she mooing because we're hurting her or is she mooing because the calf is coming? How do I know? Are you making any headway? I wouldn't exactly call it headway. Well, pull harder! (Tess grunting) It's coming! (Tess and Becky grunting) (cow moaning) It's coming! (cow moaning) (both yelping) (Jodi chuckling) (sentimental music) -

Jodi

Oh! (cow lowing) Oh, it's a boy! Hey. -

Tess

Aw! -

Becky

We better go before the cow gets up and charges us. That'd be right. Another overprotective mother. (Becky laughing) Bye! - Bye. (Tess laughing) - Oh, yeah. (Tess chuckling) (somber sentimental music) My heart is like the river My heart is like these hills They never change I never change And I never will You called and I came running You cried and now I'm here So hold this faith (dog whimpering) Accept our faith These are little fears We have enough to guide us We have enough to last We're not alone We never were You and I aren't lost Mom! - Meg! (Tess and Jodi laughing) We gave birth! You should've seen it, it's legs were going everywhere! I tell you, there's no way I'm going through that. Um, Tess, in case you hadn't noticed, you're not a cow. Hm, well, actually- Very funny. (Jodi chuckling) Where's Claire? Gone with Sirocco. Where? Gone to put him down. (footsteps thudding) Don't you give me any trouble, all right? My heart is like the river My heart is like these hills They never change I never change And I never will (Sirocco nickering) He wants you with him, mate. (Claire sighing) (Sirocco grumbling) (Sirocco thudding) (Sirocco grunting) (Sirocco grumbling) (Claire breathing shakily) (Claire sighing) (somber music) (rifle cocking) (Claire sobbing) (hoofbeats clopping) (birds chirping) (Claire sighing) (gunshot booming) (hoofbeats clopping) -

Tess

Come on. (hoofbeats thundering) (gentle somber music) (horse snorting) (hoofbeats clopping) (horse whinnying) And though I cannot touch you And though I cannot see Where you've gone Where you are You're still here with me I should've checked sooner. (Claire breathing shakily) I should've checked him sooner. You weren't to know. Jack's a stubborn old bugger! I thought he was out here sulking. Come on. I should've checked him sooner. (Claire grunting) Something keeps us going Finds light in all the dark To see your face (Claire sobbing) To hear your voice If we could only talk Let's go home. (Claire sobbing) Come on. My heart is like the river My heart is like these hills You'll never change I'll never change And I never will (fire crackling) (Tess humming) Ah, Jack's scotch. Oh, no, is it? I'm sorry. I'll find something else. No, it doesn't matter. Might as well. Not much of him left except the desk. And us. (crickets chirping) (cap rattling) (scotch splashing) I can't get that song out of my head. Hm, Dad used to sing it to us when we were little. Only way I would get to sleep. (birds calling) They say they cry like that when someone dies. It gives me the creeps. Yeah, me too. (Tess sighing) (Claire laughing) (cap rattling) (scotch splashing) (gentle music) You know, people used to think Picasso wasn't any good. (Tess chuckling) (Tess laughing) Come on, let's go. (scotch splashing) Up your bum. And up yours too. (both laughing) Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh (bright upbeat music) Ooh ooh ooh Ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh Ooh ooh ooh Common ground Find common ground Keep on lookin' 'Til it's found Got one chance That's what they say They're all wrong 'Cause there are many ways Got to want it Got to know And nothing's just as it seems It's not easy It's a long, long road (thunder crashing) (electronic warbling) (bright chiming music) (low chiming music)