The morning after Burkes’ arrest saw Texas brazenly march into the mansion along with groundsman Terry and then instructing housekeeper Nannette to summon Brystle to the solarium. Texas had been blackmailing groundman Terry in recent weeks into covering up the truth that Texas was out skeet shooting the day of Brystle’s fall from the horse. However, Terry was not a very convincing liar and was burdened with being loyal to the Simmington family. Texas was determined to make sure he continued with the charade and had practically dragged him along, reminding him that her silver cup was missing and she had evidence he had taken it. Reluctantly, Terry had come along and as he stood in front of Brystle right now he felt extremely uncomfortable lying to her face. 
Brystle was no dummy. She knew Terry wasn’t being honest and that Texas was certainly the culprit. But not wanting to make him feel any worse, Brystle ended the conversation with him. 
A sheepish Terry could barely make eye contact with Brystle and that gave her all the confirmation she needed that Texas was indeed behind all of this. As Terry turned to leave, his eyes met with Texas’s. HIs heart was racing and he was glad to get out of the solarium and back to his duties. A smirking Texas then stepped forward towards Brystle. 
The sight of Texas standing here in Brystle’s home, lying to her and making light of the loss she had suffered – the loss that Texas had caused and now had the audacity to turn the tables and make Brystle herself feel guilty for wrongly accusing Texas!! – was making Brystle’s blood boil. However, despite it all, she managed to keep a simmering lid on her anger….for now…
Of course, this was all bluff on Texas’s part for unbeknownst to Brystle, it was she who had arranged the beating that had befallen poor Clarke and that Burke would take the blame!
As Brystle walked away, Texas was left alone to ponder on her parting words. Brystle knew the truth but there was no way of proving it. Not unless Terry caved in and revealed she had been out shooting that day. But….if Terry were to be removed from the equation, then perhaps the problem would solve itself….
Over at Devonique Domino’s mansion, it was the morning after the night before for new lovers Heathen and Frankie. With his mother Devonique overseas and his sister Brackie and her boyfriend Oliver in Wollyhood, Frankie had felt at ease bringing Heathen home. He knew that his mother had left him with the advice not to get involved with Heathen as was still grieving the loss of his husband Fred, Frankie’s identical twin brother. However, from the day Frankie had laid eyes on Heathen it had awakened long dormant feelings that he had tried his whole life to suppress. But in the end it had proved too much to resist and he had made the first move last night. 
Heathen couldn’t be any more happier as he snuggled next to Frankie…for it was like having Fred back in his arms once more….
Instantly it dawned on Frankie – his mother Devonique had been right! Heathen WAS still grieving the loss of Fred! And was he now confusing Frankie for being his dead twin???
Heathen seemed oblivious to calling Frankie by his brother’s name. Instead, he sighed and reflected on the short tie they were going to have together before Frankie was back on active duty overseas with the army. 
Not only was Heathen moving far too fast on announcing them as a couple but also he was still referring to him as Fred!!
An embarrassed Heathen tried to gloss over his faux pas by gently kissing Frankie’s chest. 
But as he looked up into Frankie’s eyes he knew he had said the wrong thing. The concern was all over Frankie’s face and their romantic moment was gone. Instantly, Heathen leapt out of the bed. 
There was a momentary awkward silence before Heathen spoke next. 
Heathen went off into the bathroom to get ready and closed and locked the door. Within seconds Frankie could hear his sobs leaving Frankie in a quandary as what to do next…
Across town, Detectives Noonan and Bala watched their prime suspect in the Clarke Hemmings attack from behind the 2 way mirror. They’d questioned Burke all night through along with his slippery lawyer Andre Wayward present but despite their best efforts, Noonan knew she would not be able to make the charges stick. All the evidence was circumstantial at best. It was down to her partner Bala to point this out. 
Inside the interrogation room, Burke was livid at being held overnight like a common criminal. He thumped his fist against the table and began spouting off to his lawyer Andre. 
On the other side of the mirror, Bala had to remind Noonan again that it was time to let Burke go. 
On their way out, Andre stopped to have a brief word with Burke as the waited on Burke’s driver bringing the limo around.
And for the first time in a very long time, Burke Simmington was actually beginning to feel afraid…
Meanwhile, back at the mansion Brystle had just been informed of a huge delivery for Tammy Flo. It turned out to be a huge collection of designer clothes and a dozen fur coats!! A furious Brystle had sent for Tammy Flo to come to the drawing room where the delivery was awaiting. 
A pleased as punch Tammy Flo breezed into the room, looking forward to trying on her new purchases. Brystle was less enthusiastic as she reprimanded her niece. 
Tammy Flo offered nothing back other than a suppressed giggle and smile which irked Brystle all the more.
Brystle was a little taken aback by her niece’s comment. Firstly because Tammy Flo had never taken this tone with her before but also because what she said was true. 
Tammy Flo’s words had cut deep. Brystle wasn’t technically married to Burke any longer. Perhaps her time in Siloli was indeed coming to an end…
Later that day, Texas visited the old town of Windenburg. There she sought out the services of an old gypsy psychic by the name of Anuaka Crumplebottom, someone she had turned to before in her younger years when she lived in Windenburg. Texas wouldn’t dare to admit to anyone she that she believed in any such supernatural things but she secretly loved a good tarot or crystal ball reading. And today Anuaka was doing the latter. 
It dawned on Texas what Anuaka was alluding to…and it was something Texas would rather not hear about…
Anuaka gazed over her crystal ball at Texas and saw the truth in her eyes. She smiled as she saw that Texas knew she was correct in her reading. Texas however tried her best to brush it off by downplaying the whole thing. 
Anuaka’s sudden outburst startled Texas. And when she pressed for clarification, Anuaka became even morer animated as her chair began to rasie off the floor! 
Anuaka’s chair floated back to the floor and she became instantly calmer. She gazed once more into her crystal ball and smiled wickedly at what else she saw. 
Dinner that evening was a very strained affair for Burke and Brystle. With everyone else not at home for dinner, the dining room felt even more cavernous. 
Eventually the silence between them both became too much for Burke and he slammed his fork down on the table. 
Burke could hardly hide his exasperation upon being accused yet again of having Mayhew put in prison. 
Brystle rubbed her temple as she could feel a migraine coming on. 
Brystle looked down the table at Burke as tears filled her eyes. 
Burke didn’t know what to say to this. Seeing him unresponsive only upset Brystle all the more and she got up from the table and exited the dining room. Seeing her go shook Burke to his senses and he called after her, but to no avail. 
Feeling completely overwhelmed with emotion, Brystle ran down the corridor and exited out through the solarium doors leading down to the lily pond. She was unaware that Mayhew was already out there, smoking a cigarette. 
Brystle had had enough and blurted out aloud her feelings. 
Brystle jumped upon hearing Mayhew’s voice. And at once she felt embarrassed about her sudden public outburst, even more so as it was in front of her former lover.
Mayhew knew he was right judging by Brystle’s silence. 
Meanwhile inside, Malaudia was in her bedroom upstairs and happened to look out of the window. And seeing her husband alone with Brystle, his former lover, was not something she was hoping to see. 
Brystle and Mayhew looked into one another’s eyes for a moment until the silence between them became too much and Brystle rushed forward to her former lover…
From the moment he had returned, Brystle had felt a longing, a desire to be close to Mayhew just one more time. She had fought it but now it was all too consuming. As she gently caressed her former lover her heart was racing. Mayhew felt the same way too as he breathed in her ever so sweet fragrance. 
Brystle couldn’t resist any longer and she moved forward and locked her lips together with Mayhew’s. Just as she did this, Malaudia stepped out onto the balcony and witnessed the whole thing!
Shaken and distraught at witnessing her husband’s betrayal, Malaudia quietly stepped back inside. Meanwhile the reunited lovers were unaware that their smooching had not gone unnoticed. 
As much as she had wanted to kiss Mayhew and be held by him, Brystle was well aware she had crossed a line. One which she may not be able to return from. Realising this, she quickly pulled away and turned to walk back inside. 
Hearing this did not help alleviate Brystle’s worry. When would all of this drama end? With a heavy hearted sigh she made her way inside. Meanwhile, Mayhew took another long draw from his cigarette before stamping it out on the ground. 
Later the following day, Burke had received yet another meeting request from his secretary Marsha – a request from Thordon Gompson, a recent addition to his legal team. Agitated he had summoned Thordon to his office and was very dismissive of the young lawyer as he arrived.
Burke motioned with his hand for Thordon to sit. As his young lawyer sate on the couch, Burke stood over him rather impatiently. Sensing Burke’s annoyance, Thordon began. 
Thordon took a deep breath before speaking again. 
Thordon, or rather Badam, looked Burke, his father , straight in the eye and held that gaze. Burke meanwhile couldn’t believe what he was hearing. 
Burke had heard enough and exploded with rage at Thordon. 
Thordon, or rather Badam, was about to plead his case further but immediately stopped. For he suddenly realised he’d made a terrible mistake in coming here and telling Burke this news. 
Both men glared at one another as they stood their ground. Eventually Thordon started to make his exit but not before one last look around at Burke…his real father.. But instead of being welcomed, he was met with rage. 
A battle line had been declared between the 2 of them and Thordon felt a burning rage within. If his father would not welcome him…perhaps his mother would…
And with that, Thordon Gompson, aka the real Badam Simmington made his exit from Burke’s office and WindenburgSimmington leaving behind a shaken Burke who unwittingly driven away his first born son… 
Back at Siloli, Texas was passing some time sketching on her digital pad. She was actually awaiting on the arrival of Tammy Flo who she had summoned to her studio via a telephone call to the main house. She didn’t have long to wait before there came a knock at her door. Nevertheless, despite knowing who it was Texas made her wait.
There had never been any love lost between the two of them. Texas had always seen Tammy Flo as an embarrassment and she was horrified at how close she and Heathen once were. However all of that paled in significance once Tammy Flo had sunk her claws into the other Simmington son Badam and married him. (Remember, Texas is unaware that her son Badam isn’t really her son at all but an imposter hired by her current lover Cyril Dolby as he was the one responsible for having the real infant Badam Simmington kidnapped many years ago!! Tammy Flo however has discovered the truth that the man she married isn’t really Badam Simmington at all but is keeping quiet until she is sure on what to do next!!!).
Texas go up from her seat and made her way over to her dining table, upon which lay her pen and check book. 
Texas held aloft the document she was referring to before placing back on the table next to the check book and pen. 
Texas came closer to Tammy Flo. She felt empowered right now and she was determined to see the back of this gold digging little hussy! She handed the document to Tammy Flo. 
It was Tammy Flo’s turn to feel empowered. She was the one with the upper hand – she knew that the man she’d married who called himself Badam wasn’t really the son of Texas and Burke but an imposter hired by Cyril Dolby. And with her Auntie Brystle forbidding her to spend any of the Simmington fortune, Tammy Flo could see a way to make a quick fortune here. 
A seething Texas realised she had been duped by Tammy Flo and reluctantly wrote out the check to her for fifty thousand Simoleons. 
As she turned to leave a delighted Tammy Flo couldn’t believe her luck!!
Despite having her leave with fifty thousand of her own money, Texas was relieved to see the back of Brystle’s niece. 
Back inside the mansion, Mikey Florence (the hired fraudster posing as Badam Simmington) was frantically trying to get hold of Cyril Dolby on the phone. Ever since the real Badam had confronted Mikey in the corridors of Burke’s company, WindenburgSimmington, he knew his time here posing as the long lost Simmington heir was coming to an end. He needed to get away and fast. Trouble was, he was broke despite posing as the son of one of the richest men in the land. Access to the Simmington funds had been frozen by Burke recently as he deemed ‘Badam’ was being too frivolous with money and that he had to earn his way. But with the truth that he was really a fraudster about to be exposed, Mikey knew he had to get far, far away from here and assume a new identity or risk being found. Only one man could help him, Cyril Dolby, the arch rival of Burke and the man who had hired Mikey to pose as Badam. Trouble was, he was being very elusive much to the dismay of Mikey. 
Due to his rage, Mikey was unaware that his wife Tammy Flo had walked into the room and had caught the end of his phonecall. She of course knew the truth that Mikey wasn’t really Badam Simmington, the man she had thought she’d married. He’d unknowingly revealed all to Tammy Flo the other night when he was passed out drunk on the bedroom floor. But now she had 50 grand in her back pocket courtesy of Texas and Tammy Flo was making her own quick getaway. She grabbed a suitcase from the closet and began to quickly pack some belongings into it just as Mikey threw his phone to the floor in anger. 
Mikey was stunned to hear this. He actually really cared for Tammy Flo and had hoped things would still work out between them. But as he watched her quickly pack her case his panic intensified. It appeared she also knew the truth that he wasn’t who he claimed to be. 
Mikey knew there was no point he further lying to Tammy Flo. 
So there it was. The truth would come out either from Tammy Flo or that creepy lawyer at WindenburgSimmington Thordon Gompson. As Tammy Flo finished her packing, thoughts of self preservation took over Mikey. 
A despondent Mikey slumped onto the ottoman at the foot of the bed, the reality of the situation becoming too much. He was in deep, deep trouble and the clock was ticking. 
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Hearing that she had all that money shook Mikey from his despair and he leapt up and grabbed Tammy Flo as she got ready to walk out. 
Tammy Flo grabbed he case and walked out without looking back. Left alone, a tearful Mikey slumped down again onto the ottoman. 
Downstairs, Tammy Flo had previously called for a taxi to come collect her and it was waiting for her at the front door. Housekeeper Nannette saw that Tammy Flo was leaving and quickly informed Brystle who rushed out from the library to see why her niece was leaving.
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It pained Brystle to see Tammy Flo go. Despite their differences, she was family to Brystle, the only real connection she had left in this house and she didn’t want to see her leave. 
There it was again! That woman was continuing to manipulate and influence their lives!!
It was obvious that Tammy Flo was upset but wouldn’t show it. Brystle herself felt terrible that she hadn’t supported her young niece more. And it was apparent that it was now far too late to do anything. Tammy Flo was headstrong and she would follow her own path. 
With a tear in her eye, Tammy Flo got into the taxi and urged the driver to leave immediately. She didn’t look back as the cab sped off down the gravel driveway leaving her auntie Brystle behind in a cloud of dust. 
As the gates closed and the cab was out of sight, a determined Brystle had had enough. There was one woman who had done more than enough damage to her and that woman would pay for it and NOW!!
Hastily, Brystle marched into the mansion, went straight to the armoury room and grabbed a shotgun off the rack and then made her way across the lawn to her destination….
Texas was in her studio feeling quite pleased with herself when the door opened and in marched a furious Brystle. 
Brystle wasn’t prepared to back down, not this time. She made her way closer to Texas.Â
Texas turned to walk away but Brystle reached out to grab her, there was no way she was letting her get away with this. But as soon as she grabbed her arm, Texas spun around and responded by slapping Brystle across the face!! 
As Texas once again turned to walk away Brystle exploded with months of pent up rage. Lunging herself at Texas, Brystle tackled her nemesis to the floor. 
Brystle straddled Texas on the floor as her enemy scratched at her with painted talons. 
Despite being socked in the face, Texas managed to lunge forward and pushed Brystle across the floor. She then landed an equally impressive punch to Brystle’s face. 
A well timed stiletto kick from Brystle sent Texas flying back across the room meaning she had time to get up and lunge herself back at her again. 
Brystle then grabbed Texas by the hair and stood up dragging a screaming Texas with her. She spun her around, slapped her face again and then locked her hands around her throat, pushing her back into the easel and the painting of Burke. 
Texas crashed to the split level floor knocking over the table. Brystle, feeling a renewed empowerment, performed a spectacular flying drop kick to the lower level. 
The two women screamed and scratched at one another as they fought it out on the floor and furniture was overturned. Texas tried to get away for she could see that Brystle wouldn’t stop until she was done. But Brystle was quicker and soon had Texas in a headlock. 
Hearing this, Brystle released Texas from her headlock. This gave Texas enough time to quickly scurry away before collapsing by the overturned couch. 
Texas managed one of her trademark sarcastic smirks as Brystle screamed at her. Meanwhile Brystle, despite being the obvious victor in this fight, was already feeling horrified at what she had done. She looked around the trashed studio then once again at her rival gasping, battered and bruised, on the floor. This isn’t what she wanted her life to be anymore. Realising this, Brystle walked out of the studio.
Texas, always wanting the last word, managed to throw one last quip before passing out.Â
Later that night, a lonely Burke was in his study. As he gulped down his 3rd nectar drink of the evening, he contemplated everything that was going wrong in his life from the collapse of his marriage with Brystle to the sudden announcement that the newest member of his legal team claimed that he was his son!! As he sat in his favourite armchair pondering is next move, the door knocked and in walked major-domo Joseph Flanders. 
Joseph, whilst being an employee, felt he had a good relationship with Burke. Fiercely loyal to him, Joseph hated to see anyone try to take advantage of his employer. And that was why he felt he could come to Burke with what he had discovered despite being told not to disturb Burke. 
Burke reluctantly stood up as he waited to hear what fresh horror Texas had caused. Shortly the door opened and a sheepish looking Terry came in and stood awkwardly in front of Burke. 
So Joseph’s suspicions were true. Texas had done something terrible and made Terry cover up for by lying. And Burke knew exactly what it was. He just wanted to hear it out loud…
Texas was in her studio that evening. She had managed to get it put back together after her earlier fight with Brystle. Thankfully the bruising she had sustained was only minor and a reapplication of her makeup hid any trace of it. As she fetched herself an evening tipple, little did she know that a livid Burke was stomping his way over to her place. 
Texas was surprised to see Burke barge into her home without knocking or announcing himself. Nevertheless she smiled when he walked in. But the look on his face indicated that this visit was going to be pleasant. 
Burke stopped pacing around and faced his ex-wife. How could he have been duped by her yet again? How could he have believed her version of events over Brystle?
Texas knew the game was up. Burke was livid for he knew the truth. There would only be one way out of this -damage limitation. So she tried her best to downplay it. 
Burke didn’t pick up on what Texas had said regarding the number of children. Instead he continued with his rightful tirade against his ex-wife. 
Despite the threat form Burke of being roasted alive, a sobbing Texas reached out to her ex-husband, the man she still loved despite it all. 
Burke slammed the door as he left leaving a heartbroken Texas on the floor. 
Texas sobbed for just a moment before suddenly finding the strength within herself. A strength that she knew she had and could always depend on getting her through the toughest of times. She got to her feet and composed herself as her tears turned to a simmering anger. 
Ever resourceful, Texas already had a backup plan in mind. It was so obvious to her what her next move would be. And it would happen tomorrow. She would make sure of that. No-one ever got the better of her. 
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There was definite spark between them, Texas could just feel it! The passion and love between them was still there, deeply buried. And it was her mission to keep digging until she brought it back to the surface. As they both got up from their chairs Burke had something else he wanted to mention to Texas. 
 
