The Bold and the Beautiful

One of Ridge’s teenage sons from his first marriage, Creek, was out partying on the weekend and was involved in an accident on his motorbike. Amongst other things, Creek’s hand was mauled badly and looks like it will need to be amputated. His Mother, Dawn, has contacted her niece-in-law, Carly, who lives in the city working as a cleaner, with the hope that she will be able to help pay for the operation and hospital expenses. Carly agrees to help some.

However, her own meagre resources are stretched after paying for the face-saving Wedding of Brook, her orphaned teenaged niece, to her 17 year old boyfriend/lover. After getting married, Brook’s husband refused menial work like labouring in the fields because his Dad was head of the village. He has big plans for renting out farming machinery but has no investment capital. Brook got tired of her lazy husband bumming off her and she gave up her job working in a factory. Now Brook comes to Carly in tears because they are out of money and her husband is hitting her. His parents agree that Carly should help financially because she is Brook’s closest relative.

Hearing that Carly is helpful, Ridge’s second wife, Sandy, has asked Carly to take in one of her five children so that he can get a better education in the city. Of course, Carly would need to pay for schooling and upkeep. Carly is angry. When she complained to her ex-husband (who ran of with his lover) that he should pay something towards their own daughter’s education, he refused pointing to the recalcitrant non-paying Uncle Ridge as a fine family example. The insult that Uncle Ridge’s second family is seeking her help leaves her fuming.

That’s just this week’s episode. The other week, Ridge’s brother, Peak, was shot in the stomach when a thief stole his motorbike. His school aged son, Hill, was also shot through the hands with the same bullet as he rode pillion hugging his Dad. Despite being ostracised by this family for her differing religious beliefs, Carly was contacted in the hope that she would help to pay for the operation needed to save Hill’s hands.

Could it possibly be true? What do you think?