Valentine #11 August 1973

Paula James thought her luck had finally turned—landing a dream job at a trendy new boutique and meeting the famous DJ at its opening. But after a dizzy spell at the salon, she wakes to find herself in a car with a stranger, headed toward the marina. On the DJ’s boat, she’s alone, the dock receding behind her, the tide pulling her toward the rocks. With Phil Argent, Derek, and Gwen all watching from the shore, the truth of the evening begins to unravel—just as the boat drifts further from safety.

On the eve of their wedding, Des is torn between his loyalty to Sandra and a chance to help Anthea Arnott, his past connection with a woman recently released from a young offender’s institution. When he considers using money from his joint account with Sandra to support her, the weight of his choices begins to strain the fragile promise of their future.

Dene Stockton watches from the shadows as the man she’s quietly loved all year shares a tender moment with another woman at the coffee bar. With her heart in her throat, she wonders if she’s been blind to the signs all along—especially when Simon, Pete, and Velma seem to know more than they’re saying.