A Respectable Veneer

Ruby and Edie begin settling into Frank’s home, navigating the unfamiliar warmth, clutter, and expectations of their new surroundings. As Ruby works to establish routines, build trust, and create a sense of belonging, a sudden glimpse of a familiar figure on the street threatens to shake the fragile stability she’s only just begun to build.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence and references to child abuse.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earl Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.

Ruby prepares for a new beginning as she and Edie get ready to move into Frank’s home. But first, she takes bold steps to protect Douglas and Frank’s privacy, confronting Vi in an attempt to secure a peaceful future for them all. As Ruby navigates delicate social territory and the emotional weight of her choices, the promise of a more stable life begins to take shape—though not without its complications.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence and references to child abuse.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earl Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.

Ruby faces the consequences of a bold proposal that could reshape life for herself, Edie, Douglas, and Frank. As questions of respectability, protection, and survival collide, Ruby finds herself navigating delicate emotions and tricky social terrain. With new possibilities on the horizon, she must decide what risks are worth taking—and what kind of future she dares to imagine.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence and references to child abuse.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earle Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.

Ruby wrestles with painful memories stirred up during a night at Janice’s house, and the emotional aftershocks follow her into the new day. As tensions rise at home, at work, and within her own heart, Ruby is forced to navigate new expectations at Salon Vardo, Edie’s growing needs, and a life‑changing proposal she never expected to make. With the future shifting under her feet, Ruby must decide what security, dignity, and courage look like for both herself and her daughter.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence, references to child abuse, and discussion of sexual assault.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earle Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.

Ruby and Edie spend a night in the house Janice is minding, where light‑hearted fun stirs up painful memories Ruby has long tried to bury. As Janice’s playful warmth edges into something more complicated, Ruby finds herself navigating unwelcome reminders of the past while trying to protect her daughter and keep their future on course. With growing pressures at home, at work, and within herself, Ruby must confront what she’s willing to leave behind—and what she can no longer avoid.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence and references to child abuse.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earl Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.

Ruby juggles rising pressures at Salon Vardo and the emotional weight of Douglas’s recent confession. As tensions at work and home collide, she’s pushed to confront old fears, new desires, and the fragile balance she’s trying to protect for herself and Edie. Small missteps carry big consequences, and unexpected moments of connection hint at change ahead.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence and references to child abuse.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earle Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.

Ruby continues to navigate the delicate balance between survival, independence, and the unexpected connections forming around her. After meeting Douglas’s war‑scarred friend Frank, Ruby faces new emotional complexities and choices that could reshape the future for both herself and Edie. Meanwhile, tensions at work and at home leave her questioning where safety and belonging truly lie.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence and references to child abuse.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earl Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.

Ruby, Edie, and Douglas take a Sunday outing that brings moments of charm, unease, and unexpected honesty. As Ruby weighs Douglas’s proposal for a new living arrangement, she must confront her own instincts, her responsibilities to Edie, and the complicated emotions stirred by the people around her. Their visit to Douglas’s friend Frank opens yet another door into a future Ruby isn’t sure she’s ready for.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence and references to child abuse.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earle Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.

Ruby, Edie, and Douglas take a rare trip to the pictures, offering a brief escape from the tensions of their everyday lives. But even small joys bring new questions for Ruby, who continues to weigh difficult choices about the future, the people around her, and the fragile stability she’s fighting to build.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence and references to child abuse.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earl Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.

Ruby and Edie navigate new friendships and difficult encounters as life at Arcadia House grows increasingly complicated. A visit to Janice’s home offers warmth, surprises, and fresh tensions, leaving Ruby to reassess where she and Edie truly belong. As possibilities for a better future emerge, so do new uncertainties.

Content Warning: Contains elements of violence and references to child abuse.

Made with support from NZ On Air, the Earle Creativity and Development Trust, and Manawatū People’s Radio.