Flying Down to Sydney
“It’s all arranged. I’m opening the bank from 8:00am to 12:00pm, so we can get an early afternoon flight down to Sydney. Bobbie said she’ll open up on Monday so that we can make a long weekend of it and come back on the late Monday flight.”
“That’s great news, buddie; now all we need to do is tell the girls.”
“Tell you what, bring Bron over to our place later, I’ll pop over to Glenridge, see if Travis can let us have some steaks. We’ll tell the girls over dinner.”
“Okay, Max; sounds like a plan. I’ll pick up something special from Lucy’s for dessert. I’d better be off now, Bron still hates for me to go out on my own.”
“Enjoy it, Ed; she’s just showing how much she loves you. Just tell her Toni said it’s okay as long as you took a break on your walk.”
“I’ll do that, you can confirm that I’m not overdoing it when we meet up later; bye, Max.”
“Oh, Ed, where have you been until now?” Bron cried, rushing out to meet him as he drove up to the house. He grabbed the box from Lucy’s before answering.
“I went to visit with Max; he’s invited us to dinner, so stopped off at Lucy’s for dessert,” he said holding up the box. Bron took t from him and handed him a cane. “Aw, sweetheart, I don’t need…” he stopped talking at the look he got from Bron. When they were inside, she deposited the box in the kitchen and turned to hug Ed.
“I’m sorry, Luv. Know I’m like a mother hen at times, but I worry about you. Do you think you need to go to bed for a while before we head over to Ceri and Max later?”
“Only if you’re gonna be there with me, honey.”
“Behave, Ed; I meant for a rest. Tell you what, go slouch on the sofa and I’ll bring you in some lemonade.”
Max pulled up and grabbed the package he’s picked up from Travis. He’d already called Ceri to warn her not to start cooking.
“I’m home, Ceri,” he called as he came through the kitchen door.
“Hello, darling; you’re nice and early. Is that dinner?”
“Yes, I picked up some steaks from Travis. He’s a nice chap isn’t he, very obliging. His butcher shop is going to be a welcome addition to the village.
Ceri unwrapped the steaks and looked over at Max. “Have you forgotten something?”
“I don’t think so…why?”
“There are four steaks here, my love.”
“Oh yes, Ed came to visit for a break on his walk earlier, and I invited him and Bron up for dinner. Is that okay?” he asked, a worried frown on his face.
Ceri grinned, “Of course it is. I can use the tiger prawns to go with, and you can make one of your famous salads.”
“Ed’s bringing dessert, so that’s going to be a surprise for all of us.”
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“That was one hell of a meal, Ceri,” Ed stated, holding onto her hand as she reached for his empty plate, placing a kiss on her knuckles.
“Why thank you, kind sir. Are you up for some mystery dessert?”
“You mean you haven’t peeked in the box?”
“Certainly not, I just popped it in the fridge when you arrived.”
Ceri came back a few minutes later with an enormous cheesecake. Bron clapped with glee, it was the twin’s favourite dessert. “Oh, Ed; you’re so clever.”
“You should let me go out alone more often, honey; I can be full of surprises.”
“Talking of surprises, would you like to tell me why you arranged this dinner tonight, Max?” Ceri asked.
“If you’d all like to go and get comfy in the lounge, I’ll make the coffee and tell you the plan.”
He was soon back with a tray containing coffee and wafer thin chocolate mints. Pouring everyone a cup and handing the mints round, he made himself comfortable and looked at the girls.
“Ladies, this is a joint idea. Ed and I love you both very much, and to show you just how much, we’re taking you both to Sydney for a long weekend, leaving early this Friday afternoon.
Luckily the men had fast reflexes and managed to put their coffee down as both girls squealed in delight and grabbed their men for a hug.