Sydney Sojourn
“We’re staying here?” Ceri gasped as the taxi pulled up outside the Sydney Park Hyatt.
“Of course we are, only the best s good enough for our beautiful ladies. I booked two opera suites. I know you’ve both been here before, but it’s still pretty neat to wake up and look at the opera house from a luxurious bed,” Max replied.
“Ed, did you know we were staying here?” Bron asked.
“Of course I did, honey,” he said, kissing her gently as they waited for their bags.
After a swift stop at reception to check in, they were shown up to their suites and immediately opened up the windows to enjoy the view across the harbour, both couples hugging each other.
“How about we freshen up and then go out for an early dinner, then we can tell you what we’ve got planned for the weekend.”
Ed and Bron went off to their own suite and Bron unpacked while Ed was in the shower, laying out a change of clothes for both of them, then joining him in the shower. Max and Ceri were mirroring their actions in their own suite, and the all burst out laughing as they left their suites together. “Synchronised guests,” Ceri giggled.
They walked around to Darling Harbour and ended up in China Town, choosing one of the many fine restaurants to be found there. It was getting dark by the time they’d finished eating, and they walked hand n hand to the ferry, deciding to be lazy and not walk all the way back to the hotel.
Getting off at Central Quay, the girls decided to see what was showing at the movie theatre and rushed off ahead of the men. “So much for an early night,” Ed chuckled. “Fingers crossed there’s nothing they want to see,” Max answered.
The girls came back arm in arm, oblivious to the admiring looks they were getting. “Okay, your safe; there’s nothing much on.”
“Never mind, ladies; what would you like to do instead?”
“Ed, if you feel like walking a bit further, let’s just go round to the OH so that you can see it all lit up.”
“I’m fine, honey; we can do that if you like. Okay with you, Max?”
“Whatever they want, Ed,” Max grinned.
They walked all around the outside of the opera house, stopping at the far end to watch a couple of boats glide by, then slowly made their way back to The Rocks and the hotel. The girls had been told they had an early start the following day as Max and Ed had booked them a morning at the hotel spa before going to a concert later in the evening.
They kissed goodnight and went into their suites. When they were ready for both, both girls walked to their respective bedroom windows and drew back the drapes, allowing them to watch the lights round the opera house twinkle into the night.
Saturday morning, breakfast over, Max and Ed kissed the girls before they headed off to their morning of pampering at the spa. When asked what they would do for four hours, the men replied that they would pick up the concert tickets and have a ‘mooch round’ as Max called it. Little did the girls know just what mooching round involved.
Heading towards George Street, Max checked his pocked for the ring box. They’d decided that as the girls were identical twins, their ring size should be the same, so they could use the one he’d bought for Ceri to size the one Ed hoped to find for Bron.
Three jewellers later he still hadn’t found anything. He didn’t have any particular style in mind, telling Max that he’d instantly know the right ring when he spotted it. They stood outside Kalmar Antiques in the Queen Victoria Building, and Ed nudged Max to follow him inside.
Ed was taken by one in particular and was told it was an antique gypsy diamond ring, made in England in 1897. He was told it was a bargain at $1.450.
Then his eye caught another, this time a delicate cluster ring. This was a late Victorian/early Edwardian ring, circa 1900, going for $3,700.
Marlene put them both on her finger for Ed to inspect, and once he’d seen them worn, he instantly knew which one he was going to buy. Max took out the ring he’d brought along and asked if Ed’s choice was close to the same size, explaining that the recipients were identical twin sisters. Marlene smiled when she checked and found that Ed’s choice was just a tad larger that Max’s ring.
“When are you presenting this to your lovely lady?” she asked.
“Tomorrow night, at dinner in Guillaume at Bennelong,” Ed replied.
“Oh how wonderful. Would you do me the honour of coming back to us on Monday morning? That way I can check to see if the ring needs adjusting and get it done for you on the spot.”
“We most certainly will, Mrs. Kalmar; thank you for all your help. We’ll see you Monday.”
Max and Ed waved as they left the shop, then wandered around the QVB for a while until Max checked the time and realised they needed to get back so that they could hide the rings before the girls got back from the spa.
Rather than put them n the room safe, they decided to ask the manager to look after them until Sunday evening, in case the girls needed to get anything out of the safe and found the package. The manager was more than pleased to help, especially when he realised what he was locking away in his office.
Ed and Max smiled at each other as they went to find the girls and enjoy the rest of the day.
