I got to the centre an hour earlier then usual as I really wanted to make sure that everything was ready. Ariel and Carrie have offered to help and are going to meet us at the museum as they are taking all the food. So this morning it is going to be Knuckles, Seth and I on the bus.
Seth is an old school friend who was back from University. He studied to be a Nurse, which his parents were a little upset about because they were hoping the one of the twins would have taken over the family Bakery. They own the West's Bakery in town and make the best Vanilla Slices in the world. I should know, I made it my travelling hobby to try a Vanilla Slice no matter where I go. I take a picture of it and then I send it to Miase, Seth's Mum, with my review on it. As always, I've never found one that beats hers.
"Mornin Mia!" Seth called as he came up the stairs with two coffees in hand.
"Your a lifesaver." I said as he handed it to me.
"So the twins are sick, their mum just rung. They are devastated but I told them that we will have plenty more. With them out we will have 12 kids with us today."
"Wow, this is going to be a great day. The weather is amazing." Seth replied.
We grabbed the last of the gear and made our way downstairs to meet Knuckles.
"Wowsers Knuckles, this looks like a bands tour bus." I said as he stepped out of the bus.
"A mate of mine had it come in for a service and said we can use it." Knuckles replied as he started to pick up some of the gear to load onto the bus.
As I double checked the bus, I saw that it had plenty of seats for us all along with an entertainment system, TV's and an on board toilet. The kids started to arrive and I could hear them all chattering and gushing about the bus. I let the parents help with getting everyone settled on the bus and I had a quick talk with everyone about the day.
Once we were all loaded, we said our goodbyes and the parents waved us off as we headed off for our first ever excursion.
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The museum was a hit. The kids had an amazing time, especially when the curator took on a 'behind the scenes' tour. There were so many displays but the main one that we all came for was the Dinosaur display. The kids would had spent all day there if I hadn't of got a message from Carrie that her and Ariel had set up a game for us to do to find them for lunch.
We started with the clues that made us weave our way through the Southbank Parklands. We had to travel through the playground, circle around the man made beach and then crawl our way into the jungle playground. When we all came out of the long tunnel I saw the biggest picnic I'd ever seen.
A few of the parents had helped out, they were so keen to see how the day was going and the kids were so appreciative of how it had all gone. We all tucked into the sandwiches and cakes from the West's Bakery and then just laid about while the kids played on the jungle playground.
"What an amazing day it has been." Said Seth as he slumped down next to me. As I went to speak, I heard someone start to snore. We both turned and saw Knuckles, sitting up against a tree, having a little nap.
"Poor fella, must had had a big day." Carrie said as she started to pick up the rubbish. I giggled and started to pick up the stuff around me.
"So, I heard that you may have started to mend a certain bridge with a certain young Ryker?" Carrie says as she ties off the rubbish bag and pops it next to the bins.
"We are working on being friends." I reply.
"Well that's a start." Said Seth.
We then all chatted away about what was happening for the rest of the year and how Seth's brother Caden was set to graduate soon. It was starting to get close to the time we needed to head home so we all jump on the bus and made our way back to the centre. Everyone is a little worn out from the day, so I decided to pop on the tv.
As we turn off the highway, I vaguely pay attention to the road when I hear Knuckles let out an array of swear words as he swerves to miss a Ute that pulls out in frount of us. We end up heading off the road and skid into a ditch.
"Is everyone Ok!" Knuckles yells back to us. I'm out of my seatbelt quick smart and rushing back to check everyone. Seth has a bump on his head but all the kids are OK. Knuckles jumps out of the bus and goes to assess the damage. As I head down the stairs to exit the bus and head towards him, I hear Knuckles yelling at someone one.
"You fucking idiot, you could have killed us." He is yelling as he is heading towards the Ute that is stopped in the middle of the road. The next thing I see is the passenger window rolls down and an arm holding a gun comes out.
"Fuck off old man!" The guy shouts as he waves the gun at him. It is like it is all happening in slow motion as I see the lever on the gun cock back and the gun fire. My heart is pounding as I yell at Knuckles to duck. The bullet narrowly misses Knuckles and hits the tree just near the bus. I hear Seth yelling from inside the bus for the kids to get down and I leap towards Knuckles to double check that he is OK.
The passenger hangs his head out the window as I snap my head up and look at the Ute and snarls at me "Your Roo's kid, aren't you?". At the same time we can hear the police sirens coming from the highway. The passenger takes one last look at me and then pulls his head back in as the Ute kicks into gear and tears off down the road.
As the police cars nears us, I wave him on and yell "Red Ute, gun, that way, we are OK.".
The copper in the passenger seat nods and the car tears off down the road after the Ute.
"Oi, Mia, mind getting off me?" Knuckles asks. I had completely forgotten that I had jumped on him after the gun shot. I get up and put my hand out to help him up.
Seth comes down the bus stairs and rushes over to us. "Everyone is OK on the bus, I've rung Xavier, he said to head straight to the centre and he will meet us there."
"Ok, let's get these guys back." Knuckles says as he takes my hand and we make our way back to the bus.
I sit down in the seat behind Knuckles and I keep thinking about what the guy said. I mull over the short sentence while I get lost in my thoughts.
YOU ARE READING
Going Home.
DragosteMia Salvatore always knew what she wanted to do in life. Her plan was to go to University, graduate as in child counselling, then return home to work in the local outreach centre, marry the love of her life and have his babies but when she was spott...
