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Chapter seven - Never smile at a crocodile.

Hi, here's the next chapter. 
I'm so excited.
Dedicated to T.
Enjoy

'Never smile at a crocodile, no you can't get friendly with a crocodile,
Don't be taken in, by his welcome grin,
He's imagining how well you'll fit within his skin.
Never smile at a crocodile, never tip your hat and start to talk awhile,
Never run, walk away,
Say goodnight, not good day,
Clear the aisle and never smile at Mr crocodile.
                           Never smile at a crocodile - The Paulette Sisters

As September merges into October, lengthening the nights and cooling the days, the working week rolls over and the weekend comes along. Kongbop has always loved this time of year. When the leaves start to turn from a bright green to a mixture of yellows and oranges. It didn't happen often but when it did it was breath taking. The Northeast Monsoon season was fast approaching too so that ment cooler weather and high tides perfect for sailing.

The large, sailing boat moored up on the Chao Phraya River was a family inheritance. Handed down from generation to generation. Somewhere you could go to lay low for a while and to think so it was frequently visited mostly by the men of the Suthiluck family.

Sailing had been and still is one of Kongpobs favourite things to do, especially because when he was a boy it was the one thing that he got to do with his dad. It happened so infrequently sometimes because of his dad's busy work schedule.

The day was cool but clear as Kongbop is stood on the boats deck checking the rigging, when a shout makes him look up. Along the dock, walking fast is a girl, arms waving and a giant grin on her face. Her brown, fizzy hair in a side ponytail bouncing behind her as she hurries along.  Coming fast behind her is a little boy, trying his hardest to keep up, also waving. The girl, aged about ten, shouts Kong's name as he rushes off the boat to welcome them both.

"Hey, I know you." Kong pulls the girl into a hug. " Sawadee Karb Pan, how are you? "

The girl, Pan, hugs him back then pulls away to Waii as the little boy, aged four, with short black hair catches up. Kong picks him up by his arms as the boy giggles.

"And you, Day, how are you?"

The boy, Day, nods as Kong puts him back on his feet. He turns to them both.

"You ready to say hello to Rama VIII"

All three turn and wai to a large red and gold bridge that runs over the river. It was a habit that he did with the kids every time they would come to see him. He's always thought it would be pretty romantic to walk with the one he loves on that bridge. Maybe even to steal kiss under the stars.

"SAWADEE RAMA VIII" they all shout.

The tapping of a set of high heels pulls Kong's attention away from the two children and he turns to see two women walk along the dock towards him. One dressed in a red coat with a fur trim, black dress and black heels. Red hair pulled up and hazel eyes. The other dressed in a grey top, blue jeans and a tan overcoat. She has grey flat shoes, blonde hair pulled up into a messy bun and bright green eyes. The woman in the red coat approaches Kong.

"Don't I get a hello?" She says in english with a smirk.

Kong gives her a small smile.

"Hello, Gillian"

"Kiss me, I'm gonna be your wicked stepmother!"

Kong leans forward to give her a kiss on her cheek then pulls away quickly. An unpleasant shiver going through his body. Turning to the woman next to Gillian he waii's at her.

"Sawadee Karb, and who is this? "

"Nanny Maureen, " Gillian replies, "I brought her in case  you couldn't handle the kids."