Ramone

5. The next day

I had no trouble sleeping though and woke early the next day excited. I arranged to take the bigger helicopter this time so we could go out in one hit.

I planned to show them views from the helicopter of the Cairns area, then take them whale watching and then go to our island for lunch.

Missy's view

I didn't know that Ramone had kissed me until the next day when my daughter said to me "Mum, I had a weird dream last night that a handsome, tanned, well-formed man kissed you when you were sleeping, said "See you tomorrow, Missy" He then stripped off the shorts he had on, turn into a massive black wolf and jump off the veranda."

I was shocked, I realised then that I hadn't dreamed the visit and that Ramone was coming to visit today.

"Hey kids," I say "A friend of mine is coming today to take us around the town."

"Yes Mum" they chorused, disinterested.

Ramone's view

When I arrived, upon seeing me her 3 kids did interesting things. The two boys stood between Missy and I and wouldn't let me greet her. The girl, Nell, did what most little girls do around me, and that is to hug my arm and walk with me wherever I walk.

James had short brown hair, hazel brown eyes and was about 5 foot 10. Tiernan, also had short brown hair, blue eyes, glasses about 5 foot 8. Both were nice looking teenagers. Nell was 4 foot 9, long blonde hair and had sparkly blue eyes.

Her brothers peeled Nell off me and told her off about doing that to strangers. I was then free to hug Missy and kiss her cheek, even though I wanted to kiss her mouth again and make our mark more permanent. I didn't dare though with how her son's were glaring at me.

"Hi Missy. Shall we all go?" I greet her affectionately.

"Sure! Where to?" She asked smiling.

"It's my treat and it is a surprise for you all." I could only see 2 sons, but I thought she had 3. "I thought that you had 3 sons?"

"Yes." She replied "My eldest is at home looking after the chickens... we don't always bring him on holidays with us now as he should be paying his way and working by now, instead he is sitting on his computer playing games. "

"I see, fair enough, let's go." I say.

I take them in my car to the airstrip where they keep the helicopters.

James's eyes light up and he asks to be my co-pilot. I said that was fine as long as it was ok with his Mum. Knowing that they call Mum, Mum in Australia not Mom. I was disappointed that I couldn't fly with Missy next to me, but I knew that she would not have any way as she would worry about Nell. I was glad to have this interaction with her son.

James peppered me with questions, I found him extremely smart and sociable.

What was more surprising was his brother Tiernan followed our conversation and made quirky little jokes or comments relating to James and my conversation.

I flew them around sightseeing for an hour before heading to the packs boat with a helipad on it. When we landed, my pack crewman and I secured the helicopter.

"Wow!" Said Nell in an excited childish voice "What are we going to do here?"

"I thought that we could go whale watching and then later swim in my islands cove." I say.

"Sounds good...we wouldn't get to do this normally," Nell said excitedly.

After hearing about her oldest son I thought that I would give them a bit of advice "It's the benefit of working hard with your family... I couldn't have done it without them."