Tuesday

The Tracy family sat at the kitchen table in the early morning eating the wonderful breakfast that Kyrano had prepared for them all.

While the boys helped themselves to the large stacks of pancakes and bacon from the middle of the table, Mr Tracy sat at the head with a steaming cup of black coffee in front of him. His mother Ruth sat at the opposite end off the table from him with a small bowl of fruit in front of her, she read aloud from the letter that was propped up against her teacup, and showing the pictures that an old friend had sent her.

'Would you just look how cute he is' she cooed showing Virgil the latest picture of her friend Beth's new great grandson. Virgil glanced briefly at the photo of the baby and nodded his head politely, before going back to shovelling food into his mouth.

'His parents only met a year ago' she continued despite the lack of interest from the group of boys around the table. 'Face to face that is, found each other through one of those dating internet sites, she was studying in New York and he was working on a farm in Kenya' nudging John who sat at her other side. 'Very romantic' she sighed tucking the letter and photo back into the envelope. 'Maybe you boys should have a look at some, I hear lots of people meet the love of their life though the internet'.

Scott kept his head down and tried to avoid his grandma's look of wish fullness. This wasn't the first time that she had brought up internet dating, he knew that Gordon had signed up to one but wasn't having much luck, he had gone to the main land a few months ago and when coming back declared that it was the last time he would. 'do you know how much effort it takes to meet someone for a cup of coffee' Gordon had told him when Scott had found him mopeing after his latest try, I've got to get one of you to cover my shift, fly to the main land, get dressed up, go meet this woman, who is just as nervous as I am, we have a drink and a talk and then because I am a gentleman I say goodnight, and fly all the way back again And if we don't get on then I have to do it all again the next week'.

I'm not going down that route thought Scott especially when the girl I want is right in front of me. Looking at the Asian beauty that was sitting opposite him currently munching on a piece of toast whilst flicking though a diary book.

'What have you got there Tintin? He asked loudly to ensure that everyone now looked at her, and took any more thoughts about internet dating away from his grandmother's mind.

'The appointment diary' she answered, laying it on the table along with a stack of letters and picking up one of the different colour pens that lay in front to her. 'It's how I keep track of all your things like doctor's appointment, dates and charity functions.'

Turning to her left she said. 'Gordon the schools in Orlando confirmed the dates for your speech to the children' she told him, passing him the letter while she used the orange pen to write a small message next to the date on the page. 'You've got 2 months to prepare something.'

'Those poor children' teased Virgil as he helped himself to another slice of bacon, 'having to listen your speech on 'how I became a pain in the butt to my older brother' by Gordon Tracy'.

'Ha-ha' joked Gordon putting the letter in his pocket, 'I'm going to talk about my swimming, the crash and how I recovered or what I like to call' Gordon puffed out his chest in superhero pose, ' the how Gordon Tracy became one of the greatest American heroes that ever lived' speech.'

'And how you have kept your modesty throughout' his father added from the end of the table.

'That too' said Gordon deflating himself, 'could you help me John your good with words and things'.

'Sure Gordon' John nodded.

'Why don't you just use the computer Tintin? Asked Virgil as he picked up a pen and started doodling stars along the pages of the book 'surely that will keep a better track of things.'

'It does, but there's something about the old fashion way that I like' she told him, 'and I know this one can't be hacked no virus can affect it and I know it can't be changed without me knowing.'

'So what else have you got planned for us this week Tintin? Virgil asked finishing the star on top of the page he had drawn.

'Well Virgil you have a conference call with Tracy corp. engineers tomorrow to discuss those new designs of yours' she told him, turning to the next page and looking for any green writing amongst the other colours. 'Oh and a deadline for next week, the New York art show will need to know if you'll be submitting any pieces for the show next month.'

He nodded in acknowledgement as she had told him a month ago about that and he had already been working on a piece to enter.

'You've got that hot date of mine in there right Tintin' joked Gordon as he leaned over to look at the book.

'Sorry Gordon she cancelled' she played along, 'something about washing her hair.'

'Why all the different colour pens? John questioned.

'One colour for each of you makes it easier to keep track of where you all should be'. She explained. 'Mrs Tracy told me how she used to colour code all your things when growing up so that nothing got mixed up and I just adapted it a bit.'

'What's with all the crossed out blue writing? Enquired Gordon as he flicked through pages of the past week.

'Because things keep coming up' she quoted shooting Scott an annoyed look across the table.

'Scott's dates often did come around to their senses once they thought about it. Lots of pink this month' commented Gordon as he continued to flick threw the pages.

'That's because John has a very busy social life' she told him, reading threw some of John's appointments. 'Publisher meeting, award acceptance, book signing, date with a supermodel etc etc'

'Slow month' spoke John grapping the last piece of toast before Virgil could, 'can you write them all out for me Tintin, not going to have you there when I'm in London'.

'Already done' she smiled 'it's in your inbox along with your hotel reservations and a list of people who are dying to take you to lunch.

'Thanks Tintin' John winked at her, causing jealously to flow through Scott's body.

'When can you help me with my speech then Mr popular?' Asked Gordon flipping through the book. 'What about seven weeks next Tuesday? There's no pink there.'

'That's because I'm not going to be here, I'll be back on Thunderbird 5 by then.' John pointed out.

'Oh yeah, that's why there's all the yellow ink'.

'And they're letting you give advice to kids,' Virgil commented, 'those poor minds.'

'Whys that one under line so many times? He asked pointing to this week's page.

'Because Scott has avoided going to the last 3 appointments I've made for the dentist, this is his last chance.'

Feeling the glare of his grandmother on the side of his head Scott became very interested in the contents of his cup.

'What's wrong with the dentist? Asked John beside him.

'I don't like it' he mumbled into his coffee cup sounding more like a 5 year old then his own 26.

His father chuckled from behind his paper.

'Maybe if you didn't eat so much sugar, then you wouldn't need a lot of work done' he commented, folding the paper up and putting it down on the table 'when did you say the appointment was Tintin?

'Thursday' she told him.

'What! Cried Scott. 'That's two days away'.

'I figured if I didn't tell you until last minute then you couldn't come up with some excuse like the last time.' Tintin explained.

'You know I can't fly with water in my ear' defending the reason he had given her last month.

'I know that, but you seemed to recover pretty quickly when Thunderbird one was needed on a rescue' She hit back at him.

'It went away' he said with a shrug. 'Just how were you going to get me there on short notice any way?

'I have my ways' she flirted across the table, Scott felt his pulse quicken when she did so.

'Well what about mobile control and piloting one? He asked shifting in his seat, 'they're things that have to be considered'.

'Tintin already warned me that you would need to go to the mainland for a day' he smiled at his eldest son, 'she also mentioned you might try to find a way out of it. This is why I asked her to arrange the appointment for when John was back on land, that way he can handle mobile control.'

'Can't the others do that then Jeff? Asked Mrs. Tracy curiously.

'course they can mother', He told her ' it's just mobile control often needs someone with a level head and clear communication for it to work best, which is why I prefer John to command when Scott is unable to.'

'Does that mean I get the keys to Thunderbird one too father? Asked John hopefully.

'Yes John' smirked Jeff, 'though I'll leave the talk about taking care of it to Scott.'

'Just make sure you fill it up with gas when you're done.'

'Would you Mind if I join you on the main land Scott' his grandmother asked.

He smiled affectionately at her. 'You don't need to hold my hand grandma.'

'Not to stop you from running away,' she said 'I was thinking about visiting Beth it would be nice to have a proper chat, there's only so much you can say in a letter.

'That would be great Grandma'. He told her he had not spent enough time with her lately, maybe a little grandma advice will help me with Tintin.

'Well that's settled then' his father called,' John will take over as Thunderbird one's pilot, Scott will pilot Tracy 2 to the main land and mother will go with you'. He confirmed looking around to the nodding heads around the table. His eyes caught Tintin opening another letter and sigh tiredly. 'Tintin you haven't had a break for a while why don't you along too.'

She looked up startled by his comment. 'But Mr Tracy there's a lot of work to do.'

'There's always a lot of work to do' he told her. 'And a little break is the best way to make it all seem a lot easier to do.'

'Are you sure Mr. Tracy? She said

'Do you want to go?

She nodded 'it would be nice.'

'Then yes I am sure and I hope you enjoy the time off.' he smiled his paper under his arm and began to make his way to the study, 'oh and make sure that Scott doesn't bite the dentist' he said smirking at his eldest son.

'Thanks dad' Scott called.

Authors note- Sorry about the weird ending this has, but the chapters been sitting on my laptop for a month waiting for me to remember the original ending I had planned, I can't look at it anymore so am posting it and moving on to the next chapter. Maybe it will come back.

Thanks for the Alerts and to Baby Sue and Louise for reviewing, any feedback is lovely.