9
It had been three months since everything blew up and not only was Walter and Curtis fully loved up and loving life… they were ready to come back out into the light.
It was early morning, a light mist low to the ground and as Walter walked the road from the parked vehicles to the bridge where the media scrum waited he felt larger than life. Older, wiser and definitely stronger for what he had endured. He felt like he could take on anything and had said so that morning, only to have his beloved rap his knuckles loudly on the wooden table for luck.
"Good morning … I see a few familiar faces, some not so. All of you here have been vetted and approved by my agents … mostly by my Taddy who you will have spoken to at some stage. As to the ground rules …" Walter took amount to see cameras raised and expectant faces, some with mics turned towards him, others clever enough to have inbuilt ones on their clothing "Do not touch anything you are told not to … do not walk beyond the ropes… those areas roped off are private. Do not piss off the locals … they are a bit mad ya know and above all … do not be afraid to ask questions."
Walter gave them the megawatt smile his Dad had taught him and waged an arm "Now… you may cross Angels Falls Bridge and entre Shangri-La … my private property and the new home for the Hope franchise and the Phoenix Films Studios."
Everyone happily crossed the mega-safe bridge, many stopping to take pictures and film of the sign as Ton stood telling them all of the children lost that day, the renaming ceremony and made sure they all saw the lovely faces on the plagues on the back of the sign.
"People who pass this way often stop and touch the sign for luck, hence this one patch worn" Walter explained as he reached out, his finger brushing it himself "Love. Love and faith that the Gods watch over us … in all things."
He was pleased to see all of the visitors single file past, touching the spot reverently and he nodded. Taddy had been right with the short list he had chosen for today. Good stock.
"Come on chickens!" Ton roared, poking out his little belly as his beloved Angel stood adoringly holding his coat for him "to the transporters… who is riding with me then!"
Walter laughed as he led them to the vehicles "These are All Terrain Vehicles used by the military for exercises, they are also amphibious and can cay up the twenty people at a time. We have three here waiting … my brother Ton here is fully licensed to drive his one, the local constabulary giving him a pass. That one over there is being driven by my husband Curty and I am in this one here my sister Babs is driving. Anyone getting in here be warned… she is a mad mare!"
"OI YA PRICK!" she yelled, everyone laughing as they chose and Walter knew some headed for Ton that had met him before knowing his commentary on the ride would be worth hanging back for.
"TALLY HO MOTHER RUBBERS!" Monkey screamed from the roof of one and Walter looked up with horror, not even knowing the little shit had snuck up there before leaving the village, the laughter from another was clearly Imp.
He knew without looking the sniggering on the other one was Pen, Ben no doubt back home with the girls and a look of annoyance at his younger family members being twats.
And they were off.