Chapter 7

As usual the travel day went in an accelerated way. The Dixon family explored their hired cottage in Cairns. The kids were over the moon, because there was a swimming pool in the garden. Duncan was still a bit reluctant because everything was all new to him. As promised, Dylan had organised a get together with a barbecue at his.

Rebecca had asked Duncan to say only his first name to avoid further questions. He was a friend of theirs.

They drove to Dylan's place and walked around the house to the garden.

"Hey! How was your flight?", Dylan greeted them.

"Fine", she replied and received three kisses from him.

"You didn't change, huh? Still the charming gentleman", Rebecca grinned.

He shook Robert's hand, "Mate, I'm glad you're here".

Dylan looked at Duncan, "You've brought someone along", he noticed.

"Yes, this is Duncan, a friend of the kids and us", Rebecca replied.

"Hey mate", he said shaking the boy's hand.

"BECCAAAA!", they heard yelling and turned around to see Nikki running towards her.

"Gosh Becca, I missed you!", Nikki said hugging her.

"Me too Nik, but, if you continue like this, you'll suffocate me", Rebecca croaked.

"Hi Aunt Becca", Hazel greeted and embraced her".

"Hazel, dear, how are you?", she asked.

"You don't know how happy I am to see you", the girl said.

"That's good", Rebecca said without realising the deeper meaning of the girl's words.

"Hey, our master chef", Pete greeted her.

The other guests were Harpie and his family, Charge, Bird and 2Dads with his girlfriend.

In a quiet moment, he nudged Rebecca's arm, "Hey, what are you going to say about me? Amelia and I are still together", he said in his cheeky style.

"So you finally grew up", she replied, grinning.

"Yes, who knows, who knows", he chuckled walking away.

Duncan was watching Dylan who was busy at the barbecue. "Are you hungry mate?"

"Not anymore. I've already eaten a steak. I was just watching how you do it. Is it difficult?", Duncan asked.

"Nah, you just need to have an eye and a bit gut feeling and it's ready. Have you ever grilled meat?"

"No, we live in an apartment in the middle of the city. Can you teach me?", he asked eagerly.

"Absolutely mate. Look, the most important thing is the charcoal. It may not be burning anymore, but is glowing…..", he started to say as the boy hung on Dylan's every word.

Later on, Duncan strolled towards Hazel with two cokes.

"Hey", he started.

"Hi, you are Aunt Becca's friend, aren't you?"

"Yeah and you? I've never seen you before", Hazel replied.

"I'm a friend of Mrs Bomber. My mother knows her. I'm Duncan", he said.

"I'm Hazel and you must be very thirsty, aren't you?", she said, pointing to the two cans of coke in his hands.

"Well, I'm thirsty for one, the other is for you", he said, offering her the can.

"Oh? Thank you. Do you also live in Canberra?"

"Nope, Sydney. But, uhm, they see each other often".

"Ah! And you're here on holiday", the girl concluded after taking a sip.

"Precisely", he said, then he pointed to Dylan, "That man, Dutchy, he looks cool. He taught me barbecue and he has a convertible", he said impressed.

She looked at Dutchy who was chatting with Charge and turned to Duncan and said, "Yes, he's cool. And he's the link between them here", she added bitterly.

Duncan frowned, "What do you mean?"

"Nah! Never mind. What are you going to do here?", she asked, ignoring his question.

He shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know yet. We just arrive this afternoon. We have a swimming pool and they said we're going to sail too".

"Are you also going to the waterfalls?", she asked curiously.

"Waterfalls?", he replied eagerly.

"In the rainforest! And if you're lucky, you'll see a snake!", she said excitedly.

"Wow! A snake! Cool! No, we don't have that in Sydney".

The evening was pleasant and passed quickly. There were drinks enough, but everyone had moderated, except for 2Dads, but they were already used to it, along with Nikki and Pete. Rebecca noticed it immediately when her friend started to laugh loudly and speak with a sticky tongue. Apparently, they planned it because they came by cab. When they left Nikki was rocking more than she was walking, leaning heavily on Pete. Rebecca was looking shocked and she looked at her friends to see if they were shocked as well, but they all acted like nothing had happened.

Later, while they were in bed, she touched Robert's thigh, "Rob, are you asleep?"

"Huh? I was, but not anymore. What's up?", he asked rolling over.

"Did you see how Nikki and Pete left?"

"They were both drunk", he said deadpan.

"Drunk. Pete, yes, but she was plastered. She could barely walk. Did you see how much she drank?"

"Uh, no".

"She drank wine the way you drink water. It's not normal. I think something is going on", she said worriedly.

"Honey, you see ghosts. She just drank too much because she was happy to see us again".

"Oh Rob, you can only agree to something if it's there in black and white on paper. My hunch is that it sucks there. Tomorrow, I'll find it out", she said.

"Becca, we're here on holiday".

"I know, I'll ask it occasionally when we see someone. No worries", she replied patting his leg.

"Good night!"

"Yeah, sleep well".

The next morning.

Rebecca, Robert and their enlarged family enjoyed the first breakfast of their holiday.

"So, what do we want to do?", Robert asked.

"The swimming pool!", Eddy and Jonathan yelled.

"I was told there were waterfalls here. I would love to see them", Duncan replied.

"Yes, that's a good idea. We'll plan that for tomorrow, okay?", Robert replied.

He looked at his wife.

"Nikki asked me yesterday to go shopping and you?", Rebecca said.

"I'd like to read a book and to hang out in the swimming pool too", Robert answered.

"Nice, I promised we'd meet at the Blackbird coffee shop at 10:30. Guess I'll be back in the afternoon".

"Hmm, that's why you took a bigger suitcase, so you could fill it", he said with a raised eyebrow.

"Well uh, it was a question of anticipation, no?", she replied with a cheeky smile.

Somewhat later, she took her handbag and put on a pair of sandals.

"So, ready to start your investigation, Sherly Holmes?", he asked.

"Of course, Dr Watson, always!", she said, kissing him.

About thirty minutes later, someone rang their doorbell. Robert stood up and headed tor the door.

Becca. For sure, she forgot her credit card and keys.

He opened the door and was quite surprised, "Dutchy?"

"Hi Robert, I had a chat yesterday with Duncan and understood that he had always dreamed of a ride in a convertible. So, if it suits you, I can take him in my car", Dylan said.

"Oh, that's nice. Becca and Nikki are in town, but tell me, will you be careful with him? No racing, huh? Otherwise his mother will kill us both", Robert said suspiciously.

"Rob, no worries. I'll consider him as my own son, so".

Your son? Mate, if you only knew!

"Okay, come in, I'll call him", Robert said.

"Duncan! There is someone for you mate!", he yelled.

The boy entered from the garden and was surprised to see the tall fair-haired man. "Hi", he said uncertainly.

"Mate, do you fancy a ride in my convertible?", Dylan asked.

"Oh? Yeah, of course! Wait a minute!", he said and ran to his bedroom to get dressed. A few minutes later, he was back. "Can we go?", he asked eagerly.

"Yeah, let's go!", Dylan said, patting the boy's back.

To be continued