Dudes Down Under (35 page)

When they flew in over
Dudes
, he closed his eyes for a moment, not wanting to witness the changed surroundings of the place he called home. He opened his eyes, prepared for the worst, and in spite of changes, many of them, the resort and it’s immediate environment looked remarkably untouched. Chester, the pilot, grinned at the look on his face. “Mate, everyone’s been working their arses off to get the place back up to scratch.”

“
Everyone?”

“
Bloody oath, mate. I mean everyone. The Yanks have been bloody amazing. Young Sid’s worth her weight in gold, mate. She’s a little ripper of a cook too.”

“
Excuse me … Sid? Ya mean Sidney Sheridan? Are ya pullin’ me leg or what?”

“
I wouldn’t wanna pull ya sore legs, mate. True blue, she’s turned out all right, mate, a little beauty.”

“
Well I’ll be buggered.”

*  *  *

“
Ooh, oooh, here it comes, I can hear it. I’m so excited I could just scream.”

“
Cyril dear, you are screaming.”

“
Oh sorry, Sadie, my sweet. You can hear me, of course you can. Oh I am sooo thrilled. My Skeet. Do you think he’ll remember me? I hadn’t thought of that till just now. My God, what if… what if he doesn’t? What if that hospital place erased his memory and transplanted something else? Gasp!”

“
Cyril dear, that was Total Recall. You know, the one that that politician was so dreadful in.”

“
Of course. Oh silly me. Arnie whatshisface. Yes, he did come back after all. Too bad. Maybe he’s a better politician than he was an actor.”

“
For America’s sake, I certainly hope so.”

“
Oh, there it is. He’s coming!”

“
Even I’m excited. Oh, and will you look at my Rebecca. Her face is all shiny. What is that? Do you have any candies handy, Cyril, I need a choccie hit.”

The chopper landed and Max opened the door as soon as the blades stopped.

“
G,day my mate. Have a good holiday, did ya?” said Max.

“
Yeah, buddy, sure did, surrounded by wall-to-wall women, and waited on hand ... and especially foot, er, feet.”

“
What was that about wall-to-wall women, Skeet?” asked Rebecca.

“
Thought you might like that one, Bec.”

“
All that layin’ around addled ya brain, Skeet.”

“
Yep, and that isn’t all it addled.”

The pilot had come around to Skeet’s side of the chopper and unloaded a wheelchair. Everyone drew in a breath. This wasn’t what they had expected, or hoped for.

Skeet caught the tension and tried to relieve it. “Hey, you lot, no frowns. I won’t need this contraption all the time. I’m doin’ much better on me legs. It’s just gonna take a little longer is all.”

“
I’ll hold you to that, Skeet,” said Rebecca.

“
You holdin’ me to anything sounds perfect to me, Bec.”

Rebecca blushed and a very loud grunt came from behind her.

“
Cyril, mate, come gimme a hug, big fella. Geez I missed ya! Have ya been a good boy? Did ya miss me?”

Cyril made his way across to where Skeet was sitting and dropped his big head on Skeets lap, smiling the biggest crocodile smile any of them had ever seen.

Oh, oh my Skeet, you are home. You truly are. I’ve waited and waited, and not even a postcard, but I forgive you. I, eh-hem, I sorta, kinda, missed ya. Just a little, mind you. Don’t get a big head over it. Oh look, Sadie, my Skeet is back.

Sadie waddled over to Skeet and Cyril, and placed her big head on his lap as well.
Thank God you came back. You have no idea what I have had to put up with - whinging and whining day-in day-out. And that was just Rebecca. You should have seen what Cyril was like. Oh, don’t start me.

“
Well, look at you, pretty Sadie. You look wonderful. You have gained weight. Rebecca must be overfeeding ya.”

“
I’ll discuss that with you shortly, Skeet.”

“
Where’s Lucy and Doc? I kinda thought they’d be here to say g’day.”

“
Oh, you know, busy, busy, busy,” said Max. “They said to be sure to tell ya they’ll catch up with ya a little later”

“
Okay, fine. Well let’s get outta here and have a drink. Um, Cyril mate, and you too Sadie girl, you need to move ya heads so I can get going.”

Okay. Done. Why do you have an itsy-bitsy car thingumy attached to your bum? Is it a new toy? Can I have a ride?
“Oh look, Sadie, isn’t that the damndest thing? Skeet can drive himself. I won’t fit in it. Maybe a trailer attached, for two.”

“
Yes, oh that would be fun. Cyril dear, do you have any munchies?”

*  *  *

Skeet’s wheelchair was automated, and quite fast. He slowed it down to a walking pace as he and Rebecca made their way along the pathway towards the main entrance.

Max had gone on ahead with a promise to join Skeet for a drink shortly.

“
The only bar and restaurant open at the moment is the Grand Ballroom, Skeet.”

“
There’s a ramp, from memory. Thank goodness Lucy built this place to allow for disabilities. I can’t imagine stayin’ anyplace else to recuperate. So, Bec, me darlin’, fill me in on all the gossip. Who’s doin’ what to whom, and why?”

“
Jeez, Skeet its great ta have ya home. You won’t believe half the shit that's been goin’ on, mate. Most of it’s good stuff, though. I dunno where to start.”

They had reached the complex and Skeet went in first through the automated double doors.

The whole place was in darkness. “What the fuck? Sorry, Bec, I mean, shit! What happened to the lights? Can you get the main switch, Bec. Give it a go, will ya, darlin’, I might need to replace the fuse is all.”

“
Sure thing, Skeet. Stay where ya are so I don’t fall over ya if they don’t come on, okay?”

“
I ain’t goin’ nowhere but right here. Geez, I need a bloody beer. It’s been weeks since I had one. Did ya find the fuse box, Bec?”

“
Yeah, hold on. Right ,here it is. Yep, got it!”

The lights came on.

“
SURPRISE!” resounded around the room. Everyone was there. All the guests, their staff members, the
Dudes
bunch - everyone. And they were all in wheelchairs. Everywhere he looked there were bandaged heads, limbs, and bodies sitting in wheel chairs. Skeet started laughing so hard he almost choked.

“
You lot are a bunch of bloody maniacs, ou know that, doncha?” He doubled over again with laughter and looked up as Lucy wheeled her way over with a tray, holding a jug of Icy cold beer fixed to the side of her wheelchair..

“
Welcome home, Skeet,” she managed before she started crying and laughing at the same time. “We figured you might miss the hospital, so … ” She looked around at the laughing, chatting, happy bunch. “God it’s great to have you back home, my friend.”

Skeet’s eyes were moist and he wiped them on his sleeve. “Maniacs, the lot of ya. This is great, Lucy. Thanks, mate.”

The guests came over a few at a time to welcome him back. Skeet could sense the camaraderie. The staff and guests were all on first name terms and he spotted Sidney Sheridan perched on the bar laughing and joking with Max.

That cyclone had rung changes that no one could have foreseen. Skeet was delighted for Lucy. This could have gone arse-up on her. He was so pleased it hadn’t.

He was enjoying his beer and chatting away to Lana Peters when Lucy and Charlie came over, on foot this time.

Lana grinned and excused herself. Charlie shook Skeet’s hand and added his welcome home.

“
So, you two, what’s the story? Fill me in. Geez, I’ve missed this place. I can’t believe the amount of work that’s been done to get everything lookin’ so good after that bloody cyclone.”

“
Oh, Skeet , isn’t it amazing? Everyone has just thrown themselves into getting
Dudes
back together. I can hardly believe it myself.”

“
You deserve that kinda help, Chooky. Might be a little while before I can be of much use to ya. We’ll have to figure out somethin’ I can do, hey, mate.”

“
Well, Skeet, as a matter of fact I have something really urgent that only you can attend to,” Lucy said earnestly.

She showed Skeet her hand with the diamond ring sparkling in the overhead lights. “Charlie and I are engaged, Skeet.”

“
Holy shit, I knew it. I knew it from that day we all went up to the Tops together. Congratulations. Gimme a hug, Lucy. Charlie, mate, well done. I am as pleased as punch for the both of ya. That’s the biggest rock I’ve ever seen. Geez! Oh, mate, this is wonderful, just bloody wonderful.”

The pleasure on Skeet’s handsome face was very real. Lucy and Charlie both breathed a sigh of relief. They had been more than a little concerned about how he would take it.

“
So, where are you gonna be livin’, here or in the States?”

“
We plan on dividing our time between both, Skeet. I’m often on location away from the States, and Lucy is more than able to come back home to
Dudes
any time she wants. It’s going to mean a bit of juggling but we have talked it through and we think we can work out a way to do it.”

“
That’s bloody wonderful, Lucy. You are gonna have to put a manager in, chooky. I can start lookin' around for ya, okay?”

“
No need, Skeet. It’s almost a done deal. Just have to sign on the dotted line.”

“
Oh well, geez, that’s good, mate.”

“
Um, I have a huge favour to ask you, Skeet,” Lucy said.

“
Name it, chooky. Anything for you.”

“
I want you to give me away at the wedding.”

Skeet looked up at his friend and his eyes filled with tears. “Lucy, I’d be proud to. I may have to wheel ya down the aisle, though. I’m, well … oh, you know. Thanks, Lucy.”

“
I don’t care as long as you are there with me. I’ll be fine. So we can go ahead and make our announcement. The only ones who know so far are Lana, Ginny and, of course, Ed.”

“
Why does Ed know? I mean, you don’t even like the bloke much.”

“
So much has happened. I forgot you don’t know. Ginny and Ed are getting married, the same day as Charlie and I. We are having a double wedding.”

“
Hang on a sec. You lost me at Ginny and Ed are getting married. You mean to each other?”

“
Sure do. They fell in love. Believe me, you won’t recognize Ed. He’s in love, and it shows. Ginny has never been happier.”

“
I’ll be buggered! Charlie, mate, can you get me something stronger than beer? I need a JD or somethin’ with a kick. I think I’m in shock. The things that go on when a fella’s away for a couple of weeks. Geez!”

Charlie gave him a pat on the back and headed over to the bar.

“
I have something else I need to ask you, Skeet.”

“
Hell, what else? I’m still trying to wrap me head around you and Charlie, and Ginny and Ed.” Skeet was laughing and shaking his head, muttering I’ll be buggered over and over. “All right, chooky, I’m brave. Ask away.”

“
Will you take over as manager of
Dudes
, Skeet.”

“
Me?”

“
Yes. Nobody else will do. You love this place and you practically run the whole show anyway. Would you do it? I’ll give you a free hand and I'll not interfere when I come back. I’ll have a contract drawn up, after we discuss it more fully, of course. Please, Skeet. You are the only one I’d ever consider.”

“
I … I’m speechless, Lucy. Totally gobsmacked. I don’t … I’m not … oh hell … Yes, I’d be proud to.”

“
Oh thank you, thank you!” Lucy flung her arms around her friend and started to cry.

“
Oi, enough of this cryin’ stuff. You’ll set me off again. Can’t do that in front of everyone. I gotta have respect from the staff.” He was between tears and laughter himself. “Go and make your big announcement, my friend, while I get me head together. Manager, hey, well what do ya know?”

Charlie returned with a bottle of JD, a large chilled Coke, and a bucket of ice. He dragged a table over and set it up in easy reach of Skeet. “Did she ask you?”

“
Yeah, mate, she did.”

“
Well? C’mon, tell me?”

“
He said yes! Yes! Let’s go and tell all these folks the news, honey. I think Skeet needs a moment to take it all in.”