“Oh, okay. I will just see you in a couple of days then!”
Ray: Demi, are you doing anything today?
Demi: Yeah, sorry, Bran and I are going to some viewings. I will see you in a couple of days for the sleepover, though. x
Ray: K. x
Well, this sucks, it doesn't look like anyone's around today. I might as well head to work. As I walk out the front of the building, there’s an almighty screech. “What the hell are you doing wandering around? You’re supposed to be out of the way, so you can’t see me setting up. Who’s in charge of occupying you for the fucking day, as they’re sacked!”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Beauty!”
“Shit! Ray, we're setting up out the back for the wedding. You can’t be here, so you need to leave!”
“Can’t I help?”
“Nope!” Holding her finger up to me, she pulls out her phone and dials.
“Hey, Steel, someone’s dropped the ball. We need to get Ray away from here. She’s literally stood right next to me, wanting to help. Who is on Ray duty today? …Okay… Hmm… Okay… On it!”
Passing the phone to me, I ask, “What the fuck’s going on?”
“Hey baby, so it’s like this, you were supposed to be taken out for the day while we get this stuff ready, and it looks like that hasn’t happened for whatever reason, so… wait in our room. I’m gonna sort it, okay? Give me thirty minutes, please?”
“How come you get to help, and I don’t?”
“Because I want it to be a surprise, and you love me, so you’re gonna let me do this. Wait in the room. Thirty minutes, okay?”
“Fine, but you owe me!”
“Love you!”
“Yeah, yeah, I’m going to the room for thirty minutes. If no one comes before then, I’m coming to help, like it or not!”
I hang up, toss the phone back to Beauty and stomp back inside. Twenty-six minutes later, Dane’s hammering on the door.
“Ray, it’s me. Come on. We’re going out for the day!”
I sling the door open and smile at Dane. “How much did you object?”
“A shit tonne!”
“How much are they paying you!” He kicks his boots against the door frame, grinning. He doesn't answer. “How much, Dane?”
“Dad says he’ll give me $100 to keep you busy all day, plus expenses!”
“Expenses? Limit?”
“Nope!” he says back with an evil chuckle.
“Ah, so easy! Almost like we’ve been doing this forever!” I sling my arm around my lil bro.
“So what are we doing?”
“I don’t know, what’s fun, can keep us busy all day and will cost a bit?”
Scratching his head, he thinks for a minute. “It’s about a two-hour drive!”
“And it’s…?”