Dudes Down Under Read Online Free PDF Page A

tumbled, and so far so good on the arrivals and check-ins.
    “ Ginny, you’ve had a big day, even though most of it was spent on the floor. You can go off now, honey. I’ll stay at the desk until Lee takes over at midnight. You go and get some sleep.”
    “ Lucy, can I wait - please? Just till they walk back through on their way out? Please, Lucy.”
    “ Can you promise me not to faint again?”
    “ Sure, it’s all good. I’ll be fine now, truly. Please, Lucy?”
    “ Okay, but I won’t be far away. Did Skeet feed Cyril?”
    “ Oh, he tried, but Cyril is so drunk, he doesn’t feel hungry.”
    “ Where the hell is Cyril? He should be tucked up in his apartment by now. Come to think of it, where is Skeet?”
    Ginny wasn’t paying attention as Jack Starr and Mr. and Mrs. Brown had just strolled through from the ballroom.
    Ginny was busy listening in on their conversation.
    “ Aw c’mon, Tony. You gotta get over it, man. So she didn’t come to the wedding - no big deal. The press always blows these things out of proportion, you know that. This is your holiday, man. Just, you know, let it go.”
    Ginny wasn’t sure what Jack Starr meant. She had a vague memory of the big fancy wedding the Browns had had. Who was it that didn’t go? She’d ask Miss Peters; she knew everything.
    Lucy meanwhile had gone in search of Cyril and Skeet.
    Cyril had his own small apartment with an in-ground pool in its dining room and all the creature comforts, of course. He normally ambled off to bed around 10:00 p.m., but tonight was special. Skeet was probably reading him his bedtime story.
    Lucy laughed at herself as she found her hand knocking on Cyril’s door. Everyone treated him like family. She'd best remember the guests had to learn, and fast, just what they could and could not do where Cyril was concerned. After all, he may be family to the people that had raised him, but he was still a crocodile, and a very big one.
    Lucy flipped the light switch and grinned delightedly at the sight that greeted her. Cyril was soundly sleeping, snoring contentedly, with a wet towel draped across his eyes and clutching his Pooh-bear. Skeet was up on the top bunk nearby with Cyril’s copy of The Wind in the Willows over his head. All was well. Lucy turned off the light and relaxed. So far, paradise was surviving the guests okay.
    She returned to the main reception area and double-checked with the night staffers that all was well. The announcement about orientation had been done. Every condo had a large notice about it, along with the Moët & Chandon, a basket of tropical fruit and Piss-Off insect repellent awaiting them on arrival.
    Orientation would take place at one o'clock the following afternoon. Hopefully most of the guests would be awake enough by then.
    There was much they needed to be aware of, and many things to enjoy, if they were game enough.
    Lucy was confident that the raucous laughter of the kookaburras and screeching of the rainbow lorikeets would awaken them well before that time.
    She glanced at her watch, sighing with relief to find she was now officially off-duty.
    Still wound up way too tight, Lucy decided to head on down to her favorite little hiding place. She didn’t think any of the new arrivals would have ventured much past the welcoming party in the main ballroom.
    Pushing open the door of The Swamp, she was dismayed to find Mr. Guest sitting at the bar in deep conversation with Max, the bartender.
    Max spotted her. “Hey Lucy, you want your usual?”
    Damn, no way I can exit gracefully . “Thanks, Maxi, yes. I’ll have it over in my corner.”
    “ Comin’ right up, oh gorgeous one.”
    Damn, don’t come over, I’m off-duty. I don’t want to speak to anybody, especially you.
    “ Well, now, hi there, little lady. Did I hear Max say your name was Lucy?”
    She shook the outstretched hand and nodded.
    “ Mind if I join you?”
    God damn it … yes, I do mind. Go away you obnoxious worm. “No, go ahead. It’s