The Dingo Dilemma

Quip was healing rapidly and regaining his good looks, which cheered him almost as much as the substantial advance he got from a New York publishing company for his forthcoming book, Norris Blainey: A Colossus Falls.

Fran was Fran, which meant her usual grim persona was much in evidence. She did go so far as to give me a hug-an astonishing once-in-a-lifetime experience, and thank me for my help in saving Quip from murderer's row.

Lonnie confided in me that Pauline was rather taken with his new, romantic self, although a problem loomed, as Unity and Upton were coming to see him as a rival for Pauline's affections. Lonnie stoutly said he'd cross that canine bridge when he came to it.

Pauline herself scored a full-page article in the Calendar section of the LA Times, when to the shock and envy of the star wrangling world, she managed to get Earl Garfield to appear, if only fleetingly, at an event Glowing Bodies was coordinating for the launch of an environmentally friendly pickup truck.

In fact, thanks to Lonnie, I, along with Melodie, Lexus, and Brucie, scored invitations to the function. It was an amazing evening-never before had I seen quite so many anorexic female bodies wearing miniscule outfits and dazzling, dentally perfect smiles. The men, including Brucie, all looked mega-casual, as if they'd just this moment picked up the nearest items of clothing and thrown them on.

Two weeks after Blainey's arrest, Cousin Brucie took me to dinner. Over the main course, he leaned forward earnestly to say, 'Kylie, I know you'll be disappointed, but I've got to go back to Oz. Nigel's taking advantage of Mum. I have to be there to stop it before it gets out of hand.'

'I completely understand. Your mum must come first.'

Brucie patted my shoulder consolingly. 'Don't worry Kylie. I'll be back.'

As for my mum, Jack was out of bed and taking an interest in the running of The Wombat's Retreat, but as Mum said, 'He's not up to full speed yet, darl. And that's a mercy.'

****

When I'd come back from the confrontation with Blainey, Ariana had greeted me with warm relief. Since then, however, she'd been pleasant but remote. I knew she was working through issues to do with Natalie, but I ached for the closeness we'd had, however fleeting it had been.

Several weeks passed. Bob and I were in Ariana's office, lingering after our fortnightly staff meeting, when Bob said, 'I saw Dingo O'Rourke being interviewed on ET last night. He was talking about Darleen's rescue. Unlike Homeland Security, he gave you full credit, Kylie.'

'Dingo and Darken did all the hard work.'

'Did you really say 'My heroes-just in time' when those bozos burst in after it was all over?'

I hadn't mentioned it to anyone, and hadn't realized Dingo had heard my sarcastic comment. 'I might have said something like that.'

A grin spread over Bob's face. 'Ariana always says you're one of a kind, and she's oh so right. I can't imagine how we got on without you.' He went off chuckling to himself.

'Bob thinks you're quite adorable,' said Ariana, expressionless.

'He does?'

'And you don't know you are, which makes you even more adorable.'

I felt a smile begin. 'Do you find me adorable?'

Ariana smiled in turn. 'I'm afraid so,' she said.

Claire McNab

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