” said Rebecca. The sound of the hairdryer stopped as Nikki squeezed out from behind Rebecca and put her arm around Lauren. She pulled her backwards...playfully, so that Lauren lay flat on the bed.“Hey!” said Nikki, kissing her lips upside down, “I promise as well. After Rebecca’s ceremony, we’ll cover you in strawberries and cream and have you for tea!”“You dirty little girl. Where do you think of these things?” mocked Lauren in a voice like her mother’s.“Oh, remind me to tell you both of a time. Jada turned and watched Mandy and Tom paddle for a moment. They were all tired, and these two had towed spare kayaks over forty kilometers today. That was a major piece of work. Jada’s own arms were complaining from the exercise. She allowed herself to smile though. Kayaking was fabulously enjoyable!Jada took another close look at Tom and Mandy and thought to herself, “They seem healthy. From what I know about food poisoning, you don’t exercise afterwards for three hours and not notice you’ve. She called me Trainee for a month first." I fumbled with the cork in the Merlot in the cabinet while she got the glasses down. Sophie took the bottle from my hands, set it down, and stood in front of me holding both my hands. "You don't need to do this, you know." I shook my head. "She took pictures." I was near tears. "What if she shows Jennie?" I paused. "Or John?" "She will delete them if you ask." I hugged her. My heart was pounding, and not just because of my fear. I was almost naked,. But more important that you meet with them?”Jos started, but said nothing.“You are Josiah. The Great Serpent has breathed on you. You will do something.”Jos was sipping a billie of tea when a ute pulled up. An older man wearing a booka got out from the passenger side. He walked towards the fire as the ute drove off. [A booka is a kangaroo-skin ceremonial cloak.]“I greet you, ancient one.”“I welcome you, Boobook of the Mirima.” He turned to Jos, “The boobook is noted for protecting his.