It's so exciting, Scott is coming to visit us. Unfortunately he can only stay overnight, and he is coming all this way into the Australian Bush just to meet us. I have been cleaning and tidying up all day, cooking delights and making home baked bread and scones. I just hope he has a sweet tooth. I think I'll just make a few herbal cookies, they won't take long, fifteen minutes tops. They'll relax him after his long flight and rather long drive. I hope my directions bring him right to our door. Oh! Is that him at the gate? I do hope so, I've been longing to meet this lovely man.

It is! He's here! My heart is fluttering, I feel like a silly school girl on a first date. I pat my hair as I stand on the verandah as the city hire car comes up the long drive. It comes carefully, beeping horn sending the Cockatoos screeching in flight before him. The dogs bark excitedly, tails wagging.

Penny, the blue cattle dog, sends her tail spinning in a flurry as the little car gets nearer. Peter, the big red dog, huffs and puffs with excitement, and little Taffy barks furiously.

"Bob, he's here!" I almost scream, we have waited so long for this day. "Scott's here at last!"

I am so excited I'm clapping my hands, which makes the dogs more unruly.5

"Shut up! Go to BED!" I yell to the dogs, and they settle for a brief moment beside me.

Bob comes round the side of the house as the car pulls in close to the house. Bob pulls the driver's door open and almost wrenches Scott out of the car and enfolds him in one of his great, warm hugs. I can almost see Scott's eyes popping out of his head. Such lovely eyes and so clear.

I run off the verandah and to the car. I fling my arms around Scott and I feel his strength. I am surprised at his bulk, he's not fat, but quite muscular. I wrap my arms around him and Bob, and we walk to the house. The dogs are barking excitedly and jumping around. Scott doesn't seem to mind the dogs and their bouncy ways, he didn't mind when Peter stuffed his nose into his crotch, Scott only winced a little. That was polite of Scott.

"Welcome to our home, Scott." I smiled warmly at him. He looked down at me and said, "My, you're smaller than I thought you would be." I laughed as he looked up at Bob, grinning,

"You're pretty tall, Bob" Bob winked and said, "I have to be, Scott, It's the only way I can overpower that little dynamo!"

"Oh, for goodness' sake, get up to the house and out of this hot sun, Scott'll cook in this heat!" I bossed them. "Sit on the verandah and I'll bring something cold, what would you like Scott? A cold beer, a soft drink, iced tea?" I busied around, setting chairs and such.

"I think I'd like one of your home brewed beers thanks." I grinned with delight and looked at Bob, he nodded. "Coming right up, fellas."

Presently I returned with a couple of bottles of my special home brew. I put them on the table with a couple of glasses and a jug, and sat down by them. I opened one bottle and poured it carefully into the jug, then filled the glasses. Bob nodded to Scott and they both took a glass. Judging by the look on Scott's face, he was liking my beer. I offered some of my cookies to them and Scott started munching my herbal cookies.

"These are delicious, what do you put in them?" Scott mumbled,"They're so moreish."

"Oh, this and that, Scott, whatever is in my herb garden at the time."

Scott put his empty glass down and stretched his arms lazily over his head, yawning. " Jet lag and the drive must be getting to me, but it's so lovely meeting you both at last." He gave another giant yawn, "I'm sorry to be such dull company."

"No, Scott, the clean air has just got to you a little, come lean forward and I'll massage your neck, then you can have a shower to freshen up before supper, we're having a barbecue with the neighbours this evening, they'll be here in an hour, lean forward, that's a good lad." Scott leaned forward, still yawning, I put my hand on his forehead, as I felt the tight muscles at the back of his neck, I worked them to release the knots, then pulled his head back and cut his throat quickly and cleanly. He hardly gurgled. It was one of my better kills.

The dogs began barking and carrying on. "Shut up! Yes, It's 'bone day.' You'll get yours soon."

"Shall I ring the neighbours?" Bob asked.

"No love, let's have a beer first, It's bloody hot today."