"I wonder just where on the property this Mr. Gallow resides." Adrian mused, "How big is this property anyway?"

"No idea. We didn't ask, but it must be big enough to hide this guy's house, or whatever he lives in."

"How will we find him if we want to use the boat?" Pauline complained.

Ken folded up the papers and stuffed them back in the envelope. "He'll probably come around in the morning to introduce himself. I wouldn't worry."

"Well let's get this cleaned up, and we can relax a bit before bed." Karen stood, waving the girls up to help with the dishes.

"Do you need us?" Gene asked, waving his hand between Ken and he.

"No dear. Go and have your cigarette... he's so transparent." Adrian sighed at Karen as they carted stuff to the kitchen.

"Funny about that list of numbers," Gene spoke softly, lighting up a smoke and blowing a cloud up into the night air, "I haven't seen any telephone."

"Well, Karen's got her cell phone, but you're right. Not much use in having the numbers if you can't call them."

"Maybe the caretaker has one."

"That's probably it. Guess they don't want guests runnin' up long distance charges."

They leaned on the rail and watched the water below. The change from pinky blue to charcoal grey was swift, as the sun set beyond the pine forest.

"Still, I think it would have been good business for him to have met us when we arrived. We might have been a bunch of helpless dummies."

"We are."

Gene coughed on his cigarette, and both men laughed aloud.

"What are you two laughing at?"

"Just guy stuff. I thought you were doing dishes."

"The kids grumped about wanting something to do... so now they have."

"Oh mean moms! What do you think Ken, can we leave our precious offspring in the care of these two tyrants?"

"I guess they've done alright so far. We can probably risk it."

"Like these two know anything about it." Adrian laughed.

"Could I have one of those?" Karen asked, indicating Gene's cigarette.

"Karen!"

"What?"

"You were going to quit!"

"And I will... sometime."

"Be my guest," Gene said, fishing the pack out of his pocket, "see, Addy, I'm not the last social sinner." He flicked his lighter, and Karen took a deep drag of smoke and let it out slowly.

"Thank you, and I apologize for taking sides, but this is one pleasure I will really miss... one day."

"We should count our lucky stars they don't like cigars, Ken."

"You got that right. Listen, Gene and I have to hit the road early tomorrow so we'll leave you the van, and by the way, Gene pointed out that there doesn't seem to be a phone in this place so make sure your cell is charged and on, okay."

"We'll be fine. Just get your work done and hurry back."

"Yeah," Adrian added, "we'll be okay. We've got a troop of little servants to look after us."

"Oh brother! See, I told you Ken."

*****

Heddy scrunched down under the covers on the wall side of the bed. She was peering over Pauline, who was sitting up reading, at Andy, in his bed across the room. Their parents had all come in to witness the arrangement and say goodnight, Mr. Dweller adjusting the screen divider to a suitable position. When they left, the children waited a few minutes then moved the screen aside so that they could talk, and spent an hour or so whispering back and forth.

"I'm going to read for a bit. Do you mind if the light's on?"

"Nope. Won't bother me, I'm tired. Night, see ya in the morning." Andy rolled over and tugged his sheet up to his ears.

"I don't think I can sleep," Heddy whispered quietly to her sister.

"Just pull your sheet up and close your eyes."

"What if I have to get up?"

"What if? Just do it, nothing's going to happen." Pauline closed her book and sighed aloud.

"Will you come with me?"

"No-o-o."

"You're mean, Pauline."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Goodnight Heddy." Pauline set her book aside and shut out the light, settling herself comfortably on her side.

"Are too."

*****

The sun nosed up from the tree line across the lake turning the water silver white. The bedroom filled with brilliant sunshine, capturing a mist of dust motes in its rays. Heddy knuckled her eyes open and turned to peek over Pauline's hip. Andy's bed was made up and his pyjamas were folded neatly on his pillow.

"Pauline! Wake up! Wake up!"

With a groaning complaint, Pauline opened her eyes, squinting from the shock of the sun-filled room.

"He's gone!"

"Hmmrgh."

"Andy's gone and his bed's made."

Pauline hoisted herself on one elbow and brushed her hair off her face. "What time is it?"

Heddy leaned over her sister and stared at the table clock. "Eight-fifteen."

"Oww, Heddy. You're crushing me."

Heddy leaned back and put her hands around her eyes to see out the window. "He's outside! Look, he's sitting down by the edge of the cliff."

Pauline crawled over next to her and looked outside. "What's he doing?"

"Just sitting there."

"Good morning lazybones." Karen marched over to the bed, kneeling down and giving them both a squeeze. "Time to get up, your dad will be leaving soon."

"Andy's sitting down by the cliff," Heddy said, expecting an explanation.

"Yes, he was up early. Got washed and dressed, made his bed," she said with emphasis, "and fixed his own breakfast."

The two girls traded a roll of the eyes and dragged off the bed, padding out and down the hall to the bathroom.

Ken and Gene were loading the SUV when the girls came out onto the porch with their juice and toast. The air was warm already, and the moist smell of pine felt crisp in their noses. Andy had wandered back from the cliff and was watching his dad pack up the vehicle; a bit of a slump in his posture indicated that he was not very happy with the situation.

"Morning gang," Ken called, hauling his briefcase and computer from the van and stowing it in Gene's truck.

The girls waved their toast.

"Did you sleep well, girls?" Adrian asked, settling beside them on the steps.

"Yes, thank you, at least I did. Heddy was scared all night."

"Pauline! Was not."

"Were too."

"What were you scared of sweetheart?"

"She was afraid Andy would see her if she got up to go to the bathroom."

"Pauline!" Heddy pushed her sister angrily as the two mothers exchanged an amused glance.

"Well I can assure you," Adrian laughed, "once Andy goes to sleep nothing wakes him up."

Heddy glowered at her sister out of the corner of her eye, and took an angry bite of toast.

"They didn't even hear him get up and make his bed," Karen said, ruffling Heddy's hair.

"He does that at home too. We never hear him."

The two men and Andy wandered up to the porch, announcing they were ready to leave, hugging and kissing their wives goodbye and accepting grappling hugs from the kids.

"Be careful Heddy, I don't want jam on my pants. Now you kids be good and do as you're told. We'll call tonight after work and see how everything is."

"Can we go exploring?" Pauline asked, giving her dad a final squeeze about the waist.

"Sure. The agency said there were lots of walking trails around the lodge. Just stay within shouting distance, okay?"

"We will." A sincere chorus.

"Well, we're off then."

The two men climbed into the truck, did a three-point turn, and drove down the winding road, watched by their families until they were out of sight.

"So, what's next?" Karen asked, clapping her hands together and surveying the group.

"I'm going to get myself a big cup of coffee and crash on one of those soft chairs on the porch." Adrian stated with finality.

"Can we see the boat, mom?" Pauline pleaded.

"Not until we see this Ithmus character. You heard what dad read out last night.

"Awww! Not fair."

"Why don't you guys just wander around the lodge property, not too far, and see what there is to see. He'll probably come by soon and Adrian and I will talk to him about the boat and everything."

"You're the oldest Andy, so be responsible. No silly tricks." His mother cautioned.