Free Dudes Down Under by Suzannah Burke Page A

the time of their lives. Sure, they hadn’t learned to let it rip the Aussie way yet, however it was only the second night. So far the novelty was holding. Well, for most of them anyway. Lucy glanced over at Sidney Sheridan. The young woman wore a permanent pout. The sulky expression sure wasn’t encouraging anyone to ask her to dance.
    Lucy stood and excused herself to Didi. She walked quickly into the backstage area and had a chat to a few of the staff. These guys were hunks and they knew it. They were employed to dance with, and mingle with, the guests. No hanky-panky unless, of course, the guests made their own arrangements privately. Lucy deemed what the staff did in their own time to be their own damned business.
    Satisfied that she had that little detail under control, she returned to the ballroom.
    Lucy looked around. She could see no sign of the obnoxious Ed Guest. Wherever he is, I hope he stays there. Hmm, probably counting his money and figuring out a way to buy this place. No chance, no chance in hell! Some of these people are odd. Like what on earth is wrong with that silly Sidney person? My God, she’s only young, too young to be that jaded with life. I’ll have to give that some thought later.
    “ Well now, Lucy, dinner was quite remarkable,” said Ed Guest.
    Lucy jumped. She hadn’t heard the man come up behind her. “I didn’t realize you were here.”
    “ Ah yes. I have been sitting quietly enjoying the 60s vintage music.”
    “ Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you around the same uh … vintage?” Lucy could have bitten her tongue out. Damn, this man bought out her defenses. She was about to find some way to apologize when he surprised her by laughing. It seemed unforced.
    “ Oh, Lucy, what is it about me that has you so on edge?”
    “ I don’t know for sure but I doubt you can change it.” Doh! I did it again! I gotta get out of here before I say any more of this shit . “You will excuse me? I believe Skeet is trying to get my attention.”
    Lucy got up and hurried over to where Skeet, Lana Peters and Sidney Sheridan were all crowded around Cyril. Ed Guest remained where he was, watching Lucy much like a cat who watches a mouse just before it pounces.
    “ Aww c’mon, mate, stop sulking. It’s not time yet.” Skeet was down on his haunches having a discussion with Cyril.
    “ Whatsa matter, like, with the alligator?” asked Sidney.
    “ Whoa. First up, mate, he ain’t a 'gator, he’s a crocodile.”
    “ Well, my bad. So, like, is the crocodile sick?”
    “ No, mate, he’s sulking.”
    “ Well now, Sidney girlfriend. You know what that looks like,” Lana Peters said with her teeth gritted.
    That comment went right over Sidney’s blonde head. “Like, what’s he sulking about?”
    “ He has a favorite song he likes to hear over and over again. We just haven’t played it yet. So he sulks.”
    Too bloody right I sulk. I didn’t get to dance. No, not me. And nobody wanted to buy me one of those great Jack Daniels things. Just bloody beer, mate. I bet you had something to do with that. Hmmm, didnya? Yeah, well you think you’ve seen me sulk before, Skeet. Watch this!
    “ Aww c’mon, mate, don’t do that. Jesus. H. Christ, Cyril, ya makin’ a spectacle of yourself.”
    Cyril had flipped over completely and lay on his back, holding his four legs straight up.
    The women around him began laughing, “Oh, he’s so cute. Why don’t you play his song for him, Skeet?” asked Lana.
    Skeet blushed to the roots of his thick black hair. “Well, it’s not the sorta song you lot would expect for a crocodile to like. The band have only played it for him in front of us staff, ya know. It’s not the right beat for this sorta dance. Didya hear what I said, Cyril?”
    Of course I heard what you said. I’m not deaf. If you can play that rock ’n' roll stuff, which I loved by the way, then you can damned well play my bloody song. I’m not gonna roll back over and be a good