“I don’t anticipate any problems,” said Lennox, “How soon are you planning the move?”

“It will be some time in the next few weeks, probably the third week,” said Pandora, “We’ll be able to see eachother again for our last look at Sydney before I fly back to the States. If you can be available for another lunch tomorrow, I’d like my daughter to meet you.”

“Well I can, but maybe we should go somewhere that doesn’t charge like this place,” said Lennox, “I can’t keep taking advantage of you, and I’m getting by on three hours’ casual wages a day.”

“You’re not taking advantage of me. I invited you today as my guest, and I’m doing the same for you tomorrow. All you have to do is come,” said Pandora warmly.

“Well thank you.... It’s a date then,” said Lennox.

“I’ll give you a call tonight or in the morning, once Reba and I have chosen a restaurant,” said Pandora.

They finished their seafood, and then she started eating sorbet for dessert, having ordered a bowl for each of them. She made sultry gestures as she spooned each mouthful onto her tongue, and hoped that he was enjoying them in some way. When the meal was over, she paid the bill, and they stepped out into the street.

The young man inched his hand into hers, and she took it gently and walked with him, until they got back to the station. Both of them were heading up the North Shore line by train. So  they were able to sit together until Pandora got off at Artarmon, to go to Mick and Reba’s Lane Cove home.

The next day, Lennox prepared to go to the restaurant which Reba had chosen in Lane Cove. It had outdoor tables in the mall. So Lennox caught the train to Artarmon Station, and a bus from there to Lane Cove.

Mother and daughter were already there waiting.

“Pleased to meet you,” said Reba, offering a handshake as Pandora beckoned him to sit down, “Mom told me how you met eachother, and you shouldn’t feel bad about your job. Mick hasn’t had any work for ages. We’ve thought long and hard, and we know this move to the colony is a good idea.”

They made their orders, all on a bill which Pandora would consider to be a worthwhile investment, considering the return it would bring in the form of a far more extravagant meal once she reached the giant land. They talked and ate together for nearly two hours. Pandora had explained to Reba the night before, that she had not told Lennox about the giant size that would be adopted by all of them ... except for Lennox. Reba didn’t mention the word ‘Upsizing’ in full even once during the entire course of the lunch date. When it began to slip out once, she quickly turned it into ‘upsydaisy!’ and produced an artificial sneezing fit. By the time she’d stopped coughing, Lennox would not have remembered the poorly iterated impromptu exclamation.