Chapter 53 - This isn't goodbye

                                    

                                          
            
                          
It was nearly daylight before anyone started to go home and Shannon was now feeling really tired.  Sat on Kailan's lap listening to everyone talk mostly rubbish, she smiled to herself.
                          
"I need to go to bed" yawned Tristan as he stood up to leave.
                          
Everyone murmured words along the same line and gradually they all said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.
                          
Kailan took hold of Shannon's hand as they walked back to the house with Rachel, Darren, Tristan and Jamie.
                          
"Best New Years Eve ever!" announced Darren as they arrived back at the house "But now I gotta crash, goodnight or good morning even" and he sloped off to bed followed by a barely awake Rachel.
                          
 Tristan and Jamie also took themselves off to bed, leaving Shannon and Kailan in the kitchen while Shannon got herself a drink of water.
                          
"So Hoppo gave me tomorrow off" Kailan said
                          
"Really, that's great!" Shannon smiled "We can spend it together then"
                          
"Yep" he smiled, pulling her into a hug "And I've arranged something, I hope that's ok"
                          
"You old romantic" She giggled "You really are pretty great aren't you"
                          
"Just don't tell anyone yeah" he laughed "I have a mysterious and moody reputation to uphold"
                          
"Can we get some sleep first though?" asked Shannon
                          
They slept till just after midday when Shannon was awoken by Kailan bringing her tea and toast in bed
                          
"Have this and then we'll get ready and get going ok" he said
                          
Shannon finished breakfast and had a quick shower, got dressed and went to find Kailan.  She found him in the kitchen on his phone.
                          
"Thanks mate, see you in a bit, bye" he said before hanging up
                          
"What are you up to?" she asked
                          
"It's a surprise" he replied
                          
On Kailan's instruction, Shannon wrote her friends a quick note to say they wouldn't be back till late, threw some stuff in a bag and they left the house.  They started walking towards the beach and Shannon secretly hoped that's where they weren't spending the day!
                          
"The beach?" she said, trying not to sound disappointed
                          
"As if this would be the surprise" he laughed "Deano borrowed my car this morning so we just need to pick it up"
                          
"Oh right" Shannon giggled
                          
Shannon waited by Kailan's car while he went to the tower to get the keys from Deano and when he came back and they got in the car, she turned the radio up.
                          
They drove for about twenty minutes until Kailan parked up at a harbour.
                          
"Come on" he smiled
                          
"What are we doing here?" she asked
                          
Kailan pointed to a sign which read Sydney Harbour Sunset Dinner Cruise
                          
They wandered around the harbour for a while and then it was time to board the boat
                          
The boat cruised around the harbour and Shannon took photos of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge.  They ate a lovely dinner with a few drinks too
                          
"Thank you for this" Shannon whispered as they sat on the open deck
                          
"Glad you liked it" he replied "It's something a bit different I thought"