Though it embarrasses her to admit it, Liz inspired this...
"There!" said Madge, as she straightened Jem's cream safari-style hat. "You look quite the doctor, quite the Sir."
Jem grinned and pulled his sports jacket on more comfortably. "Most of Australia is still wild terrain, Madge," he replied seriously. When she looked worried, he put a hand on her shoulder and sought to reassure her. "Don't worry, darling, the company who are sponsoring my tour of lectures will look after us well. We won't be in any danger - no more danger than you saw as a child in India!" he finished with a chortle.
"No, dear... yes, dear," Madge, looking slightly mollified, turned to her mirror and placed her hat on her head. The door burst open, ending the conversation there, and admitted four excited young people. The eldest was a strikingly beautiful young woman with copper curls. Next came a girl in her late teens, with black tresses. Hanging from each girl's right hand was a very small boy - they were alike enough that it was obvious they were twins.
"Oh Mum!" cried the black-haired girl. "I think we're about ready. The twins just can't wait to board the plane!" As if to confirm this, one of the small boys added, "Vant to fy, Mummy."
Madge smiled - she thought briefly of her missing girl, Aline, who was to stay at school in Switzerland. Jem knelt down and gathered the twins to him, a look on his face that told of news. "I saved this as a surprise," he announced, "we are going by plane, yes, but the last leg of our trip will be completed in a... helicopter!" As the oooohs and ahhhs rang out around him, he continued. "Yes, the company want us to make a memorable landing, and this is the very latest thing."
Madge put her gloved hand to her throat a little breathlessly. "Oh darling," she gasped. "You are going to be quite the celebrity!"
