querulous feline mew made them both sit suddenly up. The last time Treble had leapt up unexpectedly to join them on the sofa when they were both naked, it had been briefly alarming and bloody. Milo’s bum still bore a faint scar. Frank leapt up, dragging the soft throw rug over his body and Milo shoved a cushion over his crotch.
‘Little monster,’ Milo chided the tabby cat fondly. She alighted onto the sofa beside him and head-butted the hand holding the cushion in place. He scratched her ears and she purred. ‘That’s my precious girl,’ Milo crooned at her. ‘Daddy’s fluffy princess.’
‘You are such a sucker for that cat.’
‘And you’re not?’
‘I don’t call myself her Cat Daddy.’
‘You totally think it, though.’
‘I do not.’
‘You do. Anyway, it’s not like we’re gonna be real dads.’
‘God. You’re as bad as Angela.’
‘What?’
‘Gay couples can have kids.’
‘Course they can,’ said Milo. ‘Elton. Neil Patrick Harris. The sound guys from the last album – Ivan and Harry from Sydney, remember them? Their kid’s adorable.’ He addressed Treble in a sooky voice: ‘But why would we want them when we’ve got a lovely fur baby, hmm? We don’t have to worry about saying fuck in front of you, do we, Queen Fluff? ‘
Treble, Queen Fluff, the Fur Baby, miaowed a regal response, clambered up the protective cushion and head-butted Milo’s chin.
Frank stroked Treble’s spine and she purred happily. ‘What was that about a new footballer coming onto the skating thing?’ he asked, firmly changing the subject.
‘Josh Baker broke his leg, remember I told you? The producers have said his team-mate Adam Wills can take his spot, for the same charity. Something to do with rural football clinics for kids.’
‘Hard to imagine a football player being any good at skating.’
‘Ice dancing,’ Milo corrected him with a grin. ‘And yeah, just like it’s hard to imagine singer-guitarists doubling up as ice dance ballerinas.’
‘This one can,’ Frank tapped Milo on the chest. Treble patted gently at his finger with her paw.
‘I bet you say that to all the boys.’
‘Only the pretty ones.’
Milo batted his eyelashes. “Why sah, d’y’all think Ah’m purty?’ he said in an appalling attempt at a Southern accent.
‘I think you’re fabulous dressed in nothing but a cushion and a cat, and I’m the luckiest bloke in all of Melbourne.’
‘You are,’ Milo agreed, carefully putting aside the cat, more rapidly putting aside the cushion. ‘Happy birthday, handsome.’ He kissed Frank on the lips then headed for the stairs to the upper storey. ‘Come to bed, old man, and snuggle with your boy toy.’
Frank threw the cushion at Milo’s head, then chased him up the stairs.
Chapter Three
CHANNEL 8 COMMS AND MEDIA – MEMO: Claire Poppy to Justin Samms
Please finalise images and proofread text for the press release. I’ll sign off before distribution. Include head shots beside the contestants now we have Adam W’s. Make sure Flynn and Wallace don’t get mixed up again, don’t want another social media riot. I know they’re both actors, but Wallace is also The Director. Hany is The Dancer and Bertolone is The Singer.
~ Claire.
CHANNEL 8 COMMS AND MEDIA – MEMO: Justin Samms to Claire Poppy
Claire, will do. Darn these triple threats. And is JoJo Busch really “The Lover”?
~ Justin
CHANNEL 8 COMMS AND MEDIA – MEMO: Claire Poppy to Justin Samms
She sure as hell doesn’t have any of the other skillsets and we can’t just call her a Reality Show Celebrity.
~Claire
CHANNEL 8 COMMS AND MEDIA – MEMO: Justin Samms to Claire Poppy
I guess she won Love is Blind fair and square. Right, that’s in design.
Will send it to you for final sign-off when Dylan gets it back to me.
~Justin
*
Press Release: Update
Press pack contains: contestant, host and judge biographies; headshots.
Channel 8 proudly presents Icing It! 2014!
The Chef. The Olympian. The Journalist. The Singer. The Dancer.
The Joker. The Sportsman. The Lover. The Actor. The Director.
Ten names acing it in their chosen field – but who will be Icing It! this summer?
Icing It! is hosted by Logie Award winner Duncan Andrew (Sale Away; Twice Around The Block) and Lily Maple (Who’s Who in the Zoo; Stop and Go Travel Show). Every week, they will guide our celebrity contestants as they compete for honours in the rink and for their chosen charity!
Each week, viewers will vote for their favourites. Their SMS votes, combined with the votes of our panel of expert and celebrity judges – choreographer Clifford Smith, Tony-Award winner Valerie Metcalfe, pop diva Mina D. and figure skating gold medallist Billy Deane – will determine who will stay and who will go!
Every Thursday for EIGHT weeks from 16 January, watch our stars compete for $50,000 for their chosen charity!
STOP PRESS STOP PRESS STOP PRESS
Icing It! is proud to announce that Hobart Kites midfielder and winner of the 2013 Brownlow “Best and Fairest” Medal, Adam Wills, will be taking the place of his team-mate, Josh Baker, who has had to withdraw due to injury.
The Icing It! team welcomes Adam to the rink, and wishes Josh a speedy recovery.
For interviews, photo opportunities and sound bites, contact Claire Poppy at the Channel 8 Media Office.
*
Channel Four
News at Six on Four with Glen Patchett
‘Next on News at Six on Four: Is troubled Hobart Kites ruckman Josh Baker on another bender? More after the break.’
Cue Channel 4 station logo and ads for cars. After the ads, an image of Baker in his team colours appears on the screen beside the newsreader, Glen Patchett.
‘Troubled
