Dangerous Liaisons

Arthur rolls over deliberately trapping Ann Cox's arm under his belly while her hand feels around in his pocket.

Ann is mortified. It's beyond embarrassing. Why did Arthur do that?

But just then her fingers close around something hard, round and sticky.

It has to be Barney Buttery's half penny. That coin belongs to Pocklington. She won't let it go.

You said I could take it, she gasps.

I didn't say it would be easy, says Arthur, rolling away.

Ann Cox sits up, drops the coin hurriedly into her picnic basket, and looks over at Rosie. Rosie is texting.

Ann Cox hopes it is not about her.

They tramp back to Pocklington over the wolds, Ann Cox quite a long way in front.

She is thinking about Arthur, and how the whole thing was his fault.

Arthur is thinking about Ann Cox and how she was lucky. She could have been cut by his knife. Instead she has regained Barney Buttery His Half Peny for Pocklington. She may well be re-elected next year.

Arthur looks at his phone. He sees the message from Sweezus with Gaius's number. Good, now he can send Gaius the photo of the pelican window. He locates the photo and sends it to Gaius, at last.

Rosie comes up beside him. She has finished her texting. She is thinking, how funny was that. She had taken a photo. It looked like Arthur was pashing the Mayor. She has sent it to Gaius and Belle.

Why are you grinning? says Arthur.

No reason, says Rosie.

Arthur's phone buzzes. He has a text message from Gaius.

No wait, he has two!