The Bones Of Regret

Arthur and Surfing-With-Whales cycle down to Duck Bay with the King George whiting.

The King George whiting is hopeful of being returned.

He can't see very well. He interprets directional vibrations.

Of which there are many.

He dreams of home, the swaying zostera and posidona seaweed beds.........

The bicycles come to a halt.

Let's cook him, says Surfing-With-Whales. You go and find a forked stick.

Arthur goes off to look for a forked stick, while Surfing-With-Whales digs a hole in the sand for a campfire.

This is reprehensible.

They've already eaten two lunches.

.........

Are we there yet? says Terence.

Nearly, says Rosamunda.

Goody! I'm first on the slide, says Terence.

You may not be allowed on the slide, says Unni.

He won't be, says Ying. He's too short.

I'm not short, says Terence.

How tall are you? says Stew.

When I lived in a palace, says Terence, I dwelt on high. I looked down on people.

Ying shakes her head.

They have a measuring post, says Ying. If you don't measure up, you can't go down.

Arthur will let me, says Terence.

Arthur may be resourceful, but he can't perform miracles, says Gaius.

I know! says Terence. Call Grandpa! He wants to come.

Absolutely not, says Gaius. And Marx isn't your grandpa. Why can't you comprehend that?

Marx? says Stew. THE Marx?  Is he your Grandpa?

Yes, says Terence. He rules the world.

No he doesn't, says Ying, who has long eschewed communism.

But he's famous, says Stew. Why don't you call him? It would look good on....ahem..... it would be good.

I know what you were going to say, says Ying. Good on your CV. You're so self-interested.

Who was it asked for a credit? says Stew.

I worked for that credit, says Ying. I looked high and low for that fossil.

Peach stone, says Stew.

Let's hope they arrive at Dismal Swamp soon. It's all going pear-shaped in here.

.......

Arthur and Surfing-With-Whales are leaving Duck Bay.

On the beach behind them lies a fish head, one blank white eye turned skyward.

No bones to be seen.

The fish bones, scraped clean, are in Arthur's pocket.

Curved, delicate, sharp fish bones which may come in useful one day.