Thursday, April 4, 2024

The Power Of Y

Gaius and Terence go back to the hotel.

Katherine and Nerida are waiting.

Has Arthur been seen by a doctor? asks Katherine.

Yes, says Gaius. He'll be discharged in the morning.

That's great! says Nerida. We can all go to Kroombit Tops together.

Nerida and I have done the shopping, says Katherine. And the tents have been paid for. You can pick them up any time.

Excellent, says Gaius. I'll go and do it. 

Katherine gives him the receipt.

Gaius leaves.

Terence looks into the shopping bags.

Apples, red and green, dry biscuits, spring water, and yay! a red drink in a large plastic bottle.

Cranberry jiuce, says Nerida. And we bought a few treats.

What are they? asks Terence.

Mints, says Nerida, and Red Ripperz.

Have you ever had Red Ripperz? asks Katherine.

No, says Terence. What are they?

Red toffees, says Nerida. We thought you could safely suck them. 

Can Freddy have one? asks Terence.

Of course not, says Katherine. He's a chocolate frog. He can't suck a toffee.

The doctor said he might get a headache, says Terence.

Why? asks Nerida. 

Because of the bead in his head, says Terence.

He won't, says Nerida. Do you want to know why?

Yes, says Terence. 

Well, says Nerida, the bead I chose was a friendship bead with a letter on it, and the letter was Y.

So what? says Terence.

It's the question he's always asking, says Nerida. And it's part of him now

Does he know? asks Katherine.

I guess so, says Nerida. Or maybe he doesn't. I had to work quickly, and then the doctor came in.

He doesn't! says Terence.

We'll tell him, says Katherine, where is he?

Wah! cries Terence. I don't know.

Gaius will have him, says Katherine.

She is right. Gaius does have him. 

He is in a long queue at the camping shop.

He has reached into his pocket. Where did he put that receipt?

What's this? His fingers curl around Freddy.


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