On the Wing

It was late afternoon. The VeloDrone, Marie, Belle et Bonne and Margaret were sitting on a wooden seat at the edge of the Goolwa Wharf, gazing across the river towards Hindmarsh Island and the bridge.

We must go over there tomorrow, said Marie.

What is there to do? asked The VeloDrone.

Visit the marina, said Marie. You can sit outside the cafe and look back across to here.

What is the point of doing that? asked The VeloDrone. We know what it looks like here.

Papa! said Belle et Bonne. You are on holiday! You must relax and enjoy yourself and stop questioning everything.

It's very nice just sitting here, said the VeloDrone. Look! there goes a pelican! Where's my camera?

He pulled his camera out of its bag and pressed some buttons before pointing it towards the sky.

Drat! The bird has flown! he muttered.

Try and snap the ones in front of you, said Margaret. There are two perfectly nice pelicans floating on the water there.

Thank you, Margaret, said The VeloDrone. But I always like to catch them on the wing, if possible.

Belle et Bonne giggled.

Papa has lots of pictures of the sky, she said.

Intentionally, said The VeloDrone. It's an ever-changing subject.

Well, said Marie. I think I'll go and explore the town and the shops. Would anyone else like to come?

Me, said Belle et Bonne.

The VeloDrone looked at Margaret.

That sounds like a girls' thing, he said encouragingly.

Maybe, said Margaret. But I think I'll wait here for Gaius and David.

The Velodrone stood up.

Well, girls, he said, to the shops we go. Au revoir, Margaret! We shall see you at dinner.