Blu Tack, Useful but Dangerous

Irma and Emma's mum comes over from the campsite with two mugs of tea.

Tea, anyone? she says.

No thanks, dear, says dad.

Mum, says Irma, Lavender's upset.

Lavender? says mum. Who's Lavender?

Here, says Irma, pointing at red tear-stained Lavender on the drying table, next to bits of dried mud.

What happened? asks mum.

Her insides fell out, explains Irma.

That's not what happened, says Lavender, sniffing.

I see exactly what happened, says mum. Hold this tea, Arthur, I'll be back in a tick with some Blu Tack.

She leaves Arthur holding the two mugs of tea and goes over to the family Jeep. She comes back in a tick with the Blu Tack.

Now, Lavender, she says, just hold still.

She presses a small piece of Blu Tack into Lavender's space, and then eases it out.

Here's your insides for you, Lavender, says mum. And beautiful insides they are.

Lavender looks at the Blu Tack. It looks like a raised auger shell on a pebble, the reverse image of her.

Happy? says mum.

NO! wails Lavender. It's in danger.

What do you mean? asks mum. In danger of what?

Squashing, says Lavender.

Don't worry, says mum. We'll put it in a box. Now Arthur, do you want one of those teas?

No thank you, says Arthur.

Perhaps your friend over there? says mum.

He's no friend of mine, says Arthur.

Arthur! says mum. That sounded rude and dismissive!

But mum, says Emma, it's Monsieur Verlaine.

Oh, I see, says mum. I remember Monsieur Verlaine from before, at the caravan park. He disrupted the paddy melon bowls. He kicked them all out of the ring in a terrible temper. He must be under some sort of domestic pressure, or have employment issues. I'll take him a mug of tea.

She walks over to Paul Verlaine's Jeep, and taps on the window.

The window rolls down.