The Disadvantage of Using A Willoughby

The First Terrible Thing was: Lavender overbalanced, and fell into the bucket of stones.

But was it so terrible? Surely all Lavender had to do was call out to Irma for help.

She was about to do that when the Second Terrible Thing happened.

The Second Terrible Thing was: Arthur dumped a full spade of dirt and stones on top of her, not realising she was there.

But was that so terrible? Surely Irma knew Lavender had fallen into the bucket.

She would have, but for the Third Terrible Thing.

Irma's dad shouted, Irma!

Irma's attention was diverted.

Irma turned towards her dad. (This was when Lavender was falling into the bucket).

What, dad? called Irma. (This was when Arthur was burying Lavender inadvertently).

Come over here a minute! said Irma's dad.

Irma went  over to her dad, thinking he may have found a zircon.

.........

Lavender is buried under a layer of dirt and stones.

She can't breathe.

Luckily, she doesn't need to.

She looks around.

Dirt, stones, pebbles.

Some of the pebbles are jostling her.

Uh, uh, say the pebbles.

It's their way of mocking.

It's not funny, says Lavender.

Uh, uh.

Lavender wonders why, if she is an augur, she didn't know this was going to happen.

Lavender has an existential thought.

If she is just an empty space in a stone, might she not just as well be elsewhere?

She looks down at herself.

Her empty space is filled with dirt, there is no chance of moving.

She will have to remain where she is.

Uh, uh.

Suddenly, the bucket is lifted into the air. The contents, including Lavender and the mocking pebbles, are tipped into a sieve. The sieve is plunged into a Willoughby, and moved up and down in the water.

Lavender feels the dirt in her space turn to mud.