Hallucinations

Arthur weighs up the pros and cons of taking possession of the zircon.

Hallucinations are responsible for his most successful poems.

He loves hallucinations.

And Gaius claims the zircon will combat them.

A lesser poet might choose not to take the zircon.

But not Arthur.

He decides to take the zircon.

He pockets the cardboard box.

Lavender is pleased.

Gaius is still going on about the wondrous properties of zircon.

It is well known, says Gaius, that a zircon will lose its shine before a thunderstorm.

Well, I didn't know that, says mum. I wonder if we'll get a thunderstorm tonight?

The zircon hopes not. It doesn't want to lose its shine.

Suddenly it hears a rumbling sound.

Oh no! Could that be thunder?

But it's only Arthur's tummy. He is hungry.

He hasn't eaten anything since last Friday, when he left his snacks behind.

He catches mum's eye.

Did you say before that we were having damper? asks Arthur.

Oh yes, the damper, says mum. Flour and water, right?

Mum! says Irma. It's more than that.

I hope so, says dad. I like mine with sultanas.

A little butter and sugar would be nice, says Dr Yates.

Did you know, says Gaius, leaning in to Arthur confidentially, that zircon improves the appetite?

Arthur thinks the zircon has precious little to do with it.

The zircon, on the other hand, begins to feel alarmed.

Appetite, snake bites, bleeds, hallucinations, thunderstorms and goodness knows what else?

Perhaps it has bitten off more than it can chew.