A Soft Green Shapeless Lifeless Candidate

The sun is going down on Sweezie's birthday. The beach is littered with seagulls, dead and dying.

Come on back to mum's, says Surfing-With-Whales.

They all go back to Mrs Swales.

They are surprised to see Raymond Moon and Bunny sitting in the kitchen eating scones.

Moon! says Mrs Hume. I thought you'd given us up.

Dad's in a good mood, says Bunny. There's a Miracle Tent coming.

Not again! says Sweezus. That was here last year.

It comes every year, says Mrs Swales. They pray for miracles, so I've heard. Cures and that. And they get them, too.

I'll believe it when I see it, says Sweezus. But I won't see it, he adds quickly. 'Cause I won't be going.

Arthur likes the sound of a Miracle Tent however. And so does Mrs Hume.

Have a raisin scone, says Mrs Swales, handing round the plate.

Thank you, Lauren, says Midge. Thanks, Lauren, says Belle et Bonne. Thanks, says Mrs Hume.

 No thanks, say Arthur, Sweezus and Surfing-With-Whales.

You boys lost your appetites? says Mrs Swales.

The frog cakes were off, says Sweezus. I had two.

That reminds me, says Belle et Bonne, opening the esky.

Too late. The last frog cake is no longer a sentient being.

What a shame, says Midge. We can't even give it to the seagulls.

Drop it in the bin, says Mrs Swales.

Save it for the Miracle Tent, says Sweezus, looking pointedly at Raymond Moon.

Raymond Moon chews his scone imperturbably.

That's a good idea, says Mrs Hume. Arthur, put it in your pocket. Here, wrap it in a tissue first.

She fishes in her handbag for a tissue and gives it to Arthur

Arthur wraps the soft green shapeless lifeless frog cake in the tissue paper and shoves it in the pocket of his shorts.