A Test Of Moral Character

This is what I bought instead of one big birthday cake, says Midge. Fifty Balfours frog cakes! How good is that!

Fifty frog cakes! says Sweezus. Wow! That's brilliant, Midge!

But secretly he is thinking he would rather have the money. Those frog cakes don't come cheap.

I'll put the box in Mrs Swales's fridge until tomorrow, says Midge. It's awfully hot and we don't want them to go off.

The frog cakes remain expressionless, but they can smell pizza, and they do not fancy a night in the fridge with leftovers. However there is nothing they can do.

Midge shoves them in the fridge.

.....

Next morning it is Sweezie's birthday.

Bunny gives him her present in the paper bag with twisted paper handles.

A Boxing Frog pen! says Sweezus. Thanks Bunny!  I didn't expect that. How'd you know I had a thing for frogs?

Arthur told me, says Bunny. ( But inside she is sad. Somehow the box of Balfours frog cakes has taken the edge off ).

Then she remembers that the real Frog had been a tomato.

Perhaps it didn't matter after all.

.....

Sweezus and Arthur are walking on the beach together after breakfast, discussing the broken paddle.

Whose paddle was it, anyway? asks Arthur.

Well that's the thing, says Sweezus. Surfing-With-Whales borrowed money from his mum to buy it. He's got this business plan. So I have to pay him back.

Or get another paddle, says Arthur. Look around.

There are several SUP boards and paddles lying on the sand, their owners being far too trusting for their own good.

For instance, says Arthur, shoving a paddle with his foot. One of these could end up floating out to sea. And then whoever found it......

Sweezus likes to think he is as rational as the next person. It seems a good idea.What could go wrong? And everyone who owns these freaking paddles must be rich and could easily buy themselves a new one. On the other hand ......

But Arthur has already pushed the paddle into the water.

Not that one, says Sweezus. That's a KiaLoa Pu Pu, just a cheapie. Try that Coreban Gold Kevlar paddle over there.