Frames And Revelations

Margaret has eased open the box and seen what's inside it.

She can't help smiling. She closes the lid.

Arthur is reading Richie Porte's handwritten notes, the section he wrote at Mentougou:

.....now i know i can face it. he wants me to write philosophy as if i could do that but why not ? arthur says write and dont stop. there are these 2 girls with a tent they feed us bean jelly or something one of them thinks i'm a pilot. team sky get it? that's funny.  i go to sleep but not before thinking. next morning i'll start to try writing good writing with adjectives and .......

He can't help smiling. He would put in some commas and capitals, but he doesn't have a pencil.

The tea trolley comes by. Gaius is woken by the rattle.

Margaret hands him the box.

My fossils! says Gaius. I had forgotten!

He opens the box.

He can't help frowning

............

Ming Rong is an art photographer. He can print his own photos.

Rosamunda showers while her silk pyjamas are drying.

When she comes out Ming Rong shows her the photograph of herself falling down from the moon bridge.

She looks like the goddess Chang'e, dancing on the moon..

I knew it would be awesome, says Ming Rong. I'll frame it and exhibit it in my studio. Everyone will come.

I don't look Chinese, says Rosamunda doubtfully.

That's the point, says Ming Rong. I'm an avant garde artist.

Should there be a rabbit? says Rosamunda.

You inspire me. There will be multiple rabbits, says Ming Rong.

...........

Up in the air, Gaius Margaret and Arthur are peering into the fossil box.

Inside the fossil box lie Lavender and Ouvert, bound up with sticky tape, quite unable to speak.

Get them out, Arthur, says Gaius. I want to see if there's anything underneath.

Arthur lifts Lavender out, followed by Ouvert. He begins removing the sticky tape.

Gaius pokes in the corners. A few dry yellow crumbs stick to his fingers. He licks them.

Salted duck egg, says Gaius. How disappointing.

Look on the bright side, says Margaret. You've got Lavender and Ouvert back. And we thought we'd left them behind.

True, says Gaius, we ought to have noticed. But I feel I have been diddled.....

This is not the reunion Lavender and Ouvert had expected.

They could speak now, but they say nothing and stare reproachfully at Arthur.

..........

Rosamunda and Ming Rong are buying a frame from a frame shop.

It is a red one. It will look amazing with Rosamunda floating inside it.

Next they go to a newsagent, and check out the stickers.

Love hearts, smiley faces, fairies, dinosaurs, horses, cats....... RABBITS!