Lurking Dragons And Sharks

It's Boxing Day. A good day for an outing. Belle et Bonne is driving Arthur and Sweezus to Henley Beach in David's car.

Arthur's phone rings.

Hello? says Arthur.

Hi, Arthur! says Rosamunda. Merry Christmas from China!

Rosamunda! says Arthur. You're alive!

Belle et Bonne raises her eyebrows at Sweezus.

Why shouldn't Rosamunda be alive?

Sweezus shrugs.

Do they have Christmas in China? asks Arthur.

Course they do, says Rosamunda. Christmas trees and presents and everything. And guess what. They don't close the shops. But the reason I'm calling is that I want to ask you a question.

Ask away, says Arthur.

Remember Lu Ban? says Rosamunda. Carpenter immortal? Dragon bike?

Yes, says Arthur.

Well, he's ready, says Rosamunda. The dragon bicycle is perfected. Have you teed everything up with Gaius?

Sure, says Arthur. Lu Ban's in the team.

Thing is, says Rosamunda. You know what he's like. He'll expect to be captain.

He'll be captain, says Arthur.

And he wants a contract, says Rosamunda.

Sure, says Arthur. I'll fix it. When are you coming?

I'll let you know, says Rosamunda. Say hi to Belle et Bonne for me.

Rosamunda says hi, says Arthur.

Hi  Rosie! trills Belle et Bonne.

Rosamunda rings off.

What's this? says Sweezus. Who'll be captain?

Lu Ban, says Arthur. Carpenter immortal. He's coming over for the Tour Down Under.

He can't just be captain, says Sweezus. Gaius won't like it.

Gaius will come round, says Arthur. Lu Ban has the ultimate dragon bicycle. He's just perfected it.

Sweezus wonders if Vello and David know about this new bicycle.

We're here! says Belle et Bonne. Doesn't the sea look lovely! Now where shall I park? There's no shade.

She parks the car on a side street. Gets out the picnic basket. They cross the road and walk down to the beach.

What's in the picnic basket? asks Arthur.

Turkey sandwiches, says Belle et Bonne. With lettuce, avocado and cranberry sauce. Followed by watermelon and grapes. And a surprise for you Arthur. But first let's go for a swim.

The sea is rippling, translucent and shallow. Tiny fish dart in and out of electrical currents of sunlight. You have to wade out  a long way for a decent swim.

Sweezus and Arthur and Belle float out to where sharks are quite possibly lurking.

There might be sharks this far out, says  Belle et Bonne.

Arthur hopes so.

Nah, says Sweezus. There won't be.

There is always someone who thinks that there won't be.

Nevertheless, they decide to swim back to the shore.

They return, dripping and intact to the picnic basket, to be met by Arthur's surprise.