Shining Waterfalls And Secret Houses

The Ute rolls into Lorne, and stops on Mountjoy Parade, where all the cafes are.

It's half past four.

Ah, Lorne, the jewel of the Great Ocean Road, says Ray. I have memories of family holidays here in the caravan park. Millicent, me, Bunny, Barty, Bingo.........

You brought rabbits? says Schopenhauer. How extraordinary.

Rabbits? says Ray. No no. Bunny is my daughter, that was her name before she became Unni.

He shoots a black look at Arthur, who is helping Admiral de Guichen down from the tray.

What was Unni like in those days?  asks Arthur.

A treasure, says Ray. She used to take charge of Barty and Bingo and off they'd go. We wouldn't see them from dawn to supper time. Fishing, fishing, fishing.....

What for? says Gaius.

For Jesus, says Ray. That's how we used to work in those days. I know it was politically incorrect.

Disgraceful, says Schopenhauer. You and you wife ought to be horse whipped.

Water under the bridge, says Admiral de Guichen. Speaking of water....

Come with me, says Gaius. Give me the jug, Arthur.

Gaius, the jug and Admiral de Guichen make their way down to the rocks.

Right, says Schopenhauer. Let's get an early dinner. Any recommendations?

Fish and chips, says Ray. Unless you're paying.

I am paying, says Schopenhauer. I owe Arthur a dinner. What would you like, Arthur?

Fish and chips, says Arthur.

Here, says Schopenhauer, handing Arthur two fifty dollar notes. Get enough for everyone, and meet us on the beach.

Arthur goes off to find a fish and chip shop.

Schopenhauer and Ray go down to sit upon the sand.

It is a pretty bay, with rocks at one end, and steeply wooded hills in the background, threaded with shining waterfalls, and secret houses.

Kipling stayed here once, says Ray. He wrote a poem.

I bet it was dreadful, says Schopenhauer.

Actually it was, says Ray. If only I could remember it.

He closes his eyes, and tries to recall the verse he and Millicent had once laughed at.

Schopenhauer squints into the distance. He sees Gaius, with the sunlight flashing through his jug.

He can't see Admiral de Guichen.

Admiral de Guichen has gone as far as he can go, looking for Captain Louttit.

He is about to give up when he hears, AHOY! Admiral de Guichen!

Captain Louttit! cries Admiral de Guichen.

The two old sea dogs settle down for a yarn.

Just come through Port Fairy, says Admiral de Guichen.

How is it? says Captain Louttit. Much the same?

Gentrified, says Admiral de Guichen. You wouldn't know it.

Tell me about it, says Captain Louttit. Lorne was such a wild place in the sixties. Remember the Arab?

Hoarrr! says Admiral de Guichen. The Arab. Those girls in their bikinis. Do I what!