For Those With Night Vision

Katherine's toe has stopped bleeding.

Freud's mouth is gritty with sand.

They walk to the end of the jetty, past hooded fishermen and women with buckets.

They reach the ladder, and lean over to peer down at the dark swirling water.

Shall we? says Freud.

Why not? says Katherine.

They hoist their legs over the barrier, and climb down the ladder, Katherine first.

She reaches the bottom and jumps.

Freud jumps in after her.

What fools these mortals be, thinks the salmon, who is watching.

It is not the right time of year for salmon, but this one is The Guardian.

If any salmon turn up, he says: You are early (or late).

And they go away, feeling foolish.

However, the reef teems with life.

Underneath Freud, who is swimming briskly in heavy shorts and loose tee shirt, there are wonders to be seen, by those with night vision.

Marine plants and fish, bryozoans, sponges, hydroids, ascidians, molluscs, drummer, trevally, blue devils....

Katherine strikes out for the reef.

It should be there somewhere.

But the date is against her.

It is Halloween. High tide is at 8.50 pm.

She swims around for a while in a circle, and bumps into her companion.

Agh! Is that you dear?

Yes, it is, I believe the reef must be covered. We failed to observe in the darkness....

Bump. Katherine bumps into a salmon. THE salmon.

Boo! says the Salmon.

You must have some fun on Halloween.

Katherine heads for the ladder, followed by Freud.

They walk back down the jetty, dripping,  past hooded fishermen and women with buckets.

No one looks up.

If they had, there could have been a great fictional coincidence.

Because one of them is Surfing-with-Whales,

who knows where to find Sweezus and Arthur,

who are being sought by Gaius and Rosamunda,

who are back at the van.

But  no one looks up.