The Fall Of The Apple

Did you leave a note for Katherine? asks Rosamunda.

No, says Gaius. I told David instead. He said he'd tell her.

Tell her what exactly? asks Rosamunda.

Thanks for the loan of the car, says Gaius. By the way do we have enough petrol?

I filled it, says Rosamunda. But that's my contribution. Next time it should be one of the others.

Hear that? says Gaius, turning round.

No, we didn't, says Arthur.

No, what? says Surfing-With-Whales.

You have to pay for the petrol, says Terence.

Sure, says Arthur.

Sure, says Surfing-With-Whales.

Is there anything to eat? asks Arthur.

No, says Rosamunda. We'll be stopping at Murray Bridge. There's a supermarket. We can stock up there. Arthur, that can be your contribution.

All right, says Arthur. What does everyone want?

I want lollies, says Terence.

Lightly sparkling spring water, says Rosamunda.

Chips, says Surfing-With-Whales.

An apple, says Gaius. A green one. And .....has anyone brought a peeler?

No one has.

Don't worry, I'll get a peeler, says Arthur.

Gaius leans back in the passenger seat. Life is simple, when you travel with Arthur.

The sun shines on the straw yellow hillsides. The cloudless sky glows like a paint ball. It's hot and sticky in the back seat of Katherine's car.

Get off me, says Terence.

Sorry, says Surfing-With-Whales. How come you take so much room?

I'm a wriggler, says Terence. When will we get there?

Here we are, says Rosamunda, not a moment too soon.

She stops outside the Coles to let Arthur out.

We'll go down to to the river and wait for you there, says Rosamunda.

Okay, says Arthur, disappearing into the Coles.

...

It's nice by the river. Shady gum trees.

So, says Gaius, You're meeting Unni at the ferry terminal.

Yeah, says Surfing-With-Whales.

Did she say she had someone else with her? asks Gaius.

Yeah, says Surfing-With-Whales. But she didn't say who though.

It will be Louis-Claude de Whatnot, says Gaius.

Ooh! says Rosamunda. A toff!

A sailor, says Gaius, neglecting to add, also a lobster.

Surfing-With-Whales hopes Louis-Claude de Whatnot breaks his neck on the bus trip from Sydney.

Not that this is likely to happen.

Arthur comes back, with chips, sparkling water and a green apple.

Where's my lollies? asks Terence.

Arthur bends down low to the hard little ear of Terence.

Steal them yourself, whispers Arthur.

I don't do stealing, says Terence. And I'm dobbing.

Won't do you any good, says Arthur.

Peeler? says Gaius.

Arthur hands him a handsome peeler. Not a Coles one. A House one, shaped like a fish. Made in Germany where good design is appreciated.

Delightful, says Gaius. It's fish-shaped. Thank you, Arthur.

He starts to peel his large Granny Smith, with the fish peeler, starting from the top, and turning the apple, so that the peel remains one long green ribbon.

He gives it to Rosamunda.

Throw it over your shoulder, says Gaius. It'll fall in the shape of the initial of the person you will marry.

Rosamunda takes the green ribbon, and throws it over her shoulder.

It falls on the grass in an S-shape.