No One Has A Grandpa

Eventually, Margaret and Ying, tired of waiting, make their way back to the vehicle.

At last! snaps Katherine.

Where's my hammer? says Margaret.

Where you left it, says Katherine. Now get in. We'll be late back to Penguin.

Margaret climbs in the front, next to Katherine.

Ying gets in the back, next to Arthur, who finds himself in the middle.

He doesn't like being in the middle. He wants to look out of the window.

Would you rather be in the middle? asks Arthur.

No thank you, says Ying.

I'll go in the middle, says Gaius. Stand up Arthur. I'll slide under you.

The car is already moving. Arthur stands up. His head appears between Margaret and Katherine.

Sit down Arthur! says Katherine.

I can't, says Arthur. Not while Gaius is moving.

Hurry up, Gaius, says Margaret. You ALWAYS were slow!

Gaius takes no notice of Margaret. He has more pressing problems. He has slid across some kind of prong.

Ouch, says Gaius, reaching under his bottom, and pulling out a geology hammer.

What is it! cries Katherine. Do I need to slow down?

No, no, says Gaius. It's all right.

He hands the geology hammer to Arthur in silence.

Arthur shoves it into his pocket.

Ying has missed everything. She has been looking out of the window, wishing she'd had the presence of mind to change places with Arthur. Then she would still be sitting beside him. Instead it is Gaius.

Gaius settles down in between Ying and Arthur.

He wriggles to get himself comfortable. He can't. He is going to have a big bruise.

Anyone like a jelly bean? asks Margaret, hoping by this means to smooth everything over.

We already ate them, says Katherine.

They drive on in silence to Penguin.

.........

Rosamunda, Unni, Marx, Stew and Terence arrive in Penguin, and head straight for the Groovy Penguin Cafe.

Grandpa! says Terence. Come and see Baby Bin Penguin!

First I should like a cup of coffee, says Marx.

I'll get that, says Unni. You go with Terence. What would you like?

A double espresso, says Marx. I'm in need of a pick-me-up.

Come ON! says Terence. He lives just over there.

Terence drags Marx over the road to where the family of Bin Penguins is arranged on the foreshore.

Baby Bin Penguin! cries Terence. I'm back! This is my Grandpa!

Baby Bin Penguin can't understand it. No one has a Grandpa.

Hello, Terence, says Baby Bin Penguin. Do you mean your dad?

Dad, says Terence, darkly. Do you mean Saint Joseph?

What? says Baby Bin Penguin. Are you an Adventist?

No! cries Terence, in tears.

What's this nonsense about Saint Joseph? says Marx. Religion is merely an opiate. Speaking of which, I've ordered a double espresso. Mustn't let it get cold.

He turns back towards the Groovy Penguin Cafe.

I like your dad, says Baby Bin Penguin. He's funny. I wish he was my dad.

Daddy Bin Penguin overhears this remark, and is not best pleased.

Should he say something?

Clang Clang Clang. He opens and shuts his bin mouth indecisively.