Is His Eye Out?

Sweezus stares at the grass where the tent was. Nothing. Not even the skewer.

Where did everyone go? Surely they haven't gone without him.

He walks over to the next tent, which is Ted and Sylvia's.

Ahem, he coughs before entering.

Sylvia is brewing up coffee.

Hi, says Sylvia. Come to fetch the little soldier? He's been so brave.

Ted is cradling Baby Pierre in a hankie.

Rocking him back and forth, crooning a lullaby.

Ree-ree-ree-roo-ee-oooh.

Baby Pierre is heavily bandaged.

Woah! says Sweezus. Is his eye out?

No, no, says Sylvia. It's back in now. He'll be okay.

Hello, says Baby Pierre. Is Ageless sorry?

He will be, says Sweezus. He ate the rest of the specimen.

All of it? says Baby Pierre.

Except for one black eye and a snout end, says Sweezus. Gaius will kill him.

Ooh! says Baby Pierre. Let's go then.

Bye bye, little fellow, says Ted.

By the way, says Sylvia. Your friend left a message.

She gives Sweezus a hand scribbled message, from Arthur.

.......

Sweezus and Baby Pierre are sitting outside in the sun in the spot where the tent was.

Baby Pierre's bandage is off. He looks better.

Sweezus is reading the note from Arthur.

Gone back with Ferdy. Taken the rest of the Bundy. See you in Perth.

Brilliant, thinks Sweezus. And that's not all they've taken.

Here comes Gaius, who has been looking for Ageless.

Where's our tent and equipment? asks Gaius. And more importantly, where is the specimen?

Arthur and Ferdy've taken it back to Perth, says Sweezus. They'll drop it off at the museum for DNA testing.

Excellent decision! says Gaius. Time is of the essence. Ha ha. For a while there, I feared Ageless had eaten it.

Baby Pierre opens his mouth to say something.

Sweezus holds up a finger.

Baby Pierre and I are going out on the Georgette this morning, says Sweezus.

Very good, says Gaius. Take my note book, you may spot something to add to the sum of our knowledge.

He pulls a notebook from his pocket.

Gaius's notebook. What a privilege.

Of course it's too much to ask him to also provide a pencil.

........

Am I coming? asks Baby Pierre, when Gaius has gone off again looking for Ageless.

Yes, says Sweezus. Don't say I'm not awesome.

You lied, says Baby Pierre. You lied about EVERYTHING.

I saved everyone from getting into trouble, says Sweezus.

What a red letter day.

But as usual he has not looked ahead to the future.