If Doctor Wallenius is coming tomorrow, says Unni, we'll have to camp here.
Cool, says Sweezus. Can we camp near a beach?
We have three campsites in Booderee, says Rose. One is at Cave Beach. It's popular with the surfers. But it's school holidays, so we're full.
No worries, says Sweezus. We can sleep in the ute.
Well, since it's for science, says Rose. And for Doctor Wallenius.....
Awesome, says Sweezus. Do you have a spare surfboard?
No, says Rose. And I'm late for pest management. I'll see you tomorrow.
We'll be going now, says Merve. It's a three hour drive back to Blaxland.
Mark comes across with the children, who all look grumpy.
What's the matter? asks Unni.
We can't have an ice cream, says Mo.
It's her fault, says Faith. She said .....
Don't say it! says Joybells.
Quite right, says their mother. I don't want to hear that rude word ever again.
But WE didn't say it, says Faith.
Did you give Mo that rubber spider? asks Merve.
Yes I did, says Unni. She can keep it.
She doesn't want it, says Merve. Give it back, Mo.
Mo pulls the rubber spider out from under her shorts.
The nice day is unravelling.
As for you, says Merve, looking directly at Sweezus.
What? says Sweezus.
As for you, I don't know what we were thinking, letting you near our children, says Merve.
Hey! He's okay with children, says Unni.
Not in our book, says Mark.
The family heads back to their Jeep and the spiderless, my-little-poniless journey to Blaxland.
Mo looks back at Sweezus, silently mouthing what looks like an f and a u.
Let's go back and tell dad and Katherine we're staying, says Unni.
They go back to the tree.
Staying! says Ray. What about sleeping arrangements?
It'll be fun, Ray, says Katherine. You three can sleep in the back of the ute and I'll sleep in the cabin.
Sweet, says Sweezus. And we'll camp at Cave Beach. Hang on, what about food?
Oranges, says Ray. I knew you'd be grateful.
There are one or two leftover sandwiches, says Katherine. That wasn't proper cheese you know. It was dairy free bio-cheese.
Sweezus is undaunted.
There'll be other dudes at the campsite, with proper food, and surfboards. Let's get going.
Dad, what's your bible doing open? asks Unni.
Drying, says Ray. A bird shat on it.
What kind of bird? asks Unni.
Grey-brownish, with a long tail, says Ray.
Underparts? asks Unni.
Dappled, says Ray. Why are you asking?
Did it have bristles around its beak? asks Unni, beginning to feel a little excited.
Couldn't say, says Ray. Did you notice, Katherine?
I was reading, says Katherine.
Dad's Bible? says Unni.
Don't look so surprised, says Katherine. It's very nice on the subject of horses.
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