A Vague Map Forms Of An Island

Check this out! says Sweezus.

Arthur looks at the video on Sweezus's phone.

That's Daniel O'Connell, says Arthur.

Yeah, I know, says Sweezus. He's gone viral in China. And made mega-bucks on Kickstarter.

So he'll be going to the Canaries, says Arthur. With money.

Yeah, says Sweezus. Canaries... where are the Canaries?

Off Africa, says Arthur. But they belong to Spain.

How come? says Sweezus.

Ask Spain, says Arthur. Anyway, I like Spain.

Me too, says Sweezus. So, are they near Spain?

Kind of, says Arthur. In a southerly direction. Somewhere in the ocean.

In Sweezus's head a vague map forms, of an island south of Spain, ringed by palm trees and lapped by a tropical ocean, with cool bars and large jugs of sangria.......

In Arthur's head, a spider he knows has some money, in need of spending......

Maybe we should pay Gaius a visit, says Sweezus.

Maybe we should, agrees Arthur.

They gulp down the dregs of their artisan cold drip coffees and head for their bicycles.

.......

Daniel O'Connell looks up from his packing.

What should I take?

The red box, suggests Baby Pierre. You look good in it.

It looked good behind me, says Daniel O'Connell.

It looks good anywhere, says Baby Pierre. And we'll both fit in it.

There won't be room for my clothes, says Daniel O'Connell.

Have you got clothes? asks Baby Pierre.

Not yet, says Daniel O'Connell. Belle's taking me shopping.

Don't buy too many, says Baby Pierre. It'll be hot there.

He doesn't know if it'll be hot there. He's worried about lack of SPACE.

........

Ding dong! It's Belle at the door, with Terence.

Come in Belle, says Gaius. And you, Terence.

Terence rushes in.

He is looking for Daniel O'Connell.

There he is on the table, near a red box, and Baby Pierre.

Guess what? says Terence. You're going shopping! And then guess what?

What? asks Daniel O'Connell. I mean, then what?

You're going to the Canaries, says Terence. And you might need a ... a... person who knows about parrots.

I've BEEN a parrot, says Daniel O'Connell. That is, you attempted to turn me into a parrot.

You were no good, says Terence.

Why do I need someone who knows about parrots? asks Daniel O'Connell.

Yes, why? says Baby Pierre. He doesn't. He needs someone who knows about .....about...

Postcards, says Daniel O'Connell.

This is perfectly true. Well done, Daniel O'Connell.

Ready? says Belle. Let's go shopping. Goodness, how small you are, Daniel O'Connell. We might have to go to a toy shop.

Oh no, says Daniel O'Connell. I'm not shopping for clothes in a toy shop.

We'll see, says Belle.

She scoops up Daniel O'Connell, drops him in the red box, and heads for the door.

At the door, about to ring the doorbell, are Sweezus and Arthur.

Hi guys, says Belle. Go in. I'm just taking Daniel O'Connell out shopping.

But we came to see him, says Sweezus.

We won't be long, says Belle. You guys wait here with Gaius and Kong. Ying's coming over.

Ying? says Sweezus. Is she the one who...?

Yes, says Belle. And she remembers you from Tasmania. You, and Arthur.

It was ages ago. Arthur has almost forgotten her, and the peach stone, the keys and the car, and the wallet.....