And Play The Game

It's a long time since Gaius has done any rowing.

And Griff is not doing his share.

Bridgetown shimmers far away in the distance.

Are we there yet? asks Terence.

You know we're not there yet, says Kobo. Let's play a game.

YES! says Terence. Let's play Cannot But Be.

No, says Kobo. I don't know Cannot But Be. Let's play Stop the Bus. Think of a category.

You think of a category, says Terence.

Chocolate, says Kobo.

( She has been thinking of chocolate, ever since her forced lie to the sea snake ).

Okay, says Terence. Is it red chocolate?

There's no such thing as red chocolate, says Gaius. Just play the game.

But now Griffith Hughes is also thinking of chocolate. He rows faster.

Choose a letter, says Kobo.

B, says Terence.

Right, says Kobo. Now write down all the kinds of chocolate you can think of beginning with B.

Can't, says Terence.

Chocolate brownies, sniggers Ageless.

Ageless, stop spoiling the game!

Want to know why I chose B? asks Terence. Because I'm playing Cannot But B.

Bridgetown looms on the horizon.

All right, says Kobo. You start.

What if there was a........Brownie? says Terence.

What then?

Cannot but Brownie, says Terence.

No one even laughs.

This is not what happened when he played it with Baby Pierre.

What went wrong this time?

Terence is sad because he has forgotten ( again) how to play Cannot But Be.

Luckily the long row is over. They tie up the row boat and climb the stone steps of the harbour.

Gaius heads off to his bike.

Going already? says Griff. What about maps?

I know where Gun Hill is, says Terence. I went on the tour with that lady.

You're not coming with me, says Gaius.

But I am, says Kobo. I promised the Barbados racer a gift.

Did you? says Gaius. Then you must honour your promise. What is the gift?

Delicious chocolate, says Kobo. I was talked into it.

That reminds me. Easter is coming, says Griff.

Easter! says Terence. That's my birthday! Do I get a present?

Griff looks at the unholy infant.

So he thinks Easter's his birthday! I'll show him.

Come with me Terence, says Griff.

We shall all go, says Gaius. I assume we'll be chocolate shopping.

Yes, we must be, says Kobo.

Cannot but be! says Terence.

This time at least, Kobo laughs.