In Dream Hair

Kobo has chosen a chocolate bar, from the Agapey collection.

The Cacao Grenada.

Gaius has paid.

They leave the chocolate shop with the Cacao Grenada, which has been gift wrapped.

A white paper bag with handles. A white bow.

Gaius is lifting Kobo into his bicycle basket, when Griff cycles past with Terence.

Hey! cries Terence.

Griff stops. Ah, you found a chocolate shop. Good heavens! Agapey!

Griff is stunned. Saint Michael's very word (without the Y) has been made manifest.

He looks respectfully at the gift wrapped chocolate.

Their mission is blessed.

When do we leave on our expedition? asks Griff.

So you're coming? says Gaius. What about Terence? Who'll look after him?

Everyone looks at Ageless, because it will have to be Ageless.

Ageless realises it will have to be him.

All right, says Ageless. Give us some money.

I'm not made of money, says Gaius. I just forked out a small fortune for this Cacao Grenada. Go back to the hotel. See if the Thomas-Humes are doing an afternoon activity.

They're going out on a catamaran, says Kobo. I saw the itinerary.

Yay! cries Terence. I'm going out on a catamaran. What is it?

A double hulled boat, says Kobo. But if you go you must obey all the instructions.

I will, says Terence. I always obey the instructions.

Right, says Ageless. Start walking.

Not YOUR instructions, says Terence.

Walk, if you don't want me to NIP you, snarls Ageless.

Terence starts walking, backwards.

Ageless is mean.

Gaius and Griff set off together, with Kobo and the Cacao Grenada.

How pleasant it is without Terence.

How far to Gun Hill Signal Station? asks Griff. Do we know?

Eleven kilometres, says Gaius. We'll be there in no time.

An hour later, they arrive, puffing, because it was mainly uphill.

Not as fit as I should be, says Gaius.

Nor I, says Griff. Agh! An entry fee is required. Ten Bajan dollars, each. Are you paying?

We shall see, says Gaius. As an ex cavalry commander who served in Germania inferior I should qualify for a discount. You too, as the author of the Natural History of Barbados.

They try it on, but are rejected.

So Gaius pays up.

Pity about that, says Griff.

Just as well, says Gaius. We shouldn't draw attention to ourselves. We don't want to further endanger the Barbados racer. Well, what do you say Kobo? Shall we go up?

Kobo has been dreaming of her encounter with the Barbados racer.

In the dream it goes well. The Barbados racer comes out from under her lion and is disarmed by the gift of Cacao Grenada, her favourite. Of course she doesn't actually eat it. Who does? The Barbados racer invites Kobo into her home under the lion. She offers her green tea.  Of course they don't drink the green tea. Who does? The Barbados racer invites Kobo to run with her all the way down Gun Hill to a beach she knows which is sandy. They run on the beach side by side, the wind blowing back their dream hair, they collapse on the sand together laughing and soft and creamy, the sand getting into .....

..... a little opening under there, says Gaius. I'll poke it. You be ready to take a photo.

Gaius picks up a stick, while Griff readies his phone.