A Reminder That Death Comes To All

The Observatory opens at eight. So there's time for a quick snack in the Shiso restaurant.

Terence is excited. He orders a red drink, and gets one.

It's cherry juice.

That will do you good, says the spirit of Iris Bannochie. Drink it up.

Don't say that, says Terence. I give the orders.

Get used to the life of a parrot, says Nose.

I have no idea what you're talking about, says the spirit of Iris Bannochie. I'm no parrot. I'm strictly speaking not even a hummingbird.

Luckily the food arrives at this moment.

The waiter has told the chef that Gaius has a hummingbird on his shoulder.

In honour of which, the chef has decorated Gaius's flying fishburger with a sprig of Pride of Barbados.

I love this! says Iris Bannochie. It's the national flower of Barbados, and attractive to hummingbirds. May I try it?

The seeds are poisonous, says Gaius. Be careful.

No need to warn me, says the spirit of Iris Bannochie.

She picks at the flowers.

Mm-yum-yummm.

Shall we be going? asks Griff, who has gobbled his burger.

In a minute says Gaius, who has not. Why don't you go and ask Reception if young Richard Ligon has phoned.

Griff heads off to reception to ask Reception that question.

The answer is no.

But there is a message from Julia, who has found the stuffed Barbados racer in the boot of her Mini.

Damn! says Gaius. That was careless.

A stuffed one! says Nose. Lucky Tiny Sacrifice isn't here!

Why do you say that? asks Gaius. I intended it for a comfort. No doubt he's missing his parents.

Nose can't believe Gaius could be so insensitive.

If she had lost her parents, would she be comforted by stuffed ones? No! It would be too confronting. A reminder that Death comes to all.

A wave of nostalgia for her parents overwhelms her. Even the projected tunnel under the Upper Sturt Road seems less intimidating. For her mother and father would surely protect her from unsavoury bandicoot mates in distant locations....

I don't think I'll come to the Observatory, sniffs Nose. I'll just say here in case Tiny Sacrifice turns up.

Very good, says Gaius, not noticing her sniffles.

So the party for the Observatory now consists of Gaius and Griff on their hired bicycles, and Terence in Gaius' front basket with the spirit of Iris Bannochie, who is giving directions.

This way, says the spirit of Iris Bannochie.

They are heading out into the suburbs of Bridgetown, and uphill slightly.

The sky darkens. No clouds tonight. Good for observing the night sky through a sixteen inch telescope.

Now, Terence, says Iris Bannochie. When we get there, I want you to be very good and sit quietly while we listen to the talk and watch the video.

You can't say that! says Terence.

Oh yes I can, says the spirit of Iris Bannochie. I've experience with children.

You're a rubbish parrot, says Terence.

WHAT did I tell you? asks the spirit of Iris Bannochie

You're not a parrot, says Terence. And not a humble bird either.

Hummingbird, says the spirit of Iris Bannochie. Not a hummingbird. I'm inhabiting the  body of a hummingbird. It's not the same thing.

What's the humble bird like without you inside it? asks Terence.

A strangled cry emerges from between Iris Bannochie's twin beaks. Wark! Hope for the future.

But for now, it's ten to eight, and they have arrived at the Harry Bayley Observatory, recently refurbished, and repainted in cream with red details. Light beams from an open red door. A crowd of twenty five tourists is waiting.

Mars and Saturn are going to be visible tonight.