Saturn On Friday

It is still the same day, early evening.

Tiny Sacrifice and Third Sister have reached the base of Gun Hill.

Any more chocolate? asks Tiny Sacrifice.

No, says Third Sister. What else do snakes eat?

Frogs, say Tiny Sacrifice. Lizards. Other snakes, sometimes.

Yuk, says Third Sister. Would you eat me?

No way, says Tiny Sacrifice. You're my sister.

They slither on in silence, feeling hungry.

Where did you get the chocolate? asks Tiny Sacrifice.

Mother, says Third Sister.

Where did she get it?

A beautiful clam gave it to her, says Third Sister. Before we were born.

Let's find the beautiful clam, says Tiny Sacrifice.

How? asks Third Sister.

We'll ask Nose, says Tiny Sacrifice. Nose is my friend. She wears pirate pantaloons. She killed Stede Bonnet.

She sounds cool, say Third Sister. Let's go.

Tiny Sacrifice thinks he remembers the way back to the Waves Resort Hotel. It was just north of Deep Water Harbour. If he climbs up a tree, he might see it

But evening is deepening as he climbs up the cherry tree.

Lights are coming on in the Harbour.

Car headlights are flashing and swooping. Windows twinkle.

Saturn is visible in the sky. It is Friday.

What can you see? calls Third Sister.

The hotel, says Tiny Sacrifice. It's about ten minutes away.

Come down, calls Third Sister. I hear footsteps.

A cherry drops down.

Plop.

Tiny Sacrifice slithers down to his sister.

She is eating the cherry, but saving him half.

He loves his sister. She doesn't know he has eaten three cherries already.

They head off to the Waves Resort Hotel.

It is more than ten minutes away.

......

On the beach in front of the Waves Resort Hotel, sit Ageless lobster, and Kobo clam.

They are looking at Saturn.

The sky is beautiful tonight, says Kobo.

Not as lovely as you, my cream puff, says Ageless.

Why don't we stay in Barbados, says Kobo.

Because soon we'll be heading to Dusseldorf, says Ageless.

For the Tour de France? asks Kobo. Are you riding?

Not this year, my sweet. Baby Pierre has asked me to be his team manager.

Has he? says Kobo. What was he thinking?

I am the Claw. says Ageless. That's what he's thinking. The Claw knows all about tactics.

Do you hear sniffing? asks Kobo.

Ageless listens. He does.

They stop looking at Saturn, and focus on the sniffing, which is coming from Nose.

Kobo goes over.

What's the matter, Nose dear?

I feel so sorry for Tiny Sacrifice, says Nose. And I want to go home.

Come and sit with us, says Kobo. Where are the others?

At the Harry Bayley Observatory, sniffs Nose. I didn't go. I'm waiting for Tiny.

We'll all wait for Tiny, says Kobo. Come and sit in the middle. We're looking at Saturn.

It's a nice thing to do.