The Voice Of The Ocean

Unfortunately, that was an ill-judged decision.

Saint Roley is trapped in the cave.

It is dark.The waters are rising. He finds a perch somewhere high.

Through the entrance, he can see the bush he flew in from, and a patch of blue sky.

Gurgle-gurgle-slurp-slurp-ss-sa-swoosh-saint-ro-o-ley!

Is that Belle's voice? or the voice of the ocean.

Yes? cries Saint Roley.

Two old cheeses fall from the sky.

They land in the bush, and lodge there.

Too late! cries the voice of the ocean (or Belle's voice).

The wind blows away the reply.

I'm coming up! cries the voice of the ocean.

I'm aware of that, mutters Saint Roley.  I regret my precipitate action.

Keep it simple, whispers the voice of the ocean. Don't use big words, ss-saint-ro-o-ley....

.......

Belle arrives at the cliff top.

See anything? asks Gaius.

No, says Belle. But two old cheeses fell into a bush as I was leaving.

Damn! says Jeanne Jugan.

I shouted the instruction, says Belle. He might have heard it.

You did your best, says Gaius.

You did, dear,  says Jeanne Jugan. Now I have good news. As well as the cheeses Thierry has given me a whole bag of grouins. That means we can have a free lunch.

Grouins? says Gaius. Are they some sort of seafood?

Ha ha! laughs Jeanne Jugan. They pass in the restaurant for currency. One euro equals one grouin.

What is the point of that? asks Gaius.

Merely a bit of fun, says Jeanne Jugan. Look, Terence and Baldy. Here are your grouins.

She gives them each three silver and two gold ones.

Yay! says Terence. We can buy red drinks!

Hm, says Belle. Perhaps you should let me look after your grouins.

No! cries Baldy. She gave them to US!

Terence and Baldy run off with their treasure, towards the restaurant.

Jeanne Jugan shrugs.

It is clear that Jeanne Jugan is not used to dealing with infants.

At least they have forgotten about Saint Roley, says Gaius.

Yes, says Belle. Poor little Saint Roley.

Nonetheless, I have faith in Saint Roley, says Gaius.

They head off to the restaurant with Jeanne Jugan, to get their free lunch.

.....

And should we have faith in Saint Roley?

Yes.

Saint Roley has spotted a passing dolphin, through the last tiny crack at the top of the gurgling mouth of the grotto.

And come up with a plan.