The Dry Cleaned Impostor

The plane lands in Dubai.

This is awful, says Belle. Ninety minutes. A bit tight, don't you think?

We can do it, says Sweezus.

What's ninety minutes? says Gaius.

All the time we've got here, says Belle.

Excellent says Gaius. I dislike waiting in airports. What do you think, Terence?

Giraffe! says Terence.

We may not have time to visit Giraffe, says Belle.

......

Giraffe (an airport café).

Terence: And something for Mia.

Arthur: It's a toy.

Saint Roley: Mine isn't hungry.

Terence: Mine is too thin.

Arthur: Because you took out the blanket.

Saint Roley: I didn't. I kept mine in.

Arthur: Finish your red drinks.

Terence: I can't drink fast.

Arthur: I'll screw the lid on.

Terence: I'll do it.

........

A trail of red spots follows Terence, Arthur and Saint Roley to the boarding gate.

Terence hasn't properly screwed the lid on.

.......

There you are ! says Belle. You only just made it. Terence! What's happened to your Mia?

The blue manta ray fluffy toy Mia is red and wet at the bottom.

.....

Oop! says the boarding pass inspector. You can't bring that on.

Wah! says Terence.

But he can't bring it on.

.......

On board Emirates flight 414 from Dubai to Sydney.

Now Terence, says Belle, grow up and stop sulking. Would you like to sit next to Sweezus?

YAY! says Terence.

The flight attendant floats by in her red hat with the floating veil, floating.

Toy? says the flight attendant.

No thanks, says Sweezus.

For the child, says the flight attendant. Perhaps a Savannah?

He wrecked the last one, says Sweezus. Got red sticky stuff all inside it.

Oh dear, says the flight attendant. Was it a Savannah?

It was a blue fluffy manta ray thing, says Sweezus.

A Mia! says the flight attendant. I'm with you. Guess what?

What? says Terence.

It's been dry cleaned, says the flight attendant. Here is your Mia,

She hands Terence a Mia.

Terence knows she is lying.

Because it's not thin.

But he is sitting next to Sweezus. Normally that wouldn't happen. Sweezus always sits next to Arthur. They talk about cycling and surfing and writing and how they can get money. But now it's just him.

Thank you, says Terence, accepting Mia, the dry cleaned impostor.

My pleasure, says she, smiling sweetly at Terence and Sweezus.

For the first time in his life Terence feels like a grown up. He has not made a fuss.

But it only lasts a few seconds, because guess what?

Saint Roley has got a Savannah.