Followers Of Followers

Gaius returns with Saint Roley.

How is he? asks Sweezus.

All right if we don't mention cheese, says Gaius. Which reminds me....

Blurp! says Saint Roley.

Apologies, says Gaius.

I'm in his seat, says Sweezus.

Don't get up, says Gaius. Saint Roley can sit in your seat by the window. Now.....what was I saying?

About cheese, says Sweezus.

Blurrp! says Saint Roley.

Let it GO-O-O! sings Terence.

Very funny, says Saint Roley.

He sits down by the window. Stares out at the clouds.

Yes, now I remember, says Gaius. I was going to tell you that I've done my bit for the Sea Salt.

Meaning? asks Sweezus.

Meaning I provided some evidence of its fortune-telling ability to Maria Palomino, says Gaius. Of course it wasn't definitive.

Evidence? says Sweezus.

His head is still full of the cool surf breaks that he missed out on in Newcastle.

Gotta go back there.

What was that about evidence?

Gaius gives up and turns towards Arthur on the other side of the aisle.

Arthur!

But Arthur is looking at Lydia's phone.

She is showing him photos.

He has an idea.

But the flight attendants are many clicks ahead of him.

OMG! This Sea Salt is predicting a V sign!

And their faces. Mouths pouting, Ooh!

Flight attendants always look perfect. So they have lots of friends. And lots of followers.

All the friends and the followers and the followers of the followers will all want some Sea Salt.

Meanwhile Gaius is sitting back down.

Okay? asks Simon.

Good news, says Gaius. I have a phone number for Maria Palomino's son, a big cheese in Riobamba.

Bl.....hic! says Saint Roley. (A marked improvement).

And he is? asks Simon.

Pedro Vincente Maldonado, says Gaius. Scientist and father of marsupial frog-keeping children.

Excellent, says Simon. I've heard of this chap Maldonado. Some kind of explorer. Should be useful.

Things fall into place, says Gaius.

Indeed they do, says Simon.

Thud!

What is it?

Terence's noise reducing headphones appear out of nowhere, and fall heavily into his lap.