She Loves Anything With Sand

Humboldt comes out of the terminal looking for Ageless.

He finds him at the termite mounds, with Tom McDonald.

This your lobster? asks Tom McDonald.

He's his own lobster, says Humboldt. But he is with my party.

And no longer welcome, says Ageless.

Not at all, says Humboldt. The willie joke is all but forgotten. Come, we take off shortly.

Where're you people headed? asks Tom McDonald.

Weipa, says Humboldt. Do you know it?

Know it? says Tom. I've flown all over.

Are you a pilot? asks Humboldt.

You could say that, says Tom. Bit long in the tooth now. Used to take off from that sand ridge over there. You can't see it but you can imagine. A Gypsy Moth.

From beer barrels, says Ageless.

You're joking, says Humboldt.

Not always beer barrels, says Tom. Anything that was available.

Do much flying now? asks Humboldt.

Gaius comes out to look for Humboldt.

Time to go to the boarding gate.

Yeah a bit, answers Tom McDonald. I could take you up, if you weren't in a hurry. Show you the reef.

Humboldt would love to go up. He had been unable to look at the reef from the air as they flew into Cairns because of the willie joke, which had to be dealt with.

I'm in no hurry, says Humboldt.

Er-hem, says Gaius. You are.

How's about this? says Tom McDonald. I'll give this chappie and the lobster a spin and then I'll drop them in Weipa.

Capital! says Humboldt. You don't mind, do you Gaius?

Of course not, says Gaius. I only wish I could join you. But you wouldn't have room for the others.

Is one the fossilised clam? I could take that one, says Tom.

Ageless beams.

Of all our party, says Gaius, she is the least likely to want to travel at close quarters with Ageless.

I thought you said the willie joke was all but forgotten, growls Ageless.

By Pinky, yes, says Gaius. She's a light and airy soul. And Terence has not forgotten, but now thinks it is the best joke he's heard in a long time. Which is why Kobo is unforgiving.

Ageless has a brainwave.

Kobo can take his place, flying  with Tom and Humboldt to Weipa. Tom will speak of the sand ridge and the beer barrels. Kobo will be enchanted. She will thank Ageless when they meet again in Weipa.

Crik,,,crik,,,ah,,,his beloved,,,she loves anything,,,with,,,ah,,,sand,,,in it!!!!