A Dawn Sweet Like Peanuts

They leave the tinnies where they found them, and cycle back towards Weipa.

Dawn is breaking, as they go.

Terence is in Gaius's basket.

As a matter of interest, says Gaius, what did you agree to do for the crocodile?

Me? says Terence. YOU have to do it.

You were the one who said 'granted', says Gaius.

I always grant things, says Terence. Ask me for something.

The information I requested, says Gaius.

Granted, says Terence.

Well, what is it? asks Gaius.

Wait, says Terence. What was the question?

The crocodile, says Gaius. What did you, or we, promise?

Shoes, says Terence.

Ha ha! laughs Gaius. Crocodile shoes. Very funny.

Green ones like yours, says Terence.

You don't say, says Gaius. I must tell Humboldt.

He drops back to ride beside Humboldt.

It seems we've promised the crocodile a pair of green Crocs, says Gaius.

Two pairs, says Terence.

Ha ha! In different sizes, I suppose, laughs Humboldt. One for each crocodile foot. The front ones being smaller than the back ones.

YES! says Terence. That's what HE said!

This is concerning, says Gaius.  Did you make any delivery arrangements?

No, says Terence. Anyway, he'll have forgotten.

A crocodile may have a brain the size of a walnut, says Gaius, but he won't have forgotten.

Well, I've forgotten, says Terence. And I'm not coming back here. Only you are.

Because we ate wongai plums and you didn't? says Gaius. That's only a story.

The new bandy bandy has to come back, says Terence. He lives here.

Not any longer, says Gaius.

The new bandy bandy is asleep in the plum scented container, with the other one, his cousin.

They don't hear Gaius's answer. They are dreaming of Pinky.

.........

Pinky Rose Comb and Kobo are waiting for Gaius and Humboldt to come back.

They are not pleased with how the night went.

The concrete block on the wharf is cold and hard. They perch on separate corners.

The dawn sky is pretty, says Pinky. Shall I describe it?

Yes do, dear, says Kobo. Come closer. Mind the dead snake.

Pinky edges closer, mindful of the dead snake.

Pale blue with rosy tipped fingers, says Pinky.

How gorgeous, says Kobo.

Yellow streaks and white seabirds flying, says Pinky.

Ahhh, says Kobo. And how does it smell?

Sweet like peanuts, says Pinky.

There is shooshing of bike tyres, a scratching of brakes, the sound of Terence asking 'Are we there yet?', and Gaius replying:

Yes. Here's the concrete block. And there are Kobo and Pinky, waiting, and ....jumping Jupiter's  jimjams! What's that beside them? A dead snake!