On The Breeze Somewhere

Are we bringing the Dirties? asks Elodie.

Of course, says Gaius, if they wish to come.

They do! says Lavender. They want to be dropped off at Lake Clifton.

How annoying, says Gaius. Where are they now?

Over there, says Lavender, pointing.

She has her own way of pointing.

Elodie climbs down from the passenger seat of the camper, and goes over to the spot where the poncho lay, before it was folded by Arthur.

Coming, Dirties? You can go in the tin.

Wait, says First Dirty. We were just saying goodbye to Felix.

Hurry up then, says Elodie.

Goodbye Felix, says First Dirty. Wherever you are. On the breeze somewhere.

That was a cool eulogy, says Second Dirty. Now it's my turn.

Hurry UP! says Elodie.

Goodbye Felix, says Second Dirty. Wherever you are. Smeared on the sand somewhere

That's enough! says Elodie, scooping them up and carrying them across to the camper, where they are dropped in a tin.

To Lake Clifton! shouts First Dirty.

But first, says Gaius, starting the engine, we must drive into Pemberton and find David. We can't leave him there.

No need, says Elodie. I called him. He said not to bother.

In a huff no doubt, says Gaius. I blame myself.

He's back in Adelaide, says Elodie. He didn't sound huffy.

Good,  says Gaius. Did he mention me at all?

Yes, he said Vello wants you back asap, says Elodie. They've got a fourth team member, and they need to talk team tactics.

Gaius reverses out of the campsite, and onto a sand track, then lurches forward.

I'm not used to this type of vehicle, says Gaius.

Follow the HiLux, says Elodie.

The HiLux is ahead of them, Baby Pierre is looking out of the back window.

Gaius is a really bad driver, says Baby Pierre.

Shu, on the back seat beside him, cranes round to look too.

You're lucky, says Baby Pierre.

I do not feel lucky, says Shu.

Baby Pierre does not reply.

Perhaps it's a tactic.

Why am I lucky? asks Shu.

It WAS a tactic.

Because, says Baby Pierre, you're in the HiLux, and Sprocket can drive. Also you're going to China with Ar-Lu-Lun. And I've never been to China.

China is beautiful, says Shu. Mountains, bamboo thickets, old iron gates, bright yellow leaves, rivers and seas, lamps and raindrops, willow cotton, old friends pouring wine..........

I would go, says Baby Pierre.

Would you? asks Shu.

Ar-Lu-Lun in his glass jar hears nothing of this conversation.

But he would not mind.