Consult The Ancients

Where've you been? asks Terence.

Escaping detection, says Jinjing.

Well done, says Katherine. You saved us from some tedious paperwork.

Yes, says Margaret. But what are we to say to Victor when we meet up in Burnie?

We found him, says Terence.

More paperwork! says Margaret.

He'll be off duty, says Katherine.

Nevertheless.....says Margaret.

I know, says Terence. Me and Jinjing will stop off in Penguin.

What will that achieve? asks Margaret.

A meeting, says Terence. With my best friend.

Meaning me? asks Jinjing.

Meaning Baby Bin Penguin, says Terence. He's a bin, and he knows all these jokes.

I suppose we could leave them in Penguin while we meet up with Victor in Burnie, and then drive back to Penguin to pick them up after lunch, says Katherine.

Margaret can't believe it! Is she EVER going to get to Rocky Cape to search for zircon minerals and fossil wave ripples?

How FAR is it between Penguin and Burnie? snaps Margaret.

Only twenty kilometres, says Katherine. That would take, say, eighteen minutes.

Each way, says Margaret. All right, but it will have to be a short lunch.

Agreed, says Katherine.

Margaret turns onto the Bass Highway, and they head west towards Ulverstone.

I'll just call Gaius, says Katherine. See if he's in Tasmania yet.

Yes, do, says Margaret. We should keep in touch.

Katherine calls.

Ring ring.

Hello? says Gaius. Katherine?

Are you in Tassie yet? asks Katherine.

Still in Adelaide, at the airport, waiting for Arthur, says Gaius. I'm sure he'll turn up any minute.

Of course, says Katherine. We're just leaving Devonport, heading west, stopping briefly in Penguin.

Say hello to the Penguin Bin family, says Gaius. How is Terence?

Fine, says Katherine. He has learned to make maps. And attempted some children's puzzles. We nearly lost Jinjing, but Jinjing has just returned to us.

You say returned, says Gaius. I take it you mean been returned.

No, he flew away, and flew back, says Katherine. Jinjing has made many leaps forward since you last saw him. He converses freely, and flies.

A toy parrot! says Gaius. I find that remarkable! Unprecedented, in fact. Unless .....I must consult the ancients. There may be examples....

You do that, says Katherine. Well, have a good flight and let us know when you get here.

Will do, says Gaius. Ah! Here comes Arthur.

Yes, here comes Arthur, at the last minute. That's lucky.