A Nautical Dentist

Katherine hears the whoosh of a message.

See what that is, Jinging.

Jinging reads the message from Gaius about the change of plan (but not the half chocolate, which is a surprise).

Lovely, says Katherine. A marina. I do quite like boats.

Me too, says Terence. But Dear Zebra doesn't. She gets sea sick.

She's dead, says Jinging. So she won't get sea sick.

She might get revived, says Terence. And then get sea sick.

We'll soon see, says Katherine.

......

On board the Recherche, Captain Bruni is entertaining his guests with shots of rum, and cautionary tales of overindulgence.

And when we first sighted Cape Leeuwin, there was so much feasting and drinking that our smith died the next day, of apoplexy.

I thought you were short of supplies, says Gaius.

That was later, says Captain Bruni. Would you like another?

Better not, says Gaius. I might go up on deck and keep a lookout for Katherine.

Good idea, says Captain Bruni. I'll go with you. Help yourself to the rum, Arthur.

Arthur was doing that, anyway.

Up on deck, Captain Bruni points out his various neighbours.

That's the Espérance, two berths over, says Captain Bruni. Captain de Kermadec. Come to think of it, what's he doing these days?....some sort of health professional......he might be a dentist.

I'm really not in a hurry to see a dentist, says Gaius. I'll just keep off the nuts and see how I go ....

Of course, says Captain Bruni. But I might just wander over and see if he's there.

Don't let me stop you, says Gaius.

I'll ask him over, if he's about, says Captain Bruni.

He heads down the pontoon.

Gaius listens to the clink of the things that clink in marinas.

P. kameri flies up through the hatch and sits beside him

A comforting sound. says P. kameri.

Indeed, says Gaius. Though, why it should be......

Safe harbour, suggests P. kameri.

They watch the lights come on, one by one.

But comfort and safety aside, they are soon to be joined by Katherine

And Terence, who has unrealistic expectations.

And Jinjing, who loves Arthur a little too much

And perhaps, worst of all, a nautical dentist.