He No Longer Has Scurvy

Katherine is going to join us on Bruny Island, says Gaius.

And Terence? asks Arthur. And the robot drone parrot?

Robot drone parrot? says Gaius.

Jinjing, says P. krameri. He'll be coming.

She's meeting us at the Gateway, says Gaius. What time's the last ferry?

Seven, says Arthur. But she'll be late.

Never mind, says Gaius. All the more time to spend with the Captain.

Or bird spotting, says Arthur, who doesn't fancy spending more time with the Captain.

I like the Captain, and his tales of the old days, says P. krameri.

And his scurvy, says Arthur.

He no longer has scurvy, says Gaius. He's a hardy old salt. And you two have the French language in common.

Sure we do, says Arthur. So, what now?

Wait for Katherine, says Gaius. Not here though. I might do a spot of bird watching.

I'll come with you, says P. krameri.

I'll go and check out the Nutpatch, says Arthur. Want any chocolate?

I wouldn't mind,  says Gaius. Nothing too fancy.

Not for me, thanks, says P. krameri. Parrots shouldn't eat chocolate

Gaius and P krameri head for the bushland, keeping their eyes peeled for forty spotted pardalotes.

Arthur heads off to the Nutpatch, a shop that sells hand made chocolates.

Merde! The Captain is there, perusing the chocolates, and thinking up chocolate type questions.

What's this one? Which is better? Does it have nuts in? How much is it?

The chocolatier is hoping the Captain will leave soon. A lobster in a chocolate shop is not good for business, even if it is Captain Bruni.

Arthur enters.

We meet again, says Captain Bruni.

Buying chocolate? says Arthur.

Not really, says the Captain. Just looking.

The chocolatier raises his eyebrows.

I thought you and Gaius were catching the ferry, says Captain Bruni.

Not until seven, says Arthur. We're held up, waiting for someone. Gaius is bird spotting.

That is good news! says Captain Bruni. I shall go and find him at once. We have more to catch up on.

He leaves, scraping the floor, lobster fashion.

You know Captain Bruni? asks the chocolatier.

No, not really, says Arthur.