What A Lax Carer

Margaret phones Katherine.

So much for a quick turnaround, says Margaret. Terence is missing.

Oh dear, says Katherine. We shouldn't have left him in Penguin.

Wasn't it your idea? asks Margaret.

Never mind that now, says Kathrine. Shall I send Victor?

No, says Margaret. Jinjing is doing an aerial survey.

All right, says Katherine. Keep us posted. Good luck.

Margaret sits back in the driver's seat and closes her eyes.

Calm down Margaret. Jinjing will be back soon, with Terence. Look at the ocean.

She looks at the ocean. Grey and dour.

She gets out of the vehicle. Breathes deeply.

He's just following a hat, says Baby Bin Penguin. Don't worry.

I won't, says Margaret.

She gets back in the car. A hat. What nonsense. Why would Terence....? A thought strikes her.

Gaius is ultimately the one responsible for Terence.

Well, not ultimately. That would be Sweezus. But what a lax carer is he. Always off surfing.....

She decides to call Gaius.

Gaius answers.

Gaius: Who is it?

Margaret: Me, Margaret. Are you in Tassie?

Gaius: Yes, Arthur and I arrived late this morning in Hobart. I take it you're somewhere near Devonport.

Margaret: Penguin. There's been a problem. Terence is missing. Perhaps you could come.

Gaius: Err, um.....I'm sure he'll turn up. Have you asked  a policeman?

Margaret: Victor is with Katherine in Burnie. But Jinjing is here, searching.

Gaius: Well then. Ah, here comes Arthur with our bikes. We're heading to Bruny Island  via Kettering. Let me know as soon as you find Terence. Otherwise I shall worry.

Margaret: Oh will you? Well really! Goodbye.

So much for the grown ups.

Let's follow Jinjing.

Jinjing has flown inland, hat-spotting.

There's one! He lands beside it. It's a Peruvian hat, and it's on Terence.

Terence! says Jinjing. Where did the hat come from?

From Peru, says Terence.

But more recently, says Jinjing.

I swapped it, says Terence.

For what? asks Jinjing. I am wary of swaps since I was swapped for Mouldy.

A cheese knife. says Terence.

It wasn't your cheese knife, says Jinjing.

It still isn't, says Terence.

No one can argue with that.