How Terence Got His Toes Back

Terence has rowed all the way back to the Oyster Cove Marina.

Then he has tied the dinghy to the Esperance, with a rope.

Then he has climbed up a stupid ladder.

Well done, Terence! says Jinjing. You did it!

Yes, good job, says Captain Bruni.

Now what? asks Terence.

Rest, says Captain Bruni. You deserve to. Help yourself to anything. I'm heading off to the toilet.

This is good news. Or is it?

May I speak with you first? asks Jinjing.

Make it snappy, says Captain Bruni.

Remember the painkillers I gave you? says Jinjing.

Yes, they worked well, says Captain Bruni.

Would you mind...... begins Jinjing. but here he falters, not knowing how to put it.

We want them back, says Terence.

Well put, says Jinjing. We want them back, Captain Bruni.

Surely by now, says Captain Bruni, they will have dissolved in my stomach.

That's the thing, says Jinjing. They probably haven't.

I see, says Captain Bruni.

He considers the import of what Jinjing has told him.

Well, thanks for the heads up.

He makes for the ship's toilet which is little more than a bucket, behind a red curtain.

We'll leave him to it.

He said help ourselves, says Terence. What is there?

Jinjing searches the galley.

A mouldy loaf and half a bottle of rum, says Jinjing. And this. But it has a ribbon round it.

A Christmas present, says Terence.

Should I open it? asks Jinjing.

Yes, says Terence. Christmas is my birthday.

Jinjing wonders if it follows that because Christmas is Terence's birthday he should open a present meant for Captain Bruni, even though Captain Bruni has said help yourselves to anything.

While he is wondering, Terence rips off the paper.

Yippee! It's a packet of trail mix. Almonds and dried cranberries, and white chocolate buttons.

Open it, says Terence.

It's not right, says Jinjing.

A rich smell wafts through the cabin, from behind the curtain.

Captain Bruni emerges, seconds later, with the bucket.

Normally, says Captain Bruni, this would go over the side, but if you need to recover the painkillers, I do believe I have...err...passed them.

He hands the bucket to Terence.

 NO WAY! says Terence.

I'll do it, says Jinjing. Is it okay if Terence opens the trail mix?

What trail mix? asks Captain Bruni.

This trail mix, says Terence. I only like cranberries.

All right, says Captain Bruni. I could do with a little something.

He looks for a bowl while Terence stamps on the packet.

Bang!

Jinjing is startled and inadvertently knocks over the bucket.