Inside Captain Bruni

The ferry docks in Kettering.

The dinghy bobs up and down.

Jinjing eyes Captain Bruni.

Carry on, mutters Captain Bruni.

What does that mean? asks Terence.

It means I'm still in charge, says Jinjing. Now the first thing to do is untie the dinghy.

But you can't, says Terence.

No, but you can, says Jinjing.

I can't, says Terence. I've got two toes missing.

You have two hands, says Jinjing.

And one broken finger, says Terence. See this? Gaius fixed it, but he used a sunflower seed and it sprouted, but then it died. Now it's useless.

What about all your other fingers? asks Jinjing.

Terence is considering his other fingers when a voice booms down from above.

All right down there?

It's the ferry boat captain.

No, says Jinjing. We're in a spot of bother. Captain Bruni has hurt his back. We need help untying the dinghy.

What about that robust young fellow? asks the Captain.

I've asked him, says Jinjing, but he has three broken digits.

A likely story! says the ferry boat captain.

You might like it, says Terence. But two of them are inside Captain Bruni.

The ferry boat captain can't believe this. But he has to do something.

The ferry is due to leave for Bruny Island quite soon.

He climbs down a convenient ladder and unties the dinghy.

Then he climbs back up the convenient ladder.

Now clear off, says the ferry boat captain.

Aye, aye, captain, says Jinjing. How long have we got?

Five minutes, says the ferry boat captain, turning away.

Jinjing prods Captain Bruni.

Feeling better yet? asks Jinjing.

Possibly, says Captain Bruni. Let me try to sit up.

Eugh! Ach!

He sits up successfully.

Yay! says Terence. Let's go! Start rowing.

Captain Bruni looks severely at Terence.

You'll do the rowing, says Captain Bruni.