Catching The Sunlight

And this is what happens.

Kierkegaard wins.

It's the first time he's won anything in ages. Maybe ever.

Sweezus comes second.

He is relieved, because it means he gets to keep the knucklebones.

Belle and Arthur jog in, together, winning the Monte Carlos.

Your knee's bleeding, says Lauren. You need to wash it.

Later, says Arthur. After we've eaten.

Aren't you full of potatoes? asks Lauren.

No, Arthur is not.

Gaius and Marie have not arrived yet.

We'll wait for them before starting the picnic, says Lauren. Meanwhile, look who won our little competition!

The four finishers look.

Terence is wearing the medal. He sees them all looking. He twirls in the sand. The medal swings grandly, catching the sunlight. Terence steps on a crab.

Ouu! Crack. It was Alexander-Curly, who was lying exhausted near the leg of the table.

Lauren picks him up, and places him in one of the salad bowls. Let's hope she's picked the right one.

Terence is sorry he stepped on Alexander-Curly.

He's lost people's attention.

He shuffles away from the table, and sits down on the sand, next to Alexander-Red-Hook, who looks gloomy as well.

What happened? asks Alexander-Red-Hook. Is Curly all right?

How should I know? asks Terence. I just won a medal.

I won the knucklebones, says Alexander-Red-Hook. But where are they?

Where? asks Terence.

Sweezus has got them, says Alexander-Red-Hook.

Ask for a turn, says Terence. He'll let you.

You ask him, says Alexander-Red-Hook. He likes you.

He LOVES me, says Terence. He caught me when I fell off my palace.

There you go, says Alexander-Red-Hook.

Terence makes his way across to the table.

Gaius and Marie have come back.

Gaius is peering into the salad bowl at his third to last subject, and asking:

Were you medium or low?

Alexander-Curly can't remember.

Which bowl were you in? Red or Burnt Sienna?

It's no good, Curly won't answer.

Ask Kierkegaard. He should know.

But Kierkegaard is full of himself at the moment (as well as potatoes). He is explaining to Lauren how many he ate. And still he came first. It's a wonder!

She is rubbing his tummy.

Not for the potatoes, but the board rash, which is partly exposed.