A Slide And A Gurgle

In the tent.

Paloma and Lily are asleep.

Terence is awake, as always.

Alexander-Red-Hook squeezes in sideways.

Too much snoring in the camper, she whispers. It's quieter in here.

We had a story, says Terence.

I love stories, says Alexander-Red-Hook.

You wouldn't love this one, says Terence.

What was it? asks Alexander-Red-Hook.

The Stupid Mermaid, says Terence.

I know all about mermaids, says Alexander-Red-Hook. I use to live in the sea.

Are they stupid? asks Terence.

They're actually seals, says Alexander-Red-Hook.

Well, this one wasn't, says Terence.

There is a sliding noise ( slii---iide) , outside the tent, and a gurgle (gulp---eee).

What was that? asks Terence.

Nothing, says Alexander-Red-Hook. Tell me the story.

Okay, says Terence. You'll be disgusted.

Try me, says she.

Once upon a time, begins Terence, there was stupid mermaid who wanted to be a human and she drank a potion and got feet.

Foof, comes a noise from outside. Bugger!

Go on, says Alexander-Red-Hook. So she got feet, then what? 

Every step felt like sharp knives, says Terence.

But it was too late, says Alexander-Red-Hook. She'd drunk the potion.

Yes, says Terence. It was too late.

Yerk-yerk! a distressed sound arises, awakening Lily.

Bandicoot outside! whispers Lily. It's probably eating the banana. Let's go and see.

Wait, says Terence. I'm telling the mermaid story.

Where are you up to? asks Lily.

Feet, says Terence. 

Stabbing like knives, says Alexander-Red-Hook. Is there a happy ending?

She turns into an air spirit for three hundred years, says Lily. She has to do good deeds. You tell me if that's happy.

Is there a reward? asks Alexander-Red-Hook.

She gets a human soul, says Lily.

See! says Terence. Stupid!

At least she wouldn't have feet, says Alexander-Red-Hook. 

But Terence and Lily are creeping outside.

It's dark, damp, and smells of bananas.

A bandicoot lies on it's back, with one leg up.