First Time Being Anyone's Person

Terence goes round to the front of the house, with the spoonful of honey, which he has licked but not eaten.

It is now he discovers Saint Roley has gone.

Hey! says Terence. Where's Saint Roley?

Gone back to the shore, says Ronnie. He decided he's too controlling.

What does that mean? asks Terence.

It means he makes you think about things you don't want to think about, says Ronnie. Like what your name was, and what it wasn't. And whose name it was.

Yes, says the smallest piece of turnip. And sometimes he interrupts you to talk about creaking.

I know, says Terence. We all heard it. Arthur made pancakes for breakfast and this is the honey. Who wants some?

I'll pass, says Ronnie. I'm still pretty oily.

Terence remembers the message he's supposed to pass on to Ronnie from Gaius.

Gaius said he won't need your services.

What services? asks Ronnie. Did he mean writing?

He didn't say, says Terence. Listen to this. Emu hey! Buzz blow and play. Who likes it?

We haven't tried it, says the smallest piece of turnip.

That WAS it, says Terence.

The honey, says the smallest piece of turnip.

We all want to try it, cry the other pieces of turnip.

Terence opens their lid, and drizzles Ligurian honey onto the turnip pieces.

Who likes it?

They all do. Just look at their faces.

We're going soon, says Terence. If Saint Roley comes back, tell him we're at Emu Bay.

No way! says Ronnie. We're coming with you!

We have to, say the pieces of turnip. You're our person.

Am I? asks Terence. It's the first time I've been anyone's person that wasn't a parrot. Okay!

Sweet. Who wouldn't want Terence to be their own person?

Right, says Terence. Ronnie can go in the blueberry container with the turnips and honey.

I'd rather not... begins Ronnie. 

First, get Ronnie to leave a message for Saint Roley, says the biggest piece of turnip.

Good thinking, says the smallest piece of turnip. Then he can follow us.

Go on then. Write, says Terence to Ronnie.

Help me here, says Ronnie. I can't write by myself. 

Neither can I, says Terence. I can do maps though.

Map it is, says Ronnie. 

Terence draws an oily map on the verandah, with Ronnie.

The map shows a wriggly road and a coast line.

Waves depicting where the sea is.

And a dot, which represents Emu Bay.