Up Up Follow Behind

 She was called Bunny then, says Arthur.

Was she your girlfriend? asks Louisa.

Yes and no, says Arthur. We travelled together. She asked me.

And you said yes, says Louisa.

I said no, says Arthur. I only travel with poets.

And she wasn't a poet? asks Louisa.

She thought she was, says Arthur. And she wanted to get away from her dad.

How old was she? asks Louisa.

I don't know, says Arthur. 

Who was her dad? asks Louisa.

Pastor Moon, says Arthur. He hated me until he found out I was best friends with Sweezus.

Wow! says Louisa. That was lucky.

Gaius arrives.

Have you completed the shopping?

Yes, says Louisa. We bought oranges, chocolate and water. Where's Terence?

I left him behind with Kierkegaard and Angelina, says Gaius. He was distraught. His turnip pieces failed to revive in the time allotted. Oranges eh? That's a nice change from apples.

We thought so, says Louisa. So what's happening with Terence?

We're meeting at Emu Bay, later on, says Gaius. 

Let's get going, says Arthur. You take the oranges.

Certainly, says Gaius, loading them into his back pack.

They head off in the direction of Emu Bay.

Angelina seemed quite taken with Arthur, says Gaius. 

Merde! thinks Arthur.

What makes you think that? asks Louisa.

I have a sixth sense for these things, says Gaius. 

A bird flies overhead,

It could be Saint Roley.

Perhaps he's found the map on Louisa's verandah, and figured out where they're going.

Let's see. 

Up up! Follow that oystercatcher!

No, from the back, it doesn't look like Saint Roley.

Nor from the side.

Or the front, were that possible.

But you don't place yourself in the path of an on-flying bird.