Like Brothers

Sweezus has cycled away.

Saint Roley remains by the seat near the Emu Bay playground.

Thinking of brothers.

Sweezus and sharks are like brothers. Why does Sweezus think that? Because he once had a business arrangement with the Great White Teacher, marketing sea salt? Of course it fell through.

Is that what he thinks is like brothers?

Saint Roley flies off, in a random direction.

The wind changes. 

He alters his course.

.....

Captain Baudin has been napping.

A wave breaks over his bow.

Woosh! Captain Baudin wakes up quickly.

Ach! Which way is he sailing? Where is his compass?

The shadow of a bird darkens his deck for a moment.

He looks up.

He signals.

Saint Roley flies down and lands on a railing. 

Problem? asks Saint Roley.

Minor problem, says Captain Baudin. I seem to have mislaid my compass.

Where are you headed? asks Saint Roley.

The lighthouse, says Captain Baudin.

Then you're going the right way, says Saint Roley. I'm going that way as well. I'll be your compass.

Very well, says Captain Baudin. Do you know any old sea songs?

No one's asked me that lately, says Saint Roley. I do know one or two. 

He sings: Encore un coup laoura, kaliman ah, ah ah ah ah kaliman, encore un coup laoura.

C'est beau! says Captain Baudin.

They sing it together.

Like brothers.

......

Sweezus is not far from Stokes Bay.

He hopes Arthur will have hired him a surfboard.

He imagines himself chucking the bike and racing straight for the water.

With the surfboard.

After removing the beanie, and other parts of the window cleaner's outfit.

The hi viz vest, the Bunnings trousers.

He can't remember what he's got on underneath.