Blue Caravan

Ha ha, laughs Terence. One of you is Nothing.

Very good, says Gaius, also laughing.

The ducks don't get it.

Polynesia or Nothing, says Louisa.

We signed up for adventure, says Polynesia. 

Not this kind of nonsense, adds the other Polynesia.

It won't do, says Gaius. I imagine one of you is male and the other is female.

So do we, says Polynesia.

Reedy comes back from scanning the ocean.

No sharks visible, says Reedy. But they're tricky buggers.

Yeah, says Sweezus. We should call it a day. What d'ya reckon?

Okay, says Arthur. What'll we do?

Wanna come over to my mum's caravan? asks Reedy. She's left some food in the freezer. And there's beer in the fridge.

Where is it? asks Louisa.

Behind the sand hills, says Reedy. Mum's not in it. She's gone to visit some cousins in Adelaide.

We should be thinking of going back soon, says Gaius.

For Christmas? says Reedy. Better get moving. It's tomorrow.

Everyone freezes.

Tomorrow? How can that be?

Jeez, says Louisa. 

My birthday! says Terence. What am I getting?

Nothing little buddy, says Sweezus. 

Us, says Polynesia. 

Terence looks despondent.

What could be worse than a present you've already got?

Come to the caravan, says Reedy. 

Spogg seems to have vanished, which is lucky. It's a small caravan.

They tramp through the sand hills, the Polynesias half flying.

Hot soft sand. Long snaky grasses. Up down up down. 

There it is, an egg-shaped blue caravan with a wooden door made from three planks, a framed window with a metal grille, a pine cone stencilled on the wall next to a hand painted sign saying URLAUB.

Mum's German, says Reedy. Come inside.

They all cram inside. The small caravan lurches and settles.

Maybe some of us should sit outside, says Louisa. I don't mind. 

Yeah okay, says Reedy. I'll raid the freezer and bring out some food to defrost in the sun. You can keep an eye on it.

I'll sit outside with Louisa, says Gaius. 

What about us? ask the Polynesias.

Out! says Reedy. 

So Terence goes out too.

That's four in and four out of the caravan.

A good balance.