Do Not Intervene

Saint Roley has returned to Stokes Bay. 

Any luck? asks Gaius.

A ruddy turnstone and two pink-eared ducks, says Saint Roley. None of them suitable.

So you are the better parrot, says Gaius.

Metaphorically speaking, says Saint Roley. 

Of course, says Gaius. 

Where has Victor gone? asks Saint Roley.

Following a lead, says Gaius. He finally realised that the robber might have been the cleaner. He's going to examine the CCTV footage.

Will Arthur be on it? asks Saint Roley.

I imagine so, says Gaius.

Saint Roley hops over to Arthur, who is dabbing paw paw ointment onto his toe.

Do you still have that thermometer? asks Saint Roley.

Yes, says Arthur.

Would you like me to take it to Captain du Couedic, at the lighthouse? asks Saint Roley.

Why? asks Arthur. 

Something to do, says Saint Roley.

Okay, says Arthur. 

He takes the thermometer out of his pocket. It no longer looks like a normal thermometer. The chocolate tapenade and the paw paw ointment have combined to make a thick paste to which are stuck several dirty white feathers that Arthur collected years ago in Paris.

Urr, says Arthur. Better wipe it first.

Saint Roley goes down to the water, with the feathery thermometer.

He glances this way and that, thinking: Will it all come off in the water? Should he use sand?

He notices that Terence is still where he left him, some way up the beach. Two ducks are with him.

Good, thinks Saint  Roley. Or is it? But no. I will not intervene. 

Saint Roley flaps away discreetly, with the dirty thermometer. He will clean it up later.

Terence doesn't notice. He is interviewing the ducks.

The interview goes well. 

The ducks are a monogamous couple. They long for adventure. They can find their own food.

(Not that Terence was asking) 

Yay! They have zebra stripes, masks and pink-ears!