Sunday, May 23, 2021

Brief Flash Of Claw

Arthur is asleep in a dinghy.

Earlier, he had unclipped it. It had floated away.

A girl in shorts had shouted instructions from the low jetty.

Push down with your legs! Lean back! Pull in with the arms! Use your abs!

But there are no oars in the dinghy. 

He wakes up, to the sounds of boats clinking.

Where is he? Why is he in a dinghy?

Then he remembers it was the idea of Yaah.

And where is Yaah anyway?

Was he only a figment?

Arthur! What on earth are you doing in that dinghy?

It's Katherine, peering down from the pontoon.

Thought I'd make an early start, says Arthur.

The Bonnie Celeste is over there,  says Katherine. Come with me.

Arthur scrambles out of the dinghy.

At least now he knows how to row. Push, lean, pull, use your abs.

I brought your clean things, says Katherine. 

And my whistle? says Arthur.

You won't need that yet, says Katherine. Here we are. The Bonnie Celeste.

Yo, Arthur! says Steve. Saw you lying over there in a dinghy. 

Did you? says Arthur. Was there anyone with me?

Not that I saw, says Steve.

Hello Arthur, says David, who has already boarded the Bonnie Celeste. I've just been admiring this spacious vessel. It has a stereo, a barbecue and a toilet.

Also up to date safety equipment, says Steve. And a Yamaha 250 hp outboard motor. She cruises comfortably at 22 knots, capable of doing 30.

Arthur yawns, which appears rude but isn't intentional.

Gaius comes up from below, where he has been checking his map of Te Hauturu-o-Toi.

Arthur! Note this. This is where we'll be landing.

Gaius points to a spot marked West Landing.

Arthur nods.

This is the dinghy you'll be rowing ashore in, says Steve.

Arthur nods again. 

He looks into the dingy.

There are puddles on the floor.

Right, let's get going, says Steve. 

The Yamaha outboard motor roars up, and the Bonnie Celeste gets going.

Yaah watches, from the vacated dinghy.

In the wash from the Bonnie Celeste, he sees something twisting and turning. A flap of kelp. A stalk, Another one.

A brief flash of claw.


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