Six Isn't Half

Yes! There is a leak in the side!

Not the one Jean-Claude fixed. 

Another one.

Wah! cries Terence. We're going to sink to the bottom.

Not yet, says Rusty. But we will in ten minutes.

Do you have a plan? asks the old oystercatcher.

Fly back to shore and get help, says Terence.

How will you do that? asks the old oystercatcher.

Not me, you, says Terence.

Give me one good reason, says the old oystercatcher.

A reward, says Terence.

What might that be? asks the old oystercatcher.

You can choose, says Terence.

I'll do it, says the old oystercatcher. Try not to move much.

He flies off.

What did that mean? asks Terence. Try not to move much.

Keep still, says Rusty. If we move we'll sink faster.

Terence stiffens. So does Rusty. 

Now what? asks Terence. Have we really only got ten minutes?

That was a guess, says Rusty. 

Nine minutes, says Terence.

Another guess? asks Rusty.

Cannot but be, says Terence. Science.

Only if ten minutes was right, says Rusty.

Eight, says Terence. Seven.

Shut up! says Rusty. Time doesn't go that fast.

Sometimes it does, says Terence. 

The water is up to their knees.

Six, says Terence. That's half. Say your prayers, Rusty.

Prayers? says Rusty. I'm a cherub. And six isn't half.

Five, says Terence. Hey! why don't we look for a bucket?

It's a model ship, says Rusty. It doesn't have a bucket.

Four, says Terence. Too bad. I'm moving. I'm going to look for a bucket.

Three, says Rusty.

Terence has moved. He has looked through the hatch, and down into the cabin. There seem to be cupboards inside.

Tiny cupboards, which couldn't hold a thimble.

Two, says Rusty.

We're dead! cries Terence. Let's swim for it!

I'm not down to one yet! says Rusty.

You are now! says Terence, climbing onto the ship's railing. 

Flap flap! 

Soft wings brush the top of his head.

He looks up.

It's the old oystercatcher, with a rope looped several times round his neck. 

Don't jump! shouts Rusty.

Terence wobbles, on the railing.