Not Allowed Sugar

Belle enters with the bag of blue feathers, and a packet of sequins.

Where's Vello? asks David.

At the bottom of the stairs, says Belle, with a ready-made basket and an extra ladder.

David hurries down the stairs, to help Vello.

Vello is talking to Hedley's mother, and Hedley.

Look who's here, says Vello. 

Sorry we're late, says Hedley's mother.

It doesn't matter, says David. We've been taking a break while Vello went to the Bunnings. 

Where I was moderately successful, says Vello. They gave me this ready-made basket, and extra ladder.

Why the extra ladder? asks David.

The manager was Chinese, says Vello, and knew about ladders.

Let's get this basket up the stairs, says David. How on earth did you get it here from the Bunnings?

You don't want to know, says Vello. I hope the police didn't see us.

They would have, says Hedley. They'd have seen you on CCTV.

You're a smart little fellow, says Vello. Go upstairs and ask Belle to give you a donut.

We ate all the donuts, says David.

Hedley's not allowed sugar, says Hedley's mother.

Excellent. A win-win situation, says Vello. 

Can I carry the ladder? asks Hedley.

Do you think you can manage? asks David. It would be helpful.

I'll take one end, says Hedley's mother.

She takes one end of the ladder and Hedley the other.

Vello and David each take a handle of the ready-made basket.

I'll be the one who goes backwards, says David.

They make their way up the stairs.

I was thinking, says Hedley's mother. About some extra lines for Hedley.

No need, says Vello. Terence has thought up some lines. The children will shout Hola Hola as they kick the gold nuggets.

Can you do that, Hedley? asks his mother.

Hola Hola! shouts Hedley.

Well done, young man, says David.

And, says Hedley's mother, I have put together a collection of Peruvian witticisms.

Pierre-Louis has already come up with two, says David. 

They're in the form of riddles, says Vello. One's about a llama.

Not a llama, says David. A bear.

I know that one, says Hedley's mother. But why would the king of Eldorado ask riddles?

Good question, says David. A witty statement might be more regal.

I have one about a magician, says Hedley's mother.

But they have now reached the top of the stairs.

Terence runs out of the office.

Guess what? All the feathers got out when the bag popped!

That is not quite a full explanation of what has happened.

But the office is awash with  blue feathers.