Hot Toddy

Do we know where Ageless will be? asks Denis.

Roo-kai will tell us, says Gaius.

And where will we be? asks Denis.

Wherever we are when he comes back to tell us, says Gaius.

They have just cycled past the turn-off to the Point Lowly Campground.

So, not there, says Denis. 

We may have to go back to the campground, says Gaius. But for now I suggest we keep going.

They cycle past the turn-off to the Point Lowly Marina.

But they have not seen or heard from Rookai.

So they keep going.

I see a lighthouse! says Terence.

Ah! says Gaius. That may be where Ageless is waiting.

They cycle towards the Point Lowly Lighthouse.

Arrive. Dismount. Lean their bikes against the curved white wall of the lighthouse.

Ageless! shouts Terence.

Who is it that wants him? rasps a French lobstery voice. 

We are his friends, says Denis. We want him.

I too am his friend, says the French lobstery voice.

The voice comes round to the front of the lighthouse.

It's Captain Nicolas Baudin.

Don't I know you? asks Gaius.

And don't I know you? says Captain Baudin.

Gaius Secundus. says Gaius. Natural historian.  I know several lobsters , but they all look the same.

I DO know you, says Captain Baudin. I am Captain Nicolas Baudin. We met on Kangaroo Island. You left me a parrot.

Baudin! says Gaius. Well met, my friend. Yes I remember that parrot.

Was it my parrot? asks Terence.

Yes it was, says Captain Baudin. It was called Baby-Glossy. I taught it some French.

Did I ask you to? asks Terence.

Un mot of French, laughs Baudin. I was supposed to be teaching it English. Is it still with you? I suppose it's no longer a baby.

It's no longer a parrot, says Terence. 

Mort? says Captain Baudin. 

No longer a mort, says Terence. If that means alive.

It means dead, says Denis. Let's not get caught up in verbal nonsense. Have you seen Ageless?

Yes, says Captain Baudin. I met him on the beach and we chatted. He was waiting for you to arrive.

We have arrived, says Gaius. 

I invited him to dinner, says Captain Baudin. So he should be here shortly.

Should we wait? asks Gaius.

Certainly, come inside, says Captain Baudin. I'll make some hot toddies.

Then Roo-kai won't see us, says Terence.

Sit out here on this bench, says Captain Baudin. I'll bring the hot toddies outside.

Do I get one? asks Terence.

Oh-ho! Non! says Captain Baudin. Maybe yes, without the whisky.

Gaius looks at Denis.

They are here to do science.

Do they want a hot toddy with whisky?

Denis looks like he does.

Okay fine. If it's hot the alcohol will evaporate anyway, won't it.