Morning at last.
Gaius is the first to wake up.
He rolls away from the circular wall and stretches.
Ah! That's better! Why didn't he sleep in the middle?
He stands up and goes down the stairs.
Denis is asleep, wrapped in curtains.
Curtain hooks in a heap on the floor.
Gaius pushes Denis's shoulder, with his foot.
Denis, who has been dreaming of Henriette's feet, awakens.
Curtains, says Gaius. No doubt they kept you warm?
I slept like a caterpillar, says Denis. That is to say, rather too snug for my liking.
I doubt that a caterpillar feels too snug, says Gaius.
You're probably right, says Denis. Mind the hooks on the floor.
Are they from the curtains? asks Gaius.
I had to take them out, says Denis. Terence came down and helped me.
Good for him, says Gaius. Where is he now?
Probably up at the top of the lighthouse, says Denis. With the moths.
It seems I've missed some excitement, says Gaius. Want some help with replacing the hooks?
Thanks, says Denis.
Gaius grabs a handful of hooks.
I trust you slept well, says Denis.
I chose a foolish position, says Gaius. I now have back twinges. How about you?
Dreamed about feet, says Denis.
Were your feet sticking out of the curtain? asks Gaius. Perhaps they were cold?
No, says Denis. I received an email from Henriette. With a photo which I want to show you.
He shows Gaius the photo.
Feet, says Gaius. I assume they are hers. And there is something on the soles, very blurry.
Yes, says Denis. I can't make it out, and I can't very well reply if I haven't.
Have you tried enlarging the photo with your fingers? asks Gaius.
Of course I have, says Denis.
Gaius has a brainwave.
There may be a clue in your dream, says Gaius. Something lodged in your subconscious.
There was nothing inscribed on the dream feet, says Denis.
Pity, says Gaius. What were they doing?
Nothing, says Denis. I was tickling them softly.
Gaius thinks this may mean that the message on the feet in the photo is TICKLE ME.
But he doesn't like to suggest it.
In case it is not.
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