(Untitled)

[necessary_child]

There is a Sam! He's outside on the jetty, dabbling his feet in the water and watching the sunset.

Come bother him.

Inside is a Martha, curled up on a sofa with a big glass mug of Irish coffee (mmmm, whiskey), a slice of chocolate cake, and a copy of A Study In ScarletShe hasn't noticed that she's acquired a cream moustache from the coffee

Comments

[stuck_mynock]

"You're just asking to be shoved in, you know," Atton remarks, peering at Sam. "It's my civic duty."

[necessary_child]

Sam peers right back at Atton!

"If I go in, you go in with me," he warns. "And then my sea-monster girlfriend will kill you to death."

Oh yes!

[stuck_mynock]

"The squid," Atton says sternly, "is too young for you, Sammy. And killing me to death is a bit excessive."

[necessary_child]

"Nothing is too excessive for you, Atton Rand!"

[stuck_mynock]

"That is only because you are full of the hatred," Atton says solemnly.

[necessary_child]

"For you?" Sam bats his eyelashes. "Always."

[stuck_mynock]

"You're so sweet."

[necessary_child]

"I know, I know." Sam grins at him. "Hey, Lanky."

[stuck_mynock]

Sulkily: "You are lanky."

[necessary_child]

"Make your mind up!"

Sam thought he was short like a prawn. This confuses him!

[stuck_mynock]

"You are smallanky!"

[necessary_child]

"You are mean and cruel and I hate you!"

[stuck_mynock]

Snort. "You love me. You wish you were me!"

[necessary_child]

"I would never wish to be someone as ugly as you!"

[stuck_mynock]

"But I'm pretty," Atton says sadly.

[necessary_child]

"You are ugly and also hateful," Sam informs him earnestly. "You cannot deny it, for you know it to be true!"