Sirens Page #5

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Freedom for the strong

to dominate the weak.

It's exactly as before,

just a different set of bullies.

Speaking of bullies, where's Giddy?

- I thought you'd lost that hat.

- Yes.

One of the girls must've found it.

So, um, where was Giddy tonight?

You like her, don't you?

"Try one of these, they're Turkish."

No, I just...

I just worry about her

with those other two.

She's drunk herself into a stupor.

Planning to throw herself at...

that odd-job man.

Yes, he's quite a character,

isn't he?

Apparently, he had a dangerous

reputation before he lost his sight.

This whole country's dangerous.

You know, I've been mulling over

what you said to me the other night

about...about me

thinking too highly of you.

- I don't see either of us as saints.

- That's a relief.

Yes, I've done plenty of things

I'm ashamed of, stretching way back.

- What sort of things?

- I remember when I was at school,

we had this

ridiculous initiation ceremony

for the new boys,

the "scum" as we called them.

- I was put through it myself.

- What happened?

Well, we used to stand 'em

on a chair, take their trousers down,

whip 'em with wet towels

while they recited Tennyson.

- You know the sort of thing.

- Do I?

Anyway, that's just...

something I wanted you to know.

In view of...today's activities.

What are you talking about?

I think you know,

I'd rather not put it into words.

Sorry I'm so noisy.

It's all right.

They'll all be asleep.

You are the Winnie the Pooh

sleeping in today.

- What's the time?

- Nearly three.

Message from your friend Sheela.

She didn't want to wake you for

swimming as you needed your rest.

Seemed quite smug about it, actually.

I might have one now, then.

To wake me up.

Right. Good idea.

- How are you feeling?

- Really buggered.

I woke in the night with a blanket

stuck to me like a cloak.

I'd spilt that horrible drink.

I looked like a huge emerald mint.

Not that it mattered.

- Why? What do you mean?

- I went to the studio to see him.

He was there doing it

with somebody else.

Who was it?

It was dark.

I suppose it was Sheela or Pru.

They've got absolutely no morals

at all.

I just feel so stupid.

I thought he liked me.

So I'm not going to have

anything to do with men any more.

- I've made a big decision.

- What decision?

You'll see. So will Norman.

- Change your mind?

- Yes.

Disappointing news.

The organisers have backed down.

Exhibition's going ahead

with all the original paintings.

- Still, we did our best.

- I wish we could leave now.

That's the good news.

The track's been repaired.

- We'll get the first train tomorrow.

- Thank goodness.

I'll tell Lindsay.

Sorry, just thought I'd let you know

we'll be off in the morning.

Right.

Right.

You're very naughty so I'm not

going to give you this chocolate.

Honey! Honey, come quick.

This lamb is absolutely delicious.

Very nearly as good as Welsh lamb

and that's saying something.

Well, um...

thank you very much

for your hospitality.

Bottoms up.

We've enjoyed ourselves.

I like a little opposition.

It clears the mind.

So, um, I gather

you're a boxer, Mr Devlin.

Yes, I used to do a bit

of boxing myself, actually.

Quite a keen pugilist in one's day.

Lost a huge part of this tooth from

a great haymaker someone gave me.

I expect you've got some

pretty bad scabs to show as well.

Apart, obviously, from the...

eye thing, which is beastly.

Well, unfortunately,

during his last fight,

Mr Devlin was gasping for air

with his tongue hanging out

and he got this enormous uppercut

under his chin and lost most of it.

Bulldust, Norman.

He makes a brilliant Ulysses, anyhow.

We always call him into the water

and he never comes.

Whoever he was,

you'd try to get him in.

- You'd get in the whole army.

- God, you're charming tonight.

Thinking about the Atlantis series,

I'd like to do more research.

I was thinking of mounting

an expedition to go and find it.

You might like to come.

- Devlin could be the pilot.

- Giddy could be the navigator.

I'm not going if they're going.

- What?

- Why not?

I can't trust you

as far as I could kick you.

- Thanks very much.

- What are you talking about?

You know!

You always eat cheese

when you're feeling guilty.

Excuse me.

Sorry, I'd better go and see

if she's all right.

- What?

- Nothing.

Piglet? You all right?

Yes, I'm...I'm fine, thank you.

Are you feeling a bit funny?

Probably all that Stilton.

You were packing it down,

weren't you?

- Well, I'd better...I'll go back.

- Pooh.

I think...we should talk.

- Right you are. What about?

- Ever since we got here, I...

Well, now, I think some things

are best left unsaid.

But that means

we'll always be strangers.

No, not really.

- Only small parts of us.

- The bad parts.

No, I think it's good

to have a few secrets.

Do you?

That way, in 50 years' time,

we'll still be able

to surprise each other.

Perhaps you're right.

I love you, Piglet.

- What's the matter?

- You must've been dreaming.

When you saw someone with Devlin.

You were so drunk.

I looked in here

and you were absolutely sozzled.

- But it was so real.

- Dreams always are.

The other two swear it wasn't them

and you know how they like to boast.

Do you still like him?

- I suppose so.

- You should go in and see him, then.

Now?

That's what your dream

was telling you.

Here, put this on.

- But it's your wedding ring.

- It's always brought me luck.

- Has it?

- Always.

Wear these.

Try some of this.

We'll have to fix your hair.

Good luck.

I want to wake up now.

- What? It was night...

- You were shouting.

Really loudly.

I heard you from the garden.

But I wanted to tell you about

last night. Oh, it was wonderful.

I mean, I didn't do everything

with him because...

I don't think

he's good enough for me but...

oh, he did some things

which were just...

Gosh!

How dare you use her

without permission?

- I don't need permission.

- It infers that she modelled!

You cannot just put

someone in your painting!

It's totally compromising.

She'll be outraged. I'm outraged!

- Perhaps we ought to ask her.

- I don't need to. If she wanted...

Anthony? What's the matter?

Mr Lindsay has put you

in his latest painting.

He has to paint over you

or we'll take legal action.

He can turn you into someone else.

You'd better have a look.

Well?

It's a good likeness.

Devlin, better get back

to work. Catch.

They're asleep.

For goodness sake!

We'll be arrested.

We'll be excommunicated.

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