A Tale of Two Monkeys


Sarah wriggled forward, belly down, through the undergrowth. Scrunching her nose, she held the binoculars even closer. Through them, she saw the tiny inlet below. Anchored away from the worst pounding of the surf lay a long grey warship. Sarah adjusted the focus. Sailors watchfully march up and down the deck. Raising her binoculars slightly, she could see the communications tower in action, the radar revolving.

"Sarah," a husky masculine voice whispered. "*Sarah*," he insisted a little more firmly through gritted teeth. His hand came down upon her shoulder. Sarah turned her head to see Jake crouched on the ground beside her. His pilot's cap was cocked back off his head. "We should get going before the Germans spot the Goose."

Sarah pulled a face at his worried frown. "They're down there, we're up here. What could go wrong?"

"Vot indeed?" The clipped German voice was accompanied the click of a gun's safety being removed.

Jake delivered an "I told you so" look as they slowly got to their feet, hands raised in the air.

ROLL CREDITS

The sheet metal corridor was claustrophobic in its narrowness. Handcuffed, Sarah and Jake bounced off the sides as their German captors pushed them ahead with their ends of their rifles.

The sailor ahead took a heavy ring of keys from his belt and unlocked a door. With gestures, Sarah and Jake were herded into the brig. As the door clanged shut behind them, they heard one mutter in heavily accented English: "We vill see how much they know."

Sarah and Jake raised their eyebrows at each other. Needless to say, this didn't sound good.

When the last echo of slamming metal faded away, Jake said, "I told you so."

Sarah grimaced. "You *really* didn't have to say that, you know."

Jake cocked his hat back, high on his forehead. "Oh yes I did, Sarah. There's not much point in being a s--"

"Shhh!" Sarah interrupted, frantically gesturing silence. "It could be bugged," she whispered.

Managing to restrain himself from rolling his eyes, Jake began again, his voice lowered. "There's not much point in being a you-know-what, if you keep getting caught like this."

"Keep getting caught?" Sarah was outraged. "I'll have you know, Jake Cutter, that I hardly *ever* get caught and furthermore--"

But Jake was not to find out what was furthermore. The door to their prison was flung open. Sarah compressed her lips, shrinking back two heavy-set soldiers entered. They ignored her and hauled Jake to his feet. "Jake!" Sarah cried, reaching for him.

"Don't worry, Sarah!" Jake managed to call before they dragged him, struggling, from the cell, leaving Sarah alone.

******

Corky stood by the swinging doors of the Monkey Bar, staring out at the darkening sky. Jack sat at his feet, attentively looking out under the doors.

Gushie noticed the two of them and rolled over to where Louie was pouring Willie a glass of schnapps. "Looks like Jake is late again," he said, nodding over in Corky's direction.

Willie tugged at his white dog collar, trying to cool off in the oppressive heat. "Ja," he agreed. "Perhaps he's caught in a storm that's coming, no?"

Louie gave a gallic shrug. "As much as I would wish a storm to cool us all down, I do not want to wish a storm on poor Jake and Sarah."

"No, no, of course not," Willie hastily agreed, "but Jake has ridden out many a storm."

Louie sighed. "Well, perhaps we will be without a singer tonight." The three men exchanged like-minded glances: that would be no great loss. "Gushie, why don't you check the wire and see if anything has come in?"

Gushie wheeled off to the back room. Willie declared, "I shall try and comfort our friend Corky."

"Beer?" Louie handed him a frosty bottle.

Willie nodded his thanks. He tossed back his glass of schnapps and picked up a saucer to go with the bottle. He crossed the bar and bent down to place the saucer in front of Jack, ignoring the dog's muted growling. He straightened up and handed the bottle to Corky. "Here," he said.

Corky looked at the bottle and then at Willie. "Hey, thanks!" he exclaimed, a smile momentarily appearing on his round features.

"Some for Jack too, ja?" Willie prompted.

"Hear that, Jack?" Corky said to the dog. "The reverend's bought us both a beer!"

"Woof woof!" was Jack's sarcastic response.

Willie gestured out at the brilliant blue sky of the South Pacific. "Jake still has not come?"

Corky's frown deepened. "No. He was only supposed to be gone for a couple of hours. He's five hours overdue now."

"Sweating him in, ja?"

Corky turned astonished eyes towards Willie. "I'm surprised you know that term." Jack barked agreement.

"Ahh, this is not the first time you've waited for Jake," Willie prevaricated, tugging at his collar. "I overheard some Americans use the phrase. I used it right, ja?"

Corky nodded and turned his gaze back outside, tossing down a mouthful of beer. Willie relaxed and leant against the lintel. "I just don't understand," he said. "Why hasn't he radioed in at least?"

Willie shrugged. "Here comes the Clipper," he said. "Maybe they have news?"

Together they awaited the pilot, trailing in after all the other passengers. The pilot, a regular on the flight, recognised Corky instantly. "Hey, pal!" he exclaimed, thumping him on the back in greeting. "What's that old Jake Cutter up to then?"

Corky mashed his hat in his hands. "He's late, that's what he's up to."

"I saw his Goose by an island on the way over."

"Where did you see this?" Willie interrupted, his ice blue eyes gazing at the pilot intently.

The pilot gave Willie a sour look but responded. "You guys would know the name of the place, I'm sure, but it was about --" he thought and then gave them the approximate latitude and longitude.

Willie nodded, feeling the pit of his stomach turn hollow. Why, he'd just received a report that morning about German movement in the area. Not that he could say anything, but it didn't look good for his two friends.

Gushie interrupted them. "Corky!" Gushie called. "Something's come in on the wire!" Gushie held a pile of ticker tape and a notebook. Corky abandoned his watch-post and watched impatiently as Gushie deciphered the Morse code message. Grimly, he handed it to Louie, aware of Corky's hungry look.

Louie read it through swiftly. "It is from Tagataya," he said at last. "The Embassy reports that two American citizens, our Jake and Sarah, have been caught and arrested by the Germans as spies."

"Spies!" The four men listening exclaimed.

"That's impossible!" Corky added, scratching at his head. "Why would they think that?"

Willie nodded. "It's inconceivable that Miss Sarah could be a spy. I've always had my suspicions about Jake ..."

"Jake is not a spy!" declared Corky, rounding on Willie in anger. Jack barked agreement and growled menacingly, his hackles raised.

Willie backed off, raising his hands in defeat. "All right, all right, he is not a spy either. But why would the Germans think so?"

"I dunno." Corky lifted his cap with his hand and rubbed his hand through his close-cropped black hair. "That island! Maybe they bumped into some Germans by accident." He frowned. "But what were they doing in that part of the Marivellas?"

"Jake and Sarah?" Willie asked.

"Noo, the Germans, of course." Corky wondered how the reverend could be so slow. "Jake was taking Sarah on a picnic."

Louie raised an eyebrow and exchanged a conspiring smile with Gushie. Were the two Americans *finally* having a romantic liaison?

"We have to rescue them!" Corky pleaded with his friends.

"It will not be easy, mon ami." Louie frowned.

"Ja, the Germans are a superior force." Willie blinked as everyone looked at him oddly. "So I've heard."

"First we need to find out their location," Louie said. "I can see what I can find out through diplomatic channels -- but that is not always the fastest way and time is something we are very short of. The Germans may execute our friends at any time."

Jack whined, his head sinking to the floorboards. He put his paws over his ears. Corky had gone pale.

Louie hastily continued. "Of course, the fact that they were not shot on sight is a good sign." He paused. "In a way."

"In a way?" Corky asked.

At Louie's imploring look, Gushie endeavoured to break the news to Corky. "They will be interrogated for all they know first. It can be a slow process. As they are not spies and know nothing, it will take even longer."

Corky gulped.

"Louie, we could take your boat--" Gushie began.

"I can only use that boat for official purposes. I do not think the French Governor on Tagataya would be pleased to find out that one of his vessels had been captured."

"Unless they have air support, we'd be fine," argued Corky. He eyed the Clipper pilot who was drinking at a table a short way off. "We could hijack the Clipper..."

Louie tch-tched. "I will pretend I did not hear that."

As they argued, plotting and discarding plans, Willie remained silent, his thoughts in a turmoil. He could not help his friends rescue the Americans for it would mean betraying his own country, even if they were not spies. His brow furrowed, he stared off into space. What a pity such a beautiful woman as Sarah was caught up in all this. And Jake: yes, an American and sometimes he had turned up in the oddest places -- but he was a soldier and they did not always make the best of spies. Willie tugged at his dog collar. He should know. Besides, he argued with himself, *he* was a spy -- should he not be able to recognise another?

Coming to a decision, Willie plopped his hat back on his head. "I don't think I can be of any help here --"

"Reverend, we need every man we can get!" Corky grasped his sleeve. Jack barked in agreement.

Willie shook his head, hiding his expression under the lowered brim of his hat. "I am sorry," he said. "I will pray for your success." He made his escape.

*******

Sarah looked up as the heavy metal door opened. Jake came tumbling through. He landed in a heap on the hard floor, his hat thrown in after. "Jake!" Sarah cried, sliding over to him. "Jake, are you all right?"

Jake groggily lifted his head. Sarah gasped. His swollen eyes barely permitted him to see, the purpling skin and bloody nose ample evidence of his beating. Small cuts on his face, as if from a ring scattered at random across his face with one particularly nasty one across a cheekbone. He licked his bleeding lips, wincing. "Leave me alone, Sarah." He tried to drag himself away from her and got as far as the nearest wall.

"Jake, what did they do to you?" Sarah gingerly rested a hand on his shoulder, almost afraid to touch him.

"It's called interrogation." Jake's slitted eyes were cold with anger as he shrugged off her touch.

"I'm sorry, Jake," Sarah said softly. "Let me help you?"

"There's nothing you can do to help." Jake hauled himself up into a sitting position, gasping. One arm clutched at his ribs.

Sarah settled herself beside him and coaxed him to lean against her. "I can make you more comfortable." Jake didn't reply but sagged against her. Sarah peered down. Jake's eyes were fluttering closed. Gently, she kissed the top of his head. Why had she dragged him into this?

*****

Princess Koji sat, beautiful and graceful in her kimono, watching with great interest as two swordsmen circled each other. She enjoyed supervising the training of her men. Her presence made them nervous and eager to please: a mindset for mistakes. Only those who could act in her presence without being distracted by her would be worthy of her troop.

The arrival of Lieutenant Tenboom did not displease Koji as much as her thinly veiled sneer suggested. She enjoyed teasing the nervous, blond German. "What is it now?" she drawled, affecting tedium.

"Haven't you heard?" Quickly, Willie realised his faux pas. It wasn't wise to make Koji aware of any possible shortcomings in her knowledge of the Marivellas. Hastily, Willie continued, "Jake and Sarah have been captured by spies!"

Princess Koji merely raised an eyebrow and gestured he step to one side so she could watch the duellists. "Not that I particularly care, but by who?"

Willie obliged. "The Germans!"

"Your people," Koji reminded him gently.

"Ja," Willie reluctantly acknowledged. "But this time they have made a mistake!"

"A mistake? Are you sure?" Koji turned her attention back to the duellers.

"Quite sure! They may be Americans, but they're not spies!"

"I wouldn't be too sure of that," muttered Koji, raising a glass of saki to her lips to hide her smirk. She leveled her violet eyes at him in a cool look that was guaranteed to disconcert him. "So why are you telling me this?"

For once the look didn't work. Willie was too worked up. "Jake's friends are plotting to help them escape. I need your help."

"To prevent it?"

"Nein! To ensure it!"

"But why should I do that?" Koji smiled languorously.

"Jake saved your life!" Willie exclaimed, letting emotion get the better of him. He felt his face flush hot. Always, he had tried to stay as cool as Koji -- he had not yet been completely successful.

"And I repaid him," Koji coolly glared at Willie. "It is not for you to say what my debts are."

"Paid him off with money." Willie insisted on making his point.

"That's the only kind of repayment Jake Cutter understands." Koji's brow darkened with the barest hint of anger. Her ice-cold words did the rest.

"You know that's not true."

Koji waved a dismissive hand. "They are spies against *your* country. Why are you so willing to betray your own people?"

Willie opened and shut his mouth. "Betray? I am not -- They are my friends!" His back stiffened.

"Friends make the best spies." Koji goaded, a soft, sultry chuckle accompanying her words.

Willie shook his head. "No, I cannot believe it of them, especially Sarah."

Princess Koji rolled her eyes. She had held evidence in her hand that Sarah was a spy. It seemed to her that Jake had allowed himself to get involved in her intrigues. She frowned. She had thought better of Jake.

"So you will not help?" Willie asked.

Koji leaned forward. "Willie, you know I have my price."

Willie relaxed a little. "Ja, ja," He agreed wearily. "What do you want?"

*******

Sarah was so relieved to hear Jake moan. He had lain slumped and unconscious on her lap for the better part of an hour. Wearily, he raised his head, gazing up at her through bleary eyes. Sarah brushed back the hair from his forehead. "You're awake," she said, unnecessarily.

Jake grunted an affirmative. "Sarah..." His swollen lips barely parted as he hoarsely croaked her name.

"I wish I had some water," murmured Sarah.

Jake grimaced. "Wouldn't do any good. Better to have an empty stomach for the next round." Sarah shivered. His hand reached up, resting on the back of her neck. "I'll be all right, Sarah."

She made a face to show him she wasn't convinced, but then smiled her thanks. Her eyes widened slightly as Jake exerted pressure to draw her head down closer. Sarah tenderly kissed his bruised lips, feeling him respond.

Jake relaxed his hold. "One of these days," he murmured, "I really will take you on a picnic, Miss Stickney-White."

Sarah smiled sadly.

*******

Sunsets were always beautiful at Boragora. The setting sun turned the sky into layers of oranges and pinks. This one went unappreciated as Corky paced a short section of the dock, his attention alternately changing from the ocean to the Boragora Hotel. Louie's fast boat bobbed just off the main dock. Aboard, the pilot checked the instruments, ready for their journey.

"What's takin' him so long, Jack?" Corky asked as he passed by the little terrier who watched Corky's perambulations with interest.

Jack simply cocked his head to one side as if to say, "You tell me!"

Corky paced some more, muttering inaudibly. Finally he sat down beside Jack. "Gee, Jack," he said, his round face mournful, "what are we going to do if we can't rescue Jake and Sarah?" Jack didn't answer but rested his head on Corky's arm. "I mean, Jake's probably the bestest friend I've ever had."

Jack growled.

Corky rubbed Jack's head. "Yes, you are too, Jack." Corky rested his chin on his fist, his frustration reappearing. "He sticks up for me, got me a job when nobody else would look twice at me..." Corky sighed. "I wish I coulda told him, y'know?" Corky plunged back into meditative silence. He looked up towards the hotel. "What's keepin' Louie?"

Corky got back to his feet and resumed pacing. "If we don't hurry, it's gonna be light before we get 'em outta there."

At last, he spotted Louie hastening down the uneven planks of the dock towards them. "About time!" Corky exclaimed, hands on hips.

"My apologies, mon ami," said Louie. He dropped the heavy black canvas bag he was carrying into the belly of the small boat. "There was some last minute business to take care of." He bowed towards the boat. "Shall we go?"

*****

Sarah rested her head on her hand. She was sitting with her back to the wall. Leaning against her, Jake tried to make himself comfortable, his head resting just below her shoulder. They were reminiscing.

"Remember the first time I kissed you?" he asked, attempting a smile.

"I thought you had drowned."

"I nearly did. Fritz was strong." Jake managed a weak smile. "I'm glad I made it."

"Me too." Sarah's fingers lightly teased the ends of his hair. "Jack and I would have been monkey meat if you hadn't made it."

Jake gingerly shook his head. "Nah, you're smarter than that. Besides, you made it back to the Goose in plenty of time."

Sarah quirked a smile and found she had to agree. They fell into a meditative silence.

Jake became aware of the sound of booted feet marching outside their door. He gestured to Sarah to move away. "They're coming back," he muttered through gritted teeth.

Sarah edged away from Jake to the other side of the brig and eyed the door fearfully. She looked back over at Jake, seeing him tense as they heard the key in the lock. "Jake ..." she cried out softly, very afraid.

"It's OK, Sarah," Jake nodded. "I won't tell them anything. You'll be safe."

The door swung open. Three thickset German soldiers stormed into the room. One aimed a kick in Jake's direction, warding him off with the butt of his rifle as his comrades dragged Sarah to her feet.

"Jake!!" Sarah screamed.

"Sarah!" Jake scrambled to his feet, reaching for her, getting kicked in the ribs for his trouble.

The door slammed shut, leaving Jake in the echoing silence. He covered his bruised face with his hands

******

Louie's fast boat bounced over the dark ocean waves towards the German-occupied island. Corky, with one hand firmly clamped down over his hat, squinted against the wind. Louie and Jack seemed unperturbed by the speed of the small boat, Louie holding onto the rail to keep himself balanced.

"Just on the edge of the Japanese Marivellas," Louie observed to the pilot. "We'll have to be careful to avoid detection from Koji's people as well."

"Moon's only half-full, that'll help," the pilot replied.

"Look over there!" Corky pointed with his free hand, swaying wildly with the boat's movement.

They could see the dark outline of the island rising up high behind the long grey sleekness of the German destroyer glowing with light. Louie peered closely. Within a few feet of the ship, he could just make out the grey forms of three sampans. Did he imagine that their sails were red?

"They look a too preoccupied to be worried about us," Louie shouted over the turbulent wind. "Full speed ahead!"

*****

The alarm sounded onboard the German ship just as the first grappling hooks found a hold on the ship's decks. A wave of Koji's samurai warriors stormed the ship, cutting down the superior-armed Germans with their swords before more than a few shots could be fired off.

Princess Koji's warriors fought bravely, the Germans resorting to using their semi-automatics to block the samurais deadly blows. Koji, guarded protectively by Todo, boarded after the vanguard, squeezing off precisely aimed shots. Willie was behind her, cloaked.

As they overwhelmed the upper deck and headed below, Willie cast off his cloak, revealing his German uniform. He pushed past Koji, entering the ship's interior. "Follow me!" he barked.

Koji declined. "You go rescue your little friends. We'll hold the fort up here." She spoke in Japanese to Todo and he barked orders to two of her men nearest them. They nodded stiffly at Todo and followed Willie into the hold.

******

"You vill talk!" snarled Sarah's interrogator.

Sarah glared up at him, squinting under the bright light directed at her. One nasty bruise blossomed along her left cheekbone. "I've told you everything!"

"Tell me again," demanded the German. "Who do you vork for?"

"I sing at the Monkey Bar. I work for the owner Bon Chance Louie," Sarah said in a monotone. How many times did they have to go through this?

The German backhanded her across the face, darkening the red mark on her right cheek. Before long, it too would bruise. "You know vot I mean! You spy for America?"

"Look, I'm just an American citizen working in these islands." Sarah glared at him angrily through unshed tears.

"You were spying on this ship with your binoculars!"

Sarah shook her head and then wished she hadn't. She was dizzy enough. "No," she said slowly. "Me and Jake were on a picnic. I was bird watching and just *happened* to spot your ship when a seagull dove by it. Jake said we should go, but I was curious as to whose ship it was." Sarah attempted a smile and failed. "I guess I found out, huh."

The German, his face almost indistinguishable in the shadows, grimaced. He folded his arms. "Again. Who do you vork for?"

*****

Jake Cutter straightened up as sounds of the melee came closer. The alarm had been going off for some minutes now. He heard someone being slammed against the brig's door, and then the door itself opened.

"Willie?" Jake narrowed his eyes. Willie in a German uniform.

Willie saw his wary look and said hastily, "Disguise. Come -- we must get out of here."

Jake saw he was flanked by two samurais and realised that Koji had come to his rescue. Willie helped him to his feet. "Sarah," Jake cried, wincing as he moved. "They took her for questioning."

"Don't worry, my friend. "We'll find her." Willie handed Jake off to one of the warriors and gestured to the other to follow him.

*****

The door to the interrogation room opened. The menacing German leaning over Sarah, turned his head to discover the intruder. Sarah could only make out a shadowy figure in the doorway, being blinded by the lights.

"Ya?" asked the German curtly.

The officer stepped into the light. "I vill take over here," Willie spoke English for Sarah's benefit. The German bristled. Willie forestalled him. "Have you discovered anything? Nein. So let an expert at it. Dismissed. Seig heil!"

"Sieg heil!" The German exited, grumbling.

Sarah finally found her voice. "Willie?" she breathed.

Willie held gloved fingers to his lips, warning her to silence. He moved behind her chair and untied her hands. Sarah rubbed at her wrists, trying to restore circulation. "Are you all right?" Willie asked.

"I'll live," Sarah replied. "We better get going."

Willie nodded. Suddenly fearful, he opened the door and peered cautiously around it. A beatific smile graced his face. The German lay on the floor. Willie grinned at the two samurai that stood over the fallen man. "Gut!" declared Willie. He took Sarah's hand. "Let us go!"

******

The fast boat containing Louie and Corky (and Jack, of course) pulled up alongside the largest of the sampans. Its passengers watched the onboard battle with interest.

"It is unlike Princess Koji to attack her allies," mused Louie.

"Do you suppose she came to rescue Jake and Sarah?" Corky asked, his eyes alight with eagerness.

Jack barked twice and Louie agreed. "Possible -- but at what price, mon ami? The princess *is* a mercenary."

The fighting appeared to have died down with the Germans either dead, wounded or in a position of surrender. The self-satisfied Japanese warriors surrounded the surviving Germans.

Corky spotted some familiar forms. "Look!" he shouted, pointing.

Jake stumbled out onto the deck, supported by two warriors. Corky and Louie could see Koji approach him and sadly shake her head.

"I wonder what she's saying?" Corky mused aloud.

"Jake Cutter," Koji was saying, "you *are* in a sorry state. Didn't I tell you that skinny woman would get you into trouble?"

Jake managed to lift his head. "Koji," he acknowledged.

Koji hardened her look of sympathy. "Take him to my ship," she said.

Todo attracted her attention. "The Frenchman and the mechanic are here," he said, pointing at Louie's fastboat.

"Jake will go on my ship," Koji commanded. "Tell Louie that I will return the Americans to him safely, and that I suggest he leave immediately before the Germans think he's connected to this."

Todo bowed and retreated to do her bidding.

"Take him to my ship," repeated Koji, her brows narrowing at having to repeat her demand.

Jake dug his heels in. "What about Sarah?"

Koji stepped forward, dismissing the two warriors with a flick of her fingers. Jake swayed, staggering slightly, but managed to remain upright. "What about the little spy?" she whispered, her dark eyes glinting with mischief. The tip of her index finger caressed Jake's cheek. "I came to rescue my favourite American."

"Koji..." Jake began warningly.

Koji straightened up, disappointed that Jake was too exhausted to play her game. Never mind, she thought, I will still determine the rewards. "Don't worry about Sarah, Jake. Willie is seeing to her rescue." She gestured to the two warriors waiting just out of earshot. They came forward and resumed their places on either side of Jake.

"I'm not going until I see her." Jake tried to shrug off the hands of the samurai, failing.

Koji sighed impatiently. "Very well, Jake Cutter. We will wait."

"Jake!" Sarah cried as she emerged from below.

Jake spun around, slipping easily from the loose grasp of the warriors with a sudden burst of energy. "Sarah!" She rushed into his arms and they held each other tight. "Are you all right?" Sarah nodded, suddenly unable to speak.

Koji turned away, her nose wrinkled in distaste. "Americans!" she muttered.

******

The Monkey Bar was alive with the evening crowd. Corky played on the piano, a beer resting precariously on the top. Jack, sitting at his side, suddenly growled. Corky looked up to see Willie enter the bar.

"Willie!" Corky exclaimed. He abandoned the piano and hurried to greet the reverend, pumping his hand and slapping his back with joy. He didn't notice Willie wince. "Where have you been?"

Willie smiled, slightly embarrassed. "Princess Koji required me to ... ahhh, bless her men." The truth was, he had spent an exhausting day drilling with her men, while listening to Koji laugh at his inadequacies.

"And Koji?" asked Louie, having overheard this last part.

"Ja. Koji too." He allowed a flicker of a smile. He hadn't been so inadequate *there*.

"What I don't understand, reverend," began Louie, "was how Koji and yourself came to be there in the first place."

Willie gulped. He had been expecting this. "I was praying to the gut Lord God above for divine aid for Miss Sarah and Jake, when it came to me that the Princess Koji had the -- the resources to be of help. So, I went to see her."

"I couldn't believe it when I saw you in that uniform," Corky added.

Willie swallowed hard, aware of Jack's growling. "Ja. Koji planned it all. She gave me that wretched uniform to wear so I could go undercover and find Jake and Sarah. Thank Gott I am Dutch, ja?"

"Where *are* Jake and Sarah?" asked Gushie.

Louie shared a conspiratorial look with Corky. "Picnicking, I believe." His smirk was mirrored on the other faces around him.

"A toast!" Corky raised his beer bottle. "To Willie!"

"Willie!" Bottles and glasses clinked together. The Reverend Tenboom smiled, looking like he needed a good lie down.

******

Brightly-coloured birds squawked at each other as the sun began to set in glorious billows of oranges and pinks. On a small, sandy beach, Jake and Sarah are relaxing on a blanket, the remains of a picnic feast before them. Lying down, propped up by an elbow, Jake switched his gaze between the sunset and Sarah.

Sarah, sitting upright, noticed his stare. "What are you looking at?" she asked.

Jake smiled over at her. "You," he replied simply. Sarah blushed. "I'm glad I could talk you into coming on a *real* picnic," he added.

Sarah blushed and leaned over closer to him. "I'm glad too."

Jake reached up with one hand and drew her closer, their lips meeting in a sweet, gentle kiss.

THE END

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