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"I believe so, but only Percy knows the particulars"

"I’ll have to wake him up" His sister did not look thrilled with the idea

"We need to know the best current to catch anyway, put a departure ti her eyelashes so Pri as you realise Quesnel is still up"

"Blast theentle of Percy"

"Point taken"

Prim deemed the matter settled andI should stock with Lady Maccon inand likes it I wouldn’t worry about her Horrible sweet tooth"

Primrose nodded "Tea later? I’d like to knohat happened last night"

"Later," agreed Rue "I should be better able to discuss it then"

Priet my wrap, wake Percy, and be off I’e"

"If you want to drive yourself, you can use the Maccon dogcart It’s still sitting on the green"

Primrose looked horrified at the very idea "No, thank you Ladies don’t drive bounders"

"Tell that to my mother Send Percy up when he’s decent, would you please?"

"By allRue to the builders

The builders were absolutely convinced it would be highly dangerous to take The Spotted Custard up without a week’sbuilders, actuallyPercy and the currents would concur

The e sputtered, not accusto ladies Mr Bapp had a face like a squished puffin which had eaten soo and never recovered

Rue talked over his sputter "Spoo, please raise as s as we can spare I want some left fresh and rested for float, but the rest we can loan to Mr Bapp here"

Spoo nodded and scampered off

"Willard?"

The head deckhand looked at Rue expectantly "Yes, Lady Captain?"

"Can engineering spare any muscle?"

He considered "Two, perhaps But if the Custard does turn out to be shaky, we’d best keep soreed Do what you can"

Quesnel appeared abovedecks, blinking in the sunlight

"Three hours, gentlerumble about females with unreasonable expectations

"Chérie?" Quesnel’s face was contorted with concern "Are you well?" His hand jerked forward and then fell to his side, empty