Epilogue--

The next day, around noon, the Jammy Dodger 2 was back on the river, headed for the Malone homestead. Their business with Jonas Merriman completed, they had received payment for the delivery with a bonus that Merriman insisted they take. The group managed to cast off without incident from Spike's gang, who were nowhere to be found, or any other Malone or St. James enemy. Rita was in her usual good mood, just after being paid. She was humming "Ice Cold Rita" as she handled the wheel, while just off to the side, Liam split his attention between the boiler and an MP3 player he had lucked upon, stuffed with "The Clash". She turned back to her first mate who was handling the tiller with near equal skill. "Doing alright still, Roddy?"

"Oh, swimmingly," he said. "Quite a perfect day..."

"Ay! Nothin's bitin' t'day! Ain't that a gip..."

The sound of Sid's voice brought an immediate frown to Roddy's features. "At least, it WILL be, in a few minutes..." Rita stifled a giggle as Roddy marched over to the starboard side.

"Sorry to hear that, old chap," said Roddy upward to Sid, who wore a ridiculous-looking Hawaiian shirt with matching shorts and a straw fisherman's hat. "Anywhere in particular we can drop you? Lexington? Market Square? I believe I saw a water main all set to burst back there. Who knows? Maybe it'll blast you all the way to Windsor..."

"No worries, Roddy, me old mate! Any ol' where's fine! Anyhow, the secret of successful fishin' is always patience."

Roddy climbed up to the upper deck where Sid sat, taking a spot beside him. "By the way, Rita told me about what you did for her. Thank you, Sid."

Sid turned to Roddy, blinking in surprise. "I'll wager that hurt to say!"

"You have no idea..."

"Well, Rods, I don't hold near a candle to you in the hero game, but maybe I'll learn a thing or two from you yet, eh?"

It was then Roddy's turn to blink in surprise.

"I mean it. You had me flush you a second time, took on the Toad, Spike's whole gang, all for Rita and her folks!" Sid clapped a hand on Roddy's shoulder. "She's awful lucky to have you, mate. The least I could do is make sure you still had her." Sid then held the hand out in a handshake gesture. "I been wrong about you, Roddy St. James. Sorry, then."

Roddy accepted the gesture warmly. "I was wrong about you, too, Sid. You're a decent sort. In fact, I'd say we're pretty much even. Just think, in many ways, you're responsible for bringing Rita and me together!"

"Heh, don't remind me," Sid quipped. Between England losing the Cup again, and the first of many cats coming to Kensington, that wasn't his greatest day.

"Well, I'll leave you to it again, Mr. Patience," stated Roddy as he climbed back down from the deck. Sid gave him a passionate mock salute, then turned his attention to the fishing line once more.

As he reached the cabin, he asked Rita and Liam collectively, "Do you think I should warn him about the piranha?"

Liam laughed heartily as Rita gasped between her own chuckling, "Naw, I think he'll manage alright!"

THE END