The bottom fell out of Alex's stomach a second time and this time he didn't hide it. Peter laughed and Noel chided him.
'They were huge she said, and she wondered what'd happen if she was swallowed.'
'I was hallucinating,' Noel interrupted. 'I remembered a story I'd read about a whaler being thrown overboard and being swallowed, and when the ship caught the whale a couple of days later he was still alive, but bleached white.'
'Dad said she would've suffocated. I reckon she'd have drowned.'
Alex's blood was still pounding but he did his best. 'I'd vote for dying of fright.'
'That was my choice.' Noel was hugging Peter again, looking up at him. It was an adventure to him. But not to her, or Alex. She gave Peter a minute before sending him on his way. 'If you've come out for a swim, hop to it.' He grinned and scampered, he'd told his bit of excitement. They watched him drop his towel and jump in.
'Was it an hallucination?'