Sun Mote Copse beware the jabberwock, my son!

No sooner had Crow burped than Sugar did the same. Just like him, she brought up more than just trapped air: a mouthful of water tinged with sour bile came gushing out of her too. The mild current washed it all away fairly rapidly and the pup smacked her lips lightly, feeling all the better for it.

She just stayed there for a few more minutes, basking in the relief, and her mind wandered back to the purple flower. Although Sugar was young, she could certainly see the connection between it and what'd happened to them. She shuddered. She would never go near another purple flower if she could help it, even though she'd handled many other kinds and never come into any harm.

After a while, Sugar pushed herself to her feet and waded to the shoreline with a sigh. She shook out her coat, which was still streaked with brown on her underside, though the creek water had washed away most of the filth. Almost immediately, she felt the relentless July sun beating on her back and she crept sideways, seeking a shady patch, and flopped down with another, longer sigh.