"How expensive was it, sir?" said Ariel.
"Well, it was thousands of dollars. I commissioned it myself. Of course I had hoped it would be a wedding present" said Grimsby.
"Oh, come on, Grim. Don't start! You're not still sore that I didn't fall for the Princess of Glasgow are you?" said Eric.
"A prince doesn't get married? I did NOT see that coming" said Belle.
"Plot twist!" said Livvy.
"A very disturbing plot twist, dear Livvy. The entire kingdom wishes to see Eric happily settle down with the right girl" said Grimsby.
"Well, she's out there somewhere. I just haven't found her yet" said Eric.
"I know how that feels." said Ariel.
"Me too. It took our father years to find his right girl" said Belle.
"Years? That seems like a long time" said Eric.
"Then you better look hard" said Livvy.
"Believe me. When I find her, I'll know. Without a doubt, it'll just, bam! Hit me. Like lightning" said Eric.
"I hope so" said Belle.
Livvy then found a strange green slime on the ground.
"Ew! This dance floor is a slimy mess" she said.
"Slimy?" said Eric.
"That slime could have only been left there by one thing" said Grimsby.
"What's that?" said Ariel.
"The Slugasaurus. It's a legendary tale. The Slugasaurus leaves slime everywhere it goes. So if the slime is here, it isn't far away" said Grimsby.
"A Slugasaurus? What nonsense" Livvy scoffed.
"No, Liv. I've heard that story. Doesn't the Slugasaurus follow the happy couple around?" said Ariel.
"Yes. It is a giant slug monster that leaves waste to everything in its path. The romantic couple was followed by it in the tale. And then... the girl collapsed and fell deathly ill. The story ended with her death" Grimsby explained.
"Oh no!" said Ariel.
"It's just a story, Ariel. Enough with your silly mermaid imagination" said Livvy.
"You don't believe in mermaids, my dear?" said Grimsby.
"Absolutely not. Let me tell you this, Mr Grimsby. The way I see it, mermaids are just mythical sea creatures in silly stories told in Byron Bay" said Livvy.
"Young Cook sisters. May I confide in the three of you?" said Grimsby.
"Please do" said Belle.
"Prince Eric found a mermaid once. He must find her. Before the Slugasaurus finds her first" said Grimsby.
"Oh, please" said Livvy.
"Is this true?" said Belle.
"Yes" said Grimsby.
"We'll keep our eyes open for her. I promise" said Ariel.
"Good girls. Now off you go. It's late" said Grimsby.
And the girls headed home.
