It Must Be Believed To Be Seen

The Wonkatania

"Mesdames et messieurs, maintenant nous allons faire grand petit voyage par bateau," announced Mr. Wonka proudly, leading them to a small bend in the river where a brightly coloured dock was waiting for them.

"I think he said, 'ladies and gentlemen, now we are going for a great little boat trip'," translated Charlie, quietly. Em looked at him in astonishment.

"I didn't know you spoke French?" quizzed Em as they joined the back of the group now gathered hesitantly at the dock. Charlie shrugged.

"We study it at school."

The rest of the gathering were not so lucky and merely looked at Mr. Wonka in confusion.

"What's he on about?" barked Mr. Salt.

Mr. Wonka looked at them all expectantly.

"Voulez-vous entrer le Wonkatania?" he smiled at them pleasantly, waiting for a response. Em looked at Charlie for a translation, he obliged.

"Do you want to come on the – woah," Charlie halted mid-sentence, his eyes growing wide. Em followed his gaze.

Sailing calmly down the chocolate river was the most fantastical paddleboat Em had ever seen. Painted in delicate blues and whites, swirls of gold snaked themselves across the bow, the name 'The Wonkatania' emblazoned proudly against the blue.

A lacy canopy covered the deck, plush seats of striped red and white sat in rows of twos and threes, empty and inviting. Three Oompa Loompas dressed in white sailor suits with matching hats sat at the stern, two paddling slowly, leaving one to steer the boat gently in their direction. It was beautiful.

"What a boat," praised Charlie.

"Looks good enough to eat," added Mike, licking his lips slightly.

Eat? thought Em, amazed. No way could that thing be edible!

"That's a rather nice little canoe you've got there, Wonka," remarked Mr. Salt.

"All I ask is a tall ship and a star to sail her by," quoted Mr. Wonka, smiling at Mr. Salt distractedly.

"John Masefield," whispered Em, leaning down to her brother. He glanced up, his eyebrow raised.

"Showoff," he smirked. She gave him a playful shove as the boat came to a stop before them, a small door in its side swinging open automatically.

"All aboard, everybody," ordered Mr. Wonka, gesturing to the vessel.

"Uh," Mr. Salt jerked forwards eagerly, holding out his arms to block the path. "Ladies first and that means Veruca," he demanded.

Em watched the brat strut onto the boat – ignoring Mr. Wonka's proffered hand – and take the seat at the very front, her father following closely behind. She turned to her brother covertly.

"If she's a lady, I'm a Vermicious Knid," she quipped, her eyebrow raised sarcastically as Charlie laughed. She glanced up and was shocked to see the chocolatier looking in their direction, his head shaking ever so slightly, a small smile playing upon his lips. There's no way he heard, she assured herself, smiling at him politely.

"You're sure this thing'll float, Wonka?" asked Mr. Salt warily as Mrs. Beauregarde and her daughter climbed aboard daintily, the woman's hand lingering in Mr. Wonka's slightly longer than necessary.

"Rest assured, Sir," nodded Mr. Wonka confidently, beckoning the remaining passengers forward as Violet and her mother sat on a bench made for three.

"She's tres joli, but is she sea worthy?" questioned Mrs. Teevee as she clambered aboard hesitantly.

"Nothing to worry about, my dear lady," assured Mr. Wonka, "I take good care of my guests."