"What, a captain's jacket?"
"Well, no. Admiral's, actually. The shop's got lots of 'em if you want one too."
"Um, no thanks, Beetle."
Beetle shrugged. He gingerly negotiated his way around Spit Fyre's nose and regarded Septimus with a grin, which faded when he saw Septimus's frown. "Spit Fyre okay?" he asked.
"Yep."
"So what's up?" asked Beetle, settling himself down beside Septimus. Septimus shrugged.
Beetle regarded his friend quizzically. "You had a fight with Nicko or something?"
"Nope."
"I mean, I wouldn't be surprised if you had. He's a bit edgy, isn't he?"
"He's different," said Septimus. "He's not like Nik anymore. And even Jenna's gotten weird - acting all Princessy, like she owns the ship or something."
Beetle chuckled. "That's probably because she does," he said.
"She doesn't. It's Milo's ship."
"It was Milo's ship. Until he gave it to her."
Septimus stared at Beetle. "What, the whole ship?"
Beetle nodded.
"But why?" asked Septimus.
"I dunno, Sep. Because he's her father? I suppose that's what fathers do." Beetle sounded wistful. "But if you ask me, it was to win Jenna over."
"Huh," said Septimus, sounding remarkably like Silas.
"Yeah. It was weird, you know. A real coincidence. We bumped into Milo when we went out to get food. He was so thrilled to see Jenna, but I could see she didn't feel the same way. Then, when he found out we were camping in a rundown, filthy old net loft he insisted we stay with him instead. Nicko and Snorri really wanted to - you know how Nicko loves boats and stuff - but Jenna refused. She said we were fine in the net loft."
"Well, you were," said Septimus, thinking that was the first sensible thing he had heard about Jenna for a while.
Beetle pulled a face. "Actually, Sep, it was horrible. It stank of putrid fish, and there was a big hole in the roof, and it was soaking wet and I fell through the rotten floor and got stuck forever."
"So what happened to change Jen's mind?" asked Septimus. And then, answering his own question, "I suppose Milo gave Jen his ship, just so she would come and stay with him."
Beetle nodded. "Yep. That's about it."
"And now she's going to sail home with him?"
"Well, yes. He is her father, I suppose. But look, Sep, if you want some company on the way back, I'd be happy to come with you."
"On a smelly dragon?"
"Yeah. Well, he is smelly, you got to admit it."
"No, he's not. I don't know why everyone goes on about that, I really don't."
"Okay, okay. But I would like to come back with you, honest."
"Really?"