Shit A Brick!

Gaius is becoming concerned about the Kroombit tinker.

Where is she now?

He phones Arthur.

Arthur, says Gaius. Where is the tinker exactly?

In the air, says Arthur. With Ben O'Connor.

Excellent, says Gaius. When will they be landing?

Don't know, says Arthur.

Pity, says Gaius. I could go and meet them.

Might not be in Adelaide, says Arthur. I forgot to ask Ben where he was going.

Jumping Jupiter! says Gaius. It could be anywhere in Australia! Where is he from?

Subiaco, says Arthur (after a short pause consulting Ben's stats.)

In Western Australia! says Gaius. That's about as far from Kroombit Tops as you can be!

At least the tinker'll be in the country, says Arthur. 

Gaius wishes he'd kept better control of the tinker. What was he thinking?

Not much he can do now but stew.

....

Meanwhile Ben O'Connor is enjoying a snack on the flight from Madrid to Paris. 

So far he's been lucky.

There is an empty seat by his side and he has placed the box on it.

The Kroombit tinker, Baby Pierre and his bike are inside.

Ben O'Connor takes the lid off.

Want a snack? asks Ben O'Connor.

What is it? asks the tinker.

Cup noodles, says Ben O'Connor. 

Maybe a noodle, says the tinker.

Ben fishes out a noodle, and lowers it into the box.

The tinker sucks up the noodle.

Ha ha! laughs Baby Pierre. It's a long noodle! Watch out you don't choke!

The tinker stops sucking up the noodle.

But cannot reply.

Ben O'Connor has not noticed the tinker is choking on the noodle.

He is thinking of his poem.

Had he even started it?

No, he hadn't. His attention had been on retaining the red jersey.

But now, he can start.

The tinker has promised to help him.

He looks at the tinker.

Shit a brick! The tinker is choking ! 

He nips the noodle in half.

The tinker stops choking.

You were lucky, says Baby Pierre. That was my influence.

What part of that was your influence? asks the tinker.

You could have died, says Baby Pierre. And I'm a lucky pebble.

Much you cared! says the tinker.

But Ben saved you, continues Baby Pierre. So I brought luck to everyone.

What's this? asks Ben.

You were lucky, says Baby Pierre. Imagine if the frog you were looking after had died.

Yeah how would I explain it, says Ben O'Connor. Thanks Baby Pierre.

He didn't do anything! says the tinker.