Late Scratchings

Marie and Surfing-With-Whales rode up and down Willunga Hill three times.

Not bad for a girl! said Surfing-With Whales, as Marie passed him again.

I rode in the Tour Down Under last year, said Marie, slowing down.

In the women's, said Surfing-With-Whales.

In the men's, said Marie. I rode as a man. We had two Gymnosophers in the team, Angel and Gym Ten. Angel was nice. We would have won but for my uncle and Gym Ten. They were trying to elbow some riders so I stuck out my foot to trip them up. And we lost.

Wow! said Surfing-With-Whales.

........


Ageless, Karko and Decca were not sure about Riding Like Crazy. Why were there so many policemen? Why was nobody trying too hard?

The box-on-wheels was attracting attention.

Good on you! called someone from the roadside.

Go La Potenta! cried somebody else.

A group of children started chanting, Starpuss! Starpuss!

That's it. We're stopping, said Ageless.

They stopped.

A smiling lady came up and patted Decca on the back.

You boys, she said. Giving up your day for charity. That's so lovely.

What's this? said Ageless. What charity?

A policeman came over.

May I look in that box? he asked.

.......

The Tour Down Under Classic was due to start at seven pm. Marie and Surfing-With-Whales were late. Team Crustacean was nowhere in sight.