Some Kind of Trap

Gaius was on his way to Goolwa for the weekend, with The VeloDrone, Le Bon David, Marie, Belle et Bonne and Margaret. How had it come to this?

After the film at the Science Exchange, The VeloDrone had issued an invitation. It was his birthday, and they were all going to the Riverport Motel on a package, with dinner included. It was the girls' idea. Would Gaius and Margaret like to come? Of course Margaret would. Of course Gaius would not. But he had been too slow to come up with an excuse.

It was cold and rainy as they drove through the hills on Saturday morning.

Don't worry, said Belle et Bonne. It never rains at Goolwa. You'll see. The sun will shine and the clouds will disappear.

And she was right. The rain had stopped before they reached Goolwa. They stopped for lunch at a bakery.

They took their chunky beef pies and Cornish pasties to a wooden gazebo and ate them overlooking the wetlands. A black swan floated lazily on the water while two boys in cricket whites ran in and out of the trees, chasing one another.

What is there to do at Goolwa, Marie? asked The VeloDrone.

Oh lots, said Marie. There's the river, the island, and the sea.

Yes, said Belle et Bonne. There's walking, boating and surfing.

And the town, and the shops, said Margaret. And lots of lovely artworks. And the bridge, and the Murray Mouth.

Sounds marvellous, said Le Bon David.

Birds? asked Gaius. Are there birds?

Oh yes, said Marie. You'll love it, Gaius. There will be lots of birds at the Riverport Motel. It's well known for its birds. You and Margaret will wake up in the morning to the sounds of cockatoos, seagulls and ducks.

That did sound delightful.....but wait a minute! What did she mean 'you and Margaret'? What were the sleeping arrangements? Did they think he and Margaret.....? Had he fallen into some kind of trap?