For The Sake Of Romance

Chris Froome looks up from his notebook. What's that he can see?

Two antennae waving above the seat in front of him.

He leans round the seat and taps Ageless. Ageless jumps!

Ooh! says Ageless. Froomey! Don't scare me like that. I thought you were Arthur.

Arthur Rimbaud? says Froomey. From Team Provenance? Is he here?

Shh! says Ageless. Yes he's here. But he doesn't know I am.

He doesn't know I am, says Froomey. So what?

I'm keeping an eye on him, says Ageless. Just to make sure he's all right.

Froomey is suspicious. This is Ageless, the tripper and poisoner, who recently got off scot free.

Would you do me a favour? says Ageless. Wander down to the first compartment, just casually, and see if he's there? I haven't checked since we boarded the train.

Why? says Froomey. Why can't you go?

Incognito, says Ageless. Reporting back to someone. For a reward, he adds before he can stop himself. Damn, that part was private!

Reward, says Froomey? What is it?

Do you have a beloved? says Ageless.

I have a fiancée, says Froomey. If that's what you mean.

Then you will understand, says Ageless. Go now, for the sake of romance.

Froomey doesn't understand anything, but he decides to go and find out. He stands and makes his way back to the first compartment. He will pretend he is checking his bike.

He passes through the second compartment. There he sees Vello and David, asleep.

He accidentally knocks David's shoulder.

Froomey! says David, waking up. What are you doing here?

Nothing, says Froomey. Just checking my bike.

Uh huh, says David nodding off again.

Froomey is elated. How easily people are tricked.

He enters the first compartment .

There is Arthur, sitting all by himself, scribbling notes.

Froomey sits down next to Arthur.

Hello Froomey, says Arthur. What are you doing here?

I'm here in the name of romance, says Froomey, thinking Arthur will think it is funny.

But Arthur only  looks sour.