Stage Fourteen of the Tour. Saint-Pourcain-sur-Sioule to Lyon.
There are eighteen in the first breakaway group. One of them is Arthur. He had not been lying in a ditch yesterday, when Unni had passed him.
Just having a natural break.
Arthur is not thinking about winning. He is just riding hard. He likes riding hard. His knees are giving him trouble. He even likes that.
He rides alongside Voigt, Bak and Kadri.
So! says Voigt. You're okay! You went into a ditch yesterday.
Arthur is a little surprised. How does Voigt even know who he is?
Yeh, says Bak, a ditch. We thought you were done for.
No, says Arthur. I'm not done for.
Then he remembers. They think he is Surfing-With-Whales.
But that doesn't matter. The answer would still be the same. No, not done for.
Guess what? says Kadri.
What? says Arthur.
They found two gold coins on the road yesterday, near where you went into the ditch, says Kadri. Probably yours. You should claim them.
Arthur is now in a pickle. He feels in his pockets. No coins.
He slows down and the others ride past him.
Soon Hoogerland and Cunego loom up.
Oi! Surfing-With-Whales! says Hoogerland. Bad luck yesterday, man!
Uh, uh, puffs Cunego, who is already dropping behind.
Arthur stops.
Unni rides up.
Bloody Ageless, says Unni. He's going to drop out tomorrow. Says he can't do Mont Ventoux.
I've lost my gold coins, says Arthur.
So everything's falling to pieces, says Unni. Hey Arthur. Do you know any Latin?
What? says Arthur. Latin? I was top of my class in Latin.
Tell me some Latin, says Unni. No wait, what does hick jacket mean?
I don't know says Arthur. It isn't even Latin.
I knew it, says Unni. She rides on ahead.
Arthur stares after Unni.
How much of his cash has she left?
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