The Young Poet Is Never Alone

So, the members of Team Provenance and Team Philosophe are going their various ways.

David and Vello are going to Scotland, leaving Sweezus and Unni in charge of Velosophy.

Belle et Bonne is remaining in Paris.

Niko is going back to his island, to get ready for Christmas.

Freud is returning to the south coast and his new venture, Paintball and Pedal.

Surfing-With-Whales is returning to his mum's place in Middleton.

Gaius is considering going back to Cuttlefish Country, to help with the cause.

And Arthur is not telling anyone where he is going.

This annoys them no end.

None of them want to leave Paris until they know what Arthur is doing.

Arthur finds he is never alone.

So you're staying in Paris? says Sweezus, off-handedly.

No, says Arthur. I'm not staying here.

Yeah, says Surfing-with-Whales. Who'd wanna stay here? There's no surfing.

That's not why, says Arthur.

I would, says Belle et Bonne. It's the best city on earth. So Arthur, where are you going?

Yes Arthur, where are you going? says Unni. It's mean not to tell us.

But Arthur won't say.

Eventually they are obliged to leave Arthur to his own devices.

They leave one by one for their own destinations.

Now Arthur is free.

He has a bicycle, a shoe horn and two gold coins in his pocket. And several dirty bandages.

He is heading for London. To meet up with someone he knows.

Arthur sets off through the streets of Paris.

Shall we follow him? No.

But someone is following Arthur.

There he goes, bold as brass, on a bicycle, a lobster dressed like a bee.