Escape Routes

The plane lands in Bridgetown.

Now to organise some form of transport, says Gaius.

A car? asks Griff. There's the Budget counter.

I was thinking of bicycles, says Gaius.

Oh, were you? says Griff. This island is not bicycle friendly.

No matter, says Gaius. But why do you say that?

Narrow roads, cane fields, no escape routes, says Griff.

But Gaius is determined.

.....

Now they have bicycles, hired from Trailseekers Barbados.

They also have up to date maps.

Now to offload Terence.

They roll up at the Waves Resort Hotel.

Good morning, says Gaius.

Good morning, says the man at reception. I'm very sorry sir, no children allowed here.

We don't care, says Terence. Is there a swimming pool?

Griff whacks Terence, on the back of his cement head.

What? says Terence.

He's not a child, says Griff. He's a delivery.

Terence has never been called a delivery.

But deliveries are what people wait for. Sweezus once waited for a delivery. He waited and waited. It was a bean bag, when it finally came. It was so comfy.....

So Terence is happy to be a delivery.

And this is my parrot, says Terence.

Sorry, no parrots, says Reception.

Got him! Nose isn't a parrot.

Irrelevant, says Gaius. We're here to see Mr and Mrs Thomas-Hume. I believe they are staying here.

Why didn't you say so? says Reception. I'll buzz them.

.......

Mr and Mrs Thomas-Hume had been having a late breakfast.

They come out to Reception.

Gaius! says Mrs Thomas-Hume. Katherine said you might drop by. How lovely to see you! And this must be ...

The delivery, says Terence. I'm not allowed.

Of course you're allowed, sweetheart, says Mrs Thomas-Hume. And is this your parrot?

How nice ( not to mention perceptive ) is Mrs Thomas-Hume!

This is the Reverend Griffith Hughes, says Gaius. Griff, meet the Thomas-Humeses.

Good to meet you, says Mr Thomas-Hume. Unfortunately, I have a meeting this morning. Perhaps you'd like to join our group for dinner tonight. It'll be on the beach, out the front here.

Yes do, says Mrs Thomas-Hume. Meanwhile I'll be out on a bus tour for spouses. Would you like to come Terence? And bring your parrot?

No, says Terence. I want to go swimming.

He makes a rude sign at Reception.

Ah-ah! says Mrs Thomas-Hume, warningly.

Nose keeps quiet.

........

Later that morning.

Who should be cycling alone through the cane fields, eyes peeled for Barbados racers?

Gaius.

And who should be lying on a banana lounge beside the pool at the Waves Resort Hotel, sipping rum and coca cola through a wiggly straw?

The Reverend.

And who is lying at the bottom of the pool, needing to be rescued?

No need to guess.

The delivery.