Necessary Squeezes

The TGV arrives at Paris Gare-Montparnasse.

Simone de Beauvoir is waiting for Sartre.

Chocolate, she sniffs, disapprovingly, as she gives him a peck on the cheek.

Sartre flexes his muscles.

She assesses the changes.

Yes, darling. You do look quite fit. You should keep up the cycling.

Hello, Simone! says Belle. We're in Paris for one night. Know any good hotels around here?

We always stay at the Mistral, says Simone. How many are you?

She asks because they seem to have children and extras.

Me, Sweezie, Arthur, Gaius, Terence and Baldy, says Belle. And our little bird, Saint Roley.

Simone takes a look at Saint Roley.

There is brown liquid coming out of his nose.

Has EVERYONE been eating chocolate? asks Simone. Surely on the TGV, they sell healthy alternatives. What about yogurt?

I ate what I was given, says Saint Roley, surprising Simone with his vocal capacity.

Oh! says Simone. Is it a parrot?

No, says Gaius. An oystercatcher, and an intelligent one.

How fascinating, says Simone. I should like to know more. Why don't you all come and stay at the Mistral? Jean Paul will arrange it.

Sartre had been looking forward to parting from his travelling companions. But he sees that the departure must necessarily be delayed.

So they all trundle off to the Mistral, which is close by.

Sartre goes up to reception. A few words are exchanged. A key is obtained.

You're lucky, says Sartre. Everyone wants to stay here. But the smallest room is available for tonight, for 112 euros.

Excellent, says Gaius. Let us go up and settle in.

Come and join us for coffee as soon as you're ready, says Simone.

It is agreed this will happen.

In the small room, everyone is forced to stand close together. It's clear this can't continue.

We'll do shifts, says Sweezus. Arthur and me'll go out.

They are just going out when Belle remembers:

Arthur, first you must call Baldy's mother.

Baldy looks excited. Then sad. Then excited.

Arthur gets out his phone.

As usual, the battery is flat.

Charge it, says Belle Here, use my charger.

Arthur's phone is plugged into a charger, and the charger plugged in at the wall. After a while it becomes apparent that Arthur has a large number of messages and missed calls, from the same number, the number of the Virgin in Le Puy en Velay.

This is surely a sign.