Stage Four - Glorious Happenings

The race starts an hour early, to beat the heat.

The teams stream out of Norwood.

Team Philosophe streams out last.

Why do we do it? groans David.

For the glorious happenings, says Vello. Take yesterday. Who expected Margaret to turn up in her swimsuit?

Not me, says Gaius.

With a fine picnic, says Vello.  You should have stayed.

What was in the hamper? asks Gaius.

Sandwiches, says Wittgenstein. Tomato...

Poison! says Gaius.

He speeds up and draws level with Sweezus.

Gaius, says Sweezus. How come you let Farky out yesterday?

It was Margaret, says Gaius. Why?

He's gone missing, says Sweezus.

He'll turn up, says Gaius.

Yeah, right, he'd better, says Sweezus, speeding up to catch Arthur and Pablo.

Gaius drops back.

Wittgenstein is saying: She offered to lend me a geology hammer.

You don't say! says Vello.

Margaret is up to her tricks again, thinks Gaius.

Gaius speeds up.

He passes Team Condor, at such speed he doesn't hear Arthur saying: Winning stratagem number three chapter one?

Or Pablo responding: Is it 'To kill with a borrowed knife'?

And Sweezus laughing.

It's not even funny. Perhaps it's the heat.

Gaius speeds up again. He is fuming. 

Curses on Margaret. She's lost Sweezus's dog. Has she also lost Terence?

(No she hasn't. Terence sank yesterday, momentarily, but she noticed his half submerged hat) .

Gaius draws level with Richie in Birdwood, in time for the sprint.

Richie isn't going for the sprint though. He's talking Strategy with Simon Gerrans.

Cross the sea without the emperor's knowledge, says Richie.

Simon nods. He understands. Winning Stratagem number one chapter one.

The long afternoon unrolls, like a burning hot carpet.

Norton Summit. The temperature reaches forty five degrees.

Everyone is on automatic pilot.

Thung-thung-thung-pedal-thung-wurrrr.......

You could die in this, easily.

Not today though. Thung-pedal-wurrr....

Who are those at the front, with some chance of winning? Sagan? Impey? Sanchez?

Not Gaius. He is ultimately distracted by thoughts of Margaret's poisonous tomato.

How could she? She knows his opinion.

In the end it's only one rider.

Peter Sagan, world champion, swoops through to take the Stage win.

A glorious happening.