Be Zen If It Is Zen

Gaius has arrived home.

He has gone into the garden shed and wheeled out his bicycle.

He has wiped it clean of red back spiders.

The red back spiders have grimaced at one another.

Outrageous! This happens every year!

And scuttled under a stiff broom, to await the return of the bicycle.

Be Zen, they tell one another. Think of it as a holiday. If that is Zen.

Gaius is now in the bathroom, rinsing his lycra. It's a hot day. Excellent. It will dry fast.

Knock knock!

Come in! shouts Gaius, thinking it's Humboldt with Terence and Ageless. Door's open!

In comes Belle.

Gaius! says Belle. Just came round to see how things are going.

I'm well on track, says Gaius. But Humboldt hasn't arrived yet.

Knock knock!

He has.

He strides down the passage with news.

You'll never guess what's happened.

Tell us, says Belle.

Kobo and Pinky are going to compete in the women's race, says Humboldt. Ageless was mad at first, but now he and Blue Claw have decided it will be worth it to see how they go.

Terence stomps up the passage.

You ate all the plums, says Terence.

I did NOT, says Gaius. It was those pesky parrots. And they are not plums.

Celia flutters in.

Not plums? What were they?

Peacherines, says Gaius. They were very prolific last season.

They were plums, says Terence.

They were peacherines last season too, says Gaius. They have never been plums.

Would you like some plums? asks Belle.

No, says Terence. I don't like plums. We had plums in Weipa.

We did, says Celia. I'm glad that there aren't any plums.

Me too, says Terence.

Celia looks fondly at Terence, who is now glad that there aren't any plums.

Do you and Humboldt have time to go out with papa and David for a trial run? asks Belle.

Certainly, says Gaius.

Is my bike here? asks Humboldt. If it is, I'll be happy to go out on a trial run.

Don't be surprised at anything you see happening, says Belle. Like if papa disappears behind a tree and comes out looking fresher.

Fresher, says Humboldt. That would in no way surprise me.

He imagines Vello feeling refreshed after taking a pee.

Anyone would look fresher.

But Gaius has known Vello longer.

Fresher eh? He hopes this tree break will not involve cheating.