Go Introspective

 Are we there yet? asks Terence.

Not far now, says Gaius. How's the bird doing?

Dead, says Terence.

I thought you were looking after it, says Gaius.

I was, says Terence. I still am looking after it.

It may not be dead, says Gaius. Try giving it some water.

Okay, says Terence. 

He tries. But he can't get the lid off Gaius's bottle of water.

Don't spill it, says Gaius. 

I can't if I can't get the lid off, says Terence.

Keep trying, says Gaius. I won't stop because the park closes at five, and they probably won't allow us in after three, if I know National Parks' regulations.

So Baby Glossy stays dead a while longer.

......

Back in France, it's Stage Fourteen already.

Clèrmont-Ferrand to Lyon.

Peter Sagan is determined to build up his points score to win back the green jersey from Bennett.

His team takes the lead, looking daunting.

We'll leave them to it.

What's that sweet smell?

Vello has reached into his food pouch, hoping for anything but Puy-balls.

He pulls out a pastry.

What's that? asks David. 

O joy! A praluline! says Vello, taking a bite of the pastry.

David hopes that he too has got one.

He has.

A sweet brioche infused with rose-coloured crushed almond and hazelnut praline, the pastry soft, rich and buttery.

Heaven. Thanks, Belle!

Sweezus, having dropped back to look for Richie, and not found him, catches up.

Sees his team members eating pralulines. 

O the temptation to reach into his food pouch and bite into that sugary pink-dotted pastry.

Losing even more seconds.

No, he speeds up, passing many riders until he draws level with Richie.

Hey Richie, says Sweezus.

Hey, says Richie.

I was talking to Arthur, says Sweezus. He said congrats on the poem.

He hasn't even heard it, says Richie.

On finishing it, says Sweezus. After all these years.

Yeah, says Richie. I tried so many styles. In the end I decided to go introspective.

Awesome, says Sweezus. Give us a sample.

No time, says Richie. The summit's only two k's off.

Shit, is it? says Sweezus. Better eat this pastry.

He pulls out his praluline.

Richie eyes it.

Wanna bite? asks Sweezus.

No, says Richie. No sharing food. That's the rules.

Yum, says Sweezus. 

Richie speeds away. He's good on the mountains.