A Secret Sorrow

 On Kangaroo Island, the afternoon wears on.

Gaius is thinking of leaving Emu Bay, and following Arthur and Louisa.

From the fossils, to the burnt regions.

He says so to Porntip.

But what about Terence? asks Porntip. Would you like me to find him?

That would be most kind, says Gaius. And may I say you make an excellent companion.

Thank you, says Porntip. I mask a secret sorrow.

What might that be? asks Gaius.

Nesting season, says Porntip, and no nest.

Commiserations, says Gaius.

Porntip flies off.

Gaius walks across to his back pack for an orange.

Curses! The oranges are gone.

His phone rings. It's Vello, in France.

Good afternoon, says Vello. Am I interrupting your lunch?

No, says Gaius. An orange would have been nice. But Arthur has them.

I sympathise, says Vello. If only Belle were here. We would be swimming in treats. Did you know that Privas, where the Tour finished today, is famous for its chestnut cream?

No I didn't says Gaius. Couldn't you go out and buy some?

No! says Vello. Because of this blasted bubble!

Dear me, says Gaius. And how's Team Philosophe doing racewise?

So so, says Vello. Sweezus's heart's not in it.

I'm not surprised, says Gaius. Is yours?

No, says Vello. You know me. I like intrigue and shenanigans.

But surely, says Gaius, there's scope for intrigue and shenanigans.

I generally rely on some young accomplice of Terence to upset things, says Vello. Such as Baby Pierre with his fluoroelastane wheels, remember? 

Gaius does remember. There were various accidents in previous years. Unattributed.

Alaphilippe lost the yellow jersey today, says Vello. 

I didn't know he had it, says Gaius.

Well, he did, says Vello. But he was docked twenty seconds for taking a drink in the last twenty kilometres. Now Yates has it.

What a way to get it, says Gaius.

What a way, agrees Vello. Well, better go. Sorry to hear about the orange.

Sorry to hear about the chestnut cream, says Gaius.

The call ends, on this note elegaic.