Pies Midges And Flies

 Excuse me, says Roo-kai. I'll be back shortly. You go on.

Okay, says Belle. We can't be far out of Rouen. 

Isn't Rouen a large city? asks Roo-kai.

It is, says Belle. I hope we find Baby Pierre and Ouvert before we get there.

And the carrot, says Roo-kai.

Is that where you're off to? asks Belle. To look for the carrot?

Yes, says Roo-kai. I can't help thinking about Saint Roley's brother.

Saint Roley! says Terence. He was my second best parrot!

Roo-kai doesn't ask who is Terence's best parrot.

He believes it is him.

Okay, says Belle. But it's just a carrot. Don't forget the main object.

Of course not, says Roo-kai. I'll fly back and forth, and hope to miss nothing.

Ha ha! laughs Terence.

What's so funny, asks Roo-kai.

How can you miss nothing? says Terence.

Never mind, says Roo-kai, flying off.

Belle lifts Terence and the frogs into her bicycle basket, and sets off towards Rouen.

Where are we going? asks Terence.

Rouen, says Belle. We'll buy our lunch there.

Good, says Quiet-tartus. I hope they have flies.

Everywhere has flies, says Belle. 

I prefer midges, says Parsley.

But they are so small! says Belle.

I am not a big eater, says Parsley.

Aren't we supposed to be looking for Baby Pierre and Ouvert? asks Terence. 

Yes, says Belle. From where you're sitting, you could look into the ditches.

Okay, says Terence. 

He leans out of the basket, to look into the ditches.

Belle wobbles.

Maybe don't bother, says Belle. How about singing loudly? They could be nearby.

Okay, says Terence. He sings:

We're on the road to Rouen, the road to Rouen, if you pebbles don't show up soon, you'll miss out on lunch in Rouen, what's for lunch, losers, midges and flies, but Belle won't eat midges they're too small for Belle, she will have to eat pies.

What a song! says Belle. I wonder if they heard it?

Don't we all?

Where are those two pebbles?

They are way behind, having just reached the tree where Belle waited.

Their short legs are tired.

They see the tyre marks, from Belle's bicycle. 

It looks like she's been there and left. 

I vote we  hitch a ride with whoever comes next, says Ouvert.

Good plan, says Baby Pierre. 

They wait at the side of the road, with their little thumbs up.