Her Baggy Shorts

Belle and Pierre-Louis do not know the others are a long way behind them.

They are discussing Vello.

He doesn't make a lot of money, says Belle. But enough.

Enough to put a team in the Tour de France, says Pierre-Louis. That must cost a pretty penny.

He's subsidised by the French government, says Belle. Being kind of an icon.

And has he ever won? asks Pierre-Louis.

No, says Belle. Not even a stage. 

At least that's some consolation.

And his online magazine? asks Pierre-Louis. How does that work?

He interviews fellow philosophers, says Belle. But they must have an interest in cycling.

As I have, says Pierre-Louis. Strange that he's never asked me.

You could put yourself forward, says Belle.

Or you could, says Pierre-Louis.

I guess I could, says Belle.

She looks over her shoulder.

Where are the others?

She stops. Pierre-Louis stops too. 

Why did we stop? asks Terence. 

To wait for the others to catch up, says Belle. 

She has turned her bike round. Now Terence can see where he's been.

As he thought. Just the same as where he is going.

But the sea is on the other side. At least that's different.

Roo-kai flutters down.

They stopped to reposition the frogs, says Roo-kai.

But Arthur's meant to have them, says Belle.

Jeanne Jugan put them under her t shirt, says Roo-kai.

Yuck ! says Terence. 

In a box, says Roo-kai.

Arthur's not sloping off is he? asks Belle.

Not that I know of, says Roo-kai. Here he comes now.

Arthur has sped up since divesting his pockets of frogs.

Their bodies had been mildly restrictive.

He skids to a halt.

Where are you going in a hurry? asks Pierre-Louis.

I like to ride on my own, says Arthur. I'll stop in Jullouvile.

Great! says Belle. Meet you there. We'll get lunch in a café.

Arthur is about to take off again.

Wait! says Terence. Are my frogs okay?

Yes, says Arthur. Or no. They're in a first aid kit under Jeanne Jugan's t shirt. 

How are they joined on? asks Terence. 

She didn't explain, says Arthur. She said it was warm though.

She probably tucked the box inside her.... umm .... singlet, says Belle. 

It might fall out! says Terence. At the bottom.

The singlet will be tucked into the top of her shorts, says Belle. Stop worrying.

But Terence remembers how baggy Jeanne Jugan's shorts were, and doesn't stop worrying.