Don't Eat It!

How far is it? asks Gaius.

Not far, says Ranger Roger. 

Anyone like an apple? asks Pierre-Louis. 

Not me thanks, says Ranger Roger.

Nor me, says Gaius. An apple means stopping.

Not necessarily, says Pierre-Louis. I'll drop back.

He drops back until he is cycling behind Terence's carriage.

Throw out a couple of apples! calls Pierre-Louis.

Okay, says Terence. Are we there yet?

Not yet! says Pierre-Louis.

Terence looks into the apple bag. All the apples have been nibbled.

Squatty must have done it, says Terence. 

He chooses the two least-nibbled apples and throws them out of the carriage.

Merde! cries Pierre-Louis. I missed!

Sorry, says Terence. Have these two.

The third and fourth least-nibbled apples are heavily nibbled.

Terence throws them out slowly.

Wheee! Plonk!

Pierre-Louis was ready this time.

He thanks Terence, and speeds up again.

He hands Gaius an apple, keeping one for himself.

That was well done, says Ranger Roger. I can see you are used to professional racing. 

I'm quite new to it, really, says Pierre-Louis.

I guess you won't be riding in the Tour de France this year, says Ranger Roger.

I have my ambitions, says Pierre-Louis. 

But doesn't it start soon? asks Ranger Roger/

Does it? asks Pierre-Louis.

This apple has been nibbled, says Gaius. Now, what were you asking?

The Tour. When is it? asks Pierre-Louis.

But Ranger Roger has pulled out his phone. 

First of July, says Ranger Roger. Starting off in Bilbao. Which is in Spain.

Dear me, says Gaius. And no one has even...

.....asked us to be in their team? says Pierre-Louis.

They may have, says Gaius. I haven't been checking my messages.

He pulls out his phone.

Yes, here's one from Vello. More than one. Hum. Let me see.....

Pierre-Louis looks hopeful.

That apple looks badly nibbled, says Ranger Roger. See the teeth marks? Made by a bat. Don't eat it. You may get a virus.

Pierre-Louis throws his apple away.

Gaius has finished his. 

Vello wants us for Team Philosophe! says Gaius. 

Us? says Pierre-Louis. Bravo! Say yes at once!

This will mean cutting short our itinerary, says Gaius. 

But surely you have time to visit the Ada Tree, says Ranger Roger. 

Of course, says Gaius. But let's pedal faster.

The Ada Tree Trail is a walking trail only, says Ranger Roger. We'll leave our bikes here.

Curses! But there is no getting out of this politely.

Squattu remains behind, asleep in the carriage.

Ranger Roger leads the way, followed by Terence and Pierre-Louis.

Gaius brings up the rear with Easter Morning, and Banjo in his back pack.

A spring in his step, and possible virus developing in his stomach.