She Flew Like A Lamb

The train stops.

The duty manager comes running.

What's happened? asks the duty manager.

A live bat in the café car, says the café assistant. This woman pressed the button before I could stop her.

A live BAT! cries the duty assistant. Clear the café!

That shouldn't be necessary, says Gaius. I'll take charge of Squattu.

No, you won't, snaps the duty manager. Go back to your seat, sir. I'll deal with it.

She's harmless, says Gaius. And come to think of it, she should be asleep. Why is she awake, Terence?

She's giving up being nocturnal, says Terence.

Dear me, says Gaius. This may be our fault. 

If this is your bat, the whole affair is your fault, says the duty manager.

Can I say something? asks Squattu.

NO! says the duty manager. Stay there with your apple. Everyone else, please leave in an orderly fashion.

Everyone else shuffles out, including Albertine and her mother.

Gaius decides that the best thing to do is leave too, and wait until until reason prevails.

Bye Squatty, says Terence. I'll rescue you later.

No need, says Squattu. I'll ask them to let me out of a window.

Then what? asks Terence.

Fly home, says Squattu. 

Good plan, says Terence.

And that would be that, except for the strict rules of inter-state train travel

Head office is informed. The upshot of which is that Gaius, Pierre-Louis and Terence must leave the train when it stops next, in Bordertown.

Bordertown.

The train stops. 

The duty manager sees Gaius, Pierre-Louis and Terence off the train.

I'm very sorry about this, says the duty manager. I only just learned that you're the ecological warrior with the broken leg and deceased grandfather.

Not the broken leg, says Gaius.

That was me, says Pierre-Louis. And it was some time ago.

That's a relief, says the duty manager. What will you do now?

We'll try and hitch a ride back to Adelaide, says Gaius. 

Take care, says the duty manager. And by the way, your bat was very compliant. She flew out of the window like a lamb.

Woo! says Terence.

The train is about to depart. 

Toot toot! It starts moving.

Terence thinks he sees Albertine at a window.  

She is holding up something. His red sandwich. 

Bumhole! Goodbye red sandwich.

Ring ring! Gaius's phone rings. It's Vello.

Where are you? asks Vello.

Bordertown, says Gaius. Unfortunately we've been put off the train.

We're flying out this evening! says Vello. If you're not at the airport by seven we're toast.

We'll be there, says Gaius. Could you see to our bicycles?

Get Arthur to do it, says Vello. 

But he's in a rival team, says Gaius. 

True, says Vello. Well, I'll ask Belle. As if she hasn't enough things to do.

Thanks, Vello, says Gaius.

Just be there at seven, says Vello.

Gaius, Pierre-Louis and Terence head across to the highway, to flag down a ride.