The Red Sandwich

 Albertine, Terence and Squattu have not gone very far up the train.

They have stopped at the café car.

They look at the items for sale behind the glass counter.

Are you going to buy anything? asks the café attendant.

We don't have any money, says Albertine.

Then you should go back to your parents, says the café attendant.

A man standing behind them has been listening.

What would you like? asks the man.

......

Albertine's mother looks at her watch. 

How long has her daughter been gone?

She went off with that boy half an hour ago.

And his toy bat.

Perhaps they have got up to mischief.

She leaves her seat and walks down the carriage.

Gaius has also stood up. 

He is wondering what has happened to Terence.

Gaius is walking faster than Albertine's mother.

He doesn't like to push past, but...

Excuse me, madam, says Gaius. My young charge has gone missing.

So has my daughter, says Albertine's mother. Is your charge wearing a knitted Peruvian hat, with side flaps?

Yes! says Gaius. That is he. It seems we are on the same mission.

We are, says Albertine's mother. Let's go together.

They progress though the train.

Returning to Adelaide? asks Albertine's mother. Or going?

Returning, says Gaius. We have been in the Central Highlands, looking for Leadbeater's possums.

Find any? asks Albertine's mother.

We did, says Gaius. No thanks to our drone.

Did it keep getting stuck in the trees? asks Albertine's mother.

Once or twice, says Gaius. We had better success with the fruit bat.

You were looking for fruit bats? asks Albertine's mother. I thought they were abundant.

They are, says Gaius. Our fruit bat acted as an assistant. She located several hollows which were home to ....

But the penny has dropped.

You don't mean to say that the fruit bat with our children is real? says Albertine's mother.

Well, yes, says Gaius. But fear not. I shared an apple with the fruit bat, unwittingly, or, I ought to admit it, carelessly, and suffered no ill effects. Thus I conclude that the fruit bat is not infected with a virus.

Nevertheless, says Albertine's mother, I feel I should report you.

I would prefer that you didn't, says Gaius. 

I'm sure you would, says Albertine's mother.

They have now reached the café car.

Albertine, Terence and Squattu are in the corner.

Albertine has a chocolate milk and a packet of cheese-and-crackers. Terence has a red sandwich.

Squattu has an apple.

Albertine's mother fears the worst. 

Is there an emergency button? asks Albertine's mother.

Yes ma'am, says the café assistant, but may I ask...?

Too late.

 Albertines mother has pressed it.