In-House Collisions

Sweezus and Arthur are cycling towards the city.

Good to be back? asks Sweezus.

 Albeit briefly, says Arthur.

We fly out tomorrow, says Sweezus.

I know, says Arthur. What's happening with the new guy?

Nicolo? says Sweezus. Yeah. The cool thing is, he lives in Florence.

So we don't have to pay to fly him over, says Arthur.

No, we don't, says Sweezus. And the boss has to shell out for Gaius.

And Terence, says Arthur. And his frog team.

Not the frog team, says Sweezus. That's Baby Pierre's problem.

Baby Pierre doesn't have money, says Arthur.

But he always gets there, says Sweezus. 

As if to demonstrate this, the frog team zooms by, followed by Baby Pierre, their captain.

In and out of the traffic, doubling back, u-turning and slickly resuming their journey.

Those frogs look too big for their bikes, says Sweezus.

Arthur agrees that they do look top-heavy.

Gaius has returned to his house with Terence and the Kroombit tinker.

He opens the front door.

Ring ring. It's his mobile.

Gaius, says Vello. Are you home yet?

Yes, says Gaius, I've just got here. Looking forward to doing some washing, and re-reading my notes. And then I must check on my garden.

We fly out tomorrow says Vello. Make sure your bicycle is flat-packed.

Certainly, says Gaius. Tomorrow? What time?

Ten past nine, says Vello. I assume you've been keeping fit?

As always, says Gaius.

Zoom! Thump-thump-thump! He is hit from behind by three tiny bicycles.

Attention, men! cries a fourth rider. No collisions inside the house!

Jumping Jupiter! says Gaius. My ankle!

He hops about, clutching his ankle.

What's happened? asks Vello. 

Nothing, says Gaius. See you at the airport tomorrow.

Yay! cries Terence, running up the passage from the kitchen where he has been showing the Kroombit tinker Baby Pierre's spot on the window sill, next to a pot plant.

My frog team is here!

MY frog team, says Baby Pierre.