No Point Lying

Arthur has been spending a long time on the phone.

How's it going? asks Gaius.

I'm on hold, says Arthur. 

Is that a good sign? asks Gaius.

No, it's normal, says Arthur.

Gaius goes out to the shed, to do things to his bike.

Hmm. It's covered in cobwebs. And the tyres have gone flat.

He wheels it out, disturbing the spiders.

He looks at it critically.

Yes, it just needs a wipe, oil, and pump, and it will do nicely for this year's Tour De France.

He looks forward to it.

He looks for a cloth.

Arthur comes outside, followed by Terence.

Sorted, says Arthur. Three tickets to Paris. On compassionate grounds.

Don't tell me we have to pretend someone close to us has died, says Gaius.

It was that or not get there in time, says Arthur. As it is we have to catch a train from Paris to Lille. But that just takes an hour.

Who did you say died? asks Gaius. 

Our old French grandfather, says Arthur.

Our grandfather? says Gaius. 

Mine and Sweezus's. Your father, says Arthur.

So I'm travelling as your father? asks Gaius.

Yes, says Arthur. I assume you don't mind.

And you and Sweezus as brothers, says Gaius.

Cousins, says Arthur. To explain different surnames.

You think of everything, says Gaius. 

And you're very frail, says Arthur. Which is why we need to go with you.

Wait, says Gaius. This is all very well, but if I'm frail why am I bringing a bike?

Up to you, says Arthur. They probably won't ask you.

Terence has been stepping on spiders.

But he has been listening too.

I know! says Terence. If they ask you, say it's not yours.

I can hardly do that, says Gaius. 

Say you can't walk and you have to get donkeyed, says Terence.

Ridiculous, says Gaius. I could get donkeyed on the back of the bicycle of one of my sons.

You'll think of something, says Arthur.

I hope I don't have to, says Gaius. 

Sweezus who has let himself in, the front door being open, walks through to the back.

Hey! says Sweezus. Got the tickets?

Got them, says Arthur. We fly out tonight.

Awesome, says Sweezus. So, things to do. A quick ride up Mount Lofty. Speed home. Pack our gear. Flat pack our bikes. Bus to the aiport.

Great, says Arthur. Let's go.

Meet you at the airport, says Gaius.

What about me? asks Terence.

You can travel in my back pack, says Gaius. You've done it before.

But how will Roo-kai find me? asks Terence.

He will find you, says Gaius. 

Truly? asks Terence.

If he's looking, says Gaius.

No point lying.