An Unexpected Vanishment

This is ridiculous, said Gaius, from the back seat of the police car. You have no evidence other than hearsay.

A complaint must be followed by a report, said the policeman. Sorry gentlemen, but that's how it is.

The police car reached the end of the causeway.

Would you mind stopping a moment? said Sweezus. That's my bike over there. I need to make sure it's locked up.

Good one, said the policeman. I let you out and you try to escape.

Sweezus won't try to escape, said Gaius. He volunteered to take the blame.

Did you say Sweezus? asked the policeman.

Yes, said Gaius. That's his name.

THE Sweezus? asked the policeman.

I suppose so, said Gaius. Why don't you ask him?

Are you who I think you are, sir? asked the policeman.

I don't know, said Sweezus. Who do you think I am?

The guy who Tweets the moon, asked the policeman? On Twitter?

Yep, said Sweezus. That's me.

I'm a follower, said the policeman. My name is Victor. Well, I certainly feel I can trust you not to escape Mr Sweezus. You may get out and check on your bike.

Thanks, said Sweezus. You're uber cool, Victor.

Don't mention it, said Victor. Hurry up now.

Sweezus got out of the police car. He walked over to his bike.

Just fancy, said Victor.

Yes, just fancy, said Gaius. I think I had better get myself a Twitter account.

You should, said Victor. You might get famous.

I might indeed, said Gaius. I shall call myself....Pliny

Pliny! said Victor. I think someone already uses that name.

Outrageous! said Gaius.

Hey! said Victor. Where's he gone?

Gaius looked out of the window.

Both Sweezus and his bicycle had vanished!

Mind Your Heads

Sweezus was still on Granite Island when he received Belle et Bonne's text. He wondered whether he ought to take her advice. But then he remembered that he hadn't officially taken the blame for the crime as yet, so there was no need to escape. And anyway, his bicycle was at the other end of the causeway.

He glanced towards the causeway. There was a police car driving slowly over to the island. Two minutes later it drew up beside the kiosk and a policeman got out.

Now you're for it, said Francine. Are you sure you want to take the blame?

I don't mind, said Sweezus. It can't be that much of a crime.

Gaius looked uncomfortable.

I don't see how it can be a crime at all, he said. There was no penguin in the pie.

The policeman came up.

Now then, he said. Someone has accused a member of your party of having in his or her possession a penguin pie. May I look inside that paper bag, sir?

He looked suspiciously at Gaius's paper bag.

Yes, said Gaius, you may. But you will find that it is empty, because I have eaten all the pie.

It was my pie , said Sweezus. He ate it, but the pie belonged to me.

And may I ask what was in the pie? asked the policeman.

Yes, said Sweezus.

There was a pause.

What was in the pie? asked the policeman, patiently.

Sweezus looked at Gaius.

Gaius said it was penguin, answered Sweezus.

Is that true? the policeman asked Camus.

Camus shrugged, then nodded.

I am going to have to take you in for further questioning, the policeman said to Sweezus.

That's cool, said Sweezus.

And you too, sir, said the policeman, looking at Gaius.

That's not cool! said Sweezus. I'm the one to blame.

Sorry sir, said the policeman, but it seems you both have a case to answer. Please get into the back of the police car. Mind your heads.

Passage du Gois

Gustave is explaining the Passage du Gois to Gaius and Violetta.

It's a narrow passage between the mainland and the island of Noirmoutier. Twice a day it becomes flooded by the tide, he says.

Gaius' eyes open wide.

And we have to ride over it? I hope they have the timing right, he says.

Oh, if the tide is coming in, that makes it all the more fun, says Gustave. People drive over it in their cars all the time. There are foot races over the Passage too, beginning as the tide is receding. The runners start off running through the lapping waves.

This is crazy , says Violetta. I don't like it at all.

Don't worry, I'm sure it won't be like 1999, says Gustave.

What happened in 1999? asks Gaius.

A massive pileup of riders on the causeway, says Gustave. It created a six minute split in the peloton, dashing the hopes of some of the favourites.

Really? says Violetta. Who won?

Lance Armstrong, says Gustave.

Who? says Violetta.