Fay didn’t mean to lose the bicycle. She left it, propped up on the cobblestone wall, but someone had taken it. She’s sure – what else could have happened? A breeze passes momentarily, ruffling her hair. Oil lamps flicker.
It was a relatively cheap bicycle, but wonderful nonetheless. Fay boasted to her classmates, her wonderful bicycle that so many sought after. And now she had lost it. She trudged in the direction of her house – pausing for a moment and craning her neck to the cobblestone wall, making sure that she didn’t miss it. She half expected to see the bicycle there, propped slightly ajar, but it isn’t.
Alice didn’t mean to steal the bicycle. But it stood there so temptingly; it was practically asking to be taken. And it wasn’t for ill intentions, either. She had just received a job as papergirl. Doing rounds on foot would be dreadfully tiresome. This bicycle meant efficient working, food, money.
These are the thoughts that waft through Alice’s mind as she pedals slowly through the streets, tossing newspapers into front gardens. She’s out on the Main Street now, pedaling quickly through the highway. The bridge is wide, but very busy today. So caught up in her thoughts, Alice doesn’t see the wagon heading straight towards her. The last thing she hears is the sound of the horse’s hooves, trotting fiercely. And then everything is black.
The bicycle almost falls on Aldred’s head. It seems to have fallen from the sky. Aldred looks above him, the sound of the busy bridge heard from below. It seemed to have been flung from there. No matter, it is money in a different form. Dressed in a simple tunic and trousers, Aldred hops off his slightly exasperated horse and peers at it closely. Slightly tattered from the fall, but in good condition. He looks around – there is no one. He takes the bicycle with him.
Antonio smirks to himself. Winning Aldred was easier than posed. The way people had said, this Alfred man was impossible to win, with quick, slender fingers.
But the man was ignorant. So obsessed with winning that he cheated right from the beginning. But sense came with Antonio, and he waited for the right moment. He took Aldred by surprise, anyone could see.
And now Antonio waits, and eager grin strewn across his face. He pedals swiftly on the bicycle, ready to tell his companions. It starts with the bicycle, but soon he will make sure Aldred is spared with not a coin.
Suddenly a hand is clasped over his mouth and things turn dark.
“It’s mine,” says Ollie. Ackerly shoves him.
“It’s mine. I did all the dirty work.”
Suddenly all the boys are fighting over the bicycle – sitting supposedly innocently. Killing Antonio was surprisingly easy, the instructions given clearly to them. So caught up in the greed, they don’t see the police officers standing menacingly close.
“Looks like we meet again.”
There is no time to repel – the officers have them by the throats and move them swiftly to the magistrate. The bicycle stays propped against the cobblestone wall.
She doesn’t know how she missed it. For the past five days Fay has been searching, and it had been where she left it all along. It seemed to have collected dust over the days, but she supposed that is one of those things that just happen. It should be fine after a good clean. So she walks, the bicycle firmly by her side deeper into town, eventually winding out of sight.
