The Daily Dormouse. (aka Bike, est. 2007) Part 2706 by Angharad Copyright© 2015 Angharad

---

This is a work of fiction any mention of real people, places or institutions is purely coincidental and does not imply that they are as suggested in the story.
@@@@@
I rose early, well earlier than usual and after a quick breakfast rode into my office. It was still only eight o’clock. When Delia came in and saw notes were missing from her desk she wandered into my office, saw me and shrieked.

“It’s me, Delia.”

“Goodness, you made me jump, why didn’t you tell me you were coming in?”

“I only decided it a couple of hours ago. Right, I’ve signed all these,” I passed her a pile of letters. “I’ve done replies to these.” I held out the minitape she uses in her dictophone thingy, she does audio typing for me when required.

“Thank you, I suppose you want a tea or coffee?”

“Coffee might be nice for a change.”

“Coffee it is, oh, I really enjoyed our dormouse expedition.”

“I’m glad. I suppose we’ll have to find a replacement for you one of these days, when you desert us to become an unruly hedonist.”

“Is that what you did when you went to university?”

“Oh yes, some nights I only did four hours of study, but at weekends, I did eight per day.”

“That’s longer hours than half of them are in lectures and things.”

“It’s also why I got a good degree and they didn’t.”

“You got a first, didn’t you?”

“I did but university is also about integrating with others as young adults—I didn’t, consequently I can’t say I’m that good at it now. I’d rather be home with a good book than go out partying.”

“Can’t say I enjoy partying that much, too much booze and loud music.”

I shrugged as my response.

“I’ll make your coffee.”

I did another hour’s work then went to check on my dormice. Incredibly, Spike was still alive and had produced another litter. I gave her a hazelnut and she sat on my hand and ate it. I wondered if she remembered me or was just prepared to earn her treats by humouring humans. It must be awful being picked up and handled by creatures so much bigger and more powerful than you are. I’d never thought of it from their perspective before. She weighs about thirty five or forty grams and I come in at somewhere about sixty three kilos, that’s more than a thousand times as heavy—shades of King Kong or Godzilla. Just as well we don’t eat them, there’d be more calories in a boiled sweet.

Angus loves his work—reminds me of Neal, poor bugger, I quite miss him and he was a good technician. Heather is on holiday, so he’s got sole responsibility for looking after the laboratory side of the department. I’d asked them to do an inventory of everything we had—I had no idea, neither had anyone else, so if anyone took anything and didn’t return it, we’d have no idea until it was wanted again. I also suggested we keep a record of anyone borrowing equipment or books and set up a book to record it all in.

In lots of ways it shouldn’t be necessary, as all our students should be honest and see us as their Alma Mater and therefore love us and want to see us prosper as we do them. Some love us so much they had pinched three microscopes and were trying to sell them down the pub. Thankfully, they weren’t biology students, but they got sent down and prosecuted. Since then we’ve kept doors locked and change the code regularly—a four digit push button code. I’d love to get a pass card system so we could monitor who comes in and out but it’s too expensive.

After a quick chat with Angus, another biology graduate, I rode home to receive protests from Hannah and Trish, but none from Danni. They decided they wanted a ride and as soon as I agreed, they dashed off to change. “You not coming as well?” I asked Danielle.

“Bit boring waiting for them all the time.”

“I hope you didn’t hear me say that about you at their age.”

She blushed and decided to come. I got the map out and we looked at the route I was suggesting, though I don’t know how much the two younger girls understood, but basically I said if Danni gets bored I’ll race her from here up to the top of the hill and then we’ll come back down to you, you just keep riding along the cycle path and we’ll come back to you—don’t do anything else, understood?” they both nodded but I’m never sure how much of that is politeness rather than agreement.

Hannah and Trish did try to make life interesting and they shot off racing each other, which Danni and I couldn’t ignore, but it was hardly strenuous to catch them. Then we approached the place where I knew Danni would challenge me. I nodded and she shot off with me in hot pursuit, about quarter of a mile before the hill. I was nicely warmed up and cruised along behind her, then the hill arrived and after about a hundred or so yards it begins to bite, Danni changed down twice and I accelerated past her, staying in my previous gear. I heard her puffing and panting but she began to slip further and further behind, coming up to the lay-by at the top of the hill several minutes behind.

“Geez, Mum, you coulda told me you had a motor,” she gasped taking a long drink from her bidon.

I shrugged, I was probably climbing as well now as I’d been when Stella knocked me off my bike. I’d recaptured eight years of fitness and felt quite pleased with myself.

“How did you ride up like that?” asked my puzzled daughter.

“I used to be quite good at climbing.”

“Now you tell me.”

“C’mon let’s go and find the girls—last one down is a sissy.” I clipped in and rolled away and she flew past. However, being heavier is a disadvantage going up but a boon in going down and I caught and passed her half way down the hill and a little after that met up with Trish and Hannah who’d ridden further than I thought they would. Hannah even wanted to try riding up the hill, so I accompanied her for about half the way before she began to tire and stopped. I congratulated her and told her to keep practicing and eventually she’d be strong enough to ride the hills. Her light bodyweight meant she’d have to train far less than someone my size, plus of course I had experience and an understanding of the psychological element in cycling, especially with hills. The slightest doubt and you’ll fail.

Trish wasn’t interested in really riding, just in sauntering round which was fine but it would mean riding with the rest of us might get a bit boring. I suspected she’d decided we were all faster so she’d never win and what she can’t win easily, she won’t do. I needed to work on that element with her as sometimes really working for something gives more pleasure than something you’re naturally good at.