Bindi and Robert raced behind on their bikes. It was still early in the morning, but the Madagascan sun was already hot. The cool breeze on their faces felt great. Bindi looked over at her brother as they rode. ‘This is much better than serving iced tea and sweeping guests’ bedrooms, don’t you think?’ ‘You betcha!’ he grinned. They both continued to pedal hard until the Tropicale Deluxe van made the turn-off towards the airport. By the time they pulled into the airport compound, Bindi and Robert were both drenched in sweat but there was no time to stop and catch their breath. They leaned their bikes against a wire fence, and continued on foot. Mr Indigo’s van was parked a short distance from a smallish-looking runway where a freight aircraft sat, preparing for take-off. A conveyor belt was moving boxes from the tarmac through the aircraft’s open door. The boxes all had large ‘FRANCE’ stickers on them. Mr Indigo was taking the caged lemurs, now covered in an old blanket, over to a man wearing blue overalls, who was in charge of the boxes.
