Three Men On Tour: 41

George started by dividing the hotel into sectors. He then went off to check the car park while Harry and I argued about who should take point, the relative merits of taking point and what, in fact, taking point meant in this situation.

Harry had protested that he’d already checked the car park.

“Yes,“ said George. “And now I’m checking it again.“

“You’re not going to find anything,“ repeated Harry. “I already checked and Alicia’s not there.“

“Very good,“ said George, “which tells you what exactly?“

“That…Alicia’s somewhere else,“ said Harry, his brow creasing with befuddled concentration.

“Exactly. We’ve narrowed her location down to every other place in the world except the car park. I think we might need to do a little better than that.“

“Well, at least I’m trying,“ grumped Harry. “All you’re doing is checking the places I already checked. What’s looking for Alicia in the car park one more time going achieve.“

“Well, nothing. That’s why I’m not looking for Alicia.“

We both looked at George blankly. He sighed.

“I’m not looking for Alicia. I’m looking for her and Ian’s car. Unless you thought she flew here?“

“I…er…hadn’t thought of that,“ admitted Harry.

“Exactly, so if the car’s in the car park she must be in the hotel.“

“And if it’s not.“

“Oh, well in that case I expect she’d been halfway down the…“ began George and then trailed off as I paled visibly. “Well, I’m sure that’s not going to be the case,“ he finished weakly.

“Tell you what, why don’t Ian and I start checking the top floor…“

“Blue sector,“ corrected George.

“…blue sector, and when you’re done you come and meet us halfway.“

“Good idea,“ said George, eyeing me with concern as I allowed myself to be steered towards the lift. “And don’t worry,“ he shouted after us, “I’m sure the car will be there.“