Travelling by handbag turned out to be just as sub optimal as James had feared as he was jolted around uncomfortably for the nexr few minutes, banging against Elspeth's other posessions as her bag swung back and forth in step with her.
Eventually, his temporary homes position seemed to settle down and, from the muffled sounds coming from above, he guessed he was back on the bus and had been placed on the floor in front of wherever Elspeth was sitting.
The journey was a long one which troubled James as he knew he was being taken further from Elspeth's house, where he had been assured the curse that had been shrinking him each time he became embarassed would be lifted, with each second.
The journey at least gave him a chance to gather his thoughts. He had no doubt Elspeth would try and embarass him yet again when they reached their destination and he couldn't allow that to happen. He had already been reduced from six foot to six inches tall in a matter of hours and he was starting to worry just how small he could actually get. Even being the size of a child's toy and wearing only a tight pair of swimming trunks, he reassured himself that nothing could be more embarassing than the many indignities he had already suffered that day. He wasn't going to let his tormentor win, no matter what she tried.
Eventually James felt his entire surroundings abruptly taking off from their resting spot. They were near their next destination.
"I've got someone I'd like you all to meet" James heard Elspeth's voice announce when he was next set down "James, you can come out now!"
James looked up to see light appearing overhead again as the zip at the top of the bag was unfastened to release him from his faux leather prison. The bag was then tipped to one side to allow James to clamber out of the bag as gracefully as he could manage. Brushing the lint from his body and blinking a few times, James looked up and around to assess his new surroundings.
He appeared to be stood on a wooden table or desk with a number of large, dusty old books on one side of him and a plate full of old fashioned looking snacks on the other. Along with Elspeth, three other woman of around her age were all looming over him and observing him with intense interest. Suddenly he wasn't feeling as confident as when he had played this situation out in his head earlier.