Terence is distraught.
This is why.
Irene has driven him down to Stokes Bay to return him to Sweezus, Arthur and Vello.
Sweezus, Arthur and Vello are not there.
They'll be out there somewhere surfing, says Irene, gesturing towards the high waves beyond the rock pool.
But I need them now, says Terence.
Why? asks Irene.
I have to tell them something, says Terence.
We'll sit on the sand here and wait, says Irene.
Is there anything to eat? asks Terence.
No, says Irene. You ate all the sandwiches.
Is that a café? asks Terence.
Yes, says Irene. All right, we'll go there.
They walk across to the Rockpool Café.
In front of the café are three bicycles and two surfboards.
But the café is empty of customers.
Hi, says Lisa, have a seat. Hi, little fellow. Would you like a free cookie?
Is it red? asks Terence.
Not entirely, says Lisa. But it has a red Smartie on top.
Okay, says Terence.
I'll have a latte, says Irene. Make it a skinny.
Lisa takes a red Smartie cookie out of the cookie jar on the counter and brings it to Terence on a plate.
Having a nice day at the beach? asks Lisa.
Not really, says Irene. I'm supposed to be dropping this little guy off to some friends, but they must have gone off somewhere.
The guys who own the bikes and boards out the front? asks Lisa.
Terence looks out of the window.
Yes! says Terence. Those are their bikes!
Why didn't you say so before? asks Irene.
Because I thought they'd be in here, says Terence. And then I got a cookie.
He picks off the red Smartie, and licks it.
Those three guys went off with the Froggs, says Lisa. But they never said anything about meeting a kid here.
The Froggs? says Irene. Roger and Anita?
Yeah, they went up to Cape Torrens to dive the Portland Maru shipwreck, says Lisa.
Bugger, says Irene. They'll be forever.
Forever.
Terence's mouth opens. Out drops his licked Smartie on the hard floor of the cafe. The thin candy coating shatters like a broken eggshell.
Ten second rule! says Terence,
Oh no, you don't, says Irene, scooping it up before Terence can pick it up and eat it.
Which is why Terence is distraught.
But there is more to the story.
Lisa has spotted his amulet which contains peacock feathers ( but no head now ).
Do you like birds? asks Lisa.
Parrots, says Terence. I used to have.....
Look out the window, says Lisa. A glossy black cockatoo! Oh! Too late, you missed it!
Not a good day.
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