Cross Purposes On Bong Bong

One hour and twenty four minutes later, Ray's ute pulls up in Bowral.

Look, Ray! says Katherine. What glorious tulips. I'm so glad you stopped.

That's not why I stopped, says Ray.

Ah, of course, says Katherine. Off you go, then.

Ray stomps off. Why does Katherine always make him feel like a schoolboy?

Unni and Sweezus jump down from the back.

How lovely! says Unni. Tulip Time in Bowral. Where did dad go?

Toilet, says Katherine. Let's find a café, have a little something, and then take a look at the tulips.

I know a great one, says Unni. On Bong Bong Street, round the corner.

Round the corner, there is the café that Unni remembers: Raw and Wild Market and Café.

Everything's organic, says Unni.

Cool, says Sweezus. Artisanal teas and coffees. Home made carrot and aniseed slices. Chocolate beetroot cake.....

Shall we order Wild High Tea? says Katherine. I'll get it.

She orders Wild High Tea for three people.

It comes on a three tier cake stand. Cakes, scones, fresh fruit, tea in pretty tea cups.

They pick at the various offerings, while watching the window, for Ray.

Then Ray passes by, deep in conversation with a serious dark bearded man.

........

At last, Ray enters the café. He sits down at the table and picks at the crumbs of high tea,

Want an artisanal water, dad? asks Unni.

No, thanks, says Ray.

What's up? says Unni. You look dejected.

Nothing, says Ray. Come on, time to get going.

Not yet, says Katherine. We want to look at the tulips.

Not me, says Sweezus. I'll wait here with Ray.

......

What a gorgeous display of tulips. This year's themes are Hot Pink, and Mother Nature.

Pity we won't be here on Sunday for the Dog's Day Out, says Katherine, observing a poster.

Oh yes, you like dogs, says Unni. I remember you had one.....

Porky died, says Katherine. Run over. Sweezus had a dog for a time, remember Farky?

Yes, says Unni. I remember Farky.

Of course, now he has Terence, says Katherine.

He never told me, says Unni.

.......

Sweezus and Ray are sitting in the ute, waiting for Unni and Katherine.

Ray sighs, now and then.

Sweezus thinks he knows the reason.

That was shit, Ray, says Sweezus. You missing out.

Too right, says Ray. Hey! How'd you know?

I was there, says Sweezus. Everything's organic.

Exactly, says Ray. But I was rejected.

You weren't rejected. You just took too long, says Sweezus.

That's one way of putting it, says Ray, looking even more gloomy.

......

Just so you know, Ray and Sweezus have been talking at cross purposes.

(It's hard to pull off. You should try it sometime).