Her Rapport With Animals

Ray's ute pulls up in the car park.

Ray, Katherine, Unni and Sweezus hop out.

Look at that! says Unni. Cave Beach Campsite 300 metres. No cars past this point. 

We'll have to carry our stuff in, says Sweezus. That's cool. Except.....

We don't have any stuff, says Unni. Looks like we sleep in the carpark, or sleep on the grass.

I don't want to sleep on the grass, says Katherine. There could be bandicoots and possums.

Come ON, says Sweezus, striding off down the path.

I'll bring the oranges, says Ray. 

Grab my book will you, says Katherine. It's in the red box, in the back. With the python.

The python that Unni made with her 3D printer,

Not a real python, but very realistic. 

Be assured though, no misunderstandings will occur with the python.

Ray grabs the oranges and the box with the book and the python, and follows Katherine and Unni down the track to the campsite.

The campsite is dotted with little blue tents. A few campers, the ones with young children, are cooking early sausages.

No surfboards in sight.

And no Sweezus. 

I bet he's down at the beach already, says Unni. I'll go find him.

Katherine sits down on the grass. She inspects it for droppings. Can't see any. Lucky.

Ray sits down beside her. Plonks the red box down. Selects the best orange.

Katherine takes out her book, Love, Sweat and Tears. A woman and a horse on the cover. 

You surprise me, says Ray. I wouldn't have picked you to read that.

Nor would I, says Katherine. I acquired it through a series of accidents. But I'm enjoying it.

A camper who has been turning sausages nearby and eyeing the newcomers smiles widely at Katherine.

She has read that book too. It's lovely. About a trick rider and animal trainer who works in films. Zelie Bullen. She was on Australian Story.

Hello, says the camper. I'm Doris. I just came over because I saw what you were reading. How are you liking it?

It's a revelation, says Katherine.

Ray thinks back to earlier, and Job 39. So what constitutes a revelation, for Katherine? He must remember to ask her.

Oh YES, gushes Doris. You can just feel Zelie's wonderful rapport with animals in every sentence.

You certainly can, agrees Katherine. Are those vegetarian sausages?

Doris looks perplexed for a moment.

Oh no, ha ha, no, they're pork sausages, the kids's favourite. Better get back to them. Look, I've cooked far too many, would you like some? Of course, that is unless you're both vegetarian....?

No, no, we're not vegetarian, says Ray. Thanks for the offer. We hadn't planned to stay overnight, but as scientists.....

Shut up Ray, says Katherine. Thank you Doris. May we offer you some of our oranges?

Sure, says Doris, skipping back to the barbecue to check on her sausages. When the kids get back from surfing, come over and we'll all eat together.

This is just one example of the great camaraderie of people who like reading horse books.

There may yet be others.