Angry Point

Terence has filled his bio-pot with potting mix, and made finger holes for his seedlings.

Put them in gently, says Mandy. Then water them in.

Terence does it. 

Was that fun? asks Roo-kai.

Yes. Now what? asks Terence.

We can only do free stuff, says Roo-kai. We could look in a toy shop.

He has spotted a toy shop. Come on.

Terence grips his pot of marigold seedlings firmly.

He follows Roo-kai to the toy shop.

An oystercatcher! Shoo! Shoo! cries the toy shop manager. 

Roo-kai leaves the toy shop.

Terence goes in.

That was my parrot!

I don't think so! says the manager. And you must leave too. For one thing, you are unaccompanied, and for another.....

What's unaccompanied? asks Terence.

On your own, says the manager.

I wasn't, says Terence. I had my parrot.

Let me show you the difference between an oystercatcher and a parrot, says the manager. Put that pot down, and come over here.

Terence puts the pot down.

The manager leads Terence over to a shelf of plastic Schleich models, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Observe! This is a parrot.

She picks up the parrot.

And? says Terence.

This is a swan, says the manager.

She is annoyed. She thought she had an oystercatcher. Someone must have nicked it.

Nice swan, says Terence.

His eye lights on a horse.

Not one horse but several. Brown ones and piebalds. Their manes tossing.

I'm getting a horse, says Terence.

Come back with a parent, says the manager. Then we'll see.

A real one, says Terence. Like this one but bigger.

Larger ones are more costly, says the manager. Where are your parents?

Outside, says Terence. 

Are you lost? asks the manager.

No, says Terence. They've gone to Angry Point. 

Angourie Point! says the manager. And they left you here! That's it. I'm calling security.

She gets on the phone.

We've got a lost kiddie. Yes. In the toy shop. No. Just a bird and a pot. 

Roo-kai is peering into the toy shop, waiting for Terence to come out.

He is thrust aside by Bronte, from security.

Where is he? asks Bronte.

Here, says the manager. Poor little chap. His parents have gone to Angourie Point. Some people!

Aw, says Bronte. Come here, kid. Would you like a toy?

He's not having a toy, says the manager.

Management will pay for it, says Bronte. Which toy would you like?

Terence is delighted. He chooses a horse. Mane tossing. 

He is marched out of the toyshop, and away to an office, down a back corridor.

Followed by Roo-kai, who has (boldly) retrieved Terence's pot.