Burdock forgets (again)
It was late afternoon in Vandykeville and Peter and Barbara Polaris were getting their restaurant ready for evening opening.
“Any reservations tonight Barbara?” enquired Peter as he got the fire going in the kitchen.
“Yes,” replied Barbara, “Burdock Dandelion called five minute ago and asked to reserve the whole restaurant.” “Really?” exclaimed Peter, “What does he need the whole restaurant for?” “Well apparently he’s got some cousins visiting and he forgot all about it.” “Sounds like Burdock!” interjected Peter. “So because they had no food in ready for them,” continued Barbara, “He’s arranged to meet them here instead.” It wasn’t long before Burdock’s cousins arrived. The Ivory family had just seated themselves, when the door opened again.
Soon Esau and his family were also seated and everyone began to peruse the menus and begin the difficult task of deciding what they would have.
“Would you like us to wait for the Dandelions to join you or shall I start to take your order? I’m sure they’ll be here soon” Barbara asked tactfully, aware of the glances being exchanged between the two brothers and their wives. “Yes let’s get on and order,” Jacob answered for them all. Judith chose the salad and Leah the scallops. Jacob and Esau grinned across the table at each other as their lobsters finished cooking in front of them. What a feast!
It didn’t take long for the two Ivory families to finish the delicious food and after thanking their hosts profusely for their lovely evening meal and exclaiming again how very strange it was that Burdock and his family never turned up, they left with many assurances that they would come again. The Polarises chuckled as Burdock scurried off with the goodies and continued with clearing up the restaurant.
An hour later they locked up and set out for an evening stroll. They couldn’t believe when they immediately stumbled across Burdock lazing in a deckchair munching on a corn on the cob. “What are you doing here?” they asked with surprise. “Well, I was walking along the sea front and realised I was carrying this delicious seafood and it being such a lovely evening, I thought I’d sit out and enjoy it,” he replied smiling contentedly. |
“You must be Burdock’s cousins,” welcomed Peter, “He’s not arrived yet but we’ve got your table ready.”
“Thank you. I’m Jacob Ivory,” the rabbit resembling Burdock introduced himself. “And this is my family. Barbara showed them to the tables and could only look on in amazement as six children followed Jacob and his wife into the restaurant. Jacob’s wife saw the look on their hosts’ faces and said “I know six is quite a lot. Jacob always said he wanted a dozen but I think he’d need a few more wives for that! Six is enough for me.” She introduced them as they trouped in behind her. “This is Reuben and Dinah and the babies are Josie, Dani, Tali and Benji . Oh, and I’m Leah.” “Perhaps the little ones would like to eat up on the roof terrace with our three. Julia our eldest will look after them for you, give you a bit of a break,” suggested Barbara imaging that Jacob and Leah must constantly feel in need of a break. Peter, expecting the Dandelions, was most surprised to find another stranger at the door and it was an unsettling case of déjà vu. Reading Peters expression, the new stranger explained “Ah, it looks like you must have already met my brother. I’m his twin, Esau.” “We had no idea that Burdock had so many cousins!” Barbara exclaimed. “He’d probably forgotten himself,” laughed the rabbit following Esau inside, “Until Jacob phoned him yesterday to say we were nearby and to ask if we could visit. I’m Judith by the way and this is Korah, Josh and baby Eli.” The children shared a paella while the babies enjoyed a seafood selection up on the roof terrace.
A few hours later, Peter and Barbara were tidying up ready for closing when who should appear at the door but Burdock!
“Oh no!” he exclaimed with despair, “Have I missed them?” “Only just” answered Peter ironically. “How could you have forgotten?!” “I don’t know,” wailed a distraught Burdock, “I’d asked everyone in the family to remind me, but you know what we’re all like. Every one of us forgot. And now, not only have we missed seeing my cousins, we’ve missed our meal.” “Don’t worry, we enjoyed meeting all thirteen of your cousins and they said they’ll visit again. They really did have a lovely time despite you not showing up,” said Barbara reassuringly. Burdock scratched his head bewildered “Thirteen! I’d forgotten I had so many cousins. It’s a good job that we did forget to come, you’d have never fitted us all in.” “Look Burdock, you might as well take our left over stock with you to take home to Angelica and the children seeing as you missed out on eating here,” offered Peter generously. “Thank you Peter,” Burdock replied gratefully, “I owe you.” “And take these fruit juices too for the children,” added Barbara. “But you were supposed to be taking it home to your family,” Peter reminded him, “You know because you all forgot to come down earlier for tea.” A wave of remembrance washed over Burdock’s face and his expression became horrified.
“Oh no! I forgot! Again!” He leapt up, gathered up the food and hurried home guiltily. Peter and Barbara were left shaking their heads in despair. “Let’s hope Jacob and Esau decide to extend their visit. That poor rabbit needs all the help he can get.” The End. |