The Time Travelers' Club -- Chapter 97: Tea Time Trouble

Under the shade of the tree, Ully and Sissy sat having tea. The sea air was salty and warm for a fall day.

"You like our seaside cottage, don't you, Sissy?" Ully sipped his steaming tea from the cup.  His napkin slipped off his lap.  He bent down and picked it up.

Sissy grinned. Her dimples were deep and her cheeks rosy. "I do. My favorite parts are making our sandcastles and watching you try to catch the biggest whale of the sea.  And of course, tea time."

"You need a proper tea set," said Ully, looking over the mismatched set of dishes.  "Perhaps you will get one soon.  Maybe buy one at the shop in town?  How about that set with the pink flowers."

"Silly Ully," said Sissy.  "I don't have any money.  How could I buy it?"

"You'd have to get a job," said Ully. "You would have to work somewhere to earn the money."

Sissy chuckled.  "I just might do that. And then I could get that set with the pink flowers."

In the distance, dark clouds began to roll in from the sea. "Looks like we are in for a storm soon," said Ully. "We'd better finish our tea and clean up, before the Pacific Ocean sends us an unwelcome guest."

"I hate it when it rains," pouted Sissy, starting to stack the hodge-podge of dishes.

"Why? The rain is good for the plants. It helps the pretty flowers that you like so much. And besides, you need a bath, so you can just stand in the rain."

At first, Sissy glared at him, tossing her curls, then started to laugh. "That's silly. I don't need a bath.  I had one last night"

While the two laughed, Selwyn strutted over. He had just come home, hands in his pockets, and nose stuck up in the air.  Selwyn was the oldest of the three and also the bully.

"What are you two freaks laughing about?  Did the circus come to town and you're joining it as one of the monkeys?" Jealous of both Ully and Sissy, he tormented them both.

"None of your business," said Sissy. "Leave us alone."

Selwyn sassed back, mocking her. "Leave us alone... Two babies drinking their tea.... Their dainty teacups..."

"Shut up, Selwyn." Ully got up from the stool and pushed him away. "Mind your own business."

From the front porch of the cottage, their mother, watching them, shouting. "Play nice children. Selwyn leave them alone." She sat back in her chair then mumbled to herself. “Selwyn is so angry all the time. Ever since his Father died."

Selwyn paid no attention to her or Ully. Feeling belligerent, Selwyn pushed the tea table over, sending the dishes to the ground. The teapot cracked. The cups and saucers scattered over the grass. Sissy began to cry, brushing splattered tea from her dress and apron. Ully flew towards Selwyn, grabbing him by the shirt collar. The fight was on.

Selwyn fell backwards to the ground with Ully on top, smacking him across the face. Selwyn attempted to grab Ully's flailing arms.

Standing up, their Mother yelled from the porch.  “Boys! Stop that. Someone’s going to get hurt.”

The housekeeper had come out with a tea tray.  "No use in yelling at those boys.  They never listen. They just keep on fighting.

Neither listened and, as predicted, the fight continued.

Ully gave Selwyn a perfect punch right to his lower lip.  Falling back, Selwyn felt his lip.  Blood flowed down his chin.  He was angry.

"Oh, you are so going to get it."

Ully didn't let up, relentlessly pummeling Selwyn with more slaps and punches.