The Bandit has already scoffed one of Annette's jam and butter vetkoek when he spots a graceful tannie, head tilted back slightly, her unfocused blue eyes pools of unashamed bliss, her lips parted slightly in anticipation of another steaming spoonful of cinnamon- and sugar-sprinkled melkkos.
The beautiful Distraction's eyes widen as the Bandit extols the wonders of a nursery dessert that goes way beyond comfort food.
"Think cherished, cosseted, pampered - and you're only beginning to get close. There's boereraad (farmer's remedy), boeretroos (farmer's comfort, especially coffee) and then there's melkkos ."
"Pity we've just eaten vetkoek," says the Distraction.
"It's sort of like milk tart filling - only much, much better," the Bandit persists, as he hurries the crew to Klein Willempie, home of melkkos at the Boeremark at Pioneer Park in Silverton, Tshwane.
Tannie Carine dishes up; Oom Bakkies chats and makes change.
The Distraction, the crew's bowl of melkkos in hand, disappears into the Boeremark's early-morning throng.
"I've been looking for you everywhere," she says when the Bandit eventually catches up. "It's best while it's hot," she adds, wiping the last trace of melkkos from her mouth before binning the bakkie and spoon.
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