THE PICNIC

Challenge No. 43

PROMPT:

The “Romantic Picnic”

Who initiates the picnic; is this a first date or dedication to the continuing relationship?

Is there an agenda to the picnic: marriage proposal, pregnancy announcement, promotion or new job assignment?

Is the picnic all about the continuing romantic relationship: one lover affirming their devotion to the other or a mutually shared, opportune moment of togetherness?

*** Any genre, any POV; just remember to include a romantic element and a picnic in 400 words or less. ***

Here is my contribution:

THE PICNIC

I read his text again, ‘Saturday, forecast good, fancy a picnic?’

I took a deep breath and shuddered, he keeps trying to be romantic

I’m sure he has high hopes that this tryst he has planned will be idyllic

He’ll make sure that we have a nice hamper with white linen fabric

Nightmare visions from my childhood of trudging through fields, over stiles

Arms piled high with bags and rugs and cushions tramping for miles and miles

The adults would find a beautiful spot always avoiding dried out cow pats

Thistles and nettles always broke through the tartan rug and caught me out

The wasps would start to swarm and the ants scurried back to their nests

Traversing over the paper plates holding the soggy jam sandwiches and Scotch eggs

I felt quite safe as the black and white Friesian cows stayed at the far end of the meadow

But during the course of the lengthening shadows they’d approach us with a low moo

Saturday dawns bright and clear so we can’t cancel and go for a lovely pie and a pint

My beau arrives in a chipper mood as he ushers me to his Bentley Continental GT V8

The smell of the luxury leather seats, hood down, the wind tousling my hair

The roar of the engine, gliding round leafy lanes, the smell of the hedgerows

As I relaxed my mood lifted considerably my heart became lighter and gladder

I realised how lucky we were to be spending this quality time together

We slowed down as he indicated to pull in, the sound of the engine died

The quietness engulfed us as we became aware of the sounds of the countryside

His eyes crinkled gently at the corners as he smiled at me, catching my hand

Laughing we gathered up the hamper and accoutrements and started over the farmland

The blanket on the ground held an array of tempting titbits, with a glass of wine

I was feeling pampered and spoilt, loving every minute, our fingers entwined

‘You know I love you,’ he whispered softly turning his head to look at me

Crikey, I thought, he is so adorable today, as I smiled and nodded nonchalantly

‘Your fingers are so slim and elegant,’ he said as he turned my hand over inside his

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a dark blue box.  Oh my! Gee whiz!

Word Count:  400 (without title)