It was the most beautiful August holiday for Guy and James, eighteen years old with their lives ahead. School was over; soon they would go up to the varsity together.
Guy always took the lead; in life as well as in the punt. James was content to follow in his chum’s wake. Slowly, lugubriously, for they had all the time in the world, they floated away from the river bank towards the island. They would be safe there.
As Guy manoeuvred through weeds, his lithe arm muscles flexed. James lay admiring Guy’s taut body encased in white linen. The sun appeared from behind a cloud; temperatures were rising all round.
‘We should be safe here,’ Guy gasped, jumping from the punt onto solid ground. The little boat rocked leaving James clinging.
Guy reached out his hand to help his chum, then, with fingers entwined, they walked into the wood. Guy tested the ground. It hadn’t rained for days, his brilliant white trousers would remain unstained. He pulled James to his side. The two teenagers’ eyes met. No words were spoken.
Three hours later, they sat contented outside the Hairy Hamster. It had been a wonderful day in a glorious summer.
‘Do you know,’ James sipped warm beer, ‘I can imagine us as two old codgers, living in contentment in our dotage.’
Suddenly, a boy hurried through the gate. ‘Read all about it!’ he bawled, waving a newspaper.
‘What is it,’ Guy sighed wearily.
‘Germany invades Belgium! War to be declared!’
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Words: Richard Rooney
Illustration: A.I.
Flash Fiction 250
Flash Fiction 250 