𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙴𝙽𝙳 || Original Story

twenty-eight | ride

The next day was another fine one. The sun was out and the air was comfortingly warm. I was sat in the garden during the early half of the morning, dressed in jeans and a shirt with the sleeves rolled up to just below my elbows. Felix was with me, too, trotting around the garden and trying to jump for the birds that was perched and singing in the cover of the oak tree. However, he soon gave up when he realised he didn't stand a chance and came over to me, purring contently, jumping up onto my lap. He looked at me with a gentle gaze and lay down, curling up and quickly falling asleep.

We spent the next hour or so in pure silence. I stroked the soft, thick fur on Felix's back and enjoying the sunshine as if I'd never felt it before. This was my favourite thing about summer: the sensation of the warm wind against my skin, and even more so when the sun was setting, painting the sky all sorts of beautiful hues. It was the same story in London, but the quietness of the countryside and the fresh air were the only things missing.

After a while, I thought that sitting around in the garden was proving fruitless. It was nice to spend time on my own and with Felix, but I thought of Kate and how it would be nice to go out with her for a walk in the sunshine. That was if, of course, she wasn't working.

And so, I decided to take a chance.

I left Felix in the coolness of the kitchen before slipping on my boots, grabbing my bag, and setting out towards the village.

The florists was closed, the sign in the window telling me so, so I knew Kate was elsewhere.

The rest of Church Street was busier than I was expecting. Shop doors were open, letting in the sultry air, and people were stopping to chat animatedly to one another. Their happiness made me smile.

I walked down to the square, where children were giggling and playing around the fountain, looking as though they were daring one another to jump into the water, before heading towards the park. I just hoped I might find Kate there, maybe admiring the flowers or leaning against the railing that overlooked the river.

And by pure luck, I saw her.

Kate was sat on the bench under the dappled shade of the looming oak tree. Her eyes closed, a faint smile gracing her face, and with one hand resting on a little satchel that was by her side. She was wearing a cherry-red dress with white flowers printed on it, a white cardigan, and a pair of sandals with her hair tied into a ponytail.

She was just her usual beautiful self.

As I approached, she opened her eyes, no doubt hearing the sound of my footsteps.

"Hello, Edgar," she greeted warmly. "How are you?"

"H-Hello, Kate," I replied in the same fashion. "I'm f-fine, th-thank you. And yourself?"