TWO BOYS — ONE RIVER

Hot day.
Big sun.
River Trent waiting.

Paul hopeful.
Glen expert.
Bags full goodies.

Juice.
Crisps.
Chocolate.
Perfect.

Lessons start.
Maggot wiggles.
Hook ready.
Float fixed.
Line cast…

YELP.
Top lip.
Paul’s.
Not fish.

Choice words.
Glen sighs.
Hook freed.

Turn round.
Big splash.
Glen gone.

Right leg plaster.
Soft now.
Soggy mess.

Paul panics.
Pulls him out.
Fishing done.
Adventure not.

Hospital dash.
Nurse stunning.
Both smitten.
Briefly.

“What happened?”
Glen points.
“HE pushed me.”

Paul reddens.
Takes bollocking.
Glen grins.
Plaster replaced.

Still friends.
Still laughing.
But fishing?
Never again.

By Paul Baldry (LongJohn)