A picnic in the park
Peggy, die Wirtin von Spotlights ganz eigenem Pub, lädt diesmal zu einem Picknick in den Londoner Park Hampstead Heath ein. Von INEZ SHARP
Peggy: Have you packed the blanket? And what about the thermos? I wonder if this picnic was such a good idea.
Phil: Just a sec. I’m on the phone to George. I’ll check in a moment. George? OK, I thought we’d park on East Heath Road and then walk over to Parliament Hill. … Oh, only about a 10- or 15-minute walk.
Peggy: Sorry to interrupt, but 15 minutes with all the food and stuff?
Phil: Keep your hair on. Jane and Simone will be there to help. We’ll manage easily. George, can I call you back? We’re having a logistical problem at this end. OK, bye!
Peggy: Yes, but you can’t carry anything since the accident.
Phil: Please stop saying the word accident as if it had inverted commas around it. You know how sorry I am.
Peggy: OK, moving on. Have you checked the weather report?
Phil: One more time: it says sunshine all day with thunderstorms in the late evening, and by that time, we’ll all be home and dry — literally.
Peggy: So, there’s the blanket, and the thermos is in the second basket. (later, on Hampstead Heath) Phil: Look, here comes George. Peggy: Hello, love. Good to see you. George: Likewise. This was a great idea. I like the food blanket in the middle. Did Sean make everything?
Phil: Yes, he did. Put your blanket down over there, where the stone is. It’s exactly 1.97 metres from the grub rug, as I like to call it. I’ve just measured it.
George: How are things at the pub?
Peggy: Well, obviously we’re still closed, but Sean’s back and the food-delivery service is going really well.
George: But that won’t tide you over forever, will it?
Phil: No, we’re already eating into our savings…
Peggy: Actually, we’re more worried about whether business will ever pick up again. George: I get that, but you do have the garden.
Peggy: We won’t get many people in there, not with social distancing.
George: Phew, it’s very close. Are those clouds on the horizon?
Phil: Don’t jinx this, George.
Peggy: Isn’t that Helen?
George: You’re right. I’ve never seen her in sweats before. What’s she carrying? Phil: Over here, Helen! Do you need any help with that?
Helen: Hi, everyone. Yes, that’d be great. I’ll just put the bags here. Maybe you could each carry one. I’ll spread out my blanket over there.
George: What have you got in here? Helen: Three magnums of champagne.
They were a present from some grateful patients.
Peggy: That’s very generous.
Helen: Where do I put my food?
Phil: On the blanket in the middle.
Helen: The one where the two dachshunds are tucking in?
Phil: What?
Peggy: Oh, no! You turn your back for one moment.
George: Hey, are those your dogs? Get them off our food!
Dog owner: I’m so sorry. Lucy, Truffle! Get over here! Bad dogs!
Helen: I don’t want to put even more of a damper on things, but did anyone else just feel a drop of rain?
“Will business ever pick up again?”