A Very English Independence Day

"Fourth of July, woohoo!"

"Since when have you been excited by an American holiday?"

"Yer what? I'm talking about Super Saturday. The pubs are open, YAY!"

"We are not spending all day sat in the pub."

"Not all day, no. I thought we'd go up on the Hoe, get some air. Then we can wander down to the Barbican, grab lunch at Captain Jasper's, then go to the pub."

"Okay ... I'll go get the equipment ready."

-*-

"Put these on then we can go."

"Why don't these damned gloves ever go on right?"

"Oh do stop fussing. You want to go out, we have to be prepared. Here, put your mask on."

"Why is there sticking plaster on the masks?"

"Wait and see."

John and Sue had to let three buses go by because they were too crowded. Finally one arrived that was almost empty.

"We'll sit at the back so fewer people come near us."

"Ay, it's been years since we cuddled up on the back seat."

"D'you think we're up to the hike up to the Hoe. Maybe we should just get the bus to the Barbican."

"You may be right. Just the walk to the bus left me puffed. When did we get so old?"

"Nothing to do with age, love; months of being locked inside, doing nothing more than watch telly, that's what's done it."

When they reached Royal Parade they were surprised by the number of people out and about. It was more like dodgems than social distancing.

"Let's just hurry and get the other bus."

It was packed. "How long 'til the next one?"

"Two hours, mate."

"D'you wanna risk it love?"

"Come on, we said we were having a day out. It's the first outing in months. Let's go for it."

-*-

As the bus entered Southside Street there were police everywhere. A copper spoke to the driver and the bus went through the Barbican without stopping.

"We could get out at West Hoe?"

"No, that's going to be just as bad."

"A supermarket four pack it is then. Say, you never did explain the plasters."

Sue produced two straws from her bag.

"How to drink with a mask on." Under the plasters were straw sized holes.


372 words