Colombine took a checked cloth out of the bag. Mea brightened, while Lu Cia checked whether they had brought anything edible. They had. All that remained was to find a suitable spot, which was less straightforward than it sounded with three observant travellers.
Illustrated fiction inspired by original Travel2City photographs. The places come from separate journeys, not a one-day itinerary. Characters, dialogue, props and some composition and lighting are artistic interpretations.
Beside the lake, all three stopped. Mea pointed towards a quiet stretch of shore, Colombine held the folded cloth, and Lu Cia counted the provisions once more. The spot looked promising. But the hillside made such a lovely reflection that food lost the competition for a few minutes. The cloth stayed folded. Apparently they had booked a view first, and none of them objected for now.
“We have a place by the water. We will consider the table later.”
At the stone bridge, the picnic revealed its capacity for a lengthy introduction. Colombine noticed the circle made by an arch and its reflection. Mea tilted her head to see it from the same angle. Lu Cia held firmly on to the bag. “Just a reminder: the apples will not eat themselves.” Both nodded, then looked a little longer. Fortunately, their provisions required no exact serving time.
In Perast, two green benches finally proved sufficient. On a free section of one they arranged the cloth, apples, bread and small cups. Mea checked that everything fitted, Colombine sat down, and Lu Cia put down the bag with relief. The first mouthful brought a contented silence. Then conversation resumed, each friend recalling a different detail of the journey. The food was simple, the cloth slightly small and the company exactly right.
On the beach, Mea and Colombine began folding the cloth. At first each pulled her own way; then they coordinated and the corners finally met. Lu Cia held the bag ready, smiling at their little domestic choreography. All the food and wrapping had been packed. Only footprints remained on the sand. For a while they stood together and listened to the sea, without planning another stop.
“We have everything for today. Including something to take home.”
From notebook to book
The Map with No Last Page
Travel2City journeys continue between the covers of a book. Discover our illustrated travel world.
