Page 86 of Rhymes with Metaphor
“Because I knew what it was.Maybe I should have got a Nobbly Bobbly.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I was too embarrassed to say it to the guy in the store,” said Joel.
“You weren’t embarrassed to say it in front of me just now.”
“I’ve done way more embarrassing things in front of you than saying ‘Nobbly Bobbly,’” said Joel.
“Do you want to swap yours for my Maxibon?You’ll get my germs, of course.”
“I’ve already got your germs.”
They exchanged lollies.
Joel took a bite.“This is really good.”
“That’s why I chose it.”
“It looked too high maintenance in the store,” said Joel.
“Do you even know what ‘high maintenance’ means?”said Reg.
“Unnecessarily...tricked out.”
“In other words, fabulous.”
Still eating their lollies, they wandered through the park at the end of the road to a sunken garden walled with flowers, featuring a triangular fountain at its centre.
“Over that rise are the remains of a guest house,” said Reg.“Built in Roman times.”
“This place has been special for a long time.”
“Since ancient times,” said Reg.“There’s evidence of a Stone Age settlement on the headland.”
They finished their ice lollies.Reg fished in his pockets and came out with a handful of coins.One was a black toonie.He put it in Joel’s hand.
“Throw that into the fountain,” said Reg.“Make a wish.”
“I wish you’d made me come on the hill.”
“A proper wish.”
“Don’t look,” said Joel.
Reg shut his eyes and waited.He heard the wind and the sound of Joel’s footsteps receding and then returning.
“You can open your eyes now,” said Joel.
Joel was standing in front of him with his hands in his pockets, a small smile on his face.
“What did you wish for?”
“I can’t tell you.”
“Keep it to yourself, then.”
“I intend to,” said Joel.
