The Quieter Kingdom
25 Strangers
"In a halo of electric light, I swear I saw your face…"
It's nearing dusk. Polly is on her knees, stretching across the picnic blanket to return runaway utensils to the basket.
Digory, home for summer, had invited her to this lunch, but she had prepared everything. He, distracted by his reading, never picked up on this irony.
"Fetch that spoon?" She nods towards the object as he looks up startled by her sound.
But he continues to stare at her, lips parted, dragging in deep breaths. His eyes are bright over the forgotten book in his hands and their brilliance shakes her.
Their hands meet as they both reach for it.