'When we get to Polreath on Saturday, I'm going to do
nothing,' said Anna.'I just want to sit and have cool drinks
and read and watch the world go by.'
'Me too,' replied Stephen.
It was the hottest summer for twenty years. It had started
at the end of May. Everyone thought the heat would only
last for a few days and then the rain would return, but this
summer was different.
'And don't expect any intelligent conversation from me,'
Anna continued. 'It'll take a day or two for me to become a
member of the human race again!'
'Mm,' said Stephen, not really listening. 'What about
this cottage we've booked, do you think it's going to be all
right? To be honest, I'm a bit worried about it - we were so
late making our decision and it was still available. Why
didn't anyone else want it? It makes me think there must be
something wrong with it.'
'Don't worry. I'm sure it'll be fine. And even if it's not,
we'll still be away from here. Just think - three weeks by
the sea, without any work. It sounds wonderful.'
In the city the heat was uncomfortable. People were not
used to high temperatures day after day. Journeys to work
became hot and sweaty, and increasingly bad-tempered in
the crowded trains and buses. By the beginning of July,
nobody could remember when it had last rained