This short story was written in response to Sammi Cox’s Weekend Writing Prompt #483. Today’s word is: Alfresco…

So… I put my hands up for this one. Had I scrolled down just a little further on Sammi’s post, rather than bounding off like a puppy with a squeaky toy, I would have seen the stipulation of a 50 word limit! Lesson learnt. Promise I’ll do better next time.

“Look at us, Kev,” Dave said, “eating lunch ‘alfresco’ under the Sun!” 

He made bunny ears with his fingers when using the word ‘alfresco’. 

“Yeah, living the dream, buddy. Living the dream.” Kev replied, as he took a big bite of his loaded burger.

“I just love eating alfresco!” Dave exclaimed.

“Yes – I get it. We’re eating outside.”

“Just look at the sky. It’s so…”

“Yes, Dave,” Kev said, “we’re not eating at our desks today. It’s invigorating.”

“I just don’t sense you’re looking at this the same way as me, Kev. We always eat at our desks! Chained to those damn things. Look around you. The Sun is shining and people are sitting together discussing the events of the day. We might even get the rest of the day off.”

Kev looked over at the member of the Bomb Squad responsible for remotely controlling the robot which was currently nudging the ticking brown package delivered to reception that morning. “Yep. You could be right.”

“Yeah,” Dave said, “and don’t worry, it’s just an old alarm clock I had laying around the house.”

“What?!” Kev exclaimed, expelling the contents of his mouth onto the pavement, “Are you serious?! You could get into so much trouble for that!”

Dave cleared his throat, “Erm… I just needed some extra time for me to finish the McCormack report which was due in today.”

“And this was the way to get the extra time?!” Kev said. 

“And… er…” Dave cheeks glowed as if they’d been dipped in lava, “to have lunch outside. Alfresco.”