Chapter 30

There was plenty of farmland, and very few animals that they could see. They took one of the side roads, which meandered through trees and fields, until eventually they came to a narrow lane. Kev pulled onto it, despite Neil’s worrying it might be the drive to someone’s house. Half a mile farther they saw a turn-around with a large expanse of unmown grass they decided would be perfect for their picnic. Kev parked, then got an old blanket from the car trunk and spread it out.

Neil opened the cooler, removed two plates, glasses, and several wrapped sandwiches, as well as a thermos of iced tea.

“This is so peaceful,” Neil said when they’d made inroads into their meal. “I think I could happily live in an area like this, if I didn’t need to work.”

“After we retire,” Kev said. He ate the last of his sandwich, washing it down with tea. Tossing the wrapper in the cooler, he lay back with his hands behind his head.