Scorching- The first Lick of Summer
The group of children waited impatiently for it to come, sitting on the hard, hot, dusty pavement; their money burning a hole in their pockets as the unforgiving, blazing sun beat down from a cloudless sky, burning their fair unprotected skin, as this was the first day of many without T shirts.
There was not an
ounce of shade and not enough energy to play ‘It’; even walking to the local
shop to spend the money on fizzy drinks or ice cream was an effort as the air was
still, just like the children sitting on the pavement- waiting, watching,
hoping . .
But there was
excitement in the air as one scruffy boy looked at his watch, the big hand
slowly but surely reaching the 12 as the little hand struck the 4 and there it
was, that precious sound that most grownups found more than annoying.
The road seemed
long and endless but sure enough the noise came closer and closer as the
children all stood at once, reaching into their pockets and pulling out hot, sweaty
coins so precious to them in this extraordinary heat wave.
The newspapers
were full of doom and gloom of water shortages with the impending summer
drought with screaming headlines of crops failing, gardens wilting and paddling
pools standing empty, but the sound of the ice cream van made the unbearable
heat worthwhile as the children all clamoured eagerly around the van, wanting
that first lick of their Fab ice lolly; this was heaven and as the sweat
trickled down their forehead’s, they all smiled happily at that first lick of summer.
Brilliant Mrs. Koch!!!! I can picture that image in my mind perfectly. I can still her the ice cream truck in my neighborhood (in my mind).
ReplyDeleteThanks chick; I was one of those dusty little oiks waiting for that ice cream van too, sitting on a London street rather rthan an American one. xxx
ReplyDeleteheehee. Much too expensive nowadays but was the highlight of a carefree summer's day way back then. Ahhh memories......
ReplyDeleteOh, this is lovely!! I can taste the heat and hear the off-pitch ice cream van music!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you; I found this one quite hard and spent ages trying to think of something. In the end I went with this childhood memory as it seemed fitting and true if that makes sense. Of course I could have wrote about a Highway Man being scorching but have been there done that and we already know he is. . . . xx
DeleteReally felt like I was there...stifling heat and that overpowering need for something cold! Great visuals!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. xxx
DeleteLovely writing! The details were vivid and I am now wanting an ice-cream! Brought back memories of my childhood! Very well done!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :-)) xx
Deletefab post, really enjoyed reading it xx
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. xxx
ReplyDelete