A couple goes out for the day. The events were the same, but they each saw the day differently. This is Sandra's viewpoint. (to see Martin's story click the link at the foot of this page).

The Fishing Trip

The story as Sandra told it to her friend...

"Come in Sandy. Ooh, I do like your new jacket!" "I'll tell you all about that in a minute; but how's Peter?" "The ankle's back to normal at last. He drove himself to work this morning. Such a fuss; but if he will keep playing these young men's games! He should take up fishing like Martin instead of rushing around." "Funnily enough, that's how I got my new fleece. You know Martin's been trying to get me to go fishing with him?" "You don't mean you gave in?" "Well, he thought I'd given in, but it was all part of my plan to get the coat. You see I took a fancy to it in that Outdoor Shop where Martin keeps blowing his money, but I didn't dare ask outright. Then last week, when we watched the seven-day Weather Forecast it all came together…. "I knew last weekend was the end of the fishing season and Martin would want to go if he could; but I also noticed it was going to be cold and dry, so I could suffer a bit for the cause and not actually get too uncomfortable or wet. Martin was amazed when I suggested we go together, and I don't think he believed I would do it on the day. We got up early and got to the river before it was light. There was a spooky mist on the water and the air was all clammy and cold. Even when the Sun came up it didn't get warm. I really laid it on about how chilly it was and I kept making coffee and hot soup to push the point. Of course, I didn't admit that I'd known it would be cold and that it was all part of my little plan! "Martin caught a couple of little silver fish with red fins and seemed quite pleased with himself. Then a nasty rat jumped into the river and I nearly gave up. It made a big splosh and made me jump so much I screamed and had my head bitten off for scaring the fish. Still, it gave him someone to blame when his luck ran out. For the rest of the day all he could catch were tiddlers, which annoyed him so much that he was wrenching them off the hook and pulling their insides out. That was disgusting. So I played up my shivering act a bit more and gave him an excuse to give up without admitting defeat. He made some comment about me not being dressed for the occasion and I let him take me to the Outdoor Shop. I think he thought he was getting his way on the quiet and, of course, I acted terribly surprised when I found this fleece in just my colour."

©Derrick Phillips
November 1999

To see the same events through other eyes read Martin's version