Summer Concert
WRITTEN BY LISA ALLEN
How could Naomi bring some companionable harmonies into her solo summer?
Naomi stepped through the decorative wrought iron archway, carrying a picnic hamper and blanket. Notes of stringed music tangled through billowing bunting and borders of sweet, thorny roses as she followed the footsteps of fellow visitors into the open air concert.
It was the perfect evening for it; flawless blue sky, the sun beating warm like cymbals, the historic gardens blooming with cheer.
It was a shame, thought Naomi, that amongst all these people she still felt slightly alone.
A new job had brought Naomi to Little Greenhill, a small market town which stretched into vast lush fields sprinkled with woodland streams and swathes of wildflowers.
She had been appointed library manager, a promotion from her previous role in a city school library. She’d been here a few weeks now, and although the new pace of country life suited her more than she thought it might, Naomi had been finding it difficult to meet people. Ironic, she thought, considering the library was one of the hubs of the market town.
She missed friends and family back in the city, and although the locals here were warm and welcoming, she’d yet to make any real friends. Maybe she was trying to rush things; it takes time to make friends.
“Are you going to the open air concert at Greenhill Manor?”
Naomi had felt too shy to ask her colleague, Sally, if she’d like to go with her. The element of friendship rejection had lingered on her mind all day.
Sally shook her head. “No. We do usually, but we managed to book a cheap last minute city break this weekend – too good a price to miss out on.”
Naomi smiled, hiding her disappointment. “Ooh, lucky you – that sounds exciting.”
“It is! We’ve bagged VIP tickets to a musical I’ve longed to see.”
A wave of homesickness passed over Naomi. Life in the city entailed theatres or galleries most weekends with friends.
“Are you going?” asked Sally, trying to squeeze the last book from her stock trolley onto a shelf. Naomi hesitated. She didn’t want to admit she had no one to go with, so she probably wouldn’t.
“Dan and I would love to have gone with you if we weren’t going away,” said Sally, noticing Naomi’s embarrassed expression. She gave an encouraging smile. “You should definitely go, though. Lots of people take a picnic and go solo – they soon get chatting to people.”
Oh, erm, I’m not sure. I’ve never gone to an event on my own.
Sally grinned. “All the more reason to go – it’s the only way to build up your social life. Go on, be brave!”
Naomi held back until the bulk of concert goers had settled on the grass in groups nearer the stage. She still felt uncomfortable, going it alone. Maybe she shouldn’t have bothered.
As honeyed notes of classical music drizzled across the warm evening air, she rummaged through the new straw hamper she’d bought especially, unaware that someone was also setting up a picnic space nearby.
“Oh, brilliant,” grumbled Naomi to herself, pulling out a bottle of wine. “I’ve forgotten to pack a glass.”
“You can borrow one of mine if you like?” said a voice, making Naomi jump. A polite distance away, a man about her age sat on his own picnic blanket, offering up a plastic tumbler and a friendly smile.
Naomi smiled back, slightly embarrassed. “Oh, are you sure? That’s really kind.” She glanced at his meagre food spread; crisps and a chocolate bar.
He laughed, following her gaze.
“My brother was supposed to bring the picnic but he got called into work.”
Naomi laughed, relaxing. “Well, I’ve brought more food than I can possibly eat. Fancy swapping a glass for some shop-prepared picnic food?”
“You don’t need to ask me twice,” he said, looking longingly at the Brie and tomato rolls and large tub of bright salad. “Although I think I’ve got the better deal here.” He smiled again, his eyes crinkling.
Naomi blushed, piling up a plate as he poured out tumblers of wine.
“I’m Tom.” He passed Naomi her drink. “I work at the law firm near the library.”
“I work in the library! I’m Naomi. We’ve probably even passed each other in town.”
Tom smiled. ‘Well I’m really glad our paths have crossed again.” He raised his glass to hers. “To new friends.”
As music danced through the summer night, Naomi smiled back, her heart lifting, “To new friends.”
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Allison Hay
I joined the "My Weekly" team thirteen years ago and, more recently, "The People's Friend". I love the variety of topics we cover both online and in the magazines. I manage the digital content for the brands, sharing features and information on the website, social media and in our digital newsletters.
