Part 1
"Time for a picnic?" asked David "I think it's about time we went off our own way without mum and dad telling us what to do!"
"I'm not too sure" replied Thomas "We've never been down by the stream by ourselves without them!"
"Scaredy-cat!" exclaimed David "You've always been such an oaf! I've never been scared of anything in my life! When I was your age I used to go down there by myself!"
Thomas looked hurt. He wasn't used to his big brother being so nasty to him but he supposed because mum and dad were out that made David in charge. He recalled his dad being cross with him already because of his dog being sick for a few days, "Right Buffi, vet's it is!" he had said as he stomped out of the door, having cleaned up another load of mess off of the new carpet, Buffi in tow looking rather sheepish. "I'm so fed up with this dog! It's been nothing but trouble since we had it!"
'Funny how dogs know what's going on', Thomas thought, 'even though their meant to be just dumb animals'. "Not my Buffi" he muttered under his breath, "He's the best friend I could ever have".
"What was that?" snapped David, "What did you say?" David stomped out into the kitchen, also now muttering under his breath. 'He's always complaining' he thought as he went. 'Because he's the youngest he always gets what he wants, every time. Even that darn dog of his gets more than me sometimes! All I wanted to do was have an adventure down by the stream and he has to go and make it hard!' David continued into the kitchen and started to make some sandwiches for them both. He also got ready an apple, packet of crisps and a carton of juice each too.
After a few minutes David had calmed down and started to think about his little brother in a more kindly manner. "Have you got your poncho, never know when you might need it?" he called to Thomas.
"Yes" came the quick reply, "And my bag, and my hat, wouldn't want to go without that!" Thomas came through the kitchen door as David was putting his own poncho on, they picked up the keys and walked out through the other door together into the garden.
Part 2
It wasn't long before they'd gone down the lane, crossed the first field and were aiming for the stile that led to the stream. The field was full of wild flowers, buttercups mainly but with another small lilac-coloured flower dotted about, the sun was out now and the rain-clouds that had promised a dousing were nearly gone. The boys were feeling decidedly happier.
David started to trot. "I'm free!" he called, with a skip in his step "I could take-off, I venture where I like and I do what I want!" and he ran faster as he went, Thomas chasing behind, all thoughts of their recent argument disappearing into the blue sky.
Soon they arrived at the large oak on the far side of the second field. "Climb that tree! You've always wanted to but dad's never let you. I know it's what you want, won't you give it a go!"
"I don't know" said Thomas, "I'm scared". But he stopped at the base and looked up, considering what to do. He wanted to climb but he was still worried he was going to get into trouble, remembering how cross dad was earlier with him and Buffi. His dad's anger with Buffi just seemed to go on and on, ever on, and he hoped that dad wasn't getting too fed up with him.
"I'm going to do it!" said Thomas resolutely and with gritted teeth he started to climb. "Go on!" cheered David, 'Finally' he thought, as he watched his brother climb 'he's finally doing something daring.' 'The last thing he did that was on Christmas Eve night when he sneaked downstairs to have a look at that big present under the tree.'
It wasn't long before he had climbed a long way and with trembling legs exclaimed "I've done it David! I've climbed it!" "Well done!" shouted up David, "I knew you could! I suppose you're an okay brother after all."
Thomas smiled in spite of himself. It was good to get praise from his brother even though he pretended not to like him, and he started to make his way down. 'I hope Buffi's okay' he thought on his descent, but before he knew it he was back down on the ground, and glad to be there.
They both moved towards the stile then and when they approached they stepped over and onto the bridge and stopped half way across. "'Bout time we took off our jumpers too" said David, "It's getting really rather hot now." "How do you think Buffi is?" asked Thomas. "I don't know" replied David, "But you know dad really doesn't like that dog!"
Just at that moment they heard a splash and both turned to see their dad stood further up the stream with a sodden wet, motionless, hairy object in his arms.........................................................
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