At the hotel buffet, Dennis carried every item back to his table separately.
One potato. One carrot. A single olive.
His wife asked why he didn’t use a tray.
Dennis checked his watch and looked at the pudding counter.
I’m nearly there, he said….
Dennis had promised his daughter that he would keep up the family walking challenge while he was on holiday.
His wife, Joan, said holidays were meant to be relaxing.
Dennis said he could relax once the watch was happy.
They spent the afternoon walking round the old town. Dennis admired the harbour, the market and a bakery with its prices clearly displayed.
Joan said he had examined that window more closely than the cathedral.
At the hotel, he checked his total.
Nearly nine thousand.
He looked pleased.
Joan suggested a short walk before dinner.
Dennis said they had already walked all afternoon. He didn’t want exercise taking over the holiday.
They went down to the buffet.
The waiter showed them a table near the entrance. Dennis asked whether there was one at the far end.
Quieter? the waiter asked.
That too, Dennis said.
Joan fetched a plate with fish, potatoes and vegetables.
Dennis returned with one potato.
Was something wrong with the food?
Not at all.
He ate it and went back.
This time, he brought a carrot.
Joan asked whether he was tasting each dish before choosing.
Dennis said he liked to consider things carefully.
On his next trip, he brought an olive.
The waiter offered him a larger plate.
Dennis said the plate was quite large enough.
He went back for bread.
Joan watched him cross the dining room, circle a family waiting for the soup and return along the long side of the tables.
You could bring more than one thing.
I know.
Use a tray, then.
Dennis looked at his watch.
That would spoil the system.
The waiter came over and asked whether he could fetch anything.
Dennis almost dropped his fork.
No, thank you. Please don’t.
The waiter glanced at Joan.
She said her husband was managing beautifully. One vegetable at a time.
Dennis had nearly finished his dinner when a cook brought out a fresh tray of little puddings.
He stood up.
Joan said she hadn’t realised he was still hungry.
He said he had room.
He returned with one pudding and sat down. Before picking up his spoon, he checked his watch again.
Joan leaned across the table.
For the first time that evening, she saw the number.
Nine thousand nine hundred and sixty.
Dennis ate the pudding.
Joan looked towards the counter at the other end of the room.
You chose this table for the distance, didn’t you?
Dennis said he had chosen it for several good reasons.
And you’ve been doing laps between courses?
He said it was important to keep a promise.
Joan folded her napkin.
How much more exercise do you need?
One more pudding.
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