She sat at a table with a tall iced lemonade. Waiting. Waiting.
He said he would meet her here.
“Don’t be late,” he had said. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”
She waited and sipped.
Not far away, he waited, watching for her.
Where was she? he wondered.
He felt his anger rising.
He had told her not to be late and that he had a surprise.
Surprises always intrigued her. She was like a fish chasing a shiny lure. Dangle some bauble and she’ll follow it anywhere. He scoffed aloud as he thought of her stupidity.
The outdoor seating was crowded. She leaned against the tree and wondered if she was in the wrong spot. She sipped the last of her lemonade and decided to stroll to the other side and see if he was there.
At about the same moment, he rose and walked to see if he could find her.
“Damn tourists,” he muttered as he picked his way around the busy tables.
There was no sign of her. He clenched and unclenched his fists angrily. He shoved his hands into his pockets and fingered the packet of cyanide salts he had hoped to slip into her drink.
“Damn,” he said aloud and stalked off.
She, too, scanned the crowded tables — no sign of him.
She sighed a deep sigh, thinking about the container of arsenic in her purse. It would have to wait for another time.
This is my response to this week’s Unicorn Challenge. The Unicorn Challenge is simple — 250 words based on the photo prompt.
Clearly I watch way too many crime shows.
Plus, my dramaturg daughter is probably rolling her eyes at my choice of poisons. I don’t know about poisons — and I was afraid to search on my computer for the best poison to slip into a drink. Again — too many crime shows.
Hot Dogs and Marmalade 
I’m not sure which was best! Your story or your explanation! You made me laugh after I got angry with him. Haha
The perfect pair 💜💜💜
What a lovely couple!
I’d say they deserve each other.
Fun tale, Sally, if somewhat macabre.
But then I like macabre!
Clever and funny stuff, Sally. Spy vs spy in action.
Oh brilliant. I was just about to be relieved that she was going to escape from him when the conclusion showed me she didn’t need my sympathy at all. Haha. Great.
Hehe! The cyanide would be very quick – probably be dead after one sip… The arsenic is a cumulative poison and would probably take a couple doses over a few days to cause any effect… I think they deserve eachother!
I agree with murisopsis – they def. deserve each other!
❤
David
Ah, a poison expert! Now I know who to ask!
I suppose those choices work then. He’d want quick and done. She would want to milk him for a few more “surprises” and offer to buy him his drink!
I find myself wondering what their life together was like to get them to this point!
And yes, they deserve each other, although you kept that quiet till the end.
Excellent twist.
Does anyone really care what kind of poison it was? Not me!
She could have been swinging a tire iron around and it would not have detracted from this thoroughly entertaining story. What a maddening development, having to put their plans on hold!
Great writing, Sally!
Intriguing, Sally! What in the world was their relationship like for them both to be planning to poison the other! Nicely done!