The Bigger Picture

Would Judith ever have what it took to win top prize?

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THIS year," Judith said through mock-gritted teeth, "I'm going to get a prize in the photography section."

Her husband laughed.

"Not if you're taking on Lucy with her high-tech camera gizmos."

"Six years running!" Judith complained.

Barry smiled and added milk to his wife's coffee.

"Be realistic - she does do it for a living."

Judith grumbled.

"Precisely why she should be banned."

"It's open to all comers," Barry reasoned. "I'm sure the judges take account of Lucy's advantages."

Judith was unconvinced.

"Maybe there should be a special Lucy class just for her, so we mere mortals have a chance."

"And Lucy's company is strictly weddings and family portraits. No flowers or wildlife."

Judith took a sip of coffee.

"Anyway, it's not like she doesn't walk the same woods and fields as you.

"Don't be a sore loser; you've got to admit, darling, she has an eye."

Barry and Judith had exchanged these views about the village flower and produce show photography competition more than once over the years.

"Remember that beautiful one a couple of summers ago of the bluebells?

"Didn't she enter it into some sort of national competition afterwards?"

"That was nice," Judith admitted begrudgingly.

"And I dare say," Barry teased, "that she likely has more patience than another photographer I know!

"Kenny says she spends hours out there, in the peace and quiet."

"I suppose doesn't help to have Bentley pulling on his lead," Judith conceded.

"He seems to sense when I want him to be still.

"And then he crashes around in the undergrowth and disturbs the birds."

They both raised their mugs to the Labradoodle.

"I wonder," Judith mused, "whether the local college runs a photography course?

"You could even pay for it for my birthday next week!"

Barry nodded.

"Perhaps."