They had spent close to an hour exploring the beautiful estate, lingering in its sunlit rooms and manicured gardens, before they finally set out for the strawberry farm.
Fortunately, the farm wasn't far at all, just a short, pleasant walk down a winding path bordered by lush greenery.
When they arrived, the tour went exactly as expected. The air was thick with the sweet, unmistakable fragrance of ripening fruit, and the rows of low-lying green bushes stretched out under long plastic tunnels.
The farm guide gave them a brief welcome and announced the golden rule of the day: they were permitted to eat any strawberry they picked right there in the fields.
Initially, judging by the predatory glints in everyone's eyes, it looked like the group was going to single-handedly empty out the entire farm. There were whispers of tactical consumption and jokes about skipping dinner.
