'No, I didn't mean that,' he protested quickly, remembering the saucy
tilt of that small breast. He was silent then, marshalling his words,
trying to control his breathing, fighting down the madness of desire.
She studied his eyes. 'You can see again now - perhaps I will let you
kiss me.'
'Please,' he said and she came back to him.
Gently now, Bruce me boy.
The door of the compartment flew back with a crash and they jumped
apart. Wally Hendry stood on the threshold.
'Well, well, well.' His shrewd little eyes took it all in.
That's nice!' Shermaine was hurriedly tucking in her shirt tail and
trying to smooth her hair at the same time.
Wally grinned. 'Nothing like it after a meal, I always say.
Gets the digestion going.'
'What do you want?' snapped Bruce.
'There's no doubt what you want, said Wally. 'Looks like you're getting
it too.' He let his eyes travel up from Shermaine's waist, slowly over
her body to her face.
Bruce stepped out into the corridor, pushing Hendry back and slammed the
door.
'What do you want?' he repeated.
'Ruffy wants you to check his arrangements, but I'll tell him you're
busy. We can put the attack off until tomorrow night if you like.' Bruce
scowled at him. 'Tell him I'll be with him in two minutes.' Wally leaned
against the door. 'Okay, I'll tell him.'
'What are you waiting for?'
'Nothing, just nothing,' grinned Wally.
'Well, bugger off then,' snarled Bruce.
'Okay, Okay, don't get your knickers in a knot, Bucko.' He sauntered off
down the corridor.
Shermaine was standing where Bruce had left her, but with her eyes
bright with tears of anger.
'He is a pig, that one. A filthy, filthy pig.'
'He's not worth worrying about.' Bruce tried to take her in his arms
again, but she shrugged him off.
'I hate him. He makes everything seem so cheap, so dirty.'
'Nothing between you and I could be cheap and dirty,' said Bruce, and
instantly her fury abated.
'I know, my Bruce. But he can make it seem that way.' They kissed
gently.
'I must go. They want me.' For a second she clung to him.
'Be careful. Promise me you'll be careful.'
'I promise,' said
Bruce and she let him go.
They left before dark, but the clouds had come up during the afternoon
and now they hung low over the forest, trapping the heat beneath them.
Bruce led, with Ruffy in the middle of the line and Hendry in the rear.
By the time they reached the level crossing the night was on them and it
had started to rain, soft fat drops weeping like a woman exhausted with
