"Who knows? Maybe I am all talk? Maybe I just want to take you for a curry? But, are you willing to take the risk to find out?"
Lisa glanced around at her friends. They hadn't even noticed her speaking to this boy. They assumed she was still in the toilet, applying an extra layer of soap to her hands. "Maybe."
Moving closer to her now, he whispered in her ear. "Meet me over by Boots in five minutes. If you come then I know you really want to be here, that I'm not dragging you along against your will..."
Lisa began protesting, started telling him that if he wanted her to go then he could damn well take her, but before she could, he was gone.
She did meet him, of course. She wondered how long it took before one of her friends looked for her in the cubicles. He was waiting for her, his reflection visible in the shop window. He took her hand without uttering a word and then they walked the deserted backstreets until her heels clicked on the concrete steps to the park. Lisa was able to look for miles in every direction. She was completely alone with this stranger. And, true to his word, he'd remained a stranger.
"There is a rope swing down there," he said, pointing to the river with the dead fish that floated on the surface, hidden by the overgrowth of trees.
Lisa unhooked the strap of her shoes and ran barefoot towards the river. For once, she felt no urge to jump in the river, see how long she could keep her head under the water before she stopped breathing. The wind blew through her strands of red hair, which gathered in a mess, covered her eyes. She had no idea what he intended to do with this damn rope swing. He was no Tarzan (though she'd like to see him stripped to the waist) and she was sure as hell no Jane. He was damn sexy, though. He could do whatever he wanted with her down by the mouth of the river and nobody (but them) would know. It would be their little secret. She'd even resist telling her friends, not that they'd believe her anyway. Lisa was aware of the dampness that seeped through her knickers as her burning feet moved closer and closer to the mouth of the river.
She turned around, gasping for breath. Leaning forward at the waist, hands on her knees, she could barely make him out in the dark open fields in his black clothes. He walked slowly, in no rush. Lisa glanced at her watch, gasped as she realised she'd been walking for hours with this stranger, that it was four in the morning.
"So where is this mythical rope swing of yours? I hope this isn't some devious ploy to get me down here in the middle of nowhere on my own?"
His face lights like a candle. This guy is full of mischief, she thinks. He'd had plenty of opportunity to take advantage of her, even on the drunken walk down to the park, but he'd chosen not to. He was biding his time, making her wait. He hadn't laid a single hand on her body yet. It could only be a matter of time, though. She looked into his eyes and she knew they weren't innocent, that thankfully they were full of ill-intent.
"I have a better plan," he says. "Let's cross the river."
“You what?” Lisa follows him anyway, grasping her shoes in one hand. It is only when she spots the thick metal pipe running from one side of the river to the other that she understands.
"Ladies first," he says, holding out his hand, his long piano fingers spread wide.
Blowing out her cheeks, Lisa puts her shoes down against the dry riverbank. Now, this is living! Placing one bare foot down against the cold pipe, her second foot quickly follows, hands gripping the railings. This was easy. Her foot slips. For the first time, she stares down at the shallow water below, barely covering the rocks and pebbles, realises just how high up she is. Her knuckles whiten as her grip tightens. She regains her balance. Dares to take another quick look down. Damn. If she fell then she'd break every fragile bone in her body.
Only, she wasn't going to, was she? She wasn't alone. Not quite. Strong hands nestle around her waist, keeping her steady.
"Careful," he whispers, his breath hot against her neck.
Arching her body, Lisa pushes her buttocks against his crotch. He edges away. Fucking tease.
She tenses, startled. Her eyes widen, then narrow. Something wasn't right.
“You see that?”
“See what?”
She wants to point her arm, but she doesn't dare release a hand. “Over there. On the other side of the river. I saw something.”
His laugh, over her shoulder, is rasping.
“Darkness does awful things to your imagination if you let it. Relax. You're with me...”
Lisa focuses her eyes. Feels ridiculous. All she can see are dark shapes. Everything is moving. The gentle, constant flow of the river underneath her provides some solace.
He is right. This stranger. There is nothing there. Just the two of them.
She is buoyed with even more confidence. She's had enough of his teasing. It is way past her bedtime and besides, she is a girl with needs. If he isn't going to make a move, then she is. There is no way she can fall from this slippery metal pipe, twenty feet or so from the river bank, not with his careful, considerate and strong hands protecting her. She swivels around on the balls of her feet, ready to welcome his sinewy body into her arms.
All she welcomes, though, is his wide smile reflecting in
