Don't Say My Name

Chapter 3

Her laugh was infectious, her energy boundless. They shared ride after ride, screaming and laughing, thoroughly enjoying the moment. They tucked in to hotdogs, juggling the steaming snack between napkin and cold fingers, trying to keep all the onions and licking the sauce off their fingers. They shared a candy floss, giggling like teenagers as Clive pulled the floss off the stick and fed Penny with the sugary treat. Before they knew it, evening was upon them, the lights on the rides bright and colourful, the background screams and laughter equally cheerful as they headed back to the café for Clive to collect his guitar.

"Staying here long?" Penny asked as he slung the guitar on his back.

"As long as I wish. Why?"

"Can we sing again tomorrow?" Penny asked shyly. "I've had so much fun today."

"I've enjoyed the day too. And your company, Penny." Clive agreed. He tapped her on the nose with a finger. "Tomorrow. Morning. On the rocks. It's a date."

"Ha. I could be so lucky. I'll be there. Promise."

They parted, both looking back as they walked in opposite directions. Penny gave him a little wave and the last thing Clive heard was her giggle as she turned the corner.

"Nah, it's me that's the lucky one. I really hope you'll be there, Penny." He murmured, hurrying to the guest house.

He called Mike after his evening meal. "I can't tell you where I am. I need the rest.... Yes, I'm relaxing. I've had a great time today. .... I've written a new song, so I'm still working.... Yes, I'll see you when I get back.... When? Friday I think." Mike began his litany of things he still had to do and Clive struggled to get a word in. "Friday... yes, I know it's close, just don't release it until then, okay? Yes, I promise I'll be back by then. You'll just have to trust me... have I ever let you down? No, I haven't."

Mike sighed down the phone. Clive was a tough enough person to manipulate in person; over the phone he was impossible. He knew when he was beaten and he also knew Clive was right. He had been working too hard, and breaking up with Lindy would have been hard on him. "Friday then. Morning might be better than afternoon, but I'll expect you any time on Friday. Just – be careful, man."

"Careful? Careful's my middle name, Mike. Out of make-up and my garb, nobody can recognize me. I'm quite safe."

Mike sighed and ended the call. Clive was pleased Mike had not pressed too hard. He had a week of freedom.

For the rest of the week, Clive met Penny every day on the rock where they first met. It was there that Penny shyly showed him some poetry she had written. Clive thought it superb, and to see her eyes sparkle and her cheeks blush, he had set some to music. He casually mentioned something about selling them to a company who dealt with song lyrics as he thought they would make brilliant records. Penny had laughed, not taking him seriously and asked him who would want them. He did, but could hardly admit that.

It was when sitting on the rock on Wednesday that Clive realized he was falling in love with her. She had been watching the shore and the children paddling at the water's edge when her sharp eyes noticed a child going in too far. Penny ran down to the water and waded in to save the boy who had begun to flounder in deep water. His mother stood crying and helpless on the beach as Penny calmly brought the child back to the sand and handed him over to his grateful mother. Penny had not stopped for any thanks, but ran back to the rocks and Clive who had watched the whole scenario. As she lay down, gasping and wet, to dry in the hot sun, he kissed her quickly. Liking it, and finding no rebuff, he kissed her again, this time for longer. Penny did not resist and on the second kiss, responded eagerly.

"Wow!" She remarked as Clive pulled away. "Just wow!" She touched her lips with her fingertips, her eyes wide and sparkling.

"Thank you." Clive grinned. "You deserved that for saving that little boy."

"I'm always alert when sitting on the rocks. Visitors have no idea how sudden the sea around here can claim people. I lost a friend once, and they were aware of the dangers, but still got caught out."

"Do you need to change? I'd hate to see you get a chill."

"This sun will dry me. It's great that we're having his mini summer. I thought the season was over."

Clive pulled off his t-shirt and handed it to her. "At least take that one off and put this on."

Penny hesitated at first, then took it from his fingers. "No peeking then." She turned around and pulled off her wet t-shirt and slipped Clive's dry one over her head.

"Better?"

"Yes. Thank you. You...have a great body."

"You too." Clive returned with a grin. "I liked what I saw."

"Perhaps I really should change. Come with me?"

"Lead on." He pulled her to her feet and they set off toward the town. Several streets later, she turned into a gateway, through a garden and opened a door.

"Come in. I won't be long." Penny offered, leading the way inside. She ran up the stairs and moments later, his t-shirt landed on the steps. He looked up to the landing as he scooped it up and saw her bare arm through a doorway. Treading quietly, he made his way up the stairs. "I'm in here." She giggled.

"You saw me?" He asked from the doorway.

"No. I hoped you would follow."

Her wet clothing was discarded onto the floor and she stood with a towel draped around her. As he entered the room, the towel fell away. She was everything he had expected; slim but round in the right places, pert breasts with rosy nipples, hips flaring from a small waist, a deep belly button, a light brown triangle of hair leading to rounded thighs, her legs long and slender. Surprised, he moved forward; dead, he was not. Instantly, he scooped her into his arms. Her arms clasped him in a tight embrace.

"Do you like what you see?"

"Oh, Penny, yes, of course."

"Do you want me?" Her hands found the button of his jeans.

"Hmmm... "