A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

No Way, Jose

"Don't give me that smarmy grin, I'm not doing it."

Tom's smirk merely grows wider.

"I'm serious, Tom, you are not going to get me climbing to the top of that bridge."

"You climbed the sails of the Opera House," he pronounces smugly and I snort in response, rolling my eyes theatrically for good measure.

"Only in a virtual reality," I point out, "not in this one. We didn't get any higher than the foyer."

"You've never been afraid of heights before," he reasons. "I don't understand what the issue is."

"The issue," I inform him with a glare that seemingly has no effect whatsoever, "is that I have no desire to stand a hundred metres plus some change over a huge pool of water, protected only by a waist-high guard rail and a flimsy piece of rope tying me to the next sucker in line." Good god, what other reasons could I possibly need? The thought of the speed at which my body would hit the surface of Sydney Harbour, should I fall, makes me shudder. Mind you, I'd probably die of a heart attack from fear alone before I ever got that far.

"They call it 'The Climb of Your Life'," Tom continues with a grin, eyes sparkling and no less persistent than he was when he first proposed the idea ten minutes ago.

"Yes, well, I'd like to continue living my life, thanks very much - I happen to rather like it."

"Sweetheart," he takes my hand, entwining our fingers and giving mine a gentle squeeze. "I'd be with you every step of the way. I'll get tied right next to you in line - that way, if you go over, I'll go right along with you."

"Oh wow, that's very reassuring," I mutter, knowing he doesn't miss my sarcasm.

Now he takes my other hand and his teasing look turns serious. "Darling, I promise you it's perfectly safe. No-one has ever fallen from one of these guided climbs. The safety equipment and procedures are all first rate." When I say nothing, he continues. "Do you think I would encourage you to experience this if I thought for even one second you would be in any danger?"

I sigh, acknowledging to myself that he's right, and though I let go the smallest slice of my reluctance, I'm not ready to acknowledge it to him just yet.

"I love you." My hands are raised, my fingers kissed and my senses set alight. "If you really, truly don't want to do it, I won't push you, but I would love to share this experience with you and I honestly believe you would enjoy it."

Dammit, Tom...

Two days later I'm standing in a blue and grey jumpsuit, adrenaline surging throughout my entire body, heart pumping madly, breath catching. "Oh. My. God! That was incredible!"

To his credit, Tom's smile is completely genuine, with not a hint of an 'I told you so' smirk in sight.