If

The track was muddier than it looked.

Both competitors were set.

Rudy threw a rock in the air as a starting pistol. When it hit the ground they could start running.

'I can't even see the finish line,' Liesel complained.

'And I can?'

The rock wedged itself into the earth.

They ran, they ran fast. Elbows knocked into each other, struggling to get in front of the other. Feet tripped over feet and struggled to stand up again. Breaths came fast and heavy as they both struggled to fill their lungs and keep running. They both tripped at the same time and went sprawling towards the finish line. Liesel was an inch further ahead of Rudy and her fingers scrabbled them selves across the line a moment before his did. A shaky grin spread wide across her face.

'Yes, I'm not goalie anymore!' she muttered to herself and pulled herself onto her knees. 'Jesus, Mary and Joseph! I'm covered in shit!'

'So?' Rudy asked dejectedly from the slop of mud they had both fallen into. 'I'm going home, you coming saumench?'

'Wait a minute!' Liesel called.

~Liesel's thoughts~

I'm covered in shit.

He's covered in shit.

I've humiliated him.

I got what I wanted.

Why not give him what he wants?

I can't believe I'm going to do this.

'Rudy?'

Rudy turned round, 'what?'

Liesel jogged the few yards to Rudy's side and held his fingers in hers.

Rudy looked blankly at their hands. Liesel moved closer and closer until she could feel Rudy's breath on her cheek. Their lips met for a moment. Then she pulled away and rested her head on his shoulder, feeling his heart beat like a joyful drum, louder and faster.

They walked back to Himmel Street together, Rudy's arm round Liesel's shoulder as it was always supposed to be. Just before turning into Himmel Street Liesel turned to Rudy and kissed him again, hard. This time it was no peck, Rudy's tongue explored Liesel's mouth while his muddy fingers traced the contours of her face. Liesel fisted her hands into Rudy's shirt, pulling him closer. When they broke apart Rudy had two new brown smudges on his shirt from Liesel's hands and Liesel had mud finger marks all over her face.

'See you, Saumench' Rudy said quietly before turning and running down the street.

'Bye Saukerl,' Liesel murmured and she promised herself that she would kiss Rudy every day that they both lived.

If only this were true; but we all know that it isn't because that would only be nice. I know, because I have 'the book thief' and you know because I told you 'the book thief' and if you ask nicely and if you are one of the souls that stands and walks next to me, I will pull 'the book thief' out of my pocket and read it to you one last time before I deliver you to the place where you will see Rudy and Liesel and all of your ancestors. But, unfortunately, I doubt that will be very soon.