Chapter 1: Ultra Violet

On an exceptionally warm and sunny Saturday afternoon in May, Sid was sitting on one of the benches on Brandon Hill waiting for Cassie. She was a few minutes late. Since he was a natural worrier, he was beginning to wonder whether she had stood him up. After all, he had only just re-established his relationship with her after her exile in Elgin. He was allowing these thoughts to gain the upper hand, when he heard a familiar voice.

"Hello Sidney," said Cassie, brightly. She was wearing a thin sleeveless blouse and a pair of bright yellow hot-pants. "Why are you on this bench? I expected you to be on that one."

"What's wrong with this one?" queried Sid.

"It's the one I danced on when I tried to kill myself the morning after the choir concert." said Cassie, "It's a rather miserable place. It holds some unhappy memories for me."

Cassie sat down next to Sid.

"In that case, let's make it a happy place." said Sid.

"And how would you set about doing that?" asked Cassie, half smiling.

"We could create some happy memories," said Sid, "Like this!"

Sid put his arm across Cassie's shoulders, leaned in and kissed her. To say that Cassie was surprised would be an understatement. She was pleased, of course, but she didn't expect Sid to be so forward on the start of what was effectively their first proper date. They had been together on many occasions before Cassie's meltdown and exile in Scotland, but always in the company of their friends. It had only been a couple of days since their meeting in Chris's flat in which they sorted out most of their differences and realised that, despite their recent antagonism, they still totally loved each other. Now, they were going to spend the rest of the afternoon, and hopefully the whole night together to complete their reconciliation.

"What was that for?" asked Cassie. "It was certainly unexpected."

"To show you how I feel about you." said Sid, "I've realised just how much I love you and how much I've missed you. The weeks before I came to sort things out with you the other day were torture."

"You could have acknowledged me when you found me in your bedroom." said Cassie.

"I'm so desperately sorry about that." said Sid, "I know I should have stopped what I was doing, but honestly Cass, I didn't really believe I'd seen you. You disappeared out of the room so quickly. I know it's no excuse, but I was totally fired up with Michelle, and so was she. It's an incident I'd like to forget. In any case, I did honestly believe you'd dumped me the night dad died."

"What a torrent of words!" exclaimed Cassie, "You know I've forgiven you for your affair with Michelle. Katie made me realise I had given you a wrong impression that we had broken up. I don't really blame you for going to the only other girl in your life."

"Thank you." said Sid, "But I still feel bad about it."

"Don't!" said Cassie, softly, "We're back together now. Tony is making overtures to Michelle. Everything seems to be going right for a change."

"That's good isn't it?" said Sid.

"Of course it is." said Cassie "Now we can start loving each other properly. You do love me don't you, sweet Sidney?"

"You know I do." said Sid, "Even when I was convinced you'd dumped me, I couldn't stop thinking about you. You're special - very special. I love you so much, my sweetness."

"You're very open about your feelings this afternoon." said Cassie, "What are you on?"

"Nothing, Cass." said Sid, "I've had these feelings for you ever since I first met you, and what with you being away for so long, I just had to tell you how I felt at the first opportunity. I hope I'm not driving you away."

"Of course not." said Cassie, "Don't forget, I love you as well and it's nice to know how you feel about me, so let's do something about it."

With this comment, Cassie took the initiative and embraced Sid, kissing him passionately. After about twenty seconds, they disengaged and smiled at each other.

"Wow, Cass!" exclaimed Sid, "That was a nice surprise. let's do it again."

Sid kissed Cassie equally passionately, once again letting his tongue explore Cassie's mouth. Again they came up for air after about thirty seconds."

"I could get used to this." said Cassie, "I won't ask you where you learnt to kiss like that, but I can guess. Anyway, what would you like to do for the rest of the day. I presume you've planned something."

"Not really." said Sid, "I thought we might 'play it by ear' and see how things go. After all, we have only just come back together. Incidentally, are you eating properly?"

"Why do you ask?" queried Cassie.

"I thought we might go out for a meal later if you're up to it." said Sid. "After that we could spend the evening, and possibly, the night at my place. Mum's away for a couple of days, so we'll be alone."

"Well, I'd have to think about that one." said Cassie, "Can I trust you not to go too fast?"

"Of course." said Sid, "Now I'm back with you, I don't want to spoil things."

"Regarding eating, I can eat most things these days." said Cassie, "Even curries, you'll be pleased to hear."

"How did that happen?" asked Sid.

"A couple of weeks ago, Jal suddenly had a craving for something spicy." said Cassie, "Chris didn't want to come along, so she persuaded me to go with her to the local curry house. I shared a meal with her and found I quite liked the taste. We've been there three times since then. Indian food's so lovely. The spicy flavours make me want to eat it."

"Wow!" said Sid, "Does that mean you'd like a curry tonight, or are you 'curried up' for the time being?"

"I'll fit in with what you want." said Cassie, "If you want to go Indian, go ahead. What you choose as a main dish will be interesting and probably different from Jal's choices."

"It sounds as if you would like an Indian meal this evening." said Sid.

"I would." said Cassie, "Where are you going to take me?"

"There's a very good one near the theatre in King Street" said Sid, "We'll go there."

"Anyway," said Cassie, "Lets enjoy this wonderful sunshine. I think we've removed all the sadness from this bench. I'll remember those kisses for quite a long time. They were wonderful. Thank you."

Cassie got up from the bench and walked down the steep grass slope to some level ground. Sid followed her. She delved into her capacious shoulder bag and produced a large travel rug and a tube of sunblock cream. What she did next both startled and pleased Sid. After spreading the rug out on the grass and removing her sandals, she slowly unbuttoned her blouse, opened the front and then removed it. She then took her hot-pants off to reveal that all she was wearing underneath was her polka dot bra and a skimpy pair of matching briefs. Sid stood open mouthed. Up to this moment, he had not seen so much of Cassie's beautiful slender body uncovered. For a while, he was speechless. As Cassie lay down on her back on the rug, he found his voice.

"Wow! C - Cass, y - your body is so beautiful!" he stuttered, "I can't remember seeing so much of it before."

"I've come to realise that my body is worth looking at." said Cassie, "Come on, Sid. Get that shirt off and show yourself to the sun."

Although Sid was quite shy about revealing his body in public, he reluctantly complied with Cassie's request, took off his t-shirt and stood facing her. He was still somewhat startled by seeing his beautiful Cassie stripping almost naked in public in front of him. He was pleased, of course, but seeing her slender bikini clad body in the sunshine was a revelation he hadn't expected.

"May I touch you." Sid asked, tentatively.

"Of course," said Cassie, "It would be difficult for you to put the sun cream on my back without touching me. I'll do your back. Incidentally, you'd be cooler without your beanie. You don't need it on such a warm day."

Cassie removed the hat and, smiling, playfully ruffled his hair.

"What was that for?" asked Sid.

"For you being you." said Cassie, "You somehow seem more natural, more you without your shirt. I like it. I love you so much."

The couple kissed again, their hands caressed and explored each other's backs, then they lay down, absorbing the sun for about fifteen minutes before Cassie picked up the tube of sunblock. She applied it to herself before handing it to Sid.

"Could you do my back, please." said Cassie.

This was an invitation Sid could not refuse! Before applying the cream, he caressed her soft skin, letting his fingertips enjoy its smooth texture. he gasped with pleasure. Cassie was delighted by the feel of Sid's gentle fingers exploring her back. Sid then startled Cassie by caressing and kissing her dainty little feet and applying the sun cream to them. It was obvious to Cassie that he was relishing this part of the task.

"I think you enjoyed doing my feet." said Cassie, "I certainly enjoyed it. You must love them."

"I do." said Sid, "They're small but so perfectly formed. Just like the rest of you."

"That was such a sweet thing to say," said Cassie, "Now you can put the sunblock on your own body."

Sid applied it to the parts of his body he could reach. He returned the tube to Cassie and laid down on his stomach.

"Would you like to do my back." said Sid.

Cassie caressed Sid's back for a bit before applying the cream. It was plainly evident to her that he really relished this intimate attention.

"Aah! That's so lovely!" gasped Sid, "Do it a bit more."

Cassie caressed his back a little more before the couple lay down to continue their enjoyment of the unseasonably hot May sunshine. They lay in silence for some minutes. It was Cassie who spoke first.

"I get the impression that you're quite shy about showing your body in public." said Cassie, "You seemed somewhat hesitant when I asked you to take your shirt off."

"I am." said Sid, "My body isn't much to look at, so I keep it covered at all times."

"Don't put yourself down, Sid." said Cassie, gently, while gently stroking Sid's shoulders, "You've got a sweet body. It's the body of a gentle person and you're certainly one of them. I love stroking it. I've already said that you look more you without your shirt. I used to be so shy about my body until I went to the Canaries. Now I'm not worried about exposing my body."

"When did you go to the Canaries?" asked Sid.

"I think it must have been when you called for me in Elgin and I wasn't there." said Cassie, "My folks realised that I was more depressed than ever, so they took me for a fortnight's holiday at this place in the Canary Islands, but they didn't tell me everything about it until we had checked in to the hotel."

"Why was that?" asked Sid.

"It was an FKK resort." said Cassie.

"What's that?" asked Sid, puzzled.

"It was a hotel run by the German naturist organisation." said Cassie "That meant that I would have to be totally naked when I was on the beach. I was absolutely terrified."

Cassie cringed a bit as she recalled her memories of the first morning.

"Oh, sweetness." said Sid, "What happened?"

"On the first morning, I refused to leave the hotel room." said Cassie, "Then I remembered how I felt about you. I persuaded myself that I'd lost you and started crying. I was still crying when mum came back after about an hour. She somehow managed to calm me down. I wiped away the tears and let her take me to the poolside coffee bar. Nearly all the other customers were naked. I must have looked totally out of place in a black roll neck jumper, a denim jacket, jeans and boots."

"Weren't you embarrassed?" interjected Sid.

"Oddly, yes I was." said Cassie, "I felt awkward in that environment. I think that's what mum intended. When we had finished our drinks, mum took me back to the bedroom and somehow persuaded me out of my clothes. She managed to convince me that I did look good without them. I suppose her getting me to stand naked in front of a full-length mirror while she said really nice things about my body had something to do with it. She also managed to persuade me that my 'private parts' were just as much part of me as my face, and that I shouldn't be ashamed of them."

"Cool!" commented Sid, "Did you go on to the beach that morning? Your mum must be very persuasive."

"She is." said Cassie, "Yes I did go to the beach, but I felt so fragile, so vulnerable without the protection of clothing."

"Wasn't it cold?" asked Sid.

"No, it was almost as hot as today." said Cassie, "The Canary Islands are off the coast of West Africa."

"You must have come to enjoy nakedness, because you're nearly stripped bare in public this afternoon." commented Sid.

He found the thought of his sweet Cassie, completely naked more than exciting.

"By the third day," said Cassie, "I was getting used to the feeling of freedom I experienced without clothes and began to enjoy it. It felt good when people told mum that she had a beautiful daughter. People were also telling me to my face how good I looked. I'm not sure I believed them, but complements felt good. By the second week, I had gained a bit of a suntan."

"Which hasn't quite faded." interjected Sid, "You're still a pale shade of golden brown."

"I felt comfortable and confident in my own skin." continued Cassie, "I still do. That holiday completely changed my feelings about myself. I'm relaxed about my body these days. There's nothing about me or my body for me to be ashamed or embarrassed about. It's me. I've come to the conclusion that I love being naked. I'm beginning to love the way my body looks now. I've realised that it is beautiful. You should try going naked sometime. You would enjoy it."

"I don't know about that." said Sid, "As I've already said, I'm so shy about that sort of thing. It took quite a mental effort for me to take my shirt off out here in public in this park."

"Now it's off, how do you feel?" asked Cassie.

"Relieved, relaxed and comfortable, but that's only because I'm with you." said Sid, "I couldn't have done it on my own."

"I used to be like that." said Cassie, "I even thought that gold dress I wore to Abigail's party showed too much of me."

"That was a lovely dress," said Sid, "And it displayed your best feature, your totally gorgeous and elegant back. I, for one, loved it. When I saw you wearing it, I realised that you were someone I'd like to get to know as a person, not just some random girl I'd been set up with for a 'quick shag'. Even back then, I realised there was something very special about you. I suppose that's when I must have begun to fall in love with you."

"Wow!" exclaimed Cassie, "That was quite an admission. I did think there was something more than your natural timidity that held you back from what Tony was expecting you to do. I remember your gasp of pleasure when I took my jacket off, revealing my bare back. That little kiss between my shoulder blades told me you were attracted to me more than you were prepared to admit."

"Yes, that's a moment I'll never forget." said Sid, "My heart was already beginning to develop deep feelings for you. I wish I'd listened to it."

"So do I." said Cassie, "Our relationship would have got under way a lot sooner, and it wouldn't have been such a bumpy ride. Anyway, it's under way at last, and I'm no longer inhibited about showing my lovely body to you."

"That's got to be good." said Sid, "I'm really pleased about that, your change of attitude to your body, that is, and I think you've just told me something you wouldn't tell many people."

Cassie got up onto her knees and faced Sid. To feel more relaxed as she lay down, she had dropped her bra straps off her shoulders. They were still hanging loosely round her elbows. Sid knelt up to meet her.

"I have told you this Sid, because, believe it or not, I trust you," said Cassie, "You're such a totally lovely person. I know it's happened very fast, but I'm really beginning to fall deeply in love with you, and I want you to understand me, because I'm beginning to think you're the one boy for me."

Sid blushed scarlet. He was not used to having such nice things said about him. He was entranced by the sight of her now completely bare shoulders. He felt as if it was the 'real' Cassie talking to him. The warmth of her sincerity had overwhelmed him. He felt a feeling of total euphoria of a kind he had never experienced before. Sid and Cassie stood up on the rug, embraced and once again expressed their affection for each other in a passionate and intimate kiss. Both of them explored each other's bare backs. As they disengaged for the first time, Sid caressed both of Cassie's exquisite shoulders from her slender neck to her upper arms, letting his fingers explore her shoulder blades and collar bones. The feel of her skin as he did this encouraged him to embrace and kiss her again. This time he could not resist the temptation to investigate the fastening of her bra.

"Now now now!" said Cassie, "I might let you do that in a more secluded place, but this is a little too public. I'll let you 'unwrap' me completely this evening."

"Is that a promise?" asked Sid.

"Of course it is!" said Cassie, "As long as you let me 'unwrap' you."

After this conspicuous public display of affection, the couple once again resumed their sunbathing, laying on their stomachs. This time, Cassie did let Sid unfasten her bra, as she didn't want a wide tan line across her back. Sid then ran his gentle fingers all the way down her back from her neck to the waistband of her briefs. Cassie gasped with obvious pleasure, while Sid enjoyed the journey down the smooth skin of her back, uninterrupted by clothing.

"I think you enjoyed that." said Sid, as he ran his fingers up her back, finishing by caressing her shoulder blades.

"I did." said Cassie, "It felt delightful. You're so gentle. I love you."

Sid and Cassie lay on their stomachs for about another twenty minutes, before turning over onto their backs. Cassie refastened her bra, then put on an eyeshade. Sid yielded to the temptation to trace the edges of her rib cage, earning himself more gasps of ecstasy.

"That's so lovely." breathed Cassie, "Your fingers are magic."

Sid then traced a line from her neck down the centre line of her chest and abdomen to her knickers. He paused his journey to explore her bony hips, gaining more gasps of pleasure from Cassie. His digital exploration ended a couple of inches inside her panties, finding the beginning of her slit. This produced a mild admonition from Cassie.

"Hey!" said Cassie, "That was a little far. I know what you want, but you can't have it out here. We don't want to make the Evening Post."

After about another hour of sunbathing and intermittent intimate conversation and mutual caresses, Cassie decided that she had absorbed enough sunlight for the time being, stood up and got dressed. Sid put his shirt back on and the couple vacated their place on Brandon Hill.

"I know we're going there later," said Cassie, "But do you think there's enough time to go to your place to have a shower before the meal? I feel a bit sticky."

Sid looked at his watch.

"There's plenty of time." said Sid, "Let's find a bus. By the way, I don't know about you, but I'm thirsty."

The couple walked hand-in-hand to the bus stop, pausing once to buy two bottles of coke, and several times to express their overwhelming love for each other.