An hour later, Alice removed her stained apron from over her pale yellow work dress, and made her way outside. Jasper was waiting for her by the truck, and as he straightened up, Alice saw that her assumptions had been right; he was tall. Probably over six foot. He smiled shyly at Alice.
"Where are we going?" He asked her as they started to walk.
"The pier. Its really pretty, you'll like it." Alice told him with a smile. Jasper asked no more, and let her lead him.
The pier was long, the cracked wood was soft and damp in places, showered with sand. The waves crashed against the wooden beams that held it up. Fairy lights were wrapped around the posts, but as it was day, they weren't lit. The sun was at its highest in the clear blue sky, making the sea glitter. A small boat was bobbing a little away, its sail blowing in the gentle breeze. They walked right down to the bottom, and sat down at the edge, legs swinging.
"This is beautiful." Jasper said softly.
"I've always loved it here. My dad brought me and my sister here a lot. There used to be an ice cream stand just over there." Alice told him, smiling at the memories, "But its a little cold today, I guess." She added as an afterthought.
"Would you like my jacket?" Jasper offered, gripping his heavy green canvas jacket.
"I'm okay." Alice glanced at him, "Where've you been fighting?" She asked, hoping that the subject wasn't tender.
"We haven't really. Its been training for the past few months. We've been to help out at a few bases, but nothing major. Tomorrow is when the real work starts." Jasper looked out at the sea.
"You must be scared." Alice assumed.
"A little." Jasper looked back to her with a smile, "I'll be fine though. They've taught us well."
"Are your family proud?" Alice asked.
"I don't have a family." Jasper told her. Alice looked confused, and he sighed, "My parents died about two years ago, and my sister went to live with my Aunt. I don't even know where she is, just that its a long way away. I can't even phone or write to her. It was only ever us four, the rest of our family were too far out. They never really bothered with any of us. So I have no one." Jasper folded his hands together, "I bet you have a loving family though. And a boyfriend." He said, not bitterly.
"A loving family, yes. But not a boyfriend." Alice replied.
"A girl of your beauty? I don't believe it." Jasper said.
Alice blushed, "I'm tired of dating. Nobody I ever get with is special. I'm tired of being hurt." She said quietly.
"I'd never hurt you." Jasper said quietly. They both looked away, embarassed. Then Jasper spoke again, "Say, would you mind doing one last thing for me?".
"Whats that?" Alice asked.
"I don't have anybody to write to. It gets lonely, I'd like something to smile at when times are getting hard. Will you write to me?" Jasper looked hesitant, afraid of being rejected.
"Of course I will." Alice replied, suddenly feeling a wave of emotion for him. It was horrible that he had no one at all, and all that he did have was taken from him.
"The address will change a lot, but I'll keep you posted." Jasper grinned at his bad joke.
Alice rolled her eyes, but smiled. "Here's mine." She always carried her pen behind her ear. She removed it and pulled Jasper's hand towards her. Carefully, she wrote down her address on his pale skin.
"Thanks so much, Alice." Jasper smiled, "I had better get back now." He stood up, and offered out his hand to lift Alice up.
Alice took it and pulled herself to her feet. Jasper dug his hands in his pockets as they made their way back. The walk seemed shorter than before. When they got back to the cafe, Alice wished that Jasper didn't have to go just yet. There was so much more she wanted to know about him. But they'd have letters for that, she supposed.
The others were back in the truck, and they started to jeer when they saw Jasper walking up with Alice at his side. "Get in there, Jaz!" One of them called. Jasper laughed apologetically.
"They're just like big kids, but you get used to them." He explained.
"Hm." Alice raised her eyebrows at the truck.
"I guess this is goodbye then. For now" Jasper said.
"For now." Alice agreed, "When will you be back?" She asked.
"I don't know. Maybe not for a while, but I'll write, I promise." Jasper said.
"Just don't give any of themmy address." Alice warned.
"I'll keep it safe." Jasper promised with a chuckle.
Alice watched his lovely face as it glowed in the sun. Without thinking about it, she reached out and cupped her hand around his cheek. His skin was pleasantly warm. Jasper closed his eyes, and they stood there for a minute. Then he opened them again, "Bye, Alice." He said in a voice that was almost a whisper.
"Bye Jasper." Alice breathed.
Jasper moved away, looking very much like he wanted to stay. Alice's hand hovered in the same place for a moment before she moved it slowly into her pocket. She watched the truck drive away, sighing to herself.