Makepeace trudged up the river bank, scrambling over the rocks; she decided that the route looked a little easier a few yards further in, it also appealed because she knew by the length of time the ascent was taking her that the rafts would soon be passing down on their final journey. Men, she decided, were just not worth bothering with – it seemed they never really grew up.

Ahead a path came into view and she walked briskly to join it. It seemed to curve further inland and Makepeace peered downwards through the trees to see where it was heading. Not more than 50 yards further east and down was a hut, mountain rescue type of thing she supposed or possibly a small farm building; it seemed that the track to it was used with some frequency. She picked up speed and walked up hill; she would, she decided, insist on Harrison being her guide on any further activities. Grateful to arrive before the men returned from their fourth and final run Harry stood under the hot shower until she regained all her composure.

***

"Bloody hell you were fearless on those bikes" Derrick addressed Makepeace as the whole team shared a drink in the bar of the hotel Dempsey and Makepeace were staying in. It so happened that the quad bike trail started from there and the group had spent the afternoon gallivanting over the hills in the crisp autumn sunshine. The four lads had spent all lunch time at 'The Goat' in Bala bragging and reckoning that they would do so well but three of them had baulked when they came across the first really steep descent and the party had necessarily split into two routes.

Kieran had volunteered to take the easier of routes, Harrison failed to hide his surprise; his arrogant superior usually bagged all the best tasks for himself. Harrison had invited Dempsey and Makepeace (who had been at the back of the party and not yet taken their turn at the top of the ridge) to make the descent. Dempsey looked down and scrunched his mouth, it looked fun. "Ladies first" he offered Makepeace winking knowingly as only the two of them knew all that he meant. Harry revved her bike, put it in first and descended. Dempsey had time to enjoy the picture of disbelief on Kieran's face as he realised he'd backed the wrong horse; now Makepeace was free of Mr Macho Man!

Kieran had dropped the four lads back at the youth hostel and returned to the hotel, he hoped to be there before Harrison arrived back with the rest of the group and was disappointed to see the pen full of quad bikes and hear the camaraderie from inside the bar. Kieran asked for a bottle of white wine and two wine glasses and made his way to group. Placing the glasses in front of Harry he poured the wine and then pulled a chair towards the small gap in the seating between Harry and John. Dempsey watched with interest; John shuffled his seat to the right to make room for his instructor and Harry was forced to move slightly left "There's a seat next to Ken" she pointed out obtusely

"But that's over there and you're over here" Kieran smarmed

"Your point being?"

"Here" Kieran said as he passed a glass of wine to Harry ignoring her question

"Oh!" she mocked shock "but I already have a drink" and refusing to take the glass offered reached to her left and picked up a beer.

The snub was patently obvious and drew a smile not only on Dempsey's face but everyone else as well.

"Harrison" Dempsey asked deliberately "can you explain a bit more about this caving tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow" Kieran interrupted "We have horse riding"

"Well that wasn't really cutting it for these guys here" Harrison explained to his boss wincing inside because he knew Kieran wouldn't like it "So we tossed around the caving or kayaking"

"Graveyard would be too dangerous and I'm not sure that the lady would even cope with Ski Jump or Chapel Falls" Kieran scorned, naming each of the more difficult river sections

"So that's why Harrison said he'd take us caving" Dempsey smiled, knowing that Kieran would be totally frustrated because it had transpired that Harrison, not Kieran, carried the safety qualification for caving.

Harry raised her brows at Kieran, she would have chosen any activity so long as Harrison was leading it, and smiled a sweet sickly smile "I think I'll rest in my room" she announced and stood.

Her departure broke up the party and the others also stood as Bob checked with Harrison that transport back to their lodge was provided and Ken also suggested the three needed a lift back into Bala.

***

James Dempsey sat on the bed as he undid his shoes and then as he unbuttoned his shirt he wandered across to the window. He felt sure he would sleep better that night, the combination of day's outdoor activities followed by a hearty meal, champagne and quite a lot of brandy with Sergeant Makepeace had set his mood on a high; at times like these he felt very tempted to think he may get somewhere with her one day. He pulled his shirt out from his trouser band 'what was that she had surprised him with?' he tried to recall 'oh yeh the friend thing' he smiled - he liked having Harry as a friend. He tossed his shirt onto a nearby chair and started on the belt buckle that held up his jeans. The curtains were not completely closed and as he released the buckle he shifted his body to allow him a view outside into the darkness. His body stiffened and he immediately threw his back against the drawn curtain allowing him to glance furtively through the crack without being noticed. It was bloody Macho Man again! He watched Kieran stacking boxes in the land rover he had been sitting in earlier that day and pace impatiently around constantly looking up the road.

Dempsey knocked on the door across the corridor, there was no reply. Inside Harry missed the first and second gentle knocks as the water ran and her toothbrush massaged her gums. She heard the third attempt but decided to ignore it, when she heard Dempsey call her name it was no surprise he was the only one she could expect to be hammering on her door; she could also anticipate his angle and right now she had probably drunk a little too much and needed to be on her guard – avoiding him was the only safe option. 'What was it he had said?' she screwed up her eyes as she tried to remember the clash of their voices – 'not yet!' - he had said that he was 'not yet her boyfriend' "bloody never" she said aloud again as if that made it fact and then giggled a drunken giggle as she touched her earlobe and remembered him nibbling it at the ball; she rather enjoyed the memory and began to wonder what would happen if she opened her door to him.

Dempsey yelled "Harry open up" he knocked again "Harry I'm waiting for you in my room". On edge Dempsey couldn't afford to wait in the corridor forever, he needed to know who Kieran was waiting for; he banged the door one last time and returned to his room – Macho man was still pacing and Dempsey was relieved.

Harry finished getting ready for bed, noting that Dempsey had given up and left her in peace and quiet; as she slipped between the sheets she giggled again. The crisp cold sheets brushed against her naked body awaking her arousal and forcing Harry to wonder if Dempsey really had any bottle, if his gentlemanly actions of previous occasions were genuine or masking fear. She giggled again and climbed back out of bed; slipped her robe on and tied it tightly together around her waist; this was one game of dare she was determined to win.

Dempsey heard his bedroom door open. At the exact same time a saloon car drew up next to the jeep; Dempsey was transfixed waiting to catch a glimpse of the new arrival he threw one brief glance across the room noting that Harry had finally come "Y 412 HSL" he called out to her.

"Whose car is that?" she asked walking directly across to the window noting his naked upper torso and belt hanging open either side of his flies.

"I think they're the ones buying the goods" Dempsey explained and noting that she was about to walk straight to the centre opening and probably pull one curtain back he pushed her to one side "Hey don't let them know we're watching"

"What are we watching?" Harry asked totally confused

"I told you something's going on" Dempsey looked back at Harry more closely and noted that she wasn't dressed. He thought nothing of it other than it meant he would have to go outside alone and leave Harry to make notes from the window. He grabbed his shirt back and slipped that and a jacket on as he instructed Harry to watch 'real good' and 'note anything and everything'

"You're telling me my job again Dempsey" Harry complained

"Well you're not exactly dressed for it" Dempsey criticised as he sat on the bed

Harry peered through the window "That's Kieran" she commented as Dempsey pulled his second shoe on.

"Like I said" Dempsey said standing again

"Ah yes but you never said that the buyers were our friends from rafting" Harry added deliciously. It drew Dempsey back across to the window and standing behind Harry he touched the curtain lightly to allow him a view over her shoulder

"What are they moving?" he asked

"I've no idea; bulky, moderate weight…" Harry suggested, she could feel Dempsey's presence across her back and her spine tingled

"So" Dempsey surmised "I guess rafting isn't such a big thrill after all"

"Well I thought it was" Harry threw in quite nonchantly

"Yeh I heard" Dempsey commented as he drew back, letting the curtain drop again and the cool air flow back into the space created between their bodies.

Harry turned round to study his face, trying to fathom his cryptic words

"I told you to keep watching Sergeant" he admonished and she turned back thus she never saw Dempsey take the deep breath he needed.