Never say never

Charlie didn' t want to go on a day trip how had Gwyneth persuaded him?

Standing at his window, Charlie watched as some of his friends at the retirement home boarded the mini-bus that was parked in the driveway.

He had been invited on the day trip on which they were due to embark, but he had declined. He used to enjoy day trips when he was younger, but these days they felt like too much effort.

Turning his back on the window, he sat down in his comfortable old armchair, picked up his newspaper and started to tackle the crossword.

He filled in the first five answers without pausing to think, but seven down had him momentarily flummoxed.

`An unwelcome distraction whilst trying to concentrate, 12 letters.' Charlie' s brow creased in thought.

There was a knock at his door.

Interruption!' he exclaimed in triumph.

After filling in the answer, he climbed out of the chair and then opened his door.

Gwyneth was standing on the threshold. She treated him to her biggest, brightest smile.

Charlie liked Gwyneth.

She was always cheerful, bubbly and full of enthusiasm. On more than one occasion Charlie had considered asking her if she would care to join him for dinner one evening, only he always balked at the last minute.

Is everything all right?' Charlie asked.

I' m afraid not,' Gwyneth replied. Derek had a bit of a turn as he was trying to board the mini-bus, so he' s decided not to go. I wondered if you fancied taking his place.'

Charlie shook his head. Thanks, but no thanks.'

Twenty minutes later, as he gazed out of the window of the mini-bus, Charlie still couldn' t work out how Gwyneth had persuaded him to change his mind.

She tapped him on the shoulder. Isn' t this better than being stuck in your room all day?'

I suppose,' he conceded. Just look at that beautiful bright blue sky.'

The forecast said it' s going to rain later.'

Gwyneth playfully smacked him on the arm. Don' t be such a killjoy.'

I' m not!' Charlie protested. He was about to remonstrate further until he realised that Gwyneth was laughing. Faced with her cheeky onslaught he found himself smiling.

Charlie was just about to ask if there was a set itinerary, when Janice cried: What about a sing-song?'

That' s a lovely idea!' Gwyneth enthused. The next moment the whole mini-bus burst into: We're al l going on a summer holiday.'

All except Charlie, that is. He had never been one for singing. As he resumed gazing out of the window he had a feeling it was going to be a long journey.

When they arrived at the seaside resort, Gwyneth bounded off the mini-bus. Charlie couldn' t help wondering where she got her energy from.

So, what do you fancy doing first?' she asked him.

Charlie shielded his eyes as he gazed up at the glaring sun. He wished he had brought his sunhat. It' s a bit warm, isn' t it?'

I know just the thing to cool you down,' Gwyneth said. Taking him by the arm she led him on to the beach. Much to his surprise, Gwyneth sat on the sand and removed her shoes and socks.

What are you doing?' he asked.

What does it look like?'

You' ll get sand everywhere.'

Who cares!'

Reluctantly, Charlie followed suit.

The instant his feet were bare, Gwyneth tagged him on the arm and cried: Race you!'

She then dashed towards the sea.

Despite his various aches

Derek had a bit of a turn as he was trying to board the mini-bus, so heÕ s decided not to goÕ

and pains, Charlie set off in pursuit.

Given her head start, Gwyneth retained her lead and narrowly beat him to the water' s edge, where she plunged knee-deep into the sea. Charlie, on the other hand, tip-toed into the water.

Crikey, that' s cold!' he exclaimed.

Laughing gaily, Gwyneth scooped up a handful of water and splashed him. To her horror, Charlie didn' t look impressed. For a moment she thought she had offended him, until he broke into a broad grin. Charlie then retaliated by splashing her in return. For the next few minutes the pair frolicked around like a couple of teenagers.

Half an hour later, as they headed towards the fairground, Charlie was starting to regret the impromptu water fight. The lower part of his trousers were still damp and he seemed to have developed a sniffle.

I hope I haven' t caught a cold,' he muttered.

You' ll be fine,' Gwyneth said. Besides, I know just the thing to take your mind off it a stick of candy floss.'

Charlie grimaced. Horrible stuff. I' ve never liked it.'

What about a toffee apple?' They rot your teeth.' Glancing skyward, Gwyneth' s eyes lit up. I' ve got it. How about a ride on the rollercoaster?'

You have got to be kidding,' Charlie said. You' ll never get me on that death trap.'

Where' s your sense of adventure?'

I haven' t got one.'

I don' t believe that for a minute.'

You can believe whatever you like, but I promise you there' s no way I' m going on that thing.'

For once Gwyneth was unable to persuade him, so she went on the ride alone. When she' d finished, Charlie asked her: How was it?'

Great fun!' So, what next?'

Let' s have a ride on the log flume.'

No thanks. I' ve only just dried off.'

What about a trip up the tower?'

I don' t like heights.' Gwyneth eyed him, coyly. You could always buy me a drink.'

Charlie sighed. I' m not supposed to touch alcohol, given some of the medication I' m on.'

Surely one drink won' t hurt?'

Better not.'

So what would you like to do?'

Charlie stopped and considered. I' d like to go on an open-top bus tour along the sea front.'

Really?'

What' s wrong with that?' Nothing,' Gwyneth said. It just doesn' t sound very exciting, that' s all.'

The bus was fairly quiet, which suited Charlie just fine. Gwyneth insisted on sitting on the front seat on the top deck.

Initially she was happy to watch the world go by, but after a while she began to grow restless and longed for a little more excitement.

Charlie barely noticed. He was concentrating on the clouds that were gathering overhead.

Looks like rain,' he said. We' d better go downstairs.'

Ignoring his suggestion Gwyneth hopped on to the seat and thrust her arms out wide.

Wheeee!' she cried. Charlie was stunned. What on earth are you doing?'

Don' t you remember that famous scene in Titanic where Kate Winslet clambers on to the railings at the prow of the ship.'

But you might fall.'

If you' re that worried, you' ll just have to hold me.'

The next instant, Charlie wrapped his arms around Gwyneth' s waist. Gwyneth closed her eyes. Despite the rain, it was a perfect moment.

Suspecting that Charlie would be fretting about the weather, Gwyneth climbed down off the seat. As she did so, her left foot slipped and she stumbled into Charlie' s waiting arms.

Briefly, time seemed to stand still as they gazed into one another' s eyes. Then, taking Gwyneth completely by surprise, Charlie kissed her.

Why did you do that?' she asked, astonished.

Why do you think?' Gwyneth grinned. You' re a bit of a dark horse aren' t you, Charlie Hopkins?'

Smiling, he replied: Me? Never.'

Then they kissed once more in the rain.

You can believe whatever you like, but I promise you thereÕ s no way IÕ m going on that thingÕ