Full Steam Ahead

Following Ruth's enlightenment, she considered all of the years that she'd been missing, what was, a completely enjoyable experience. Much as she pestered Clive for opportunities, other than Saturday nights after the news when the express from London went by, he seemed to prefer to log the comings and goings of the Waterloo to Weymouth line in his journal and rearrange his models of The Flying Scotsman, The Mallard and Stephenson's Rocket.

After the 14:45 from Waterloo had gone past Clive put his feet up to enjoy his afternoon nap. Ruth looked out of the window to see the local commuter train go past. Her eyes followed it as it headed for the tunnel. How snug it looked. She got a feeling which she couldn't shake off. She thought it futile to disturb Clive as she knew what his response would be.

Ruth decided some fresh air and a wander into town would be just the ticket. Uncharacteristically she put some lipstick on, red this time, and found some earrings. Not studs, but hoops.

Her walk would take her past the allotments which ran parallel to the railway track. She stopped and pondered at a stall that was selling allotment produce. A huge pair of muddy hands plonked a marrow on the table. Ruth jumped and looked up.

'Sorry, did I startle you?' The man with the hands said. 'Do you like marrow?'

'A bit. Can't say I've tried.' Ruth tucked a whispy bit of grey behind her ear to show her earring. She noticed how the man's chest hairs went all the way down to his navel as his shirt opened.

'It's quite versatile. Do you garden?' He looked at her court shoes and summised she didn't.

She followed a trickle of sweat running between his pectoral muscles. 'It's very impressive - your marrow.' Ruth felt a tingle. 'I'm inexperienced, but I could give it a go. I don't think I could ever grown one that big.'

'It just takes a bit of practise. Would you like to see my patch?'

'Well I don't think I'm suitably dre...'

'I've got some spare wellies in my shed. I'm Roger by the way.'

'Erm, Ruth.'

Roger led Ruth to his shed. Just as they stepped in, the shed juddered. Ruth misplaced her footing and fell forward into Roger's chest.

'Oh dear. They're expecting The Flying Scotsman today by special arrangement. Those pistons certainly can cause some vibration.' Ruth tried to straighten herself up, but fell back onto Roger's chest and felt another tingle. The shed door slammed behind her. Her earring glinted. 'So how does one grow such a big marrow Roger?'

'I'm about to show you!'