by Gillian Taber

Created on: June 16, 2009

Extract taken from the Novella 'River of Memory'

He slipped his hand into hers and lit out running again. Distracted by the gentle pressure of his fingers locked about hers, she quickly lost count of the route, but she did begin to know the river was always on their left. She noticed people staring at their headlong progress, blurred figures that staggered out of their way and were left tutting and frowning in their wake.

"Where are we going?" she managed in a breathless pant and he slowed a little, smiling at her as she came alongside him.

"Getting tired?" he questioned and slipped an arm about her waist, "Don't get out much, do you?"

"I'm out every day" she protested and he gave her a wide-eyed look followed by a ripple of laughter.

"You consider catching a bus twice a day getting out?"

"It is out of the house" she mumbled as he turned them down a side street lined with cafes that were trendy enough to justify the prices displayed on their menus.

He stopped and cupped her chin in his hand, smiling softly.

"The last time you left the apartment for purposes other than work was the day you went to your mother's funeral, two years ago."

"How the hell do you know that?" she exclaimed.

He shook his head, curling his arm about her again and setting off at a more sedate pace, leaving her two choices. She could pull away, create a scene or allow him and see where it went. Her brain screamed at her to make a scene but her heart quickly beat a tattoo that drowned sensible thought as he spoke again.

"You don't know who I am, do you?"

"What?"

Totally thrown by the concept of actually knowing him and having no idea how, her brain gave up the ghost and retreated to a corner to sulk as her heart beat faster.

"You heard me" he drew her through a gap between two cafes, "You've forgotten but it will come back to you, soon."

They exited onto a broad riverside walk, lined with soaring willows and occasional benches. He dropped onto the nearest bench and drew her down beside him. His arm now rested across her shoulders and she was finding it extremely difficult to think.

"Wouldn't it be easier if you just told me?" she pleaded and he smiled, tracing the curve of her cheek with one finger.

"I would have known you anywhere. You haven't changed at all" he paused, considering and then dropped his hand to hers, entwining their fingers, "Perhaps a little. I don't remember you ever looking so pale and frayed."

"Thanks"

His fingers tightened about hers for a

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