A Dish of Stones

by Valentina Hepburn

  “What shall we go on first?” Jenny shouted. Emma shrugged. “I can’t go on anything, Jen. I haven’t got any money.”

  “That’s no problem,” said Jenny grinning. “Mum and Dad have given me plenty to spend tonight. They're glad to see the back of me and they know if they give me enough it’ll keep me out for hours. Come on,” she cried. “I’m paying.”

  They ran towards the Waltzer and climbed into the garish, multi-coloured ride, giggling with excitement. The vinyl coverings on the seats inside were torn and the stuffing was spilling out but it didn’t matter to them. Once inside, they pulled the safety-bar down across their bare legs. Emma drew in a long breath of anticipation and turned her head to watch the other riders climbing into their seats. “I wish they’d hurry up,” she cried.

  Before the words left her mouth the Waltzer lurched forward and began its journey to nowhere, starting slowly at first, sliding smoothly over the humps in the metal track. Halfway round it picked up speed and Emma and Jenny felt the first delicious rush of adrenalin and thrill of trepidation as the air rushing towards them lifted their hair, blowing it up from their shoulders. Emma closed her eyes momentarily as the Waltzer’s speed increased, pushing both girls into the backs of the seats.

  Faster and faster it went as the sound of The Bay City Rollers singing Shang-a-Lang played over the loudspeakers and the people watching from the edge of the ride become a sea of blurred faces. At full speed both girls let out a delighted scream of laughter while the ride took them round and round and round again until the anticipated slowing of the cars became a reality. Emma’s disappointment increased as the ride slowed and the air rushing towards her decreased by degrees leaving the skin on her face tingling. They both stepped out of the car, laughing at the wobbly feeling in their legs.

  “That was fast,” said Jenny, panting from the ride and grinning at Emma. “I think I’ll go on it again later if I’ve got enough money left.” Emma made a face and Jenny punched her arm playfully. “Don’t be silly, Em’. I wouldn’t go on it again unless I’ve got enough money for both of us,” she said. “Anyway, there’s loads more rides to go on first.” She grabbed Emma’s arm and dragged her away from the Waltzer. “How about the Cyclone Twist? You like that don’t you?” Emma nodded, grinning.

  “There you are then. The Cyclone Twist it is.”

  They broke into a run; dodging people who strolled through the fairground at a snail’s pace, so engrossed were they in their cardboard boxes of chips or greasy hotdog wrapped in a flimsy paper serviette. Emma and Jenny suddenly spotted the strange arrangement of metal and coloured light bulbs: the object of their excitement.

  “Quick, Em',” Jenny cried as they scrambled towards a car with two empty seats. As they reached the car, a lad Emma recognised from school elbowed his way in front of them.

  “Oi,” she cried as he nudged her out of the way. “That’s our car.”

  “Not any more, it ain't,” the boy shouted above the music. “It’s mine now. You can sit in the one behind with that posh geezer,” he said, pointing to a car behind them. “Jenny,” he called, forgetting Emma. “You come and sit with me. I’ll look after you.” Jenny blushed and giggled.

  “Shall I?” Emma looked put out. “I s’pose so, if you want.” She looked around the ride to see if there was an empty car. The ‘posh geezer’ the boy had referred to was still on his own with a spare seat next to him. It was a bored looking Stephen Barton.

  He had one foot on the safety bar, his elbow resting on the car door. A lock of shiny black hair had fallen into his eyes and Emma watched as he impatiently pushed it back from his face only to have it fall back over his right eye. She headed towards him. “Is this seat free?” He turned to look at her, annoyed at the voice that had interrupted his thoughts. Emma pointed to the empty seat next to him.

  “Can you see anyone sitting in it?” he asked her sarcastically. He turned away impatiently. “You can sit there,” he said, indicating the space next to him, “but you’ll have to pay for your own seat, and make sure you keep to your side.” Her eyes widened and she turned to look for Jenny who was already in the other car, talking animatedly to the boy who had elbowed Emma out of the way.

  The ride gradually started up and a fairground worker jumped onto the metal struts that held the machine together. He waved his hand in front of them. A cigarette hung precariously from his bottom lip; inexplicably attached, never falling from his mouth even when he spoke. “Come on,” he said. “I haven’t got all bleedin’ day.” Stephen fished around in his pocket and produced some change. The man snatched it from him and placed it in a grimy leather bag slung around his waist. The ride had begun to pick up speed and Emma felt scared.

  “Where’s yours?” he asked her, the full force of his reeking tobacco-breath in her nostrils.

  “I haven’t any money. My friend’s got it.”

  “What,” he shouted at the top of his voice. “I can’t bloody hear you can I? I want the money for the ride. If you haven’t got any money you shouldn’t be sitting in the bloody car.” Emma turned to Stephen. “Can you pay this for me?” Her eyes begged him to say he would. “My friend has plenty of money on her. I’ll be able to pay you back straight away… when the ride stops.” He looked exasperated. “Christ,” he said under his breath, but gave the fairground worker what he wanted.

  By the time Stephen had paid the money the ride was at full speed. It veered first towards one side of the circle constructed by wooden barriers around the ride, then snapped back instantly, throwing the car towards the opposite side. The force of the ride threatened to unseat its passengers and hurl them into the waiting crowd at every turn, like a huge out of control spider.

  The pressure of speed pushed Emma nearer and nearer towards Stephen. Even though she hung onto the safety bar she couldn’t prevent the momentum from thrusting her against Stephen’s body, squashing him against the side of the car. She was glad when she felt the ride beginning to slow. Pulling against the chrome bar she slid herself away from Stephen and over to her side of the car. The ride went round once more and then slowed to a halt. Pushing the bar forward she stepped quickly out of the car and began to walk around the ride platform. She searched through the crowd for Jenny then saw her waiting by the barrier on the opposite side of the ride. “Hey. Hey, Jenny,” she cried. “I’m over here.”

  Jenny turned and smiled, beckoning to Emma. Emma jumped off the platform and as she pushed her way through the crowds towards her friend, a hand reached out and grabbed her arm leaving her gasping as she felt herself being pulled back in the opposite direction of where Jenny was waiting. “Let go,” she cried, wrenching her arm from the vice-like grip. Stephen Barton looked at her with one eye-brow raised. “Where d’you think you’re going? Forgotten something?” he said. “You obviously need reminding. I paid for your ride, remember?”

  Emma straightened her jacket and flicked her hair back from her shoulders. “I told you, my friend has money. If you let me go I’ll get it for you.” Stephen sniggered. “Sure you will.” He thought for a moment. “I tell you what. I’ll come with you, just to make sure you find her.” She narrowed her eyes. “You don’t trust me do you?”

  “What do you think?” His eyes wandered over her body. She was attractive in a rough sort of way and there was something familiar about her – the way she ran her fingers through her hair. And her eyes had a look he recognised. He searched his memory. He had slept with so many girls over the last few months but he was sure this one had left a deep and lasting impression on him. His heart sank. “Kate McGuire,” he said under his breath. “That’s who you remind me of.”

  “I expect I do. She’s my sister...and you’re Stephen Barton. Aren’t you a friend of hers?” He watched her face for any sign she knew what had happened between him and Kate but her expression was unreadable.

  “We were... acquaintances.”

  “So I heard,” Emma muttered, turning from him so he could hardly hear what she was saying.
/>
  “What’s that?” Stephen said frowning. The similarities between the sisters were evident but he instinctively knew Emma was different. Kate had an innocence about her that had been a challenge for him. He knew a virgin when he saw one and Kate fitted the bill perfectly. She was sensitive and intelligent and had a softness about her that was virtually unknown among the girls he usually met. When he'd left her that night his feelings of emptiness had shaken him. He'd found an intelligent, beautiful girl and somewhere deep inside he’d known he’d blown it. If only he’d waited until the time was right. He’d rushed in too fast, expecting her to roll over and have sex with him on their first real date. He could have kicked himself. She'd been the first girl to refuse him and he hoped the last. Later that same night he'd gone to The Maze to search for Donna, a young prostitute. She never refused him. He didn’t have to buy her gifts or set the stage for her with expensive restaurants or flatter her. Donna just followed instructions. She was cheap and came in handy when he was feeling frustrated and the girls he hung out with weren’t around.

  He looked down at Emma and smiled slowly. “I do trust you and I know you want to get back to your friend. Forget the money for the ride. You can have this one on me.” Emma looked surprised at his sudden change of attitude. “Are you sure, Stephen? Jenny does have the money. I can get to her and back within a couple of minutes if you’ll wait.” He shrugged coolly. “If you want.”

  He watched her as she walked off to find Jenny. She had a cocky way with her that turned him on. Sure, he thought to himself, she seemed a little young, but that sort usually dabbled in sex at an early age. He’d just been unlucky with her sister. She’d probably had her period when they were together and too embarrassed to say so. Yeah, that was it. It couldn’t have been his fault. He’d never had any complaints before and this one was definitely worth a bit of his time. She looked like she was up for a bit of fun. He decided to wait for her. He knew there was a chance she may have been leading him on and had no intention of returning with the money, but she intrigued him. Yeah, I’ll wait, he thought.

  “Emma where have you been?” wailed Jenny as Emma pushed her way through a group of their friends. “I’ve been worrying. I thought something had happened to you.” Emma grinned. “Something did happen to me. Look, Jenny, I can’t tell you about it now. Could you lend me enough money for two rides? I’ll give it back to you as soon as I can but I’m in a bit of a hurry.” Jenny frowned as she took the money from her pocket and gave it to Emma. “What are you up to now?”

  “Don’t worry,” Emma said as she took the money from her friend. “Are you all right to get home by yourself? There’s something I have to do.” Jenny shook her head. “Please come home with me, Em’. You can stay the night at my house.” Emma grinned. “Nothing bad’s going to happen, I promise. I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Please, Jenny, help me out.”

  Emma turned and made her way back through the crowds to find Stephen. The music from the rides and garish flashing lights had filtered hazily into the background of her senses as she decided what to do. Even the smell from the hotdog and chip vans, and the cloying sweet scent of the candy floss stalls failed to make her mouth water as they had when she and Jenny had first arrived at the fairground. Who would have guessed I would meet up with Stephen Barton of all people, she thought? I couldn’t have asked for better luck.

  Emma used the few seconds that separated her from Stephen to make her plan. She wanted him and she knew he wanted her too. He was there for the taking and that was exactly what she was going to do.

  ***

  Stephen was waiting where Emma had left him. She felt relieved when she saw him, worried he might have decided not to hang around.

  “You’re back,” he said, smiling.

  “Of course I am. You didn’t think I was going to run off, did you?” He shrugged, trying to look nonchalant.

  “I’ve got enough money for two more rides,” she said, holding out her hand and flattening the palm to show the coins. “Let me pay this time and then we can be quits.” She took his arm and walked him towards the Cyclone Twist.

  “This again,” he frowned. “Don’t you want to try something different?” Stephen allowed her to lead him. He wanted to have sex with her – his inner voice telling him to judge the situation more efficiently than he had with her sister.

  They climbed into a vacant car and pulled the safety bar over their knees. The swarthy operator climbed onto the back as they waited for it to start up and begin its journey to nowhere. “You’d better have the money this time,” he said. Emma opened her hand and decanted the money into his palm.

  “Huh,” he muttered. “I know you bloody kids. You’ll try anything.”

  “That shut his big mouth,” she said triumphantly to a laughing Stephen.

  The ride began to move very slowly and they slid over to the railing opposite. As it picked up speed it threw them backwards then changed direction again, propelling them forward only to snatch back again before they reached the wooden barriers. Emma felt the air rushing into her face and lifting her long blonde hair that began to surround her face and shoulders. Gradually she felt herself slipping along the vinyl seat towards Stephen, but this time she allowed the force of the ride to meld her to him. She looked up to see his reaction. The look in his eyes told her what she wanted to know and she congratulated herself, knowing she had read him exactly and everything was going to plan.

  Quickly he positioned his body so that he was half-facing her, moving his right hand towards her waist. Emma could feel the warmth from his hand through her thin blouse and her body shuddered with anticipation at what he would do next. He slipped his hand underneath her blouse and as he reached her skin, she took a quick breath. He leant forward and bent his head so that he could kiss her. Placing his mouth over hers he kissed her deeply. She responded as he penetrated her mouth with his tongue. Simultaneously his hand moved up her blouse and rested upon her left breast. He held it for seconds then expertly slipped his thumb under her bra. Emma pushed herself into him.

  They both felt the ride slowing and Stephen pulled away. He didn’t want any of his friends who might be at the fairground to see him kissing a girl from the wrong side of town. They stepped down from the ride, Stephen in front scanning the crowd for familiar faces. When he saw none he felt it was safe enough for him to offer to walk Emma through the park. He wasn’t sure what he would do once they reached the thick, wooded area near the main road. He had taken girls there many times before, finding it to be perfect cover once they were in among the trees and shrubs. Softly, softly, catchy-monkey, he thought.

  “I suppose I should be going,” he said. “I’ll walk you towards the road if you like. You live on The Smithy, don’t you?” Emma nodded, annoyed that he knew where she lived. Kate couldn't even lie about that.

  “You’ll have to go through the trees and I don’t think it’s very safe for a girl to be walking through there at this time of night.”

  “What time of night exactly?” she asked him not really wanting the answer. He looked at his watch.

  “It’s past ten.” Her face paled.

  “You’re late aren’t you?”

  “Well if I’m going to be late, I might as well be really late and make the most of it. Shall we stay a bit longer?” He shook his head. “Sorry. I should be getting back. Anyway, I don’t even know your name.”

  “It’s Emma.”

  “Well, Emma, we should be going.”

  He put his hand on her arm and guided her through the crowd that had doubled since the early evening. They walked towards the trees lining the road and as the music became fainter Stephen’s anticipation of what might happen next increased until he could hardly breathe. Entering the dark expanse of trees and bushes, he led them towards the place that was familiar to him, with Emma following behind. He stopped at a small clearing where a large tree with heavy, densely leaved branches served as a canopy.

  “Did you mean it when you said you
didn’t care about being late home?”

  “I never say things I don’t mean, Stephen. It won’t make any difference now anyway. They’ll be in bed...probably haven’t even noticed I’m not there.” He stepped towards her and rubbed his face against hers, nuzzling her neck. He’d had a pleasant surprise on the ride when he’d touched her. She had a well-developed body for someone of her size. He hated girls with no breasts.

  Afterwards, as he lay across her, Emma closed her eyes and wove her fingers in the dark, silky hair at the nape of his neck. They stayed like this, entwined and locked together until Stephen pulled himself from her and rolled over on to his side. He rubbed his hand across her belly and leant forward and kissed her. “You’ve done this before,” he said.

  “I might have.”

  “Who was it, a boy from school?”

  “Yeah,” she nodded, “but it wasn’t like this.”

  “What was it like?”

  She smiled as the memory came back to her. “All sort of fumbly. He was shaking like a leaf he was so nervous.”

  “So what did you do?” Her eyes softened. “I helped him?”

  “How did you do that?” She laughed and looked him straight in the eyes. “Now that would be telling.” He was curious and he knew she was teasing him. “Will you show me...next time we meet?” She looked up at him again, this time with mock surprise. “Next time?” He lifted his chin and trailed his lips across her cheek. “Only if you want, Emma.”

  “I’ll have to check my diary,” she said. “I have a very full social life.”

  She sat up and pushed him over onto the grass beside them, then slid her body over his, straddling him. She began to kiss him and she could sense him becoming aroused again. Pulling her lips away from him she smiled. “Of course I want there to be a next time. And yeah, I’ll show you what I did. You’re going to love it.”