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step.
    â€˜Hello,’ said Jenny as she walked up behind him. She had decided to wear the same blouse and skirt she had worn when he had asked her out. She was not normally superstitious, but had thought it might be a good omen.
    He turned and smiled. ‘Hello Jenny.’
    â€˜Have you been waiting long?’
    â€˜No, not long. Shall we go for a walk?’
    â€˜Good idea.’
    â€˜I used to love going on this train when I was a kid. I was always pestering my parents to bring me up here. Have you been on it?’
    â€˜Only once; I think it only runs on Sundays and Bank Holidays,’ said Jenny.
    They walked side by side in silence, crossing the old drover’s road that sliced the park in two. Stopping by the swings they watched as some children were pushed higher and higher by their friends; their screams filling the air.
    â€˜I used to push my sister like that until she cried; that was down in Stoneham Park,’ said Martin. ‘Did you used to play here?’
    â€˜Yes, with Gail sometimes. She lived opposite me before she moved. I preferred the roundabout though,’ said Jenny.
    â€˜You live near here then?’
    â€˜Yes, up by the windmill. Gail said you live next door to her cousin.’ Jenny reddened as she imagined what Gail must have said to him.
    â€˜Yes, I used to play with her when I was young, but not anymore.’ He gave Jenny a wry grin and reached for her hand. They stood watching as a young boy tied the free swings to the struts, until the shrill whistle of the park keeper made him run away.
    â€˜I used to do that too,’ Martin laughed. They walked slowly towards the tearoom. ‘Do you fancy a drink? We could sit down for a bit.’
    â€˜Yes, that would be great. There’s a table outside,’ Jenny worried whether she should let go of his hand first.
    â€˜What would you like?’ asked Martin, dropping her hand as they stepped onto the veranda.
    â€˜A lemonade if they’ve got one, otherwise a Tizer.’
    Jenny sat down. Two couples were playing a game of doubles on the tennis courts opposite. She felt shy in Martin’s presence; but not uncomfortable. She remembered how awkward she had felt whenever she had been to Gail’s house and her older brother was there. She hadn’t even been able to say hello to him.
    â€˜You’re in luck.’ Martin placed the bottle of lemonade in front of her. ‘Tizer for me and I’ve bought a Wagon Wheel. I thought we could share it. Hope you like them.’
    â€˜I love them.’ Jenny’s stomach rumbled at the sight of food. She had been too excited to eat before she left home, saying that Gail’s mother wanted to talk to her about exams, and that she was late and hadn’t got time for lunch. ‘I heard you work in a bank. Which one do you work in?’
    â€˜The Midland Bank in Brighton, I’m a trainee bank clerk. I only started four weeks ago. I’m enjoying it so far. What do you want to do when you leave school?’
    â€˜Haven’t a clue. I start my O levels in September.’
    â€˜I didn’t know either. Dad wanted me to get a steady job with prospects. He runs a café near the seafront. I used to work there in the school holidays. He said he wanted something better for me though. That’s what they all want isn’t it?’
    â€˜Yes, all my parents say is – I’ve got to get a job in an office.’
    â€˜Do you want that?’
    â€˜I don’t want to work in a factory or a shop, and I know I want more out of life than just being a housewife.’ She thought of her mother charring for Mrs Rowland, coming home exhausted and then having to clean her own flat. Her life wasn’t going to be like that.
    â€˜What do you enjoy doing?’
    â€˜I like reading – especially about foreign countries, I enjoy the countryside and cycling, but I don’t expect any careers advisor is going to think much