Dave stood panting at the edge of the undergrowth, hurriedly trying to sort out the zip on his trousers. The instant he'd seen Martin and Amanda panic had set in and he'd run. He looked back over his shoulder, checking for any signs of pursuit. Once he realised all was quiet he slowly started to regain his composure, only then did his mind turn to the events of the evening.
He picked up the previously hidden golf clubs and started to step from the undergrowth, to make his way to the car-park. A figure appeared on his right, and he hesitated - staying in the shadows.
"I can see you."
Dave's heart bounced, he shuffled his feet - but said nothing.
"I know I'm not much to look at, but you didn't have to run away quite so fast."
It was her. Relief flooded through Dave, he'd thought it to be Amanda - and with Martin not far behind her.
"I wasn't running from you, I just got scared, frightened out of my life!"
"Oh well, at least that's something. So, what happens now? Do we each go our own way and never see each other again, or will we bump into each other here again?"
Dave was recovering fast, sliding the golf bag onto his shoulder, he walked the short distance that separated them.
"Let's walk. Have you a car nearby?"
"No, I don't drive."
"Can I give you a lift anywhere? We could go for a drink!" Dave was desperate to find out more about this mystery woman, he wanted to see her in better light.
"That would be nice, but only if you're sure?"
"Why wouldn't I be sure?"
"Most men don't like to be seen out with me." Sensing the question through the silence, she went on. "You can t see me properly in this light can you? Otherwise you wouldn't have asked, but don't worry - I'm used to it."
Dave stopped, looking at the ground - investigating his shoes while he sorted his thoughts.
"You're pretty quick to judge aren't you? You've made my mind up before I've had a chance to make it up myself. Think about it for a moment, how do you know what I think? How do you know that whatever your problem is, I haven't got something worse wrong with me? I honestly don't have an opinion at the moment. How can I have? Once I know all the facts I can make a decision, but don't try and put words in my mouth because of men you've known before - they weren't me." Dave finished speaking with an emphatic nod of his head, like a punctuation mark. He took hold of her hand and they continued walking.
"First things first I always say," He spoke as they walked. "I don't even know your name."
"It's Karen."
"Karen, that's a nice name - sort of friendly sounding, safe and secure. Mine is David, Dave."
Dave stopped, turning to face Karen.
"I don't mind telling you, you almost gave me a heart attack tonight. You must have thought I was a real sad case, standing in the bushes wanking and watching that young couple screwing?"
"I was there too remember! I didn't think to myself Oh there's a sad bloke having a wank I'll go and give him a shag! , I was doing what you were doing - so we're both sad cases."
"But why? I can understand why I do it, but not a woman with a body like yours. I'm a middle-aged man who lost his wife, and who knows he hasn't got a chance in hell of ever finding another woman interested in a man past his prime like me. So I watch and wank, until tonight"
"You'll understand when you can see me better. Oh, I used to be good looking enough - I've had my share of men running after me - but all that changed some years back. I'm not good looking any more, and the only way I can get a man is in the dark. Mostly I don't get a man at all, so I also watch and wank - just like you."
"Come on then, Let's see what this is all about." Dave strode off, Karen's hand still in his - pulling her towards the car-park and the lighting she seemed to fear so much. The nearer the car-park came the lower Karen's face dropped, until her chin was almost on her chest. As the light began to have an effect upon the darkness, Dave sneaked sideways glances from the corner of his eye.
Eventually, with light pooling around their feet, they stopped beside Dave's car. He turned, took her chin in his hand and lifted her face to meet the light. One side of her face showed a normal, quite pretty, woman - maybe a few years younger than Dave's 44. The other side was an angry assortment of blotchy red and purple hues from just underneath the eye, to her chin.
No wonder she was worried Dave thought to himself, calmly looking her straight in the eyes. I can understand why men have been put off. Luckily, or unluckily for her, I've seen it all before and it doesn't bother me.
Dave slowly and deliberately let his gaze travel down her form and back up again. "Okay," he said, "I've looked. Where s the problem?"
Karen was silent for a moment. "My face doesn't bother you? You're making it up - you're just being kind."
Dave fumbled in his pocket, removing his keys and unlocking his car. Walking round to the rear, he opened the boot and put his golf clubs inside. He opened the passenger door.
"Get in the car." He ordered. Meekly Karen obeyed, and once she was seated Dave closed the door ,before moving round the other side and getting in himself. "Don't say anything, not a word!" His tone was one that didn't allow for argument.
