I was just minding my own business at the time. I'd gone to the beach and had just changed into my swimming costume in the back of my van when it started. I like to park a little away from the main car parks. It's a lot easier to keep an eye on my van that way. It's a pain when someone tries to bust into it looking for tools and electronics, so I like to take a few precautions.
As I was saying, I'd just changed and was about to hop out when I heard a frightened squeak just outside the van. Glancing out the back window I could see this pretty young thing in a bikini, which she filled out very nicely. There was also this overgrown oaf there, and he seemed to be monstering her.
Liking the look of her, and not liking the look of him, I decided to intervene. I popped open the back door of the van and stepped out. I didn't say anything, I just stood there, giving the oaf a nasty smile.
Looking back at me he could see that I was quite large and looked fit. In addition, I was carrying a very large wrench in one hand, casually tapping it on the other. All in all, the oaf decided discretion was called for and departed.
I tossed the wrench back into the van then swung the back doors open, clipping them into place.
"You OK?" I asked the young woman.
She was visibly trembling, but nodded.
"You don't look it," I pointed out. "You look shit scared, if you want my opinion."
She straightened up a little at this, seeming somewhat indignant that I'd noticed and, worse, commented.
"I'm fine," she snapped.
I should say, tried to snap, her voice sort of shook as she said it.
"You're not," I pointed out. "You'd better sit down for a while."
I jerked my thumb towards the van.
"As you can see, I have a couch and a fridge. You can sit for a few moments and have a cold drink to help you relax. Don't worry, we won't be private. Both doors are latched open, so it will be like sitting in a waiting room or bus stop, in full view of everyone who passes."
Considering the nervous state she was in my suggestion was actually quite reasonable. She was trembling so much that I thought she'd fall down if she tried to walk away, and I did have a large van. Quite big enough to walk in without having to worry about banging your head, and with both doors fastened open we were in plain sight.
It was probably the size of the van that overcame her doubts and she stepped up and sat on one end of the couch, still shaking slightly.
"I'm not usually such a wuss," she said, "but it was so unexpected, and what's more he smelled."
I laughed and opened the fridge.
"I'm driving later, so I'll restrict myself to a coke, but if you're not driving may I suggest you have a UDL. I have some Lemon Lime & Soda, but they also have a bit of vodka in them. I feel the alcohol will help you calm down."
"Thank you," she said. "I'd appreciate it. I'm here with friends and I'm not the one driving. We just got separated for a while and the guy appeared from nowhere."
"Happens at times. You need to be careful," I replied, passing her a can. "I'll see you back to your friends in a minute, just in case the creep is still hanging around. Do you want a glass?"
She shook her head, opened the can and took a long drink. I hoped she'd had something to eat or that vodka would hit her like a bomb.
"Observing the proprieties," I said, "I'm Neil. You are?"
"Tegan," she replied. "You were right, I needed this," she added, holding up the can.
