My eye catches on a Tupperware container sitting at the base of the tree. I walk over, pick it up, and open it. Inside is a torn-off piece of paper with a note.
Better late than never.
I shove it into my pocket and drop the container onto the ground. It’s time to test the swing. Hopefully it’s properly secured and he’s not hiding somewhere, waiting for me to fall into the icy water below.
Using a long stick, I catch hold of the rope and walk backwards, pulling hard in all directions to ensure it’s sturdy before even thinking about putting weight on it.
It’s secure. Turns out he doesn’t want me to die today.
I move to the edge of the creek and step into the foothold. Then, gripping the rope with both hands, I draw a breath and swing out over the water. A childish thrill blooms inside me, a smile splitting my face. I tip my head back, watching the branches above me. My surroundings whoosh by. I stretch one arm out and start to spin in a slow circle. A laugh escapes me as I close my eyes, enjoying the falling sensation.
The rope begins to slow. I open my eyes and see I’m now falling short of the creek’s edge. I attempt to use my body weight to get moving again, but my timing is off, and I end up going side to side before eventually coming to a stop in the middle of the creek.
Releasing a frustrated breath, I rest my forehead on the rope for a moment. There’s only one way to get off this thing, and that involves me getting wet, then having to explain to Mum the reason why.
‘How are you so bad at this?’
I snap my head up and see Hunter standing on his side of the creek, arms folded, watching me. ‘It didn’t exactly come with instructions.’
His gaze drops to the water below. ‘Bit cold for a swim, isn’t it?’
‘It is, actually. Maybe you can help a girl out?’
‘I did find a spare length of rope last night.’ He brings a hand to his chin, pretending to think. ‘Now, what did I do with it?’
‘Ah. Handy with a rope and funny. Who knew?’ I sigh. ‘Can you just grab a stick or something?’
His eyes are shining with amusement. ‘Afraid not. You see, my side of the creek’s a lot neater than yours.’
‘Then cross the bridge. There’s all kinds of debris over here.’
He doesn’t move.
Is he waiting for me to beg? ‘Can you please help me?’
His arms fall to his sides. ‘All right. I’ll help.’
‘Thank you.’
Hunter proceeds to leap off the edge of the creek, arms outstretched. I squeak as he grabs hold of the rope, and we’re launched sideways. His feet are dangling above the water, his arms doing all the work.
‘We’re going to fall,’ I manage to get out. ‘Can the rope even hold the weight of both of us?’
He starts to spin us. ‘Let’s find out.’
I can’t stop the squeals coming from me. He uses his foot to push off the bank, and we’re swinging off in the other direction before I have a chance to dismount.
‘So far so good,’ he says.
My eyes are pressed shut, and I’m too breathless to answer.
He keeps swinging us back and forth and round and round until we’re both dizzy and windswept, our hands raw.
‘Had enough?’ he asks.
I open my eyes, struggling to focus on him. ‘Definitely.’
He dismounts on my side of the creek and catches me before I can swing away. I’m laughing as I climb off, my hands trembling and my legs like jelly. He takes hold of my arms to steady me.