PROLOGUE
This story is an experimental departure from my normal subject matter. Those who have read my previous stories will know that they have all been autobiographical, changing only the names. One morning over breakfast recently, my wife Audrey suggested that I try to write a fictional story with no basis in our day-to-day lives. My sister Wendy, overhearing the conversation, was intrigued by the idea of what fiction I might be able to come up with and seconded Audrey's suggestion. What follows was written primarily for Audrey and Wendy's enjoyment, I hope that other readers also find merit in it.
*** The Hike ***
"Don't forget to wear layers." Suzi said as Ken's train came rumbling into the station killing all chances of conversation for at least the next twenty seconds or so.
Suzi and Ken had worked at the same company for many years. They were in different departments, but had worked together on enough projects to have developed a cordial, yet professional, relationship. Apart from the occasional office party, Suzi and Ken did not really socialise. From time to time, they'd end up at the local sandwich shop at lunchtime or, like today, encounter each other heading to the railway station at the end of their day.
"Layers. Right." Ken said as he boarded his train among the throng of other commuters.
"Seven o'clock in the trail head parking area." Suzi reinforced.
"Seven." Ken confirmed as the carriage door closed in front of him nodding through the window at Suzi.
Ken watched as Suzi and her fellow waiting passengers receded from view before taking his seat. Ken fumbled through his bag until he located his earbuds, inserted them one by one before flicking on his phone. Selecting a suitably themed podcast, the then went into his messaging app.
Ken -> Nick: Hiking with Suzi tomorrow, 7am.
Followed about 45 seconds later by.
Nick -> Ken: OK ☺
Ken sat back and listened to his podcast accompanied by the clickity clack of the rails beneath him.
***
Suzi watched Ken's train pull away from the station and waited patiently for the indicator board to change. Her train was up next in about three minutes. Excellent timing.
Getting the day off tomorrow came as somewhat of a surprise, and at rather short notice too. Trading shifts was normally only approved when circumstances warranted it. What really helped, however, was when it was your boss who instigated the trade so that she could have a needed day off next week. Suzi chalked up a few mental brownie points for her future self.
At first, Suzi was not sure how she would spend her unexpected new free day. Bumping into Ken (somewhat literally) in the elevator on the way out, however, had serendipitously solved her problem. Ken had his head down staring at his phone as he ploughed right into her. After apologising profusely, they finally got to chatting and it turned out that Ken was rostered off for the next three days and that he was thinking of doing a day hike tomorrow to avoid the crowd.
Suzi thought that a day hike sounded wonderful and by the time the two of them had reached the railway station, their plans had been finalised.
***
As Suzi pulled her car into the parking area, she saw a male figure emerge from the only other vehicle present. As she brought her car to a standstill, the figure approached. As she opened her door, looking at his watch Ken said "I thought that I was about to be stood up."
Although she recognised his voice immediately, it took some time to equate that voice with the man that stood before her, devoid of his normal suit and tie. The same went for Ken. Normally, he saw Suzi in corporate office attire: skirt, blouse, jacket, stockings, heels and makeup.
This morning, however, Suzi's face was totally absent any makeup and her hair was pulled back into a purely functional bun. She was wearing a light fleece top and some nondescript track pants. She had also wisely traded her heals for a pair of reasonably sturdy looking hiking boots.
"Sorry," Suzi said starting her apology, "I got stuck behind a slow truck on that first windy uphill bit just after you turn off the highway to head up here. It seemed like forever before it could pull over and let me pass."
"Not to worry, the day is still young." Ken replied smiling before adding, "Shall we set off?"
"Just let me get my backpack." Suzi replied as she reached in to collect it from the front passenger's seat, locking the car door she said, "Let's go."
With a small skip in their step, Suzi and Ken headed off towards the trail head proper. It was single file for the first several hundred metres so Suzi took point. After exiting a narrow path between two massive boulders, the trail opened up enough for Suzi and Ken to finally walk side by side.
"You've never hiked up here before?" Suzi asked making casual conversation.
"I have a vague recollection of my parents taking my sister and I to somewhere a bit like this when we were much younger, but I can't say where it was for certain." Ken replied.
"I thought that being a kindred avid hiker that you would have heard of this place." Suzi commented casually.
"I've certainly heard of it, I simply don't recall ever having hiked here before. That's all." Ken responded.
"I think you'll like it, I've hiked this trail many times over the years." Suzi said.
"It's certainly brisk this morning." Ken commented.
"It will warm up fairly soon." Suzi replied.
"Hence the layers." Ken said smiling.
"You got it." Suzi started, "I normally shed the outer layer by the time that I reach the first rest stop. We're currently shaded from the rising sun by the hill, however, when we crest the next rise and round the corner, we'll soon be in full sun."
***
Suzi and Ken carried on an amicable conversation for another hour or so before reaching the first rest stop. True to her word, they were now in full sunlight feeling the warmth that accompanied it.
"That's breathtaking!" Ken exclaimed.
"That's nothing." Suzi responded, "Wait until we get to the lookout."
Suzi was feeling very relaxed around Ken. They had bonded well chatting as they hiked along the trail.
"I think that I'm going to shed my outer layer now." Suzi said looking at Ken smiling.
"Yes, things are warming up." Ken agreed.
Suzi walked over to a nearby rock, removed her pack and placed it on the rock. She unzipped the sides of her track pants and slid them down over her boots before placing them in her pack. Next she stood and removed her fleece top and placed that into her pack as well before closing it.
"That's better." Suzi said stretching her arms skyward.
Ken was staring at Suzi in amazement. She was wearing a very tight set of yoga shorts and a somewhat skimpy sports bra. Suzi's yoga shorts were quiet brief and somewhat tight at the front, clearly revealing her feminine contours. Adding to that, her substantial breasts were barely contained by her top. Suzi's ample cleavage unashamedly on display. For her part, Suzi seemed not to care or even notice.
"Do you always dress like that when you hike?" Ken asked.
"Not always, it depends on the situation." Suzi replied as she looked down at her own body.
"It looks good." Ken responded.
"Thanks. Listen, I wouldn't normally tell anyone else this," Suzi started hesitantly, "but I trust you to keep my secret."
"What is it Suzi?" Ken asked somewhat concerned.
