I could hear Hannah come back down the trail before I could see her. After spying on her showering at the falls on Monday, and them finding out she saw me, I didn't really know what to say when I saw her. I had been thinking about it, but came up with nothing. Time to come clean.
She kept running all the way through to my cabin, where I stood on the porch. Hannah stopped and put her hands on her hips, and waited for me to speak.
I took a moment to taker her in before I offered my apologies. Her hair was back in a ponytail, and it accentuated her high cheekbones and forehead. Hannah's green eyes were piercing, but softened when she was talking, and she had little smile creases at her eyes from frequent use. She had raised her eyebrows now, and I could see those eyes start to flare, so it was over to me.
"I am really sorry, Hannah. I just took a guess you would shower at the falls, and it turns out you were. I have no excuses. It turns out I am the psycho you thought I was."
"How did you know I would be there? And why would you suspect I even shower there? I could use the Amenities block?"
"But you didn't, because you have to come past here."
"I could have used the taps at the picnic area?"
"No. Too risky. I often stop there for a dip too. How did you now I was there?"
"Footprints. You left quite an impression in the unmarked track. I didn't know where you were, but I suspected. And then I saw you come out of the Trail about half an hour after me. I hid the car and waited."
"I'm sorry. Really. I didn't think you'd show up, and then when you did... I ..."
"Wanted to watch?" she finished for me.
"Um... yeah. I guess so."
"It's ok. I totally would have done the same thing. And I am kind of pleased to use your shower. As picturesque as the falls are, it is very inconvenient. I can use your shower can't I?"
"Of course. I can't think of how I can pay it back to you."
"We'll think of something," she winked as she came up the steps and grabbed her bag.
"Where's the shower?"
"Well, it's actually outside. There's a big spiral screen down there, follow it round until you hit the shower nozzle."
"Right..." She didn't seem convinced.
"It's fine, you can't see in! Well, the lower half anyway. If I stand on this end of the porch I could see your head maybe? But I won't move from where I am now. Promise."
"Ok. It's that or hiking back up to the falls I guess!" And with that she bounded downstairs and around the corner.
I thought I had gotten out of the situation pretty lightly, and she seemed a forgiving, carefree type. But I remembered what she was like up in the forest that first time I met her. There was an intensity that said Hannah was not a girl to be meddled with.
"Hey James! Where's your soap?"
"Oh, sorry, there is a body wash container on the floor, just come back up the spiral a bit."
"Is this all part of your peeping plan?"
"No!" I tried to defend myself, but I heard her laughing straight away. A few minutes ticked by and then "James!"
"Yes?"
"I forgot my towel, it must be in my car. It's open, could you pretty please get it?"
"Yeah, of course"
I trundled off to grab Hannah's towel, I felt like I was in debt to her somewhat, and was eager to show her how much of a non-pervert I was. It's about 100m to the parking lot, and hers was the only car around. I had a look inside the car, but I couldn't see a towel. Back seat, still no towel. Maybe in the trunk? I tried to find the lever to release the trunk, but it took me a few minutes. It was in the trunk after all.