Cast the First Stone by Margaret Thornton Page A

second visit to the Pleasure Gardens, depending, of course, on whether their funds would allow it.
    â€˜No, we’ll go on the Big Dipper instead,’ said Dave. ‘Come on, Fee; you said that you would.’
    â€˜I’m game if you are,’ Diane said to her friend. ‘It’ll be fun. Anyway, you’ve got Dave to take care of you.’
    Still feeling somewhat apprehensive, Fiona sat next to Dave, securely fastened into the little car and holding on to the rail in front of her like grim death. Then they were off . . . and it turned out to be not nearly as frightening as she had expected. Her heart was in her mouth as they slowly ascended towards the top of the first incline, then started on the rapid descent. There were screams from all the girls and whoops of delight from the boys. Fiona’s stomach turned somersaults as she felt the wind rushing past, blowing her hair all over the place.
    â€˜Great, isn’t it?’ shouted Dave, pulling her closer to him and kissing her cheek. Then they were going up the next slope, and she was anticipating the scary delight of the whooshing of the wind in her ears and the crazy feeling of exhilaration. She felt her legs turn to jelly as she stood once more on terra firma, and her head was spinning round and round. But she agreed with the others that she wouldn’t have missed it for anything.
    â€˜It’s still only quarter past nine,’ said Dave. ‘We’ve got over an hour left. Shall we walk across to the other side of the river? We’ve plenty of time and we can do the rest of the funfair tomorrow. What do you think?’
    They all agreed that they would do a little exploring. ‘But we must keep an eye on the time,’ said Fiona. ‘We daren’t be late back.’
    â€˜Stop worrying! We won’t be,’ said Diane. ‘I say, aren’t we having a good time?’ she whispered to her friend as they loitered behind for a moment, letting the lads lead the way.
    â€˜Wonderful!’ agreed Fiona. ‘And you’re getting on famously with Andy, aren’t you?’
    â€˜So far, so good,’ replied Diane. ‘And so are you and Dave, aren’t you?’
    â€˜Yes; he’s asked me to go out with him; properly, I mean, as his girlfriend, when we get back home,’ Fiona told her. ‘I really like him ever so much, Diane. I don’t want anything to spoil it.’
    â€˜Why should it?’ said Diane. ‘You’re thinking about your parents, aren’t you?’ Fiona nodded. ‘Well, don’t! Just enjoy yourself while you can. Anyway, I’m sure it’ll be alright. Come on, let’s catch up with them . . .’
    They crossed the river by the Albert Suspension Bridge which led to the part of the Embankment known as Cheyne Walk; an elegant road with medieval and eighteenth-century dwellings, as well as a few public houses. Dusk was falling and the view back across the river was an enchanting one. The delicate lines of the suspension bridge formed a filigree pattern against the darkening blue of the sky, and the lights strung amongst the trees in the park glimmered like jewels in the darkness. The only incongruous sight was that of the Battersea Power Station a little further upriver, looking like an upturned billiard table, the four chimneys, one at each corner, resembling the legs, black against the night sky.
    As they passed one of the pubs on the waterfront they heard a shout. ‘Hi there! Do you want to come and join us?’
    Seated round one of the wooden tables at the outside drinking area were three of their fellow Youth Club members; Alison and Jean who were in the Upper Sixth Form at the school that Fiona and Diane attended, and Paul, who was the same age as his two companions but who had left school at sixteen and was now working in his father’s garage.
    They all stopped and returned the greeting.
    â€˜Come and sit down,’ said