Free Kiss On The Bridge by Mark Stewart

across the metal surface after her. A surge of
water raised by his slide followed Anneli over the edge, cascading
to the ground in one long water-fall.
    The rope between the two tightened to piano
wire tension.
    Wade managed to grab hold of a cross beam. He
dug his heels into the metal floor to stop the slide.
    “Are you hurt?” called Wade, grimacing from
the effort at stopping the fall.
    “No I’m fine,” yelled Anneli over the wind.
“I’ve received a cold shower, but I’ll be okay.”
    Wade exhaled a massive sigh and repositioned
his hand hold by pulling himself back an inch or two. Slightly to
his left Wade spied a long bolt sticking out of the floor. If he
could only reach the bolt he’d use it for a perfect foothold and
easily haul Anneli up. “Hold onto something,” he called.
    “Wade, if you give me a little slack, I’ll be
able to reach the beam in front of me. It’s just out of reach.”
    “The only way to do what you’ve asked is for
me to let go.”
    “Trust me. When I have hold of the cross beam
the strain will be off the rope. You’ll be able to haul me up
easily.”
    “I’m not going to let go.”
    “You have to,” urged Anneli.
    “I’ve stumbled on a solution. I just need you
to hold onto something and I’ll be able to pull you up.”
    Anneli viewed the ground twenty feet directly
below her. She could only imagine the scene from Wade’s position.
“I’ve another idea,” she called.
    “Whatever it is, I’m not buying.”
    “I knew you’d never agree to my request. Let
me explain. There’s a bolt wedged precariously on the edge of the
plate. I’ll swing towards the plate above my head, reach up and
grab it.”
    “Okay I agree. Make sure you hold on tight.
The moment the rope slackens I’ll reposition myself to pull you
up.”
    Anneli moved her legs back and forth to start
a swinging motion. On a forward swing she grabbed hold of the bolt.
Using the sharp thread she started cutting the rope.
    Wade’s shoulder started to ache. Soon it’ll
start to pull away from its socket. If he didn’t let go soon he’d
have a dislocated shoulder. “Anneli, have you gripped the bolt?”
His call sounded weak.
    “Hold on, I’m almost through.”
    The pitch in her voice, the words she spoke
and the way she delivered them gave away her secret. Wade’s eyes
bulged. “Stop cutting the rope,” he yelled.
    Anneli doubled her efforts. “How did you
know?”
    “I made a calculated guess. Please, the only
thing you have to do is reach out, take the strain from off the
rope so I can pull you up.”
    “I can’t reach the cross beam due to the
plate’s over hang. If I time my stunt perfectly when I cut through
the rope my return swing will see me hurtle towards the beam.”
    “What if your timing is off?”
    “Let’s put it this way. You’re determined
never to let go. On your stubbornness alone, eventually you’ll
either slip, the rope will break, or we’ll be struck by lightning.
After all, this structure is a radio tower and a fragile one at
that. My plan is the only way to save us both.”
    Wade knew he couldn’t hold on forever. If he
waited too long his strength will be gone. Whatever they did it
needed to happen now. If Anneli’s plan mistimed in any way she’d
slip from the beam in front of her and plummet to her death.
    “Okay,” he called. “If you stop cutting the
rope, I’ll let go.”
    Anneli quickly decided he might be stalling
for time. Instead of stopping she kept up her sawing technique.
When the rope slid over the bolt’s thread for the umpteenth time
the ageing bolt sheered clean off. She leaned sideways in a
desperate attempt to catch it. Her fingertip tapped the bolt head,
making it ricochet against the tower frame. She watched it plummet
to the ground, blinking her welling tears into submission.
    Anneli hung suspended in midair. Staring at
the rope through fearful eyes she saw one nylon fibre after the
next stretch, fray and snap. She cleared her throat,