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have given him a fright and sent him into the water. Suddenly the wind felt stronger, the air seemed colder and I was even more aware of the danger he was in after our brief respite. He angled his body to the right, twisting from his waist and preparing to swing his left foot over the water and turn to face the bars, but as he pivoted his weight on his right foot, it slipped off the narrow ledge. Somehow his left hand managed to grab the bar he had been reaching for just in time, leaving him hanging on with one arm. I heard the collective intake of breath from the spectators as I reached for his flailing right hand and clinging on tightly, used all my strength to pull him up. In that moment it was the fear in his eyes which terrified me the most, but on reflection it was that look that gave me strength, because the man who only moments ago had wanted to end his life was now fighting to live.
    I helped pull him up, and he clung to the bars, eyes closed, taking deep breaths. I was still trying to compose myself when Detective Maguire came rushing towards us with a thunderous look on his face.
    ‘He wants to get back on the bridge,’ I said weakly.
    ‘I can see that.’ He pushed me aside and I had to look away while they manoeuvred Adam to safety. As soon as he landed on the bridge, we both sat down hard on the ground, all our energy spent.
    Adam sat with his back pressed up against the railings, I sat opposite him on the other side, trying to stop my head from spinning. I tucked my head between my legs and took deep breaths.
    ‘Are you okay?’ he asked, concerned.
    ‘Yeah.’ I closed my eyes. ‘Thanks,’ I added.
    ‘What for?’
    ‘For not jumping.’
    He grimaced, the exhaustion showing in his face and body. ‘Always happy to oblige. Seemed like it meant more to you than to me.’
    ‘Well, I appreciate it.’ I gave him a shaky smile.
    He raised his eyebrows. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.’
    ‘Christine.’
    ‘Adam.’
    He reached across and held out his hand. I moved from the railings to reach and as I took his hand in mine he held on tightly and looked me in the eye.
    ‘I look forward to you convincing me that this was a good idea, Christine. I think my birthday would be a good deadline.’
    Deadline? I froze, my hand still wrapped in his. He’d said it softly, but it felt like a warning. Suddenly I felt faint, not to mention foolish, at the thought of the deal I’d agreed to. What had I done?
    Despite wanting to take it all back, I nodded nervously. He shook my hand once, a firm single shake, in the centre of the bridge, and then he let go.

5
    How to Take Your Relationship to the Next Level
    ‘What the hell were you doing there?’ Detective Maguire growled, pushing his face close to mine.
    ‘Trying to help.’
    ‘How do you know him ?’ Meaning: him as well ?
    ‘I don’t.’
    ‘So what happened here?’
    ‘I was just walking by and saw that he was in trouble. We were concerned you wouldn’t get here on time, so I thought I’d talk to him.’
    ‘Because your talking did so well the first time,’ he vented, then appeared to regret saying that. ‘Seriously, Christine, do you expect me to believe that story? You were “just walking by”? Twice in one month? Do you expect me to believe it was a coincidence? If you’re playing at being some cape crusader—’
    ‘I’m not. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I thought I could help.’ Getting angry at my treatment, I added: ‘And I did, didn’t I? I got him back on the bridge.’
    ‘Barely,’ he fumed. He paced before me.
    From afar I could see Adam watching me with concern. I gave him a weak smile.
    ‘I don’t think this is funny.’
    ‘I’m not laughing.’
    He studied me, trying to figure out what to do with me. ‘You can tell me about this from start to finish at the station.’
    ‘But I didn’t do anything wrong!’
    ‘You’re not under arrest, Christine. I need to file a report.’ He walked away,