He clicked his fingers and a waiter came over.

‘Another whiskey please, and whatever the lady would like.’

‘No really I..’

‘Come on.’

‘Well ok I’ll have a vodka and tonic, but then I really must be going.’

‘Make that a double.’ He said to the waiter and Jessie had no time to object.

 ‘What’s your name?’ he asked.

‘Jessie.’

‘Call me Tom. You’ll never get your tongue round my real name.’

She laughed.

 ‘What brings you to Bangkok?’

She thought quickly.

‘I’m an artist. I’m out here getting some inspiration.’

‘How interesting.’

‘And you?’

‘I‘m in computer software.’

The waiter put the drinks down on the table and they watched the little barges pulling timber up and down the river.They look so loaded down it’s a wonder they don’t sink. She thought.

‘I saw you admiring the ‘Princess’. Beautiful isn’t she? Would you like to dine with me on board tonight?’ The alcohol had relaxed her a little. Tom seemed like such a gentleman. She stared into his soft dark eyes.

 ‘I would love to.’ she said.

At eight o’clock Tom got up and went to buy the tickets. She joined him and they were given orchids to pin to their button holes. A man came round to take their photograph.

‘Souvenir two hundred Baht.’

‘I’d quite like one.’ said Jessie. ‘Stand with me.’

Tom shook his head. ‘Come on!’

They boarded the river boat and found a table. There was a Thai buffet on board and she tucked in enthusiastically talking and laughing with him. After the meal the band played and they danced on deck against the backdrop of floodlit gold pagodas. She couldn’t believe her luck and just couldn’t wait to write home. He took her in his arms for a slow dance. It was magic.

Later in the evening his phone rang.

‘Do excuse me angel, I have a business meeting to attend.’

At this hour, she thought but didn’t say anything. She was so full of euphoria nothing mattered any more.

‘Would you like to see me again?’He asked as they disembarked.

‘I’d love to,’ she said, relieved.

‘I’m staying at the White Lotus Hotel. Meet me there tomorrow evening.’ He handed her his business card.

Jessie returned to her backpackers lodge and shook the blanket for bed bugs.