"What's up, buddy?" I said, trying to keep my voice level, my eyes wandering over him.

"Uh...I wanted to get some swimmers," he said softly. "But you're closing up." I could hear the disappoinment in his voice.

"Are you by yourself?" I asked, looking around the almost deserted mall for his mother or father.

He nodded. "My mum gave me the money," he said quickly, pulling a few notes out of his shorts pocket. "She let me come by myself." He gazed past me at the interior of my shop. "I really wanted to buy a pair of swimmers," he said wistfully before starting to turn away.

My thoughts were running at a hundred miles an hour! The kid was by himself. He was beautiful. He was eager to buy my goods. The mall was near deserted. I could help him out and maybe...just maybe...he would...he might... My heart pounded at the way my thoughts were going. Swallowing nervously, I plucked up my courage and smiled at the lad.

"Tell you what, buddy, I'll stay open just for you," I said, my eyes darting around the mall to see if anyone was watching us. No-one was. I opened the door to my shop and stepped aside. "In you come, sir. Let me be of service to you."

The boy glanced at the open door, then around the mall, then up at me. "Are you sure its okay?" he asked me. "You don't mind?"

"Mind?" I replied smiling. "For a good looking young boy like you? Not likely."

The lad blushed and smiled nervously, my words maybe giving him a hint of my intentions; and I worried I might have been too forward and he wouldn't take up my offer. But I need not have worried. Glancing around him once more, the boy smiled at me and stepped into my shop. I breathed a soft sigh of relief as I followed him in and shut the door behind me. As I turned the lock, he turned around, a look of alarm on his face.

"Why are you shutting the door?" he asked me nervously.

"Relax, buddy," I said soothingly. "Its past closing and I don't want other shoppers coming in and keeping me here longer than necessary," I explained. "I'm letting you in as a favour," I added, thinking he had better realise how I was going out of my way for him. And he did. ......(cont)