Lucas looked daggers at Natalie and I. As we came to a stop auntie Nin jumped out and opened some impressive white steel gates and the jeep pulled into a bare paved back yard. I felt the relief surge over me and I felt relaxed and content and safe all at once. I had promised to meet the girls back by the back gate of the Bamboo Bar and Bed that evening. I wondered if should do something; if they were too grabby for Natalie, what was Pakpao putting up with? They suggested I go backpacking. Pakpao hadn’t been completely blind to the fact that Natalie and Lucas weren’t getting along and readily agreed. This time my first ever time in a woman. There was a sea of market stools spread out under a large rusting corrugated iron roof. It felt strange leaving Natalie so alone, and yet I really didn’t dare share a dorm with her. Soon we finished our beers and headed to bed. And before I could answer, or even think of an answer,
