2: On track

 *Meri*

 I breathe in and look around as I enter the area. Okay which way to go first ? One way there is a colourful playground and behind it a small sports stadium ... the other way the path disappears around a bend.

 Hmm the playground no doubt, it looks so bright and funny. So I turn right, walking on the path running along the playground. 

 An elderly woman comes towards me with two small dogs. One of them pulls towards me and I squat down to scratch it behind the ears. She smiles at me. "Oh sorry my dear, he just loves being cuddled".

 "It's totally okay. I love dogs and he is very sweet". I say looking up at her. "And I love cuddling too".

 "He is usually much more reserved towards strangers. But dogs are good judges of character". The woman says with a smile. "Come on boys ... have a nice day my dear".

 I get up, smiling back at her. "You too".

 Walking on I reach the playground. It is bright and looks fun and exciting. Making me kind of wish I was a kid again. We didn't have a playground like that when I was a kid and especially not where I grew up.

 I stop for a minute and look at the kids playing, wondering how it feels to be a mother. I just think it's something you can't imagine before you actually become one.

 Slowly walking on I reach the sports field, it is down lower than the path. In the middle some guys are throwing discos, and it gives a dull thumb when they hit the ground.

 Two men are running on the track. One is wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The other one is wearing running pants with shorts on top and a black jacket, his head covered with a cap. It's a pretty warm day and my first thought is that he must be sweltering hot.

 He stops and it looks like he is talking to someone on a headset. Something makes me stop too … he looks up and our eyes meet. I can't see him very clearly because of the cap and the distance. But I can see he has a light beard and I can feel his eyes burn into mine.

 I feel my throat go dry and my cheeks flushing, so I quickly turn away. Walking a bit. Then I stop again not knowing why, turning back. He is running again, and I kind of forget myself, walking very slowly, my eyes keep running down to the running form, like pulled there by an invisible force. Part of me feels like I know him. Or should know him.

 As he finishes his lap, he kind of slows down and I realise that I am staring at him. I quickly look away and start to walk. Why am I acting like this ? He is a total stranger and it's not like me to be so rude.

 But something about him is drawing my gaze and I am halfway walking backwards, trying to pretend to look at everything else.

 I feel myself blush again and I force myself to walk away. I mean I am not here to ogle some guy, especially someone all covered up. I mean I can't even see if he is handsome. He was slim though with long legs, so probably tall.

 *Tom*

 I normally run in the morning or sometimes in the evening. Running in the middle of the day tends to attract paparazzi and fans. Not that I don't appreciate the fans, but it tends to disturb the flow of my run and the exercise if they keep stopping me to talk.

 But today I had an early meeting, so I skipped my morning run. I had planned to run tonight instead, but getting back home from the meeting I got this urge ... this need to run, so I went to the heath.

 After having run for a while Lukas, my publicist, calls and I answer, as I stop I notice a young woman with long blonde hair. She is standing up on the path, looking at me. First I think she has recognised me, she might be a fan. But then our eyes meet and it is like a punch in the guts.

 She looks flustered and turns to walk away. I sigh, don't be stupid Tom, she is just some fan looking at you. I end the call, apparently it was a really good thing I went running, because they want to reshoot a couple of scenes later for the mini series I am doing for BBC. Apparently something happened to it.

 I start running again, wanting to finish off, so I can get home, shower and be ready in time. I also need to walk my dog Nani before leaving.

 But when I have run almost a lap, I notice that she is still there, watching me. My legs kind of slow down by themselves, kind of like she is a magnet pulling me to a stop.

 She quickly turns and starts to walk away, but she keeps kind of stopping, looking back. And I just stand there, watching her leave. 

 Part of me wants to ... to what Tom ? Run after her ? Ask her for her name ? Ask her out.. are you crazy Tom, you can't do that. I sigh and decide to head home.

 I get up on the path and look in the direction she disappeared, but she is gone. Maybe it's for the best. I kick at a small stone and turn to run home. Why does it have to be so hard all this with women ? I mean I am a fairly decent looking guy, I am more than financially stable and I do my best to treat people with respect. But the little fact that I am an actor ... that I am Tom Bennett, tends to get in the way. So what should be easy is everything but.