A story of fleeting, innocent, first love lost, to be replaced by a lifelong longing for what might have been. A young boy of approximately 10-11 years old is rock-collecting at the riverside when he encounters a girl of the same age, swimming in the weir. Instantly smitten, he goes to talk to her, and they spend the afternoon together, until some uncouth boys arrive and bully her. He is not brave enough to stand up for her. She leaves, and he is condemned to a lifetime of wistful longing.