The Last Hour Beach is an interesting place to be. Apart from the refreshing sea breeze that is pollution-free, the very fact of one being out in the open and enjoying what nature has bestowed on us makes it all the more enjoyable; and what makes the Last Hour Beach unique is the nearby magnificent and imposing building of the Atlantic Hotel that looks down on the sandy beach as if it was giving a watchful eye to the patrons of the place.

Interestingly, the Takoradi Harbour, which is also close by, casts a benevolent gaze on the beach, and one could see vessels, both large and small entering and exiting the seaport.

One could see the occasional cruise ships of the super-rich too but what actually makes the Last Hour Beach unique isn’t even the coconut trees but the grassy nature of the beachfront. It gives members of the public the chance to conveniently mount their tents and spread large towels without grains of sand getting into places they are not supposed to get into.

Actually, the green grass area is part of the golf course of the Takoradi Sports Club and one can not fail to see their iconic colonial-style white painted building.

And so on that fateful day, that Easter Monday, the place was packed with people who had gone to the beach to unwind and enjoy themselves. Sellers of drinks, kebabs, fast foods of various forms and flavours displayed their goods. Holiday makers also in their various apparel like bikinis, bum shorts and tank tops. One or two could even be seen wearing suits and gowns, which could suggest that they were just there for sightseeing.

Kuuku Laing, a 28-year-old man, who worked in a tobacco manufacturing company as a Machine Operator had gone to the beach in the company of his friends, Ayi and Ackah. His friends had left to swim, but he had preferred to sit on the grass to watch what was going on around him, smiling and laughing at some of the comical situations he happened to observe; and there were many of those.

He stood up and strolled through the crowd, sometimes finding it difficult to meander his way through the heavy crowd, depending on what was happening in a particular area. The largest crowd were at the Brass Band area, and KL, as his closest friends liked calling him, danced with the rest of them. He was just there to enjoy himself and had no intention of making any move on the numerous ladies at the place. Most of the ladies around were just looking for the opportunity to cleave on to the men there. He wasn’t interested in any of that. He wasn’t interested in any fling. The cool breeze was good enough for him.

So he was quite miffed when a lady approached to say ‘hi’ to him when he took a break from the dancing.

“Hi,” he responded, not liking her intrusion into his space

“I have seen you in Accra before,” she said, trying to draw him into a conversation

“Really?” he asked, moving away from the brass band area, not liking her uninvited presence. She tagged along, much to his displeasure but he didn’t make her see that.

“Yes, you came to our shop at Teshie to collect your sister’s ‘kaba’,” she explained.

“Ohh ok, I remember that,” he said, being too much of a gentleman to send her away.

“I was the one sewing the ‘kaba’ and I apologize for making you stay for two hours before it was done,” she elaborated.

He made no attempt to say anything to that, preferring to allow her to chat away.

“Even before I knew you in Accra, I knew you in Takoradi,” she said.

“Is that so?” he said and glanced up to look at her

“Yes, my Mom’s stall is near your mother’s Store at the Market Circle. We live at AD Motors area.”

His friends, Ayi and Ackah, found them, took money from him to buy some kebabs and left but not without giving him a thumbs up.

He strolled, she followed. He waved at people he knew. Seeing and being seen. That was what being at the beach was all about. He took a good look at her. She was almost as tall as he was. She was ebony black, his favourite complexion in a woman. He found her beautiful, but her face had an anorexic look which was a ‘no’ for him.

“There’s a movie I wish to watch at Princess Cinema this evening, would you take me?” she asked suddenly.

“Yes, why not. I will like to.”

She brightened up suddenly.

“I live at Glory House. Ask for Manza when you get there. Be there at 7:30 pm,” she said and left his side soon after this to his relief with the excuse of going to look for her friends.

Enjoyment of the beach does not end with the setting of the sun. It normally goes on late into the night, long after the food vendors and the Brass Band had left; with all sorts of amorous activities going on. But KL left at about 6:00 pm after searching in vain for Ayi and Ackah. As he and others were leaving, others were trooping to the beach in large numbers to begin their versions of ‘having fun’.

***

At exactly 7:30 in the evening, Kuuku Laing went to the home of Manza to take her to the movies as he had promised. He found her waiting for him in front of the large compound house she shared with her mother.

They had gone to see an Indian movie, and though he wasn’t really a fan of such movies, Manza, who had watched it before narrated the storyline to him to whip his interest, occasionally putting her head on his shoulder.

Soon it was over and they filed out of the Cinema Hall with the others.

“Where do you live?” she asked him when it became apparent to her that he was taking her back to her home.

“Pipe Ano,” he replied.

“Ohh OK, so when are you taking me to your house?” she asked, disappointingly and slipped her hand into his, swinging it with hers.

He was unable to answer that as they had gotten to her home and a friend of hers was standing in front of the house.

“This is my friend, Dinah,” she said. “And this is Kuuku, my friend from Accra. “

“Pleased to meet you, Dinah,” he said and shook her hand.

“Please break her virginity for me, wai,” Dinah told him.

“Hahaha,” he laughed to cover his embarrassment.

“She doesn’t like eating so maybe if you chop her, she’ll start eating,” Dinah concluded.

“Don’t mind her. She’s a naughty girl,” Manza said, amidst laughter.

“Just look at me. plumpy and sexy. I have just had sex on the Beach. That is the secret of my nice body,” she said, turning around to showcase her body.

KL gaped at her with amusement, unable to determine whether she was serious or just being funny. He shook his head, laughingly and bade them farewell.

“Why didn’t he give you a kiss? Not even a peck or a breast squeeze,” Dinah said, gazing at the retreating back of Kuuku Laing who had just stopped a taxi from across the street.