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Chapter 22
"Go on then," Amelia-Rose said, deciding to go on the offensive. "What is it about me that Kate thinks you fancy - or is it just that she knows you relish a hunt."
Ralph raised a quizzical eye from his cereal. The caravan formed a small intimate space around them.
"You're wrong. Unlike many, I don't believe that hunting is an end in itself - whatever the hunt is for. It must have a purpose. It must be part of a larger pattern. It must keep a balance between all the forces in our lives."
His foot was now definitely applying a gentle pressure to hers and she still hadn't moved hers away.
Amelia-Rose leaned forward teasingly.
"And the visit from Kate this morning? Did that balance your forces?
He chewed on his cereal for some time before replying.
"She has a husband you know..."
"Doesn't he mind her coming round here?"
"I doubt if he knows. They both work on the farm and I hear it's a real struggle for them to keep it going. She's plenty of time to slip away and of course we meet each other socially through our music, as do all the other people around here.
We've known each other for a long time but somehow it's a comfortable friendship not a passionate liaison. I'm sure she still has a relationship with her husband and she knows that when I go away, there are others for me too."
"Quite the hotbed of romance around here," said Amelia-Rose sarcastically. "I don't know whether to be flattered by the fact she warned me off ... from what you say, it could be a regular routine."
Ralph suddenly looked surprised.
"She warned you of did she? Sometimes I think she's got the eyes of a hawk... So what do you think about what she said?"
A stockinged foot was now resting hard against Amelia-Rose's ankle.
Amelia-Rose shifted in her seat.
"Call me old fashioned, but I still believe in the sanctity of relationships." She firmly moved her foot away from his.
"And you don't believe in the sanctity of the hunt ..." There was a gentle smile playing on Ralph's lips and his eyes seemed to glow.
"Hum ... I think it may be time for me to go." She shuffled along the bench seat in readiness for standing up. "I really only came to thank you for the loan of the violin."
He shuffled along his side of the caravan but waited, looking at her shrewdly, as if weighing up his options.
"One day, I really would like to photograph you. You have a quality in your face that I find completely fascinating."
He paused again for a moment as if trying to make a decision then plunged on - a flush was rising in his face and he spoke heatedly.
"No it's more than that. You only have to look at me and my whole body feels on fire. It's as if there was a powerful magnet drawing me to you. It's not something that I can understand - it's just there. Although it's only been a few hours since I first met you, I can no more deny my feelings towards you than I can deny my existence on this world. It's as if someone who's always been part of me has materialized into my life. I don't know whether it's the music that you play which is so perfect that it makes me want to cry or whether it is the way you cut your hair and the beauty of your face. From the moment I first saw you, all I wanted to do was wrap my arms around you and hold you tight."
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