And it's hard to hate someone once you understand them.

You smiled then, and your whole face changed with it. It kind of lit up, like there were sunbeams coming from inside you.

Everyone wanted answers I wasn't ready to give.

I made it," you said, gruffly, "for you."You shoved it onto my finger. It was roughly carved, shaped from a lump of something colourful and cold...a ring made entirely from a gemstone. It was beautiful. It glinted emerald greens and blood reds over my skin, and had tiny flecks of gold catching the light. I couldn't stop staring at it."Why?" I asked.You didn't answer that. Instead you touched the ring gently and looked piercingly at me, unsaid questions in your eyes.

I thought you didn't want to let me go.

You won't be able to hurt me, or touch me.

I was surprised at her gentleness, her willingness to give in.

How would she find her herd? How would she find you?

You nodded towards the cup. "Wantmore?"I shook my head. "What about the car?""Didn't find it. You were heading back towards me when Ifound you.""Towards . . . ?"You nodded. "So I reckoned the car had probably got stuckor died somehow, and you were just coming home.""Home?""Yeah." Your mouth twitched. "Back to me.