27-5-2011

Now that he felt that he had learnt as much as he could talking to the Monroe’s and old Mr Mayfield Phillip sensed it as his duty to now approach those farmers whom the Spring’s as a whole respected. He had met Mr Muir a few times before at similar events and the Manjimup Royal Show, and talked to such an extent as to know the basics such as where he was based and what he grew, and knew that he was well respected amongst the community. So while his father was off acting as lieutenant to the Mr Blakers and his grandfather was larking about with old Mr Monroe and Mr Moriarty, he summonsed all his courage to go up and join in Mr Muir’s conversation with his son Rodney, Danny Monroe and old Henry Kelly. It was time to be an independent man.

Phillip waited for a break in the conversation to introduce himself, even though everyone else knew exactly who he was (everybody knew who everyone was at these events), and as duty dictates, started up a new thread in the conversation, asking about the health of the poddy calves considering the early start to winter. As with all conversations of this nature it was interspersed with much grunting, contemplation of the sky and risk of this being the year of ruin for their respective districts. It was never in the farmers lot to be optimistic; no matter how good the weather or prices there would always be something to grizzle about.

The conversation drifted from stock to weather to crops, and through it remained fluid, with other farmers joining or leaving the huddle, however Phillip remained the ever-present at Mr Muir’s side. As the cold wind again began to blow, Mr Muir’s eldest daughter Beth came up to him to ask him something or other on behalf of her mother. As she waited for the conversation to break in order to ask her question she became intrigued by the tanned and broad-shouldered young man at her father’s side. His movements were minimal but succinct, as though all his energy was invested in ensuring that his body language suited the tone of the conversation perfectly; that no charge of indifference of misunderstanding could be levelled at him. She admired his all-too-apparent earnestness and his overwhelming desire to be welcomed into the company he was keeping, the way he presented himself as a gentleman.

Phillip noticed her presence, but tried to focus instead on the topic at hand so as not to come across as other men his age were wont to. But try as he might his eye kept wandering to her deep black eyes, her strong cheekbones, her distinctly feminine figure accentuated by a red belt cinched around her waist, and her casual, almost flippant, stance. She smiled an introduction towards him and he smiled and nodded slightly in reply. A distant rumble sounded deep in his stomach.

She persuaded him without ever letting on that it was her directing their relationship and not him.