Chapter 6

It was now Tuesday and the work of gathering in the wheat was almost over. The girls were lying under the oak after a hard morning working under the burning hot sun. Caroline was getting to be quite sun burnt herself by this time, although with nothing like Grace’s wonderfully burnished skin. Grace had fallen asleep - surprisingly enough for one so tireless - and Catherine was lying beside her, studying the golden haired and golden-skinned body beside her.

She saw, as she looked closely at the young woman, many tiny and long-healed scars, presumably the results of minor accidents when her unprotected skin had been struck by chips of stone and other flying particles as Grace labored at all the variety of farm related work. She was particularly interested in some faint scars around her eyes as if she had been hit in the face a few times.

Idly she put her hand on one of her friend’s breasts, feeling the heart beating underneath and wondering at the firmness of a figure which had been unsupported for so long. She marveled too at the warm velvety softness of her skin. She would have expected it to have had more of a leathery texture after so many months outdoors, naked in all weathers. Grace had already explained her decision, years ago, to give up all forms of bodily covering, choosing to be open to the elements and in tune at all times and in all seasons, with the living universe around her. She bent her head closer and kissed Grace’s nipple, gently squeezing it between her lips.

At this, her companion woke up with a lazy smile and instinctively moved closer to Caroline, burying her face for a while between her breasts. The pair settled themselves down comfortably and gently fondled each other for some minutes.

“Back to work soon?” asked Caroline, whose hands were still giving her the most terrible trouble.

“Soon enough! Let’s lie here a while longer and get used to each other. It’s so nice!”

“Grace?”

“What, my lovely young friend?”

“I’m sure I woke up during the night and there was a cat lying on top of me, asleep on my stomach. But in the morning, it had gone”

“That would be Engelbart. He comes and goes. I’ve no idea where he gets to for days on end. None of my business, really. Mind you, I was disappointed he wasn’t here to meet you last Friday. I told him you were coming, but he took no notice.”

“Do you mind if I stay for a bit longer than a couple of weeks, Grace? I sometimes don’t think I ever want to leave here.”

“You’ll have to go one day, Caroline. It’s vital you do, but not for a while. I think you need to see out a complete year with me and experience one complete natural cycle. Then you will be ready.”