RINGS AND FINGS PART FIVE B.

Rachael watched from her doorway as Len stopped his tractor so the broken Volvo it was pulling was adjacent to a workshop built in stone on the side of the barn.

It had an arched brick roof and solid wooden doors.

Once it had been used for shoeing horses and fixing farm equipment.

Her Dad had refurbished the space but still used some of the original tools that the old farmers had kept in excellent condition.

She loved being in there when he was working, all the sparks and banging.

He often invited her in, standing there sweating and smiling, lifting up dark goggles to reveal glowing blue eyes.

He would tie her hair back with string and place over sized goggles on her. Holding heavy tools she would bang away at things, her face glowing with the multi colored sparks he would produce.

Whatever he was building, or fixing, she would never know.

Len unhooked the car and gathered up his rope, pulling and twisting skillfully.

He had a quick chat and laugh with the tall traveler who had just climbed out of the Volvo.

She regarded the strange man all dressed in ancient black layers.

How can he wear those clothes in this heat.

It was a glorious day, a breeze straight from the glistening blue sea rolled its way up the valley cooling her face.

How could she wear these clothes, she thought, about time for a bath and fresh gear.

Len pulled himself back onto his green tractor, he turned the key and it chugged into life. The iron horse ready for another day of labour, another day from the scrapheap. Keep on working.

He performed a tight three point turn, then with a wave he headed back down the lane to the road.

“Thank you Len.” She managed to shout as he trundled away.

“Arr.” He replied without turning around.

It was really all she ever heard him say, it must have been his favourite word. But then again maybe that’s just how he spoke to townies.

Rachael was quite sure that in the pub with the other farmers, there was more elaborate conversations about birthing, motors, yields and fields, and other farm stuff.

Or maybe they did just sit around sipping ale and saying “Arr.” to each other.

Okay, she thought, and “Okay.” She said as she started towards her car and the traveler.