2. First Love
Elsie is popular, there's no doubt about it. She catches the eye of most of the lads who come to work on her father's farm. They wink at her and she roars with laughter; because of course she hasn't a care in the world about any one of them in particular. Her dear mother shakes her head and says she'll be the death of her and that she ought to watch herself. Elsie doesn't pay the slightest bit of attention, and poor Mam generally retreats, hoping she'll have grown out of it by the time Anne's at that stage; she couldn't be having with the two of them at once.
But there is one, one exception to prove every rule as it were. The one she takes quite a fancy to, the one she does have a care about. And of course, he doesn't notice her at all. Chats amiably with her, but doesn't notice the adoration in her eyes by any means.
He's strongly built, taller than most of the rest of them and two years older than she is. Of course, he comes back year after year- her Dad's not a harsh employer. And from her being thirteen to sixteen he doesn't notice her at all.
But then there is one night; one night in the village there's a party, a new baby had just been born and people were celebrating. It's autumn and getting cold; some of the men make a bonfire for them to keep warm by. There's singing and dancing and everyone is in high spirits.
She sits beside him on the grass; they're friends at least after seeing each other every year. And finally, finally, she feels as if he's looking at her differently. And he kisses her, there on the grass in the dancing light from the fire.
For days afterwards she walks with a spring in her step.
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