When she moved into the derelict house down the road, he had walked over to say hello and offer some of his potatoes. She had been sunning her large belly on the back veranda; had startled and frozen to see him stumping down the path. She looked so frightened that he stood stock still, as he would in the face of a fearful animal. In the next moment she had risen, wrenched open the back door and disappeared inside. Donny had placed the potatoes quietly on the porch and left without a word.After that, he often left his spare veges on her porch and sometimes received a thank you, but the Virgin never invited him in. Once, when he suggested she might like to come and watch TV with him, she shook her head and made a rude face. For Donny, who is naturally friendly, this was a sign that she didn’t want to be his friend. He gave up trying to coax her. Then, of course, he was away for six months doing his time.Apart from those awful hours two nights ago, Donny has never seen the Virgin in his own property.
