I made it," you said, gruffly, "for you." You shoved it onto my finger. It was roughly carved, shaped from a lump of something colourful and cold...a ring made entirely from a gemstone. It was beautiful. It glinted emerald greens and blood reds over my skin, and had tiny flecks of gold catching the light. I couldn't stop staring at it. "Why?" I asked. You didn't answer that. Instead you touched the ring gently and looked piercingly at me, unsaid questions in your eyes.

You smiled then, and your whole face changed with it. It kind of lit up, like there were sunbeams coming from inside you.

I thought you wanted to catch a camel," you tried again. "No." "I want to." "Well, you go then." You laughed. "I want your beautiful face where I can see it

If there'd been an astronaut on the moon right then, I'm sure I could have seen him. Perhaps he could have looked down and seen me too... the only one who could.

I love you," you said, simple as anything.

Because it's magic, this place . . . beautiful. And you're beautiful . . . beautifully separate. It all fits.

Your beautiful mouth was moving like a caterpillar. I reached out and tried to catch it.