A learning experience

In which a potentially life-changing relationship offers itself - but at what price?

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Peter's interest in gardening was difficult to pursue, because he lived in a flat without outside space. A course at a country house 50 miles away provided an opportunity to expand his knowledge.

When the group convened the next morning Peter was the youngest by 20 years. He joined a married couple at the back. As the tutor commenced, a woman he had seen on the previous evening slipped into the vacant seat. At the first break they turned to each other whilst the married couple compared notes. Peter now saw her in both profile and full face for the first time. He was struck immediately by how attractive she was - no, actually beautiful.

He introduced himself, making a joke that they were the two "children" on the course. She responded with a friendly laugh and proffered her name, Belinda, "but my age must remain with me". At the succeeding breaks they talked further. His solo status and place of residence were established. She limited herself to saying that she lived "hundreds of miles away", adding that her children were staying with her parents.

They were not together at dinner, as the tutor allocated the seating. On the Saturday the sessions were spent outside, examining the house's intensive gardens. Peter divided his time between attending to what was being said and shown, and ensuring that he spent as much time as he could with Belinda. Far from feeling put out by this, her manner made it clear that she welcomed it.

Their personalities gradually gelled. They were congenial, happy, laughed at each other's foibles - in planting (her) and recognizing flowers (him).