It's a long walk through the trees to get to where the cows are. Out on the road it's not raining anymore but here there's still water dripping. Still wet everywhere and my feet are damp by the time we get there. The path comes through the trees and comes up against a wooden fence. The girl climbs up and over into the field. I stop at the fence.

The cows are huge. They come straight to her. Three of them, each one the size of a car. Probably about as heavy. Trotting over on big feet and stretching their necks. They smell. They stink. Musty, pooey, sewery smell. They sniff at her a bit and she gives them something out of her pocket. They eat from her hand, butting each other very slowly out of the way so they can each get some in turn.

You scared? says the girl. That's fine. You stay back there. I'll bring them over. I am annoyed with her again, and I clamber over the fence. My shoes squelch and ooze out liquid mud.