Dreamy eyes, he called them.

I wonder if the word ‘dreamy’ has something to do with that gnawing in my chest. There’s no room to turn away in this cramped space, so it’s not like I can look anywhere else.

A long line of creatures like him chatter and smile at me from behind the fence. I flick my tail. Is it too much to ask to have my lunch in peace?

An ache creeps along my spine. I wish Ma was here. When did I last see her? Days ago? Weeks? Time passes slowly inside that sharp point in the middle of my chest. There’s a warm, heavy scent in here that reminds me of her, but when I scan left and right, only my sisters are with me. Sister Nellie is trying very hard to back away from the staring eyes.

‘I don’t like it,’ he says, the one who called my eyes dreamy. ‘They look scared.’

‘Told you,’ says the one next to him. She doesn’t look at me. Instead, she watches him go quiet, satisfaction flitting across her face as his shoulders begin to drop.

They stand close to the fence, but they aren’t pushing forwards or trying to paw me in the face like the others.

This isn’t right, I think. Ma and I should be together, in the safety of our pen where it’s quiet and peaceful.

One of them is by the gate, separated from the crowd. I recognise her. This is the one that brings us food and clears away the strong smells. I like her. She said I looked just like Ma.

She turns to the creature near me, then lifts a front leg, studying the small object fastened around it. Perhaps it’s her tag. The rest of them start walking away towards the next shed, but the one who talked about my eyes stays.

‘You can pet her if you like? Her name’s Maude,’ says the familiar one with the tag. ‘There’s still time before we begin bottle feeding the lambs in the sheep shed.’

He nods and steps back as she unlocks our gate, which is the only thing keeping them at a safe distance. My eyes remain fixed on him as he walks towards me and crouches down. It’s strange seeing how small they can fold themselves. Very bendy, as creatures go.

‘Hi Maude,’ he says, eyes locking onto mine.

I don’t know what to say. I’m waiting for him to paw at me, but he doesn’t. He glances over his shoulder at the crowd, then quickly back to me.

‘I’m so sorry,’ he says, the corners of his mouth turning down. He doesn’t tell me what he’s sorry for, but his eyes look like Ma’s when we were separated.

I step forward, hesitate, then rest my muzzle on his shoulder. His arm moves up to stroke the side of my head, but I don’t mind this time. His body shudders a little, and I want to tell him it’s okay, that I understand.

He pulls back and wipes his eyes. I guess they’re dreamy now too.