Page 2 of Clara's Secret Garden
We gaze at the confusion of thistles and other green things currentlyrampaging all over Gran’s once spotless drive.
‘It’s likeThe Day of the Triffids,’ I murmur.
‘Killer plants taking over the world.’ Rory nods, gettingthe reference, which I knew he would. He’s a keen reader, like me. Even atschool, in sixth form, he’d often have a well-thumbed paperback stuffed in hisjacket pocket. (He was cool enough to get away with it. One of the popularboys.) ‘Too much rain and hot summer sun. Recipe for disaster.’ He looks down,shuffling his feet a little. ‘So... howisyour gran?I heard she was in hospital.’
‘She’s... not good.’ I shade my eyes tolook up at him. Rory was always thin and lanky – his nickname was Beanstalk,shortened to ‘Bean’ – but he’s filled out a bit now. ‘Her heart...it was touch and go for a while, and she needs an operation.’
‘When?’
I shrug, feeling my throat close up. ‘Who knows? She’s notstrong enough right now.’
We exchange a look. Then he glances back at the drive. ‘Icould help you clear this lot if you like.’
‘Oh, no. I’ll be fine.’
‘I don’t mind. I’ve got a couple of weeks off work andnothing planned. You’d be doing me a favour, actually. Keeping me and my swankynew lawn mower out of mischief.’
‘Swanky, eh?’
‘Very.’
‘Can you ride around on it?’
He laughs. ‘Notthatswanky.’
‘No summer holiday this year, then?’
His rueful grin is telling. I heard through the grapevinethat he’d split from his long-time girlfriend a few months ago. ‘It wassupposed to be the Amalfi Coast in Italy, but Grace has gone with her friendinstead of me.’
‘Oh.’
He shrugs. ‘Mutual decision. It was for the best.’ He grins.‘And anyway, Sunnybrook’s just as exotic, don’t you think?’
‘Oh, absolutely.’
‘Plus, you get to sleep in your own bed and drink propertea.’
I nod solemnly. ‘Always important considerations. Give me apicnic on the village green over sailing down to Capri any day of the week.’
‘Precisely.’
We grin at each other. Then he turns and surveys thewilderness that was once Gran’s pride and joy. ‘I’m serious about helping.It’ll give me a chance to try out the mower on some proper grass, instead of myhandkerchief-sized plot.’ He glances at the cottage. ‘Maybe you should move inhere while you get the place tidied up... for your grancoming home.’
I smile at him, grateful for his optimism.
I’d love to believe that Gran will be home soon.
I shrug. ‘That would be the practical solution, to move infor a while. But...’
‘Bertie.’
‘Exactly. I couldn’t leave him.’
He folds his arms and studies me. ‘I just hope that littlefella appreciates what a great sister he has.’
Smiling, I push back my dark hair, feeling a little hot and sweatyall of a sudden. I’m not used to compliments and I can’t think what to say, soI just smile goofily.
‘A shame you had to give up college to come back home...’
