Page 26 of Weekends with the Sunshine Gardening Society
Cynthia brandishes the pair she had promised to buy.
Shirl looks down at Lorraine’s legs. ‘Shorts?’
‘I couldn’t find the pants I wanted.’ Lorraine looks guilty. ‘Are shorts bad?’
Shirl shrugs. ‘Not if you don’t mind dirty knees. Hat?’
Lorraine proffers a beaten-up maroon cap bearing the XXXX logo.
‘All right, then.’ Shirl holds open the gate. ‘Follow me.’
Cynthia follows Lorraine into the garden and sees Barb writing in a slender notebook – one she usually brings with her, presumably to keep records of anything they plant. Or not. Cynthia has no idea.
‘This is Barbara,’ Shirl says, gesturing.
‘Call me Barb.’ She extends a hand to Lorraine. ‘Everyone does.’
‘Hi, Barb!’
‘Shorts?’ Barb says.
‘Been through that,’ Shirl mutters.
Barb’s smile returns. ‘Oh. Right. Well – just keep an eye out for leeches.’
‘Leeches!’ Lorraine looks horrified.
‘In certain kinds of weather they turn up. Probably not today. But if you keep wearing shorts …’
‘I won’t.’
‘Good. Right. Well.’ Barb half-turns away, glancing around, then turns back. ‘We have some work to do here. This garden belongs to a young lady called Elizabeth and her son, Charles.’
‘Elizabeth and Charles?’ Lorraine retorts. ‘Like the Royal Family?’
‘I guess so.’ Barb remains serene. ‘Elizabeth’s husband, Jon – not Philip, please note,’ she winks at Lorraine, ‘died not that long ago, and he was ailing for quite a while. The garden was his passion but it’s showing us the story of his decline. As you can see …’ Another half-turn and a glance around. ‘It holds its design but it needs a great deal of care.’
‘Natives,’ Shirl says, as if something has been decided, although Cynthia has no idea what.
‘Shirl, we talked about this,’ Barb says quietly.
‘Where there are weeds, pull ’em out and put in natives,’ Shirl says firmly. ‘Everyone knows the weeds don’t grow back if you put the natives in.’
‘Noteveryone, Shirl.’ Barb sighs. ‘And it has to be right for the garden. This garden is of an English style. I think there are some roses round the other side of the house too.Nativeswon’t work here.As discussed.’
‘Make thewhole thingnatives!’ Shirl declares, using both arms to gesticulate.
‘Shirley! It’s not our decision to make. And please don’t use the opportunity of a new member to start this campaign again.’
There’s a noise from the direction of the house and Barb’s face softens as she looks towards it. Elizabeth is walking down the steps, looking so defeated that Cynthia wants to scoop her into a hug and tell her everything will be fine.
‘Hello, I’m Elizabeth,’ she says to Lorraine as she arrives on the bottom step.
‘Hello, Elizabeth.’
Lorraine’s vim has less vigour than it did before Shirl’s rant and Cynthia wonders if she’s reconsidering her decision to come today, even if she is, as she insists, just trying it out.
‘Lorraine is joining the Sunshine Gardening Society today,’ Barb says, looking proud.
