THE GARDEN

The next day Valerie feels anxious, waiting for Jo at The Clipper. She wonders if Jo might regret having taken her so much into her confidence, but as soon as Jo arrives she hugs her and says, ‘Thanks for last night. You cheered me up.’ She tells Valerie about the house she wants her to see. ‘It’s a barn conversion, not on the market yet but they’ve just about finished it and it looks amazing. We can take the footpath through the woods, it’s only ten-minutes. I want to show you something on the way.’

As they stroll in the leaf-filtered sunshine, Mouse scampering ahead, Valerie talks about her love of teaching and her dilemma about leaving it to move home. ‘I’ll miss the kids, but it’s so demanding. Derek resents the hours I spend doing paperwork and marking, but he doesn’t really want to move.’

They arrive at a wooden gate and Valerie follows Jo into a neatly laid out garden, tucked away. Jo leads Valerie along a path between raised beds filled with a variety of vegetables laid out in neat rows. Under a polytunnel, dark red fruits peep out from beneath the leaves of strawberry plants. On the opposite side of the garden, raspberry canes and gooseberry and currant bushes are protected from marauding birds by green mesh netting. Valerie makes out two large water butts, tucked away in a corner. Beside them stands a small wooden shed, freshly painted. Mouse rushes to the far end of the garden, sensing slight movement; a squirrel or a fox.

Jo explains that this garden is the work of volunteers, owned in trust by the village community. She points out sunflowers planted by the Brownies and wildflowers sown by the nursery school children. ‘We want the kids to feel proud to contribute. Each of them will have something to take home – some berries or veg, or flowers. They can grow things, and they learn about the environment.’

Valerie hears the passion in Jo’s voice. She follows her to a bench set in a sheltered spot. Over the beech hedges that line the garden the rooftops of houses can be glimpsed further away. Children’s distant voices mingle with the birdsong. Somewhere a dog barks. Valerie sits back, eyes shut, her face lifted to the sun. There is a faint aroma of honeysuckle. ‘This is heavenly,’ she says. ‘It’s a little oasis.’

Jo grins. ‘It’s great, isn’t it? People have given hours of their time as well as plants, cuttings, tools and equipment. This bench was donated by an elderly lady whose husband used to help here before he got too ill.’

Valerie nods. ‘What a perfect memorial,’ she says, smiling.

Jo talks animatedly about her environmental projects, her passion and enthusiasm obvious in her shining eyes. Valerie can see that, despite her earth-spattered clothes and heavy boots, Jo is beautiful and as graceful as a racehorse.

As they talk, Jo notices Lawrence Woodrow, Sylvia’s son, standing under the shade of an apple tree, hoody pulled up. Jo gives him a thumbs up.

‘Hey Lawrence, you here for some digging?’

The young man shifts back into the shadows as if embarrassed. ‘Yeah, but I’ve gotta go home now.’

‘No worries – see you at the weekend.’ Jo waves and he turns towards the gate, shoulders hunched.

‘Who was that?’ says Valerie.

‘One of the kids who helps out. He’s a shy one.’

‘He looks as if he doesn’t get much fresh air.’

‘You know what they’re like at that age.’

‘I certainly do.’ Valerie is thinking about the pupils at her school back in Bristol, and her own daughters, although they are past that stage now. With the girls away at university now, it’s the right time for her and Derek to move. It will be a new chapter in their lives.

‘Jo,’ she says, ‘if I give you my number, will you text me as soon as the barn is on the market?’

Jo does not answer. Valerie follows her gaze and sees John Greatwood’s Land Rover by the gate. He is lugging a large bag of manure into the garden, Jess trotting at his heels. Mouse rushes over to greet them and John nods to the two women.

‘Afternoon,’ he says and turns to unlock the shed.

Valerie glances at Jo who is staring straight ahead, her shoulders tense. Feeling suddenly uncomfortable, Valerie clears her throat. ‘Hello,’ she says, ‘it’s a beautiful day.’

Jo ignores John and turns away to gather her things, preparing to leave. She calls to Mouse, the lead ready in her hand. Just then Valerie’s mobile rings. It is Derek.

‘Hi love,’ she says. ‘I may have found just the place for us.’ She begins to talk about the barn  she is hoping to see but Derek interrupts her with a question. ‘No, it’s not on the market yet – ’

She breaks off, then tries again. ‘Yes, I know… well, I’ve arranged to see two others tomorrow but… no, I know that. Let me send you photos… Yes, okay. Alright, bye.’

Sighing, she shoves her phone into her pocket. Jo is waiting by the gate, Mouse beside her.

‘Goodbye,’ Valerie calls out to John as she follows Jo out of the garden. Jo is quiet as they continue their walk to the barn. The sky has clouded over and the afternoon feels chilly. Despite this, Valerie cannot stop smiling to herself.

‘Please,’ she thinks, ’let this house be The One.’

Chapter 10