Part 19 (1/2)

'h.e.l.lo. Are you busy?

'I have to turn Boxer out, and then Im not.

We led Boxer into his terror-infested field. He bade Marilyn a fond farewell and she went off to see if the water trough had suddenly become edible. Boxer flew off down the field, tail kinked over his back. 'Shaking the tickles out of his feet, Kevin said fondly, watching him go.

I looked at Kevin. He wasnt the same boy wed found that night. Even in this short time, hed filled out. And, thanks to an almost non-stop food intake, hed grown some more. He was going to be a big lad. With his bruises gone and his smart new haircut, he looked comparatively normal for someone living someone at Frogmorton, I mean.

He was still very quiet, still unsure of himself and us, almost as if he was afraid to relax in case he was kicked out again. He was so pathetically eager it was heart-breaking. He threw himself at everything, desperate for acceptance and approval. He kept his little room spotless, as I noticed when I took him clean sheets. Russell said he wouldnt shouldnt stay for ever, but we could offer him a breathing s.p.a.ce while he worked out what to do with his life.

It often amazed me that Russell could be so perceptive in some areas and so b.l.o.o.d.y stupid in others.

Anyway, this morning, I was a woman on a mission.

'Kevin, I said when he joined me again. 'What do you know about gardening?

He hesitated. I could see he wanted to say, 'Lots, because that was the answer I wanted, but he was an honest lad.

'Nothing.

'Me neither. Come with me.

We let ourselves through the wonky garden door and into the walled jungle I could see from the living room. There were no leaves at this time of year, but some bulbs were beginning to poke through the tangled undergrowth. Overgrown was not the word to describe it.

'No, said Thomas. 'It pa.s.sed overgrown about ten years ago. Are you insane? This is a lifetimes work.

'Exactly, I said, nodding towards Kevin who was extricating himself from something th.o.r.n.y.

'Ah, I see.

We worked our way up to one of the French windows and turned back to survey the garden. It was a bit daunting. I seriously wondered about getting some people in one of those motorway gangs would be my first choice, together with half a dozen JCBs and a good supply of Agent Orange. But no, that wasnt the point.

Kevin was kicking his foot into the ground. 'Theres stone under here. Probably some sort of terrace that would have run along the back of the house and probably there would be sets of steps. Yes, look, ripping away something dead and brown. 'Theres a bit of stone bal.u.s.trade here, underneath all this stuff. And I think these ouch yes, theres roses growing ouch round the doors. Ow! Arent they supposed to be pruned? Im sure my dad ... Ouch!

'OK, I said. 'Find ... gardening tools and stuff. And something thick to wear. Meet here in ten minutes.

He disappeared and I went to look up rose-pruning on the Internet.

When he reappeared with a wheelbarrow stuffed full of dangerous and unfamiliar implements, I spread three sheets of paper on the ground and we studied them carefully.

'Well, these are either climbers or ramblers, he said slowly. 'We should be looking for outward facing buds. Oh, look, theres one. And take out the dead wood. No, dont put your arm in there, Mrs Checkland, Ill do it.

We made a start. We were a little tentative at first, and then got bolder. Huge swathes of p.r.i.c.kly stems fell down on our heads.

Thomas retreated to a safe distance. 'I can see why princesses surround themselves with this stuff, he said. ' Except in this instance, its the princess herself hacking down the brambles.

We kept at it and, after half an hour, we reckoned we could get the door open. I ran round the house into the living room and fumbled with the key. It wouldnt move. Kevin mouthed something at me and disappeared, reappearing behind me with a can of something a few minutes later and frightening me to death.

We squirted, he strained, we squirted again, the key turned, and the door opened. We cheered. You had to be there.

We walked in and out half a dozen times, just because we could.

'Shall we do the next one? he asked and I nodded.

Another half an hour and there was ten times more rose bush lying on the ground than growing up the walls. Kevin started pitchforking it into the wheelbarrow.

'Now, he said enthusiastically. 'We need a bonfire.

I was enthusiastic too. Id never had a bonfire before.

We lugged it all round the back to the old buildings where Russell parked his Land Rover. Within minutes, it was crackling merrily away, enveloping us in clouds of smoke.

We fought our way out, coughing and waving our arms. I stared at him. He was grimy, mud-streaked, leaking blood from half a dozen not-very-serious scratches, and reeked of wood smoke.

'Hes not the only one. The two of you look like prisoners on a chain gang.

Mrs Crisp appeared.

'Mrs Kingdom is here to see you.

'Oh, said Thomas.

'And Miss Kingdom as well.

'Oh, s.h.i.+t, said Thomas.

My happy afternoon vanished into the smoke of the bonfire. I could only stare at her. What? Where? Aunt Julia here? Now?

Kevin melted away.

She was sympathetic. 'Im sorry, but theyve already seen you from the road. They know youre here.

First things first. 'Wheres Russell?

'Still in the village.

This was Mrs Crisp speak for 'Still in the pub. I didnt want to face them alone, but if he came back plastered then he could be a bit of a double-edged weapon.

'Youre not alone, said Thomas. ' Now wash your face and hands, give them a quick cup of tea, and get rid of them before he gets back.

'Francesca is here. What does she want?

'Well, at a rough guess she wants the master of the house to see what hes missing. Come on.

I followed Mrs Crisp back through the mudroom.

'Theyre in the living room, Mrs Checkland, she said, gesturing. 'Ill bring in some tea.

I washed my hands under the tap, wiped them on my jeans, and, wis.h.i.+ng I had the firm tread of the acknowledged lady of the house, tiptoed into the living room.

They sat side by side on the sofa. Aunt Julia was wearing her 'Maybe if I dont touch anything then I wont catch anything, expression. Francesca was dressed for country visiting with her hair piled casually on top of her head and tumbling carelessly down her back. She wore a close-fitting black top, skinny jeans, and killer heels.