The Gardener
Lucy was flicking through the messages on the local bulletin board. She stopped and looked closely. "Allotments available." And it was near her block of flats. She had grown up in a house with a big garden. Her mum and dad spent lots of spare time out there growing plants. She and her husband lived on the third floor and had no green space at all.
"Look Mike, allotments to rent."
Her husband grunted, not interested, which sadly was his usual expression.
She shrugged and took down the phone number to call.
She called and was invited to visit.
She went in the afternoon, after work.
"Hello, I am Rob and this is my dad, Tom.
"Hello, I am Lucy."
Rob and Tom explained that Tom had been nurturing this space for nearly twenty five years, but his knee was in a bad way and he could not do the physical work any more.
"Could we do it together? I can dig but don't have your knowledge. Every afternoon after I finish work."
Tom was delighted, a perfect solution for them both.
Lucy arrived at the allotment the next day after work. She had rushed home and changed.
Tom had been around the other gardeners and scavenged.
Lucy would have a busy afternoon.
She arrived and was amazed and delighted by how much he had done and supplied.
She gave him a kiss and said thank you.
Tom blushed.
He had already noticed that Lucy's top was flimsy and that her jeans fitted her "snuggly".
They got to work, Tom enjoyed teaching her some things and advising her. He was delighted that he still had a role to play.
At three o'clock it started to rain. Not much they could do so they sheltered in the small cabin, along with the spades and forks they used.
Tom pulled out two wooden seats and Lucy opened her bag and brought out some sandwiches and drinks.
They sat contentedly looking out of the window at the rain. Everyone else had either gone indoors or gone home.
Lucy offered him another sandwich and he leaned forward.
