want to come in with me now?’
‘No, no,’ she said, shaking her head. ‘We’re happy to wait. It’s nice listening to the buzz about the place along with everyone else.’
I left them standing in line and went back inside.
‘What’s up with you?’ Finn asked, when he took in the look of shock Mum had picked up on too.
‘What’s up with you more like?’ I countered.
He was looking bright red and wide-eyed himself.
‘Zak’s convinced Dad to come,’ he said, wringing his hands. ‘He’s out there with my step-mum. He wants to see what I’ve been working on.’
It was a red-letter day for both of us then, but there was no time for an attack of the vapours because Luke was ready to let everyone in.
Once the gate was open, the people who had been waiting so patiently rushed inside and congregated around the steps which led up to the main door of the house. Luke threaded his way through them, pulling me along with him. I had hoped I was going to get away with hiding in the background while he said a few words, but apparently not.
He talked briefly about the house and his connection to it and then turned his attention to the renovation of the garden and the creation of the Winter Garden, reiterating all he had said on previous occasions about the importance of embracing nature and getting outside, even on the most bitter winter days.
‘As you walk around,’ he said, by way of introducing me, ‘please be aware that the garden is very much a work in progress. As all gardens are. That said, there’s already plenty here to delight the senses, and there will be more as the winter moves on, but Freya is more qualified to talk to you about that than I am, so I’ll hand you over.’
Thankfully, plants were my forte and it didn’t take many seconds for my voice to stop shaking and for me to get into my stride listing everything to look out for that day as well as sharing the details of what would be popping up throughout the next few months.
‘And of course,’ I finished up, easily spotting Finn because he was so tall, ‘we also have the work of a very talented local artist to enjoy. I’ll hand back to Luke, to tell you more about that, and perhaps Finn could join us up here too?’
Finn’s face was aflame as we passed each other and Zak could be heard whooping and cheering. I knew I was going to be in trouble later for forcing him to step up, but I was rather looking forward to that.
‘So,’ said Luke, once Finn had got everyone fired up with the promise of hidden dragons, ‘all that remains for me to say is that I hope you enjoy your first trip around the Winter Garden and that there are plants for sale near the garden office and mulled wine, soft drinks, along with homemade soup and pizzas available in the Grow-Well, so please stay as long as you can and don’t forget that we’ll be illuminating the garden at dusk.’
Everyone cheered and began to disperse. Some people headed straight for the garden, while others peeled off to the Grow-Well. I opted for the garden, keen to eavesdrop on a few conversations and see if I could get a feel for what people thought.
‘Have you smelt this?’ was the first comment I heard and it made my spirit soar. ‘It’s so sweet!’
I stopped and had a few words with the family who had discovered the sarcococca, which looked as good as it smelt.
‘I hope this is on sale?’ asked the guy who had smelt if first.
I reassured him that we had a few plants in stock and then moved on, smiling to myself as I heard children squealing in the fern garden, no doubt having found at least one of Finn’s fabulous hidden dragons.
And thinking of Finn.
I could see him standing on the path ahead of me with his dad, step-mum and Zak. They were looking at the hares in the meadow lawn. I was just about to take a different path when Zak turned and gave me a thumbs up and Finn’s dad clapped his eldest son firmly on the back. It might not have been a particularly demonstrative moment, but it was a very definite seal of approval and I knew Finn would be thrilled. He might have found the strength to stick to his guns and follow his