Secret Gardens (6 page)

The allotment is wild. There is a lot of work to do. But there are plenty of potatoes for picking. The pumpkins are swelling.The courgettes have big flowers. Stefan once showed me how to fry these in batter. I covered the strawberries with netting, so the birds have not got to them. Some have gone to mush, but not all. There’s plenty to eat.

From the next allotment, Stefan waves to me.

“Aazim, you’re back!” he shouts. “How’s your friend? Is she safe? Have you heard from your family?”

While I’m talking to Stefan, Tam comes round.

“I thought you’d be back. I have a spare key to your place so I’ve done a bit of watering.”

Stefan makes me a mug of tea.

“It didn’t work out in Lincolnshire?”

“Not exactly.” I go back to my allotment. The grass on the paths is knee high. I will need to borrow Tam’s strimmer. First, I must tend to the strawberries. Weeds block out their light.

Later, I will pick some vegetables. I will make soup for lunch. Tomorrow, if I am still here, I’ll plant some seeds.