Chapter 36

“Just before you came round we’d decided to go to the garden centre. That back garden is in serious need of some TLC. I’m going to turn Simon into a gardener even if it kills me.”

I pulled a face.

Sam giggled. “Can I come with you?”

“If it’s all right with your mum and dad,” I said. “I’d have thought they’d want to spend some time with their son not having seen him for a couple of weeks.”

Sam’s grin was back. “I’ll go sort them out.”

In the meantime Mark offered to help me into my coat.

“Give over.” I slapped at his wandering hands. “Anyone would think we were teenagers.”

“Who was it who said something about spring being when a young man’s fancy turns to watching the sap rising?”

“Sap isn’t the only thing that’s rising,” I said, squeezing Mark’s crotch.

“Is this what you meant by ‘or something?’” Sam asked, opening the front door.

I thumped Mark’s arm. “Whose idea was it to tell him he didn’t need to knock?”